Do Peeps Have Gelatin? Yes — Here’s What’s Inside

Yes, Peeps contain gelatin. Every variety of Peeps marshmallow candy — chicks, bunnies, ducks, and all seasonal shapes — contains pork-derived gelatin. This is confirmed directly by Just Born, Inc., the manufacturer, which states on their website: “We use pork derived gelatin in our PEEPS® marshmallow to achieve a light, soft texture.”

This means Peeps are not vegan, not vegetarian, not halal, and not kosher. If you follow any of these diets, you’ll need to skip Peeps or look at the alternatives we cover below.

Here’s the full ingredient breakdown, why gelatin is so central to Peeps, and what your options are if you want that marshmallow experience without animal products.

Peeps Ingredients: What’s Inside

The ingredient list for Original Yellow Peeps Chicks is surprisingly short:

Sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, contains less than 0.5% of: Yellow #5 (tartrazine), potassium sorbate (a preservative), natural flavors, carnauba wax.

That’s it — just seven ingredients. Peeps are essentially marshmallow (sugar, corn syrup, gelatin) shaped into animal forms and coated in colored sugar. The colored sugar coating is what gives each Peep its vibrant look, and the carnauba wax provides the slight sheen on the surface.

Different colors and seasonal shapes use different food dyes (Red #3 for pink, Blue #1 for blue, etc.), but the base formula stays the same across all varieties. Gelatin is always present.

Chocolate-dipped Peeps and caramel-filled Peeps add additional ingredients — and those also contain dairy (milk), which adds another exclusion for anyone following a plant-based diet.

Why Do Peeps Need Gelatin?

Peeps are marshmallows, and gelatin is what makes a marshmallow a marshmallow. The science is the same whether you’re talking about a Peep, a Jet-Puffed marshmallow, or a homemade batch — gelatin is the structural ingredient that creates that soft, airy, squishy texture.

Here’s how it works: gelatin is dissolved in warm sugar syrup, then air is whipped in. As the mixture cools, the gelatin forms a protein network that traps millions of tiny air bubbles. This is what makes marshmallows light and springy instead of dense and sticky.

In Peeps specifically, Just Born has stated that gelatin “allows us to incorporate small finely divided bubbles allowing you to bite through the marshmallow cleanly with a creamy mouth feel.” The company has also said they’ve done extensive research into alternatives: “We have done a great deal of research, analysis and testing using alternative sources of gelatin and have not been able to identify a consistent alternative that provides the same great eating experience.”

That’s an unusually transparent statement from a candy manufacturer. It tells you two things: they know consumers want a gelatin-free option, and they haven’t been able to make one work at production scale.

For a deeper dive into how gelatin works in marshmallows and other candies, see our article on do marshmallows have gelatin — which covers the full science of how gelatin creates that fluffy texture.

Is the Gelatin in Peeps From Pork or Beef?

Pork only. Just Born has confirmed this explicitly: “The gelatin used in our marshmallow candies is derived from pork products.” There is no ambiguity here — Peeps use pork gelatin, not beef or fish.

This is a dealbreaker for multiple dietary groups. Pork gelatin is not halal, not kosher, and not acceptable for anyone avoiding pork for religious, ethical, or personal health reasons.

If you want to understand more about how gelatin sourcing varies across different products and what the alternatives are, our halal gelatin guide covers pork vs. beef vs. fish gelatin in detail.

Are Peeps Vegan?

No. Just Born states directly: “Our marshmallow candies are not vegan because they contain pork-derived gelatin.” There’s no room for interpretation here — the manufacturer themselves has ruled it out.

Gelatin is made by processing animal bones, skin, and connective tissues. It’s an animal product by any standard definition, which places it squarely outside of vegan diets. Our article on whether Jello is vegetarian or vegan explains why gelatin is excluded from both categories.

Are Peeps Vegetarian?

No. While vegetarian definitions vary, most vegetarians exclude gelatin because it requires an animal to be slaughtered — the bones, skin, and connective tissues used to produce gelatin can only be harvested from dead animals. Peeps are not suitable for lacto-ovo vegetarians or any other common vegetarian subcategory.

Are Peeps Halal?

No. Peeps contain pork gelatin, which is explicitly haram (forbidden) in Islamic dietary law. Peeps are also not halal-certified by any recognized authority. Just Born has confirmed: “While many of our candies are Kosher, they are not Halal certified.”

Are Peeps Kosher?

No. Just Born states directly: “Our PEEPS® Marshmallow Candies are not kosher.” The pork gelatin disqualifies them from kosher certification under Orthodox Union (OU) and other kashrut standards.

Are Peeps Gluten-Free?

Yes. Peeps are labeled gluten-free. They contain no wheat, barley, rye, or other gluten-containing grains. The ingredients — sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, food dyes, and preservatives — are all naturally gluten-free.

Are Peeps Dairy-Free?

Original Peeps: Yes. The standard marshmallow chicks and bunnies contain no dairy ingredients.

Chocolate-dipped and caramel-filled Peeps: No. These varieties contain milk and are not dairy-free. If you’re avoiding dairy, stick to the plain colored varieties.

Gelatin-Free Alternatives to Peeps

Since Peeps aren’t going gelatin-free anytime soon (their manufacturer has said so), here are your best options:

Homemade Vegan Peeps

This is the most popular alternative. The basic approach: make vegan marshmallow using agar-agar (a seaweed-derived gelling agent) and aquafaba (chickpea liquid) whipped to stiff peaks, then pipe the mixture into chick or bunny shapes and coat with colored sugar. The texture is close to traditional marshmallows — slightly firmer, but still soft and sweet.

Agar-agar is one of the best gelatin substitutes for marshmallow-type recipes because it sets firmly at room temperature and can hold air bubbles, though not quite as effectively as animal gelatin.

Dandies Vegan Marshmallows

While Dandies doesn’t make Peeps-shaped marshmallows, they make excellent gelatin-free marshmallows that you can use for s’mores, hot chocolate, or Rice Krispie treats. They use carrageenan and soy protein instead of gelatin. Available at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and online.

Trader Joe’s Vegan Marshmallows

Trader Joe’s house-brand marshmallows have been vegan since a 2019 reformulation, using a seaweed-based formula. Like Dandies, they don’t come in Peeps shapes, but they work for any recipe that calls for marshmallows.

Freedom Mallows

A UK-based brand that makes handmade vegan marshmallows in various shapes and flavors. Occasionally available through online retailers shipping to the US.

Other Easter Candy: Gelatin Status

If you’re filling an Easter basket and want to know which candies are gelatin-free and which aren’t, here’s a quick reference:

Contains Gelatin:

• Peeps (all varieties) — pork gelatin
• Starburst Jelly Beans — gelatin
• Haribo Gummy Bears — pork gelatin
• Jelly Belly jelly beans — varies by product (check labels)

Gelatin-Free:

• Sour Patch Kids (US version) — uses cornstarch
• Swedish Fish — uses cornstarch
• Twizzlers (Twists, not Gummies) — uses wheat flour
• Gushers — uses carrageenan and agar-agar
• Skittles — uses cornstarch
• Dark chocolate eggs (most brands) — check for dairy, but typically no gelatin

For the complete breakdown across all popular candy brands, see our full guide: Which Candies Have Gelatin?

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Peeps contain pork gelatin in every variety — no exceptions, no gelatin-free flavors, and no vegan version on the horizon. The manufacturer has been transparent about this, stating that they’ve tried alternatives and haven’t found one that works.

If you need a marshmallow-based Easter treat without gelatin, your best options are homemade vegan Peeps using agar-agar, or using vegan marshmallows from brands like Dandies or Trader Joe’s in your own Easter recipes.

For more on which candies are safe for your specific dietary needs, check out our complete guide: Which Candies Have Gelatin?

Related articles on Gelatin Recipes:

• Do Marshmallows Have Gelatin?
• Do Sour Patch Kids Have Gelatin?
• Do Gushers Have Gelatin?
• Do Twizzlers Have Gelatin?
• Do Hi-Chews Have Gelatin?
• Do Haribo Gummies Have Gelatin?