Where to find allergy-safe Easter eggs
As someone with a life-threatening peanut allergy, Easter can be more bitter than sweet. Let’s just say playing the ‘Easter bunny’ ain’t so simple when you've got a child with a food allergy.
For my mum, the real ‘Easter egg hunt’ was at the supermarket. Props to her for persevering and checking label after label in search of a chocolate bunny that didn't ‘contain traces of nuts.' It was probably about one in a hundred.
Shopping for someone with an allergy can be particularly daunting for friends and family who aren’t used to carefully scrutinising the ingredients list on – every. single. food label. – before eating.
With very few allergy-safe options around – they’ll often resort to the 5-in-one “nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, (taste-free, fun-free)” chocolate, just to be safe.
It’s always extremely appreciated that they even remembered to check the ingredients and look for an allergy-aware alternative in the first place! But unfortunately, some of these options can be lacking a little in the taste department. I just wish there was more choice out there for us allergic folk!
On that note, here’s a handy little guide on where to find allergy-safe chocolate this Easter for some of the main allergens and conditions:
Disclaimer: Every allergy is different, and some people have more than one allergy to consider. The information provided below is specific to individual allergies. If the person you're shopping for has more than one allergy (like peanuts and dairy, for example), you’ll need to consider both. It's best to find out exactly what the individual can and can’t have, as allergies can vary from person to person.
Shopping for someone with a…
Peanut allergy
- Scenario: Your friend is allergic to peanuts (only) – but can eat all other nuts/tree nuts
Note: A food allergy is different to a food intolerance. A severe peanut allergy (called ‘anaphylaxis’) can be life-threatening.
Fun fact: Peanuts aren’t actually ‘nuts’ – they’re legumes! So ingredient lists on food packaging must differentiate whether something contains ‘peanut’ traces or ‘nut/tree nut’ traces.
| ❌ What to avoid: | ✅ What should be okay: |
| • Peanuts • “Peanut traces” or any similar variations (“may contain peanuts”, “manufactured on equipment that also processes peanuts”, etc.) | • Products containing “nuts” or “tree nuts” • “Nut traces” or any similar variations (“may contain nuts”, “manufactured on equipment that also processes tree nuts”, etc.) |
Peanut allergy safe – Easter egg options:
*Always double-check the ingredients before consuming!
✅ Brands that typically have peanut-free chocolate options:
- Maltesers
❌ Brands that typically contain peanuts/peanut traces:
- (Australian) Cadbury – British Cadbury is usually safe, though!
(If your friend is allergic or intolerant to other foods, these products might not be right for them – so always check the ingredients to be safe!)
Nut/tree nut allergy:
- Scenario: Your friend is allergic to tree nuts (only) – but can eat peanuts
Note: A food allergy is different to food intolerance. A severe nut allergy (called ‘anaphylaxis’) can be life-threatening.
Fun fact: Peanuts aren’t actually ‘nuts’ – they’re legumes! So ingredient lists on food packaging must differentiate whether something contains ‘peanut’ traces or ‘nut/tree nut’ traces.
Things to keep in mind:
- Some people are allergic to all tree nuts – while others are allergic to a select few (e.g. pecan, walnuts, almonds, etc.).
- If a product contains traces of nuts, some food packaging will indicate exactly which tree nuts it may contain traces of (e.g. “may contain traces of pecans”) – while others will just include a blanket “may contain nuts” or “may contain tree nuts” statement.
| ❌ What to avoid: | ✅ What should be okay: |
| • Nuts/tree nuts • “Nut/tree traces” or any similar variations (“may contain nuts”, “may contain tree nuts”, “manufactured on equipment that also processes nuts/tree nuts”, etc.) | • Products containing “peanuts” or “peanut traces” – if the person is only allergic to nuts/tree nuts and not peanuts. (Many people who are allergic to nuts/tree nuts will also be allergic to peanuts, so make sure to double-check!) |
Celiac disease or gluten intolerance:
- Scenario: Your friend has celiac disease or is gluten intolerant – and cannot eat gluten.
Note: Gluten intolerance is a sensitivity. Celiac disease, however, is not a food intolerance – and can be potentially life-threatening.
| ❌ What to avoid: | ✅ What should be okay: |
| • Gluten • Wheat, barley and rye • “Gluten/wheat/barley/rye traces” or any similar variations (“may contain “gluten/wheat/barley/rye”, “manufactured on equipment that also processes gluten/wheat/barley/rye”, etc.) • Barley malt extract | •Products that say “gluten-free” |
Dairy/milk allergy:
- Scenario: Your friend is allergic to dairy (only).
Note: A dairy/milk allergy is different to a dairy/lactose intolerance. A dairy/milk allergy can potentially lead to anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening.
| ❌ What to avoid: | ✅ What should be okay: |
| • Whole milk, low-fat milk, skim milk, buttermilk, half-and-half • Butter • Yogurt • Ice cream, gelato • Cheese • Products that contain traces of anything listed above – e.g. “Milk traces” or any similar variations (“may contain milk”, “manufactured on equipment that also processes milk”, etc.) | • Products that say “dairy-free” |
Egg allergy:
- Scenario: Your friend is allergic to eggs (only).
Note: A dairy/milk allergy is different to a dairy/lactose intolerance. A food intolerance is a sensitivity – while a dairy/milk allergy can potentially lead to anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening.
| ❌ What to avoid: | ✅ What should be okay: |
| • Egg • Products that contain traces of egg – e.g. “egg traces” or any similar variations (“may contain egg”, “manufactured on equipment that also processes egg”, etc.) | • Products that say “egg-free” |
Wheat allergy:
- Scenario: Your friend is allergic to wheat (only).
| ❌ What to avoid: | ✅ What should be okay: |
| • Wheat • Things like bran, bread crumbs, bulgur, cereal extract, couscous, cracker meal, pasta, semolina, spelt, wheat berries, bran, germ, gluten, grass, malt, sprouted, starch, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, soy sauce, natural flavourings, gelatinized starch, modified food starch, vegetable gum & more. • Flour (enriched, graham, high-gluten, high-protein, whole-wheat) • Products that contain traces of egg – e.g. “wheat traces” or any similar variations (“may contain wheat”, “manufactured on equipment that also processes wheat”, etc.) | • Products that say “wheat-free” or “gluten-free” |
Soy allergy:
- Scenario: Your friend is allergic to soy (only).
Fun fact: Soy is a part of the legume family – like peanuts!
| ❌ What to avoid: | ✅ What should be okay: |
| • Soy and soy products – like soy sauce • Soy-based milk, yoghurt, ice cream, or cheese • Soy-based fibre, flour, grits, nuts, or sprouts • Potentially avoid “soy/soya lecithin” – depending on the severity of the allergy (can be confirmed by the person’s allergy specialist). • Products that contain traces of soy – e.g. “soy traces” or any similar variations (“may contain soy”, “manufactured on equipment that also processes soy”, etc.) | • Products that say “soy-free” |
Which allergens are in popular Easter eggs & chocolates?
Here’s a look at some popular Easter chocolate options and which allergens they contain.
| Be aware – Ingredients for the same item can differ based on the packaging (so annoying!). For example, the pre-packaged classic Lindt balls (which are sold at most supermarkets) usually contain "peanut and tree nut traces." However, at the Lindt store, you can purchase Lindt balls individually (not pre-packaged) and pay by weight – for whatever reason, the individual Lindt balls generally won’t contain “traces of peanuts”. |
Allergy matrix: Easter eggs & chocolates
*Please be aware that while one product in a brand’s range might be safe for you – other products by the same brand within the same range might not be.
(Information correct at time of writing. Always check the labels yourself before consuming).
Key:
- T = Traces (Allergen may be present / may contain traces)
- C = Contains this allergen
- “-” = Does not contain or have traces
| Product | Stocked at | Peanuts | Nuts (tree nuts) | Gluten | Milk | Egg | Wheat | Soy | Other | Contains or may contain |
| Sweet William Chocolate Easter Bunnies – Multipack 155g (12 Pieces) | Seasonally available at Coles, Woolworths, Big W, select IGA’s, Harris Farm Market and Health Food Stores. | - | - | - | - | - | - | C | Vegan & kosher friendly | Contains soy |
| Sweet William 120g Hollow Mylk Chocolate Easter Bunny | Seasonally available at Coles, Big W, select IGA’s, Harris Farm Market and Health Food Stores. | - | - | - | - | - | - | C | Vegan-friendly | Contains soy |
| Sweet William 140g Hollow Chocolate Easter Egg | Seasonally available at Coles, Big W, select IGA’s, Harris Farm Market and Health Food Stores. | - | - | - | - | - | - | C | Vegan-friendly | Contains soy |
| Lindt LINDOR Mini Eggs Assorted Bag 300g | Lindt stores, Woolworths, Big W, Coles, Kmart & more. | - | T | C (barley malt extract) | C | - | - | C (soy lecithin) | Contains milk, soy, gluten. May contain oats, rye, wheat, sesame, tree nuts. | |
| Lindt Gold Bunny Milk 100g | Lindt stores, Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, Big W & more. | - | T | C (barley malt extract) | C | - | - | C (soy lecithin) | Contains milk, soy, gluten. May contain tree nuts | |
| Lindt Gold Bunny Dark 100g | Lindt stores, Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, Big W & more. | - | T | - | T | - | - | C (soy lecithin) | Contains soy. May contain milk, tree nuts. | |
| Lindt Gold Bunny White 100g | Lindt stores, Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, Big W & more. | - | T | T | C | - | T | C (soy lecithin) | Contains milk, soy. May contain wheat, gluten, sesame, tree nuts | |
| Lindt Gold Bunny Mini Milk 5 Pack 50g | Lindt stores, Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, Big W, David Jones + more. | - | T | C (barley malt extract) | C | - | - | C (soy lecithin) | Contains milk, soy, gluten. May contain tree nuts. | |
| Kinder Surprise Milk Chocolate Blue Easter Bunny 75g | Woolworths, Coles, Big W, Kmart | - | - | - | C | - | - | C (soy lecithin) | Contains milk, soy. | |
| Kinder Surprise Maxi Pink Easter Egg With Toy 150g | Woolworths | - | - | - | C | - | - | C (soy lecithin) | Contains milk, soy. | |
| Kinder Easter Bunny Milk Chocolate 3 Pack | Woolworths | - | - | - | C | - | - | C (soy lecithin) | Contains milk, soy. | |
| Nestle Kit Kat Milk Chocolate Bunnies 66g | Woolworths | - | T | - | C | - | - | - | Cereal and Wafer Pieces. | Contains milk. May contain tree nuts |
| Haigh’s Milk Chocolate Mini Eggs 120g | Haigh’s store | - | T | - | C | - | - | C (soya lecithin) | Contains milk, soy. May be present nuts | |
| Haigh’s Dark Chocolate Mini Eggs 120g | Haigh’s store | - | T | - | T | - | - | C (soya lecithin) | Contains soy. May be present milk, nuts | |
| Haigh’s Caramel Filled Milk Mini Eggs 120g | Haigh’s store | - | T | C (wheat) | C | - | C | C (soya lecithin) | Contains gluten, milk, soy, wheat. May be present nuts | |
| Haigh’s Milk Chocolate Egg 100g | Haigh’s store | - | T | - | C | - | - | C (soya lecithin) | Contains milk, soy. May be present nuts | |
| Barbie Ceramic Mug With Milk Chocolate Easter Egg | Woolworths | T | T (almonds & hazelnuts) | - | C | - | - | C (soya lecithin) | Contains milk & soy. May contain almonds, hazelnuts & peanuts. | |
| Hot Wheels Mug & Milk Chocolate Egg (60g) | Woolworths | T | T (almonds & hazelnuts) | - | C | - | - | C (soya lecithin) | Contains milk & soy. May contain almonds, hazelnuts & peanuts. |
Which allergens are in popular hot cross buns?
Let’s take a look at what allergens are in some popular hot cross bun products:
Allergy matrix: Hot cross buns
*Please be aware that while one product in a brand’s range might be safe for you – other products by the same brand within the same range might not be.
(Information correct at time of writing. For the full ingredients list, please check the packaging of the item. Always check the labels yourself before consuming).
| Product | Peanuts | Nuts (tree nuts) | Gluten | Milk | Egg | Wheat | Soy | Lupin | Other | Contains or may contain |
| Baker’s Delight Traditional Hot Cross Bun 6-Pack | - | T | C | T | T | C | C | T | Vegan-friendly | Contains gluten, wheat, soy. May contain rye, barley, oats, spelt, egg, milk, tree nuts, sesame seeds, lupin |
| Baker’s Delight Choc Chip Hot Cross Bun 6-Pack | - | T | C | C | T | C | C (soy flour) | T | Contains gluten, wheat, milk, soy. May contain rye, spelt, egg, tree nuts, sesame seeds, lupin | |
| Baker’s Delight Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Bun 6-Pack | T | T | C | C | T | C | C | T | Contains gluten, wheat, milk, soy. May contain rye, barley, oats, spelt, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, lupin | |
| Coles Hot Cross Buns Premium Fruit | 4 pack (Fruity Brioche) | T | T - Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pistachios, Almonds, Pine, Cashew, Pecan, Brazil Nuts, Walnut. | C | C | C | C | C (soy flour) | T | May Contain Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pistachios, Almonds, Pine, Cashew, Pecan, Brazil Nuts, Sulphates, Egg, Sesame, Lupin, Peanuts, Walnut. Contains Wheat, Milk, Soy, Gluten | |
| Coles Hot Cross Buns Chocolate | 6 pack | T | T - Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pistachios, Almonds, Pine, Cashew, Pecan, Brazil Nuts | C | C | T | C | C | T | May Contain Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pistachios, Almonds, Pine, Cashew, Pecan, Brazil Nuts, Sulphates, Egg, Sesame, Lupin, Peanuts, Walnut. Contains Wheat, Milk, Soy, Gluten | |
| Coles Gluten Free Hot Cross Bun | 3 pack | - | - | - | - | C | - | C | - | Contains egg, soy | |
| Woolworths Cadbury Hot Cross Buns Made With Cadbury Chocolate 6 Pack | T | T | C | C | T | C | C | T | Contains Gluten, wheat, milk, soy. May contain egg, lupin, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame. | |
| Coles Gluten Free Chocolate Hot Cross Buns | 3 pack | - | - | - | - | C | - | C | - | Contains egg, soy |
I hope this guide is helpful to all my fellow allergy-sufferers – and to those who are shopping for friends and family with allergies. Have an allergy-safe Easter!