Does Reese's OUTRAGEOUS! contain dairy or gluten?

Yes, it contains dairy (milk, butter, whey). It does not contain wheat gluten ingredients, but is processed in a facility that handles wheat, so cross-contamination is possible.

Is Reese's OUTRAGEOUS! good for weight loss?

No. It is calorie-dense and high in sugar, making it counterproductive for weight loss goals.

Where can I buy Reese's OUTRAGEOUS!?

It is widely available at major grocery stores, convenience stores, and online retailers like Amazon.

Is Reese's OUTRAGEOUS! safe for kids?

Yes, it is generally safe for children, but the high sugar content and potential choking hazard for younger children should be noted.

Is Reese's OUTRAGEOUS! Vegan?

No, Reese's OUTRAGEOUS! is not vegan. While the peanut butter base is plant-based, the candy is loaded with dairy derivatives like milkfat, butter, and whey. If you are strictly avoiding animal products, you need to skip this specific variety of Reese's.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, looking at the label of Reese's OUTRAGEOUS! reveals a complex formulation designed for texture and shelf stability. While the star of the show is undeniably the peanut butter, the supporting cast of ingredients creates a significant barrier for those following a vegan diet. The product is essentially a layered confection involving a milk chocolate shell, a peanut butter filling, caramel fudge, and Reese's Pieces.

The primary reason this candy fails the vegan test is the pervasive use of dairy ingredients. The base milk chocolate contains milkfat, nonfat milk, and whey. Even the peanut butter filling itself often contains whey or lactose to enhance flavor and texture. Furthermore, the caramel fudge variegate introduces butter and buttermilk powder. These are all direct animal by-products.

Beyond the dairy, we must look at the additives. The propylene glycol listed in the vanilla flavoring is technically a synthetic compound, but it is generally considered vegan as it is derived from propylene oxide (a petroleum product). However, the mono and diglycerides are a common point of contention; while they can be plant-derived, in mass-market American candy like Reese's, they are frequently sourced from animal fats unless explicitly stated otherwise. Finally, the PGPR (polyglycerol polyricinoleate) used in the chocolate is a flow agent derived from castor beans, which is vegan, but the overall product remains non-vegan due to the high dairy content.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

milkbutterwheylactose

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Reese's OUTRAGEOUS! is a high-calorie, high-sugar indulgence. A single serving packs a significant amount of energy derived almost entirely from refined sugars and saturated fats. The presence of high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup indicates a high glycemic load, which can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar.

The fat content is substantial, coming from both the cocoa butter in the chocolate and the peanut butter. While peanuts provide some protein and healthy unsaturated fats, the addition of partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) in the Reese's Pieces is a concern for heart health, despite being listed in small amounts. It is certainly not a health food, nor does it fit well into a diet focused on weight management or blood sugar control.