Vegans can now have a break, with new vegan KitKats launching in stores this month.

Developed by chocolatiers and food scientists in Nestlé’s Research and Development centre in the UK, KitKat Vegan features smooth chocolate blended with a rice-based alternative to milk that balances the crisp wafer.

“Our challenge when we set out to create a vegan-friendly KitKat was to recreate this iconic product using plant-based alternatives,” Nestlé Confectionary Product Technology Centre head Louise Barret said.

“To achieve this, we worked very hard to get the right balance between the milk alternative and the cocoa. The result is a vegan chocolate that we’re very proud of, and I hope all KitKat fans will love it as much as we do.”

“We’ve seen so much excitement and anticipation from our fans when plans for the first vegan KitKat were announced earlier this year, so I’m thrilled to share that KitKat V will be coming to Australia!” Nestlé head of Marketing Confectionery Joyce Tan said.

“We’re always looking for ways to make breaks meaningful for Aussies, so the team at KitKat is delighted to offer a delicious alternative for anyone looking to enjoy a plant-based break.”

With vegan products in Australia outpacing the global trend, the brand is helping people embrace more plant-based alternatives. Options across its wide range of food and beverages include plant-based Nescafé Gold coffee mixes, plant-based MILO and Plant Based Condensed Milk alternative.

KitKat Vegan is certified vegan by the Vegan Society. Like the rest of the KitKat range, it is made using 100 per cent certified sustainable cocoa, sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in conjunction with the Rainforest Alliance.

KitKat Vegan is now available for pre-order from the KitKat Chocolatory website and available in stores nationwide from 26 July at the KitKat Chocolatory and Woolworths Metro, for $2.00.