Russell Stover Sugar-Free Candy Ranked Honest Taste Test

Last Updated on May 5, 2026 by Brian Kachejian

Feature Photo And Design by Brian Kachejian

Sugar-free candy used to be something people avoided, but today it has become one of the fastest-growing categories in the snack world as taste and technology continue to improve.

Russell Stover has been one of the most recognizable names in boxed chocolates and candy for decades, but in recent years, the company has leaned heavily into sugar-free products. That shift reflects a growing demand from consumers who are dealing with diabetes, watching their weight, or simply trying to reduce sugar intake without giving up sweets entirely.

Sugar-free candy has always had a reputation, and not a good one. For years, the trade-off was simple. You could cut the sugar, but you’d sacrifice taste. Artificial sweeteners often left a bitter aftertaste, and the texture never quite matched traditional candy.

That is what makes this test interesting. Technology has changed the game. By using alternatives like stevia and sugar alcohols, companies have come much closer to replicating real chocolate and real sweetness. In some cases, it is getting hard to tell the difference.

This taste test focuses on Russell Stover sugar-free chocolates to find out which ones actually deliver and which ones still fall short. No hype, just a straight breakdown of flavor and texture.

A Brief History of Russell Stover and Sugar-Free Candy

Russell Stover was founded in 1923 and built its reputation on boxed chocolates that became a staple across the United States. Over time, the company expanded its product line and distribution, becoming one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the country.

As consumer habits changed and health concerns became more prominent, Russell Stover moved aggressively into the sugar-free category. Their sugar-free line uses sweeteners such as stevia and maltitol to replicate traditional candy flavors while reducing or eliminating added sugar.

These products are often marketed to people managing diabetes or to those looking for lower-sugar alternatives. At the same time, they appeal to a broader audience that simply wants to enjoy candy without the same level of sugar intake.

What used to be a niche category has now become a major part of the candy aisle, and Russell Stover is one of the brands leading that charge.

If you like this kind of flavor breakdown, our Sour Patch Kids Flavors Ranked article goes in a completely different direction with sour candy.

The Taste Test and Rankings

Each candy was judged based on flavor, texture, and how closely it tastes like traditional chocolate. Price and portion size were also taken into consideration, since these products are not cheap.

Thin Mints with Stevia Extract

Right out of the gate, this one set the tone. The flavor was surprisingly strong, with a clean chocolate taste and a refreshing mint finish that felt very close to traditional candy.

The biggest takeaway here was how convincing it was. If you did not know this was sugar free, you might not even question it. That is how far these products have come.

The portion size is small, only a few pieces in the pack, and the price reflects that. But in terms of flavor, this delivered in a big way.

Score: 10 out of 10

Caramels

This one had a very different issue. The flavor itself was good, with a rich sweetness that held up well.

The problem was texture. These were tough to chew, and that made the experience more work than it should have been. You find yourself focusing more on the effort than the flavor, which takes away from the enjoyment.

It is a good-tasting candy, but the texture holds it back.

Score: 5 out of 10

Peanut Chocolate Candies

This one struggled to find balance. The chocolate came across a bit harsh, and the peanut flavor was not as strong as expected.

There was also a disconnect between flavor and texture. The caramel element did not bring enough to the table, and overall, it felt like a combination that never fully came together.

Not terrible, but not something you would go back to.

Score: 5 out of 10

Coconut Chocolates

This is where things got interesting again. The texture was softer, easier to chew, and much more enjoyable than the caramel option.

Flavor-wise, this was very close to real candy. There was a moment where it genuinely felt like you were eating a standard chocolate coconut piece, not something sugar-free.

That is a big deal in this category. It shows just how much progress has been made.

Score: 11 out of 10

Final Ranking and Comparison

1. Coconut Chocolates – 11
2. Thin Mints – 10
3. Caramels – 5
4. Peanut Chocolates – 5

Here’s a quick breakdown of how each Russell Stover sugar-free candy performed:

Russell Stover Sugar-Free Candy Comparison Table

The comparison table makes the results clear at a glance. While the top two products delivered surprisingly strong results, the lower ranked candies struggled with texture and balance. The gap highlights how inconsistent sugar free candy can still be, even within the same brand.

The Winner

Coconut chocolates take the top spot.

They delivered the best combination of flavor and texture, and most importantly, they came closest to tasting like real candy without sugar.

This test showed just how far sugar-free candy has come. There was a time when these products were easy to dismiss, but that is no longer the case.

The top two selections proved that you can get very close to the real thing, even without sugar. At the same time, the lower scores remind you that not every product has caught up yet.

If you are looking for something sweet without the sugar, there are options here that genuinely work.

If you want to see how other candies stack up, check out our Best Candy Taste Tests and Rankings for more honest comparisons.

Watch the Full Taste Test

Watch the full Russell Stover sugar-free candy review below to see the real-time reactions and how these rankings played out.