Do Reese's Puffs Have Chocolate in It?

November 11, 2025 •

2 min read

First introduced in 1994, Reese's Puffs quickly became a breakfast favorite for its signature flavor combination. A common question among fans is, "Do Reese's Puffs have chocolate in it?" The short answer is yes, they do, and it comes from a very familiar source: Hershey's Cocoa.

Quick Summary

Yes, Reese's Puffs contain Hershey's Cocoa, providing the cereal's chocolate flavor and color. The crunchy corn puffs combine this chocolate with real Reese's peanut butter, creating the classic peanut butter cup taste in cereal form. Ingredient lists clearly confirm the presence of cocoa.

Key Points

Hershey's Cocoa: The chocolate flavor in Reese's Puffs comes from genuine Hershey's Cocoa.
Dual-Flavor Approach: The cereal consists of two types of corn puffs: some flavored with peanut butter and others with chocolate, creating a blended taste.
Ingredient Clarity: The product's ingredient list explicitly confirms the presence of both Hershey's Cocoa and real Reese's Peanut Butter.
Dietary Distinction: Unlike Reese's Pieces candy, which uses a peanut flour base, Reese's Puffs cereal uses real peanut butter for its nutty flavor component.
No Artificial Flavors: The cereal is made without artificial flavors or colors from artificial sources, according to recent product information.

Yes, Hershey's Cocoa is the Chocolatey Ingredient

Reese's Puffs explicitly lists "Hershey's Cocoa" as a key ingredient, confirming the presence of chocolate. This specific cocoa powder provides the rich, chocolatey flavor and color, delivering the taste of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup when combined with real Reese's peanut butter.

How Reese's Puffs Get Their Flavor

The cereal's iconic taste comes from a mix of peanut butter and chocolate-flavored corn puffs. This dual-flavor approach offers a dynamic taste experience in each serving.

The Role of Hershey's Cocoa

Hershey's Cocoa is used for its deep chocolate flavor, ensuring a consistent and high-quality taste that complements the peanut butter. It also gives the chocolate-flavored puffs their characteristic brown color.

Reese's Puffs vs. Reese's Pieces: An Ingredient Comparison

While both share the Reese's name, their ingredients differ. Here's a comparison:


Feature	Reese's Puffs Cereal	Reese's Pieces Candy
Primary Chocolate Ingredient	Hershey's Cocoa	Contains cocoa, milk chocolate
Real Peanut Butter	Yes, contains real Reese's Peanut Butter	No, contains partially defatted peanut flour
Form	Crunchy corn-based puffs	Candy-coated peanut butter-flavored candy
Texture	Crunchy and airy	Hard shell with a grainy interior
Dairy	Labeled as milk-free by some sources	Contains milk products

This table shows that the cereal uses cocoa and real peanut butter, while the candy uses peanut flour and a milk chocolate component.

A Look at the Cereal's Ingredient List

The ingredient list includes whole grain corn, sugars, Reese's Peanut Butter, and Hershey's Cocoa.

Ingredient Highlights:

Whole Grain Corn: Provides the base texture.
Hershey's Cocoa: Adds chocolate flavor and color.
Reese's Peanut Butter: Contributes the signature nutty taste.
Dextrose & Corn Syrup: Provide sweetness.
Vitamins & Minerals: The cereal is fortified with various nutrients.

Conclusion: Chocolate Is a Confirmed Ingredient

In summary, Reese's Puffs definitely contain chocolate, specifically in the form of Hershey's Cocoa. This ingredient, along with real Reese's peanut butter, creates the cereal's unique flavor. Checking the ingredients list confirms the presence of these authentic components. General Mills Cereal

Frequently Asked Questions

Reese's Puffs cereal contains Hershey's Cocoa, which is responsible for its chocolatey flavor and brown color.

Yes, the cereal contains real cocoa from Hershey's, but it is in the form of cocoa powder, not solid milk chocolate.

Yes, the ingredient list confirms that Reese's Puffs are made with real Reese's Peanut Butter, alongside the Hershey's Cocoa.

Originally, the cereal consisted of corn puffs flavored with both chocolate and peanut butter. Later, the formula was revised to be a mixture of dedicated chocolate puffs and peanut butter puffs.

According to product information from General Mills, Reese's Puffs are now made without high fructose corn syrup.

Ingredients can vary by region. While some older labels may appear accidentally vegan, the presence of various sugars and potential cross-contamination sources mean it's not universally guaranteed. Some ingredients like certain flavorings or emulsifiers can have animal origins.

Reese's Puffs are a corn-based cereal flavored with Hershey's Cocoa and real peanut butter, while Reese's Pieces are candy with a sugar shell and a peanut-flavored center made from partially defatted peanut flour.