If you’re looking to have a gluten-free diet, you should consider avoiding wheat and its products. Instead, you should eat natural, wholesome foods, including meat, dairy, vegetables and fruits. But what about when you fancy something sweet and delicious for dessert? Everyone loves candy, right? So, what candy is gluten-free, then?
Well, believe it or not most candy is gluten-free. However, you should be aware that gluten is sometimes a needed addition in processed goods and these may include candy, too. So, you should always read the label of desserts you buyif you're gluten-intolerant, in case gluten has been added during the manufacturing process.
This article will explain which candies have gluten and which don’t. It will also provide useful tips to help you buy gluten-free candy or make some for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Most big brands in the candy industry, like Hershey, Wrigley, Nestle, and Ferrero, have gluten-free candies.
- Gluten-free candy can be contaminated by poor maintenance of manufacturer lines.
- It's possible to make your own gluten-free confectionery like hard candy, gummies, and candy bars.
What Is Gluten?
Gluten is a class of proteins that naturally occurs in grains. For example, you’ll find it in rye, durum, khorasan wheat, semolina, barley, triticale, and emmer.
One reason why it’s widely used, especially in processed foods, is because of its structural benefits. It helps some foods like bread hold their shape during and after preparation. Gluten also has culinary benefits, like improving food texture and moisture retention.
As a result, manufacturers make some types of candy using gluten. However, candy full of gluten can be a health risk for people with certain medical conditions like celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, wheat allergies, and irritable bowel syndrome.
While enjoying making your own gluten-free candy, why not try Cook Unity's gluten-free meal delivery service for your lunch? We’ve partnered with top chefs in your area, who have the talent and experience in preparing a variety of delicious gluten-free dishes! Sign up now!
Gluten-Free Candy List 2023
Do you love candy, but the doctor’s recommendation is to stay away from gluten? Here is a list of natural and processed sweets you can enjoy because they contain no gluten.
Naturally Gluten-Free Candies
Chocolate
Pure chocolate has no gluten. However, be on the lookout for additional ingredients that introduce gluten to the chocolate. For example, some emulsifiers or flavorings may contain wheat.
Gummies
Though most gummies contain glucose syrup, a wheat product, some manufacturers make gluten-free gummies. For example, all Ferrara gummies and Bob’s Sweet Stripes.
Hard candies
While some hard candies rely on the structural advantages of gluten to stay chewy, gluten-free hard candies are also available. They include: mint and butterscotch.
Gluten-Free Versions of Popular Candies
Twizzlers
Hershey's makes the popular candy with wheat, so it's almost impossible to make a gluten-free version. However, other popular alternatives like Clif Strawberry Fruit Ropes and Yum Earth Organic Licorice exist.
Skittles - Are Skittles Gluten-Free?
The Wrigley company makes skittles gluten-free. They indicate this on the back of each skittle box because none of the ingredients used in making skittles has gluten.
M&Ms
Most of them have no gluten though some varieties in their lineup have gluten. Gluten-free M&Ms include Milk chocolate, Caramel, Peanut, Almond, Hazelnut Spread, Fudge Brownie, and Coffee Nut M&Ms.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
They’re gluten-free apart from those that Hershey makes for a particular season, like Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs. You can identify them by their different shapes.
Related: What Cereals Are Gluten Free? From Oatmeal to Cornflakes
Tips for Buying Gluten-Free Candy
You can choose from different types and varieties of candy, and knowing the right one can benefit your health. So here are some tips for implementing the next time you go candy shopping for yourself or the young one.
Reading Labels
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that manufacturers disclose whether any food contains gluten as a compliance measure. Yet, so often, you see gluten-free labeling on the package of candy brands in the US. As a consumer, you can check for this labeling on the package to ensure your product won’t cause adverse health effects.
Checking for Cross-Contamination
Sometimes, manufacturers who produce several types of candy may contaminate gluten-free candy with gluten. It’s rare, but it can happen if the manufacturer manages its lines poorly. One way of checking for cross-contamination of your favorite gluten-free candy is through a compliance test in a laboratory.
Being Wary of Added Ingredients
Manufacturers are always trying new flavors and methods of producing better or cheaper candy. As a result, they may change or add ingredients overnight, leaving you with an allergic reaction from a brand you previously used without incident.
Always check ingredient changes on the candy packaging to note any additions of wheat-related products that may induce a gluten allergic reaction.
Trying New Options
If your favorite candy suddenly stops offering gluten-free option, you can always look for alternatives, as there are thousands of alternative candy options in the US market.
Related: How Long Does Gluten Stay in Your System?
Making Your Own Gluten-Free Candy
Did you know that you can make your own candy? Yes, you can, and it’s a good way of ensuring there’s no trace of gluten in your candy. Here are a few recipes you can use to be a candy chef.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Candy
Here are the steps to make gluten-free candy:
- Put one cup of dark chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips into a bowl.
- Mix one cup of heavy cream, four tablespoons of butter, and two tablespoons of honey, then heat the mixture.
- Stir the mixture to dissolve the honey and help the butter to melt. Don’t let it boil; instead, bring it to a simmer.
- Pour the hot mixture into the chocolate chip bowl and stir until it forms a smooth dark paste.
- Add two tablespoons of vanilla to the mixture and continue stirring.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Using a cooking scoop, make small balls and coat them with a topping of your choice. The candy is now ready to eat.
Gummy Recipes
Making gummy candy is straightforward if you follow these steps. First, you’ll need a gummy bear mold or any other shaped mold to shape your candy.
- Add three ounces of flavored gelatin and one and a quarter ounces of unflavored gelatin in a bowl.
- Add cold water to the mixture and stir.
- Leave the mixture at room temperature for ten minutes, then heat the mixture in the microwave for one minute to dissolve any remaining sugar.
- Rub the mold with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pour the mixture into the mold cavities and refrigerate for ten minutes.
- Serve and enjoy the candy.
Hard Candy Recipes
Here are the steps to make hard candy at home:
- Pour a tablespoon of sugar and corn syrup, and water into a saucepan and stir.
- Heat the mixture to dissolve the sugar until it reaches 260º F. You can use a candy thermometer to help you with this.
- Add flavoring to the mixture after boiling and stir.
- Pour the syrup onto a pre-prepared mold or a flat pan lined with a cookie sheet.
- Let the syrup cool slowly at room temperature until it hardens. Don’t refrigerate.
- Break the candy into small pieces and store it in air-tight containers to serve.
Other DIY Candy Ideas: Gluten-Free Candy Bars
To make gluten-free candy bars, follow these steps:
- Line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
- Add one and ¾ cups of gluten-free cake flour, ⅛ teaspoon of salt, and half a cup of sugar, then mix with a stirring whip.
- Create a well in the mixture and add eight tablespoons of unsalted butter at room temperature and two tablespoons of lukewarm water.
- Knead the mixture until it becomes smooth.
- Flatten the knead, then cut it into three-and-a-half-inch long and a-half-inch wide slices of dough. Repeat this process with one pound of premade soft caramel.
- Make holes in the dough with a toothpick and place in a 325° preheated oven. Bake for ten minutes.
- Join the baked dough slices with the caramel slices and dip them in melted chocolate.
- Dry at room temperature and serve.
Hershey’s Gluten-Free List
Hershey is well known as a confectionery brand, especially in producing chocolate products. The company encourages consumers to read through the packaging to determine if any of its products have gluten.
You can also visit the Hershey website to view a catalog of all gluten-free products in its lineup.
Related: The Ultimate Guide on How to Go Dairy and Gluten Free
What Candy Is Gluten-Free? FAQs
Q: What Candy Is Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free?
A: Some individuals suffer adverse effects from exposure to gluten and dairy products. Here are some candies that are free of either of the compounds.
| Candy | Candy | Candy |
|---|---|---|
| Starburst | Necco Wafers | No Whey chocolates |
| Surf sweets | Sour Patch Kids | Mike and Ike's |
| Life Savers | Welch’s fruit snacks | Zollipops |
| Jolly Rancher | Skittles | YumEarth Lollipops |
| Jelly Belly | Enjoy Life | YumEarth Sour Beans |
| Smarties | Swedish Fish | SweeTARTS |
Q: Are Tootsie Rolls Gluten-Free?
A: Tootsie Roll Industries don’t utilize wheat and other related components to make tootsie rolls. The company also states that its production line is up to standard; therefore, no accidental contamination of the tootsie rolls to gluten happens.
Q: Are Starburst Gluten-Free?
A: Starbursts are gluten-free and, therefore, safe for consumption by people with Celiac disease in the US. However, if you’re in Australia, Mars Wrigley lists the Starburst candy as having gluten.
Related: What Chips Are Gluten-Free? Make Your Own at Home
Conclusion
Almost everyone, from children to adults, enjoys an occasional treat in the form of candy. Eating candy is one of the simple pleasures of life. But, ironically, this simple pleasure can have adverse effects if you have a celiac condition. Therefore, it's important to utilize an article such as this one to learn about gluten-free candy you can safely consume. However, it’s also upon you to do due diligence and be on the lookout for contaminated “gluten-free” sweets.
References:
