Gluten Free Halloween Candy List

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candy corn
While not all candy corn varieties are gluten-free, there are many safe brand options out there. Read those labels!

 Safe Gluten Free Halloween Candy + Other Food Allergen-Free Candy List (Updated 2023) + Tips for Gluten Free Candy Shopping

Gluten Free Halloween Candy can be tricky to identify. If you haven’t procured your gluten free goodies yet, read on, because at first glance, you might think most candy is gluten free, but not so fast! 

Many forms of confections actually use gluten as filler or to give substance to extruded shapes.

(If you’d like to make your own homemade gluten free and vegan candy, it’s not difficult, and it’s actually pretty fun! Check out my homemade vegan Almond Joy recipe to get you started!)

gluten free almond joy top banner | gfJules
Homemade gluten free & vegan Almond Joy candy bars! Click for recipe.

Candies to Avoid — Not Gluten Free Candy

Twizzlers® and nearly all other licorice, for example, are not gluten free (enriched wheat flour is the second listed ingredient!). 

Nor are malted milkballs or candy bars containing rice crisps (Nestle Crunch® — rice crisps are flavored with barley malt), ready-made rice crispy treats or those with cookies inside (like Twix®).

Rice Krispies cereal and therefore Rice Krispies Treats are NOT gluten free. They contain MALT FLAVORING which is made from barley which contains gluten. So avoid those treats, as well.

Rice Krispies Treats are Not Gluten Free

Instead, make your own homemade crispy rice treats that ARE gluten free (and so much cuter, by the way!!). Here’s my recipe — it’s so easy and so fun!

gluten free pumpkin rice crispy treats CU | gfJules

Aren’t those the cutest?!? Of course you can just make them in a tray the old fashioned way, of course. But whatever you do, make them with gluten free rice crispy cereal instead.

Candy Corn and Gummy Candy May Not Be Gluten Free

Some candy corn and gummy candies contain wheat. Haribo® Gummy Bears now may contain wheat or corn from dextrose — you never know which, so it’s best to avoid, especially since there are other choices. This is from their FAQs: 

Unfortunately, because we use ingredients containing wheat in some HARIBO products, we cannot rule out entirely the possibility that our products or the ingredients used to produce them have come into contact with products containing gluten. Our products may therefore contain traces of gluten. Please always consult the ingredients list on the product packaging. Allergens that are subject to allergen labelling guidelines appear in bold in the ingredients list.

Haribo Gummi Bears May Contain Traces of Wheat

Are M&M’s Gluten Free?

In fact, even M&Ms®  — a candy most people trust as being gluten free — have a new variety called M&Ms Crispy that looks like a regular M&M but has a crispy center that contains BARLEY MALT *(aka gluten); M&Ms pretzel also contains gluten. Most other M&Ms are made with gluten free ingredients although Mars-Wrigley does not label any of its candies as gluten free because they may be made in a facility which contains gluten. The candy maker urges consumers to read each package label for ingredients to determine whether or not that M&Ms variety is made with gluten or gluten-free ingredients.

Bottom Line: Always read those labels! And read them on the exact package you’re considering purchasing, as ingredients change and may differ depending on the shape and size of the candy.

crispy m&ms
Although the ingredient label lists “barley malt,” it only says “may contain” wheat. Gluten Free Food Labeling regulations do NOT require that an ingredient label call out the presence of gluten, in this case, from barley.

 

Don’t Trust Candy Displays

Another tricky issue when it comes to finding safe candy is the displays in each store. This one looks particularly inviting, doesn’t it?

halloween candy display|gfJules

But look again.

Not all the candies in this display are gluten-free. And while this may not be the fault of the store, you can’t rely on displays to do the label reading for you. KitKat and Twizzlers are definitely NOT gluten free; if the Reese’s are in Halloween shapes, Hershey’s says they may be cross-contaminated with gluten.*

halloween candy display with gluten candy |gfJules

 

Gluten Free and Allergen-Friendly Candy and More

Safe Gluten Free Candy Listing

Run-of-the-mill chocolate should be gluten free, but if it’s contaminated in the plant, then of course, it’s not.

Some companies have made it easier on us than others: Hershey’s®, for example, has published a thorough gluten free products list – check it out! They explicitly recommend that customers read the packaging for the most accurate allergen and gluten information.

Here’s an example of the kind of listing you’ll find there:

Reese’s Gluten Free Listing

  • Reese’s Fast Break Bar
  • Reese’s Nutrageous Bar
  • Reese’s with Pretzels
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Minis & Big Cups– All Except Seasonal Shaped Items*
  • Reese’s Unwrapped Mini Minis – Milk Chocolate and White
  • Reese’s Pieces Candy – All Except Reese’s Pieces Eggs*
  • Reese’s Pretzels Big Cup
  • Reese’s Peanut Brittle 
  • Reeses’s White Cream Miniatures
  • Reese’s Mallow Top

Are Reese’s Gluten Free?

Note that while Reeses® Pieces are labeled gluten free, some seasonal and smaller shapes of traditionally gluten free candies like Reeses® Peanut Butter Cups, are not included on their gluten free list, so double check before shopping or indulging (always check the package itself).

which Reeses for Halloween are gluten free

*The Hershey’s website does not indicate that seasonal Reese’s shapes are gluten-free, nor does the packaging say gluten-free, however, some company representatives have explained that allergen controls are in place to prevent cross-contact for those items, as some are run on the same equipment as other gluten-containing confections. It is up to you to decide if you would like to enjoy the seasonal shaped Reese’s with this caveat or stick to the regular shapes with the gluten-free claim.

The Reese’s Franken-Cups and even the Reese’s with Pretzels are now marked Gluten-Free! So you have plenty of choices without having to risk the ones that are potentially contaminated. (ALWAYS read package labels for up-to-date gluten free claims, though!)

Reeses with pretzels gluten free

 

Other Gluten Free Halloween Candies

Most candy companies are now putting their allergen information on their websites, you just have to look for it.  Of course, the best gluten free Halloween candy shopping experience comes when these companies go to the trouble of telling you right on the package that their products are gluten free. 

That’s one reason why Marshmallow Peeps® always fill my candy bowl.

Peeps Cats

As candies go, you can’t beat the fact that now emblazoned across the front of Peep packages everywhere is the declaration: “Always Gluten Free”!

And if you’re looking to avoid food dyes in candy, choose the white Peeps Ghosts — dye-free!

Note that Peeps do declare “May contain MILK” on their packaging, and some varieties DO contain milk.

All candy made by the TOOTSIE company is made in a gluten-free facility. “At this time, all of our confections are gluten free. We do not use wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, spelt or any of their components and that includes our dusting on our conveyor belts. We do use corn and soy products in the manufacturing of our products.” Which means that these super fun DOTS are considered gluten-free, as well!

gluten-free Dots

Jelly Belly® boasts that “All flavors of Jelly Belly beans are free of gluten. We do not use any wheat, rye, barley, or oats in the basic recipe for Jelly Belly jelly beans. The modified food starch listed on the package is cornstarch.”

And now, the company has embraced Halloween with their fun packs made just for the occasion! They also make gluten free candy corn. “All Jelly Belly Candy Corn are OU Kosher, gluten free, peanut free, dairy free, fat free, and vegetarian friendly.” NOT ALL CANDY CORN IS GLUTEN FREE, so it’s great that Jelly Belly offers gluten free Candy Corn, especially when it also meets so many other dietary needs, as well!

 

 

Jelly Belly Candy Corn

All kinds of gummy candy can be found in Halloween shapes and packaging, but make sure the ingredients are safe before assuming they’re all gluten free. 

Black Forest Gluten Free Gummy Worms

Black Forest food dye-free gluten-free Gummy Worms are a fun find for all kinds of fun Halloween baking and munching! 

Even easy-to-find brands like Welch’s has started packing its fruit snacks in Halloween packs for easy trick-or-treating.

While they still contain corn syrup and sugar, the first ingredient is lots of real fruit, and they are fat free (ahem … for moms who might want to steal a bag once in awhile!).

gluten free welch's

 

Another brand my kids love is YumEarth®. Their Lollipops, Hard Candy, Sour Beans, Gummy Bears/Worms and Candy Corn are all made in a gluten free facility and are made without corn syrup, using natural food dyes; check their website for other candy options and allergens.

Their Gummifruits in Halloween packaging are also currently available on Amazon. And they have a great variety box that’s

  • Free from: peanuts, gluten, tree nuts, milk, fish, shellfish, egg, soy, and sesame.
  • No high fructose corn syrup or artificial dyes
  • Made with organic ingredients, non-GMO, vegan and gluten free

Yum Earth

 

DumDums lollipops are also gluten free and those that are packed by the Spangler Candy Company are free of the Top 8 Food Allergens, but they are made with corn syrup and artificial dyes. Be sure to check their website and packaging for updated allergen information.

For most products, the best place to check is their actual packaging. What’s in your hand is the best place to find information about what’s inside, or what’s not inside.

Gluten -Free & Allergen-Friendly Halloween Treats

Looking for lollies that aren’t full of artificial stuff? Check out Tazzy Candy.

A woman-owned company making lollipops in flavors like Spicy Mango, Sour Watermelon, Acai Berry, Lemon, Grapefruit …. they’re anything but ordinary. No added sugars or artificial colors; Vegan, Gluten-Free, Kosher and only 25 calories a POP!

Tazzy Candies no sugar added lollies

 

And the seasonal releases from Enjoy Life Foods® are all free of the Top 14 Food Allergens (and free of gluten). Plus, super cute packaging!

They’re often sold out early though, so shop quickly!

Enjoy Life Halloween Chocolates

 

Mind you, I’m not a candy buyer any other time of the year — I’ve been known to hand out more than my share of stickers and glow sticks when kids come knocking on October 31 — but when companies take the trouble to assure me that they have made their product gluten free (and therefore, that they want my business) I’ll give it to them any day before I would other companies who cannot bother to prevent cross-contamination or take the risk to state that their product is gluten free when it really is.

Free2B Halloween Candy

Some of the companies I love for their clear labeling and mission include Free2B®, which even offers organic, dairy-free dark chocolate sunbutter cups sold in 10-packs and mini bags that are perfect for Halloween night!

And Unreal® makes a plethora of pretty delicious vegan chocolate mocks of your favorites like chocolate-peanut butter cups, chocolate-almond butter cups, candy covered peanut chocolate gems (like M&Ms), coconut-chocolate bars (like Mounds Bars) and more.

All fair trade, non-GMO, and no artificial colors or flavors. Their cups and gems are now certified gluten free from GFCO and the dark chocolate varieties are vegan. Three cheers for that!

Unreal Candy

chocononos

NoWhey Foods makes Chocononos™ that are also like a vegan M&M! All natural, and made with milk free, nut free, gluten free, wheat free, soy free chocolate. They also make vegan peanut butter cups and Halloween figurines (and Easter chocolates, too! so you may want to bookmark their page).

Lots to choose from in fun seasonal packaging.

Made Good is another brand to look for in the a little less bad for you department, but they have some gluten-free packaging that is fun and you can count on them for gluten-free and even purity protocol oats!

Made Good

 

UN-Sweet Gluten and Allergen-Friendly Halloween Treats

Sometimes a girl, or a kid, needs a few un-sweet treats. AmIright?

Think about your favorite salty snacks and I bet there are some that are packaged in super cute snack packs for the holiday. Potato chips, popcorn, you get the idea.


halloween chips

So zig when they zag and go salty this Halloween. Snack packs are great ideas!

Popcorn packed in snack sizes with Halloween packaging is a popular offering this time of year. Brands like Angie’s BoomChicaPop Kettle Corn Snack Packs and Lesser Evil are pretty easy to find (and certified gluten free!).

Lesser Evil Popcorn

Or tr gluten free potato chips, gluten-free Popcorn Balls or … even gluten free and vegan chickpea snacks from Hippeas!
hippeas

The Teal Pumpkin Project

And speaking of Teal Pumpkins …

teal pumpkin
Our hand-painted teal pumpkin. We named him Tommy!

If you’d rather go the food-free, allergy-friendly route this holiday, go for it! You’ll have the support of thousands, and you should be sure to paint a pumpkin teal for your front porch!

The-Teal-Pumpkin-Project-5

 

FARE (Food Allergy Research Education) is sponsoring the #TealPumpkinProject to promote safe trick-or-treating stops for food allergy kids. When they see a teal pumpkin, they know the loot they’ll rake in won’t make them sick and parents can relax, knowing their little ghouls will be safe at that house.

The bottom line is that there are plenty of gluten free Halloween candy choices to make your Halloween tasty, sticky and fun without being scared about whether they contain ingredients that would make your night go sour.

Teal Pumpkin Ideas

Even More Gluten Free Candy List Resources

To make the task of finding the right treats for your family easy-breezy, check out these additional resources and their Gluten Free Candy Lists:

Print a list, hit the stores, and enjoy the spirit of the holiday! Grab that York Peppermint Patty, Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Marshmallow Peep, Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Kiss … or whatever suits your fancy.  Happy Haunting!

One more fun idea for you this Halloween is to make a Gluten Free Gingerbread House!!! So fun, right??

Gluten Free Halloween Gingerbread House | gfJules
Click for the recipe and full how-to to make your own!!!

I hope you found this list helpful! Remember to Pin it for later!

If you are looking for safe gluten free Halloween candy options, you need to check out this list by gfJules.

A gluten free halloween candy list is vital to keep your family safe. See Jules' compiled and updated info on this year's SAFE GF and allergen free treats.
Gluten Free Candy List | gfJules
 

The Best Gluten Free Halloween Candy

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  1. FYI-The Unreal “M&Ms” has a warning that says it may contain wheat. And unlike their other products, there’s no gluten free claim on the package. Trying to save others from making my mistake and wasting money. Go with the Choco NoNos instead!

    Reply
    • Yes, always check the packaging! When I spoke to the UnReal folks at Natural Products Expo in September, they confirmed that they’re in the process of changing the facility where those are produced, but the packaging is always the best way to know what you have in your hands.
      ~jules

      Reply
  2. When we discovered Yum Earth’s licorice, black and strawberry, I thought we would want for nothing else and then came October, we will be teal this Halloween, all ready stocking up on Ann’s fruit snacks, hope they make it til the 31rst

    Reply
    • Hi Shirley, I added DumDums with the caveat that their website indicates only the products packed by Spangler Candy Company are free of the Top 8 Food Allergens. As with other manufacturers, the packaging is the best way to know what they’re declaring about the product inside, so if your package indicates Top 8 Free, that should be accurate. One note: gluten is NOT one of the Top 8 Food Allergens; wheat IS, but barley and rye are not included in that mandatory declaration although they also contain gluten. Barley is the one to watch out for in candies, as malt flavoring is frequently used. Happy Halloween!
      ~jules

      Reply
  3. Jules: Thanks and thanks again for this list, and for keeping it updated. I’m sending a link to this great article to everyone who buys candy, because they should know what to look for!

    Reply

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