What Candy and Sweets are Gluten Free

If you are new to a gluten free diet it can be difficult to wrap your head around what candy and sweets are gluten free as there is so much information out there to take in. I have put together this quick guide to help you get started if you are looking for gluten free Halloween candy or just what sweets are gluten free for you or someone in your family.

We have all been there when first starting a gluten free lifestyle. When Halloween or Christmas gets closer all the shops start filling the shelves with delicious sweets and candy. So it can be puzzling, to begin with, what is safe to eat. I have put together this gluten free candy list.

DISCLAIMER - All gluten-free Candy guides below are for informational purposes and were correct at the time of publishing. I am based in the UK and some brands may contain gluten if produced outside the UK.

Use the jump to links below to help navigate quickly to your chosen category

Jump to:

• Are Sweets gluten free
• Are Skittles gluten free
• Are Starburst gluten-free
• Are Smarties gluten free
• Are sour patch kids gluten free
• Do Jelly beans have gluten
• Is Haribo gluten free
• Are Gummy Worms gluten free
• Are Nerds gluten free
• Are Candy Canes gluten free
• Is Candy Corn gluten free
• More Gluten free Resources

Are Sweets gluten free

There are many gluten free Sweets and candy options out there that you can enjoy. But not all sweets are gluten free and reading the ingredients label is a must to be sure that whatever sweets or candy you have are safe to eat if following a gluten-free diet.

Always check the labeling for:

• Gluten free - If gluten free is labeled on the packaging then you can be sure that it is free from gluten and safe to eat. In the UK by law, the food must contain less than 20 ppm (Parts per million) of gluten to be considered safe for a gluten free diet and have the term "Gluten free" on the packaging.
• May contain gluten - When it is stated may contain gluten on the labeled allergens even when there are no gluten-containing ingredients in the product. This is to make you aware that the food may be at risk of cross-contamination due to being processed in a factory or equipment that handles gluten.

Are Skittles gluten free

Skittles are a brand made by Mars Wrigley and they come in many forms such as the original fruity candy, Skittles gummies or Chewies, and Sour Skittles. They are much loved by kids and adults and are found sold in most stores or cinemas.

Skittles Original

Yes, Original Skittles are gluten free the ingredients are Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Palm Fat, Acids Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Dextrin, Maltodextrin, Flavourings, Modified Starch, Colours E162, E163, E170, E160a, E100, E132, E133, Acidity Regulator Trisodium Citrate, Glazing Agent Carnauba Wax. They have no ingredients that contain gluten and are also Suitable for Vegetarians.

Sour Skittles

Yes, Sour Skittles are Gluten free the ingredients are Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Palm Fat, Acid Citric Acid, Dextrin, Maltodextrin, Modified Starch, Flavourings, Colours E163, E162, E170, E100, E132, E160a, E133, Acidity Regulator Trisodium Citrate, Glazing Agent Carnauba Wax, Concentrates. They have no ingredients that contain gluten and are also suitable for a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Skittles Chewies or Gummies

Yes, Skittles Chewies or Gummies are gluten free the ingredients are Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Palm Fat, Acids Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Dextrin, Modified Starch, Maltodextrin, Flavourings, Emulsifier Lecithin, Colours E162, E163, E160a, E141, E153, Concentrates (Radish, Carthamus, Sweet Potato). They have no ingredients that contain gluten and are also suitable for a vegetarian or vegan diet.

So are Skittles gluten free? Yes, I'm happy to say that Skittles are gluten free and have no ingredients that contain gluten.

The conclusion is that Skittles are gluten free but always be sure to check the label as ingredients may be altered and they may use different ingredients depending on which country you are based check out the Skittles website for their allergen information.

Are Starburst gluten-free

Starburst is a brand made by Mars Wrigley and if like myself you are old enough you may remember they were originally known as Opal fruits.

They come in many forms such as the original fruity chews, Starburst gummies, Starburst Airs, Mini Starburst, Starburst Jelly beans, and Starburst Swirlers. With a great variety of chews, we can see why they are a popular candy.

Starburst original

Yes, Starburst original are gluten free the ingredients are Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Palm Fat, Concentrated Fruit Juices 1.4%* (Apple, Orange, Blackcurrant, Strawberry, Lime, Lemon), Acid (Citric Acid), Modified Starch, Acid Malic Acid, Dextrin, Flavourings, Maltodextrin, Antioxidant Ascorbic Acid, Emulsifier Lecithin, Colours Anthocyanins, Beta-Carotene: Spirulina Extract, *Extract to 11.5% Fruit Juice. They have no ingredients that contain gluten

Starburst Jelly Beans

Yes, Starburst jelly beans are gluten free the ingredients are Sugar, Corn syrup, Modified corn starch; Citric acid, Acadia, Apple juice from concentrate, Natural and artificial flavors, Sodium citrate, Carnauba wax, and Colors,  mineral oil, Beeswax. They have no ingredients that contain gluten.

Starburst Gummies

Yes, Starburst gummies are gluten free the ingredients are Sugar, Corn syrup, Water, Modified corn starch, Gelatin, less than 2% of citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, mineral oil, and colors (red 40, yellow 5, blue 1), carnauba wax. They have no ingredients that contain gluten.

Starburst Swirlers

Yes, Starburst swirlers are gluten free the ingredients are Sugar, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil; Less than 2% of Citric Acid, Pectin, Sodium Citrate, Apple Juice from Concentrate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Mono- and Diglycerides, and Color. They have no ingredients that contain gluten.

So are Starburst gluten free? Yes, I'm happy to say that Starburst is gluten free and has no ingredients that contain gluten.

The conclusion is that Starburst is gluten free but always be sure to check the label as ingredients may be altered and you can check ingredients on all the products on the Starburst website.

They may use different ingredients depending on which country you are based in. As in Australia, they may contain gluten.

Are Smarties gluten free

Smarties in the UK made by Nestle are sugar-coated shells filled with milk chocolate. The ingredients for Smarties are Sugar, Skimmed Milk Powder, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Wheat Flour, Butterfat, Lactose and Proteins from Whey, Rice Starch, Emulsifier (Lecithins), Colours (Beetroot Red, Carotene, Curcumin), Natural Flavouring, Spirulina Concentrate, Glazing Agents (Carnauba Wax, Beeswax White), Fruit and Vegetable Concentrates (Safflower, Radish), Barley Malt Extract.

So are smarties gluten free? No, Sadly as Smarties contain Wheat and Barley they are not gluten free.

You may also find my gluten free chocolate list helpful as a guide when looking for chocolate that is suitable for a gluten free diet.

Are sour patch kids gluten free

Sour Patch Kids are a popular fruit flavor gummy sweets with a sour sugar coating. The ingredients for sour patch kids are Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Water, Starch, Gelatine, Acid (Malic Acid), Concentrated Apple Juice, Colours (Anthocyanins, Vegetable Carbon, Paprika Extract, Lutein, Curcumin), Acidity Regulator (Calcium Citrates), Palm Oil, Flavourings.

So are Sour patch kids gluten free? Yes, I'm happy to say that Sour patch kids are gluten free and have no ingredients that contain gluten.

You can check out all the ingredients information on the sour patch kids website.

Do Jelly beans have gluten

Jelly Beans made by The Jelly Bean factory are colorful fruit-flavored chewy bean candy. Jelly beans ingredients are Sugar, glucose syrup, maize starch, fruit juice concentrates (pineapple, orange, apple), natural flavorings, concentrates from (carrot, pumpkin, apple, spirulina, radish, blackcurrant, hibiscus), acids (citric acid, fumaric acid), glazing agents (shellac, carnauba wax, beeswax), caramelized sugar, acidity regulator (trisodium citrate), coconut oil. You can also see the full list of nutritional information from The Jelly Bean Factory website.

So are Jelly Beans gluten free? Yes, I'm happy to say that Jelly Beans are gluten free and have no ingredients that contain gluten.

Brands of gluten free Jelly Beans

• The Jelly Bean Factory jelly beans
• Jelly Belly Jelly beans
• Starburst Jelly beans
• Jolly Rancher Jelly beans
• Rowntrees Jelly Tots

The conclusion is that most Jelly beans are gluten-free but always be sure to check the label as ingredients may be altered and they may use different ingredients depending on which brand of jelly beans you purchase or the country you are based.

Is Haribo gluten free

Haribo is an international company that produces a variety of sweets and candy but what is gluten free and what is not? Well, it seems it varies based on which country you are based.

I have checked in the UK and done a little research for other countries but I advise you always check the ingredients labels to be sure that no ingredients containing gluten are labeled.

Gluten free Haribo list

• Haribo Starmix - They are Gluten free in the UK but not in the US or Australia as they may contain wheat.
• Haribo Tangfastics- They are gluten free in the UK but may contain wheat in Australia.
• Haribo Supermix
• Haribo Maoam Joystixx - They are gluten free in the UK but may contain wheat in Australia.
• Haribo Giant Strawberry Fruit Gums
• Haribo Maoam Stripes
• Haribo Goldbears - Also known as gummy bears. They are gluten free in the UK but may contain wheat in the US and Australia. NOTE: Haribo Halal goldbears are not gluten free.
• Haribo Fruitilicious Fruit Gums 
• Haribo Jelly Babies Double Trouble
• Haribo Funtasia
• Haribo Maoam Pinballs
• Haribo Zingfest Fizzy Fruit

The conclusion is that there are some Haribo mixes that are gluten-free in the UK but may not be if you are in the US.

Haribo is not gluten free in Australia. I reached out to Haribo Australia and they responded: "Unfortunately we do not have gluten free products at present as we use wheat-based ingredients in all of our HARIBO products".

Always be sure to check the label as ingredients may be altered and they may use different ingredients depending on the country you are based.

You can check the full product ingredients on the websites below.

• Haribo UK
• Haribo in the US
• Haribo in Australia
• Haribo in Canada

Are Gummy Worms gluten free

Gummy worms also known as jelly worms are a fun and popular candy and are a great option if you are looking for gluten free Halloween treats. So what brands of gummy worms are gluten free?

Gluten free gummy worms list

• Trolli Squiggles gummy worms
• Trolli Sour Bursting Crawlers
• Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers 
• Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers Watermelon
• The Natural Confectionery Co Jelly Snakes - I used these jelly worms when I was making my gluten free dirt cake.
• Black Forest, Fat Free, Gluten Free, Assorted Gummy Worms
• Fini Jelly Worms Gummy Candy Gluten Free 

Always be sure to check the label as ingredients may be altered and they may use different ingredients depending on the country you are based.

Are Nerds gluten free

Nerds Candy is made by the Ferrara Candy Company. They produce many varieties of their tiny tangy chewy candy. Ingredients in Nerds candy do not contain any ingredients containing gluten.

Below is a list of the Nerds varieties that are gluten free

• Nerds Grape and Strawberry Theater Box Candy 
• Nerds Rainbow Theater Box Candy
• Nerds Gummy Clusters Candy
• Nerds Twist & Mix Candy
• Wonka Nerds Rope
• Big Chewy Nerds Gummy Candies

Nerds do not state any gluten ingredients on the packaging but do be aware that they are not labeled gluten free so may be produced in a factory that handles gluten.

Always be sure to check the label as ingredients may be altered and they may use different ingredients depending on the country you are based.

Are Candy Canes gluten free

Candy canes are a popular and traditional Christmas candy. Used for stocking fillers, Christmas tree decorations, and using in Christmas recipes or on Gingerbread houses. But are Candy canes gluten free?

The main ingredients of candy canes are sugar, water, corn syrup, Flavorings such as mint or peppermint oil, and food colorings. So traditionally they do not contain any ingredients containing gluten.

So are Candy Cane's gluten-free? Yes, I'm happy to say that Candy Canes are gluten free and have no ingredients that contain gluten.

There may be a risk of cross-contamination if they are produced in a factory that handles gluten so always check the ingredients label to be sure.

Is Candy Corn gluten free

Candy Corn is a popular candy in the US and the ingredients usually are Sugar, Corn Syrup, Confectioner's Glaze (Shellac), Salt, Dextrose, Gelatin, Sesame Oil, Artificial Flavor, and Food coloring. So candy corn does not have any ingredients that contain gluten.

So is Candy Corn gluten free? Yes, I'm happy to say that Candy Corn Is gluten free and has no ingredients that contain gluten.

Candy Corn Brands and Varieties

• Jelly Belly, Candy Corn Jelly Beans - Gluten free stated on Packaging.
• Jelly Belly Gift Bag, Gourmet Candy Corn - Gluten free stated on packaging.
• Fruidles Halloween Candy Corn Treats, Gluten-Free
• Brach's Halloween Candy Corn  - Brach's does state on the packaging that all their candy corn may be produced in a factory that may contain Wheat.
• Brach's Mellowcreme Autumn Mix
• Brach's Halloween Mellowcreme Pumpkins Candy Corn
• Nerds Halloween Candy Corn

Candy corn is a great addition to add your gluten free Halloween candy. There may be a risk of cross-contamination if they are produced in a factory that handles gluten so always check the ingredients label to be sure.

More Gluten free Resources

I hope you have found this gluten free sweets and candy guide helpful and it has answered some of your questions regarding what sweets are gluten free. I would like to continue to update and add to this guide.

So feel free to leave a comment below or contact me on Instagram if you have any further questions, spot any changes to ingredients, or want me to investigate and add other brands to the gluten free candy list that I may have missed.