Are Hershey's Easter Candy Gluten-Free? Your Complete 2025 Guide

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Hershey Company website, many of their holiday candies are explicitly labeled 'gluten-free' based on FDA standards. For those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, however, the answer to 'Are Hershey's Easter candy gluten-free?' is more complex and requires careful label-reading.

Quick Summary

This guide details which Hershey's Easter products are confirmed gluten-free for 2025, clarifying the important difference between standard and seasonal-shaped products due to cross-contamination risks. It also covers the status of popular candies like Reese's and Cadbury eggs, ensuring a safe Easter for those on a gluten-free diet.

Key Points

Check Labels Carefully: Always look for the 'gluten-free' icon or statement on Hershey's Easter candy, as product recipes and manufacturing lines can change.
Avoid Seasonal Shapes: Most seasonal-shaped Reese's items, like Easter eggs, are not considered gluten-free due to production on shared equipment with gluten-containing products.
Cadbury Eggs Are High-Risk: Hershey's Cadbury Creme Eggs and Mini Eggs sold in the U.S. are not explicitly labeled gluten-free and carry a cross-contamination risk for sensitive individuals.
Safe Hershey's Options Exist: Safe choices include Reese's Miniatures, York Peppermint Pattie Eggs, and specific Hershey's Kisses, which are often labeled gluten-free.
Consider Alternatives: Other brands like Tootsie Roll, Jelly Belly, and YumEarth offer a wide array of confirmed gluten-free Easter candies.
Prioritize High Sensitivity: For those with Celiac disease, relying solely on ingredient lists is not enough; products without a gluten-free claim should be avoided due to the potential for cross-contact.

Navigating the candy aisle can be tricky for anyone on a gluten-free diet, especially during holidays like Easter when seasonal shapes and special editions appear. The Hershey Company, a major player in the Easter candy market, offers a mix of products—some explicitly labeled gluten-free and others with a higher risk of cross-contamination. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Hershey's Easter offerings for the 2025 season.

The Hershey's Approach to Gluten-Free Labeling

Hershey's maintains a list of evaluated products that qualify as gluten-free, containing less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, which aligns with FDA regulations. However, not every product without gluten-containing ingredients is added to this list. This is due to the company's internal verification procedures, and consumers are encouraged to rely on the product label for the most accurate information. The voluntary allergen labeling, such as 'Manufactured on the same equipment that processes...' provides crucial information regarding cross-contact potential.

Confirmed Gluten-Free Hershey's Easter Candy (2025)

For 2025, several Hershey's products, including some Easter varieties, are listed as gluten-free on the Hersheyland website. This list includes:

Hershey's Kisses: Specifically, Pastel Easter Milk Chocolate and Egg Hunt Kisses. Always check the specific packaging as some limited editions may not be safe.
Reese's Miniatures: The standard miniature peanut butter cups are explicitly labeled gluten-free, including those sold in festive foil. This is a safe alternative to the seasonally shaped items.
Reese's Pieces Carrots: This festive, carrot-shaped packaging of Reese's Pieces candy is also confirmed to be gluten-free.
York Peppermint Pattie Eggs: The egg-shaped version of York Peppermint Patties is on the safe list for a gluten-free Easter.
Almond Joy Snack Size Eggs: The special snack-size egg shape is labeled gluten-free.
Milk Duds: The original and special edition Milk Duds are considered gluten-free.
Rolo Creamy Caramels: The Easter-themed Rolo caramels are safe for gluten-free consumption.

The Seasonal Shape Dilemma: Reese's and Cadbury

Two of the most popular Easter candies, Reese's Eggs and Hershey's Cadbury Creme Eggs, require special attention for gluten-free consumers due to potential cross-contamination.

Reese's Eggs: Unlike the regular cups and miniatures, seasonal Reese's shapes like the eggs are NOT considered gluten-free by Hershey's. This is because they are produced on shared equipment with products containing gluten, posing a risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing. Even if the ingredient list appears gluten-free, this risk makes them unsafe for those with Celiac disease or high sensitivity.
Cadbury Creme Eggs: These are also produced by Hershey's in the United States and do not carry the 'gluten-free' label. While they may not contain gluten ingredients on the label, Hershey's has not validated them for internal gluten-free standards, making them a higher-risk choice due to potential for cross-contact.

Gluten-Free Alternatives for Your Basket

If you need to fill an Easter basket with safe, gluten-free options beyond Hershey's, here are a few ideas:

Peeps: Classic Peeps marshmallow chicks and bunnies are labeled gluten-free. Just avoid any specialty products or flavors that might have different ingredients.
Jelly Belly Jelly Beans: The company confirms that all of their jelly beans are free of gluten-containing grains.
Tootsie Roll Industries: All products made by Tootsie are gluten-free, including their Easter eggs and DOTS.
YumEarth: This brand specializes in allergen-friendly candy, including gluten-free gummies and jelly beans in Easter-themed shapes.
Enjoy Life: Offers several gluten-free and allergy-friendly chocolate Easter candy minis.

Navigating Labels: A Comparison Table


Feature	Standard (Safe) Candy	High-Risk (Seasonal) Candy
Labeling	Often includes a specific 'Gluten-Free' icon or text on the package.	May have no gluten-containing ingredients listed, but lacks a gluten-free label.
Manufacturing	Produced on dedicated equipment, or with robust cleaning protocols to prevent cross-contamination.	Made on shared equipment or in facilities that also handle products with gluten.
Risk of Cross-Contamination	Minimal to none, according to Hershey's labeling standards.	Higher risk due to shared manufacturing lines.
Best Practice	Readily identifiable and safe to consume for those with Celiac disease or sensitivities.	Should be avoided by anyone with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, even if ingredients look safe.
Example	Reese's Miniatures, York Peppermint Pattie Eggs.	Reese's Eggs and Cadbury Creme Eggs (US).

Conclusion

For those needing to follow a gluten-free diet, the most crucial step is to read every product label and not assume a candy is safe just because a similar item from the same brand is. Hershey's provides a helpful list of their validated gluten-free Easter candies, which includes mini Reese's cups and York eggs. However, the seasonal, specialty-shaped items like Reese's eggs and Cadbury creme eggs do not make this list due to cross-contamination risks. By sticking to the explicitly labeled products and known safe alternatives, a festive and safe Easter basket is easily achievable. Always verify information directly from the manufacturer for the most up-to-date details, especially since production processes can change year to year.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs are not considered gluten-free by Hershey's. They are seasonal, uniquely shaped items and are produced on shared equipment with gluten-containing products, creating a risk of cross-contamination.

Reese's Miniatures and Reese's Pieces Carrots are safe options for a gluten-free diet during Easter. These products are typically labeled gluten-free by Hershey's, unlike their seasonal shaped counterparts.

No, Hershey's Cadbury Creme Eggs are not explicitly labeled as gluten-free. While they don't list gluten ingredients, Hershey's does not put them through the verification process for the gluten-free label, indicating a risk of cross-contamination.

Many varieties of Hershey's Kisses, including the Pastel Easter and Egg Hunt versions, are labeled gluten-free. However, it is essential to check the specific bag for the gluten-free icon, as flavors and production methods can vary.

Seasonal candies are often produced in separate facilities or on shared equipment that also handles items containing wheat or other gluten sources. Even with robust cleaning, a risk of cross-contact remains, which is why manufacturers like Hershey's do not label them as gluten-free.

The Hershey Company maintains an updated list of their validated gluten-free products on their corporate website, Hersheyland.com. It is the most reliable resource for current product information.

For a product to be labeled 'gluten-free' in the United States, it must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This is considered a safe level for most individuals with Celiac disease.