What Crisps Are Wheat and Gluten-Free? A Comprehensive Guide

November 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Coeliac UK, many people are surprised to learn that not all crisps are gluten-free, despite being made from potatoes. The risk often comes from flavorings, seasonings, and cross-contamination during manufacturing. Navigating the snack aisle can be challenging for those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity, so it's essential to know what crisps are wheat and gluten-free to make safe choices.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to identify safe crisps and lists certified gluten-free brands. It covers common ingredients to watch for and highlights specific manufacturers dedicated to gluten-free production, helping consumers choose snacks with confidence.

Key Points

Check for Certifications: Always look for recognized gluten-free symbols like the GFCO or Crossed Grain logo to ensure products are safely below the 20 ppm gluten threshold.
Beware of Flavorings: Some seasonings, especially those like barley malt extract, contain gluten, so simply assuming potato-based crisps are safe is a common mistake.
Watch for Cross-Contamination: Popular brands like Walkers often carry a 'may contain gluten' warning due to shared factory lines, making them unsuitable for coeliacs.
Choose Certified Brands: Brands such as Kettle Chips, Pipers, and Seabrook offer extensive, clearly labeled gluten-free options for worry-free snacking.
Consider Alternatives: Explore natural alternatives like vegetable crisps, roasted chickpeas, or popcorn, which are naturally free from wheat and gluten.
Read the Fine Print: Product ingredients can change over time, so make it a habit to check the packaging every time you buy, especially for smaller brands or new flavors.

Understanding Gluten in Crisps

While the potato itself is naturally gluten-free, the journey from field to bag can introduce gluten-containing ingredients. The primary culprits are often in the flavorings, coatings, and manufacturing process. Many popular crisp manufacturers, such as Walkers (in the UK), produce their products in factories that also handle gluten, leading to a risk of cross-contamination. For individuals with coeliac disease, this level of contamination is enough to trigger a reaction, making it vital to look for certified products.

Common hidden sources of gluten in crisps include:

Wheat starch or flour: Used as a binding agent or coating for some flavorings.
Barley malt extract or flavoring: Frequently used to create certain savory flavor profiles, like those in vinegar-flavored crisps.
'May contain' warnings: These indicate a risk of cross-contamination from shared equipment and are not suitable for those with coeliac disease.
Yeast extract: In some cases, this can be derived from barley, so checking the label for specific gluten-free certification is essential.

Certified Gluten-Free Crisps

Several brands and specific product lines are officially certified as gluten-free, providing peace of mind for consumers. These products undergo rigorous testing to ensure gluten levels are below the required standard of 20 parts per million (ppm).

Popular Brands with Gluten-Free Options

Kettle Foods: Many Kettle Chips varieties are certified gluten-free, made with natural ingredients and free from artificial flavors. This includes their standard potato crisps and some vegetable crisp ranges. Always check for the certified logo.
Pipers Crisps: Pipers is well-regarded for its entirely gluten-free range of hand-cooked crisps, with a variety of flavors all made with natural ingredients.
Popchips: These popular snacks are popped, not fried, and are officially certified gluten-free. They offer a range of flavors, from classic salted to sour cream and onion.
Seabrook Crisps: A UK favorite, all Seabrook crinkle cut crisps are gluten-free and accredited by Coeliac UK. Their flavor range is extensive, ensuring plenty of choice.
Eat Real: Specializing in lentil, chickpea, and quinoa-based chips and puffs, most of Eat Real's products are naturally wheat and gluten-free.
Properchips: Similar to Eat Real, Properchips are lentil-based and offer a variety of certified gluten-free flavors.
Tyrrells: Many Tyrrells potato crisps are gluten-free, using potatoes, sunflower oil, and salt as key base ingredients. As always, confirm with the packaging.
Frito-Lay (US): While regional availability varies, Frito-Lay offers several gluten-free items, including Lay's Classic Potato Chips and Cheetos. Consumers should check the Frito-Lay website for specific product lists.

Comparison Table: Popular Crisp Brands


Brand	Gluten-Free Status	Key Ingredients	Certification	Notes
Kettle Chips	Yes (most varieties)	Potato, sunflower/safflower oil, seasoning	Certified GFCO	Known for thick-cut, hand-cooked style. Always check the label.
Pipers Crisps	Yes (entire range)	Potato, natural seasonings	Yes	All products are gluten-free, a reliable choice.
Popchips	Yes (all products)	Potato, natural seasonings	Yes	Popped, not fried, making them a lighter snack option.
Seabrook	Yes (all crinkle cut)	Potato, sunflower oil, seasonings	Coeliac UK Accredited	Extensive flavor range available.
Walkers (UK)	No (cross-contamination risk)	Potato, sunflower oil, seasoning	No	Not suitable for coeliacs due to shared factory equipment.
Pringles	No	Dried potato, wheat starch, rice flour	No	Made with wheat starch, making them unsuitable.
Cheetos (US)	Yes	Corn, oil, cheese seasoning	Yes (on certified products)	Only select products on the Frito-Lay certified list are safe.

The Importance of Looking for Certification

For individuals with coeliac disease, relying solely on an ingredients list is not enough due to the risk of cross-contamination. Third-party certification logos, such as the Crossed Grain symbol (used by Coeliac UK in Europe) or the GFCO mark, provide an extra layer of assurance. These certifications mean the product has been tested and verified to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten, a level generally considered safe for coeliacs.

Creative Gluten-Free Crisp Alternatives

If you enjoy making your own snacks or want some alternatives to commercial crisps, there are many gluten-free options.

Homemade Root Vegetable Crisps: Slice sweet potatoes, beets, or parsnips thinly, toss in olive oil and salt, and bake until crispy.
Rice Cakes: A blank canvas for toppings like nut butter, hummus, or smashed avocado.
Roasted Chickpeas: A protein and fiber-rich alternative. Toss chickpeas in spices and roast for a crunchy texture.
Kale Chips: Massage kale leaves with oil and salt, then bake until crisp.
Fruit Crisps: Dehydrated apple or banana slices can provide a naturally sweet and crunchy snack.
Popcorn: Plain popcorn is a naturally gluten-free snack that can be flavored with a variety of seasonings.

Conclusion: Navigating the Crisp Aisle with Confidence

Finding delicious and safe crisps when you need to avoid wheat and gluten is very achievable with a little knowledge. By focusing on products that are explicitly labeled or certified gluten-free, you can avoid the risks associated with cross-contamination and problematic ingredients like malt flavoring. Reliable brands such as Kettle Chips, Pipers, Seabrook, and Popchips have made a commitment to providing safe and tasty options for the gluten-free community. Always remember to check the packaging for the most current and accurate information, as product recipes can change. With these guidelines, you can enjoy a crispy, flavorful snack without the worry.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. Readers with coeliac disease or severe gluten sensitivities should always consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all potato crisps are gluten-free. While potatoes are naturally gluten-free, the flavoring, coatings, or potential cross-contamination from manufacturing in facilities that also handle gluten can make them unsafe for those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Walkers crisps are not suitable for a gluten-free diet, not because of the core ingredients, but because they are made in factories that also handle gluten-containing products. This can result in a 'may contain gluten' warning, which is a risk for coeliacs.

An ingredients list details what's in the product, but doesn't account for cross-contamination. A gluten-free certification, from a third-party organization like GFCO or Coeliac UK, guarantees the product has been tested and contains less than 20 ppm of gluten, confirming its safety for a gluten-free diet.

No, Pringles are not gluten-free. The potato chips are actually a mix of dried potato, rice, and wheat starch, which makes them unsuitable for anyone following a gluten-free diet.

Brands known for consistently offering gluten-free products in the UK include Pipers Crisps, Seabrook Crisps, and many varieties of Kettle Chips. Always double-check packaging for certification symbols.

Most corn tortilla chips are made from naturally gluten-free corn. However, always check the label to ensure no wheat flour has been added and that the product is certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination risks.

Barley malt extract is a common flavoring derived from barley, which is a gluten-containing grain. It is used in many crisps to add a specific taste, but it makes the product unsafe for those on a gluten-free diet unless explicitly certified otherwise.