What popular chip brands are gluten-free?

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease, making a gluten-free diet a medical necessity for a significant portion of the population. For those with celiac or gluten sensitivity, navigating the snack aisle requires careful attention, and understanding what popular chip brands are gluten-free is essential for a safe choice.

Quick Summary

Many mainstream chip manufacturers offer gluten-free options, but ingredient formulations and production lines vary by product and flavor. Proper identification relies on reading labels for specific gluten-free certifications and declarations. Popular brands like Lay's, Tostitos, and Kettle offer multiple safe snack choices for those managing gluten sensitivities.

Key Points

Check for Certifications: Look for third-party certifications like the GFCO logo, which indicates the product meets strict standards and is tested for gluten levels below 10 ppm.
Read All Labels Carefully: Even within a brand, not all flavors or products are gluten-free, and recipes can change, so reading the label is non-negotiable.
Popular Brands Have Safe Options: Major brands like Frito-Lay (Lay's, Tostitos) and Kettle offer numerous gluten-free choices, but always check their official website or product lists.
Mind the Flavorings: Malt vinegar and certain seasonings commonly contain gluten, making flavored chips a higher risk than plain or sea-salted varieties.
Prevent Cross-Contamination: For individuals with celiac disease, simple at-home precautions like using separate utensils and food preparation surfaces are crucial for safety.
Naturally Gluten-Free Isn't Always Safe: While corn and potatoes are naturally gluten-free, cross-contamination during processing can still pose a risk, highlighting the importance of certification.

Understanding the Gluten-Free Label

For individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, identifying safe foods is not just a preference but a necessity for health. Fortunately, regulations and certifications make this process more reliable. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires any product labeled “gluten-free” to contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. For many, this is a safe threshold, but for some with extreme sensitivity, looking for additional certification is a good practice. Organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group, set even stricter standards, requiring products to test below 10 ppm and mandating rigorous audits of manufacturing facilities. Always checking for these labels is the most critical step in confirming a chip's gluten-free status.

Popular Potato Chip Brands with Gluten-Free Options

Several major potato chip manufacturers offer a variety of gluten-free products, though it is crucial to note that not all flavors from a brand are necessarily safe. Frito-Lay, for example, maintains a list of U.S. gluten-free products on its website.

Lay's: Many classic and simple varieties are gluten-free. For instance, Lay's Classic Potato Chips and Lay's Wavy Original are on Frito-Lay's official list. However, some flavored options may contain gluten, so always read the ingredients carefully.
Kettle Brand: Known for its hand-cooked potato chips, Kettle offers many flavors that are certified gluten-free, making them a consistently reliable choice.
Utz: This brand offers several gluten-free chip flavors. While some are not officially certified, they still meet the FDA standard of under 20 ppm. Checking the product label is key.
The Good Crisp Company: This brand specializes in gluten-free products, offering a Pringle-like stacked potato crisp that is certified and free from artificial flavors.

Trusted Tortilla Chip Choices

Tortilla chips, made primarily from corn, are often naturally gluten-free. However, cross-contamination is a risk, and some products may use wheat flour as an additive. Opting for certified options is the safest bet.

Tostitos: Many Tostitos tortilla chip varieties are listed as gluten-free on the Frito-Lay website.
Late July: This brand offers a variety of organic tortilla chips, many of which are specifically labeled as certified gluten-free.
Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chips: A popular choice for those avoiding grains, Siete offers a wide range of chips made from alternative flours like cassava and chickpea flour.

Alternative Gluten-Free Snack Chips

Beyond potato and tortilla chips, the market has expanded to include many other types of gluten-free snacks, often offering different nutritional profiles.

Hippeas: These chickpea puffs are made from a naturally gluten-free base and are a great source of protein and fiber.
Popchips: Popped, not fried, these potato chips are a good gluten-free option with various flavors.
Terra Chips: This brand offers exotic vegetable chips that are typically gluten-free, but as with all products, checking the label is essential.

Comparison of Popular Gluten-Free Chips


Brand	Certified GF?	Base Ingredient(s)	Notes
Lay's (Classic, Wavy Original)	No (meets FDA standard)	Potatoes	Frito-Lay maintains a list of safe products. Check their website.
Kettle Brand (Many Flavors)	Yes	Potatoes	A wide variety of certified options.
The Good Crisp Company	Yes	Potatoes	Specializes in certified gluten-free stacked crisps.
Tostitos (Many Flavors)	No (meets FDA standard)	Corn	Frito-Lay lists many flavors as gluten-free.
Late July	Yes	Corn	Organic and often certified gluten-free.
Siete Grain-Free	Yes	Cassava, Chickpea	Grain-free, uses alternative flours.
Hippeas	Yes	Chickpeas	High-fiber, protein-rich snack.

Avoiding Cross-Contamination at Home

For those with celiac disease, preventing cross-contamination is as important as choosing gluten-free products. A few simple practices can help ensure safety:

Designated Utensils: Keep separate toasters, cutting boards, and butter knives for gluten-free items to prevent transferring crumbs.
Clean Surfaces: Wipe down all kitchen surfaces and clean pots and pans thoroughly with soap and water.
Store Separately: Store gluten-free foods in clearly marked containers or on a designated shelf to avoid accidental contact with gluten-containing products.
Educate the Household: Ensure all family members or roommates understand the importance of these safety measures.

Conclusion: Snack with Confidence

Finding safe, gluten-free chip options is easier today than ever before, with many popular brands offering compliant products. While numerous varieties from Frito-Lay, Kettle Brand, and others meet the necessary standards, the responsibility ultimately falls on the consumer to verify each product. By becoming a diligent label-reader and understanding the importance of third-party certifications, you can confidently navigate the snack aisle and enjoy delicious, gluten-free chips without worry. A mindful approach is the key to maintaining a safe diet while still enjoying your favorite snacks. For further information and resources, consider visiting the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many Lay's potato chip varieties are gluten-free, including the Classic and Wavy Original flavors. However, Frito-Lay recommends checking their official U.S. gluten-free product list, as ingredients and processing vary by flavor.

Yes, Frito-Lay lists many Cheetos snacks, such as Crunchy and Puffs, as gluten-free on their website.

No, most Pringles flavors are not gluten-free because they contain wheat starch. Brands like The Good Crisp Company offer a gluten-free stacked potato crisp alternative.

Most Tostitos chips are generally gluten-free, as they are corn-based. The Frito-Lay website lists many specific flavors that are suitable for a gluten-free diet.

A 'Certified Gluten-Free' label from a third-party organization like GFCO signifies that the product and its manufacturing facility have undergone rigorous testing and auditing to ensure it contains a minimal amount of gluten, typically less than 10 ppm.

Yes, cross-contamination is a major risk. Chips made from naturally gluten-free ingredients like potatoes or corn can become contaminated if they are produced in the same facility or on shared equipment with gluten-containing products.

While potatoes are naturally gluten-free, the seasonings, flavorings, and processing methods used to make the chips can introduce gluten. For example, some flavorings contain wheat flour or malt, which includes gluten.