Which Candy Bars Are Gluten-Free? Your Complete 2025 Guide

October 20, 2025 •

4 min read

While some candy bars are notorious for containing gluten, many others are naturally gluten-free and safe for a celiac-friendly diet, provided you know which ones to choose. Navigating the candy aisle requires careful label reading, as even a small piece of barley malt or cross-contamination can pose a risk.

Quick Summary

A comprehensive guide to identifying gluten-free candy bars from major manufacturers like Hershey's and Mars. Learn about safe product varieties, potential cross-contamination risks, and the importance of reading labels before consumption.

Key Points

Check Product Labels: Always read the ingredient list, as manufacturers can change recipes at any time.
Understand Risk Levels: Products can contain 'no gluten ingredients' but still face cross-contamination risk, unlike certified gluten-free items.
Be Wary of Variations: Many candy lines have both safe and unsafe varieties; for example, seasonal Reese's and original Milky Way are often not gluten-free.
Rely on Authoritative Lists: For brands like Hershey's, refer to their official website's gluten-free list for accurate information.
Recognize Hidden Gluten: Ingredients like barley malt are a source of gluten and must be avoided.
Avoid Wafer-Based Bars: Many bars with a cookie or wafer component, like Kit Kat and Twix, contain wheat flour and are not safe.

Your Guide to Gluten-Free Candy Bars in 2025

For those on a gluten-free diet, enjoying a sweet treat doesn't have to be a guessing game. While some candy bars clearly contain gluten-based ingredients like wheat flour or barley malt, many popular choices are naturally free of these components. However, the difference between a product with no gluten ingredients and a certified gluten-free product is a critical distinction, especially for individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity.

Popular Brands with Gluten-Free Options

Several major candy manufacturers offer products that contain no gluten ingredients. It is essential to remember that formulations can change, so always check the most current label before consuming. Hershey's and Mars Wrigley are two of the biggest players in the confectionery market, and each has its own approach to labeling and production.

Hershey's

Hershey's maintains a list of its gluten-free products on its official website and many are naturally free of gluten ingredients. This list is considered authoritative, but reading the label is always the safest course of action. Many fan favorites are on the safe list:

Almond Joy and Mounds: Both the standard bars are gluten-free.
Heath Bars: This milk chocolate and English toffee bar is a safe choice.
Milk Duds: These chewy caramels are free of gluten ingredients.
PayDay Bars: A classic caramel and peanut bar that makes the gluten-free cut.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: The standard and miniature cups are gluten-free. However, seasonal and holiday-shaped Reese's products often are NOT gluten-free due to manufacturing differences, so read labels carefully.
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars: Some specific sizes, like the 1.55oz bar, are listed as gluten-free, while the cookies 'n' cream variety is not.

Mars Wrigley

Mars Wrigley has a different policy compared to Hershey's. While many of their products contain no gluten ingredients, they do not carry a certified gluten-free label due to the possibility of cross-contact during manufacturing. For those with celiac disease or high sensitivity, exercising caution is advised. That said, based on ingredients, the following are often considered safe:

Snickers Bars: The classic Snickers bar, with its nougat, caramel, and peanuts, contains no gluten ingredients. However, Snickers ice cream bars and some other varieties are not safe.
3 Musketeers Bars: The whipped, chocolate-covered nougat bar is made without gluten ingredients.
Milky Way Bars: Original Milky Way bars contain barley malt extract and are NOT gluten-free. However, Milky Way Simply Caramel and Milky Way Midnight are typically safe as they do not include this ingredient.

Ferrero (formerly Nestle)

Ferrero acquired many of Nestle's popular confectionery brands. These brands generally have a clear allergen labeling policy. Products to consider include:

Butterfinger Bars: The original Butterfinger bar (fun size, single, and share packs) is gluten-free. Other Butterfinger varieties, like Butterfinger Crisp, are NOT gluten-free.

The Importance of Reading Labels

For anyone with a gluten allergy, the ingredient list is the most reliable source of information. Manufacturers are required to list common allergens like wheat. While barley and rye, other gluten-containing grains, do not have the same strict labeling requirements in the U.S., they are still commonly listed. Key terms to look for and avoid include:

Wheat, including spelt and triticale
Barley, including barley malt extract
Rye
Modified food starch (check the source, as it can be wheat-derived)
Dextrin (check the source)

Cross-Contamination Concerns

Cross-contamination is a serious concern, especially for those with celiac disease. Some manufacturers, like Mars Wrigley, do not certify any products as gluten-free precisely because they cannot guarantee against cross-contact in their shared facilities. To mitigate this risk, some brands, like Smarties Candy Company, produce their products in dedicated gluten-free facilities. Other companies may use a process known as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) to manage and control allergen risks. The only way to be 100% certain is to look for a certified gluten-free label on the product packaging, which ensures the product has been tested to contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten.

Gluten-Free vs. Not Gluten-Free Candy Bars


Feature	Gluten-Free Examples	NOT Gluten-Free Examples
Classic Chocolate Bar	Hershey's Milk Chocolate (select sizes)	Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme
Nut & Caramel	Snickers (standard size)	Original Milky Way
Wafer/Crisp	No major wafer bar is gluten-free.	Kit Kat and Twix
Peanut Butter	Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (standard)	Reese's seasonal shapes
Toffee	Heath Bar, Skor	N/A

Conclusion

Finding safe and delicious gluten-free candy bars requires a bit of research and vigilance. While many popular bars contain no gluten ingredients, the risk of cross-contamination is real, especially for those with celiac disease. Rely on manufacturers' official gluten-free lists, check the most current product labels, and avoid all variations of a product that are not explicitly listed as safe. For the highest level of assurance, seek products that carry a certified gluten-free seal. With a little care, a world of sweet treats remains open to those following a gluten-free diet. For more information and resources on celiac disease and gluten-free living, visit Beyond Celiac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, standard Snickers bars are generally considered gluten-free as they do not contain gluten ingredients. However, they are not certified gluten-free, so there is a possibility of cross-contamination for those with severe sensitivities.

No, the original Milky Way bar is not gluten-free because it contains barley malt extract. However, varieties like Milky Way Simply Caramel and Milky Way Midnight typically do not contain gluten ingredients.

No, Kit Kat bars are not gluten-free. They contain a wafer layer made with wheat flour, which is a source of gluten.

While standard Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are gluten-free, special seasonal shapes (like pumpkins or eggs) are often made in different facilities or with different ingredients that contain gluten.

The most reliable method is to read the ingredient list on the package. Look for explicit mentions of wheat, barley, or rye. For the highest level of assurance, look for a 'certified gluten-free' label.

No. While standard Milk Chocolate and Peanut M&M's are often considered gluten-free, varieties that include a crunchy element, like Crispy M&M's or Pretzel M&M's, contain gluten.

Yes, some brands like Justin's Nut Butter Cups and Alter Eco (with some exceptions) are certified gluten-free. For many mainstream brands like Mars Wrigley, you will only find products without gluten ingredients, not a formal certification.