KitKats are among the most popular candy bars in the world. Nearly 350 million of the treats are sold each year globally. But are Kit Kats gluten free? Or should those with gluten sensitivities steer clear?
If you’ve ever taken a kit kat break, then you’re familiar with the delicious combination of crispy wafer and chocolate that comprise a KitKat bar.
These sweet treats come in a variety of different sizes and flavors — from dark chocolate to mint to special holiday offerings.
But if you suffer from gluten sensitivities or a gluten allergy, can you still consume Kit Kats? Let’s take a closer look.
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Is KitKat gluten free?
Unfortunately, KitKat bars are not gluten free. The wafers in them use wheat flour as one of their main ingredients. And wheat flour contains gluten naturally. So regardless of the flavor, no KitKats are gluten-free.
That means if you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivities, or are simply on a gluten-free diet, you’ll probably want to avoid eating them, as it could lead to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, bloating, and cramps if you suffer from one of these conditions.
Does KitKat make any gluten-free products?
Even though the bars that contain the crisp wafers do contain gluten, KitKat does occasionally offer a few candies that are gluten free, but these are generally not available in the United States.
These include a chocolate-only Easter bunny and chocolate Easter eggs.
Gluten-free alternatives to KitKats
If you’re craving a chocolate treat but have a gluten sensitivity, there are several KitKat alternatives that you can choose from. And many should be available at your local grocery store. These include:
Schar Gluten Free Twin Bar – If you’re looking for the closest thing to a KitKat bar without the gluten, Schär bars might be it. These treats feature gluten-free wafers covered in milk chocolate.
Glutino Milk Chocolate Wafers – Another option would be Glutino. These chocolate-covered rectangular wafers are produced by a dedicated gluten-free food manufacturer.
Elite Gluten-Free Chocolate Wafers – These wafers are not chocolate-covered, rather the wafers are on the outside and chocolate layers are sandwiched in between. But they are gluten free.
Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars with Ricemilk Crunch – These gluten-free and nut-free bars include puffs of crispy rice covered in chocolate to produce a crunch similar to KitKats.
Other gluten-free chocolates
If you’re not looking specifically for a KitKat alternative, several other popular chocolate brands also are gluten-free, such as:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Hershey’s Plain Milk Chocolate Bars
- Kinder Chocolate
- Snickers
- Toblerone
- M&Ms
While the main varieties of these chocolates are gluten-free, each brand may release other variations or seasonal kinds that may contain gluten. So it’s always a good idea to check the labels and ingredient list carefully before consuming.
Look for phrases that indicate whether it includes traces or small amounts of gluten. The label should also disclose whether the food was produced with production line equipment that is also used to make foods that contain gluten. In these cases, it will say something like “processed in a shared facility.”
FAQ
The bottom line
So, are KitKats gluten-free? If you have gluten intolerance or allergies, you may want to avoid eating KitKat products, since they are not gluten free. This applies to all of the various flavors of KitKat bars — from original to dark chocolate to white chocolate.
But there are several great gluten-free alternatives available that contain wafers, as well as several other well-known wafer-free chocolate brands. So if you’re craving a chocolate break and are on a gluten-free diet, you should still be able to find something that satisfies.
More gluten-related food and beverage answers
Find out if some of your other favorite food and drinks are gluten free by tapping the links below.
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