Chocolate chips have been the most popular additive in baking since their creation and it’s not difficult to imagine why! Chocolate chips add the most perfect sweetness to cookies, muffins, bread, and even ice cream. Before adding a heap of chocolate chips to your favorite gluten-friendly recipes, we should first find out if they are gluten-free.
The majority of chocolate chips on the market are gluten-free. They typically contain cocoa butter, chocolate, sweeteners, vanilla extract, and emulsifiers. None typically contain wheat, rye, or barley. The healthiest gluten-free chocolate chips are HU Gems Dark Chocolate Chips, Lily’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Lakanto Semi-Sweet Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips, ChocZero Milk Chocolate Chips, and Bake Believe Dark Chocolate Chips.
When browsing through the baking aisle of the grocery store, you have probably looked at the section of chocolate chips and felt overwhelmed. There are SO many options – from different brands to different flavors and sweetness of chips! So, let’s get a better understanding of what is in some of these products.
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A Trip Down Memory Lane
Chocolate chips were invented in 1937 with the creation of chocolate chip cookies when Ruth Graves Wakefield of the Toll House Inn added cut-up pieces of a Nestle chocolate bar to her cookie recipe. With Toll House being the innovator of the famous chocolate chip cookie, it is no wonder its cookie dough is amongst the most popular in the nation. In recent years, the number of brands that have hopped on the chocolate chip bandwagon has skyrocketed!
Differences in Sweetness of Chocolate Chips
In its most simple form, chocolate is made up of cocoa butter and cocoa powder – which together are called cacao liquor and determine cacao content – along with sugar. So, as the percentage of cacao goes up, sugar content goes down. These percentages and ratios of ingredients are what typically determine the bitterness of the chocolate. Let’s explore the differences between bittersweet, semi-sweet, and milk chocolate.
Bittersweet
Bittersweet chocolate generally contains less sugar than semi-sweet and is called for in recipes that are looking for more of a deep, intense chocolate flavor.
Semi-Sweet
Typically, semisweet chocolate has lower cacao content and is sweeter than bittersweet chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate balances the bitter chocolate flavor with sugar’s sweetness. It is produced by combining chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, a small amount of sugar, lecithin (an emulsifier), and vanilla.
Milk Chocolate
Milk chocolate contains more milk for a sweeter taste and creamier texture. This higher milk content provides more of a “melt in your mouth” feel.
Are Chocolate Chips Healthy?
Generally speaking, I would not consider chocolate chips to be a nutritious snack choice. In one serving of chocolate chips, there are 70 calories and half of them are from fat. That equals 4g of fat in just 1 tablespoon! That means if you had a ¼ cup of chocolate chips, you would be consuming 280 calories and 16 grams of fat. And – these are not beneficial or essential fats.
Not only are they high in fat, but they are also loaded with sugar. In that same 1 tablespoon serving, there are around 10 grams of sugar. Of course, anything in moderation and balance is ok! Just be cautious before eating these chocolate chips right out of the bag, as all of that sugar and fat adds up quickly.
On the other hand, there are a few benefits linked to the consumption of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has been found to be high in antioxidants. These antioxidants found in chocolate have been shown to increase the level of high-density lipoproteins (aka – the good cholesterol) in the blood. These high levels of HDL contribute to better heart health and decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Most Popular Chocolate Chip Brands
Let’s explore some of the most popular brands of chocolate chips available. They are also all gluten-free!
Nestle Toll-House – Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Chocolate
- Cocoa Butter
- Milkfat
- Soy Lecithin
- Natural Flavors
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tablespoon):
- Calories: 70
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: <1g
- Total Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 1g
Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Ingredients:
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Milk Fat, Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Milk)
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tablespoon):
- Calories: 70
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 1g
Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Ingredients:
- Cane Sugar
- Unsweetened Chocolate
- Cocoa Butter
- Whole Milk Powder
- Soy Lecithin
- Vanilla Extract
Nutritional Information (Per About 33 Chips):
- Calories: 70
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: <1g
- Total Sugars: 8g
- Protein: <1g
Guittard Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Ingredients:
- Cane Sugar
- Cacao Beans‡
- Cocoa Butter‡
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Vanilla
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tablespoon):
- Calories: 80
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 1g
Healthier Chocolate Chip Brands
Below we will discover a few healthier alternatives to the traditional chocolate chip. There are many brands of chocolate chips available that are designed to fit a wide variety of dietary needs.
HU Gems Dark Chocolate Chips
These chips are not only certified gluten-free, but they are also USDA Organic, GMO-Free, Paleo, Vegan, and Kosher. Now, chocolate chips can be enjoyed by so many without having to worry about dietary restrictions. The HU brand is passionate about providing high-quality foods that also taste delicious.
Ingredients:
- Organic Cacao
- Unrefined Organic Coconut Sugar
- Organic Fair-Trade Cocoa Butter
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tablespoon):
- Calories: 90
- Total Fat: 6.5g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 7mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 6.5g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Total Sugars: 4.5g
- Protein: 1g
Lily’s Chocolate Chips – Semi-Sweet
Lily’s chocolate chips are a fan favorite. They are melty, gooey, and oh so satisfying! They contain less sugar and are botanically sweetened with a stevia blend. They are also certified gluten-free, GMO-Free, and fair trade certified.
Ingredients:
- Unsweetened Chocolate
- Inulin
- Erythritol
- Milk Fat (rBST Free)
- Cocoa Butter
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Stevia Extract
- Vanilla Extract
Nutritional Information (Per About 30 Chips):
- Calories: 50
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 4g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Erythritol: 3g
- Protein: <1g
Lily’s Chocolate Chips – Dark Chocolate
Ingredients:
- Unsweetened Chocolate
- Erythritol
- Chicory Root Fiber
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Vanilla Extract
- Stevia Extract
Nutritional Information (Per About 60 Chips):
- Calories: 50
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 5g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Erythritol: 3g
- Protein: 1g
Lakanto Semi-Sweet Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips
Lakanto is another product that promises quality ingredients. These chocolate chips are certified gluten-free, zero-glycemic, dairy-free, paleo, vegan, and ketogenic. No matter what your dietary needs are, you can feel guilt-free while indulging in some of the finest gourmet chocolate! These chips are sweetened with monkfruit sweetener, which makes them suitable for diabetics.
Ingredients:
- Unsweetened Chocolate
- Non-GMO Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener (Erythritol And Monk Fruit Extract)
- Tapioca Fiber
- Acacia Gum
- Sea Salt
- Natural Flavors
- Cellulose Gum
- Sunflower Lecithin
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tablespoon):
- Calories: 50
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 15mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Sugar Alcohol: 4g
- Protein: <1g
Bake Believe Dark Chocolate Chips
These dark chocolate chips have a deep, rich flavor without being overly sweet. With zero grams of sugar, Bake Believe chips are a dream come true! They are also GMO-Free, vegan, fair trade certified, and free of the top 8 allergens.
Ingredients:
- Chocolate Liquor
- Inulin
- Erythritol
- Cocoa Butter
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Vanilla Extract
- Stevia Leaf Reb M
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tablespoon):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 5g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Erythritol: 3g
- Protein: 1g
ChocZero Milk Chocolate Chips – No Sugar Added
ChocZero chocolate chips are certified gluten-free, free of sugar alcohols, keto-friendly, soy-free, and GMO-free. They are also low-carb, with only 1 gram of net carbs per serving. ChocZero uses smooth dairy from whole cream that is swirled together with rich cacao but without any added sugar or artificial sweeteners. ethically sourced chocolate to create a baking chip that tastes like a classic.
Ingredients:
- Milk Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate
- Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder)
- Soluble Corn Fiber (Non-Gmo Resistant Dextrin)
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Monk Fruit Extract
- Natural Caramel Flavor
- Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans
Nutritional Information (per 60 pieces):
- Calories: 70
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: <5mg
- Sodium: 15mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 5g
- Total Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 1g
Related Questions
Are Chocolate Chips Considered Keto?
Regular semi-sweet chocolate chips would not be considered ketogenic due to their carbohydrate content. However, some sugar-free and low-carb chocolate chips are keto-friendly. Some of these brands include ChocZero and Lakanto.
Are Chocolate Chips Dairy-Free?
Traditional chocolate chips contain dairy, as they are made from milk fat and other dairy products. Fortunately, there are now numerous brands available that offer dairy-free chocolate chips. A few of these brands are Bake Believe, Lakanto, and Hu Gems.