Halloween is right around the corner, and that means it’s Candy Corn season! Whether you love it or hate it, no one can deny that Candy Corn is a staple part of this spooky time of year. But is Candy Corn a good choice for your trick-or-treating if you have a gluten sensitivity?
Candy Corn is considered gluten-free. Candy corn typically doesn’t contain gluten or wheat. However, some Candy Corn varieties contain extra flavorings or additives which are not gluten-free. It’s important to already review the ingredients label. The best gluten-free and healthier alternatives to traditional candy corn are YumEarth Organic Candy Corn, Unreal Choose Your Own Candies, and Myracle Kitchen Coconut Bytes.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at Candy Corn and explore whether it’s really as gluten-free as it seems. By the end, you’ll know whether you can add Candy Corn to your Halloween shopping list even if you have celiac disease. Let’s get started!
Contents
The Core Candy Corn Formula
Candy Corn isn’t made by a single company. Instead, several candy companies make their own Candy Corn formulas and flavors. However, the core Candy Corn formula is essentially as follows:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Salt
- Dextrose
- Confectioners glaze
- Gelatin
- Sesame oil
- Honey
- Artificial flavor
- Yellow 6
- Yellow 5
- Red 3
As you can see, it’s a pretty basic formula and the artificial colors are there to give the Candy Corn its distinct yellow, orange, and white coloring. You can also see that none of the above ingredients are related to wheat or include gluten.
As a result, Candy Corn is generally gluten-free, which makes it better than other candies like Twizzlers. Any basic type of Candy Corn you purchase shouldn’t be a problem if you have celiac disease or are otherwise intolerant to gluten products.
So, is Candy Corn Always Gluten-Free?
However, there are two big caveats to keep in mind as you search for the perfect gluten-free Candy Corn for your upcoming Halloween celebration.
- Candy Corn sometimes comes with extra flavorings which may include gluten or wheat-based ingredients, such as sugar powders, etc.
- Candy Corn is often made in facilities without much thought given to the risk of cross-contamination. As a result, it’s possible that some Candy Corn varieties may include trace amounts of gluten, which could set off a gluten intolerance response if you are especially sensitive to the compound
The vast majority of candy manufacturers don’t think too hard about the possibility of cross-contamination. This is a regular hazard for anyone who has to find gluten-free food, especially when it comes to candy and snacking products.
But it’s still something to keep in mind as you shop. Fortunately, Candy Corn manufacturers also typically warn you if there’s a possibility of gluten contamination in their product. Similarly, those manufacturers who do make Candy Corn while taking extra steps to ensure no gluten contamination will clearly mark the gluten-free nature of their product on the package.
Bottom line: Candy Corn doesn’t normally have gluten, but some varieties of Candy Corn nevertheless have gluten-based flavorings, additives, or may be exposed to gluten due to cross-contamination.
Candy Corn Nutritional Information
While the majority of Candy Corn flavors are gluten-free, let’s break down some of the most popular varietals so you know for sure that there aren’t any ingredients to be overly aware of.
Jelly Belly Candy Corn
Jelly Belly was the original creator of Candy Corn, so it’s no surprise that they have what is arguably the basic formula for the popular candy. Rest assured that regular Candy Corn from Jelly Belly will be gluten-free for you and your family.
Its ingredients are:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Modified soy protein
- Artificial flavor
- Sorbitol
- Yellow Lake 6
- Yellow 5
- Red 3
- Beeswax
- Carnauba wax
- Confectioners glaze
- Salt
Nutrition Facts:
- 140 cal per serving
- 65 mg sodium or 3% DV
- 35 g carbohydrate or 12% DV
- 27 g sugar
Brach’s Candy Corn
Brach’s may not be the original creator of Candy Corn, but this producer now makes most Candy Corn. Fortunately, the majority of their Candy Corn varietals are also gluten-free, including their classic Candy Corn that includes honey for some added flavor.
Its ingredients are:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Confectioners glaze
- Salt
- Cocoa powder
- Hydrogenated palm kernel oil
- Gelatin
- Dextrose
- Honey
- Artificial flavor
- Sesame oil
- Yellow 5
- Yellow 6
- Red 3
- Soy lecithin
- Blue 1
- Red 40
Nutrition Facts:
- 110 cal per serving
- 60 mg sodium or 3% DV
- 20 g carbohydrate or 10% DV
- 22 g sugar or 44% DV
Sathers Candy Corn
Sathers is another popular manufacturer of Candy Corn, although it’s not quite as common as the other two above. Still, there varieties of Candy Corn are safe for folks with gluten sensitivities.
Its ingredients are:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Confectioners glaze
- Salt
- Dextrose
- Gelatin
- Sesame oil
- Artificial flavor
- Honey
- Yellow 6
- Yellow 5
- Red 3
Nutrition Facts:
- 140 cal per serving
- 70 mg sodium or 3% DV
- 35 g carbohydrate or 12% DV
- 20 a gram sugar
Healthy Gluten-Free Alternatives to Candy Corn
While it’s true that basic Candy Corn itself is gluten-free, you might instead prefer to look for some gluten-free alternatives or healthier candy options for you and your family this Halloween.
If that’s the case, we’ve got good news; there are lots of great healthy alternatives you can check out. Let’s break down a few of those in detail. Many of these alternatives won’t be perfect comparisons to Candy Corn, but they will still be bite-size candies you can easily fit into a pumpkin on Halloween.
YumEarth Organic Candy Corn
YumEarth makes some of the best organic and healthy candy varieties around, and their unique take on Candy Corn is no different. Not only is this Candy Corn completely gluten-free, but it also is free of any other allergens including soy, fish or shellfish, peanuts or tree nuts, dairy, and more. Naturally, these Candy Corn candies are also made with organic ingredients, making them great for folks who want to ensure that even their candy is healthier than average.
Its ingredients are:
- Organic cane sugar
- Organic brown rice syrup
- Shellac
- Organic sunflower oil
- Salt
- Organic annatto
- Organic honey
- Natural flavors
- Organic egg white powder
- Organic turmeric
- Organic rice protein
- Organic carnauba wax
Nutrition Facts:
- 70 cal per serving
- 35 mg sodium or 2% DV
- 18 g carbohydrate or 7% DV
- 14 g sugar or 28% DV
Unreal Choose Your Own Candies
Unreal makes all kinds of candies, though unfortunately no direct comparisons to Candy Corn. That said, if you want healthier than average candy, they can meet you halfway by providing a variety pack of delicious chocolates and candy bites. Even better, these candies are made with eco-friendly shipping practices and are certified fair trade. In a way, buying these candies instead of others means doing your part for the environment. Just take the ingredients for these dark chocolate crispy quinoa gems.
Its ingredients are:
- Dark chocolate
- Organic cane sugar
- Organic quinoa crisp
- Tapioca syrup
- Sugar
- Gum acacia
- Vanilla extract
- Carnauba wax
Nutrition Facts:
- 140 cal per serving
- 8 g fat or 10% DV
- 19 g carbohydrate or 7% DV
- 2 g fiber or 7% DV
- 15 g sugar
- 2 g protein
- 10% DV of iron
- 100 mg potassium or 2% DV
Myracle Kitchen Coconut Bytes
Last but not least are these specialty and delicious coconut bytes. Again, while not a direct comparison to Candy Corn, they’re still a great gluten-free alternative, particularly if you want to introduce your kids or kids from around the neighborhood to new types of candy this Halloween. Everything in these candies is organic and vegan certified, as well.
Its ingredients are:
- Coconut
- Coconut sugar
- Coconut nectar
- Tapioca starch
- Sea salt
Nutrition Facts:
- 170 cal per serving
- 13 g fat
- 4 g fiber
- 65 mg sodium
- 9 g sugar
- 1 g protein
Final Thoughts
In the end, most Candy Corn is probably fine for including in your Halloween trick-or-treating or for setting out on the table if you are serving a few kids with gluten sensitivities. Just be sure that you don’t purchase Candy Corn with extra flavorings or additives, as they may include gluten-based ingredients that are not part of the main Candy Corn formula.
Related Questions
Is Candy Corn vegan?
It is in many respects, but most Candy Corn also includes artificial food dyes that may have been creating using unethical practices, especially if the dyes are harvested from insects. Like many other types of candy, Candy Corn is technically vegan in that it doesn’t use any animal-based ingredients but it might not fit your definition of veganism from an ethical standpoint.
Is Candy Corn dairy-free?
Generally, yes. However, keep in mind that some varieties of Candy Corn have dairy-based coatings or flavorings. So just like folks with gluten intolerances have to be careful, folks who can’t digest dairy should also choose their Candy Corn carefully.
How many companies make Candy Corn?
Several. Jelly Belly is the original manufacturer of Candy Corn, but Brach’s Confessions is now the largest producer worldwide, making about 7 billion pieces of Candy Corn per year. Most Candy Corn flavors or varietals will be from either of these two companies or from licensed subsidiaries.