Is Hungry Jack Syrup Gluten Free? (Find Out Now!)


Is Hungry Jack Syrup Gluten Free

Sometimes, there’s nothing better to add to your gluten-free pancakes or waffles than a delicious gluten-free syrup. Hungry Jack’s maple and other syrup varieties are tasty, filling, and aren’t overly salty or sugary compared to others. But is Hungry Jack syrup gluten-free?

Yes, Hungry Jack syrup is gluten-free as there are no gluten-based ingredients in the formula. However, Hungry Jack admits that cross-contamination is possible during manufacturing. Additionally, the company doesn’t screen for gluten in their finished syrup products. The best gluten-free and healthier alternatives include Crown Maple Bourbon Organic Maple Syrup, Lakanto Maple Syrup and ChocZero Maple Syrup.

But that possibility may not be enough for everyone with a gluten sensitivity to stay away! Let’s take a closer look at Hungry Jack syrup and its core ingredients. By the end, you’ll be able to decide for yourself whether you want to add this delicious topping to your next stack of gluten-free pancakes.

Potential Cross-Contamination

As a basic syrup product, Hungry Jack’s syrup products are gluten-free. After all, you don’t normally need to add wheat or other gluten-based products to any finished syrup no matter the flavor! Indeed, Hungry Jack’s website itself notes that each of its syrup products is technically gluten-free.

That said, the manufacturer is also thankfully very honest about the possibility of cross-contamination. According to Hungry Jack, none of their syrups contain ingredients derived from gluten. But at the same time, none of the syrups meet their “established criteria for a gluten-free claim for one or more reasons”.

While gluten-free isn’t fully defined by the US FDA, nor are there any official guidelines for manufacturers to stick to, Hungry Jack has admitted that they create their syrups in a shared environment with other, potentially gluten-containing products like batters and mixes.

Additionally, Hungry Jack doesn’t fully screen its syrup products for gluten and other common contaminants or allergens. Because of this, Hungry Jack syrup may be considered provisionally gluten-free, but can’t be guaranteed 100% gluten-free at this time.

That may change in the future if and when the FDA comes out with guidelines that Hungry Jack can follow. But until then, consume Hungry Jack syrup at your own discretion. If you have an especially sensitive digestive system, it’s possible that even a few particles of gluten could cause some side effects and ruin your pancake breakfast.

Hungry Jack Syrup Nutritional Breakdown

Although you’ll notice a distinct lack of gluten or gluten-related ingredients in Hungry Jack’s syrup varieties, you have to remember that none of these fully qualify as gluten-free per FDA guidelines. That said, you can take a look at the ingredient breakdown below and determine for yourself whether syrup from Hungry Jack is a good choice with your gluten-free pancakes or waffles.

Hungry Jack Original Syrup

Hungry Jack’s Original Syrup flavor is thick, delicious, and is even microwavable right in a bottle, making it easy for you to add to your pancakes without having to heat it up in a pot or pan. This core recipe forms the basis for all other Hungry Jack flavor varieties.

Its ingredients are:

  • Corn syrup
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Water
  • Cellulose gum
  • Salt
  • Caramel color
  • Sorbic acid
  • Sodium benzoate
  • Sodium citrate
  • Natural and artificial flavors

Nutrition Facts (per 2 tablespoons):

  • 110 cal
  • 55 mg sodium or 2% DV
  • 27 g carbohydrates or 10% DV
  • 20 g sugar or 40% DV

Hungry Jack Butter Syrup

Hungry Jack’s Butter Syrup is fairly similar to the original syrup formula, but it adds extra butter for a new texture and a slightly smoother taste. While not exactly vegan-friendly, this syrup variety also doesn’t have any gluten or gluten-related ingredients – it only technically doesn’t count as gluten-free since it’s at risk for the above-mentioned cross-contamination risks.

Its ingredients are:

  • Corn syrup
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Cellulose gum
  • Caramel color
  • Sodium citrate
  • Sodium benzoate
  • Sorbic acid
  • Natural and artificial flavors

Nutrition Facts (per 2 tablespoons):

  • 110 cal
  • 90 mg sodium or 4% DV
  • 27 g carbohydrates or 10% DV
  • 19 g sugar or 40% DV

Hungry Jack Lite Syrup

Hungry Jack’s Lite Syrup offers essentially the same flavor you can enjoy with the Original syrup, but it has around half the calories in comparison. Thus, it could be a good choice if you are trying to lose weight over time but don’t want to totally give up sweet and delicious syrup with your pancakes or waffles. It’s also microwavable in the bottle and, naturally, also doesn’t have any wheat or wheat-related ingredients.

Its ingredients are:

  • Water
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Sugar
  • Cellulose gum
  • Natural and artificial flavors
  • Salt
  • Sorbic acid
  • Sodium benzoate
  • Phosphoric acid
  • Caramel color
  • Sodium hexametaphosphate

Nutrition Facts (per 2 tablespoons):

  • 50 cal
  • 95 mg sodium or 4% DV
  • 12 g carbohydrates or 5% DV
  • 12 g sugar or 25% DV

Healthy Gluten-Free Alternatives to Hungry Jack Syrup

Although Hungry Jack’s syrup may not be fully certified as gluten-free, don’t worry too much; there are plenty of other healthy and gluten-free alternatives to Hungry Jack you can and should check out. In many cases, these gluten-free alternatives will be even healthier than Hungry Jack, making them great for folks who want to avoid gluten while simultaneously giving their bodies the best nutrition possible.

Lakanto Maple Syrup

Lakanto Sugar Free Maple Syrup - Monkfruit Sweetener, Keto Diet Friendly, Vegan, 1g Net Carbs, Pancakes, Waffles, Oatmeal, Coffee, Tea, Granola, Frosting, Marinade, Dressing (13 Fl Oz - Pack of 1) Lakanto’s Maple Syrup is formulated with overall healthy ingredients. As a result, it’s gluten-free, grain-free, low sugar, and suitable for vegetarian, vegan, keto, and paleo diets alike – although most maple syrup is paleo by default! On top of that, it’s high in fiber, meaning any pancakes or waffles made with this syrup will keep you full for longer (and boost the health of your digestive system overall).

Its ingredients are:

  • Purified water
  • Tapioca fiber
  • Non-GMO Lakanto monk fruit sweetener
  • Vegetable glycerin
  • Natural flavors
  • Cellulose gum
  • Sea salt
  • Fruit juice
  • Natural citrus extract

Nutrition Facts (per 2 tablespoons):

  • 25 cal
  • 45 mg sodium or 2% DV
  • 7 g carbohydrates or 3% DV
  • 6 g fiber or 21% DV
  • 1 mg calcium
  • 33 mg potassium

ChocZero Maple Syrup

ChocZero's Maple Syrup. Sugar-free, Low Carb, Keto Friendly, Gluten Free, Vegan. Monk fruit Sweetened Breakfast Topping Syrup for Waffles, Almond Flour Pancakes, and More. (12 oz bottle) ChocZero’s Maple Syrup is another healthy take on classic maple syrup formulas. Thanks to its use of natural flavors, it tends to be a little healthier overall than comparative maple syrup choices. It’s one of the best overall sugar-free maple syrups on the market, and it’s totally free from preservatives to boot. Like most other maple syrups, it’s also gluten-free and suitable for folks with gluten sensitivities.

Its ingredients are:

  • Soluble corn fiber
  • Natural maple flavor
  • Natural caramel color
  • Monk fruit extract

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tablespoon):

  • 35 cal
  • 16 g carbohydrates or 6% DV
  • 15 g fiber or 54% DV
  • 1 mg calcium
  • 15 mg potassium

Kirkland Pure Maple Syrup

Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup, 33.8 oz (Pack of 2, Total 67.6 oz , 33.8 oz Each) Kirkland’s Pure Maple Syrup is a stellar example of an overall healthy or pure pancake syrup. It only includes a single ingredient and, as a result, you can enjoy a calorie-rich yet healthier than average maple syrup on your pancakes or waffles without any extra effort or needing to worry about synthetic additives, harmful ingredients, or any other problematic elements. This syrup could be a great choice for baking due to its purity and high calories.

Its ingredients are:

  • Pure maple syrup

Nutrition Facts (per ¼ cup or 60 mL):

  • 220 cal
  • 5 mg sodium
  • 54 g carbohydrates or 18% DV
  • 48 g sugar
  • 4% DV calcium
  • 6% DV iron

Crown Maple Bourbon Barrel Aged Organic Maple Syrup

Crown Maple® Bourbon Barrel Aged organic maple syrup 750ML (25 FL OZ) If you’d prefer a healthy maple syrup alternative with a distinct flavor profile, Crown Maple has you covered. Their organic maple syrup is aged in bourbon barrels for some time before reaching the market. As a result, this maple syrup pick has additional vitamins and micronutrients to benefit your body, plus an added kick from the bourbon-soaked wood in which it ages.

Its ingredients are:

  • Pure bourbon barrel-aged organic maple syrup

Nutrition Facts (per 2 tablespoons):

  • 108 cal
  • 5 mg sodium
  • 25 g carbohydrates or 9% DV
  • 24 g sugar
  • 41% DV manganese
  • 3% DV zinc
  • 22% DV riboflavin
  • 2% DV potassium
  • 2% DV magnesium
  • 2% DV calcium

Final Thoughts

Overall, Hungry Jack syrup is a pretty good choice for folks trying to stick to a gluten-free diet, even if it isn’t certified gluten-free. The same holds true for the vast majority of syrups no matter their flavor or their manufacturer. Plus, Hungry Jack isn’t gluten-free certified technically because the FDA hasn’t bothered to put out a gluten-free guideline list for them to follow yet!

But if you want to double down, you can try some of the certified gluten-free syrups above to guarantee that you don’t consume any gluten by accident.

Related Questions

Are all maple syrups gluten-free?

Yes, all natural maple syrup is considered gluten-free because at its core it’s a natural sweetener. Artificial maple syrup and breakfast syrups are not necessarily gluten-free.

Is Hungry Jack Pancake Mix gluten-free?

Some of their pancake mixes are gluten-free. Look for gluten-free pancake mix in particular, as well as the certification.

Can celiacs eat golden syrup?

Yes! This is because golden syrup is a sugar syrup and doesn’t naturally contain any proteins.

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Choosing Nutrition Team

Here at Choosing Nutrition, our goal is to help people with making smarter food choices. Whether you're wondering about vegan, keto, paleo, or other diets, we'll help you determine which options fit your nutritional lifestyle. Our staff is composed of registered dieticians, nutritionists, and health-conscious individuals.

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