Whether Butterfinger Minis are gluten free is an important question for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Here is a quick answer:
Quick Answer
No, original Butterfinger Minis are not gluten free. They contain ingredients derived from wheat, barley and rye which contain gluten. However, there are some gluten free Butterfinger options available.
Ingredients in Original Butterfinger Minis
The main ingredients in original Butterfinger Minis as listed on the Nestle website are:
- Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR)
- Corn syrup
- Wheat flour
- Sugar
- Palm oil
- Salt
- TBHQ (preservative)
- Soy lecithin
- Vanillin (artificial flavor)
The wheat flour in the ingredient list means that original Butterfinger Minis contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
Are There Gluten Free Butterfinger Options?
Yes, there are some gluten free Butterfinger options available:
- Butterfinger Minis Gluten Free – Nestle makes a certified gluten free version of Butterfinger Minis. These contain corn flour instead of wheat flour.
- Butterfinger Fun Size – The regular Butterfinger Fun Size bars are gluten free. They do not contain wheat flour.
- Butterfinger Bites – These bite-sized Butterfinger pieces are also gluten free and do not contain wheat.
So people who need to avoid gluten do have some Butterfinger options to choose from. Just be sure to look for the certified gluten free Butterfinger Minis, or choose the Fun Size or Bites which are naturally gluten free.
Why Original Butterfinger Contains Gluten
Butterfinger bars have a crisp, crunchy peanut butter flavored center. To achieve this texture, the original recipe contains wheat flour as a key ingredient.
During manufacturing, the wheat flour and other ingredients are combined, roasted and turned into a crunchy peanut butter cereal crisp. This gives Butterfinger its distinctive crunchy texture.
Wheat flour provides the following functions:
- Binding ability – holds ingredients together
- Toasted flavor – from roasting the wheat flour
- Crisp texture – from the wheat protein gluten
Unfortunately, the useful properties of wheat flour for manufacturing also make it unsuitable for people who must follow a gluten free diet for health reasons.
Risks of Gluten for People with Celiac Disease
For people with celiac disease, consuming gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine. Even small amounts of gluten can cause issues. Symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Skin rash
Consuming gluten can also lead to severe complications like osteoporosis, infertility and neurological issues if celiac disease goes undiagnosed or untreated.
This is why it is essential for people with celiac disease to strictly avoid all sources of gluten in their diet by choosing certified gluten free foods.
Gluten Sensitivity
In addition to celiac disease, some people may have a gluten sensitivity or intolerance. Symptoms are similar to celiac disease but are generally less severe. Some common symptoms of gluten sensitivity include:
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Skin problems
People with a gluten sensitivity may feel better by cutting back or eliminating gluten from their diets. Although gluten sensitivity is not as dangerous as celiac disease, it can still significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
Gluten Has No Nutritional Value
From a nutritional standpoint, there is no reason for most people to consume gluten. Gluten provides absolutely no nutritional value:
- Gluten contains no vitamins, minerals, antioxidants or fiber
- It is made up of proteins that are difficult to digest
- Many people’s bodies react negatively to gluten
Unless someone has celiac disease, a bit of gluten here and there is not necessarily harmful. But gluten consumption should be minimized as much as possible for optimal health.
Finding Other Safe Treats
The good news is that if you need or want to avoid gluten, there are lots of other delicious candy options that are gluten free. Here are some ideas:
| Gluten Free Candy | Brand |
|---|---|
| M&Ms | Mars |
| Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups | Hershey’s |
| Snickers | Mars |
| Twix | Mars |
| Three Musketeers | Mars |
| Skittles | Mars |
| Starburst | Mars |
| Swedish Fish | Mondelez |
| Lindt Chocolate | Lindt |
| Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips | Enjoy Life |
Always check labels carefully to confirm gluten free status when trying new products. But there are definitely lots of tasty options to discover!
Conclusion
To summarize:
- Original Butterfinger Minis are not gluten free due to containing wheat flour.
- There are gluten free versions available like Butterfinger Minis Gluten Free and Butterfinger Bites.
- People with celiac disease must avoid all sources of gluten.
- Gluten provides no nutritional benefit and many people feel better when removing it from their diet.
- Lots of other delicious gluten free candy options exist!
Hope this provides helpful information on whether Butterfinger Minis are safe to eat on a gluten free diet. Always carefully inspect labels, but rest assured there are plenty of gluten free sweets to satisfy any craving!
