The Short Answer
Yes, Quinn pretzels are gluten free. Quinn pretzels are made without wheat, barley, rye or any ingredients that contain gluten. They are certified gluten free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO). Quinn pretzels are a safe option for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
About Quinn Pretzels
Quinn pretzels are made by Quinn Snacks, a family-owned snack company based in Boulder, Colorado. The company was founded in 2010 by Kristy Lewis and her father Bob Edmondson.
Kristy was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009. At the time, there were very limited gluten free snack options available. Most were made with rice flour and corn starch, resulting in a dense, crumbly texture.
Kristy and Bob saw an opportunity to create flavorful gluten free pretzels with an authentic pretzel taste and texture. After months of experimenting with recipes in their home kitchen, they finalized their gluten free pretzel recipe made with sorghum flour, potato starch, sunflower oil and other natural ingredients.
In 2010, they rented a commercial kitchen and started producing their gluten free pretzels to sell at farmers markets and local stores. Popularity grew quickly through word of mouth, and Quinn pretzels are now sold in grocery stores across the United States and internationally.
Quinn Pretzel Varieties
Quinn pretzels come in a range of flavor varieties including:
- Sea Salt
- Sesame
- Rosemary and Olive Oil
- Classic
- Everything
- Cinnamon Sugar
They also offer seasonal and limited batch flavors like Pumpkin Spice. All Quinn pretzel varieties are gluten free and made without wheat.
Are Quinn Pretzels Certified Gluten Free?
Yes, all Quinn pretzel products are certified gluten free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
The GFCO is a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting people with gluten-related disorders.
For a product to carry the GFCO certification logo, the manufacturing facility and ingredients must go through a rigorous audit and testing process. The GFCO checks for any possible sources of gluten cross-contamination at the facilities where certified products are made.
Certified products are tested for the presence of gluten down to 10 parts per million (ppm) or less. This strict standard meets the FDA’s definition of gluten free, which is any product containing less than 20 ppm of gluten.
This 3rd party certification provides added assurance to consumers that Quinn pretzels are free of any detectable traces of gluten.
How Quinn Pretzels Are Made Gluten-Free
Quinn has privided a great deal of information on their website about how their gluten free pretzels are made:
Gluten Free Ingredients
Quinn pretzels are made without any wheat, barley, rye or gluten-containing ingredients. The main ingredients are:
- Sorghum flour
- Potato starch
- Sunflower oil
- Sugar
- Salt
Sorghum flour provides the bulk of the flour base needed to create the distinctive pretzel texture. Potato starch helps bind the dough. Sunflower oil gives a light crispness when baked.
Quinn states that all of their ingredients are certified gluten-free to ensure safety for those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.
Facility Precautions
Quinn has a dedicated gluten-free production facility where their pretzels are made. The facility does not handle any wheat-based products, which eliminates the possibility for cross-contamination.
There are strict protocols enforced for equipment handling and cleaning to prevent any exposure to sources of gluten. All employees follow gluten free production methods and are extensively trained.
Regular 3rd party audits are conducted in the facility to validate the absence of gluten during production.
Rigorous Testing
Every production run of Quinn pretzels undergoes gluten testing at a 3rd party laboratory. Samples are taken from the beginning, middle and end of a pretzel production run.
The pretzels are tested using the R5 Competitive ELISA method, which can detect the presence of gluten down to 5 parts per million (ppm). This is well below the GFCO standard of 10 ppm or less.
Quinn requires that all pretzel batches test below 5 ppm gluten before being released for distribution. This provides an added level of assurance that their certified gluten free status is maintained batch to batch.
Where to Buy Quinn Pretzels
Quinn gluten free pretzels are sold at many major grocery store chains in the United States including:
- Whole Foods Market
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Publix
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Stop & Shop
They can also be found at specialty health food stores such as Earth Fare and Fresh Thyme.
Quinn pretzels are available from online retailers including Amazon, Thrive Market and Vitacost. They offer a store locator on their website to help find Quinn pretzels near you.
For international distribution, check the Quinn website for a list of retailers in over 25 countries that carry their gluten free pretzels.
Nutrition Facts for Quinn Pretzels
One serving (1 oz or about 10 mini pretzels) of Quinn Sea Salt gluten free pretzels contains:
| Calories | 110 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 2 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 23 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugars | 1 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
The nutrition stats vary slightly for the different Quinn pretzel flavors, but they all provide about 110 calories and 2-4 grams of protein per serving.
Quinn pretzels are a nutritious gluten-free snack option. They are low in saturated fat, high in dietary fiber, and contain no cholesterol or trans fat.
Where Are Quinn Pretzels Manufactured?
Quinn pretzels are made at the company’s dedicated gluten-free facility located in Boulder, Colorado.
The 30,000 square foot facility opened in 2016 and houses all aspects of pretzel production – from raw ingredients receiving to mixing, baking, seasoning and packaging.
Having a separate gluten-free facility eliminates the risks associated with shared production lines. It allows Quinn to control the entire process in a wheat-free environment.
The Boulder facility currently produces over 4 million packages of pretzels per month. As demand for their gluten-free pretzels continues to grow, they are actively expanding capacity.
Quinn Snacks also operates a facility in Pennsauken, New Jersey where they produce their gluten-free cookies and baking mixes.
Do Quinn Pretzels Contain Dairy or Are They Vegan?
Quinn pretzels do not contain any dairy ingredients. They are considered dairy-free and suitable for vegan diets.
The only animal product used is eggs. Quinn uses eggs in their pretzel recipe to help bind and give structure to the gluten-free dough. But the finished pretzels themselves are egg-free.
Quinn states that their pretzels are processed on equipment shared with milk and eggs. So there is a risk of trace exposure for people with severe dairy or egg allergies.
Those with less severe dairy/egg issues can generally tolerate Quinn pretzels, since any protein residues would likely be minimal. But it’s best to check with your doctor if you have concerns.
Are Quinn Pretzels Kosher?
Yes, all varieties of Quinn gluten-free pretzels are certified Kosher by Scroll K Vaad Yisroel of Denver.
They meet the strictest kosher standards and can be enjoyed as part of a kosher diet. The Scroll K symbol is printed on Quinn pretzel packaging.
User Reviews of Quinn Pretzels
Here are some reviews from real users who have tried Quinn gluten-free pretzels:
Positive Reviews
- “These pretzels are absolutely delicious! By far the best gluten-free pretzel I’ve found. Great flavor and texture without crumbling apart.”
- “So happy I found these pretzels! I’ve missed pretzels so much after having to go gluten-free. Quinn pretzels are remarkably similar to regular pretzels.”
- “I struggle to find tasty gluten-free snacks but these pretzels hit the spot perfectly. My non-GF family and friends also love them.”
- “The everything flavored are my favorite! They have that perfect pretzel bite but are totally gluten-free and guilt-free snacking.”
- “Quinn’s pretzels are lifesavers for me as a Celiac. I keep their individual snack packs in my purse and desk drawer for gluten-free emergencies!”
Critical Reviews
- “I wanted to love these but unfortunately the texture doesn’t work for me. They are pretty dense and chewy compared to regular pretzels.”
- “The flavor is good but I wish they were bigger in size for more of a pretzel bite. The mini ones seem a bit overpriced.”
- “I tried the rosemary olive oil flavor and found them too strongly flavored for my taste. I’d stick to the original or salted.”
- “Quinn’s are decent gluten-free pretzels but I actually prefer the texture and taste of other brands like Snyders.”
The most common complaints seem to be about the dense texture and small size of the pretzels. But many reviewers agree the taste and quality is superior to other gluten-free pretzel options.
The Bottom Line – Are Quinn Pretzels Gluten Free?
In summary:
- Yes, all varieties of Quinn pretzels are certified gluten-free to less than 10 ppm by the GFCO.
- They are made without wheat, barley, rye or gluten-containing ingredients.
- Quinn pretels are produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility to prevent cross-contamination.
- Every batch undergoes gluten testing to ensure their gluten-free status.
- Quinn pretzels are a trusted gluten-free brand with positive reviews of their taste and quality.
While no food is 100% guaranteed gluten-free, Quinn pretzels follow strict protocols to minimize any risks. They are safe to enjoy for those with celiac disease and can be part of a gluten-free diet.
Overall, Quinn pretzels are considered among the best tasting gluten-free pretzel options on the market. They provide the satisfying crunch and flavor of a traditional pretzel, but without the gluten.
