Many people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease wonder if popular baking ingredients like semisweet chocolate chips are safe to eat. With chocolate being such a beloved food, it’s understandable that those with dietary restrictions would want to enjoy chocolate chips in cookies, brownies, and other treats.
What is gluten and what does “gluten-free” mean?
Gluten is a group of proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, gluten is harmless. But for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an abnormal immune response that damages the small intestine.
This damage interferes with nutrient absorption from food. Over time, it can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, headaches, depression, and anemia. In children, untreated celiac disease can result in malnutrition and stunted growth.
The only treatment for celiac disease is strictly adhering to a 100% gluten-free diet. This allows the intestine to heal and symptoms to improve. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity may also benefit from eliminating gluten from their diets.
In the United States, the FDA defines “gluten-free” to mean a food contains less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This trace amount is generally considered safe for most with gluten sensitivities. However, some celiac patients are more sensitive and require diets with little to no gluten cross-contact.
Are semisweet chocolate chips gluten-free?
The good news is that most brands of semisweet chocolate chips are gluten-free. Semisweet chocolate contains cocoa butter, cocoa liquor, sugar, added flavorings (like vanilla), and sometimes a small amount of milk.
None of these ingredients contain gluten. Plain semisweet chocolate chips from reputable brands that label their products “gluten-free” are very unlikely to contain barley, rye, or wheat.
Risk of cross-contamination
While semisweet chocolate itself does not contain gluten, there is a small chance of cross-contamination during manufacturing processes. Factories that produce semisweet chocolate chips may also process other products with gluten-containing ingredients, like cookies and snack bars.
Some equipment, workers, and processing lines could hypothetically come into contact with sources of gluten. However, most major chocolate brands take extensive precautions to prevent cross-contamination of gluten-free items.
Many brands explicitly state on packaging if items are produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities. Opting for chocolate chips processed separately from gluten-containing foods provides extra assurance for sensitive individuals.
Added ingredients
Plain semisweet chocolate chips only contain cocoa, sugar, flavorings, and sometimes milk. But some chocolate chip varieties include additional ingredients like cookies, peanut butter, nuts, crisped rice, caramel, sprinkle mixes, etc. Check labels closely to ensure no wheat, barley, or rye derivatives are present.
Chocolate chips with candy coatings may contain barley malt or other problematic ingredients. Malt vinegar is also sometimes used in seasoned chocolate chips.
Are semisweet chocolate chips safe for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity?
For most people with gluten issues, semisweet chocolate chips from reputable gluten-free brands should be safe to eat in moderation. The vast majority of plain semisweet chocolate chips test below 5-10 ppm of gluten, well under the FDA limit.
However, individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities may want to take extra precautions like:
- Checking third-party product testing like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO)
- Only consuming chocolate chips produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities
- Avoiding chocolate chips with added ingredients and sticking to plain varieties
- Asking manufacturers about gluten testing policies and protocols
The more sensitive someone is to trace gluten, the more care must be taken in product selection. When in doubt, contact the chocolate chip company directly to inquire about gluten levels and manufacturing processes.
What are some recommended gluten-free semisweet chocolate chip brands?
Here are some popular semisweet chocolate chip brands commonly considered gluten-free:
- Ghirardelli
- Hershey’s
- Nestle
- Enjoy Life
- Godiva
- Guittard
- Toll House
- Peace Love and Chocolate
- Pascha Organic
Be sure to double check all packaging and contact manufacturers with any questions. Individual tolerances vary, so personal trial and error testing of brands may be needed.
Are milk chocolate chips gluten-free?
Most milk chocolate chips from reputable brands are just as gluten-free as semisweet chocolate chips. They undergo the same manufacturing processes. The main difference is milk chocolate contains milk in the form of milk solids, milk fat, milk powder, etc.
As always, verify ingredients and check labels to ensure no gluten-based add-ins are present. Allergens like wheat or barley are required to be listed on packaging.
What about white chocolate chips?
White chocolate is made from just cocoa butter, milk solids, sugar, and flavorings. It contains no cocoa powder. High quality white chocolate chips from trusted brands are gluten-free.
However, some low quality “compound chocolate” chips replace cocoa butter with hydrogenated vegetable oil. These vegetable oils may be derived from gluten sources. As with any ingredient, check manufacturing processes and labeling.
Can you make homemade gluten-free chocolate chips?
Yes, it’s easy to make homemade gluten-free chocolate chips perfect for any baking need:
Ingredients
- Semisweet chocolate (finely chopped)
- Butter or coconut oil
Instructions
- Finely chop semisweet chocolate bars into small pieces.
- Place chopped chocolate and 1 Tbsp butter/coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each cycle, until melted and smooth.
- Allow to slightly cool and thicken for 5 minutes.
- Drop teaspoon-sized dollops onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to set.
- Keep stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
This easy recipe allows complete control over ingredients. Customize with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, nuts, etc. Manage gluten cross-contamination by thoroughly cleaning cooking tools and surfaces.
What about chocolate candies and bars?
Solid chocolate bars typically contain the same base ingredients as chocolate chips – cocoa beans, cocoa butter, sugar, milk, etc. Most plain dark, milk, and white chocolate bars are gluten-free from reputable brands like Lindt, Endangered Species, Divvies, and Chocolove.
However, some chocolate candies contain gluten ingredients like cookie pieces, wheat flour, barley malt, and liqueurs. Licorice fillings may also contain wheat flour. Check labels carefully.
What about baking chips and morsels?
Butterscotch, peanut butter, and cinnamon baking chips/morsels often contain wheat flour or barley malt extract. Coconut and carob chips are typically gluten-free.
Again, thoroughly read ingredient labels and contact manufacturers regarding gluten testing and protocols.
Are chocolate sprinkles and jimmies gluten-free?
Some brands of chocolate sprinkles, also known as jimmies, contain questionable ingredients like farina and starch. These may be derived from gluten sources.
Purchase sprinkles and jimmies only from trusted gluten-free brands. Colored sprinkles also tend to be safer than chocolate jimmies.
What about chocolate syrups and sauces?
Beloved ice cream toppings like Hershey’s chocolate syrup are gluten-free. Most chocolate sauces and syrups contain some combination of sugar, cocoa powder, water, chocolate liqueur, salt, flavorings, and stabilizers like guar gum.
Avoid low quality syrups with ingredients like wheat flour. Also steer clear of chocolate-flavored syrups, as these are more likely to hide gluten sources.
| Chocolate Product | Gluten-Free? |
|---|---|
| Semisweet chocolate chips | Yes |
| Milk chocolate chips | Yes |
| White chocolate chips | Yes |
| Dark chocolate bars | Yes |
| Milk chocolate bars | Yes |
| White chocolate bars | Yes |
| Chocolate candies | Sometimes (check labels) |
| Chocolate sprinkles/jimmies | Sometimes (check labels) |
| Chocolate syrup | Yes |
| Baking chips (butterscotch, etc.) | Sometimes (check labels) |
The bottom line
Plain semisweet, milk, and white chocolate chips from reputable gluten-free brands are overwhelmingly safe for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. While cross-contamination is theoretically possible, most major chocolate chip companies have strict protocols in place.
Those with severe sensitivities should take extra precautions and thoroughly vet manufacturing processes. When in doubt, contact the brand directly. Homemade chocolate chips allow for total control over ingredients.
Solid chocolate bars and ice cream toppings like syrup are typically gluten-free too. But chocolate candies and flavored chips/morsels may contain hidden sources – check all labels carefully.
