Candy corn is a popular Halloween treat made by Brach’s Confections. The classic candy corn ingredients are sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s glaze, salt, dextrose, gelatin, sesame oil, artificial flavor, honey, yellow 6, yellow 5 and red 3. With a list of ingredients like that, it’s no wonder candy corn lovers want to know – does Brach’s candy corn contain gluten?
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a type of protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For most people, gluten doesn’t cause any problems. But for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, even small amounts of gluten can trigger symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue and skin rashes.
That’s why many people choose to follow a gluten-free diet and avoid foods containing gluten. This includes not only bread, pasta and baked goods, but also processed and packaged foods that may contain hidden sources of gluten.
Hidden Sources of Gluten
In addition to obvious sources like wheat flour, there are many hidden sources of gluten in foods:
- Barley malt
- Brewer’s yeast
- Wheat starch
- Semolina
- Couscous
- Farina
- Farro
- Graham flour
- Einkorn
- Durum flour
- Bulgur
- Seitan
- Food starch
- Malt vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Teriyaki sauce
- Modified food starch
So checking labels is important when avoiding gluten. Even foods that don’t contain typical gluten-grain ingredients may have come into contact with gluten during manufacturing.
Does Candy Corn Contain Gluten?
Fortunately, when it comes to Brach’s candy corn, there’s good news for those avoiding gluten. According to Brach’s website, their classic candy corn products are gluten-free.
On the Brach’s website, you can find a list of gluten-free products. Brach’s classic candy corn, including the following varieties, are listed as gluten-free:
- Candy Corn
- Pumpkins Candy Corn
- Autumn Mix Candy Corn
- Halloween Candy Corn
- Candy Corn Pumpkins
So if you avoid gluten, you can feel good about enjoying these varieties of Brach’s candy corn this Halloween season.
Ingredients in Brach’s Candy Corn
To understand why Brach’s candy corn is gluten-free, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients:
- Sugar – Pure crystallized sucrose, gluten-free.
- Corn syrup – Thick sweetener made from corn, gluten-free.
- Confectioner’s glaze – Natural plant-derived coating, gluten-free.
- Salt – Sodium chloride, gluten-free.
- Dextrose – Glucose derived from corn, gluten-free.
- Gelatin – Protein extracted from animal products, gluten-free.
- Sesame oil – Oil derived from sesame seeds, gluten-free.
- Artificial flavors – Synthetic flavorings, gluten-free.
- Honey – Made by bees from flower nectar, gluten-free.
- Yellow 6 – Petroleum-derived food coloring, gluten-free.
- Yellow 5 – Petroleum-derived food coloring, gluten-free.
- Red 3 – Petroleum-derived food coloring, gluten-free.
As you can see, none of the ingredients in classic Brach’s candy corn contain gluten or wheat. Confectioner’s glaze is sometimes made with wheat starch, but Brach’s confirms their glaze is gluten-free.
Other Brach’s Candy Corn Products
While the classic Brach’s candy corn varieties are gluten-free, there are some other candy corn products made by Brach’s that do contain gluten:
- Caramel Apple Candy Corn
- Candy Corn with Peanuts
- Indian Corn
- Honey Roasted Peanuts Candy Corn
These varieties contain ingredients like wheat starch, wheat flour or malt syrup, and are not considered gluten-free. So be sure to double check labels and avoid these candy corn varieties if you need to gluten-free.
Cross-Contamination Risk
Even though Brach’s classic candy corn products don’t contain gluten ingredients, there is a small chance of cross-contamination at the manufacturing facility. The facility processes other candies that do contain gluten.
For extremely sensitive celiacs, even tiny amounts gluten from cross-contamination can be a problem. So this is something to be aware of if you are highly sensitive.
Those with less severe gluten sensitivity should be fine with Brach’s candy corn. But celiacs with high sensitivity may want to reach out to Brach’s customer service to understand their manufacturing processes and precautions around cross-contamination.
Enjoying Brach’s Candy Corn Gluten-Free
The bottom line – Brach’s classic candy corn varieties are labeled gluten-free, and don’t contain any ingredients with wheat, barley or rye. These candy corn products should be safe for most people avoiding gluten.
However, those with celiac disease or wheat allergy should use their own judgment based on their level of sensitivity. Being aware of potential cross-contamination is important.
As long as you choose the classic Brach’s candy corn products and watch out for varieties with gluten ingredients, you can enjoy this nostalgic treat during the Halloween season. Candy corn brings back childhood memories for so many people – there’s no reason those who eat gluten-free should miss out!
With some good information and label reading, candy corn can still be part of your gluten-free Halloween.
Finding Other Gluten-Free Halloween Candy
In addition to Brach’s candy corn, there are plenty of other gluten-free Halloween treats you can enjoy:
Gluten-Free Chocolate Candy
- Snickers
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Kit Kat
- M&M’s (plain varieties)
- Hershey’s Milk Chocolate
- Hershey’s Kisses
- Rolo
- York Peppermint Patties
- Almond Joy
- Twix
Other Gluten-Free Candy Options
- Skittles
- Starburst
- Swedish Fish
- Jolly Ranchers
- Lollipops
- Gummy Bears
- Licorice
- Dum Dums
- Smarties
- Mike and Ike’s
- Airheads
- Sour Patch Kids
Just be sure to check labels for gluten-containing ingredients, as some candy varieties (for example, certain M&M’s) may contain barley malt or wheat starch.
Tips for Avoiding Cross-Contamination
When enjoying Halloween candy gluten-free, here are some tips to avoid cross-contamination:
- Check ingredients for hidden gluten sources
- Look for candy produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities
- Avoid bulk/unpacked candy where scoops could touch gluten products
- Wash hands before eating
- Keep gluten-free and regular candy in separate bowls
With a little planning, you can make sure gluten-free kids and adults get to enjoy plenty of tasty treats this Halloween!
Making Your Own Gluten-Free Candy Corn
If you want 100% control over ingredients, another option is to make your own homemade candy corn.
There are several gluten-free candy corn recipes that use basic ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s sugar, egg whites or agar flakes. Here is one recipe to try:
Gluten-Free Candy Corn Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey or light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Yellow and orange food coloring
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, stir together confectioner’s sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup and salt. The mixture will be stiff. Shape into 1-inch balls and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine granulated sugar, honey/corn syrup and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-high. Cook until temperature reaches 250°F on a candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Divide syrup evenly into three bowls.
- Stir orange food coloring into one bowl until well combined. Stir yellow food coloring into second bowl until combined. Leave third bowl uncolored.
- Working quickly, dip the confectioner’s sugar balls (points first) into the orange syrup and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with yellow and white syrups to create the candy corn layers. Let cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container. Enjoy your homemade gluten-free candy corn!
The fun part about making your own candy corn is customizing the colors and flavors however you like. So get creative with different natural food colorings and extracts!
Are There Any Health Benefits to Candy Corn?
Candy corn is mostly sugar, corn syrup and artificial colors. This Halloween candy isn’t exactly a “health food.” But does it have any nutritional redeeming qualities?
Here are a few potential benefits of candy corn in moderation:
Vitamins and Minerals
Candy corn provides a small amount of B vitamins and minerals like:
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
- Niacin (Vitamin B3)
- Iron
- Zinc
Certainly not enough to make it a good source of these nutrients. But something!
Quick Energy
The sugar and carbohydrates in candy corn give you a quick boost of energy. This can be helpful right before events like sports, concerts, or trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.
Sweet Treat
Enjoying candy once in awhile can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. The sweet taste brings joy and satisfaction. As the saying goes, “All things in moderation.”
So while candy corn shouldn’t be a daily habit, there’s no need to feel guilty enjoying it during the Halloween season if your diet is generally wholesome.
Should You Eat Candy Corn?
Candy corn is a sweet indulgence best saved for special occasions like Halloween or Fall harvest parties. While it’s not the healthiest choice, it’s fine to enjoy in moderation.
For those without dietary restrictions who want an occasional treat, candy corn is unlikely to cause harm. But as with any food, factors like serving size and frequency of consumption come into play.
Those with health conditions like diabetes, food intolerances and allergies may want to avoid candy corn or at least limit intake to a small serving. Check ingredients and nutrition facts to see if it fits within any dietary needs or restrictions.
In general, here are some tips on how to healthfully enjoy candy corn and other Halloween treats:
- Eat small portions – 1/4 to 1/2 cup is a serving
- Make it an occasional special treat, not an everyday snack
- Savor the flavor and satisfaction
- Drink water and brush teeth afterwards
- Pair it with something nutritious like fruit
- Don’t eat mindlessly – pay attention to when you feel satisfied
Most healthy adults and children can work some candy corn into their diet during Halloween season. Just use moderation and common sense.
Conclusion
Brach’s classic candy corn varieties are gluten-free, containing no wheat, barley or rye. For most people avoiding gluten, Brach’s candy corn should be safe in individual-size servings. But those with celiac disease or wheat allergy should evaluate based on their level of sensitivity and risk of cross-contamination. Homemade candy corn and other gluten-free Halloween candy can also be enjoyed.
While candy corn is mostly sugar and not nutritious, enjoying a small serving a few times in Fall is unlikely to be harmful for most healthy people. Those with food restrictions or health conditions may want to check with a doctor to see if candy corn fits into their diet. In moderation, candy corn can be a seasonal indulgence along with other treats like chocolate and candy. Stay safe and happy Halloween!