Heath Bar is a popular chocolate bar made by Hershey’s that features chocolate-covered toffee pieces. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, an important question is whether Heath Bar contains gluten. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine the ingredients in Heath Bar pieces and look at how the candy is processed to determine if it can be considered gluten-free.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that Heath Bar pieces are considered gluten-free. While the Heath Bar itself contains some sources of gluten like wheat flour, the gluten-containing ingredients are not present in the Heath Bar pieces. The toffee pieces are made from butter, brown sugar, and almonds. As long as Heath Bar pieces are produced in a facility that avoids cross-contamination with gluten, they can be eaten on a gluten-free diet.
Ingredients in Heath Bar Pieces
To understand if Heath Bar pieces are gluten-free, we need to look at the ingredients that go into making them.
Here are the main ingredients in Heath Bar pieces:
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Almonds
The key is that Heath Bar pieces do not contain any ingredients derived from wheat, barley, rye, or other gluten-containing grains. The toffee is made by cooking butter, brown sugar, and almonds together.
This combination of ingredients makes Heath Bar pieces gluten-free by nature.
Full Ingredient List
While those are the main components, here is the full list of ingredients in Heath Bar pieces according to the Hershey’s website:
- Sugar
- Butter
- Almonds
- Palm Oil
- Skim Milk
- Cocoa
- Lactose
- Soy Lecithin
- Salt
- Natural Flavors
As you can see, none of the ingredients listed contain gluten. There are no gluten-based grains like wheat, barley or rye listed.
Comparison to Heath Bar
While Heath Bar pieces are gluten-free, the full-size Heath Bar itself is not considered gluten-free.
The original Heath Bar contains wheat flour as an ingredient. Wheat flour introduces gluten into the product.
Here are the unique ingredients found in a full-size Heath Bar:
- Wheat flour
- Corn syrup
- Canola oil
So in summary:
- Heath Bar pieces – gluten-free
- Heath Bar – contains gluten
This shows the importance of checking the ingredients for specific products. Even though Heath Bar contains gluten, the Heath Bar pieces can be eaten gluten-free since they don’t share the same ingredients.
Processing Precautions
In addition to having gluten-free ingredients, Heath Bar pieces need to be processed carefully to avoid cross-contamination.
Even though Heath Bar pieces don’t directly contain gluten, they could potentially pick up traces of gluten during manufacturing if equipment is shared with other products containing wheat.
Here are some steps Hershey’s takes to keep Heath Bar pieces gluten-free:
- Produces them on dedicated gluten-free equipment and manufacturing lines
- Follows stringent equipment cleaning protocols between products
- Tests finished products to validate they are gluten-free
As long as proper precautions are followed, Heath Bar pieces made by Hershey’s can test below the FDA limit of less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This allows them to be labelled as gluten-free.
Heath Bar Pieces Nutrition Facts
Since Heath Bar pieces are popular for snacking and baking, let’s look at the nutrition information per serving.
Here are the nutrition facts for a 28g (1 oz) serving of Heath Bar pieces according to Hershey’s:
| Calories | 150 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 60mg |
| Carbs | 16g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 13g |
| Protein | 2g |
The main nutrients in Heath Bar pieces come from the sugar and fat content. Since the toffee is made by cooking butter and brown sugar together, this leads to a high amount of fat and sugar per serving.
There is also a small amount of protein from the almonds and a source of fiber.
Overall, Heath Bar pieces are considered more of an occasional treat food rather than an everyday health food due to the high amount of sugar and saturated fat. But when eaten in moderation, they can be incorporated into a healthy gluten-free diet.
Where to Buy Heath Bar Pieces
Heath Bar pieces can be found at most major grocery stores, candy shops, and online retailers.
Here are some of the places where Heath Bar pieces are commonly sold:
- Grocery store chains like Safeway, Kroger, Publix, etc.
- Membership warehouses like Costco and Sam’s Club
- Candy stores like IT’SUGAR and Rocket Fizz
- Online at retailers like Amazon, Candy Warehouse, Hershey’s website
- Convenience stores like 7-Eleven
- Drugstores like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid
The best place to find them depends on factors like price, convenience, selection etc. But Heath Bar pieces can be found both in-store and online at most major food retailers.
Specialty candy shops will offer the largest selection of Heath Bar pieces available in different sizes and gift baskets. Online stores may offer cheaper bulk pricing on larger bags. And grocery stores tend to carry smaller snack-size bags.
Price Comparison
Speaking of price, let’s compare the cost of Heath Bar pieces at some top retailers:
| Retailer | Price |
|---|---|
| Amazon | $16.07 for 2 lb bag |
| Candy Warehouse | $5.99 for 8 oz |
| Kroger | $2.99 for 5 oz |
| Walgreens | $1.49 for 2.75 oz |
As you can see, buying in bulk online offers the lowest price per ounce. But for small snack bags, grocery stores and drugstores have convenient options that cost just a few dollars.
So choose based on how much you need! Larger families or frequent bakers may prefer a big bag from Amazon or Candy Warehouse. While individual snacks are easy to grab from Kroger or Walgreens.
How To Use Heath Bar Pieces
Now that we know Heath Bar pieces are gluten free, how exactly should we use them?
Here are some of the most popular ways to enjoy Heath Bar pieces:
Snacking
The simplest way is to eat Heath Bar pieces straight out of the bag as a sweet snack. The crunchy toffee and chewy chocolate make them addictive to eat by the handful.
Baking
Heath Bar pieces can be incorporated into cookies, bars, cakes, and more. Fold them into cookie dough or sprinkle over the top of baked goods. The heat will soften the toffee pieces so they add great texture.
Ice Cream Topping
For an extra crunchy dessert, sprinkle Heath Bar pieces over ice cream. The contrast of cold ice cream and brittle toffee is hard to beat.
Candy Making
Make your own candy creations by melting down Heath Bar pieces combined with chocolate or caramel. Use the mixture to make homemade candy bars, barks, or other sweets.
Trail Mix
For a healthy and energizing snack, mix Heath Bar pieces into DIY trail mixes along with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
The possibilities are endless! Take advantage of the unique flavors and textures of Heath Bar pieces however you like.
Should You Refrigerate Heath Bar Pieces?
An important storage question is whether Heath Bar pieces need to be kept refrigerated or not.
Here are some pointers on storing Heath Bar pieces:
- Refrigeration is not required since they have a long shelf life at room temperature.
- But refrigeration will help them maintain peak texture and freshness once opened.
- If not refrigerated, store Heath Bar pieces in a cool, dry place.
- Seal packages tightly to prevent moisture from getting in.
- Aim to eat Heath Bar pieces within 2-3 weeks of opening for best quality.
The high sugar content allows Heath Bar pieces to last for months without refrigeration before opening. But refrigeration is recommended once the bag is opened to keep the toffee from losing its signature crunch.
Stored properly in a sealed container, Heath Bar pieces can last for over a year before going stale. But for best flavor and texture, try to eat them within a few weeks of opening.
DIY Heath Bar Pieces
Looking for a homemade version? You can make easy DIY Heath Bar pieces at home.
Here is a simple recipe to make copycat Heath Bar pieces:
Ingredients
- 1 1⁄2 cups butter
- 1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar
- 3 cups corn syrup
- 1 1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 cups quick oats
- 2 cups chopped almonds
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 1⁄4 cup coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Stir in the vanilla, oats and almonds until fully coated.
- Spread the mixture evenly onto the baking sheet. Let cool completely until hardened, about 2 hours.
- In a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil, stirring frequently until smooth.
- Break the oat mixture into pieces and coat the pieces in the melted chocolate mixture.
- Return the chocolate-coated pieces to the baking sheet and let set in the refrigerator before serving.
Making your own Heath Bar pieces at home allows you to control the ingredients. Be sure to check labels carefully if purchasing pre-made oats, chocolate chips or almonds. Enjoy your homemade candy!
Heath Bar Pieces Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Heath Bar pieces:
Are Heath Bar pieces dairy free?
No, Heath Bar pieces contain milk ingredients like butter and skim milk. So they are not dairy free.
Are Heath Bar pieces keto friendly?
Heath Bar would not be considered keto friendly due to the high sugar content. There are 13g net carbs in a 1oz serving.
Do Heath Bar pieces contain peanuts?
No, Heath Bar pieces do not contain peanuts. The nuts used are almonds. So Heath bars are safe for those with peanut allergies.
Are Heath Bar pieces vegan?
No, Heath Bar pieces contain dairy ingredients like milk and butter. So they are not suitable for vegans.
Can Heath Bar pieces be frozen?
Yes, freezing is a great way to store Heath Bar pieces long-term. Freezing prevents them from getting stale. Thaw at room temperature before eating.
Conclusion
To wrap up, Heath Bar pieces can be considered gluten-free since they are made without wheat, barley, or rye ingredients. As long as proper precautions are taken by the manufacturer to avoid cross-contamination, Heath Bar pieces are safe to enjoy on a gluten-free diet.
Look for them near the chocolate chips and nuts at your local grocery store or order online. Store Heath Bar pieces tightly sealed in a pantry or refrigerator. Then enjoy them straight as a snack, baked into desserts, mixed into trail mixes, or incorporated into candy recipes.
With their crunchy toasted oat and almond flavor, Heath Bar pieces are a great gluten-free option for enjoying that classic chocolate-covered toffee taste.
