Are Doritos gluten-free? And what other chips are safe to consume on a gluten-free diet? This post lists several mainstream chip brands and reveals their gluten status. It also reveals how ten chips fared when tested for hidden gluten. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.
Whether it’s summer BBQ season, you’re feeding a crowd to watch the big game, packing your child’s lunch, or settling in on the couch to munch on chips and watch Netflix, you want to know if your favorite brand of chips is free from gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and sometimes oats.
In this post, I examined some of the beloved top brands of chips – including Doritos, Cheetos, Lay’s, Pringles, and more – to determine if they’re safe for you to eat when following a strict gluten-free diet.
I tested several brands for hidden gluten using Nima Sensor, a portable gluten-detecting device. While some people find the device controversial, I find it an essential tool that allows me to test the exact piece of food for hidden gluten before I eat it. I need data before deciding what to eat, and Nima feeds the data geek inside me!
Please note that I didn’t test chips that overtly contained gluten in the form of wheat, barley, rye, or oats, and I also didn’t test chips with malt flavoring since malt is code for gluten.
Are Doritos Gluten-Free?
I did a little digging to determine if Doritos are gluten-free and safe for the community. Here’s what you need to know:
(1) Doritosdo not contain any overt gluteningredients like wheat, rye, barley, or oats. However, only products the company says are “gluten-free” have been tested and validated to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten as set by the FDA’s Gluten-Free Food Labeling final ruling.
(2) The Simply Organic White Cheddar-flavored Doritos are labeled gluten-free, but the Nacho Cheese variety, and other varieties, are not. You can view a list of Frito Lay chips with gluten-free claims on the Frito Lay website.
(3) I tested Doritos with my Nima Sensor, and Nima didn’t find any hidden gluten. (A smile indicates Nima didn’t find gluten.) As noted, the Nima Sensorishighly accurateat sniffing out gluten even below the 20 ppm FDA-set threshold, and it’s why somecritics claim Nima is “too accurate” and therefore shouldn’t be used. (Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater!)
Bottom Line: Based on the ingredient list and the Nima test, I would personally feel comfortable eating Doritos; of course, thedecision is ultimately up to you and your comfort level.
Are Cool Ranch Doritos Gluten-Free?
As mentioned, only the Simply Organic White Cheddar-flavored Doritos are labeled gluten-free and have been validated as “gluten-free” by Frito Lay. A reader asked me to test the Cool Ranch flavor for hidden gluten, and I was happy to oblige her request.
Here’s what you need to know:
(1) I reviewed the ingredient list and did not see any overt mentions of gluten (wheat, rye, barley, malt, oats, etc.). In fact, the ingredient list says its maltodextrin is derived from corn, which is good to know given that maltodextrin can be derived from wheat, corn, or other grains.
(2) I tested Cool Ranch Doritos with my Nima Sensor, and Nima didn’t find any gluten.
Bottom Line: Based on the ingredient list and Nima test, I would personally feel comfortable eating Cool Ranch Doritos, but, of course, the decision is yours.
Are Cheetos Gluten Free?
Cheetos are labeled gluten-free, and some bags show a gluten-free claim. Frito Lay says the following Cheetos varieties are gluten-free:
- CHEETOS® Baked Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeño Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Crunchy Flamin’ Hot® Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Crunchy Flamin’ Hot® Limón Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Crunchy XXTRA Flamin’ Hot® Flavored Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Fantastix! Chili Cheese Flavored Corn and Potato Snacks
- CHEETOS® Fantastix! Flamin’ Hot Flavored Corn and Potato Snacks
- CHEETOS® Paws™ Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Puffs Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Puffs Flamin’ Hot® Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Simply Crunchy White Cheddar Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Simply Puffs White Cheddar Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Reduced Fat Puffs Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Reduced Fat Puffs Flamin’ Hot® Cheese Flavored Snacks
I independently tested two flavors of Cheetos for hidden gluten with my Nima Sensor, and Nima didn’t find any gluten in the original Cheetos or the Cheddar Jalapeño Cheese flavor.
Are Fritos Gluten-Free?
I always keep a bag of original Fritos in my pantry to enjoy on top of my Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup. Fritos are labeled “gluten-free” on individual bags, and Frito Lay says on its website that the following varieties are gluten-free:
- FRITOS® Lightly Salted Corn Chips
- FRITOS® Original Corn Chips
- FRITOS® Reduced Fat Original Corn Chips
- FRITOS® Scoops!® Corn Chips
Nima Sensor didn’t find any gluten, either. These chips are gluten-free and safe to eat.
Are Lay’s Potato Chips Gluten-Free?
There’s nothing like a bag of Lay’s classic potato chips to complete a BBQ. The good news is that Lay’s potato chips are labeled gluten-free, and I tested them with my Nima Sensor to independently verify the claim. As you can see below, Nima didn’t find any gluten.
Please note not all Lay’s flavors are gluten-free. Lay’s says on its website that it divides its “gluten-free” potato chips into two categories: (1) Products Not Containing Gluten Ingredients, which do not contain wheat, rye, barley, or oats but have not been tested to ensure they contain less than 20 ppm of gluten, and (2) Gluten Free Products, which Lay’s says have been analytically tested and qualified as gluten-free.
While the following products are not labeled “gluten-free,” Lay’s says they do not contain gluten ingredients:
- LAY’S® Barbecue Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Cheddar & Sour Cream Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Cheddar Jalapeno Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Chile Limón Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Dill Pickle Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Honey BBQ Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Extra Extreme Cheddar Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Extra Honey Habanero Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Flamin’ Hot® Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Flamin’ Hot® Limon Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Jalapeño Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Maui Onion Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Original Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Reduced Fat Smoky BBQ Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Reduced Fat Jalapeño Cheddar Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Reduced Fat Original Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Reduced Fat Sea Salt & Vinegar Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Kettle Cooked Sea Salt & Vinegar Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Limón Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Poppables® Honey BBQ Flavored Potato Snacks
- LAY’S® Poppables® Sea Salt Potato Snacks
- LAY’S® Poppables® Sea Salt & Vinegar Flavored Potato Snacks
- LAY’S® Poppables® Southwest Ranch Flavored Potato Snacks
- LAY’S® Poppables® White Cheddar Flavored Potato Snacks
- LAY’S® Salt & Vinegar Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Sour Cream & Onion Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® STAX® Flamas Xtreme Flavored Potato Crisps
- LAY’S® STAX® Queso Flavored Potato Crisps
- LAY’S® STAX® Salted Potato Crisps
- LAY’S® STAX® Spicy Chile Limon Flavored Potato Crisps
- LAY’S® STAX® Tangy Limon Flavored Potato Crisps
- LAY’S® STAX® XTRA Flamin’ Hot Flavored Potato Crisps
- LAY’S® Sweet Southern Heat BBQ Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Wavy Hickory BBQ Flavored Potato Chips
- LAY’S® Wavy Ranch Flavored Potato Chips
This information pertains to products distributed in the U.S. Products and was last updated on July 7, 2022. Read labels carefully, as formulas may change. The best and most accurate information about a product will always be on the label.
Are Ruffles Gluten-Free?
According to the Frito Lay website, the following varieties of Ruffles have been tested and validated as gluten-free:
- RUFFLES® Baked Cheddar & Sour Cream Flavored Potato Crisps
- RUFFLES® Baked Original Potato Crisps
- RUFFLES® Original Potato Chips
- RUFFLES® Simply Sea Salted Potato Chips
Are Trader Joe’s Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips Gluten-Free?
One of my favorite chips – and a consumer’s choice favorite – is the Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips (chili and lime flavor) from Trader Joe’s. These chips are labeled “gluten-free,” and Nima didn’t find any gluten.
View how other products from Trader Joe’s fared when tested for hidden gluten in Testing Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Products for Hidden Gluten. Also, if you don’t have Trader Joe’s near you, a similar chip is known as Takis, although I think the Trader Joe’s version is better. See how Takis fared when tested for hidden gluten.
Are Veggie Straws Gluten-Free?
My kids love Veggie Straws, and they make the perfect crunchy snack. Each bag is labeled “gluten-free,” and It tested gluten-free when tested for hidden gluten with Nima.
Are Late July Chips Gluten-Free?
Costco carries big bags of Late July tortilla chips, ensuring Late July chips are always in my pantry. I usually purchase the Sea Salt and Jalapeno Lime flavors, and both are labeled certified gluten-free. All Late July tortilla chips, popcorn, and potato chips are certified gluten-free.
I independently tested the brand for hidden gluten, and Nima didn’t find any gluten.
Are Pringles Gluten-Free?
Members of the Good For You Gluten Free community have asked me if Pringles are gluten-free. The answer is always no, they are not. The company says on its website that Pringles are NOT gluten-free since they contain wheat starch. Here’s a screenshot of the Pringles ingredient list:
In some cases, wheat starch can be considered gluten-free if labeled as such, but in the case of Pringles, the wheat starch used is not gluten-free.
If you love Pringles, I highly recommend Good Crisps. It is a better-for-you version of Pringles and is certified gluten-free by the GFCO. You can find Good Crisps at Walmart or online on Amazon.
Trader Joe’s also makes a gluten-free-like Pringle chip called Saddle Potato Crisps, which passed the hidden gluten test. I think they’re too salty, to be honest.
Missing a Chip You Love?
Am I missing a chip you love from this list? Want me to test your favorite chip brand for hidden gluten?
Please comment or contact me to recommend a chip to test next.
Additional Reading
See how these other products/brands/restaurants fared when put to the Nima Sensor test:
- Is Tofu Gluten Free?
- Guide to Gluten-Free Frozen Dinners (Nima Tested!)
- Are Marshmallows Gluten Free and Testing Jet-Puffed Marshmallows for Hidden Gluten
- Is Nutella Gluten Free? Nima Sensor Tested
- What Ice Creams are Gluten Free? [Nima Sensor Tested]
- Putting the Five Guys “Gluten-Free Menu” to the Nima Sensor Test
- Store-Bought Soups that are Gluten Free
- Are Chocolate Chips Gluten Free?
- What’s Gluten Free at the Olive Garden
Learn more about the Nima Sensor in these articles:
- What You Need to Know About Nima Sensor Before You Buy
- Did Nima Sensor Go Out of Business?
- Is the Nima Sensor Accurate?
