Gluten-Free Halloween Candy: What the Manufacturers Actually Say
Last updated: October 1, 2026
Most Halloween candy lists tell you a candy is “fine” and leave it at that. This one works differently. Every candy below is listed only because the company that makes it says it is gluten-free, and every entry links to that company’s own statement so you can read it yourself.
That matters, because “gluten-free” is a claim a manufacturer makes about a specific product, in a specific package, at a specific time. It is not a permanent property of a brand name.
How to read this list
Every entry links to the manufacturer’s own gluten-free statement. If a company does not publish one, its candy is not here. “Gluten-free” on this page means the manufacturer says so — it is not a promise about the particular bag in your hand. Read the label on the actual package before you buy or hand it out; every manufacturer on this page says the same thing, and they mean it. Seasonal shapes and fun-size packs are often left out of a manufacturer’s gluten-free claim, even when the regular bar is on the list. And formulas change: a candy that was gluten-free last October may not be this October.
The candy list
Tootsie Roll Industries
The company states: “At this time, all of our confections are gluten free. We do not use wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, spelt or any of their components and that includes our dusting on our conveyor belts.” Source: Tootsie Roll Industries FAQ
- Tootsie Rolls— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Tootsie Pops— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Caramel Apple Pops— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- DOTS— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Frooties— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Dubble Bubble— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Charms Blow Pops— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Andes Mints— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Junior Mints— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Sugar Daddy— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Sugar Babies— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Charleston Chew— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Cry Baby— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Razzles— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
The Hershey Company
The company states: “For your convenience, the current products listed below have been fully evaluated and qualify as gluten-free using standards established by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).” Source: Hershey — Gluten Free
Hershey also says the best way to know whether a product contains a gluten ingredient is to read the label, and that ingredient lists can change.
- HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Candy Bars— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- HERSHEY’S KISSES Milk Chocolate Candy— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- HERSHEY’S NUGGETS— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- REESE’S Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- REESE’S PIECES Peanut Butter Candy— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- YORK Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- ROLO Creamy Caramels in Rich Chocolate Candy— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- ALMOND JOY Coconut and Almond Chocolate Candy Bar— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- MOUNDS Dark Chocolate and Coconut Candy Bar— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- PAYDAY Peanut and Caramel Candy Bar— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- HEATH Chocolatey English Toffee Candy Bar— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- SKOR Milk Chocolate with Crisp Butter Toffee Candy Bar— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- BROOKSIDE Dark Chocolate— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
Smarties Candy Company
The company states: “All Smarties® candy made by Smarties Candy Company is gluten-free and safe for people with Celiac Disease.” Source: Smarties — Our Candy
The company adds that if the UPC number on the packaging begins with “0 11206”, the product was manufactured in a facility that makes exclusively gluten-free products.
- Smarties rolls (Original, Giant, Mega)— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Smarties Lollies and Mega Lollies— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Smarties Candy Necklaces— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Smarties in a Pouch, Love Hearts, Theater Boxes— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
Airheads
The company states: “Our Airheads Bars are gluten-free.” Source: Airheads FAQ
The same page says Airheads Bites, Gum, Gummies and Pops are not tested for gluten and cannot carry a gluten-free claim, and that Airheads Xtremes Bites, Xtremes Belts, Ropes, Sourfuls and Soft Filled Bites contain wheat.
- Airheads Bars — only the Bars; the other Airheads lines are not covered— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
Black Forest
The company states: “All our organic gummies are gluten free. All of our Juicy Burst fruit flavored snacks are gluten free. All of our Fruit Strips are gluten free.” Source: Black Forest FAQ
- Black Forest Organic Gummies— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Juicy Burst fruit flavored snacks— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
- Black Forest Fruit Strips— gluten-free per the manufacturer’s 2026 statement
What is not on this list, and why
Some of the most common Halloween candies are missing on purpose.
- Mars Wrigley — M&M’S, Snickers, Skittles, Starburst, Twix, Milky Way and 3 Musketeers. Mars Wrigley does not label any of its products gluten-free and does not publish a gluten-free list. Its stated position is that it cannot guarantee the absence of gluten because of shared equipment. Twix, Milky Way, Mars Bars, Crispy M&M’S and Pretzel M&M’S contain wheat or barley malt.
- Ferrara Candy Company — SweeTarts, Nerds, Laffy Taffy, Lemonhead and Trolli. Ferrara says it does not publish allergen or gluten-free lists, and directs consumers to the package label.
If a candy is not on this page, that is not a statement that it contains gluten. It means the manufacturer has not published a gluten-free claim I could link to.
Label-check and cross-contact cautions
- Read the label on the package you are actually holding. Every manufacturer on this page says the same thing: the label is the current, accurate source, and ingredient lists change.
- Seasonal shapes are a separate product. A pumpkin-shaped or heart-shaped version of a candy is often made on different equipment, or with a different formula, than the everyday bar, so do not assume the claim carries over.
- Fun-size and snack-size packs are often excluded from a manufacturer’s gluten-free claim even when the full-size bar is on the list. Check the wrapper of the actual fun-size piece.
- “May contain wheat” and “made in a facility that also processes wheat” are cross-contact statements, not ingredient statements. They mean the manufacturer is telling you it cannot rule out cross-contact.
- Wheat, barley and rye are the grains to look for. Barley malt and malt extract are common in candy and are not always obvious.
- Candy that is not individually wrapped can pick up crumbs from a shared bowl. A separate bowl for the gluten-free candy is a simple way to avoid that.
Three simple fall treats
These are three things to make at home. They use everyday ingredients, and you can check every label yourself.
1. Chocolate-dipped apple slices
Ingredients: 2 crisp apples; 1 cup chocolate chips (check the label); optional chopped nuts, shredded coconut or sprinkles (check the label).
Method: Core and slice the apples into thick rounds. Melt the chocolate chips in a bowl over a pot of simmering water, or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between each. Dip each apple slice halfway into the chocolate and set it on parchment. Add toppings while the chocolate is still soft. Chill until the chocolate sets.
2. Pumpkin-spice popcorn
Ingredients: 8 cups popped popcorn; 3 tablespoons butter, melted; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; pinch of salt.
Method: Spread the popcorn on a lined baking sheet. Stir the sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt into the melted butter, then drizzle it over the popcorn and toss to coat. Spread it back out and let it cool and crisp.
3. Marshmallow-and-cereal bars
Ingredients: 4 cups gluten-free crispy rice cereal (check the label); 3 tablespoons butter; 1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows (check the label); optional handful of chocolate chips or dried cranberries.
Method: Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until fully melted. Take the pot off the heat, add the cereal and stir until evenly coated. Press the mixture into a lined 9x13 pan and let it cool before cutting.
Next step
If your child is heading to a caregiver’s house, a friend’s party, or a grandparent’s for trick-or-treating, the free hand-off sheet is a one-page way to pass along what a caregiver needs to know.
Written by Will, Sienna’s dad
Last updated: October 1, 2026
This page is for education and support. It is not medical advice, and it does not replace the plan your child’s care team has put together. Always verify current package labeling and manufacturer information.