There are many different kinds of chips available, and even though they are made with potatoes, not all of them are gluten free. If you follow a gluten free diet, you may be wondering ‘Are SunChips gluten free?’
Unfortunately, Sun Chips are not gluten free. In this article, I'll review ingredients, manufacturing processes, and my favorite gluten-free SunChips alternatives to eat instead.
Keep reading to learn more, or use the table of contents below to jump straight to the section you’re interested in.
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The gluten-free guide below is based on personal experience and research. Always be sure to discuss any medical changes with your doctor for your personal medical needs. Additionally, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My full disclosure isn’t that interesting, but you can find it here.
SunChips Ingredients
Sun Chips are whole grain chips and many people like them because they contain less fat than traditional potato chips.
According to the ingredients list, SunChips are made with Whole Corn, Sunflower and/or Canola Oil, Whole Wheat, Brown Rice Flour, Whole Oat Flour, Sugar, Salt, Natural Flavor, and Maltodextrin (made from corn).
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Since we can see from the ingredients list that Sun Chips contain Whole Wheat, we automatically know that they are NOT gluten free.
The ingredients list also has the allergen statement “Contains Wheat Ingredients” which is another way we know that these chips are not safe to consume for someone who avoids gluten.
Lastly, they also contain Whole Oat Flour--while oats are naturally gluten-free, they are often cross-contacted with gluten-containing grains during growing, harvesting, and/or processing. In order for oats to be safe on a gluten-free diet, they need to be explicitly gluten-free oats!
When it comes to finding gluten free products, one of the best ways to confirm whether or not something is safe to eat is to understand gluten free labeling and certification. This is a BIG part of gluten free eating, so I’ve put together this guide on gluten free labeling to make it super easy to figure out!
Take this quick quiz and uncover the secrets to making your gluten-free lifestyle not just manageable, but truly enjoyable with custom recipes and tips!
Do SunChips Have Gluten?
Yes, Sun Chips do contain gluten and are not safe to eat if you follow a gluten free diet. We know that SunChips are made with Whole Wheat, and the allergen statement on the packaging confirms the presence of gluten in these chips.
The reason Sun Chips and other gluten containing foods are dangerous for a person with a gluten allergy is “when a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the protein interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food by damaging a part of the small intestine.”
For people with celiac disease, avoiding gluten is essential to living a healthy lifestyle.
Are Any SunChips Gluten Free?
There are several flavored varieties of SunChips. Sun Chips come in Original, Harvest Cheddar, Garden Salsa, Chili Lime, French Onion, Southwestern Queso and Spicy Jalapeno.
Unfortunately, all of the flavors of SunChips contain gluten because the basic chip recipe uses gluten-containing grains.
In addition to the basic chip already containing gluten, these flavorings can also be made with additional gluten containing ingredients. For example, the Black Bean Southwestern Queso and Spicy Jalapeno varieties contain yeast extract.
Yeast extract is a complicated ingredient that sometimes contains gluten, depending on which yeast extract is used. So as you can see, these chips should be avoided completely if you have any sensitivities to gluten.
If you follow a gluten free diet, you should avoid all flavors of SunChips.
Gluten Free Alternative to Sun Chips
Missing the fun flavors and crunch of SunChips? Here are some of my favorite gluten-free options to try!
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$21.49Buy Now at Amazon Buy Now at TargetPopCorners Spicy Queso are a flavorful alternative to SunChips Southwestern Queso, and they’re lower in fat than traditional chips too. PopCorners are also available in other yummy gluten free flavors like Kettle Corn and Sea Salt. Just watch out for White Cheddar and Sweet Chili as they do not meet the FDA requirements for gluten-free.
09/07/2024 03:17 pm GMT -
$9.34Buy Now
Similar in size, shape and cheddar flavor, these Qunioa chips are a healthy, gluten free alternative to SunChips. You’ll love that they are certified gluten free, Non-GMO, Kosher and vegetarian. They are also peanut and soy free.
09/07/2024 03:22 pm GMT -
Buy Now at Target
If the ruffled texture of SunChips is what you love the most, these gluten free Sweet Potato Kettle Chips are a good alternative. These chips are kettle cooked and made with only 3 ingredients.
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$25.95Buy Now
These chips are certified gluten free, Non-GMO and made in a nut free facility. They’re highly rated and kids really love them. They also come in BBQ and Dill & Sour Cream flavors.
09/07/2024 03:22 pm GMT
Take this quick quiz and uncover the secrets to making your gluten-free lifestyle not just manageable, but truly enjoyable with custom recipes and tips!
Frequently Asked Questions about SunChips and Gluten
No, Garden Salsa SunChips are not gluten free. They contain wheat ingredients and therefore contain gluten.
No, Cheddar SunChips are not gluten free. The ingredients list on the SunChips website includes an allergen statement for wheat.
No, Harvest Cheddar SunChips are made with wheat and therefore are not gluten free. A quick review of their website confirms that these chips are not gluten free.
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