Are Tortilla Chips Gluten-Free?

Are tortilla chips gluten-free is quite possibly one of the very most important questions. If’ you’re newly diagnosed to Celiac or new to cutting out gluten in your life, you gotta know if you can still have chips and queso or chips and salsa. Let me break down this question for you below!

ARE TORTILLA CHIPS GLUTEN-FREE

THE SHORT ANSWER

The short answer is: almost always yes. Corn is a naturally gluten-free grain, and the other ingredients typically found in a plain tortilla chip bag are usually just oil and salt. 

THE LONGER ANSWER

That said–you should read carefully EVERY label you’re going to eat, because you never know when they’re going to use wheat to make things extra crispy. Plus, if your tortilla chips have added flavorings, there is a definite chance they might have wheat as a thickener. (Example: Sun Chips versus plain tortilla chips).

Personally, I have a tiered system for what I deem is safe. Best is always if something is third party certified gluten-free (like GFCO.org or Certified Free From). Second is if it says “gluten-free” without certification. I don’t like when companies just self identify as much, hence why it’s second tier. Then, there’s when a product doesn’t make any marketing claims, but their ingredient label doesn’t show any gluten containing ingredients. I will eat any of the three, but some people only feel comfortable with 1, or 1 & 2. It’s important to talk to your doctor and find out what level you can eat at. 

WHAT ABOUT TORTILLA CHIPS AT A RESTAURANT?

It’s important when you eat out that you disclose your food allergy or medical condition so that they know to take you seriously. I will even sometimes order with the manager if I feel the wait staff is newer or don’t seem comfortable taking a specialty order.

You can ask for the server to check the ingredients if they purchase the tortilla chips, and if they make them in house, you’ll definitely need to inquire if they fry them in a dedicated fryer or not. A dedicated fryer means a fryer that is ALWAYS gluten-free. Breaded products that contain gluten are never allowed in said fryer. That’s because a fryer becomes cross contaminated from breading that can break off and contaminate naturally gluten-free items. If the tortilla chips are made in a fryer shared with gluten-containing products, I would not feel safe eating it. 

SO WHICH BRANDS OF TORTILLA CHIPS ARE SAFE?

Safe is a relative term, so some may feel comfortable with ingredient listings only, and some may want to call and talk to each manufacturer to rule out cross-contact during creation and manufacturing. I will list out the main tortilla chip brands and what their ingredients are. *THOUGH* you do you! Do your own research and ALWAYS read the product in hand, as the ingredients could have changed since the time of publication.

Are Calidad Corn Tortilla Chips Gluten-free?

On the front of the package it reads: “Certified Gluten Free GFCO.ORG” The ingredients currently listed on these chips say: Corn Masa Flour, Water, Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed, Corn and/or Sunflower), Sea Salt.

Are Juantonio’s Tortilla Chips Gluten-free?

At the top of the front of the package Juantonio’s proclaims: “Gluten-free” though it does not say it is certified by either GFCO.org or by Certified Free From Foods. The ingredients show: Yellow stonground corn, canola oil, salt, trace of lime (calcium hydroxide).

Are Tostitos Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips Gluten-free?

On the front of the package it self identifies as “gluten free”. The ingredients are listed as: Corn, vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or sunflower oil), and salt.

Are Tostitos Scoops Original Tortilla Chips Gluten-free?

On the front of the package, they self-identify as gluten-free. Their ingredients are listed as: corn, vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or sunflower oil), and salt.

Are Santitas White Corn Tortilla Chips (Totopos De Maiz) Gluten-free?

On the front of the package, it self-identifies as gluten-free. The ingredients are listed as: corn, vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or sunflower oil), and salt.

Are On The Border’s Cafe Style Tortilla Chips (Mexican Grill & Cantina) Gluten-free?

On the package on the front it self identifies as gluten-free. The ingredients are listed as: corn flour, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: canola oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil and/or soybean oil), sea salt.

Are Great Value Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips White Corn Gluten-free?

On the front of the package, it says gluten-free. The ingredients are listed as: ground white corn, vegetable io, (contains one or more of the following: corn, sunflower, safflower or canola oil), salt. 

What about other brands?

The brands featured were all of the brands I could find at my local Wal-Mart. Different brands may exist in different areas of the country. If you find another brand, please comment so we can keep the list growing for future readers.

If you’re looking for dips to use these tortilla chips in, you may like my: vegan queso, 3 ingredient Ranch dip, black eyed pea salsa dip, sausage queso dip, holiday cranberry salsa, or my French onion dip.