If you’re here, you’re wanting to know: are tortilla chips gluten free? Usually, yes, tortilla chips are gluten free. However, there’s a LOT more to this, so don’t reach for the bag of chips just yet.

What Are Tortilla Chips?

Often times when we hear the term tortilla chips, we tend to forget that they’re made from tortillas. There are two main types of tortillas: corn tortillas and flour tortillas. Flour tortillas are usually made from wheat flour and corn tortillas are made from corn masa flour (processed ground corn, sometimes called masa harina).

To make tortilla chips, corn tortillas or flour tortillas are cut into triangle chip shapes, then fried. They’re salted, packaged up, and shipped to stores you can enjoy them.

What Are Gluten Free Tortilla Chips?

To make tortilla chips gluten-free, brands start with gluten free tortillas. These are made from a range of gluten-free grains and ingredients including cassava, corn, beans, and brown rice. Once the tortillas are made, the chip making process is the same. The end result: delicious gluten-free chips that should have 20 ppm of gluten or less (Parts Per Million).

It’s important to note that whilst 20 PPM of gluten is the legal limit, brands that are using dedicated equipment etc. will most likely have 0 PPM of gluten.

Brands That Make Gluten Free Tortilla Chips

Many brands these days offer some kind of gluten free tortilla chips. Some brands are made on dedicated gluten free equipment and some aren’t. Be sure to check websites and reach out to customer service as needed to ensure the chips are safe for you. When searching online, you’ll find there are plenty of gluten-free tortilla chips to choose from, and this is only a partial list of brands I’ve had my kids try.

Beanitos (they make white bean chips, black bean chips, and more, usually mixed with rice)
Garden of Eatin (the have a blue corn chip option)
Heaven & Earth
Hippeas (chickpea based)
Late July (they sell multi-grain tortilla chips in addition to corn tortilla chips)
Lundberg
Mission Foods
Siete Foods (grain-free tortilla chips, made with avocado oil, contains coconut)
Tia Lupita (contains cactus)
Whole Foods 365 Brand (their in-house store brand)
Zack’s Mighty (Organic Tortilla Chips)

Who Should Purchase Gluten Free Tortilla Chips?

Anyone managing Celiac Disease
A person with a wheat allergy
Those managing Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
Anyone following a gluten-free diet for any reason including specific health reasons and some autoimmune diseases
A person with a gluten intolerance

You’ll be happy to know that your local grocery store probably carries gluten free tortilla chips. They may even carry a brand that’s certified gluten-free (for those who need that). Considering how many people are gluten free these days, if you plan on hosting a party or gathering, be sure to have a bag of gluten free chips available for those who may need them.

Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility: Is it Necessary?

For some people, a dedicated facility is the only way to guarantee they’re getting gluten free food. This is because it’s very easy for wheat flour to spread via the air and settle on other appliances and foods. The risk of cross contamination is always going to be higher in a facility that contains what you’re allergic/intolerant to, as the product is onsite. Ingredients such as flour travel easy since they’re a powder.

The product labels on store-bought chips will sometimes voluntarily disclose if the food has been made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. This disclosure is not a legal requirement. The best way to know all the details about a product before purchasing it is to check the manufacturer’s website, or reach out to them directly.

Tortilla Chips From Shared Fryers Are Not Gluten Free

In case you’re out a restaurant and fresh in-house tortilla chips are offered, it’s critical that you ask if they’re made in a shared fryer with gluten. Anything made in a shared fryer with gluten is not gluten free. In fact, the risk of cross-contamination is extremely high and basically guaranteed if the chips are made in a shared fryer.

Fried foods, no matter what their coating is, will always leave residue and food particles in the frying oil. That means if you fry wheat flour coated onion rings in the fryer, then fry gluten free onion rings in the same oil, the latter are not gluten free and should not be labeled as such.

This info applies to both restaurant fryers and commercial fryers.

Keep an Eye Out for Simple Ingredients

When purchasing gluten-free tortilla chips (or even gluten-free potato chips), keep an eye out for simple ingredients. I’ve personally found that the simpler the food, the better the results. These are the types of gluten-free ingredients you should see:

Corn or Corn Flour
Blue Corn or Blue Corn Flour
Sea Salt
Cassava Flour
Brown Rice or Brown Rice Flour
Seeds (chia, flax, etc.)
Beans

If you see a long list of ingredients, or seasonings you’ve never herd of, be sure to reach out to the company or check their website before purchasing the chips. Know that sea salt only chips are going to be the best starting point, and flavoured chips are more likely to contain allergens.

Answering Your Gluten Free Tortilla Chip Questions

Could I make tortilla chips with sweet potatoes?

Yes, you actually could, but know it’s going to require a little elbow grease. The first step is to purchase sweet potato flour (made purely from sweet potatoes). You’ll use that flour to make homemade tortillas. Once the tortillas have cooled, use scissors to cut them into triangles. Then, fry the triangles. Don’t forget to sprinkle on a little sat before serving. That’s it! With homemade chips like these, it’s generally best to only make what you’ll eat fresh.

Are corn tortilla chips the same thing as corn chips?

Not quite. Whilst they both have a corn base, corn chips aren’t made from tortillas. They can also have a wide range of extra ingredients you may not be excited about. Corn chips also come in a range of shapes and a variety of flavors. Corn tortilla chips on the other hand are usually in triangles or strips. They’re kept simple in terms of seasonings as well.

Are Truly Corn Free & Wheat Free Tortilla Chips Possible?

Yes, it is absolutely possible!! There’s great news: you can make your own tortilla chips at home. I’ve made homemade tortilla chips made from cassava flour tortillas and the end results are epic. Elbow grease is required, but I think it’s worth it.

At the time of this writing, I don’t know of any brand that makes a truly corn free tortilla chip (not made in a shared fryer with corn), so making them at home is the best way to go.

Can I make gluten free tortilla chips at home in olive oil?

Yes, you can use olive oil as the frying oil. Know that it may impart a distinct flavor onto your chips. Additionally, olive oil doesn’t do well at high temperatures for long periods of time, so keep a close eye on it. You don’t want to fry your tortillas in oil that’s gone bad.

Are Corn or Flour Tortilla Chips Gluten Free?