Last Updated on September 1, 2024
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and a bowl of cereal is without a doubt the easiest way to enjoy that meal. However, cereal is one of the most common everyday foods that does contain gluten. But are Cocoa Krispies typically gluten-free? Let’s take a closer look.
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What Are Cocoa Krispies?
You’ll likely already be familiar with the snap, crackle, and pop of traditional Rice Krispies. But their Cocoa Krispies are even better…let’s be honest, chocolate makes everything taste better. It’s a sweetened rice cereal from Kellogg’s, that’s chocolate flavored. And is paired perfectly with a bowl of milk.
Ingredients In Cocoa Krispies
So what are the ingredients you’ll find in Kellogg’s Cocoa Krispies? Let’s take a look. The ingredients are:
- rice
- sugar
- cocoa
- maltodextrin
- malt flavor
- iodized salt
- palm kernel oil
- natural and artificial flavor
- red 40
- yellow 6
- blue 1
- BHT
- vitamins and minerals
Nutritional Information Of Cocoa Krispies
You may be curious as to the nutritional value of a serving of Kellogg’s Cocoa Krispies. Each bowl (around 42g) contains the following:
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Carbs: 37g
- Sugars: 13g
- Protein: 3g
However, if you’re having the cereal with 3/4 cup of skim milk, the nutritional information changes to:
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Carbs: 46g
- Sugars: 22g
- Protein: 9g
Are Cocoa Krispies Gluten Free?
From taking a look at the ingredients, you may assume that Cocoa Krispies do not contain any gluten. However, that is not the case. Much like Rice Krispies, Cocoa Krispies contain hidden gluten: malt flavor. Malt flavor usually comes from barley, which is a gluten-containing grain. While the amount may only be small (less than 2% of the product), this product should be avoided if gluten intolerant, or celiac.
On top of this, Cocoa Krispies do not make any gluten-free claims. Because of this, the product will have been susceptible to cross-contact. As Kellogg’s makes other gluten-containing products, we can safely assume that Cocoa Krispies are made in the same area and are not tested for traces of gluten. While it may be tempting to still eat this cereal, we would not recommend doing so – especially when there are many other delicious chocolatey alternatives.
Gluten Free Alternatives To Cocoa Krispies
If you’re craving a chocolatey cereal that’s gluten-free – there are many options besides Cocoa Krispies (and I personally think they taste even better). If you’re from the UK, many stores have their own brands of gluten-free chocolate cereal, so it’s definitely worth checking out. However, if you want a well-known brand; look no further. Here are our top picks.
Post Pebbles
Post-Cereals have a few gluten-free options. However, their Cocoa Pebbles are almost identical to Cocoa Krispies – minus the gluten. It’s a super accessible brand, and it’s one that’ll be great for the little ones in your life too. Sweetened crispy rice cereal that makes gluten-free claims – what more could you need to start off the day?
Cocoa Pebbles contain the following ingredients:
- rice
- sugar
- canola oil
- cocoa
- salt
- caramel color
- natural and artificial flavor
- BHT
Nature’s Path
Nature’s Path has a selection of gluten-free breakfast cereals – one of them being their Koala Crisp cereal from Envirokidz. Not only is this tasty cereal gluten-free, but also non-GMO, organic and contains no artificial ingredients. While it’s aimed at children, it’s perfect for the big kids too!
Koala Crisp contains the following ingredients:
- brown rice flour
- cane sugar
- Fair Trade cocoa powder
- chocolate flavor
- sea salt
- molasses
What’s great about Envirokidz, is that each box sold goes to the conservation of animals and wildlife. Delicious cereal and protecting animals? Perfect! You can find out more about this particular cereal, here.
Freee
Freee is a UK gluten-free brand that is home to absolutely anything you could ever need gluten-free. From baking products to cereal, to pasta – they’ve got you covered. One of the cereals they offer is Gluten Free Organic Chocolate Stars. Not only is this product certified gluten-free, but also Kosher and Vegan certified; making it suitable for a range of dietary lifestyles.
The Gluten-Free Organic Chocolate Stars contain the following ingredients:
- maize flour
- rice flour
- cane sugar
- chocolate
- cocoa
- salt
- rice bran extract
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped to answer the question: are Cocoa Krispies gluten-free? While this popular breakfast cereal may not be gluten-free, there are plenty of alternatives that are 100% safe.
Read more about: Are White Chocolate Chips Gluten-Free? (& GF Cookies Recipe)
FAQs
Hi, my name’s Zoë. I live in London, UK. I work full time as a freelance writer and critic for West End theatre. Writing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I spend most of my free time at the theatre, or at conventions. I’m married to the love of my life, and live in a small apartment with my fur baby, Lillie. I run two of my own blogs: No Safer Place and Stage to Page: both of which have won awards. I also have a YouTube channel where I talk about all things stagey.