Last Updated on February 24, 2023
Today, we’re going to be answering the question: do corn tortilla chips have gluten? Tortilla chips are the perfect food to pair with dips. Crunchy, salty, and absolutely delicious. They’re a staple for any Mexican feast, or as a snack. They definitely do not need any introduction. But do they contain gluten? And what brands are gluten-free? Let’s take a closer look.
Are Corn Tortilla Chips Gluten-Free?
Tortilla chips can be made with corn or wheat. When made with corn, they’re almost always gluten-free. However, it’s always best to check the ingredients label as there’s always a chance of cross-contact of gluten-containing products if the label does not clearly state it’s gluten-free. Never fear, we’ll have an extensive list of completely safe corn tortilla chips in this post!
Corn tortillas are actually healthier for you than flour tortillas, so it’s a win-win for those following the gluten-free lifestyle. They’re also usually smaller than flour tortillas, which means it’s far easier to control your portion size too.
Learn more about Are Corn Nuts Gluten Free? (Top GF Corn Nuts)
White Vs Yellow Corn Tortillas
There are actually two different types of corn tortillas – yellow and white. Don’t worry, both are completely gluten-free!
White tortillas are softer and more pliable. They’re also far moister than the yellow tortilla. You’ll usually use white tortillas for meals such as enchiladas and fajitas. Yellow tortillas are by far the more popular corn tortilla in the Western world. They crack far easier and are much coarser in texture. You’ll use yellow tortillas in a range of meals such as tacos, tostadas, and the humble tortilla chip itself.
Learn more about: Is Unleavened Bread Gluten Free?
In terms of health, there’s very little to tell the two apart – but yellow just has the edge. Hurray for tortilla chip fans!
Gluten-Free Corn Tortilla Brands
There are many corn tortilla chip brands available for us. And they’ll be easily accessible in your local grocery stores. Let’s take a look at some of the best brands!
Calidad Corn Tortilla Chips
Crunchy, full of flavor, and perfect with a salsa dip. The Calidad tortilla chips are available for just $2 and they’re incredible. The ingredients are as follows:
- corn masa flour
- water
- vegetable oil
- salt
- cellulose gum
They’re also vegan and contain no sugar. The words gluten-free are clearly labelled on the front of the bag, which means that this brand is safe for consumption.
Garden Of Eatin’ Tortilla Chips
We spoke about yellow and white corn – but there’s also blue corn! It’s the healthiest of the three (and also the most expensive!). Garden of Eatin’ are the priciest of the bunch, at $4 a bag – but they are the most nutritional and they’re organic! They’re also low sodium, vegan, non-GMO, and no sugar. The ingredients are as follows:
- Organic Blue Corn
- Cannola Oil/Safflower Oil/Sunflower Oil
- Sea Salt
They’re extra crunchy, so there’s certainly a chance they’ll arrive in a variety of shapes and sizes – but that doesn’t take away from their delicious taste.
Late July Tortilla Chips
Late July have a range of corn tortilla chips to choose from. The best thing about this brand is that they’re certified gluten-free, which means their products have gone through vigorous testing and have to meet strict guidelines set by the FDA, which means they couldn’t be safer for us to eat.
Their tortilla chips are organic and come in a variety of flavors such as blue corn, jalapeno lime, sea salt, and bacon habanero. You can find a selection of their flavors over on Amazon.
The ingredients are as follows:
- Cassava Flour
- Organic Sunflower/Safflower Oil
- Organic Ground Tigernut Flour
- Tapioca Flour
- Organic Chia Seeds
- Sea Salt
You can usually find them for around $3 per bag in your local grocery stores.
Herdez Tortilla Chips
What I love about Herdez is that no matter what color tortilla you’re craving – they have it. They come in three flavors, which are Authentic Blue Corn Masa, Authentic White Corn Masa, and Authentic Yellow Corn Masa. They’re around $2 a bag which makes them a super affordable option. They are not certified gluten-free, but there are no gluten-containing ingredients on the label.
The ingredients are:
- Masa Flour
- Vegetable Oil
- Sea Salt
If you’re super sensitive, it may be best to stick with the brands that are clearly labelled as gluten-free, like the ones listed above.
How Long Are Corn Tortillas Good For?
So you’ve just finished your weekly shopping and popped your corn tortillas in the pantry. As long as you haven’t been opened, tortillas will keep for around a week past their “best before” date, and up to two months if they’re kept in the refrigerator. If the texture is slightly different upon opening, it’s likely they won’t waste as good as usual. But if you’re happy to eat them – eat away. It’s highly unlikely to be ill from eating corn tortillas past their expiration date. As long as they don’t appear spoiled, they’ll be safe for consumption.
Read more about Are Pupusas Gluten Free? (GF Recipes)
Do Corn Tortillas Need To Be Refrigerated?
Corn tortillas do not need to be put in your fridge, but most will suggest keeping them in a fridge once open. This is because it will keep them much fresher. And they’ll last much longer in a refrigerator than they would in the pantry or a cupboard. To preserve the quality of corn – keep them in the fridge if you can.
Get Dipping!
I hope this article has helped you to know the difference between the varieties of corn tortillas you may come across and realize that there are a plethora of gluten-free tortilla chips available for those following a gluten-free lifestyle. What’s your favorite gluten-free corn tortilla chip brand? I would love to know, so please feel free to leave your answers in the comments below!
Also, what’s your favorite dip to pair with the tortilla chip? I want to say salsa, but I’m going to make it extremely unhealthy and say nacho cheese – it doesn’t get tastier than that!
Read more about: High Calorie Gluten Free Foods
Hi, my name’s Zoë. I’m 28 years old and 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.
