Are Funyuns Gluten-Free? The Easy Guide

By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On April 30, 2023

Funyuns are a beloved snack, known for their distinct onion flavor and crunchy texture. However, if you’re gluten-free or have Celiac disease, it’s critical to know whether these crispy treats are safe to eat. Unlike most chips (which have potatoes as their base ingredient), Funyuns are formulated quite differently.

So, are Funyuns gluten-free or not?

Table of Contents

Are Funyuns Gluten-Free?

The complete list of Funyuns ingredients is:

Enriched corn meal (corn meal, ferrous sulfate, niacin, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), vegetable oil (corn, canola, and/or sunflower), salt, and less than 2% of: corn starch, sugar, corn flour, buttermilk, maltodextrin (corn), onion powder, MSG, hydrolyzed corn protein, dextrose, garlic powder, natural flavors, and gum arabic.

So are Funyuns chips gluten-free? While these treats don’t list any ingredients containing gluten, there is a risk of cross-contamination. Frito Lay says that while equipment is cleaned between snacks, Funyuns are made using the same equipment as gluten-containing items.

Therefore, Funyuns aren’t labeled gluten-free. If you have Celiac Disease or have extreme sensitivity to gluten, it's best to opt for other snack options.

Related: Are Doritos Gluten-Free?

Are Hot Funyuns Gluten-Free?

Just like the original flavor of Funyuns, the Flamin’ Hot Funyuns ingredient list is technically gluten-free:

Enriched corn meal (corn meal, ferrous sulfate, niacin, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), vegetable oil (corn, canola, and/or sunflower oil), salt, and less than 2% of the following ingredients: corn starch, corn flour, buttermilk, sugar, MSG, yeast extract, cheddar cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), artificial color (red 40 lake, yellow 6 lake), citric acid, whey, onion powder, maltodextrin (corn) lactose, garlic powder, natural & artificial flavors, skim milk, sodium diacetate, gum arabic, and onion extracts.

These crunchy snacks do, however, still come into contact with equipment that other glutinous snacks are produced on. Though Frito Lay states that this equipment is thoroughly cleaned between production schedules, Flamin’ Hot Funyuns also can’t be considered totally gluten-free.

If you have gluten sensitivity or Celiac Disease, it’s best to avoid these crispy treats – just in case. If you’re eliminating gluten from your diet for other dietary reasons, the small amounts of gluten in these crunchy snacks likely won’t be a problem.

GF Funyun Alternatives

If you love Funyuns, there are plenty of crispy, crunchy, gluten-free alternatives that satisfy snack food cravings:

Cosmos Creations Sweet Maui Onion Rings
Vidalia Baked Onion Petals
Gluten-free goldfish
PeaTos Crunchy Rings Snacks
Harvest Snaps Red Lentils Cruncheons
Gluten-free cheese crackers

Do Onion Rings Have Gluten?

Onion rings are usually made with onions that are coated in breading and deep-fried. Breading is almost always made with large amounts of glutinous white flour. By checking the side of breaded products, you can see that most contain gluten in their ingredient list.

There are, however, some excellent gluten-free onion ring options on the market.
Companies with official “gluten-free” labels often make them with almond, potato, or standard gluten-free flours that keep a similar taste or texture. The oil used to fry them doesn’t contain wheat either. Importantly, the company equipment is not used to produce any gluten-containing foods.

You can find great options at certain specialty restaurants or in the freezer section at your local grocery store. However, we think that our gluten-free onion ring recipe is an easy and incredibly tasty way to get your deep-fried fix! All you need are a few pantry staples!

Making Your Funyun Alternatives

Now that you know whether Funyuns are gluten-free or not (they’re not!), why not make your own version at home? By swapping out white flour for gluten-free flour, you can enjoy your favorite snack without the unpleasant side effects.

To learn more about preparing gluten-free foods like a professional, check out these cooking classes!

Thanks for sharing!