Easter, aka the next holiday after Valentine's Day with candy attached to it, is just around the corner. For some, this means popping open Easter eggs and enjoying the sweets inside. For others, this means having to avoid certain candies because of an allergy or intolerance, such as gluten. Have no fear, the Easter bunny would never let anyone not enjoy Easter! Below is a list of gluten-free Easter candy, and a lot of them are already popular choices. Easter for everyone!
#SpoonTip: Always double check the labels on your candies. While these items are all gluten-free, they could be processed in a plant that also makes candy that contains gluten.
Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
Almost everyone who celebrates Easter has probably taken part in an Easter egg hunt. The best part wasn't the satisfaction of having the most eggs, but getting to enjoy the jelly beans inside. Luckily, this Easter staple is not only gluten-free, but also dairy-free, vegetarian, and kosher. Jelly beans are an easy, go-to candy, and they come in many different flavors.
Hershey's Chocolate Kisses
Hershey's Kisses can be used in literally any situation. I woke up on Valentine's Day to a pile of them next to my bed from my sweet roommate, and my mom keeps a huge bowl of them in our front entryway at home. They're also a great gluten-free Easter candy!
The Kisses come in different chocolate and filled varieties, such as milk or dark chocolate, caramel filled, and even mint filled! There are other varieties that are not gluten-free, however, so be sure to double check the label. I enjoy my Kisses plain out of the wrapping, but you can go a step further and enjoy them on cookies.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Reese's are my favorite candy, and I'm happy my GF pals can enjoy them too. For me, you can't have a more perfect combo than chocolate and peanut butter. Like jelly beans and Kisses, the mini Reese's Peanut Butter cups are easy to throw into an Easter egg or a gift bag. You can also take it a step further and make these gooey Reese's s'mores bars!
#SpoonTip: Seasonal-shaped Reese's are NOT gluten-free, so opt for the regular Reese's peanut butter cups instead.
M&M's
In my opinion, M&M's are the most versatile of this gluten-free Easter candy list. Not only do they come in different chocolate varieties, but you can customize an M&M's pack for a special event, like a wedding, prom, Easter, or just for fun! There are also many recipes that incorporate M&M's, like gluten-free cookies, trail mix, chocolate bark, and pretzel bites (no worries, Rolos are gluten-free too).
#SpoonTip: Always check the label on your packet of M&M's to ensure it's gluten-free. Certain seasonal flavors may be made in separate facilities, meaning there could be cross-contamination.
Peeps
Whether you love them or hate them, Peeps are a trademark Easter treat that are, you guessed it, gluten-free. They're essentially just marshmallows covered in sugar crystals. Pop those peepers into a s'more to get a pastel punch of Easter flavor, or try any of these other creative recipes.
Cadbury Eggs
Cadbury eggs are an Easter classic. You bite into a rich chocolate egg and out flows a creamy fondant. Cadbury eggs originated from across the pond in the UK, and many believe that they taste different in the US. Either way, they taste delicious whether they're British or American-made.
Dove Chocolate Bunnies
Easter and bunnies go together like peanut butter and jelly. Chocolate Easter bunnies are something I love to receive as a classic Easter treat. Unlike other little chocolates, you can choose to savor chocolate bunnies for longer, unless you eat it all in one go. If you savor it, it's a good idea to pop it in the fridge, since it may melt in the warm spring weather!
Nestle's NestEggs
Mini Easter eggs? Adorable. Mini egg versions of Butterfingers, Nestle caramel chocolate, and Nestle milk chocolate? Genius. Nestle's line of NestEggs puts a fun twist on chocolate candy. NestEggs are gluten-free EXCEPT for Crunch NestEggs. Make a festive layered candy mason jar with these NestEggs, M&M's, and other small candies!
Starburst Fruit Chews
One of the most exciting moments of my childhood would be the times where I would open up a wrapper of Starbursts and see that I'd gotten one pink and one yellow-wrapped candy. Whatever flavors you favor, Starbursts are a sweet and colorful gluten-free Easter candy. The chewy consistency can be a nightmare for braces, but it also allows for sculpting. Create festive Easter flowers with this recipe. Playing with food isn't always bad.
Tootsie Pops
Perhaps the gluten-free Easter candy that holds the most mystery and awe are Tootsie Pops. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Answer: it depends. If you find yourself at the kids table during Easter brunch and need something to do, finding the answer for yourself is a consuming pastime. If you don't want to solve the world's greatest mystery, you can make cute candy gift bags with these pops to give as little gifts to your friends.
There are many other gluten-free Easter candies on the market, but these are a few standout candies that I grew up enjoying. Celiac.com has a very extensive list of gluten-free Easter candy. If you're allergic to gluten, it's especially important that you always read food labels as something could seem gluten-free but actually be unsafe to eat. Easter is fun to celebrate with friends and family, but it's sweeter when enjoyed with candy.