Are Kraft Caramel Bits Gluten Free – Product Info and Advice

Are Kraft Caramel Bits gluten free? YES, Kraft Caramel and Kraft Caramel Bits are both gluten free and safe to eat by people with Celiac.

Everyone with a sweet tooth loves caramel, right? The creamy, sugary goodness is too heavenly not to love.

What’s even better is the caramel candy that you can pop into your mouth and chew slowly to enjoy the sticky beauty.

One of the most popular caramel candies has to be Kraft America’s Classic Caramel bits, the tiny caramel balls that are oh-so-delicious!

Gluten free confidence score of Kraft Caramel and Bits

confidence level of gluten free in kraft caramel

We score this product a 9/10 because with big brands like Kraft, you can count on their testing and labeling process that if they do not include an Allergy warning about gluten, you can be sure the product doesn’t have it.

What are Kraft Caramel Bits

Kraft Caramel Bits

Caramel is one of the most popular ingredients in making desserts. They team well with everything from fruits to chocolates. Caramel candies, too, are hugely popular.

Surely, you love to suck on the sticky Kraft Caramel Bits, don’t you? Kraft Caramel Bits are the smaller variants of the Caramel squares by the world’s favorite food company, Kraft.

Kraft Caramel Bits fall in that category of products that do not mention any gluten grain or gluten-rich ingredients.

Kraft doesn’t hide allergens under the garb of unrecognizable names. Take soy, for instance. Kraft Caramel bits contain soy products, which are clearly mentioned on the label to warn consumers.

What’s the difference between Caramel Bits and Caramel

While the name sounds very similar, there is a difference and these are two different products:

Caramel BitsCaramel
Is a smaller version of the same treat, and it comes unwrapped in a 11oz bag, usually more suitable for use in baking.Comes in a bag of 11 oz but each caramel is individually wrapped and is more meant to eat as a candy.

Possibility of Gluten Content in Kraft Caramel Bits

A lack of seal means the final candy is not tested to check its gluten content, nor can it be claimed that it has been manufactured, processed, and packaged in an entirely safe environment.

However, some companies do take the time an effort to test their products even if they do not put the GF seal on the product itself. This is usually true with the bigger players like Kraft and similar.

So while Kraft does not put the GF seal on a lot of their products, they do test their products and make sure their facilities do not have cross contamination to a point.

NOTE – please make your own decisions when it comes to dietary needs, while some companies like Kraft claim they test their products and their allergy warnings are accurate, you should examine the product yourself and make your own decision.

Kraft Caramel Bits Ingredients

As mentioned before, Kraft is considered a reliable brand because it maintains clarity when it comes to the ingredients. So what do Kraft Caramel Bits contain?

The list of ingredients on the package of this candy says that your favorite Caramel Bits contain the following –  

  • Sugar
  • Corn syrup
  • Skim milk
  • Whey
  • Palm oil
  • Salted butter (cream)
  • Salt
  • Soy lecithin
  • Flavors (natural and artificial)
  • Mono and diglycerides (Emulsifiers)

If you are allergic to soy or dairy, this product is not for you. For extra-conscious or severely sensitive eaters, flavoring agents may be another reason to avoid this candy.

As for counting your macros, you clearly cannot have them, as you can consume 26 grams of sugar just by eating five candies. 

Using Kraft Caramel Bits

Kraft Caramel Bits are a popular ingredient in baking and other methods of making desserts. If you’re a fan of Caramel Bits, you’ve probably already tried Kraft’s caramel square candies, as well.

The package mentions that a cup of Caramel Bits is equal to 24 caramel squares. Caramel Bits are easy to use in your recipes. You just have to melt them and add the smooth, creamy goodness to any dessert.  

While the butter and the milk together create a creamy texture, the sugary saltiness adds a beautiful balance of tastes. A fun thing about the candies has to be the stickiness and chewiness.

Kids, in particular, love Kraft Caramel Bit candies. But you probably know adults who like to enjoy the candies straight out of candy bags. Or maybe, you are that adult who loves the little morsels of caramels. 

Once melted, caramel bits can go into protein bars and caramel apples. You can use it to make caramel-pecan brownies or caramel popcorn or drizzle it on cakes, cookies, or pies.

The classic caramel flavor adds a new dimension of texture and taste to the dessert. It is a lovely snack for kids and adults, as you cut fruits like apples and bananas into pieces and serve them with a dip of melted caramel.

Is caramel gluten free in general

 Caramel Bits

Kraft Caramel Bits is nothing but caramel. So, is caramel gluten free? Typically, the ingredients used in caramel are all gluten free, making caramel in all forms free from gluten, too.

You can whip up a fresh batch of caramel with sugar, water, milk, and salt. You can also add corn syrup and butter to the mix. 

So, there’s no place for gluten in all of this. If you want to make caramel at home, there should be no risk of consuming gluten, though you can always take the extra step to buy yourself only certified gluten free products to make the sweet liquid at home.

This will ensure that there is no cross-contamination.  

When you buy caramel cans from the market, it is essential to check the label for the certification and the list of ingredients to make sure that it is made with gluten free ingredients.

Of course, if it is certified as a gluten free product, it’s an official proof that the caramel is safe for your consumption. 

Gluten Free Caramel Candy Options

Did you know that besides Kraft Caramel Bits, there are many caramel candies out there that are safe for gluten-intolerant people? Some are certified as gluten free, which shows that they have less than 20 ppm of gluten.

Others are marketed as gluten free candies, though they are not labeled as gluten free. All of these are made from ingredients free from gluten. Let’s check out the gluten free caramel candies:    

Tara’s

The caramel candies from the house of Tara’s are made with a hundred-year-old recipe, with all-natural ingredients. These candies proudly flaunt the “gluten free” label on the jar, which means they are safe.

Cocomels

Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels come in different flavors, and they are all labeled gluten free. Not only that! These candies are also certified as vegan and organic and are the most mindfully crafted candies. 

Surcee’s Organic All 

The Organic All Natural Candy from the house of Surcee Confections is another certified gluten free caramel candy. These bite-size chewy pieces of caramel are available in multiple fruity flavors. 

Mrs. Call’s

A caramel candy made with natural ingredients, following a century-old recipe, Mrs. Call’s candies not only use gluten free ingredients but are also manufactured in facilities that have never touched gluten.

Tootsie’s Sugar Babies

Tootsie’s Sugar Babies are milk caramel candy bars that are covered in candy. It’s a popular candy available in movie theaters and to binge on at home. They are also certified gluten free caramel candies.

Apart from these five, there are plenty of other caramel candies that are considered safe for consumption by people with gluten allergy. The brands are as follows:

  • Werther’s Original, Hard Candies
  • Abdallah Caramels by Montgomery Industries
  • Dr. John’s Caramel Swirls
  • Milky Way Caramel Bar
  • Hershey’s Filled Kisses: Milk chocolate filled with caramel
  • Hershey’s Rolo Caramels in Milk Chocolate (except minis)

The good thing is that caramel candies are supposed to be gluten free. So manufacturers are now paying attention to ensure that their facilities are free from gluten, and the candies are free from trace gluten.

So your caramel candy options are now varied. Of course, it’s safest to look for a gluten free label.

So your caramel candy options are now varied. Of course, it’s safest to look for a gluten free label.

Making Caramel Bits at Home

Have you gotten into the habit of eliminating store-bought products from your life? Do you like to cook everything at home to ensure that you are completely safe?

You can also make caramel bits at home with an easy recipe. Let’s take a look at the Caramel Bits recipe to make the candy at home:

Ingredients:

  • Heavy whipping cream: 1 ½ cups
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup 
  • Brown sugar: ⅔ cup 
  • Corn syrup: ⅓ cup 
  • Vanilla extract: 1 ½ tsp
  • Kosher salt: 1 ½ tsp
  • Butter: 1 tbsp

Instructions:

  • Start by lining an 8-inch square baking sheet with foil. Butter the foil lightly.
  • In a heavy-bottomed medium-size pan, put the cream and add sugar and corn syrup to it. Stir all of them well and turn the heat to medium-high.
  • Keep stirring constantly and bring the mix to a boil. Dip a heatproof brush in water and wash the sides of the saucepan in with the mixture. This will help remove all sugar crystals.
  • With a thermometer clamped to the side of the saucepan, continue boiling the mix over medium-high. Do not stir, but remember to swirl the pan and wash the sides once in a while. 
  • Once the mix reaches 250 F, remove the pan from the heat and add butter, vanilla extract, and salt, and stir. Pour it over the baking sheet and let it rest for at least two hours or until it’s firm.   
  • Next, using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the hardened caramel into small squares. 

Your caramel candies are ready. You can wrap them individually in wax paper so that they do not stick. You can store them in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

They’ll stay good for a couple of weeks, but it’s likely that the kids in the house, both small and big ones, will devour them in just a few days. 

Gluten Free Recipes with Caramel Bits

We have already told you that caramel bits are a fantastic addition to desserts. They add a creamy, sugary touch to any dessert. Here’s a list of some dessert recipes in which you can use Caramel Bits. 

Gluten Free Chocolate Caramel Pecan Pie

A fun and delicious caramel dessert with lots of pecans – even the adults in the house will turn into children for a piece of this delicious pie. 

Ingredients:

  • Pecan pieces: 3 cups (divided)
  • Granulated sugar: ¼ cups
  • Butter (melted): ¼ cups
  • Caramel Bits: 14 oz
  • Whipping cream: ⅔ cups (divided)
  • Semi-sweet chocolate: 8 oz
  • Powdered sugar: ¼ cup
  • Vanilla extract: ½ tsp

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F. 
  • Finely grind 2 cups of pecan pieces in a food processor or blender, using the pulsing action. 
  • In a bowl, mix the ground pecan with butter and granulated sugar.
  • In a 9-inch pie plate, press the mix down and bake for 12-15 minutes. Let the browned crust cool down. If it puffs up, press it down with a spoon. 
  • In a bowl, put the Caramel Bits and ⅓ cup of whipping cream, and microwave them on High for around 3 minutes to melt the caramels completely. Don’t forget to stir it every minute. 
  • Pour this over the crust. Chop the rest of the pecans and add them to the melted caramel.     
  • In a saucepan, add chocolate, ⅓ cup cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Cook this on low heat and continuously stir to melt the chocolate. 
  • Pour the chocolate mix over the pie to cover the top. Refrigerate for 2 hours or more.

It’s ready to be enjoyed as a moreish dessert! If you have any leftovers (which is unlikely), simply store them in the refrigerator!

Gluten free Caramel Apple Wedges

Apple and caramel make an incredibly delicious combo, and it’s super easy to make Caramel Apple Wedges. If you’ve been wondering how to add a healthy touch to desserts, here’s the recipe!

Ingredients:

  • Granny Smith apples: 3 pieces 
  • Caramel Bits: 11 oz
  • Baker’s chocolate (white): 4 oz
  • Water: 2 tbsp
  • Toppings (sprinkles, nuts, or candy): 2 tbsp

Instructions:

  • Start by washing the apples, removing their core, and slicing the apples into 8 wedges. Insert sticks into each of these wedges very carefully. 
  • In a small stockpot, put the Caramel Bits and water together and heat until you have a smooth and creamy caramel.   
  • Line a baking tray with wax paper.
  • Dip the apple wedges into the melted caramel and place them on the baking tray.   
  • Microwave the chocolate for 30 seconds and continue for 10-second intervals until the chocolate is smoothly melted.  
  • Dip half the caramel-covered apple wedges into the melted chocolate and sprinkle the toppings. Put them on the baking sheet again and let the coatings harden.    

Your caramelly, chocolaty apple dessert is ready! Isn’t it easy, fun, and healthy?

Conclusion

Kraft products are generally trusted by people with gluten allergy and celiac disease, as the brand makes it a point to mention allergens, including gluten, on its products’ labels.

The list of ingredients used in the making of Kraft Caramel Bits does not include gluten grains or gluten-rich products.

You can assume that it is made with gluten free ingredients, and is safe for consumption if you’re not severely allergic. 

However, it is to be remembered that the product does not have a gluten free seal, which means that it is not possible to claim that it does not contain trace gluten.

Cross-contamination of the candy or its ingredients may lead to very small amounts of gluten in Caramel Bits. However, most people with gluten allergy or celiac disease have said that they do not fall ill after consuming Kraft Caramel Bits.