Is Nacho Cheese Gluten-Free?

Celiac.com 06/30/2023 - We get a lot of questions from celiac community members wondering if certain brands and products are gluten-free. One question we see a lot is about food, especially cheese. We've done articles on gluten-free cheese, but the questions keep coming.

Lately we've seen a lot of people asking about nacho cheese. Specifically, is nacho cheese gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease? 

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The short answer is that it depends. Nacho cheese is a processed product. It's a smooth and creamy sauce typically made from cheddar cheese, milk, and various seasonings such as chili powder and cumin - none of which contain gluten. Nacho cheese is often naturally gluten-free, but sometimes it can contain wheat flour or other added gluten fillers. Here's the rundown. 

So if you're looking for a delicious, gluten-free snack, nacho cheese can be a great option. There are many naturally gluten-free nacho cheese brands available, but only one from the list below is labelled as such.

List Gluten-Free Brands of Nacho Cheese: 

• Doritos Spicy Nacho Flavored Dip
• El Mexicano
• Fritos
• Good Foods Plant Based Queso Style Dip - Labelled Gluten-Free
• Mrs. Renfros Nacho Cheese Sauce
• On The Border Salsa Con Queso
• Ricos
• Tostitos Nacho Cheese Dip
• Wegmans Queso Dip

Remember to always check the label to make sure the product is labeled gluten-free, or at least lists no gluten ingredients or wheat as an allergen.