Rice Krispies vs Corn Flakes:
Which Is Gluten-Free?
Two classic cereals that trip up celiacs for the same reason: malt. Neither is reliably gluten-free unless it is a certified version, thanks to barley malt flavoring.
Heads up: both Rice Krispies and Corn Flakes typically contain gluten — see the safe alternatives below.
Verdicts last reviewed July 2026 · based on FDA gluten-free labeling rules and Celiac Disease Foundation guidance
Rice Krispies
No. Standard Kellogg’s Rice Krispies contain malt flavoring made from barley, so they are not gluten-free.
Watch out for:
- "Malt flavoring" is barley-derived and contains gluten
- Rice Krispies Treats made with regular cereal are also unsafe
- GF versions have limited/changing availability
Corn Flakes
No. Standard corn flakes (like Kellogg’s) contain barley malt flavoring, so they are not gluten-free despite being corn-based.
Watch out for:
- "Malt flavoring" is barley-derived and contains gluten
- Corn base misleads shoppers into assuming it’s safe
- Frosted/flavored versions add more risk
Gluten-free swaps
Instead of Rice Krispies:
Instead of Corn Flakes:
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