Is Croutons Garlic & Butter Seasoned Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing claims and go straight to the ingredient label. For this product, the verdict is clear immediately based on the first ingredient listed.

The primary ingredient is Enriched Flour. In the food industry, unless specified otherwise (like 'rice flour' or 'oat flour'), 'enriched flour' is a synonym for wheat flour. This is the structural backbone of the crouton, providing the carbohydrate base that is then toasted.

The second major flag is Malted Barley Flour. This is often added to baked goods to enhance flavor and texture, but barley is one of the three main gluten-containing grains (along with wheat and rye). The presence of barley flour makes this product strictly off-limits for a gluten-free diet.

Finally, the label explicitly states Contains: MILK AND WHEAT. This is a regulatory requirement to alert consumers to major allergens. The 'Wheat' confirmation seals the case—this product is derived entirely from gluten-containing grains.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, these croutons are a source of empty calories. They are essentially fried bread cubes coated in flavoring. The Canola and/or Sunflower Oil contributes to the fat content, which is typical for croutons to achieve that crunch.

The Sugar and Natural Butter Flavor add to the palatability but also increase the caloric density without offering significant vitamins or minerals. While the Turmeric Extract and Annatto Extract provide color, they do not add nutritional value. If you are watching your sodium intake, note that Salt is a prominent ingredient.