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Top 14 Gluten-Free Desserts To Buy At The Market
Katherine Stallard, Merve Basoglu and Sydney WexlerPublished: March 19, 2022
Indulging in dessert after a good meal is one of the greatest blessings of life, but when you’re gluten-free, indulging can become a chore.
Despite the gluten-free diet becoming increasingly more prevalent, along with gluten-free options in stores, a lot of gluten-free desserts just don’t hold up their gluten-containing alternatives.
Even then, it can still be difficult to tell a truly gluten-free dessert product from one that isn’t.
The easiest way to distinguish if a food product is gluten-free is by looking for the Certified Gluten-Free label. To qualify for the gluten-free label, brands must meet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements to certify their products.
According to the FDA definition, a product must contain less than 20 mg of gluten per kilogram to be labeled gluten-free. Additionally, the product cannot contain wheat, barley, rye, or other grains that contain gluten (1).
These rules apply to all certified gluten-free labels, as well as any product that states it’s gluten-free on the package (2).
Even though a brand must meet certain requirements to be labeled gluten-free, manufacturers aren’t required to state whether their product is gluten-free on the label.
Desserts without a gluten-free label may still be safe for gluten-free individuals, but there are a few possible gluten-containing ingredients to avoid:
- Yeast extract
- Wheat and wheat-based derivatives like wheat flour
- Barley
- Rye
- Triticale
- Malt and malt-based ingredients
- Brewer’s yeast
Dessert shouldn’t be complicated or boring, and with our list of the top # store-bought gluten-free desserts and tips on how to select them, your next gluten-free dessert will be a match made in heaven.
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How to choose gluten-free desserts
Aside from gluten content, there are some key components to pay attention to when shopping for a gluten-free desserts that will match your needs:
- Sugar content. Most desserts contain added sugar, but processed pre-packaged desserts can contain a lot more added sugar than your body needs. The recommended daily intake of added sugar is only 10% of total calories per day, so be mindful of ingredient labels and consume in moderation (3).
- Artificial colors/additives. Storebought desserts usually contain additives to preserve and enhance the flavor of their product. If you’re looking to avoid artificial additives and flavorings used in production and processing, read the ingredient labels, utilize the GreenChoice marketplace as a quick and easy place to check if an item contains highly processed ingredients or additives.
- Saturated fat. Saturated fat is frequently found lurking in pre-packaged desserts to enhance flavor and sweetness. High consumption of saturated fats can put you at risk for health problems like high cholesterol, heart disease, and other health problems. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming less than 10% of calories per day from saturated fat to support a healthy diet (4, 5).
The products included in this article were selected based on the following:
All of the products on this list don’t contain gluten in it’s ingredient section. However, not all of them are certified gluten-free.
Cookies & Brownies
Baking Mixes
Bites & Snacks
Cookies & Brownies
1. Aleia’s Gluten Free Foods – Coconut Macaroons
6-pack, 9 oz each
Aleia’s Gluten Free Foods Coconut Macaroons has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains coconut, milk, eggs, and tree nut.
Ingredients: Sulfite Free Coconut, Pure Cane Sugar, Egg Whites, Salt, Pure Vanilla Extract, Cream of Tartar
- Certified gluten-free
- 81/100 GreenScore® rating
2. Emmy’s – Organic Vanilla Coconut Macaroons
8-pack, 6 oz each
Emmy’s Organic Vanilla Coconut Macaroons has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains almond, coconut, and tree nut.
Ingredients: organic coconut, organic agave syrup, organic almond flour, organic coconut oil, organic vanilla extract (water, organic alcohol, organic vanilla bean extractives), organic vanilla bean powder, himalayan salt.
- Certified gluten-free
- 79/100 GreenScore® rating
3. Highkey – Mini Cookies Double Chocolate Brownie
6-pack, 2 oz each
Highkey Mini Cookies Double Chocolate Brownie has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a moderate carbon footprint and a high water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains coconuts, dairy, and egg.
Ingredients: Almond Flour, Erythritol, Monk Fruit Extract, Stevia Extract (Steviol Glycosides), Butter [Cream (Milk), Salt], Cocoa Powder, Whey Protein Concentrate, Almond Butter, Coconut Oil, Vanilla Extract, Psyllium, Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), Non-GMO Dried Egg Whites, Sunflower Lecithin.
- Certified gluten-free
- 75/100 GreenScore® rating
4. Enjoy Life Foods – Brownie Bites Rich Chocolate
6-pack, 4.76 oz each
Enjoy Life Foods Brownie Bites Rich Chocolate has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains dairy.
Ingredients: flour blend brown rice, sorghum, buckwheat, cane sugar, date paste, semisweet chocolate unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, water, safflower oil, cocoa powder, semisweet chocolate chips cane sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, vegetable glycerin, palm shortening, brown rice syrup, concentrated grape juice, salt, leavening baking soda, vanilla extract, natural flavor, xanthan gum, konjic gum, cream of tartar, rosemary extract.
- Certified gluten-free
- 68/100 GreenScore® rating
5. Partake – Gluten Free Vegan Birthday Cake Cookies
6-pack, 5.5 oz each
Partake Gluten Free Vegan Birthday Cake Cookies has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 known allergens.
Ingredients: gluten free flour blend organic light buckwheat flour, cassava flour, gluten free oat flour, tapioca flour, organic fair trade cane sugar, non gmo sunflower oil, gluten free oats, rainbow sprinkles sugar, potato starch, maltodextrin, rice oil, natural colors paprika extract, turmeric extract, beet extract, spirulina extract carnauba wax, tapioca starch, water, sea salt, tapioca fiber syrup, baking soda, vanilla extract, rosemary extract.
- 4.1/5 stars (60 reviews)
- 65/100 GreenScore® rating
- Certified gluten-free
6. Maxines Heavenly Cookies – Chocolate Chunk
8-pack, 7.2 oz each
Maxines Heavenly Cookies Chocolate Chunk has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains coconut and tree nut.
Ingredients: gluten free oats oats, oat flour, oat fiber, palm fruit oil, semisweet chocolate chunks cane sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, organic coconut sugar, white rice flour, organic coconut nectar, dates, arrowroot flour, cocoa, flaxseed, sunflower lecithin, pure chocolate extract alcohol, vanilla extract, chocolate concentrate, water, sea salt, baking soda. roundtable on sustainable palm oil rspo certified
- Certified gluten-free
- 64/100 GreenScore® rating
Baking Mixes
7. Pyure – Organic Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix
6-pack, 10.58 oz each
Pyure Organic Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix Sugar-free has a very high nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains almonds soy, and tree nut. All of Pyure’s Stevia products are Gluten-Free.
Ingredients: organic chickpea flour, organic soluble tapioca fiber, organic acacia gum, organic erythritol, organic almond flour, organic cocoa powder processed with alkali, organic natural flavor, baking powder corn starch, sodium bicarbonate, monocaclium phosphate, sea salt, organic stevia leaf extract.
- 4.3/5 stars (8 reviews)
- 88/100 GreenScore® rating
8. Simple Mills – Pumpkin Muffin & Bread Almond Flour Mix
6-pack, 9 oz each
Simple Mills Pumpkin Muffin & Bread Almond Flour Mix has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a high water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains almond, coconut, and tree nut.
Ingredients: Almond Flour Organic Coconut Sugar Pumpkin Arrowroot Organic Coconut Flour Organic Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves) Baking Soda Sea Salt
- 4.5/5 stars (64 reviews)
- 75/100 GreenScore® rating
- Certified gluten-free
9. Namaste – Cake Mix
6-pack, 1.62 lb each
Namaste Cake Mix has some nutritional value, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 known allergens.
Ingredients: cane sugar, sweet brown rice flour, tapioca starch, cocoa, arrowroot powder, rice syrup solids (rice syrup solids, rice protein, tocopherols), citrus fiber, baking soda, salt and cream of tartar.
- Certified gluten-free
- 73/100 GreenScore® rating
Bites & Snacks
10. Navitas Organics – Organic Coffee Cacao Power Snacks
8 oz
Navitas Organics Organic Coffee Cacao Power Snacks has a very high nutritional value, has little to no processing, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains almond, coconut, and tree nut.
Ingredients: Organic Date Paste, Navitas Superfood Blend (Organic Cacao Powder, Organic Coconut Palm Sugar, Organic Chia Seed, Organic Cashew, Organic Chia Powder, Organic Green Coffee Powder, Organic Maca Powder, Organic Camu Camu Powder, Lucuma Powder), Organic Almond, Organic Fig Paste, Organic Sunflower Seed, Organic Coffee Extract
- Certified gluten-free
- 90/100 GreenScore® rating
11. Bear Yo Yo’s – Real Fruit Mango
6-pack, 3.5 oz each
Bear Yo Yo’s Real Fruit Mango has a very high nutritional value, has little to no processing, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 known allergens.
Ingredients: Apples, Pears, Mango
- Certified gluten-free
- 81/100 GreenScore® rating
12. Eating Evolved – Original Keto Cups
6-pack, 4.93 oz each
Eating Evolved Original Keto Cups has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains coconut and dairy. Yes, our chocolates are made with gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free ingredients on equipment that is GF, DF, and SF. Furthermore, we do test for gluten during the production process.
Ingredients: Organic Coconut Butter, Organic Cacao, Organic Cacao Butter, MCT Oil, Organic Monk Fruit Extract
- 81/100 GreenScore® rating
- Good source of fiber
13. Alter Eco Americas – Organic Chocolate Dark Coconut Toffee
12-pack, 2.82 oz each
Alter Eco Americas Organic Chocolate Dark Coconut Toffee has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains dairy and tree nut.
Ingredients: raw cane sugar, cacao beans, coconut toffee (sugar, desiccated coconut, butter, sea salt), cocoa butter, whole milk powder, butter and peppermint essence.
- 5/5 stars (3 reviews)
- 78/100 GreenScore® rating
- Certified gluten-free
14. Smashmallow – Strawberries Cream Marshmallows
12-pack, 4.5 oz each
Smashmallow Strawberries Cream Marshmallows has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: SMASHMALLOW is made without gluten, soy, corn, dairy, and egg ingredients and contains no nuts (with the exception of Coconut Pineapple, which contains coconut flavoring). Our SMASHMALLOW production line shares a facility with products that DO contain nuts, soy, eggs, wheat, and dairy.
Ingredients: decaffeinated green tea, decaffeinated white tea, spearmint, peppermint, and peppermint essence.
- No artificial coloring or flavoring
- 74/100 GreenScore® rating
Key takeaways for buying gluten-free desserts
Most people love the decadence of a good dessert, but sometimes, being gluten-free can put a damper on that experience. Luckily, great gluten-free desserts aren’t as out of reach as they seem.
When choosing a gluten-free dessert, pay attention to the sugar content and any added sugars on the ingredient label and enjoy in moderation to stay within the recommended daily added sugar intake of only 10% of total calories per day.
Also, keep in mind that store-bought desserts can contain additives like artificial flavorings and preservatives to get to their final product. If you’re looking to avoid artificial additives, read the ingredient label and use the GreenChoice marketplace for an easy way to check an items’ contents.
Lastly, saturated fat is often found in pre-packaged desserts in high amounts, and to avoid health problems later on, it’s best to consume less than 10% of calories per day from saturated fat to support a healthy diet.
We hope our list of 12 of the best gluten-free desserts and tips on how to find them help you navigate the grocery aisles with ease and allow you to enjoy your ideal dessert gluten-free but also worry-free.
There are 1,000s of food products that won’t be right for you
Let GreenChoice find the ones that are
Tell us your dietary needs & values and we’ll show you foods that match!
***
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