These are just a few of the things I like to keep on hand. They make living gluten-free SO much easier!
You may already have found that shopping for eating gluten-free items can be pretty expensive, so my purpose in giving this list is to help you sort through some of the products that are out there. Please keep in mind that this is only a partial list which will continue to grow as I find new things to add (or remember some things I may have forgotten to add previously). I tend to cook and bake a lot from scratch, though it is nice sometimes to have these available. (Instructions for making your own flour mix can be found under GF Flour Mix.)
Everything on here has been tried by gluten-free eaters and non-gluten-free eaters alike and been given a big thumbs up!
Pasta:
I’ve tried a number of different brands and ‘flavors’ and these GF pastas are among my current favorites!
GF Barilla is a brand that my whole family (and friends) enjoy. I keep numerous boxes in my pantry at all times.
Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese: To make this a little richer, I add a touch of butter and season with a little bit of salt and pepper (to taste) near the end of preparation. Sometimes I even add a little extra grated cheese.
Bread:
Trader Joe’s has come out with their own brand of gluten free bread and it’s not only delicious (my husband – who does not have to eat gluten free products – prefers it to regular bread!), but it’s also cheaper than most of the other gluten free breads out there (as much as $1 or more). We buy several loaves at a time and freeze them.
Rudi’s multigrain bread gives Udi’s bread a run for their money. It’s larger than an Udi’s loaf, and not quite as dry (out of the wrapper). It doesn’t have to be toasted to be good. It’s also non-GMO, soy-free, dairy-free, nut-free, with no high-fructose corn syrup. Currently, it’s my favorite bread for making dressing/stuffing.
The supermarkets carry it (or it can be ordered online).
Udi’s Bread: Still, one of the better ones I’ve tried so far. (And boy have I tried a LOT of GF breads!) I keep their hamburger buns and/or hot dog buns in my freezer – both of which make incredible garlic bread! Fortunately, a lot of the grocery stores, as well as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods carry it now.
Glutino English muffins don’t really taste like the English muffins I remember, but these are very good nonetheless. My husband actually prefers them!
Cereal:
General Mills has done a nice job creating these gluten-free cereals both you and your children will enjoy. The current flavors include: Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Corn, Honey Nut, Rice and Vanilla. They also make cereals that are NOT gluten free, so be sure and look for the words GLUTEN FREE on the front of the box!
Protein Bars:
Think Thin Protein Bars – These were one of the first things I found that was GF that I could actually eat. There are a lot of different flavors since I first discovered them. I always carry one or two of them with me in my purse, just in case I’m out somewhere and get hungry.
Cookies, Crackers, Pretzels and Chips:
Cookies:
Pamela’s Cookies: Delicious! No one has ever been able to tell that they’re gluten-free. Some of the current flavors are: Chunky chocolate chip, Pecan shortbread, Butter shortbread, Chocolate chip walnut, Dark chocolate chocolate chunk, Espresso chocolate chunk, Peanut butter chocolate chip, Old fashioned raisin walnut, and Spicy ginger with crystallized ginger. The lemon ones are my personal favorite, but they’re all good!
Annie’s Cocoa & Vanilla bunny grahams reminded us of the old-fashioned animal cookies we ate as kids. I think your children will like them too!
Glutino Oreo-type cookies are very good. A crisp cookie with a creamy interior – comes in both chocolate and vanilla.
Aside from being just gluten free, the Mi-Del brand is also made without trans fats, artificial flavors or artificial ingredients.
The Glutino Oreo-type cookie is crispier than the original Oreos (that I remember), but if you have a craving for them, they’re pretty good. They also make a tasty pie crust, in place of GF Graham crackers.
I LOVE these Glutino chocolate wafers! They remind me of the crisp, chocolate cookies I enjoyed before I found out I couldn’t have them anymore. They’re as good as I remembered, and I love to dip them in a nice hot cup of tea. They literally melt in your mouth!
S’Moreables by Kinnikinnick are easy to crush, these work well when you need a GF graham cracker crust!
The Schar brand of gluten free graham crackers are light and crisp and delicious eaten right out of the box. They also make a wonderful graham cracker crust.
Crackers:
Whether you choose the multi-grain, cheddar, vegetable, or rosemary, you can’t go wrong with Glutino crackers. These are wonderful topped with your favorite cheese, dip or hummus.
Blue Diamond Nut Thins – Crisp, delicious, full of flavor!
Pretzels:
If you enjoy pretzels, you still can with these gluten-free versions from Glutino and Snyders.
Chips:
Lay’s has a number of gluten-free chips. Too many for me to name here, so here is the link: http://www.fritolay.com/your-health/us-products-not-containing-gluten-ingredients.html
Doughnuts:
Kinnikinnick brand is seriously delicious – we couldn’t stop gobbling them up. Especially when popped in the microwave for a few seconds first. YUM! They’re not always easy to find, but you can order them online! (They make other flavors, but these were our two favorites.)
Sauces and Marinades:
San-J sauces and marinades: These are incredible! I really can’t say enough good things about them. I keep ALL of these flavors in my pantry and use them on fish, chicken, tempeh, tofu, quinoa, stir-fry, you name it!
Baking Mixes and Flours
Authentic Foods:
An all purpose flour created by Annalise Roberts. For me, the original and still preferred mix. (Though I do often amend it with things like coconut flour.) Uses superfine milled brown rice.
My preferred brown rice flour for making my own mix. It’s milled superfine, making for a very nice texture.
Sorghum is the third most important cereal crop in the U.S. Consuming sorghum boosts your nutrient intake. This brand is milled ‘superfine’ and may be substituted for the rice flour when making your own gluten-free all purpose mix.
Both the tapioca flour and potato starch I’m showing are the ones I generally use when making my GF flour mix; however, there are other brands that will work!
Please note: This is potato starch, and NOT potato flour.
A nice, all-purpose gluten-free flour. NOT at all gritty.
Ours has always been a big pancake family, so we’ve taste-tested countless gluten-free brands, and this is by far the best we’ve found so far! (Sorry Betty Crocker, this one’s got your gluten-free Bisquick beat by a mile!) I like to make them with buttermilk for a truly old-fashioned flavor. My husband says they’re better than any he’s ever had (gluten-free or regular).
In a hurry? This is a quick muffin mix that can be made plain (vanilla), or add some blueberries (dried fruit) or chocolate chips to change it up. Like the other King Arthur flours/mixes I’ve tried, this has got a nice silky texture – NOT at all gritty – like so many other brands.
Betty Crocker makes a delicious gluten-free brownie mix. No one ever guesses it’s not full of wheat and gluten!
Betty Crocker’s gluten-free cake mixes are also winners! I’ve fooled many a birthday boy or girl with both their chocolate and vanilla cake. =) Handy to have on hand, they’re really yummy. The only difference (besides it being something we can actually eat), is that you’ll need to buy two boxes to make a traditional double layer cake.
Extras:
Gluten-free breadcrumbs by 4C, Aleia and Schar – When dry, the texture is a little like cornmeal, but once it’s been added to something with moisture, it thickens up and the texture changes.
Tortillas:
Happily, Mission is one of the same brand of corn tortillas I’ve been using for years – even before going off wheat and gluten. Nowadays, more choices are available such as Food For Life and Siete brands.
I like to keep canned coconut milk like this one – for making vegan whipped cream and/or adding to curries and soups.
And here are more things I keep on hand. But please, don’t feel you need to go out and buy all of this at once!
Baking:
Cooking:
Refrigerated:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of products listed. However, ingredients are always changing and I cannot guarantee there hasn’t been cross-contamination! Please – double check the ingredients to verify their gluten-free status.
This list is only a guide to assist you in your shopping for products. Please keep in mind that there are many gluten free products available.
