Quick Answer
Yes, some Pillsbury products are gluten free. Pillsbury offers a line of gluten free baking mixes and doughs, including pizza crust, cookies, brownies, pancakes, and more. They clearly label their gluten free items as “Gluten Free” on the packaging.
Overview of Pillsbury
Pillsbury is a well-known brand of baking mixes, refrigerated doughs, frozen baked goods, and other food products. They are owned by General Mills and have been around since 1872. Pillsbury offers a wide variety of baking staples from biscuits and crescent rolls to cookies, brownies and more. Their refrigerated dough products like crescent rolls and pizza crust are especially popular.
Why Check if Pillsbury Products are Gluten Free
There are a few key reasons why someone may want to know if Pillsbury products are gluten free:
- They or a family member has celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity – These conditions require a 100% gluten free diet.
- They want to avoid gluten for other health reasons – Some follow a gluten free diet to alleviate gastric distress or other issues associated with gluten.
- They are following a gluten free diet as a lifestyle choice – The gluten free diet has risen in popularity in recent years.
For those who need or want to avoid gluten, it’s important to carefully check labels of packaged foods as many products contain hidden sources of gluten.
Testing for Gluten in Pillsbury Products
All food products labeled as gluten free must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten according to FDA standards.
Pillsbury subjects their gluten free items to rigorous testing to ensure they meet this threshold. Their testing process includes:
- Review of ingredient supplier documentation
- Assessment of manufacturing facilities and procedures
- Product testing at multiple stages using the ELISA test for gluten
Any product that contains over 20ppm of gluten does not receive the gluten free designation.
List of Pillsbury Gluten Free Products
Here is a list of Pillsbury’s gluten free products:
Gluten Free Baking Mixes
- Gluten Free Funfetti Pancake and Baking Mix
- Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Mix
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
- Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Mix
- Gluten Free Cornbread Baking Mix
Gluten Free Pie Crusts and Pizza Crust
- Gluten Free Pie Crust
- Gluten Free Pizza Crust
Gluten Free Refrigerated Dough
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Dough
- Gluten Free Hamburger Buns
- Gluten Free Breadsticks
How Pillsbury Gluten Free Products Are Made
Pillsbury produces its gluten free items in dedicated gluten free facilities to avoid cross contamination. They follow a thorough cleaning protocol between production runs and test products at multiple points.
All gluten free Pillsbury products:
- Use corn, rice, potato and tapioca starches instead of wheat
- Are made without barley, rye or triticale – other gluten-containing grains
- Are made on gluten free production lines
- Are packaged in dedicated gluten free facilities
Care is taken to ensure no gluten contamination occurs during processing, handling or packaging.
Where to Buy Pillsbury Gluten Free Products
Pillsbury gluten free products are sold alongside regular Pillsbury items in major grocery stores, mass retailers and warehouse clubs nationwide. They can be found in the baking aisle, refrigerator section and freezer section depending on the item.
Grocery Stores
Look for Pillsbury gluten free products at major grocery chains such as:
- Kroger
- Publix
- Safeway
- Stop & Shop
- HEB
- Giant
- Albertsons
Mass Merchandisers
Pillsbury gluten free items can also be purchased at mass retailers like:
- Walmart
- Target
- Meijer
- Fred Meyer
Warehouse Clubs
In addition, gluten free Pillsbury products are stocked at warehouse clubs including:
- Costco
- BJ’s
- Sam’s Club
The specific Pillsbury gluten free options carried may vary by location. Check a store’s website or give them a call to confirm availability.
Cost of Pillsbury Gluten Free Items
Pillsbury’s gluten free products are competitively priced with other packaged gluten free substitute items. As a benchmark, their prices typically run:
- Gluten free baking mixes – $3.50 to $6.00
- Gluten free refrigerated dough – $4.50 to $6.50
- Gluten free pie crust – $5.00 to $7.50
Prices do fluctuate between retailers and geographic regions. Buying in bulk packages at warehouse clubs can offer additional cost savings on Pillsbury gluten free products.
Nutrition Profile of Pillsbury Gluten Free Foods
Here is a nutrition comparison between Pillsbury’s gluten free chocolate chip cookies and their regular chocolate chip cookies:
| Nutrition Facts | Gluten Free | Regular |
|---|---|---|
| Calories (per 1 cookie) | 110 | 120 |
| Total Fat | 4.5g | 6g |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 18g |
| Sugar | 9g | 10g |
| Protein | 1g | 1g |
As shown, the macros are fairly comparable between the two cookies. The gluten free version is slightly lower in calories, fat, and sugar.
When comparing gluten free products to their gluten-containing counterparts, the nutrition profile is typically similar. However, gluten free products tend to be higher in fats and calories compared to products made with whole grains.
Taste and Texture of Pillsbury’s Gluten Free Options
Pillsbury has put a lot of effort into ensuring their gluten free baked goods meet the taste and texture qualities consumers expect. Here is a glance at how some of their key items stack up:
Gluten Free Baking Mixes
- Pancakes – Fluffy and tender texture. Sweetness is well balanced.
- Brownies – Fudgy, moist, and rich just like traditional brownies.
- Cookies – Crisp edges with chewy center.
- Cornbread – Moderately dense and gritty texture. Buttermilk flavor comes through.
Gluten Free Pizza Crust
- Flaky layered texture but becomes crispier than regular crust when baked. Slightly gritty if undercooked.
Gluten Free Pie Crust
- Flaky, crisp texture. Pie crust may be more prone to crumbling so requires gentler handling.
Overall, Pillsbury’s gluten free dough and batter-based products yield baked goods that closely mimic the texture of conventional wheat-based versions. The flavor is satisfying. Results improve when following preparation instructions closely.
Are Pillsbury Gluten Free Products Certified?
Yes, Pillsbury gluten free products are certified gluten free by GFCO (Gluten Free Certification Organization).
The GFCO is a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a leader and trusted resource in the gluten free community. GFCO testing confirms products have less than 10ppm of gluten.
Look for the GFCO stamp on Pillsbury gluten free packaging for further assurance.
Precautions When Cooking with Pillsbury Gluten Free Mixes
Pillsbury provides some tips and warnings when preparing their gluten free mixes:
- Make sure baking pans and utensils have been thoroughly cleaned and are gluten free
- Check that ingredients added like milk, eggs, oil and extracts are gluten free
- Always follow preparation instructions precisely
- Reminder that products are made on shared equipment with wheat
- Note allergen warnings that products contain wheat, milk, eggs, soy
Being meticulous about kitchen protocols is necessary when cooking gluten free to prevent cross-contact.
Customer Reviews of Pillsbury Gluten Free Items
Pillsbury gluten free products receive largely positive reviews. Here’s what customers praise about some top sellers:
Gluten Free Funfetti Pancake & Baking Mix
- “These make the fluffiest, most delicious pancakes!”
- “Kids had no idea they were gluten free.”
- “Perfect texture without any grittiness.”
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
- “Best gluten free cookies I’ve ever had.”
- “Chewy and crispy like ‘real’ cookies.”
- “My family couldn’t tell the difference from regular cookies.”
Gluten Free Pizza Crust
- “Family favorite for pizza night. Kids approved.”
- “Gets wonderfully crispy.”
- “Tastes so much better than other gluten free crusts.”
Some buyers wish Pillsbury’s gluten free dough was less sticky to work with. Overall though, most praise the brand for quality taste and textures.
Comparison to Other Gluten Free Brands
Pillsbury is considered among the best packaged gluten free baking brands:
- Vs. Betty Crocker – Pillsbury offers more gluten free variety including pizza crust and refrigerated cookie dough.
- Vs. Bisquick – Bisquick has fewer gluten free baking mixes than Pillsbury but is more affordable.
- Vs. King Arthur – King Arthur Flour specializes in gluten free flours, not baked goods. Pillsbury is more convenient.
- Vs. GLUTINO – GLUTINO is gluten free only but doesn’t have refrigerated dough. Pillsbury wins for convenience and mainstream appeal.
Among mainstream brands in grocery stores, Pillsbury leads for selection and availability in the gluten free category. Their brand reputation also instills confidence.
Should You Try Pillsbury’s Gluten Free Products?
Pillsbury gluten free products are worth exploring for those seeking packaged gluten free options, especially their baking mixes and refrigerated doughs.
Reasons to give them a try:
- Reliable brand reputation
- Numerous gluten free options not offered by competitors
- Gluten free status is third-party tested and certified
- Meaningful taste and texture improvements over earlier gluten free versions
- Wide availability in major grocery retailers
Just take precautions against cross-contamination when preparing at home. And know that gluten free won’t equal whole grain nutrition.
But for convenience, kid-pleasing taste and quality assurance, Pillsbury delivers strong gluten free alternatives worth enjoying if you require a gluten free diet. Their products allow those avoiding gluten to still bake up some old favorites at home.
Conclusion
Yes, Pillsbury offers a variety of gluten free products that are clearly labeled and third-party tested to be under 20ppm of gluten. Their line includes gluten free baking mixes for pancakes, brownies, cookies and more along with gluten free doughs for pizza crust, pie crust, cookies, and other baked goods. Pillsbury gluten free items are available at most major grocery stores and retailers nationwide. They provide a convenient option for those who need or prefer to follow a gluten free diet. While more processed than whole grain flours, Pillsbury’s gluten free products allow you to avoid gluten without sacrificing the joy of home baked treats. Their mix and dough products yield tasty results that mimic the texture of conventional wheat baked goods. Following preparation instructions closely and taking precautions against cross-contamination in your kitchen is important when cooking with Pillsbury gluten free products. But customer reviews indicate high satisfaction with both the quality and convenience Pillsbury’s gluten free line offers. For those managing celiac disease or living a gluten free lifestyle, Pillsbury provides widely available and affordable options that don’t require sacrificing your favorite baked goods.
