Quick Answer
Most canned pie fillings are gluten-free, but some may contain ingredients derived from wheat, barley, rye or cross-contaminated oats that are not gluten-free. Always check the ingredient list and labeling when purchasing canned pie fillings.
Ingredient Sources of Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity should avoid consuming gluten, as it can cause gastrointestinal and other symptoms. Here are some common sources of gluten that may be found in canned pie fillings:
- Wheat – Wheat flour, wheat starch, wheat bran, wheat germ, cracked wheat, hydrolyzed wheat protein
- Barley – Barley malt, malt extract, malt flavoring, malt vinegar
- Rye – Rye flour, rye bran, rye starch, rye malt
- Oats – Oat bran, oat fiber, oat flour (unless certified gluten-free)
Reading Canned Pie Filling Ingredient Lists
To determine if a canned pie filling is gluten-free, carefully read the ingredient list on the product packaging. Watch for any ingredients containing wheat, barley, rye or non-certified gluten-free oats. Some examples include:
- Flours – All-purpose flour, cake flour, enriched flour
- Starches – Wheat starch, barley malt starch
- Flavors – Malt flavoring, malt vinegar
- Stabilizers – Wheat protein, barley malt extract
- Binders – Wheat bran, rye fiber
If the ingredient list contains any of these or other gluten-containing ingredients, the canned pie filling is not gluten-free.
Checking for ‘Gluten-Free’ Labeling
In addition to reviewing the ingredient list, look for a “gluten-free” claim on the product packaging. In the United States, foods labeled “gluten-free” must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This is the lowest level that can be consistently detected in foods:
- Gluten-free – Contains less than 20 ppm of gluten
- Certified gluten-free – Tested by a third party to verify gluten-free status
- Made in a gluten-free facility – Made in a facility that does not process gluten; low risk of cross-contamination
If a canned pie filling has a “gluten-free” claim on the label, it has been tested to confirm it meets the requirements to be labeled gluten-free. This provides added assurance that the product does not contain gluten.
Potential Sources of Gluten in Canned Pie Fillings
While many canned pie fillings are naturally gluten-free, some varieties may contain questionable ingredients. Here are some examples of where gluten can sometimes be found:
Thickeners
Pie fillings need thickening agents to achieve the right consistency. Some companies use wheat flour, wheat starch or other gluten-containing ingredients:
- Wheat flour – Used in canned cherry, blueberry, apple pie fillings
- Wheat starch – Used as thickener in blueberry, peach fillings
- Barley malt extract – Used in cherry, blueberry, apple fillings
Flavorings
Natural and artificial flavorings added to pie fillings can introduce gluten:
- Malt extract – Added to cherry, blueberry fillings for flavor
- Malt powder – Provides flavor in chocolate cream pies
- Malt vinegar – Used in fruity fillings like strawberry rhubarb
Stabilizers
Stabilizers help maintain the texture and prevent the separation of filling ingredients. Some gluten-based stabilizers include:
- Wheat protein – Binds water in cherry, blueberry, peach fillings
- Rye fiber – Provides stability in apple, apricot fillings
- Barley malt extract – Stabilizes structure in blueberry, cherry fillings
Binders
Binders help hold the pie filling together and prevent syneresis or oozing liquid from the filling. Some gluten-based binding agents:
- Wheat bran – Binds water in blueberry, peach, cherry fillings
- Oat fiber – Provides structure to rhubarb, strawberry and other fruit fillings
Anti-Caking Agents
Anti-caking ingredients like wheat starch are sometimes added to prevent clumping in powders and dry mixes used to make instant and prepared pie fillings.
Higher Risk Pie Fillings
While most major brands offer gluten-free canned pie fillings, some flavors pose a higher risk of containing gluten. High-risk varieties include:
- Cherry – Often contains wheat flour as a thickener
- Blueberry – May have barley malt extract added
- Apple – Wheat flour frequently used as a binder
- Peach – Wheat starch added as an anti-caking agent in some brands
- Chocolate cream – Malt powder provides flavor in certain brands
Always thoroughly read labels and check for gluten-free verification when purchasing these higher risk pie fillings.
Low Risk Canned Pie Fillings
Some canned pie fillings are naturally gluten-free with low risk of hidden gluten sources. These safe bet varieties include:
- Pumpkin – Naturally thickened with pumpkin; avoid added flour
- Sweet potato – Uses natural sweet potato to thicken
- Lemon meringue – Often thickened with tapioca starch
- Coconut cream – Coconut provides thickness
- Banana cream – Thickened with cornstarch, tapioca or potato starch
Double check labels to confirm gluten-free status, as formulations can change. But these filling flavors tend to have simpler ingredient lists less prone to gluten additives.
How to Make Your Own Gluten-Free Pie Fillings
To ensure your pie fillings are gluten-free, consider making your own from scratch. This way you can control all the ingredients. Here are some recipes to try:
Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Filling
- Thicken naturally with cornstarch, tapioca starch or potato starch
- Sweeten with sugar or maple syrup instead of barley malt
- Flavor with pure vanilla extract, almond extract or lemon juice
- Stabilize filling with chia seeds or xanthan gum
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie Filling
- Use canned pumpkin puree as the base
- Thicken with cornstarch, arrowroot, tapioca or potato starch
- Sweeten with brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup or honey
- Season with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves
Gluten-Free Blueberry Pie Filling
- Thicken with tapioca flour, rice flour or cornstarch
- Use lemon juice to provide tanginess instead of wheat-based vinegar
- Bind together with chia seeds instead of wheat bran
- Sweeten with granulated sugar or monk fruit sweetener
Making your own pie fillings allows total control over the ingredients so you can enjoy all your favorite pies gluten-free.
Cross-Contamination Risks
Even if a canned pie filling has gluten-free ingredients, there is still a chance of cross-contamination occurring during manufacturing. Cross-contamination happens when gluten-free foods come into contact with gluten-containing foods during production or preparation. Here are some potential sources in facilities that make both gluten and gluten-free pie fillings:
- Shared equipment – Fillers, conveyors, utensils used for both
- Airborne particles – From wheat flour settling on surfaces
- Scoops and containers – Used to handle wheat flour and other gluten ingredients
To avoid cross-contamination, look for canned pie fillings that are produced in a certified gluten-free facility. This ensures the product is manufactured in a dedicated space with proper controls in place to prevent contact with gluten sources.
What About Home-Canned Pie Fillings?
If you want to can pie fillings at home, take care to avoid cross-contamination from your kitchen environment. Thoroughly clean surfaces, utensils and equipment to remove any gluten residues. Also check that all ingredients used are certified gluten-free to begin with.
Some tips for home-canning gluten-free pie fillings:
- Wash jars in hot, soapy water and rinse well
- Use new lids and bands to prevent contamination
- Designate gluten-free tools and workspaces
- Clean hands and all work surfaces thoroughly before starting
- Use separate equipment if you also process gluten-containing foods
With proper care taken to prevent cross-contact, home-canned pie fillings can be a safe gluten-free option.
Finding Gluten-Free Canned Pie Fillings
Many major brands now offer canned pie fillings verified as gluten-free. Some examples include:
Lucky Leaf
- Cherry
- Apple
- Blueberry
- Peach
- Labeled gluten-free
Comstock
- Wild blueberry
- Sweet cherry
- Sliced peaches
- Gluten-free per FAQ on website
Farmer’s Market
- Cherry
- Apple
- Strawberry rhubarb
- Gluten-free per customer service
Knouse
- Red tart cherry
- Lemon blueberry
- Labeled gluten-free
Always double check with the manufacturer if uncertain about an item’s gluten-free status. Many brands also list gluten-free pie filling options on their websites.
Precautions When Eating Out
Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to exercise caution when eating restaurant desserts like pie. The fillings may be prepared from scratch using mystery thickeners and binders or made with pre-made fillings that contain gluten.
Here are some tips for safely eating pie in restaurants:
- Check that the restaurant has a gluten-free menu or protocol in place
- Inquire about how pie fillings are made and thickened
- Request flavor varieties less prone to gluten like pumpkin, lemon or chocolate
- Ask for a gluten-free crust to help prevent cross-contact
- Avoid self-serve pie stations where cross-contamination is likely
Being proactive helps ensure restaurant pie desserts are gluten-free and safe to enjoy.
Should I Look for Organic or Natural Pie Fillings?
There is no evidence that organic or natural canned pie fillings are safer or healthier for those avoiding gluten. The key is to look for fillings specifically labeled gluten-free.
Organic fillings made with ingredients like organic wheat flour are still not gluten-free. And natural fillings thickened with barley malt extract still contain gluten even though they don’t have artificial additives.
If you want organic or natural products for reasons other than gluten, look for fillings that are both organic AND certified gluten-free. This ensures you get the benefits of an organic item that is still gluten-free.
Are All Store Brand Pie Fillings Gluten-Free?
Generic or store brand canned pie fillings are not automatically gluten-free. The gluten content depends entirely on the recipe and the inclusion of wheat-based ingredients.
Some stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s label their generic pie fillings “gluten-free”. But others like Walmart, Target and Aldi don’t indicate gluten status on store brand fillings.
As with any product, check the ingredient lists and labels carefully. Don’t assume store brand means it’s gluten-free. Contact the manufacturer if you need confirmation.
Can Apple Pie Filling Substitute for Other Fruit Fillings?
Apple pie filling can potentially be used in place of other fruit fillings but keep the following factors in mind:
- Apple filling has a thicker consistency due to added starches.
- The flavor and sweetness level may differ from other fruits.
- Complementary seasonings may need to be adjusted or added.
- The color will not match that of other fruits like blueberry or cherry filling.
To use apple pie filling as a substitute:
- Look for gluten-free certified apple filling
- Consider adding lemon juice or spices to match the target fruit flavor
- Mix in some of the fresh or frozen fruit if needed for color or texture
- Add extra sugar or maple syrup to taste if apple filling is not sweet enough
With some tweaking, apple pie filling can work for other fruit pies as long as you use a safe gluten-free brand.
What About Tapioca Pie Filling?
Tapioca pie filling provides a neutral flavored, naturally gluten-free alternative to fruit-based fillings. It can be used in cream, custard and fruit pies or desserts.
- Thickens with tapioca starch rather than wheat flour
- Creates a clear, translucent appearance
- Gels upon cooling to set the filling
- Takes on flavors easily like vanilla, spices, extracts
Look for brands that contain just tapioca starch, sugar and salt. Doorbusters and Majestic are two gluten-free brands. Use tapioca filling as a base and add your own fruit or flavors.
Conclusion
Many canned pie fillings are gluten-free, but some contain questionable ingredients or risk cross-contamination. Read labels carefully looking for gluten-containing additives and check for certified gluten-free designations. Stick to fruit flavors less prone to hidden sources of gluten and make your own fillings from scratch for maximum control. With vigilance, you can safely enjoy canned pie fillings on a gluten-free diet.
