Gluten-free Joe Joes, also known as Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s, are a popular gluten-free and dairy-free cookie option sold exclusively at Trader Joe’s grocery stores. For those with dietary restrictions like gluten intolerance, dairy allergies, or who follow diets like paleo and vegan, it can be tricky to find tasty cookies and snacks you can actually eat. That’s where Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s come in! But with a name like Joe Joe’s, which contains no obvious mention of being dairy-free, it’s normal for customers to wonder – are these cookies really dairy-free? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
What are Joe Joe’s?
Joe Joe’s are Trader Joe’s version of the classic Oreo cookie. The original Joe Joe’s contain wheat and milk, so they are not suitable for gluten-free or dairy-free diets. However, recognizing the demand for tasty gluten and dairy-free snacks, Trader Joe’s created a gluten-free version of their popular Joe Joe’s cookie.
Like Oreos, Joe Joe’s consist of two thin cookie rounds sandwiching a creamy filling in between. The gluten-free Joe Joe’s use a recipe made with gluten-free oats and rice flour instead of wheat flour. For the filling, Trader Joe’s chose to go with a dairy-free filling made from vegetable oils instead of the dairy-based creme filling used in regular Joe Joe’s.
Ingredients in Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s
Fortunately, Trader Joe’s provides the full ingredient lists for their products online so customers can determine if a product matches their dietary needs. Here are the ingredients listed for Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s:
- Ingredients: Rice Flour, Gluten Free Oats, Palm Fruit Oil, Cocoa, Non-GMO Expeller Pressed Canola And/Or Safflower Oil, Sugar, Salt, Natural Flavors (from plant sources), Baking Soda.
- Contains: Oats.
- Processed in a facility that also processes wheat, milk, eggs, soy, cashews, hazelnuts, and almonds.
Looking at the ingredients list, there is no mention of any dairy products like milk, cream, butter, or cheese. The filling ingredients list vegetable oils, sugar, and natural flavors derived from plant sources. So while Joe Joe’s in their original form contain milk as an ingredient, the gluten-free version does not. This confirms that Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s are both gluten-free and dairy-free.
Are all Joe Joe’s dairy-free?
While the gluten-free Joe Joe’s are dairy-free, it’s important to note that not all products in the Joe Joe’s line are. The original Joe Joe’s do contain milk as an ingredient in the filling. There are also specialty seasonal flavors that may contain dairy, like the Pumpkin Joe Joe’s available in the fall. So be sure to read labels and ingredient lists closely if avoiding dairy.
Here is a quick overview of some other Joe Joe’s varieties and whether they are dairy-free:
Joe Joe’s Variety | Dairy-Free? |
---|---|
Original Joe Joe’s | No – contain milk |
Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s | Yes |
Joe Joe’s with Sprinkles | No – contain milk chocolate |
Pumpkin Joe Joe’s | No – contain cream cheese filling |
Mint Joe Joe’s | Yes |
As you can see, dairy-free eaters have to be selective when choosing Joe Joe’s flavors. Thankfully the gluten-free version is one great dairy-free option to enjoy!
Benefits of choosing gluten-free, dairy-free Joe Joe’s
So what are some of the key benefits of opting for Trader Joe’s gluten-free, dairy-free Joe Joe cookies if you need to avoid gluten or dairy?
- No gluten-containing ingredients like wheat, barley, rye.
- No dairy ingredients like milk, cream, butter, cheese, yogurt.
- Made with simple, high quality ingredients.
- Nut-free and egg-free too, great for those with multiple food allergies.
- Vegan and vegetarian friendly.
- Oats provide fiber.
- Just the right amount of sweetness from sugar.
- Delicious classic cookie taste and texture without common allergens.
- Affordable compared to other gluten and dairy-free specialty cookies.
- Readily available at Trader Joe’s locations nationwide.
Whether you have celiac disease, a dairy allergy, or are plant-based, the gluten and dairy-free Joe Joe’s offer a way to enjoy cookies without having to worry about ingredients. They provide a tasty alternative to often boring or expensive gluten and dairy-free snacks. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the classic cookie experience from this pantry-friendly option.
Drawbacks of Joe Joe’s for food allergies
While the gluten-free Joe Joe’s themselves are free of gluten and dairy, they are produced in a facility that also processes other allergens like wheat, milk, eggs, nuts, and soy. This means there is a slight risk of cross-contamination for those with severe allergies.
Also, since oats are inherently gluten-free but frequently contaminated with wheat during growing and processing, the inclusion of oats may be a concern for those with celiac disease who need to strictly avoid any exposure to gluten. The oats used in Joe Joe’s are certified gluten-free, meaning steps are taken to avoid cross-contact with wheat, but this may still be something to consider.
Top tips for enjoying Joe Joe’s
Here are some of our best tips for selecting and enjoying Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s:
- Check labels – Be sure to verify the product says “gluten-free” on the packaging and double check the ingredients each time you purchase.
- Watch out for seasonal varieties – Stick to the gluten-free Joe Joe’s year-round, avoiding limited edition seasonal flavors which likely contain dairy.
- Store properly – Keep Joe Joe’s sealed in a cool, dry pantry or cabinet. Heat and humidity can cause gluten-free baked goods to spoil more quickly.
- Freeze for longer shelf life – Gluten-free products stale faster than regular flour cookies. Freeze individual cookies or blocks for optimum freshness.
- Pair with non-dairy milk – Enjoy Joe Joe’s with your favorite non-dairy milk like almond, oat, or soy milk for the classic cookie dunking experience.
- Use for snacks – Joe Joe’s are the perfect portable gluten and dairy-free snack for lunch boxes, picnics, road trips, and more.
- Get creative in recipes – Use crumbled Joe Joe’s as a topping for fruit crisps, ice cream sundaes, or baked oatmeal.
Conclusion
Trader Joe’s has filled a need for delicious, accessible gluten-free and dairy-free snacks like their Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s. Made without common allergens like gluten, wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy, they offer classic cookie enjoyment for a wide range of dietary needs. While you must be diligent in reading labels since not all Joe Joe’s varieties meet gluten-free and dairy-free dietary needs, the gluten-free version remains a pantry staple for many shoppers requiring allergy-friendly options. Simple, affordable, and readily available, Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s check all the boxes for convenience and taste.