Many people with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or those following a gluten-free diet for other reasons wonder if popular snack foods like Nabisco Teddy Grahams are safe to eat. With so many gluten-free options available today, it’s understandable that consumers want to know which products do and do not contain gluten.
The Short Answer
No, regular Nabisco Teddy Grahams are not gluten-free. They contain wheat flour, which includes gluten. However, Nabisco does make a gluten-free version of Teddy Grahams that is labeled “gluten-free” and does not contain any gluten ingredients.
Ingredients in Regular Teddy Grahams
To understand whether regular Teddy Grahams contain gluten, we need to look at the ingredients list on a box of Nabisco Teddy Grahams:
- Whole grain wheat flour
- Sugar
- Canola and/or rice bran oil
- Honey
- High fructose corn syrup
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Soy lecithin
- Spices
The first ingredient listed is whole grain wheat flour. Since wheat contains the protein gluten, this means regular Teddy Grahams are not gluten-free. They contain wheat-based flour as a primary ingredient.
No “May Contain” Warning
Some products that do not directly contain gluten ingredients can become cross-contaminated with gluten during manufacturing. This would require them to state “may contain wheat” or “made on shared equipment with wheat” on the packaging.
However, regular Nabisco Teddy Grahams do not contain any “may contain” statements about wheat or gluten. This makes sense because they directly include wheat flour in the ingredients list. Any product with wheat, rye, or barley directly added is automatically considered gluten-containing.
Why Wheat Flour is Used
Wheat flour provides the base structure, texture, binding, and softness that Teddy Grahams are known for. Replacing traditional wheat flour with other gluten-free flours can significantly change the taste, texture, and appearance of baked goods. Nabisco uses real wheat flour in Teddy Grahams to achieve their signature taste and teddy bear shape.
Some gluten-free flours like rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum can be used in gluten-free baked goods. However, these alternative flours cannot perfectly mimic the properties of wheat flour in a recipe.
No Barley Malt
In addition to checking for wheat flour, many people look for barley malt on ingredient lists. Barley also contains gluten, so barley malt would disqualify a product from being gluten-free. However, regular Teddy Grahams do not contain barley malt. The only sweetener used is honey.
Risk of Cross-Contact During Manufacturing
Nabisco makes many different products on shared equipment and in shared facilities. Some of their products contain gluten, while others are gluten-free. To avoid cross-contact, they schedule gluten-free production before gluten-containing production. They also perform thorough cleaning procedures before changing over equipment.
While a dedicated gluten-free facility would be the lowest risk, Nabisco has high standards to prevent cross-contact. Their gluten-free items are tested to verify they stay below 10ppm of gluten from any cross-contact. This level is considered gluten-free.
No Oats, Rye, or Barley
The three grains that contain gluten are wheat, barley, and rye. Oats are inherently gluten-free, but are often cross-contaminated with gluten. Teddy Grahams only contain wheat as a gluten ingredient. They do not contain rye, barley, or oats.
Rye and barley flours are not commonly used in sweet bakery items like Teddy Grahams. Oats are more common, but do not seem to be an included ingredient based on the packaging.
Gluten-Free Teddy Grahams Available
For those who need to follow a gluten-free diet, there is a gluten-free version of Teddy Grahams available. Nabisco makes them in two flavors:
- Gluten Free Honey Teddy Grahams – the original flavor
- Gluten Free Chocolate Teddy Grahams
Instead of wheat flour, the gluten-free Teddy Grahams use a blend of rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. They have been tested to verify there is no gluten cross-contact and test below 10ppm of gluten.
The gluten-free Teddy Grahams are clearly labeled “gluten-free” on the front of the packaging. They also state “gluten-free” again in the ingredient list:
Gluten-Free Honey Teddy Grahams Ingredients: Corn Meal, Sugar, Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Canola Oil, Honey, Cocoa (processes with alkali), Baking Soda, Natural Flavors, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Teddy Grahams Ingredients: Corn Meal, Sugar, Chocolate Flavored Coating (Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Nonfat Milk, Whey, Soy Lecithin, PGPR), Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Canola Oil, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Honey, Baking Soda, Natural Flavor, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum.
No Shared Lines
The gluten-free Teddy Grahams are produced on separate dedicated equipment from the regular Teddy Grahams that contain wheat. They also run the gluten-free products first after thorough sanitation. These steps prevent any chance of gluten cross-contact from the wheat-based Teddy Grahams.
How to Identify Gluten-Free Teddy Grahams
To make sure you are purchasing the gluten-free version, look for the following:
- Words “gluten-free” clearly labeled on the front of the package
- “Gluten-free” also stated in the ingredients list
- Free of wheat, barley, rye, and oats in the ingredients
- Made in a dedicated gluten-free facility or on gluten-free equipment
As long as you see these indicators, you can purchase gluten-free Teddy Grahams confidently knowing they do not contain any gluten. Double check labels each time before purchasing to ensure the formulation has not changed.
Precautions
Those with celiac disease or wheat allergy in particular need to be very careful about avoiding any products containing wheat/gluten. Even tiny amounts can cause issues. Make sure to read labels carefully and do not assume a product is gluten-free when in doubt.
For people with celiac disease, it is ideal to look for labels that indicate a product was made in a dedicated gluten-free facility and tested to below 5ppm of gluten. 10ppm can be acceptable, but the lower the better.
Children with celiac disease who may not read labels before eating something also need extra precautions taken by parents checking products before purchasing.
Customer Reviews
Looking at online customer reviews of gluten-free Teddy Grahams can help identify real-world experiences with the product:
“My son has celiac and loves Teddy Grahams, so I was so happy to find these gluten-free ones. He says they taste just like he remembers. No issues after eating them either which is great since he’s very sensitive to cross-contamination.”
“I was leery about trying gluten-free Teddy Grahams because I figured they’d taste awful. But I was pleasantly surprised! They have a very similar taste and texture to the original. My daughter gobbled them up with no complaint that they were gluten-free.”
“I noticed they changed the formula recently and added oats. Now I can’t have them anymore since I avoid oats due to gluten cross-contact. Please change it back!”
As you can see from reviews, most customers seem happy with the taste and lack of gluten reaction. But formulas can change over time, so always read the label. And some with more sensitive needs (like avoiding oats) may not be able to tolerate certain ingredient changes.
Nutrition Facts Comparison
Here is a nutritional comparison of the original Teddy Grahams versus the gluten-free version:
| Nutrition Facts | Regular Teddy Grahams (per serving) | Gluten-Free Teddy Grahams (per serving) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 140 | 110 |
| Fat | 5g | 3g |
| Carbs | 24g | 25g |
| Fiber | 1g | 0g |
| Sugar | 10g | 13g |
| Protein | 2g | 0g |
The gluten-free version tends to be a bit lower in calories, fat, and protein compared to regular Teddy Grahams. They have slightly more sugar and carbs. Fiber content is lowered since gluten-free flours have less natural fiber versus wheat flour.
Important Nutrients
Since wheat flour is enriched with vitamins and minerals, gluten-free baked goods often contain less of certain nutrients. Adding enrichments to the gluten-free flour blend can help boost nutrition content. Both versions of Teddy Grahams are low in important nutrients like fiber, protein, iron, and calcium.
Cost Difference
On average, the gluten-free Teddy Grahams cost $1-$2 more per box than the regular version. A 6.6oz box of original Teddy Grahams is usually around $2.50. Whereas gluten-free Teddy Grahams tend to be priced closer to $3.50-$4 per 6.6oz box.
This price increase is typical for specialty gluten-free products. The alternative gluten-free flours usually cost more money. And manufacturing processes to avoid cross-contact require extra steps.
Where to Buy
The gluten-free Teddy Grahams may not be available at all grocery stores. Your best bet is to check larger supermarket chains like the following:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Publix
- Stop & Shop
- ShopRite
Natural food chains like Sprouts or Whole Foods also tend to carry gluten-free specialty products. You can also find many online retailers that sell gluten-free Teddy Grahams, including Amazon and direct from Nabisco’s website.
Should You Make Your Own?
Some people opt to make homemade gluten-free graham crackers or teddy bear cookies instead of buying the packaged version. This allows you to control the ingredients and avoid certain allergens like soy or dairy if needed. You’ll also likely save money by making them at home.
There are many gluten-free graham cracker recipes online using alternate flours like:
- Brown rice flour
- Sorghum flour
- Tapioca starch
- Cornstarch
You can substitute different oils, sweeteners, and spices to get the taste and texture you prefer. Adding xanthan gum can help replicate the chewy texture of wheat flour. Cutting them into fun shapes with cookie cutters can make them extra fun for kids.
Downsides of Homemade
However, homemade gluten-free grahams or bears do take more effort versus grabbing a box off the shelf. It also can be tricky to get the right moisture and texture when using gluten-free flours. They may be more likely to fall apart or crumble if you don’t get the ratios of ingredients just right.
Other Gluten-Free Teddy Bear Cookie Brands
In addition to the Nabisco brand, there are some other packaged gluten-free teddy bear cookie options on the market. These include:
- Anna’s Gluten Free Teddy Grahams – made with tapioca and brown rice flour
- Ener-G Gluten-Free Teddy Grahams – made with tapioca, rice and potato flours
- Enjoy Life Gluten, Dairy and Soy-Free Graham Cylinders – made with brown rice flour and sweet potatoes
- Kinnikinnick Gluten-Free Teddy Bears – made with brown rice flour and molasses
These brands offer different dietary options beyond just gluten-free, like being free of major allergens. They use a variety of alternative flours and ingredients to produce tasty teddy bear shapes kids love.
Travel and Lunchbox Considerations
Teddy Grahams are a popular snack choice in lunchboxes and for travel due to their portable size and fun shape. A few factors to consider when packing gluten-free Teddy Grahams:
- Crushing or breakage – Since gluten-free versions tend to be more delicate, take extra care in packing to prevent them from getting crushed.
- May not hold up well out of the package for long periods. Best to keep packaged until ready to eat to prevent them from drying out or getting stale.
- Kids with food allergies need to be sure to only eat their own snacks and not share with other kids who may have brought regular Teddy Grahams.
- Wash hands before and after eating to prevent cross-contact.
- Pack an alternate treat as backup in case the Teddy Grahams get forgotten at home or damaged.
With a little extra care, gluten-free Teddy Grahams can be a tasty and fun lunchbox or travel snack.
Final Verdict
Regular Nabisco Teddy Grahams are not gluten-free due to containing wheat flour. However, Nabisco does make certified gluten-free Teddy Grahams in two flavors which are safe for gluten-free diets when verified from the packaging. The gluten-free versions go through extra steps to avoid cross-contact and use alternative flours like rice, tapioca, and potato.
Gluten-free Teddy Grahams are widely available at major grocery retailers and online. But always check labels for formulation changes. Making your own gluten-free teddy bear cookies at home is also an option to control ingredients. Just take care when packing gluten-free Teddy Grahams for lunches or travel due to their delicate texture.
