Quick Answer
Yes, you can get gluten-free fortune cookies. Many brands now offer fortune cookies made without wheat or gluten ingredients so they are safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Gluten-free fortune cookies are made using rice flour or other gluten-free flours rather than wheat flour. They taste very similar to regular fortune cookies. You can find gluten-free fortune cookies at many grocery stores, health food stores, and online. Some popular brands of gluten-free fortune cookies include Pamela’s, Enjoy Life, and Taste Guru. With so many gluten-free options available, people following a gluten-free diet can still enjoy the fun tradition of reading fortune cookies after a meal.
What are fortune cookies?
Fortune cookies are a classic Chinese-American dessert. They are small, crispy cookies that contain a slip of paper with a “fortune” or message written on it. Traditional fortune cookies are made from wheat flour, sugar, vanilla, and oil. After being shaped into a curved shape and baked, the cookies are allowed to cool slightly before the fortune message is inserted in the center. Fortune cookies are served as a dessert at the end of a meal at many Chinese restaurants, especially in the United States. Part of the fun is cracking open the cookie to reveal and read your fortune message.
Why do some people need gluten-free fortune cookies?
Fortune cookies traditionally contain wheat flour, which means they are not safe for people who have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. These conditions cause an autoimmune reaction when gluten is ingested. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers intestinal damage and a variety of unpleasant symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and fatigue. The only treatment is following a strict lifelong gluten-free diet by avoiding foods and products containing gluten ingredients. This includes typical fortune cookies made with wheat flour.
There has been increasing demand for gluten-free specialty products like fortune cookies as more people are diagnosed with celiac disease or choose to avoid gluten for other reasons. Today, around 3 million Americans have celiac disease and about 18 million have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Having safe and tasty gluten-free alternatives allows those following a gluten-free diet to still participate in activities like enjoying fortune cookies after meals.
Are there gluten-free fortune cookie options?
Yes, fortunately there are many gluten-free fortune cookie options on the market today. Here are some of the most popular brands of gluten-free fortune cookies:
Pamela’s Products
Pamela’s makes several varieties of gluten-free fortune cookies including chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate chip. They are made with a blend of brown rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour instead of wheat. Pamela’s gluten-free fortune cookies have a very similar taste and texture to traditional wheat fortune cookies. Many people say they are unable to tell the difference.
Enjoy Life
Enjoy Life has dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free fortune cookies available in original, chocolate, and cinnamon sugar flavors. They use ingredients like brown rice flour, rice bran extract, and guar gum. Enjoy Life foods are free of the top common allergens. Their fortune cookies are certified gluten-free to less than 5 ppm.
Taste Guru
Taste Guru fortune cookies are made with a blend of brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, and coconut flour. They come in original, chocolate, and green tea flavors. Taste Guru gluten-free fortune cookies are certified gluten-free and non-GMO.
Three Lollies
Three Lollies has vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free classic fortune cookies made with a blend of rice flours. They are baked not fried. Three Lollies also offers gluten-free fortune cookies with chocolate filling.
1-2-3 Gluten Free
1-2-3 Gluten Free Fortune Cookies are made with rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. They come plain or chocolate flavored. The cookies are baked and then shaped into the curved fortune cookie form.
Where to Buy Gluten-Free Fortune Cookies
Here are some places where you can find gluten-free fortune cookies for purchase:
Grocery stores
Many mainstream grocery stores now have gluten-free sections where you may find brands of gluten-free fortune cookies stocked. Some stores with good gluten-free selections include Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Stop & Shop, and Wegmans. Check the natural foods section or sometimes the specialty cookie aisle.
Health food stores
Health food stores like Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods Market have large selections of gluten-free products like snacks and baked goods. You can usually find multiple fortune cookie brands and flavors sold in the gluten-free bakery section.
Online
Most brands of gluten-free fortune cookies can be ordered online directly from the manufacturer’s website or on Amazon. Buying online is a convenient way to get gluten-free fortune cookies especially for those who don’t have a large dedicated section in their local grocery store. Many online stores also let you buy bulk packs at a discount to save money.
Chinese restaurants
Some Chinese restaurants, especially ones with gluten-free menus, may offer gluten-free fortune cookies. Call ahead to ask if they have a gluten-free option available. Keep in mind cross-contamination is possible in restaurants with shared work spaces and fryers.
Co-ops
Natural food co-ops and independent health food stores are likely to carry niche gluten-free products like Pamela’s or Enjoy Life fortune cookies. These smaller specialty shops cater to food allergy diets.
Delivered meal kits
Meal kit delivery services like Green Chef have gluten-free options and sometimes provide fortune cookies in their meals. The fortune cookies will be made with gluten-free ingredients.
How to Enjoy Gluten-Free Fortune Cookies
Gluten-free fortune cookies can be enjoyed just like regular wheat-based fortune cookies. Here are some serving ideas:
– Enjoy gluten-free fortune cookies at the end of a Chinese food meal at home, opening them up to read your fortune messages.
– Bring gluten-free fortune cookies to share at a child’s birthday party for dessert. The kids will love breaking open the cookies and reading the fortunes.
– Serve gluten-free chocolate fortune cookies alongside vanilla ice cream for an easy gluten-free dessert.
– For holidays and celebrations, fill cellophane treat bags with assorted gluten-free fortune cookies to give out as favors or gifts.
– Place gluten-free fortune cookies in a cookie dish at work events, book club meetings, or potlucks to accommodate gluten-free diets.
– Get creative with gluten-free fortune cookie recipes. Sandwich ice cream between cookies for a unique gluten-free ice cream sandwich.
– Use crushed gluten-free fortune cookies to create a tasty pie crust or cake topping.
With all the great gluten-free fortune cookie options available from brands big and small, people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance don’t have to miss out on enjoying this iconic treat. Gluten-free fortune cookies provide a way to take part in the experience of cracking open a cookie to reveal a surprise message of luck or wisdom. They are the perfect gluten-free addition to complete a Chinese takeout meal or add fun to any celebration or gathering.
Gluten-Free vs Regular Fortune Cookies
While technology and recipes have improved, there can still be some minor differences between regular wheat-based fortune cookies and gluten-free fortune cookies:
Texture
The texture of gluten-free fortune cookies may be a little more crumbly and delicate than traditional fortune cookies made with wheat. They can break apart more easily. Gluten gives structural stability and chewiness, so gluten-free fortune cookies often have a slightly crisper, more brittle texture.
Shape
Achieving the perfect curved fortune cookie shape can be trickier with gluten-free dough. They may come out looking a little less uniform in shape.
Flavor
Most gluten-free brands strive to replicate the classic fortune cookie taste as closely as possible. Subtle flavor differences depend on the blend of gluten-free flours used. Some may have hints of coconut, nutty, or rice flavors.
Color
Gluten-free fortune cookies are often lighter in color than the traditional golden-brown hue of wheat flour fortune cookies. The gluten-free dough made with rice or tapioca flour bakes up paler.
Availability
While improving, gluten-free fortune cookies are still not as widely available as regular fortune cookies. You may need to visit specialty stores or order online rather than picking them up at your corner takeout place.
Despite some small variations in texture and appearance, most gluten-free fortune cookies do an impressive job of replicating the classic crispy, crunchy fortune cookie experience. Many brands are indistinguishable from wheat-based cookies in taste and quality. Availability continues to improve as demand increases for great-tasting gluten-free options.
Making Gluten-Free Fortune Cookies from Scratch
With some trial and error, it is possible to create tasty homemade gluten-free fortune cookies using flours like rice, tapioca, sorghum, or almond flour. Here are some tips:
– Finding the right flour blend for the texture is key. Start with 1 cup brown rice flour and 1/2 cup potato starch or cornstarch.
– xanthan gum helps bind the batter. Add 1/2 teaspoon per cup of gluten-free flour.
– Let the batter rest for 30 minutes before scooping to allow xanthan gum to hydrate for proper binding.
– Scoop very small amounts of batter for thin, crispy cookies. Use 1 teaspoon scoops.
– Bake at 350°F for 6 to 8 minutes until edges just start to brown. Do not overbake.
– Quickly lift from the pan and shape over a wooden spoon handle or dowel before cooling and hardening. Allow to set in the curved shape.
– Write fortunes on strips of paper from a gluten-free food facility to prevent cross-contamination.
– Store cooled gluten-free fortune cookies in an airtight container up to 1 week. Freeze for longer storage.
It can take some tweaking to get the recipe just right. Varying the flours, liquids, and bake time helps achieve the classic crispy texture. But with practice, you can create delicious edible gluten-free fortunes to share anytime.
Are store-bought gluten-free fortune cookies processed in shared facilities?
When purchasing store-bought gluten-free fortune cookies, it is important to check if they are processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Many mainstream brands do share processing equipment and facilities with gluten-containing items, which raises the risk of cross-contamination for people with celiac disease.
Some fortune cookie brands certified gluten-free like Enjoy Life and Taste Guru state their products are made in dedicated allergy-friendly facilities to avoid cross-contamination. Others like Pamela’s are made in shared facilities that follow gluten-free protocols. Always check labels and contact the manufacturer if uncertain. For maximum safety, look for brands that are certified gluten-free to less than 10 or 5 ppm and processed separately. As testing improves, more brands may move to dedicated equipment.
Do gluten-free fortune cookies taste the same?
In blind taste tests, many gluten-free fortune cookies are indistinguishable from regular wheat-based fortune cookies. Brands put considerable effort into recreating the classic crispy, vanilla fortune cookie flavor and texture using alternative flours. However, there can be subtle taste differences depending on the specific gluten-free flour blend. Some brands lean more neutral while others have hints of nuttiness, coconut, rice, or other flavor notes. Texture also varies somewhat across brands as properties differ among gluten-free flours. Most gluten-free fortune cookies do an excellent job of mimicking the wheat versions. But minor taste and texture variances occur. Overall feedback is that most gluten-free fortune cookies taste quite similar to regular fortune cookies.
Are gluten-free fortune cookies healthy?
Like traditional fortune cookies, gluten-free fortune cookies are considered more of an occasional treat and not really a healthy everyday snack. Most gluten-free fortune cookies contain refined flours and sugar as the main ingredients. However, gluten-free fortune cookies can fit into a healthy diet in moderation. Here are some tips for making gluten-free fortune cookies healthier:
– Look for brands made with whole grain gluten-free flours like brown rice, millet, or sorghum flour for more fiber and nutrients.
– Seek cookies made with natural sweeteners like fruit juice or coconut sugar instead of refined white sugar.
– Check for non-GMO and organic ingredients for a more natural fortune cookie.
– Enjoy gluten-free fortune cookies occasionally as a dessert, not a daily snack. Pair with fruit or yogurt for more nutrition.
– DIY gluten-free fortune cookies allows control over the quality of ingredients. Substitute almond flour and add cinnamon.
– Split one cookie into portions rather than eating multiple cookies in one sitting.
While not the pinnacle of healthy eating, gluten-free fortune cookies can be an occasional fun plant-based indulgence in an otherwise well-balanced diet. Homemade versions allow tailoring with healthier ingredients like almond flour and less sugar. Overall, enjoying gluten-free fortune cookies in moderation is fine for most healthy diets. Just don’t make them an everyday habit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, those following a gluten-free diet absolutely can enjoy fortune cookies thanks to the many gluten-free options now available. Brands like Pamela’s, Enjoy Life, 1-2-3 Gluten Free, and Taste Guru offer a delicious variety of gluten-free fortune cookies so people with celiac disease don’t have to miss out on this fun food tradition. Gluten-free fortune cookies provide the classic crispy vanilla cookie taste and surprise slip of paper inside while being made safely without wheat. They are becoming easier to find in stores and online as demand increases. With some care reading labels and avoiding cross-contamination from manufacturing facilities, gluten-free fortune cookies can be incorporated into gluten-free diets so everyone can crack open these classic cookies after meals and enjoy reading their fortune messages.
