Do oatmeal creme pies have gluten?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Oatmeal creme pies may contain gluten depending on the brand. Many popular brands like Little Debbie’s contain gluten in the form of wheat flour. However, there are some gluten-free oatmeal creme pie options available from specialty brands. To determine if a particular oatmeal creme pie contains gluten, check the ingredients list for wheat, barley, rye or other gluten-containing grains. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should choose certified gluten-free oatmeal creme pies to avoid illness.

What are Oatmeal Creme Pies?

Oatmeal creme pies are snack cakes consisting of two soft cookie halves with a sweet creme filling sandwiched between them. The cookie portion is made from flour, sugar, oil, and oats, giving it an oatmeal flavor. The filling is often marshmallow or coconut-flavored creme. Popular brands like Little Debbie’s make packaged versions that are widely available in grocery stores. Oatmeal creme pies are a nostalgic treat for many, as they have been around since the 1960s. They provide a cookie texture combined with a sweet, creamy filling, making them a satisfying snack.

Do Classic Oatmeal Creme Pies Contain Gluten?

The traditional oatmeal creme pies made by Little Debbie’s and other major brands do contain gluten. Here are the key reasons why:

The cookie portion contains wheat flour, which provides gluten.
Major brands do not currently offer gluten-free oatmeal creme pies.
The cookies have a conventional texture, indicating the presence of gluten.

Little Debbie’s, which produces some of the most popular oatmeal creme pies, uses wheat flour in their recipe. Wheat flour contains the proteins glutenin and gliadin, which together form gluten. Other big brands like Hostess also use wheat flour in their oatmeal creme pie recipes. The conventional grainy, slightly chewy texture of these oatmeal creme pie cookies also suggests the presence of gluten from wheat. So the classic oatmeal creme pies from major brands do contain gluten due to their use of wheat-based flour.

Ingredient Lists of Popular Oatmeal Creme Pie Brands

Here are the ingredients lists of some top oatmeal creme pie brands, showing that they contain wheat flour and gluten:

Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies

Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)

Sugar
Partially hydrogenated soybean oil
High fructose corn syrup

Whole eggs
Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate)
Modified cornstarch

Water
Glycerin
Soy lecithin

Natural and artificial flavors
Salt
Nonfat milk

Palm oil

Hostess Oatmeal Creme Pies

Enriched wheat flour (contains niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
Sugar

Partially hydrogenated vegetable and/or animal shortening (containing one or more of: palm oil, beef fat, soybean oil, cottonseed oil)
High fructose corn syrup
Whole eggs

Water
Glycerin
Contains 2% or less of: Modified wheat starch, Leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate), Palm oil, Cocoa processed with alkali, Salt, Cornstarch, Dextrose, Natural and artificial flavors, Soy lecithin, Coconut oil

Both brands clearly contain wheat flour, indicating the presence of gluten.

Are There Gluten-Free Oatmeal Creme Pie Options?

While conventional oatmeal creme pies contain gluten from wheat flour, there are some gluten-free oatmeal creme pie options available:

Several specialty bakeries and online stores offer gluten-free oatmeal creme pies.

Many use alternate gluten-free flours like oat flour or almond flour.
Some major brands have gluten-free lines that may include oatmeal creme pies.
Be sure to check labels for a gluten-free certification symbol.

Here are a few examples of gluten-free oatmeal creme pie brands to look for:

Brand	Details
Katz Gluten Free	Oatmeal creme pies made with gluten-free oats and almond flour
Taste Guru	Gluten-free oatmeal creme pies with oat flour
Pillsbury Gluten Free	Line of gluten-free baked goods including oatmeal creme pies

These gluten-free options substitute wheat flour with alternate flours and use certified gluten-free oats. They allow those with gluten restrictions to still enjoy the classic oatmeal creme pie taste.

What About Oats – Are They Naturally Gluten Free?

Oats themselves do not naturally contain gluten. However, they are often cross-contaminated with gluten-containing grains during growing and processing:

Oats lack the protein structures necessary to form gluten.
But they may pick up traces of gluten if grown near wheat fields.
Oats can also get gluten cross-contamination during milling and transportation.

Only oats labeled “gluten-free” are uncontaminated.

So while oats don’t have gluten, only oatmeal creme pies made with certified gluten-free oats can be considered gluten-free. Otherwise, cross-contamination is too likely.

Testing Requirements for Gluten-Free Oats

For oats to be considered gluten-free, they must meet certain testing requirements:

Test below 20 parts per million of gluten.
Come from dedicated gluten-free facilities.
Use sorting equipment to remove stray grains.

Undergo additional cleaning prior to milling.

These steps help ensure no cross-contamination with sources of gluten like wheat. Only oats meeting gluten-free standards should be used in gluten-free oatmeal creme pies.

What About Homemade Oatmeal Creme Pies?

Homemade oatmeal creme pies can be prepared gluten-free by using alternate flours:

Gluten-free oat flour
Almond flour
Coconut flour

Bean flours like chickpea or fava bean

Substituting one or more of these flours for wheat flour allows gluten-free homemade oatmeal creme pies. You can adjust flour ratios to achieve the desired cookie texture. Just be sure to use certified gluten-free oats and read all labels to prevent cross-contamination with gluten sources.

Gluten-Free Oatmeal Creme Pie Recipe

Here is a sample recipe for gluten-free homemade oatmeal creme pies:

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 cups gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
1⁄2 cup almond flour
1⁄2 cup gluten-free oat flour

1/3 cup coconut sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For filling:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.

In a large bowl, combine oats, flours, coconut sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix well.
Add melted butter, egg and vanilla. Stir until a dough forms.
Roll dough into 24 balls and arrange on baking sheets. Flatten into disks.

Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Let cookies cool.
For filling: beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
Spread filling on bottom side of one cookie and top with second cookie to make a sandwich.

This recipe uses a blend of gluten-free oat flour and almond flour for the cookie base. The filling provides a sweet, creamy complement.

Should People with Celiac Disease Avoid Oatmeal Creme Pies?

People with celiac disease must avoid gluten at all times. Here’s what celiacs need to know about oatmeal creme pies:

Most major brands of oatmeal creme pies are not safe due to gluten content.

Cross-contamination makes non-certified gluten-free oats risky.
Read labels carefully and look for a certified gluten-free logo.
When in doubt, contact the manufacturer about their protocols.

Homemade versions can be made safely with gluten-free ingredients.

Those with celiac should use extreme caution before consuming any product containing oats, including oatmeal creme pies. Unless certified gluten-free, oats can cause illness in gluten intolerant individuals.

Symptoms of Gluten Exposure in Celiac Disease

If a person with celiac disease consumes gluten, they may experience:

Diarrhea
Abdominal pain and bloating
Fatigue

Unexplained weight loss
Rashes or dermatitis

Repeated exposure can cause serious intestinal damage over time. Staying strictly gluten-free is essential for celiacs.

Are Oatmeal Creme Pies Safe in a Gluten-Free Diet?

For those adhering to a gluten-free diet, either by choice or medical necessity, oatmeal creme pies may be safe if certain guidelines are followed:

Verify the product is certified gluten-free.
Check that no wheat flour is used.

Ensure the oats are gluten-free oats.
Read labels and contact manufacturers with any questions.
Stick to reputable gluten-free brands.

Make homemade versions with gluten-free ingredients.

Gluten-free oatmeal creme pies are widely available from specialty brands. With proper checking, they can be safely enjoyed as part of a gluten-free lifestyle. Those with celiac disease or wheat allergy must be especially cautious by adhering to a strict gluten-free diet with no exceptions for oatmeal creme pies or other products unless certified gluten-free. When in doubt, avoid it.

Is Cross-Contamination a Concern?

For those adhering to a gluten-free diet, cross-contamination is always a concern to be aware of:

Gluten-free items produced on shared lines may be contaminated.
Verify brands use dedicated gluten-free facilities.
Food service settings increase cross-contamination risks.

Oats are especially high-risk due to growing and processing factors.
When eating out, check that preparers avoid cross-contact.

Consuming food with traces of gluten can be a problem for those medically required to be non-gluten eating. Inquire about manufacturing and preparation processes when selecting gluten-free oatmeal creme pies or eating them outside the home.

The Takeaway on Oatmeal Creme Pies

Classic oatmeal creme pies contain gluten from wheat flour.
Gluten-free versions made with alternate flours are available.
Only oats labeled gluten-free have been uncontaminated.

People with celiac disease must avoid non-certified gluten-free oatmeal creme pies.
When prepared from gluten-free ingredients, homemade oatmeal creme pies can be gluten-free.
Carefully read labels and contact manufacturers to verify gluten status.

Oatmeal creme pies can be a gluten concern for those with celiac disease or following gluten-free diets. But gluten-free options exist by choosing specialty products or creating homemade versions with gluten-free ingredients. When in doubt, reach out to manufacturers directly to determine if their items are suitable for gluten-restricted diets. With the right precautions, both celiacs and gluten-free dieters can find oatmeal creme pies they can enjoy safely.