Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people eliminating gluten for health or lifestyle reasons. For those who love Oreos but need to avoid gluten, a common question arises: Does Nabisco make gluten-free Oreos?
The Short Answer
No, Nabisco does not currently make a certified gluten-free version of their classic Oreo cookie. The regular Oreo contains wheat-based ingredients and is not considered gluten-free.
Ingredients in Regular Oreos
Oreos have a simple ingredient list consisting of:
- Unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour)
- Sugar
- Palm and/or canola oil
- Cocoa (processed with alkali)
- High fructose corn syrup
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Soy lecithin (emulsifier)
- Vanillin (artificial flavor)
- Chocolate (processed with alkali)
The main culprits that make regular Oreos not gluten-free are the unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour) and cornstarch. Wheat flour contains gluten proteins, and cornstarch can be made from wheat. This means Oreos are not suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
No Certified Gluten-Free Oreos Currently Available
While Nabisco makes many different varieties and flavors of Oreo cookies, none of them are certified gluten-free. The Oreo website states that none of their products are recommended for people with wheat allergies.
Nabisco does mark some products as wheat-free, such as their Chips Ahoy cookies. However, being wheat-free does not necessarily make a product gluten-free. The only way for something to be gluten-free is if it is certified by the FDA and contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten.
Currently, Nabisco has no plans to release a gluten-free Oreo. A company spokesperson said that living up to the expectations of Oreo fans while producing a gluten-free version would be very difficult. This means those with gluten restrictions will have to enjoy other cookie options for now.
Other Popular Cookies Without Gluten Certification:
- Oreos (including limited editions and flavors)
- Chips Ahoy
- Nutter Butter
- Honey Maid
- BelVita
- Teddy Grahams
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Even if Oreos were made without gluten-containing ingredients, there would still be a risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing. Wheat flour is used in facilities that also make Oreos and other Nabisco products.
Trace amounts of gluten could make their way into the cookies through shared equipment. This makes it unlikely that Nabisco would ever label Oreos as gluten-free, even if they removed all gluten ingredients.
Steps Nabisco Takes to Avoid Cross-Contamination:
- Maintains separate gluten-free production lines
- Adheres to thorough cleaning procedures
- Follows meticulous quality control checks
- Keeps wheat flour out of gluten-free areas
However, despite these precautions, the risk can never be fully eliminated in facilities that also process wheat. This is why certified gluten-free products are produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities.
Oreo Snack Cakes Are Not Gluten-Free Either
In addition to the classic cookie, Nabisco produces Oreo-branded snack cakes including Oreo Brownies, Oreo Cakesters, and Oreo Crème Pies. These all contain glutenous ingredients:
Oreo Brownies
- Enriched flour (wheat flour)
- Sugar
- Partially hydrogenated oils (soybean and/or cottonseed)
- Whey (milk)
- Eggs
- Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate)
- Artificial vanilla flavor
- Salt
- Alkalized cocoa
Oreo Cakesters
- Enriched flour (wheat flour)
- Sugar
- Soybean and/or palm oil
- Cocoa processed with alkali
- Water
- Invert sugar
- Cornstarch
- Dextrose
- Salt
- Artificial flavors
- Soy lecithin
- Baking soda
- Cake enhancer (modified cornstarch, mono & diglycerides, guar gum, xanthan gum)
Oreo Crème Pies
- Bleached enriched wheat flour
- Sugar
- Partially hydrogenated oils (soybean and/or cottonseed)
- Corn syrup
- Cornstarch
- Dextrose
- Salt
- Leavening (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate)
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Soy lecithin
As you can see, these snack cakes have very similar ingredients to regular Oreos and contain gluten. So individuals needing a gluten-free diet should avoid all Oreo-branded products currently on the market.
Possible Options for Gluten-Free Oreos
While Nabisco does not make gluten-free Oreos, there are some alternative options to consider trying. Just keep in mind that none of these cookies can perfectly replicate the taste and texture of the original Oreo.
Gluten-Free Brands That Make Oreo-Style Cookies
- Katz Gluten Free – Gluten Free Oreo Cookies
- Good Dee’s – Double Stuf Oreo Style Cookies
- Anna’s Gluten Free – Double Stuf Oreo Style Cookies
- Glutino – Double Stuffed Vanilla Creme Cookies
These brands make gluten-free versions of Oreo-style cookies with vanilla creme centers. They use ingredients like rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, and xanthan or guar gum instead of wheat.
Gluten-Free Oreo Recipes
There are many gluten-free bloggers and at-home bakers who have developed gluten-free Oreo copycat recipes. These recipes combine pantry staples like:
- Gluten-free oat flour or almond flour
- Coconut flour
- Arrowroot starch or tapioca flour
- Cocoa powder
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla
- Cream cheese
- Food coloring
The end result yields a homemade cookie that resembles an Oreo in taste and texture. Baking the cookies at home can provide more customization and control over ingredients.
Are Other Nabisco Products Gluten-Free?
While Oreos contain gluten, Nabisco does make some other products that are labeled as gluten-free or made in gluten-free facilities:
Nabisco Gluten-Free Products
- Honey Maid Graham Crackers
- Ritz Crackers
- Triscuit Crackers
- Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies
- Barnum’s Animals Crackers
Always check the label when buying Nabisco foods, even if purchasing something previously confirmed as gluten-free. Recipes and production facilities can change over time.
Other Popular Cookie Brands with Gluten-Free Options
In addition to trying alternative Oreo-style brands, those seeking gluten-free cookies can also enjoy options from these popular companies:
Pepperidge Farm Gluten-Free Cookies
- Verona Hazelnut Cookies
- Geneva Cookies in Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate
- Chessmen Cookies
Keebler Gluten-Free Cookies
- Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats (original and Cookies ‘n Cream flavors)
- E.L. Fudge Double Stuffed Cookies
- Pecan Sandies (limited edition)
Enjoy Life Gluten-Free Cookies
- Double Chocolate Brownie
- Crunchy Chocolate Chip
- Soft Baked Chocolate Chip
- Snickerdoodle
Keebler and Enjoy Life products are made in dedicated gluten-free facilities, lowering the risk of cross-contamination.
The Future Possibility of Gluten-Free Oreos
While Nabisco currently has no specific plans to make gluten-free Oreos, the company doesn’t rule it out as a future possibility. The market for gluten-free foods continues to grow exponentially.
Nabisco keeps track of consumer requests and food trends. If demand for gluten-free Oreos substantially increases, the company may decide to develop and test recipes. However, the process of perfecting the taste and texture could take years.
For now, those avoiding gluten have many other cookie options from gluten-free brands and gluten-free bakeries. But in the future, we may finally get the gluten-free Oreos so many are hoping for.
The Takeaway on Gluten-Free Oreos
- Regular Oreos contain glutenous ingredients like wheat flour.
- Nabisco does not currently make any certified gluten-free Oreo products.
- Other Oreo-branded snacks also contain gluten.
- There is risk of cross-contamination in facilities that produce Oreos.
- Some brands make gluten-free versions of Oreo-style cookies.
- Gluten-free Oreo copycat recipes can be found online.
- Nabisco produces some gluten-free products under other brands.
- Gluten-free Oreos may be an option in the future depending on demand.
Conclusion
Oreos continue to be one of the most popular cookies globally, but unfortunately they are not safe for people who need to follow gluten-free diets. Nabisco uses wheat-based ingredients in their traditional Oreo recipe, so the cookies contain gluten and the risk of cross-contamination is high.
Gluten-free consumers do have some options for Oreo-style sandwich cookies from specialty brands or homemade recipes. While Nabisco hasn’t ruled out making gluten-free Oreos someday, there are currently no definite plans. Those who need or strongly prefer to avoid gluten can try alternative gluten-free cookies from other major brands.
Overall, people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or those avoiding gluten for other reasons should not consume regular or other Oreo-branded products made by Nabisco. Gluten-free cookie options continue to expand, providing more choices that are both safe and tasty for gluten-free diets.
