Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people cutting out gluten for health, dietary, or lifestyle reasons. For those who love sweets and baked goods, one of the biggest challenges of going gluten-free is finding tasty cookie options that don’t contain wheat, barley, or rye.
Pepperidge Farm is one of the most well-known and popular cookie brands in grocery stores across America. Their distinctive goldfish-shaped cheddar crackers and soft, layered Milano cookies are beloved by many. But can followers of a gluten-free diet enjoy Pepperidge Farm cookies too?
Quick Answer
The quick answer is yes, Pepperidge Farm does make some gluten-free cookie varieties, though not all of their cookies are gluten-free. Pepperidge Farm has begun offering more gluten-free options in recent years in order to accommodate growing demand.
Overview of Pepperidge Farm
Pepperidge Farm is a commercial bakery brand owned by Campbell Soup Company. It was founded in 1937 by Margaret Rudkin, who began baking bread and selling it to local stores from her home in Connecticut. The company’s name comes from the Pepperidge Farm located in Fairfield, Connecticut where Rudkin launched her business.
Over the decades, Pepperidge Farm expanded beyond bread to become known for its iconic cookies, baked goods, and goldfish crackers. Some of its most popular cookie varieties include Milano, Chessmen, and Distinctive. Pepperidge Farm products are widely distributed in grocery stores and supermarkets across the United States.
The company dominates the cookie aisle with its recognizable orange packaging and classic cookie flavors. However, despite its prominence in the market, historically Pepperidge Farm has not offered many gluten-free options. Their main product lines have traditionally been made with wheat flour.
Growing Demand for Gluten-Free
In recent years, the market for gluten-free foods has absolutely exploded. Awareness of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity has increased, and many followers of gluten-free diets report feeling better without gluten. The popularity of low-carb diets like paleo that emphasize gluten-free eating has also contributed to surging demand.
This rising tide has not gone unnoticed by food manufacturers. More and more brands have begun offering gluten-free alternatives to their products to cash in on the trend. The gluten-free food and beverage sector grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 11% from 2014-2019. It is now estimated to be a $7.3 billion market.
Pepperidge Farm has responded accordingly by slowly expanding its gluten-free offerings. While the majority of Pepperidge Farm’s products still contain gluten, the company has released a few gluten-free cookie options to appeal to modern consumer preferences.
Gluten-Free Cookie Options from Pepperidge Farm
Here is an overview of the gluten-free cookie choices currently available from Pepperidge Farm as of 2023:
Pepperidge Farm Verona Cookies
Verona cookies first debuted in 2018 as Pepperidge Farm’s inaugural gluten-free cookie offering. Verona cookies have a crispy yet tender texture and are made with a blend of finely milled rice and tapioca flours. They are Non-GMO Project Verified and do not contain any artificial flavors.
Verona cookies come in three varieties:
– Chocolate Chip – Chips of Guittard chocolate folded into vanilla and brown rice cookie batter.
– Double Dark Chocolate – White and dark chocolate chips combined with brownie-like dark cocoa flavors.
– Toasted Coconut Dark Chocolate Chip – Toasted coconut flakes paired with dark chocolate chips.
Pepperidge Farm Thin & Crispy Milano
In 2020, Pepperidge Farm expanded their gluten-free selection by introducing a gluten-free version of their iconic Milano cookie. Thin & Crispy Milano cookies offer the delicate, crispy texture of classic Milanos in a gluten-free recipe.
The gluten-free Milanos utilize ingredients like millet flour and soluble tapioca fiber to achieve their signature light crunch. They are currently available in one flavor: Dark Chocolate.
Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Thin & Crispy Cookies
Farmhouse Thin & Crispy cookies launched in 2021 as Pepperidge Farm’s latest gluten-free line. They have a delicate, crunchy texture similar to the Milanos. Farmhouse Thin & Crispy come in three gluten-free varieties:
– Chocolate Chip – Mini chocolate chip cookies with brown sugar flavor.
– Coconut Macaroon – Shredded coconut cookies sandwiching a rich chocolate filling.
– Lemon – Tart and tangy lemon cookies with lemon icing.
Availability of Pepperidge Farm Gluten-Free Cookies
The availability of Pepperidge Farm’s gluten-free cookies may vary depending on your location. They can be found in the cookie aisle at many major grocery stores such as Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Target, and Walmart.
The gluten-free Verona, Milano, and Farmhouse cookies are normally stocked alongside Pepperidge Farm’s regular assortment of cookies and crackers. However, availability may be sporadic since stores have finite shelf space and Pepperidge Farm’s gluten-free offerings are still niche products.
Your best bet is to check the shelves in person. If your local stores do not carry them, you can also order the gluten-free cookies online directly from Pepperidge Farm’s website. Pricing is similar to other Pepperidge Farm cookies at around $4-5 per bag.
Pepperidge Farm’s Commitment to Gluten-Free
While Pepperidge Farm’s gluten-free selection is still small compared to its overall portfolio of cookies and baked goods, the company has clearly demonstrated a commitment to meeting the needs of gluten-free consumers.
In a statement on their website, Pepperidge Farm says:
“We understand the importance of providing gluten free options for our consumers who need them. We launched our line of gluten free cookies and crackers to give people with gluten sensitivities more ways to enjoy Pepperidge Farm. We will continue to explore opportunities to expand our gluten free offerings to delight cookie lovers who follow a gluten free diet.”
Releasing three different lines of gluten-free cookies over a span of just five years shows that Pepperidge Farm is taking the gluten-free market seriously and actively adapting to appeal to modern tastes and dietary needs.
How Pepperidge Farm Cookies Are Made
To understand Pepperidge Farm’s approach to gluten-free production, it helps to know a bit about how their cookies are made in general:
– Cookies are baked in dedicated gluten-free or non-gluten-free facilities to avoid cross-contamination. Gluten-free cookies are produced in separate areas from other varieties.
– Extensive cleaning, sanitation, and testing procedures are followed to prevent introduction of gluten in gluten-free areas.
– Suppliers of gluten-free ingredients are carefully vetted to ensure purity.
– Cookie dough is prepared in large batches and then precisely portioned by machines before baking.
– After baking, cookies are inspected, packaged, and quickly shipped out for distribution while still fresh.
Pepperidge Farm emphasizes that employee training and standardized procedures at each of its baking facilities are critical for producing safe gluten-free products.
Third Party Validation
For added assurance, Pepperidge Farm’s gluten-free products carry certifications from recognized third party food safety organizations:
– Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) – Confirms products are made under strict gluten-free protocol with less than 10ppm of gluten.
– NSF Gluten Free Certification – Validates facilities and processes are compliant with gluten-free requirements. Ensures protocols to avoid cross-contact with gluten.
These certifications provide independent verification that proper care and caution has been exercised in producing certified gluten-free cookies.
Nutritional Profile
Here is a nutritional comparison of Pepperidge Farm’s gluten-free cookies versus original varieties:
| Cookie | Serving | Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Verona (3 cookies) | 30 g | 140 | 24 g | 14 g | 1 g |
| Original Chocolate Chip (3 cookies) | 30 g | 160 | 21 g | 10 g | 2 g |
| Gluten-Free Double Dark Chocolate Verona (3 cookies) | 30 g | 150 | 25 g | 17 g | 1 g |
| Gluten-Free Toasted Coconut Dark Chocolate Chip Verona (3 cookies) | 30 g | 140 | 24 g | 14 g | 1 g |
| Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Thin & Crispy Milano (5 cookies) | 30 g | 140 | 24 g | 14 g | 1 g |
| Original Dark Chocolate Milanos (3 cookies) | 30 g | 140 | 22 g | 11 g | 2 g |
The gluten-free cookies are fairly similar in their nutrition profiles to original Pepperidge Farm cookies. Gluten-free cookies tend to be slightly higher in carbs and sugar due to the use of rice flours and tapioca starch instead of wheat. But overall the macros are comparable.
So those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance don’t have to miss out on enjoying some classic Pepperidge Farm flavors!
Finding Other Gluten-Free Cookie Brands
Beyond Pepperidge Farm, there are now many brands producing gluten-free cookies in a wide variety of flavors:
– Kinnikinnick Foods – One of the pioneers in gluten-free baked goods since the 1980s. They offer gluten-free versions of everything from Oreos to Graham crackers.
– Lucy’s – Specializes in gluten-free and allergy-friendly cookies, made with teff and sorghum flours. Great variety of chips, icings, and fillings.
– Immaculate Baking – Maker of gluten-free Back to Nature cookies that duplicate the taste and texture of conventional cookies using ingredients like brown rice flour and tapioca starch.
– Gifts of Nature – Gluten-free and vegan cookies, free of the top 9 allergens. Made with coconut flour, almonds, and coconut sugar.
– Enjoy Life – Allergy-friendly brand with mini cookies and soft-baked cookies in flavors like double chocolate and cinnamon.
– Pillsbury – Mass market brand that now offers gluten-free chocolate chip and sugar cookie dough.
Tips for Baking Gluten-Free Cookies at Home
If you want total control over ingredients, baking your own gluten-free cookies at home is a great option. Here are some tips:
– Use a blend of flours like brown rice flour, oat flour, and tapioca flour instead of wheat flour.
– Binders like xanthan gum or guar gum help mimic the properties of gluten for better structure.
– Add egg or egg replacer to add moisture and fat like coconut oil or butter for tenderness.
– Stick to recipes formulated for gluten free to ensure proper texture and flavor balance.
– Check labels to confirm ingredients like chocolate chips are gluten-free. Nestle Tollhouse is a gluten-free brand.
– Prevent cross-contamination by thoroughly cleaning baking tools and surfaces.
With the right recipe, homemade gluten-free cookies can be soft, chewy, and downright delicious.
Conclusion
While most of Pepperidge Farm’s cookie lineup is not safe for gluten-free diets, the company now provides several gluten-free options including Verona, Farmhouse, and Milanos. These meet consumer demand for tasty gluten-free baked goods with the comforting, iconic flavors of an established brand.
With awareness and avoidance of gluten on the rise, fans of Pepperidge Farm can still enjoy a few of their signature cookies. Thanks to improved formulas and manufacturing processes, the gluten-free versions deliver the same delectable experience associated with this beloved brand.
So if you see the distinctive orange packaging in the cookie aisle, flip it over to check for a “gluten-free” stamp of approval. With more diligence and care, those with gluten intolerance have access to better options than ever before.
The gluten-free movement has pushed brands like Pepperidge Farm to become more inclusive. While their selection remains small, the availability of gluten-free cookies from this timeless brand is a promising step on the journey toward safe, delicious snacks for everyone regardless of dietary needs.
