Ella Mills, better known as deliciously Ella, is a British food writer and entrepreneur. She is known for her plant-based and gluten-free recipes. With her hugely popular blog and best-selling cookbooks, Ella has become a leading voice in healthy eating and living. But is everything she makes actually gluten-free? Let’s take a closer look.
What is deliciously Ella?
Deliciously Ella is the brand name for Ella Mills and her recipes. It started as a blog in 2012 when Ella was diagnosed with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, a chronic illness that made her bedridden. To improve her health, she adopted a natural, unprocessed, plant-based diet. She began sharing recipes on her blog and quickly gained a large following. Her debut cookbook in 2015 became a #1 bestseller in the UK.
Today, deliciously Ella has expanded into a multimillion dollar business. The blog and Instagram account have millions of followers. She has published five cookbooks, launched a deli, cafes, and an app with over 400 recipes. She also sells branded merchandise and food products. Her recipes emphasize plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free ingredients.
Are all deliciously Ella recipes gluten-free?
The vast majority of recipes on deliciously Ella are gluten-free. When browsing her blog, app or cookbooks, any recipe labeled as gluten-free is guaranteed to be safe for a gluten-free diet. She takes care to avoid any ingredients containing gluten like wheat, barley, rye and oats.
Many of her recipes are naturally gluten-free anyways, by using ingredients like vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils, nuts and naturally gluten-free whole grains like rice, quinoa, buckwheat and corn.
There are also gluten-free alternatives, flours and ingredients used in her recipes, like:
- Gluten-free oats
- Almond flour
- Chickpea flour
- Buckwheat flour
- Rice flour
- Coconut flour
- Xanthan gum
- Gluten-free bread
- Gluten-free pasta
By sticking to naturally gluten-free whole foods and using specialty gluten-free ingredients, her recipes are safe for those on a gluten-free diet if labeled as such.
Gluten-containing recipes
There are a small number of Ella’s recipes that do contain gluten for those who can tolerate it. These may include ingredients like regular wheat flour, bread, pasta or oats. However, she always clearly labels these recipes so there is no confusion.
Some examples of recipes with gluten include:
- Banana bread with whole wheat flour
- Seeded whole grain bread
- Sweet potato carbonara with wheat pasta
- Porridge oats with apple and cinnamon
As long as you read the labels and avoid anything not marked gluten-free, you can enjoy the vast majority of deliciously Ella’s recipes.
Preventing cross-contamination
When cooking at home, it’s important to prevent cross-contamination with gluten. Even if a recipe is gluten-free, taking steps to keep everything separate is necessary.
Tips to avoid cross-contamination include:
- Wash hands and cooking surfaces thoroughly before and after
- Use separate cookware and utensils for gluten-free dishes
- Store gluten-free flours and products separately
- Use clean oil, butter, milk etc. as shared items may contain crumbs
- Cook gluten-free items first if cooking multiple meals
Following Ella’s gluten-free recipes is a great starting point. But preventing cross-contamination is also essential for gluten-free success.
Are deliciously Ella’s food products gluten-free?
In addition to recipes, deliciously Ella has a line of packaged food products. This includes things like:
- Granolas and cereals
- Energy balls
- Crackers
- Instant porridge sachets
- Cacao powder
- Nut butters
- Plant-based proteins
The ingredients and production facilities are certified gluten-free. The vast majority of Ella’s food products are labeled gluten-free and safe for a gluten-free diet. However, there are also a handful of products containing gluten such as oats and some baked goods. As long as you read the labels and only purchase gluten-free items, you can safely enjoy her product range.
Gluten-free certification
Deliciously Ella products labeled as gluten-free have been certified by Coeliac UK. This organization independently tests products and issues the Crossed Grain symbol if they contain less than 20 parts per million gluten.
You can look for the Crossed Grain logo on packaging to verify something is gluten-free. This provides added assurance besides just a “gluten-free” claim on the label.
Is the deliciously Ella bakery gluten-free?
Ella opened her first deliciously Ella bakery in London in 2016. The bakery serves plant-based salads, sandwiches, sweets and of course – baked goods! Not everything contains gluten, but many items do so it’s not an entirely gluten-free facility.
There are gluten-free options available, which are clearly labeled. This includes foods like:
- Seeded gluten-free bread
- Gluten-free brownies
- Gluten-free lemon drizzle cake
- Gluten-free granola
While gluten-free choices are present, there’s also a high risk of cross-contamination as wheat flour is used extensively. The facility and kitchen are shared for all baking. So those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should exercise caution when purchasing items.
Some other tips for eating gluten-free at the bakery include:
- Ask questions about ingredients and preparation
- Check if gluten-free items are prepared separately
- Tell them you have a gluten allergy to prevent cross-contamination
- Stick to foods that are packaged and labeled gluten-free
While not everything is gluten-free, you can find clearly marked options. Just be very cautious if you’re highly sensitive.
Are the deliciously Ella cafes gluten-free?
Deliciously Ella has expanded into opening cafes as well. There are currently two locations in London.
The cafes serve natural, plant-based meals and snacks. As with the bakery, there are gluten-free options available but it’s not an entirely gluten-free establishment.
Examples of gluten-free menu items include:
- Açaí bowls
- Buckwheat granola
- Gluten-free toast
- Chickpea omelets
- Buddha bowls
- Salads
- Soups
These dishes are naturally gluten-free or use gluten-free substitutes. Of course there are also menu items containing gluten from ingredients like bread, pasta and baked goods.
As a shared kitchen, cross-contamination is possible. But the staff are trained on allergies and can help you find safe options. Again, packaged foods labeled gluten-free are safest. Use caution with unpackaged items.
Deliciously Ella on-the-go snacks
Ella has partnered with several airlines and hospitality providers to offer branded “To Go” snacks. These include items like:
- Gluten-free energy balls
- Gluten-free granola packs
- Nut butter packs
- Fruit and nut bars
The product descriptions clearly state if something is gluten-free or contains gluten. For example, the energy balls and granola packs are gluten-free while some bars and baked products contain gluten.
When traveling, these pre-packaged snacks are a convenient way to get your deliciously Ella fix. Just always double check the label to verify it’s gluten-free.
Is deliciously Ella safe for those with celiac disease?
For those with celiac disease, an autoimmune reaction is triggered by even small amounts of gluten. Consuming gluten causes damage to the small intestine. So extra caution must be taken to avoid any cross-contamination.
Here are some tips for those with celiac following a deliciously Ella diet:
- Only eat certified gluten-free products verified under 20ppm gluten
- Avoid her bakeries and cafes where cross-contamination is likely
- Make recipes at home with gluten-free ingredients to limit errors
- Check products are made in a gluten-free facility
- Call or email brand customer service for manufacturing details
- Look for the Crossed Grain certification symbol
While Ella offers many gluten-free options, celiac patients need to take extra steps to stay safe due to the high sensitivity. Consuming her gluten-containing products could cause illness.
Deliciously Ella books
Ella has published several best-selling cookbooks over the years. Many recipes are gluten-free, but some books contain more gluten-free options than others.
Her cookbooks include:
- Deliciously Ella (2014)
- Deliciously Ella Every Day (2016)
- Deliciously Ella with Friends (2017)
- Deliciously Ella: The Plant-Based Cookbook (2018)
- Deliciously Ella Making Plant-Based Quick and Easy (2020)
The earlier books have fewer gluten-free recipes, while the newer releases focus more on gluten-free cooking. Her latest couple books use predominantly gluten-free ingredients and alternatives.
Check each book’s description to get an idea of how many recipes are gluten-free before purchasing. And as always, only make recipes clearly labeled gluten-free.
Key takeaways
Here are some key takeaways on eating deliciously Ella recipes gluten-free:
- Virtually all recipes labeled gluten-free on her website, app and books are safe
- Avoid any recipes using wheat flour, pasta, bread, oats etc. unless they’re gluten-free varieties
- Most packaged food products are labeled gluten-free or containing gluten
- Her cafes and bakeries have gluten-free options but are high risk for cross-contamination
- Celiacs need to take extra precautions due to high sensitivity
- Always check labels on any pre-packaged products
While not everything Ella makes is gluten-free, she provides endless delicious inspiration to create natural gluten-free meals. By taking some simple precautions, even those with celiac disease can safely enjoy her recipes.
Recipe ideas
Here are some delicious sample recipes from Ella that are naturally gluten-free:
Buckwheat pancakes
Fluffy gluten-free pancakes made with buckwheat flour. Top with fresh fruit and maple syrup.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup buckwheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 egg
- Coconut oil for frying
Instructions:
- Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- In a smaller bowl, mash the banana with a fork then mix in the milk and egg.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined.
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and grease with a little coconut oil.
- Pour about 1/4 cup batter per pancake. Cook until bubbles form on top then flip.
- Serve warm with desired toppings.
Quinoa tabbouleh salad
Fresh tabbouleh salad with quinoa instead of bulgur wheat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup chopped parsley
- 1 cup chopped mint
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the quinoa according to package directions.
- Chop fresh herbs, dice vegetables and add to a large bowl.
- Add cooked quinoa, lemon juice, olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix everything together until well combined.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.
Chickpea chocolate cake
Moist gluten-free chocolate cake made with chickpea flour.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chickpea flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 cup oat milk
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a round cake pan.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix the wet ingredients in a smaller bowl.
- Add wet to dry and stir just until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 35-40 minutes.
- Allow to cool before frosting and serving.
Conclusion
Ella Mills provides endless inspiration for fresh, natural and gluten-free recipes. While not everything under her deliciously Ella brand is gluten-free, she clearly labels recipes and products that are safe for a gluten-free diet.
By sticking to her recipes labeled gluten-free and taking precautions against cross-contamination, you can safely enjoy her delicious plant-based creations. With so many nourishing options to choose from, deliciously Ella makes eating gluten-free an absolute delight.
