Gluten-Free Oreos
When you or a family member has specific gluten-free needs, it can be challenging to find tasty gluten-free snacks. So, what happens when some of your favorite treats happen to be one of the most loved and classic snack cookies out there: the Oreo?
After all, the original Oreo is the top-selling cookie in the world! The snack cookies are known for being vegan since the cookies do not contain any animal products.
Well, thankfully, Oreo introduced a gluten-free option to the market in January 201. Notably, the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America approved the cookies ingredients as safe for gluten-intolerant people.
Read on to find out more about gluten-free Oreos, and whether they taste the same!
What Does It Mean to be Gluten-Free?
Gluten is in grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye. Some people have allergies or sensitivities to gluten. For instance, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where gluten sparks immune system activity, damaging the small intestine lining and preventing the absorption of nutrients from food.
To help manage the symptoms of celiac disease or other gluten allergies, those diagnosed embark upon a gluten-free diet.
As more and more companies develop gluten-free options of everyday products, those who have celiac disease or other conditions can enjoy classic snacks that have in the past been strictly off-limits.
Are Gluten-Free Oreos Real?
Yes, gluten-free Oreos have been the real McCoy since January 2021! The packaging is easy to identify on grocery store shelves. The packaging is primarily white with blue highlights and a significant print at the top of the package that reads "gluten-free."
Once removed from the package, the actual cookie has an imprint that reads "gluten-free" above and below the Oreo logo that has been traditionally embossed on the snack cookie.
When compared visually, the gluten-free version has a negligibly less-shiny exterior. The gluten-free Oreo also has small holes intentionally poked into the cookie, seemingly to help with the baking process.
Are Gluten-Free Oreos Really Gluten-Free?
Yes, gluten-free Oreos are actually gluten-free (and are also kosher). The most substantial shift between traditional Oreos and gluten-free Oreos is that the gluten-free option is made with rice and oat flour instead of wheat.
The chocolate sandwich cookies are made with natural cocoa. Other ingredients in the gluten-free Oreos include sugar, white rice flour, palm oil, whole oat flour, baking soda, and soy. For three cookies, it is about 160 calories.
What's great is that the taste of the gluten-free Oreo is substantially similar to the traditional Oreo, so anyone with a gluten allergy can enjoy the same sweet and delicious cookie flavor!
The chocolate cookie has a nice crunch, and when dunked in milk, the gluten-free Oreo acts much like a traditional Oreo. What's great is that these gluten-free cookies have no additional or odd flavor or texture peculiarities.
What Oreos Are Gluten-Free?
Oreo has come a long way since the crème-filled sandwich cookie with two chocolate wafers filled with sweet crème was first introduced on March 6, 1912. Since then, the snack company has developed several Oreo varieties like double stuff, with two times the sweet crème, or seasonal options like lemon, mint, and birthday cake.
However, at this time, gluten-free Oreos are available in the traditional flavor combination of a chocolate cookie filled with sweet crème and the double-stuff Oreo variety. Of course, it is likely inevitable that variants will be added. These are Oreos, after all!
CVS, Target, and Walmart stock gluten-free versions of Oreos. If you are having trouble finding gluten-free Oreos, a few alternatives are available. For instance, Glutino chocolate vanilla crème can be found in Publix, Kroger, and Walmart stores.
Additionally, some specific stores have other replacements for Oreos, like Trader Joe's Joe Joes, a chocolate sandwich cookie. Notably, Trader Joe's version offers a seasonal peppermint version of the gluten-free "Joes."
How to Eat an Oreo?
Oreo commercials for years have articulated a particular way to enjoy their sandwich cookies. The Oreo team's tried-and-true approach is the "twist, lick, and dunk" method, meaning that Oreo eaters should twist the cookie halves apart, lick the layer of crème, then dunk the Oreo into some milk.
Compared with the traditional cookie, the gluten-free version can also be twisted, licked, and dunked! The gluten-free cookie is strong enough to be twisted apart, the crème tastes nearly identical, and milk penetrates both chocolate cookies evenly. Whether you follow the rules or not, a gluten-free Oreo is a perfect alternative for a traditional Oreo.
What's more, Oreos are iconically used in various dessert recipes, so now, with the inclusion of a gluten-free Oreo, other desserts are on the menu for people with gluten allergies. Try making Oreo cookie balls, chocolate-covered Oreos, or a no-bake Oreo cheesecake, all of which are completely gluten-free.
Do Gluten-Free Oreos Taste Different?
No, the gluten-free Oreos do not taste different than the traditional Oreos. When the two are compared side by side, the conventional Oreo seems to be a bit denser, but when twisted, licked, and dunked into milk, the two are nearly indistinguishable.
The two versions of Oreos even break and crumble in the same way, making the gluten-free Oreo an excellent option to use in various Oreo-based recipes.
Final Thoughts
Gluten-free Oreos are a fantastic choice for anyone with gluten sensitivities. The taste is substantially similar to traditional Oreos, and the crème filling is just as sweet and soft. Dunked in milk, the gluten-free Oreo holds up well, and for those who like extra confirmation, the cookie itself is emblazoned with the words "gluten-free."
It seems like only a matter of time before Nabisco explores other gluten-free Oreo flavors like their popular Golden Oreo or celebratory Birthday Cake flavor.
Oreo's are America's Favorite Cookie for a reason; the cookies are tasty, fun to eat, and easy to incorporate in various desserts. Now, a new section of society can enjoy the chocolatey, sweet goodness of an Oreo cookie. The culinary possibilities are hugely expanded by Nabisco's inclusion of a gluten-free Oreo cookie. Enjoy!