Top Brands of Gluten-Free Pudding

Celiac.com 02/19/2022 - We get a lot of questions from the celiac community about whether certain pudding brands and mixes are gluten-free. We previously covered Jell-O Instant Pudding as generally gluten-safe.

More recently, readers have been asking about specific pudding brands and flavors, and which ones are safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. This updated guide reviews popular brands, notes any important exceptions, and reminds you where you still need to double-check labels.

Important Note Before You Buy

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Recipes and ingredient lists can change at any time. This guide is based on products that do not list wheat, barley, rye, or malt ingredients. Always read the package label yourself before consuming, and contact the manufacturer if you are unsure.

Jell-O Pudding (Kraft Heinz)

Most Jell-O pudding mixes are considered naturally gluten-free because they do not contain wheat, barley, or rye ingredients. However, there is one important exception, so please read this section carefully.

Gluten-Free Jell-O Instant Pudding Flavors

The following Jell-O instant pudding flavors do not list gluten ingredients:

• Banana Cream Instant Pudding
• Butterscotch Instant Pudding
• Chocolate Instant Pudding
• Chocolate Fudge Instant Pudding
• Coconut Cream Instant Pudding
• Devil's Food Instant Pudding
• French Vanilla Instant Pudding
• Lemon Instant Pudding
• Pistachio Instant Pudding
• Pumpkin Spice Instant Pudding (seasonal)
• Strawberry Crème Instant Pudding (discontinued in many areas, but gluten-free when available)
• Vanilla Instant Pudding
• White Chocolate Instant Pudding

Gluten-Free Jell-O Sugar-Free and Fat-Free Instant Puddings

These sugar-free or sugar-free/fat-free instant puddings do not contain gluten ingredients:

• Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Banana Instant Pudding
• Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Butterscotch Instant Pudding
• Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Chocolate Instant Pudding
• Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Chocolate Fudge Instant Pudding
• Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Lemon Instant Pudding
• Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Pistachio Instant Pudding
• Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Vanilla Instant Pudding
• Sugar-Free/Fat-Free White Chocolate Instant Pudding
• Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Cheesecake Instant Pudding (no barley; considered gluten-free)

Gluten-Free Jell-O Cook & Serve Puddings

These Jell-O Cook & Serve puddings do not list any gluten ingredients:

• Banana Cream Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling
• Butterscotch Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling
• Chocolate Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling
• Chocolate Fudge Cook & Serve Pudding
• Coconut Cream Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling
• Lemon Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling
• Tapioca Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling
• Vanilla Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling

As always, check the label each time you buy. Limited-time or region-specific flavors may not be covered here, and recipes can be updated by the manufacturer.

Important Exception: Jell-O Instant Cheesecake Pudding & Pie Filling Contains Gluten

Jell-O Instant Cheesecake Pudding & Pie Filling contains barley in its flavoring ingredients and is not gluten-free and not safe for people with celiac disease. It is the only Jell-O pudding product in this list that is known to contain barley or other gluten ingredients. If you want a cheesecake-style pudding, choose the Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Cheesecake flavor instead, which does not contain barley.

Kozy Shack

Kozy Shack clearly labels its gluten-free products. Their classic refrigerated puddings are widely available and popular with people who avoid gluten.

The following Kozy Shack puddings are labeled gluten-free:

• Original Recipe Rice Pudding
• Tapioca Pudding
• Chocolate Pudding

Always look for the gluten-free statement on the cup or carton, especially if new flavors or seasonal products appear.

Mom's Place

Mom's Place is a dedicated gluten-free brand, which makes it a reassuring choice for people with celiac disease. All of their products are formulated to be gluten-free.

Gluten-free pudding mixes from Mom's Place include:

• Mom's Place Chocolate Pudding
• Mom's Place Vanilla Pudding

Because the brand focuses on gluten-free foods, cross-contact risk is typically lower than with conventional brands, but you should still read labels and check for any advisory statements if you are highly sensitive.

Organics Instant Pudding (European Gourmet Bakery / Organics)

Organics Instant Pudding (sometimes sold as European Gourmet Bakery Organics) offers simple pudding mixes made without gluten ingredients.

The following are commonly available gluten-free flavors:

• Organics Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
• Organics Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix

These mixes are often organic as well, which can appeal to shoppers who want both organic and gluten-free options. As always, confirm ingredient lists at purchase time.

Simply Delish

Simply Delish makes gluten-free instant puddings that are also free from several other common allergens. They are a popular choice for people on restricted diets.

Gluten-free Simply Delish puddings include:

• Simply Delish Banana Instant Pudding
• Simply Delish Chocolate Instant Pudding
• Simply Delish Strawberry Instant Pudding
• Simply Delish Vanilla Instant Pudding

These products are typically labeled gluten-free on the package, which makes them easy to identify on store shelves.

Simple Mixes

Simple Mixes offers gluten-free pudding mixes with a short ingredient list and straightforward flavors.

Gluten-free pudding flavors from Simple Mixes include:

• Simple Mixes Butterscotch Pudding
• Simple Mixes Chocolate Pudding
• Simple Mixes Vanilla Pudding

As with all smaller brands, availability may vary by region or retailer, so check packaging for gluten-free labeling and allergen statements.

Snack Pack Pudding Cups

Snack Pack refrigerated or shelf-stable pudding cups are a convenient option, especially for school lunches and quick snacks. Many Snack Pack puddings are labeled gluten-free.

Common gluten-free Snack Pack pudding cup flavors include:

• Snack Pack Butterscotch Pudding Cups
• Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding Cups
• Snack Pack Dragon Treasure Flavored Pudding Cups
• Snack Pack Vanilla Pudding Cups

Double-check any specialty or limited-edition flavors, and be sure the package still carries a gluten-free statement when you buy.

Sun Tropics

Sun Tropics makes coconut milk rice pudding snacks that are naturally gluten-free and often dairy-free as well, which can be a great option for people with multiple food sensitivities.

These Sun Tropics coconut milk rice pudding snacks are gluten-free:

• Sun Tropics Coconut Milk Rice Pudding Snack, Chocolate
• Sun Tropics Coconut Milk Rice Pudding Snack, Cinnamon
• Sun Tropics Coconut Milk Rice Pudding Snack, Original
• Sun Tropics Coconut Milk Rice Pudding Snack, Salted Caramel

Because these products are ready-to-eat and sold chilled or shelf-stable, they can be a good quick dessert option for people with celiac disease.

Final Thoughts: Staying Safe with Pudding Products

Pudding can be an easy and comforting dessert for people with celiac disease, but only when the ingredients are safe. The good news is that many major pudding brands offer gluten-free options, and several specialty brands are dedicated to gluten-free production.

The key points to remember:

• Most Jell-O pudding flavors are gluten-free, but Jell-O Instant Cheesecake Pudding & Pie Filling is not because it contains barley.
• Kozy Shack, Mom's Place, Simply Delish, Simple Mixes, Organics Instant Pudding, Snack Pack cups, and Sun Tropics all offer gluten-free pudding options.
• Always read labels, even on products you have safely used before, because ingredients and manufacturing practices can change.

With careful label reading and a bit of brand knowledge, people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can safely enjoy a wide variety of pudding flavors without risking gluten exposure.