Wondering what Trader Joe's has for gluten-free products?
This is a great place to shop if you have celiac disease.
In this post, I'm breaking down some of the top gluten-free items on the shelves (and ones that should definitely be in your shopping cart!)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure page for more information. Thanks! Post last updated January 2025.
About This Trader Joe's Blog Post
How much do I love Trader Joe's? Let me count the ways...
In all seriousness, most people are big fans of Trader Joe's. They have a fantastic collection of great produce, meats, drinks, cheeses, and snacks. Their prices are somewhat reasonable (not as great as Aldi!) but still reasonable, and their seasonal items in the fall are always exciting to see on the shelves. Plus, you can't beat the flower selection and the friendly staff.
And if you have celiac disease like I do, Trader Joe's boasts a wonderful array of gluten-free products.
In this post, I've put together some of the best gluten-free products available at Trader Joe's. While you can always get fresh fruits, veggies, flowers, meats, cheese, and regular pantry items at Trader Joe's, this post isn't going to focus on that. Instead, I'm going to highlight how Trader Joe's handles their gluten-free products, which ones are popular and worth purchasing, and some bonus holiday items too.
If you don't shop at Trader Joe's, this post might tempt you to try them out. Especially in the fall when gluten-free pumpkin products like ravioli and bagels arrive!
About Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's was started in Pasadena, California by a man named Joe Coulombe. Coulombe was a convenience store owner struggling to maintain his business. At the time, he decided to branch out into a different kind of grocery store market and clientele in the late 1960s. While the original store sold more than just food, including items like magazines and books, they eventually expanded. By the early 1970s, Coulombe was able to capitalize on the health food movement to increase his profits, as well as focus on importing products like wine, cheese, and granola.
In the late 1970s, the brand evolved into what we see today. Coulombe sold his stores to Theo Albrecht, one of the Aldi grocery store owners in Europe. In the 1980s more stores were added in California, and by the 1990s, they expanded to the east coast. Today, there are hundreds of Trader Joe's all over the United States.
Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Policy
Trader Joe's states its gluten-free policy on its website in its FAQs. They follow the same guidelines as the FDA regarding labeling something gluten-free. Here's a screenshot of it for your reference:
This is different from Aldi's "Live G-Free" line which is certified gluten-free and tests for a lower level of PPM.
Additionally, there are probably other items at Trader Joe's that do not specifically contain gluten ingredients, but are not labeled "Gluten-free". It's up to you to eat what you feel comfortable with and read labels.
What About Oats?
Oats are a hotly debated topic in the celiac community. As mentioned above, Trader Joe's labels products gluten-free that are 20 PPM or less of gluten. However, many of their gluten-free products do contain oats or oat flour, which can be problematic for celiacs.
Recently, Trader Joe's oats have been reported by Gluten-Free Watchdog as having high levels of gluten after testing - much higher than the 20 PPM threshold. You, of course, can decide for yourself regarding eating oats or not with celiac disease. Here is the most recent report about the testing done by Gluten-Free Watchdog regarding Trader Joe's oats in November 2024. Please be aware and only do what is best for your health.
Trader Joe's Brochure
If you didn't know, there's a free online brochure called the "Fearless Flyer" which they put out every month on the TJ's website. Basically, it shares any new products they have in rotation, including snacks, meats, alcohol, and packaged items, it also will include recipe links in there too of how to use their products for a meal.
You can check the latest Fearless Flyer right here.
Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Products
It goes without saying that TJ's has a great selection of fresh produce, including organic produce at a reasonable price. As I mentioned, I'm going to focus on the packaged gluten-free products so you know what's available and what's worth buying that is gluten-free. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins are naturally gluten-free, so you won't see me talking about those here.
And again, as a reminder, if you don't feel comfortable eating the gluten-free products, then don't! Use your best judgment and only eat what you are okay with eating. Personally, I have never had an issue with any TJ's gluten-free products, but every celiac is different and we all have different sensitivities. Many celiacs are not comfortable eating oat products from Trader Joe's and I completely understand. Eat what is right for you.
You may also find that your Trader Joe's doesn't carry all of these products. Feel free to talk to one of the TJ's workers who are SUPER friendly to see if they can order some for you!
Breads, Pasta, & Cookies
Bread, Buns, Bagels, & English Muffins
The breads at Trader Joe's are fresh, not frozen! They can be found on the shelves in the bread aisle and there are an array of options. While not the largest loaves of bread, they have good texture, taste, and price (less than $5 a loaf).
From sandwich bread to hamburger buns & hot dog rolls, to bagels and English muffins, TJ's does a great job in the bread department. My personal favorite is their English muffins - they taste the closest to the real deal as I remember! These work great for making egg sandwiches.
Their Almost Everything bagels are also fantastic, and of course, the pumpkin ones in the fall too (though they changed the recipe of the bagels and they aren't as good as they used to be.)
Note: Please be aware there was a fearmongering post in the summer of 2024 by an activist group called Moms Across America which reportedly tested Trader Joe's Almost Everything Bagels and found them to be way over the 20 PPM limit. This data has been challenged and tested by a more reputable, research-backed resource aka Tricia Thompson of Gluten-Free Watchdog as a false positive. You can read more about her findings in this Facebook post, and educate yourself about the MAA group's anti-science rhetoric & agenda here.
Gluten-Free Pastas
Trader Joe's also has a wide variety of gluten-free pastas, including both refrigerated pasta and dried pasta.
Refrigerated Pastas
Rumor has it the refrigerated ravioli & fresh pasta from Trader Joe's is actually Taste Republic's pasta rebranded, but I don't have an official confirmation on that. However, they taste super similar and this is a very common practice at TJ's! They both cook in 2-3 minutes and have great texture. Perfect for fettuccine alfredo, ravioli with sauce, or a butter and sage combo.
Dried Pastas
A reason Trader Joe's has such a good reputation for gluten-free products is the pantry staples (like bread and pasta) boast a lot of variety. Their dried pastas are not the traditional grains of just corn or white rice. They have gluten-free pasta made from red lentils, brown rice, quinoa, and even hearts of palm.
Additionally, last fall (2023) they released a special corn/rice blend of tagliatelle which is fantastic! It's cheaper than the Jovial brand - not as thick, but still gives you the larger pasta shape perfect for twirling in tomato sauce with some meatballs.
Gluten-Free Muffins
These muffins have a big hype around them, and for good reason. The cinnamon coffee cake muffins are the clear favorite among the celiac community. You can find these in the bakery/baked goods section of Trader Joe's stores. And as of July 2024, some celiacs have reportedly seen blueberry gluten-free muffins too! I spotted them in August of 2024:
Gluten-Free Cupcakes
These are such a great option for birthdays, parties, and even work events! They are small, not too sweet, and super tasty.
Gluten-Free Flour Blend
NEW Fall 2024: I've never seen this product before but what a great option! 1:1 gluten-free flours are not the same since their ingredients and components are all different, but this is a handy option to have, especially if you do all of your shopping at TJ's.
Gluten-Free Cookies
There's no shortage of gluten-free cookies at Trader Joe's. From pre-packaged oatmeal and chocolate chunk cookies to their version of Oreos, Snickerdoodles (again, most likely another product rebrand, this time, Enjoy Life), even sun butter cookies, and the madeleines too!
You can also try their soft-baked cookies that come in the refrigerated section and bake in just 15 minutes. I liked them but found them to be super soft.
Donut Holes
These are so good, I couldn't stop eating them! Originally launched in early 2024 (I was having my baby and missed them) but these have recently as of Summer 2024 been relaunched in Trader Joe's. They are gluten and dairy-free chocolate donut holes that taste as close to Dunkin Donuts munchkins as I remember eating as a child. Small, sweet, and addictive.
Pantry Staples
Gluten-Free Baking Mixes
Back before gluten-free products were all over your supermarket, Trader Joe's was the #1 place I went grocery shopping because they actually had options! They had some of the best baking mixes 10-15 years ago, including their pancake mix and brownie mix. Today they even offer an ube mochi pancake & waffle mix, and a falafel mix.
Coconut Aminos
So tasty! An alternative to soy sauce if you can't do soy that still tastes remarkably similar! I've used it to make gluten-free fried rice or broccoli scallion noodles.
Broths & Soups
The soup selection at Trader Joe's also has lots of gluten-free options. Most of the broths are labeled gluten-free, and many of the soups are too. This is a tasty option when the cooler weather arrives - their tomato and butternut squash soups are cozy and comforting.
Spices & Seasonings
Spices used to be a really big topic of fearmongering in the celiac community, but in recent years it has gone down. Here's a great recap from Beyond Celiac on what to look for:
These spice mixes of Everything But the Elote and Everything but the Bagel seasonings do not have any gluten added to them. While not explicitly labeled gluten-free, they do not have any gluten-containing ingredients and are just spices. My husband loves the Elote seasoning for an extra kick in rice bowls, and I love the bagel seasoning on avocado toast.
Wraps, Crusts, & Taco Shells
Besides the gluten-free breads I mentioned earlier in this post, Trader Joe's also has wraps, crusts, and shells that are gluten-free too. They offer a cauliflower pizza crust as well as soft pizza dough, egg-based wraps, and hard taco shells.
Frozen Foods
The freezer chests at Trader Joe's have some of the best variety and selection if you eat gluten-free!
Frozen Breakfast Items
The freezer section of Trader Joe's has quite the supply of frozen gluten-free items, especially in the breakfast department. I've been a fan of Trader Joe's gluten-free frozen pancakes since around 2012. They cook quickly in the microwave for fluffy pancakes. The waffles also toast nicely and have a good texture.
And speaking of breakfast, as of July 2024 I also discovered this other breakfast item!
They heat up in the microwave in less than 2 minutes and were quite decent! Definitely a good "just in case" breakfast to have on hand if you are in a hurry and need something with protein. This was in the refrigerated section of the store, however, and not the frozen section.
Cauliflower Gnocchi
THE BEST! This gnocchi is one of my beloved favorites at Trader Joe's because it's seriously so yummy. It takes about 10-12 minutes to prepare on the stovetop and you have crispy yet soft gnocchi which are gluten-free and vegan. The cauliflower taste isn't overpowering either, which makes it even more of a winner. This is perfect for sheet pan dinners with protein and veggies too!
Mini Tacos
Another fun find from the freezer section - tacos! These mini chicken tacos are great for parties or get-togethers, and especially for watching the big game.
Brazilian Cheese Bread
Brazilian cheese bread, or pão de queijo in Portuguese, is a naturally gluten-free pillowy soft bread that is filled with cheese and baked in the oven. A travel-inspired recipe for sure! Many brands out there offer these little cheese bread balls that use tapioca flour, and Trader Joe's is one of them. While not my favorite version of these tasty snacks, they are still quite good, and bake in the oven in less than 20 minutes. Highly recommend!
Gluten-Free Breaded Shrimp
I'm not a shrimp person but SO many of my clients inside the Confident Celiac Community have raved about this product! They said it's an easy choice for tacos or rice bowls to make a quick dinner. If I was a bigger seafood fan, I'd probably agree!
Ice Cream
Again, the frozen section at Trader Joe's really has a lot of gluten-free labeled items, including these mochi ice creams and non-dairy chocolate fudge bars.
Charcuterie
Cold Cuts
If you are looking to put together a gluten-free charcuterie board, Trader Joe's has a HUGE selection of meats. The cold cuts are pre-packaged and most of them have the gluten-free label as well. They also have internationally inspired meats like prosciutto from Italy and jamón from Spain.
Cheeses
Oh my goodness, the cheeses at Trader Joe's are next-level. Since most cheeses are naturally gluten-free, there isn't much to worry about here. Soft and hard cheeses, French, Italian, and Spanish cheeses - there are so many yummy choices here. And again, a great option for a gluten-free charcuterie board. (Never made one? Check out my idea here to get inspired.)
Snacks
The snack aisle at Trader Joe's is dangerous.
While I'm not a big popcorn fan unless I'm watching a movie, there are lots of fun & flavorful popcorn options, most of which have gluten-free labels. Their puffs are also quite good, and very similar to the Pirates Booty puffs if you have had those (which are also gluten-free.)
Move over popcorn, gimme the tortilla chips!
These are my favorite things to grab from the snack aisle, along with some pico de Gallo or guacamole. Please note, that there are many dips available in the refrigerated section of Trader Joe's, but not all are specifically labeled gluten-free. Many of them will just list the ingredients along with a "Contains ____" for any allergens. It's up to you to be comfortable with label reading and what you are okay with consuming. Personally, if a container of salsa just has tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime, I am okay with eating that without it specifically saying gluten-free.
The snack aisle is packed with options, many of which I still haven't even tried yet! These were a few new ones I saw on a recent Trader Joe's trip that were all gluten-free.
Granola
Since oats are a tricky topic in the celiac community, this grain-free granola that is labeled gluten-free is a great option based on nuts and seeds. This one is vegan too. Perfect with some yogurt of your choice and berries!
Alcohol & Drinks
Trader Joe's wine and alcohol selection is small but reasonably priced with a few gluten-free favorites like hard ciders. Since I live in New England, specifically, the Boston area, we get a lot of Downeast cider in our Trader Joe's. But I've also seen High Noon seltzers, some liquors, beer, and of course, wine. Out of those, usually, just the seltzers and wine are the gluten-free options, and it's up to you to read the labels accordingly.
Fruit & Bars
Do you ever get sucked in by the chocolates, dried fruit, or fruit bars at the checkout line of Trader Joe's?
Me too. They know how to get you when you're super hungry!
Their dried fruits make awesome snacks, the fruit bars remind me of fruit by the foot, and you can never go wrong with chocolate. Most of these items are naturally gluten-free or contain a gluten-free label, like these dried fruit bars.
Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Fall Items
The fall season is a really fun time for celiacs at Trader Joe's because the fall products arrive! But a heads up, they only are on the shelves for a short time and tend to sell out rather quickly.
In recent years, Trader Joe's has offered gluten-free pumpkin pie spice bagels, pumpkin pancake mix, pumpkin bread, pumpkin ravioli, and even pumpkin streusel muffins.
I share more about these fall products and others to try in this blog post below! If you aren't sure that your local Trader Joe's has these items, call beforehand! They can let you know when the next shipment is arriving, if there are any on the shelves, and can even set some aside for you. The staff are always super helpful.
Final Thoughts on Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Products
Trader Joe's gluten-free selection is one of my favorites! I'm thankful this store has so many tasty options for us and continues to offer new gluten-free creations every year. As I explore and try more gluten-free Trader Joe's items, I will update this post.
Looking for more gluten-free product posts?
Check out this list of gluten-free products at Trader Joe's sister store: Aldi!
Discover which gluten-free pastas are worth buying in this comparison post!
Wondering about gluten-free sandwich breads? This post breaks down the most popular ones on the market besides TJ's.
Do you shop at Trader Joe's?
What's your favorite Trader Joe's gluten-free item?
Let me know in the comments!
Jennifer Hahn says
I know that blue cheese sometimes contains gluten depending on how it is made. I heard that all the blue cheese at TJ's is gluten free; is that true?
Jennifer Fitzpatrick says
Hi there! Most blue cheese is gluten-free. For more information about blue cheese, please check out this information from Beyond Celiac. Specific questions about Trader Joe's blue cheese I am unsure as I do not eat it, so I would read the label or contact them directly.