We all love to pop into Starbucks for a delicious latte and a treat once in a while, right? But if you’re Celiac, what options do you have for that snack? Does Starbucks actually even carry gluten free baked goods?
Can I get gluten free goodies at Starbucks?
There are a few options at Starbucks that are gluten free, but to be honest there aren’t all that many. Sure, there are a ton of delicious drinks you can get at Starbucks that are gluten free, such as most of their lattes and frappuccinos. (Be careful to research the exact drink you want to order before you do, however. Some of their Fraps in particular DO contain gluten.) But, what about muffins and buns and squares? Or even a pastry or two?
Sadly, the food options for Celiacs and those with a gluten allergy or intolerance are pretty limited at Starbucks. I usually opt for the Marshmallow Dream bar – basically a posher version of a Rice Krispies square. It’s gooier than a regular Rice Krispies square, because there are a greater quantity of marshmallows. Yum! And it is clearly marked as GLUTEN FREE, and is wrapped so there are no issues of cross contamination either.
But, as far as muffins or pastries – well, Starbucks only carries the regular varieties that are filled with wheat flour, and therefore gluten as well. Sorry to tell you that. They do carry their spinach egg white egg bites OR the Gruyere and Bacon Egg Bites. They are technically gluten free, but because of how they are heated in-store, they cannot be guaranteed to be gluten free due to issues of cross contamination.
Is there gluten free food at Starbucks?
Sadly, there aren’t too many gluten free food options at Starbucks. Drinks, yes! Food, not so much. The Marshmallow Dream bar – an ooey, gooey more marshallow-y version of a Rice Krispies square – is definitely gluten free, and the one option that is labelled gluten free. It has no issues of cross contamination, because it is wrapped separately and won’t come into contact with other items that do contain gluten.
The Egg Bites are technically gluten free, but only if they can be prepared in a way that is not in contact with other food items that contain gluten. Because of those possible cross contamination issues, they definitely cannot be determined to be safe for those with Celiac disease.
If you hear of new items coming to Starbucks that ARE gluten free, please leave a comment for us!