Is Almond Milk Gluten Free? (Get The Safe List!)

Almond milk has become one of the most loved plant-based kinds on the market in the blink of an eye. It’s a wonderful alternative to dairy products and can be used instead of milk in many applications. Many love the milk substitute just for its nutty taste! 

It can be used in baking, coffee, and sometimes in cooking. We know it is lactose-free, but does it fit a gluten-free diet? Is it safe for those with celiac disease? 

What Is Almond Milk?

Almonds originally come from the Middle East but have become popular worldwide. In the United States, they are primarily grown in California. The nut is toasted, ground up, and blended with filtered water to turn it into “milk.” Then, it is usually passed through a nut milk bag for a smoother end product. 

You may see some Almond milk packaging with “Almondmilk” as one word. This is a shortened term for filtered water and almonds, which is what plain almond milk stems from. 

It has a nutty taste but does not taste overwhelmingly like almonds. Unlike homemade almond milk, most manufacturers add vitamins and nutrients to boost the milk alternative’s nutritional value. 

Almond milk has become one of the most loved kinds of nut milk because it is great for those with food allergies and lactose intolerance. It doesn’t contain soy, lactose, gluten, etc. 

Remember that most store-bought almond milk brands have added sugar to give it a better flavor. If you want to avoid this, plenty of unsweetened almond milk brands exist. This dairy alternative is also relatively easy to make at home if you want to have more control over what goes into the almond milk. 

I primarily use almond milk in my baking. If you love to bake, be sure to see what baking ingredients are gluten free!

Answer: Is Almond Milk Gluten Free?

Good news! If you wonder if almond milk gluten free, regular almond milk is gluten-free! Almonds are naturally gluten-free; most manufacturers do not have cross-contamination issues with gluten. 

However, some flavored almond milk has gluten-containing additives. When buying flavored almond milk, please read the label carefully to ensure it’s a safe option. 

Most flavored almond milk is gluten-free, but it is better to be safe than sorry! Many almond milk brands also make coconut milk, so give the label a read if you have a coconut allergy. 

Almond milk is a suitable replacement if you don’t have a tree nut allergy. It’s available in almost all grocery stores, so you won’t have to worry about finding it either! 

Read here to see Is Coconut Milk Gluten Free.

What Are Gluten-Containing Additives? 

The additives in almond milk are not just for flavoring or nutrients. Many are added to give the milk a more palatable texture. These additives are the ones that tend to have gluten in them. 

According to SF Gate’s article “Additives That Have Gluten,” some familiar names are on the label. “flour, emulsifier, food starch, modified food starch, dextrin, maltodextrin, and vegetable gum.” In the U.S., manufacturers must declare if maltodextrin is made with wheat. (It is typically made from corn.) Vegetable gum is another ingredient that should be gluten free, but must be declared if it is made from wheat, barley, or rye.

Not all of these texture additives have gluten, as some come from corn and rice. In addition, some almond milk manufacturers’ websites have “smart labels” that explain where their additives derive from – Almond Breeze being one. Check out the manufacturer's website to learn more about the additives added to almond milk.  

Read about all of the types of plant milk to know which are gluten free.

Read on to see Is Soy Milk Gluten Free. If you want to try making homemade almond milk, here are a couple of recipes to try!

• This simple almond milk recipe is really easy to make.