Does Gnocchi Have Gluten? (& GF Gnocchi Brands)

Gnocchi is a popular Italian favorite, that makes for a delicious meal. But can it safely be eaten on a gluten-free diet? We’ll be covering it all in this post.

What Is Gnocchi?

If you’re unfamiliar with gnocchi, it’s a type of dumpling from Italy (we also have a recipe for gluten-free rolled dumplings). They are usually small balls of dough with potato and other flavorings. Gnocchi has a soft texture, that almost has a mash potato-like filling. It often melts in your mouth. And is great paired with a sauce or dressing.

Gnocchi Ingredients List

The ingredients in gnocchi vary depending on what type of gnocchi you have, but the most common ingredients include:

• Potatoes
• Flour
• Egg
• Cheese

There are a few variations of gnocchi, with slightly different ingredients, including:

• Malfatti (flour, spinach and ricotta)
• Malloreddus (semolina flour and saffron – originates in Sardinia)
• Gnudi (flour and ricotta)
• Cavatelli (semolina flour)
• Strangolapreti (breadcrumbs and spinach)

Herbs and vegetables may be added, depending on how you like your gnocchi.

Is Gnocchi Gluten-Free?

According to The Gluten Free Bar, in short – the answer is no! With potatoes being the primary ingredient in gnocchi, you may think that this product is gluten-free (potatoes themselves are). However, as flour is used as a binder, gnocchi is not gluten-free. Therefore, unsafe to consume on a gluten-free diet. Wheat flour is the most common and as you’re probably aware, wheat is a no-go! Rye and barley also contain gluten, and regular oats are often cross-contaminated with wheat, so skip oats unless they’re labeled gluten-free. Grains like rice and corn are naturally gluten-free, which is why gluten-free gnocchi uses them.

Learn more about: Do Mashed Potatoes Have Gluten?

However, if you’re a gnocchi lover (like me), all hope is not lost. There are plenty of gluten-free options on the market. They’re even starting to make some gnocchi with GF flour on the regular shelves of the grocery stores. This makes life so much easier for us! Be sure to check any ingredients labels before purchasing. And always opt for brands that have a clear “gluten-free” label on display, as these are the safest options for us.

Gluten-Free Gnocchi

If you’re looking for some recommendations for gluten-free gnocchi, look no further! There are a plethora of options available, and you really can’t taste the difference between GF gnocchi and traditional wheat flour gnocchi. Here are some brands you may want to consider.

Caesar’s Kitchen

These Italian-style dumplings are certified gluten-free by GFCO and are sold in US grocery stores. Dress them with balsamic vinegar, oil, or a tomato-based sauce, and you’ll have a tasty meal. Certified gluten-free means an independent group (here, GFCO) checks and tests the product to a stricter standard than the FDA’s 20 ppm limit for a “gluten-free” label. The package notes it’s made in a facility that also processes wheat, with steps to keep ingredients separate.

The ingredients in this particular gnocchi are:

“Water, Potato Flakes, Rice Flour, Corn Flour, Corn Starch, Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Xanthan Gum, Olive Oil”

They’re also home to a range of other gluten-free products, so it’s definitely worth taking a look at Caesar’s Kitchen.

 

Schar

If you’ve been gluten-free for a while, you’ll probably already be familiar with Schar. They’re a worldwide gluten-free brand and home to some incredible products. I personally couldn’t live without Schar! Their Gnocchi di Patate (Frozen) is gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free. Check the package for other allergens; Schar’s European product page lists a possible soy trace.

The ingredients in the Schar gnocchi are:

“Potatoes, Water, Potato Starch, Maize Flour, Potato Flakes, Maize Starch, Vegetable Fiber, Rice Flour, Salt”

Difatti

Difatti is a great gluten-free option because they have a range of different flavors. That’s right – there’s not just plain gnocchi here, they have some really exciting flavors. Their flavor selection includes:

• Plain Gnocchi
• Pumpkin and Quinoa Gnocchi
• Tomato Gnocchi
• Spinach Gnocchi

They also have selection boxes, which are perfect for trying an assortment of flavors and other Italian products such as gluten-free pasta that they supply.

The ingredients in their plain gnocchi are:

“Rehydrated Potatoes, Potato Starch, Corn Flour, Corn Starch, Salt, Rice Flour, Lactic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Turmeric”

Their gnocchi is gluten-free; check the package for other allergens.

 

Gluten-Free Gnocchi Recipe

If you’re looking to make your own soft pillowy dumpling, you certainly won’t regret it. Homemade gnocchi is incredible and definitely worth the effort it requires. Gluten-Free on a Shoestring has an amazing Gluten-Free Potato Gnocchi recipe, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, since the potatoes are baked first.

For these tender Italian dumplings, you’ll need:

• Russet Potatoes
• Unsalted Butter
• Salt
• All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
• Xanthan Gum
• Sauce and Cheese (optional)

Some people prefer to make their own as they feel it’s the safest option, and if that’s you – that’s completely understandable. And there are so many amazing gluten-free gnocchi recipes available.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to become more familiar with some gluten-free gnocchi brands and answered the question of whether gnocchi contains gluten. For more gluten-free pasta ideas, see our gluten-free ravioli post and our gluten-free noodles, rice and pasta hub. The list above is by no means extensive and is just a small section of what the gluten-free market has to offer. You’ll likely find several gluten-free gnocchi at your local grocery stores and often they may not even be in the gluten-free section – so be sure to shop around! You never know what you may find.