Does Hy-Vee Bakery Have Gluten-Free Cupcakes? A Complete Guide

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

While Hy-Vee's in-store bakery does not offer certified gluten-free cupcakes due to shared equipment and cross-contamination risks, the store provides excellent alternatives for those on a gluten-free diet. Shoppers can find several certified options from trusted brands in the dedicated HealthMarket or frozen dessert aisles.

Quick Summary

Hy-Vee's in-house bakery does not make certified gluten-free cupcakes, but the store stocks a variety of third-party certified, pre-packaged options in its HealthMarket section.

Key Points

No Certified In-Store Bakery Cupcakes: The main Hy-Vee bakery does not produce certified gluten-free cupcakes due to the high risk of cross-contamination from wheat flour.
Find Certified Options in the HealthMarket: Hy-Vee carries several brands of pre-packaged, certified gluten-free cupcakes and desserts, typically found in the HealthMarket or frozen food aisles.
Explore Pre-packaged Brands: Look for third-party certified products from brands like Katz, Gluten Free Nation, and Emily Kate's, which are stocked in many Hy-Vee locations.
DIY with Good Graces Mixes: Hy-Vee's private label, Good Graces, offers gluten-free baking mixes for easy and safe at-home cupcake baking.
Consult a Hy-Vee Dietitian: For personalized dietary guidance and help locating products, utilize the in-store or virtual dietitian services offered by Hy-Vee.

Sourcing Certified Gluten-Free Cupcakes at Hy-Vee

For anyone with Celiac disease, a gluten allergy, or a serious sensitivity, the standard in-store Hy-Vee bakery is not a safe source for cupcakes. The baked goods are produced in a facility that uses wheat flour, which poses a significant risk of cross-contamination. However, Hy-Vee recognizes this dietary need and offers a strong selection of safe, certified alternatives throughout the store, especially within the HealthMarket and Aisles Online sections.

Certified Pre-packaged Options in the HealthMarket

Hy-Vee partners with a variety of specialized gluten-free brands to offer safe dessert choices. These products are typically found in the HealthMarket section or the frozen dessert aisle, clearly labeled with gluten-free certification logos. Some common brands carried include:

Katz: This company specializes in gluten-free products and offers options like Chocolate Creme Filled Cupcakes, which can often be found at Hy-Vee.
Gluten Free Nation: For certified options like Carrot Cake Cupcakes, Gluten Free Nation is a brand Hy-Vee often carries.
Emily Kate's: Another reliable source for certified gluten-free products, offering items like Chocolate Cupcakes through Hy-Vee's Aisles Online service.
Queen Marie: This brand sometimes provides specialized cupcakes, such as Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Cupcakes.

Bake Your Own: Hy-Vee's DIY Options

If you prefer to bake fresh cupcakes at home, Hy-Vee provides an array of gluten-free ingredients and mixes to get the job done easily and safely. You can ensure there is no cross-contamination by controlling the preparation process in your own kitchen.

Ingredient Spotlight: Good Graces Baking Mixes

Hy-Vee’s exclusive brand, Good Graces, offers a line of gluten-free baking mixes, including cake mixes perfect for making cupcakes.
These mixes simplify the baking process, requiring only a few pantry staples like eggs, oil, and water.
You can also find Hy-Vee recipes online that utilize these mixes for delicious and safe creations, such as Gluten-Free Fall Pumpkin Cupcakes.

Why The In-Store Bakery is Not Gluten-Free Safe

For those with Celiac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can cause a severe reaction. The shared equipment and flour dust in a conventional bakery environment make it impossible to guarantee a product is truly gluten-free. Hy-Vee explicitly warns of this in its allergen disclaimers, noting that their private label gluten-free lists should not be a substitute for independent verification, and cross-contamination is a risk in food service areas. For this reason, the bakery itself cannot accommodate special gluten-free orders with a guarantee of no contamination.

Consult a Hy-Vee Dietitian for Personal Guidance

Hy-Vee offers a unique and valuable service for shoppers with dietary restrictions: access to store dietitians. You can meet with a registered dietitian, either virtually or in-store, for expert advice on navigating the store's offerings. They can help you locate the certified gluten-free products and provide safe recommendations.

Sourcing Your Gluten-Free Cupcakes at Hy-Vee


Feature	In-Store Bakery (Not Safe)	HealthMarket / Aisles Online (Safe)	DIY (Using Hy-Vee Products)
Availability	Not available	Good availability of pre-packaged options	Excellent, depends on ingredients in stock
Cross-Contamination Risk	High	None (certified products)	None (in controlled kitchen)
Convenience	N/A	High (grab-and-go)	Requires baking time
Customization	N/A	Limited to brand offerings	High (flavor, frosting, decoration)
Certification	No	Yes (third-party certified)	N/A (personal process)

Conclusion

In summary, while the Hy-Vee in-house bakery does not produce certified gluten-free cupcakes, the grocery store provides safe and delicious alternatives for those with gluten sensitivities. By heading to the HealthMarket for certified pre-packaged cupcakes from brands like Katz and Gluten Free Nation, or by using Hy-Vee's own Good Graces baking mixes to create fresh treats at home, you can satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your health. Always consult the packaging for certification, and consider leveraging the expertise of a Hy-Vee dietitian for personalized shopping guidance. You can learn more about managing allergies and finding gluten-free products on the Hy-Vee website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot special order certified gluten-free cupcakes from the in-house Hy-Vee bakery. Due to the high risk of cross-contamination with wheat flour, the bakery cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free product.

You can find certified gluten-free cupcakes and other baked goods in Hy-Vee's dedicated HealthMarket section or in the frozen dessert aisles. These are typically pre-packaged products from external brands.

Hy-Vee typically carries third-party certified gluten-free brands such as Katz, Gluten Free Nation, Emily Kate's, and Queen Marie. Availability may vary by location.

Yes, Hy-Vee's Good Graces gluten-free baking mixes are a safe and reliable option for making cupcakes at home. By controlling your own kitchen environment, you eliminate the risk of cross-contamination found in the store bakery.

No, it is not safe to consume baked goods from the standard Hy-Vee bakery if you have Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. The environment and shared equipment lead to a high risk of cross-contamination.

Yes, Hy-Vee offers store dietitians who can provide guidance on finding certified gluten-free products and other items that meet special dietary needs.

Hy-Vee provides general nutrition and allergen information on its website, but they emphasize that these lists should not replace careful examination of product ingredients, especially in areas with potential cross-contamination.