Is Anything Gluten-Free from Starbucks? The 2025 Guide

Starbucks explicitly states that it cannot guarantee any hand-crafted beverage or unpackaged food is free from allergens like gluten due to shared equipment. So, is anything gluten-free from Starbucks for those with sensitivities? The answer is nuanced, requiring careful ordering and menu awareness.

Quick Summary

Starbucks offers some pre-packaged food and bottled drink options made without gluten ingredients. However, due to shared preparation spaces and equipment, cross-contamination is a significant risk for in-store prepared items, particularly blended drinks and anything from the bakery display.

Key Points

• Pre-packaged is Safest: The Marshmallow Dream Bar and bottled drinks are your lowest-risk options due to being factory-sealed.

• Shared Equipment Risk: All hand-crafted drinks and unpackaged foods risk cross-contamination from shared blenders, shakers, and ovens.

• Plain is Better: Simple drinks like plain brewed coffee, tea, and espresso-based lattes carry the lowest risk for prepared beverages.

• Avoid Certain Add-ins: Java chips, cookie crumbles, and some seasonal toppings contain gluten and should be avoided.

• Communicate with Baristas: Explicitly inform staff about your gluten-free needs and ask for sanitized equipment, especially for blended drinks.

• Check Labels: For any packaged item, always verify it is certified gluten-free, as options can vary by location.

• No Gluten-Free Sandwiches: Starbucks discontinued its only certified gluten-free sandwich in 2018, citing low sales.

• Know Your Sensitivity: For severe celiac disease, only packaged and bottled items are recommended due to the high risk of cross-contact in-store.

Navigating the Starbucks Menu for a Gluten-Free Diet

For those on a gluten-free diet, especially individuals with celiac disease, navigating restaurant menus can be a challenge. When it comes to Starbucks, the situation is complex due to their use of shared equipment and preparation areas. While the company offers a number of items that do not contain gluten ingredients, the risk of cross-contamination means that not everything is safe for everyone. By understanding the menu and making smart choices, you can still enjoy a treat at your favorite coffee shop.

The Safest Options: Sealed and Packaged Items

For individuals with a severe gluten intolerance or celiac disease, the safest bet at Starbucks is to stick with items that are sealed and pre-packaged. These products are manufactured off-site in controlled facilities, significantly reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

• The Marshmallow Dream Bar: This is often the only item in the bakery area that is specifically labeled gluten-free.
• Bottled Drinks: Many of the bottled and canned beverages found in the cold cases, such as Starbucks bottled Frappuccinos, Evolution Fresh juices, Ethos water, and Spindrift sparkling water, are gluten-free. Always double-check the label for a gluten-free certification.
• Packaged Snacks: Starbucks stocks a variety of other individually wrapped snacks that may be certified gluten-free, including KIND bars, Justin's peanut butter cups, and Hippeas chickpea puffs. Options vary by location, so checking the packaging is essential.
• Sous Vide Egg Bites: The egg bites are made without gluten-containing ingredients, but they are cooked in an environment where gluten is present, so a cross-contamination risk exists.

In-Store Prepared Drinks: Handle with Care

When it comes to hand-crafted beverages, the risk of cross-contamination is higher, but it can be mitigated with careful ordering. Most base ingredients, like plain coffee, espresso, and standard milks, are naturally gluten-free. The danger lies in shared equipment and specific flavored ingredients.

Here are some of the lower-risk, unflavored options:

• Plain brewed coffee
• Espresso shots
• Plain lattes and cappuccinos (made with standard milk)
• Plain teas (bagged, iced, or hot)
• Starbucks Refreshers (base ingredients are typically gluten-free)

Important Considerations for Drinks:

• Flavored Syrups: Most standard syrups like vanilla, mocha, and caramel are gluten-free. However, some seasonal syrups or drizzles may contain gluten, so always ask.
• Blended Drinks: Frappuccinos are considered high-risk due to shared blenders. Ingredients like Java Chips contain wheat flour and can contaminate the blender. Always request a clean, sanitized blender, or avoid blended drinks altogether if you are highly sensitive.
• Cold Foam: Certain non-dairy cold foams and special flavors may contain oats or other ingredients that are not certified gluten-free. Always ask for dairy cold foam or have the barista use a sanitized pitcher.
• Oat Milk: Starbucks uses certified gluten-free brands like Oatly or Dream, but brand availability can vary by location. It is best to confirm with the barista.

Comparison of Risk Levels

Item Category	Risk Level	Rationale
Sealed, Pre-packaged Snacks	Low	Manufactured in controlled environments and individually wrapped.
Plain Brewed Coffee	Low	No shared equipment used in preparation.
Bottled Beverages	Low	Bottled products are sealed and produced externally.
Plain Espressos/Lattes	Medium	Shared steam wands and cups present a small risk of cross-contact.
Flavored Drinks (Non-Blended)	Medium-High	Risk depends on syrup, ingredients, and potential cross-contact with other toppings.
Sous Vide Egg Bites	High	Heated in shared ovens with gluten-containing items, creating a significant cross-contamination risk.
Blended Frappuccinos	Highest	Shared blenders used for items with wheat-based chips and toppings.
Bakery Case Items	Highest	All unpackaged items in the display case are prepared in a non-gluten-free environment and are at high risk.

Expert Ordering Tips for Gluten-Free Customers

1. Be Explicit with the Barista: Inform the barista about your allergy or intolerance. While they are trained to handle allergens, making a specific request for a sanitized blender or shaker can reduce risk. For example, ask for your drink to be shaken directly in the cup instead of the shaker.
2. Stick to Simplicity: The more complex the drink, the higher the risk. Avoid seasonal drinks with specialty toppings or drizzles unless you can confirm every component is safe. These are often where hidden gluten resides.
3. Order from the App (and Follow Up): The Starbucks app provides ingredient information for most menu items, which is a great tool for initial screening. Add a note to your order requesting extra precautions for your gluten-free drink, such as sanitizing equipment.
4. Know Your Triggers: Some people are more sensitive than others. If your intolerance is severe (like with celiac disease), bottled and packaged goods are the only truly safe option. For milder sensitivities, assessing the risk of simple prepared drinks is a personal choice.
5. Look for Outbound Links: For official allergen statements and the latest menu information, always consult the Starbucks website. An official allergen statement was issued in 2018, emphasizing shared equipment.

The Discontinued Gluten-Free Sandwich

For a period, Starbucks did offer a certified gluten-free breakfast sandwich. However, it was discontinued in 2018 due to low sales, much to the disappointment of the gluten-free community. While CEO Brian Niccol has mentioned plans to expand protein and gluten-free offerings in the future, as of late 2025, there is no certified gluten-free sandwich on the menu.

Conclusion

In summary, while there is no official, company-wide certified gluten-free menu for in-store prepared items, it is still possible to find safe options. The safest choices for a gluten-free diet are sealed, pre-packaged goods like the Marshmallow Dream Bar, bottled beverages, and packaged snacks. For hand-crafted drinks, plain coffee, tea, and espresso-based beverages carry a lower risk, but caution regarding cross-contamination from shared equipment is necessary. By being informed, specific with your order, and aware of the risks, you can navigate the Starbucks menu successfully.

For the most up-to-date and authoritative information, always check the official Starbucks allergen statement.

How to Order Safely at Starbucks (Official Guide)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Starbucks egg bites gluten-free?

Starbucks' Sous Vide Egg Bites are made without gluten ingredients, but they are heated in the same ovens as gluten-containing items, posing a risk of cross-contamination.

Is Starbucks oat milk gluten-free?

Starbucks primarily uses certified gluten-free oat milk brands like Oatly or Dream. However, brand availability can fluctuate, so it's always best to confirm with your barista before ordering.

Is the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks gluten-free?

Yes, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is generally made with ingredients free of gluten. However, it is not certified gluten-free due to the risk of cross-contamination during preparation.

Does Starbucks still offer a gluten-free sandwich?

No, Starbucks discontinued its certified gluten-free breakfast sandwich in 2018 due to low sales. As of 2025, no sandwich options are guaranteed to be gluten-free.

Can I have a Frappuccino if I am gluten-free?

Most Frappuccinos are considered high-risk for cross-contamination because they are made in blenders that are also used for drinks containing wheat flour, like the Java Chip Frappuccino. Bottle-packaged Frappuccinos are a safer choice.

Which Starbucks snacks are safest for a gluten-free diet?

The safest snacks are those that come individually sealed and are labeled gluten-free, such as the Marshmallow Dream Bar, KIND bars, and Justin's peanut butter cups.

What is the risk of cross-contamination at Starbucks?

The risk is significant for any in-store prepared item because Starbucks uses shared equipment for storing, preparing, and serving, meaning gluten can be transferred from other products.