Pillsbury's Gluten-Free Doughs: What's Available Now?
In the past, Pillsbury delighted gluten-free consumers with a line of refrigerated, ready-to-use dough products. These included items like pie and pastry dough, chocolate chip cookie dough, and thin crust pizza dough. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, these products offered unparalleled convenience.
However, to the disappointment of many, Pillsbury has discontinued its line of gluten-free refrigerated doughs, including the popular pizza and pie crust dough. While these ready-made doughs are no longer on the market, Pillsbury still serves the gluten-free community by producing a number of baking mixes. Consumers can find gluten-free mixes for chocolate chip cookies, chocolate fudge brownies, classic yellow cake, and Funfetti cake and cupcakes. The brand also sells a versatile gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, giving bakers the freedom to create a wide variety of recipes from scratch.
Discontinued Gluten-Free Doughs
The discontinuation of Pillsbury's refrigerated gluten-free doughs, which came off the shelves around 2016, was a significant event for the gluten-free community. Many loyal customers, particularly those who relied on the easy-to-use pizza dough, have expressed disappointment online. This decision likely stemmed from market analysis, though it's still a point of contention for those who valued the convenience. The products included:
- Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough in tubs
- Refrigerated Pie and Pastry Dough in tubs
- Refrigerated Thin Crust Pizza Dough in tubs
Pillsbury's Current Gluten-Free Mixes and Flour
While the pre-made doughs are gone, the current Pillsbury gluten-free lineup is centered on easy-to-use baking mixes and a versatile flour blend. These products require home bakers to add wet ingredients but provide a certified gluten-free solution for various treats.
Gluten-Free Baking Mixes
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix: Ideal for fresh, warm cookies, this mix requires adding butter, water, and an egg.
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix with Chocolate Chips: A convenient option for rich, fudgy brownies.
- Classic Yellow Cake Mix: A reliable staple for creating cakes or cupcakes.
- Funfetti Gluten-Free Cake & Cupcake Mix: Perfect for special occasions and festive desserts.
Pillsbury's Gluten-Free Flour Blend For those who prefer baking from scratch, Pillsbury offers a "Best" Multi-Purpose Gluten Free Flour Blend. This product is a carefully balanced mix of rice flour, potato starch, pea fiber, and tapioca starch, along with xanthan gum to provide structure. It can be used as a 1:1 substitute for many traditional flour recipes, opening up a world of possibilities for gluten-free creations.
Alternatives to Pillsbury Dough
Since the refrigerated Pillsbury doughs are no longer available, many gluten-free consumers turn to alternative brands or DIY recipes.
DIY Gluten-Free Dough
Creating your own dough at home can be a rewarding process that guarantees freshness and ingredient control. Pillsbury's own baking website provides a recipe for a classic gluten-free pie crust using their gluten-free flour blend. Here are some general tips:
- Pizza Dough: A number of excellent recipes can be found online that use gluten-free all-purpose flour blends. Many add ingredients like psyllium husk powder to help with texture.
- Crescent Rolls: Although Pillsbury doesn't offer a gluten-free crescent roll, dedicated gluten-free blogs and recipe sites provide reliable copycat recipes using specialized flour blends like gfJules or King Arthur.
Other Brands
Several other brands offer a variety of gluten-free doughs and mixes. Look for these products in the refrigerated or frozen sections of natural food stores or larger supermarkets:
- Sweet Loren's: This brand offers a range of gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free edible cookie doughs that are also ready-to-bake.
- King Arthur Baking Company: Known for their quality, King Arthur provides a variety of gluten-free baking mixes, including a gluten-free cookie mix.
- Kinnikinnick: This brand specializes in gluten-free products and is a reliable source for many baked goods and mixes.
Comparison of Gluten-Free Dough Options
| Feature | Pillsbury (Discontinued Refrigerated Dough) | Pillsbury (Current Mixes & Flour) | Third-Party GF Brands (e.g., Sweet Loren's) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form | Ready-to-use, refrigerated tubs | Dry mixes and flour blend | Refrigerated doughs and dry mixes |
| Convenience | Very high (no mixing required) | Medium (requires adding wet ingredients) | High (ready-to-bake dough available) |
| Product Types | Pizza, pie, cookies | Mixes for cakes, brownies, and cookies; all-purpose flour | Pizza doughs, pie crusts, cookie doughs |
| Texture | Generally reliable, product-specific | Varies based on recipe and mix type | Can vary significantly by brand and product |
| Availability | No longer available | Widely available in most supermarkets | Varies by retailer and region |
| Control | Low (pre-mixed) | High (you add fresh ingredients) | Medium (brands like Sweet Loren's offer some ready-to-bake options) |
Conclusion
In summary, while the answer to "Is there gluten free Pillsbury dough?" is complicated, it ultimately depends on the specific product. The ready-to-bake refrigerated doughs that were once a convenient solution for gluten-free bakers are no longer manufactured. However, Pillsbury continues to provide reliable, certified gluten-free alternatives in the form of easy-to-use baking mixes for desserts and a versatile all-purpose flour blend for scratch baking. For those seeking ready-made refrigerated doughs for pizza or pie crusts, exploring other brands or making a DIY version at home is the best path forward.
