What Ice Creams Are Gluten-Free? Your Guide to Safe Scoops

November 17, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Beyond Celiac, approximately 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease, yet many more suffer from gluten sensitivity, making the simple pleasure of ice cream a potential risk. Navigating the frozen aisle to find out what ice creams are gluten-free can be tricky, as hidden ingredients and cross-contamination pose a threat to those on a strict diet. This guide simplifies the process by identifying inherently safe options, reliable brands, and crucial precautions to take for a worry-free dessert experience.

Quick Summary

This guide provides an overview of which ice creams are inherently gluten-free, highlights top brands that offer certified or clearly labeled options, and outlines what to avoid due to potential hidden gluten or cross-contamination issues. Practical tips are included for safely enjoying ice cream at home and at shops.

Key Points

Check for Certifications: Look for a 'Certified Gluten-Free' logo from organizations like GFCO for the highest level of safety against cross-contamination.
Read All Labels Carefully: Even 'plain' flavors can contain hidden gluten in additives, thickeners, or flavorings, so always read the full ingredient list.
Beware of Mix-ins: Flavors containing cookie dough, brownies, or cake are typically not gluten-free unless made with special gluten-free ingredients and certified.
Minimize Risk at Ice Cream Shops: To avoid cross-contamination from shared scoops and tubs, request a fresh tub and a clean scoop, especially if you have high sensitivity.
Explore Dairy-Free Options: Many plant-based and dairy-free brands, such as NadaMoo! and Cosmic Bliss, offer certified gluten-free products, expanding choices.
Consider Novelties: Don't overlook certified gluten-free novelties like ice cream sandwiches, bars, and cones available from brands like Jolly Llama and Alden's Organics.

Understanding Gluten in Ice Cream

In its most basic form, ice cream consists of milk, cream, and sugar, all of which are naturally gluten-free. The potential for gluten to enter the picture comes from a variety of additional ingredients and manufacturing processes. For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, this makes careful label-reading and product selection essential.

Common Sources of Hidden Gluten

Flavorings and Mix-ins: The most obvious sources are mix-ins like cookie dough, brownie pieces, and cake chunks. Some flavors, such as "cookies and cream" or "birthday cake," are almost always unsafe unless specifically noted.
Additives and Thickeners: Some commercial ice cream manufacturers use inexpensive thickeners, stabilizers, or fillers derived from wheat. Malted barley syrup, a flavoring agent, is another common source of hidden gluten.
Cross-Contamination in Manufacturing: Many facilities produce both gluten-containing and gluten-free products on shared equipment. Without strict sanitation procedures, trace amounts of gluten can contaminate products that are otherwise gluten-free by ingredients.

Certified Gluten-Free Ice Cream Brands

The safest options are brands that clearly label their products as gluten-free or are certified by a third-party organization like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). A certification ensures rigorous testing and production standards to prevent cross-contamination.

Ben & Jerry's: This brand offers several certified gluten-free flavors, including classic favorites like Cherry Garcia and Phish Food. Always check their website or the packaging for the most current list, as not all flavors are safe.
Breyers: A widely available brand, many Breyers flavors are labeled gluten-free, though they do not have a dedicated gluten-free facility. They employ strict cleaning procedures and test products that make a gluten-free claim.
Häagen-Dazs: Several flavors of this premium ice cream are clearly marked as gluten-free on the packaging and website. They test their products to ensure they meet FDA standards.
Halo Top: Known for its lower-calorie options, Halo Top offers numerous certified gluten-free flavors, such as Peanut Butter Cup and Birthday Cake.
Alden's Organics: This organic brand features many certified gluten-free ice cream flavors and novelties, including dairy-free options.
Cosmic Bliss (formerly Coconut Bliss): All of their ice cream and frozen desserts, including dairy and plant-based lines, are certified gluten-free.
NadaMoo!: This dairy-free brand makes certified gluten-free frozen desserts, with mix-ins like cookies produced on dedicated gluten-free lines.

Avoiding Gluten at Ice Cream Shops

Ordering from an ice cream parlor or soft-serve window poses a higher risk of cross-contamination. Many shops use the same scoops, containers, and topping stations for all flavors.

Ask for a fresh tub: If you are sensitive to cross-contact, request that your scoop be taken from a fresh, unopened container of ice cream.
Request a clean scoop: Always ask for a freshly washed or new, single-use scoop.
Be aware of soft-serve: Soft-serve machines can be very difficult to clean and may harbor gluten particles if they are used for gluten-containing products.
Steer clear of risky toppings: Sprinkles and other toppings are often cross-contaminated.

Comparison of Certified Gluten-Free Ice Cream Brands


Brand	Certification	Dairy-Free Options	Production Line	Special Considerations
Ben & Jerry's	GFCO Certified	Yes	Shared Equipment (with strict cleaning)	Only specific flavors are certified GF.
Breyers	Labeled GF (meets FDA stds)	Yes (Lactose-Free)	Shared Equipment (with cleaning)	Not all flavors are gluten-free; check label.
Häagen-Dazs	Labeled GF (meets FDA stds)	Yes (Sorbet)	Shared Equipment (with cleaning)	Numerous flavors are clearly labeled as GF.
Halo Top	Certified GF	Yes (Plant-Based)	Not specified if dedicated	Many lower-calorie and dairy-free options available.
Alden's Organics	GFCO Certified	Yes	Not specified if dedicated	Organic, with many flavors and novelty options.
NadaMoo!	GFCO Certified	Yes	Shared (mix-ins on dedicated lines)	Dairy-free, coconut-based frozen desserts.

Conclusion

Enjoying ice cream on a gluten-free diet is easily achievable with a bit of research and caution. While classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate from many major brands are often safe by ingredients, always check for a gluten-free label to confirm. For those with celiac disease or high sensitivity, prioritizing certified brands like Ben & Jerry's or dedicated facilities like Cosmic Bliss can provide the highest level of safety. By being mindful of potential hidden gluten in additives and avoiding cross-contamination at ice cream parlors, you can confidently indulge in a cool, creamy treat. Remember, when in doubt, pre-packaged, certified products are the safest bet for a worry-free dessert.

For more detailed information on avoiding gluten, visit the National Celiac Association website at https://nationalceliac.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plain ice cream with a simple base of milk, cream, and sugar is typically gluten-free, but you must always check the label. Some commercial brands may add thickeners or stabilizers that contain gluten, so checking for a 'gluten-free' label is the safest approach.

Cross-contamination occurs when a gluten-free food comes into contact with a gluten-containing substance. In ice cream shops, this can happen if staff use the same scoop for a gluten-free flavor and a flavor with cookies or brownies. For sensitive individuals, this can be a serious issue.

Ben & Jerry's offers a selection of certified gluten-free flavors that can change. Popular examples include Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey, and Phish Food. You should always check the label or the official Ben & Jerry's website for the most up-to-date information.

Not necessarily. While many dairy-free alternatives use naturally gluten-free bases like coconut or almond milk, they can still contain gluten-filled ingredients or be subject to cross-contamination in production. Always check for a gluten-free label, even on dairy-free products.

At a scoop shop, ask the staff which flavors are gluten-free and if they have protocols for avoiding cross-contamination. Request a clean scoop and if possible, ask for your ice cream from a fresh, unopened tub to ensure safety.

'Gluten-free' labeled products meet the FDA standard of containing less than 20 ppm of gluten. 'Certified gluten-free' means a product has undergone independent third-party testing and adheres to stricter standards, offering an extra layer of confidence for sensitive individuals.

Be on the lookout for ingredients like wheat, barley, rye, and malt. These are often found in mix-ins like cookies, brownies, or in syrups. Checking for these ingredients in the list can help you avoid potential gluten sources.