What Nut Brands Are Gluten-Free? Your Guide to Safe Snacking

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

While all nuts are naturally gluten-free in their raw, unprocessed state, the risk of cross-contamination during processing is a significant concern for those with celiac disease. This guide will help you understand what nut brands are gluten-free and what to look for when choosing safe products.

Quick Summary

This guide covers safe gluten-free nut brands, highlighting third-party certifications and brand-specific information. It offers tips to navigate cross-contamination and read labels effectively for safe snacking.

Key Points

Naturally Gluten-Free: All pure, single-ingredient nuts are inherently gluten-free, but processing methods can introduce gluten.
Check for Certification: Brands with third-party certifications, such as GFCO, offer the highest level of assurance against cross-contact.
Choose Dedicated Facilities: Brands like Gerbs that use dedicated allergen-free facilities eliminate the risk of cross-contamination entirely.
Read All Labels Carefully: Always scrutinize ingredient lists and look for 'gluten-free' claims, as a 'wheat-free' label is not sufficient.
Avoid Bulk Bins and Flavored Varieties: These are common sources of hidden gluten and cross-contact for nuts, and are best avoided by sensitive individuals.
Popular Brand Caveats: Be aware of the specific policies of popular brands; Blue Diamond has some safe options but uses shared facilities, while some Planters products may carry a cross-contamination risk.
Verify Uncertain Products: If a brand's policy is unclear, contact the manufacturer directly to inquire about their cross-contact protocols before purchasing.

Understanding the Gluten-Free Status of Nuts

At their core, all varieties of pure, unprocessed nuts are naturally free of gluten. This includes almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, macadamia nuts, and pine nuts. The potential for gluten exposure arises during processing, where nuts may be roasted, flavored, or packaged on shared equipment that also handles wheat, barley, or rye. For individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities, this trace amount of gluten from cross-contact can trigger adverse reactions. Therefore, vigilance is required beyond simply choosing a nut. The brand's manufacturing practices are a critical factor in determining a product's safety.

The Importance of Certifications and Dedicated Facilities

To ensure a product is genuinely safe, the best strategy is to look for third-party certifications. Organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) impose stringent testing standards, often stricter than the FDA's requirement of less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Choosing a brand that uses a dedicated, allergen-free facility is the safest option, as it eliminates the possibility of cross-contact entirely.

Leading Gluten-Free Nut Brands

Gerbs Allergy Friendly Foods

Gerbs is a top-tier choice for those with severe sensitivities, as their products are processed in a dedicated facility free from the top 14 allergens, including gluten. They offer a variety of seeds and nuts, making them a safe and reliable option for worry-free snacking. This commitment to a dedicated allergen-free environment provides peace of mind for consumers who need to avoid all traces of gluten.

Tierra Farm

This brand is another excellent option for conscientious consumers. Tierra Farm specializes in organic, fair-trade, and kosher products, and notably, all of their products are certified gluten-free by the GFCO. Their nuts and other items are also crafted in a peanut-free facility, adding another layer of safety for those with multiple allergies. They focus on small-batch production to maintain freshness and quality.

Wonderful Pistachios

Wonderful Pistachios are widely available and explicitly labeled as gluten-free. The company confirms that its pistachios do not come into contact with any gluten-containing products during processing, and their facility does not process peanuts. This makes their plain pistachios a safe and convenient snack for many with gluten concerns.

Blue Diamond Almonds

Blue Diamond offers many naturally gluten-free almond products, including plain, roasted, and some flavored varieties. However, consumers must exercise caution and read labels carefully. The company produces both gluten-containing and gluten-free products in the same facilities. Specific varieties, such as Wasabi & Soy Sauce Almonds, contain gluten and should be avoided.

Kirkland Signature

Kirkland (Costco's house brand) nuts may be a risk for highly sensitive individuals. Some products carry warnings that they are processed on equipment that also handles wheat. While some customers report no issues, it is prudent for those with celiac disease to read the fine print or choose a brand with more reliable certifications.

Navigating Other Brands

For brands without explicit gluten-free claims, it is important to remember that cross-contamination is a real threat. Brands like Planters, while having many products that do not contain wheat ingredients, do not label them as gluten-free, and some mixes contain glutinous items. It is always recommended to contact the company directly if you are uncertain about their manufacturing practices.

Gluten-Free Nut Brand Comparison


Brand	Status for Celiac/Sensitive	Certification	Dedicated Facility	Notes
Gerbs	Safe (Dedicated Facility)	Yes (Allergy Friendly)	Yes	Top choice for severe sensitivity due to dedicated, allergen-free equipment.
Tierra Farm	Safe (Certified GF)	Yes (GFCO)	Peanut-free, but may process other allergens.	Excellent organic, GFCO-certified choice.
Wonderful Pistachios	Safe (GF Policy)	No (Internal Policy)	No peanuts/gluten processed.	Reliable for pistachios; check brand FAQs.
Blue Diamond Almonds	Proceed with Caution	Some labeled GF	Shared facility	Many products safe, but check labels carefully and avoid specific flavors.
Kirkland (Costco)	High Risk for Sensitive	No	Shared equipment risk indicated on some labels.	Only choose if not highly sensitive or check each label meticulously.
Planters	High Risk for Sensitive	No	Shared equipment with some mixes containing gluten.	Not recommended for those with celiac disease.

Tips for Buying Gluten-Free Nuts

Stick to Plain and Raw: The safest nuts are those in their most natural state—raw or simply roasted and salted, without any added coatings or flavorings. Flavored nuts, especially those with Asian-inspired or sugary coatings, are a common source of hidden gluten.
Avoid Bulk Bins: Bulk food dispensers in grocery stores are a major source of cross-contamination. Shared scoops, careless customers, and airborne particles can easily transfer gluten to otherwise safe products. It is best to avoid nuts from bulk bins entirely.
Become a Label Ninja: Learn to read and understand food labels thoroughly. Look for explicit 'gluten-free' labels and pay attention to 'May Contain...' statements. A 'wheat-free' label does not guarantee a product is gluten-free, as it could still contain barley or rye.
Contact Manufacturers: If you are ever in doubt, the most direct approach is to contact the manufacturer's customer service department. Ask specific questions about their cross-contact prevention protocols and facilities. If they are vague or evasive, it's best to move on to a brand with a clear policy.

Conclusion

For those following a gluten-free diet, especially individuals with celiac disease, enjoying nuts safely requires careful consideration beyond just the basic ingredient. While all nuts are naturally gluten-free, the brand's handling and manufacturing practices determine the final product's safety. By prioritizing brands like Gerbs and Tierra Farm with dedicated facilities or robust certifications, and by remaining vigilant with label reading and avoiding high-risk scenarios like bulk bins, you can ensure a delicious and safe snack experience. Always remember that for many, a certified gluten-free label is the highest form of assurance. Beyond Celiac provides an excellent resource on inherently gluten-free foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all nuts in their raw, unprocessed state are naturally gluten-free. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, and does not occur naturally in nuts.

Gluten can be introduced to nuts through cross-contamination during processing. This occurs when nuts are roasted, flavored, or packaged using the same equipment that also handles gluten-containing products.

The safest nuts are raw, unprocessed, and plainly roasted nuts from a brand that either has a third-party certification (like GFCO) or uses a dedicated, allergen-free facility, such as Gerbs.

No, 'wheat-free' is not the same. A product labeled 'wheat-free' can still contain other sources of gluten, such as barley or rye. Only a 'gluten-free' label, adhering to FDA standards, indicates a product is free of all gluten-containing grains.

Yes, flavored nuts often pose a higher risk because coatings and seasonings can contain gluten-based ingredients, thickeners, or modified food starches derived from wheat. It is crucial to read the ingredients list carefully.

Bulk bins are a major source of cross-contamination because shared scoops and airborne flour particles can transfer gluten from other products to the nuts. This makes them unsafe for individuals with celiac disease.

The FDA defines 'gluten-free' as a food product containing less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. While voluntary, manufacturers who use this claim must ensure their products meet this standard.

Brands like Gerbs, Tierra Farm (GFCO certified), and Wonderful Pistachios have strong policies or dedicated facilities that make them safe choices. It is always wise to double-check their latest policies and certifications.