Christmas foods that are gluten free
Posted: November 5, 2024 Updated: November 5, 2024
The first Christmas for someone new to a gluten free diet is so tricky, what foods can you eat?
You’d be surprised to learn there’s actually quite a few. If you’re doing a traditional roast dinner, all you need to do is substitute GF flour into a few dishes (and get some gluten free gravy).
If you’re more into seafood and salad, well pretty much all of that is gluten free. Just make sure you or your host has double checked all the sauces and dressings.
Desserts and sweet snacks are where Christmas for a coeliac or gluten free person gets a bit trickier.
This guide will help you find the traditional items eaten at Christmas that are safely gluten free.
I’ve broken the list down by product this year, with everything listed alphabetically.
It’ll cover brandy snaps, fruit cake, mince pies, panettone, puddings, shortbread and more!
What it won’t cover – products made by small gluten free bakeries. I’d love to give every small business a shout-out, but since I write this for an Australia-wide audience I need to choose products that can be bought locally or shipped nationally.
No good posting a pick-up only Tassie bakery if you have to get a ferry there! 😅
Related content
- Gluten free advent calendars for 2024 (includes dairy free and non-chocolate options)
Contents
I don’t usually do a contents list on my guides, but I think it’ll work here because it’s all by product type. Let me know if it worked for you – leave a comment here or on Facebook!
Brandy snaps
There’s just one brand of gluten free brandy snaps I’ve seen in Australia and that’s Jon Jon. I could have put them under miscellaneous desserts however a lot of people seek these out so I’ve given them their own group.
Please note these are dairy and egg free but they are not vegan – it lists ‘animal fat’ in the margarine.
I’ve had these, they are quite delicious, perhaps a bit thicker than a regular one? Not sure, probably been 20 years since I had one before that!
- Jon Jon’s gluten free brandy snaps. Allergen: Soy. May contain: Nil.
Custards and drinks
Every Christmas Paul’s bring out a range of limited edition custards and flavoured milks. Last year there were something like ten different custards ranging from berries to booze. There were also two varieties of egg nog.
They usually come out about six weeks before Christmas so stay tuned and I’ll keep this guide updated.
Egg Nog (flavoured milks)
The two egg nogs we get each year are made by Paul’s. The original egg nog uses brandy flavour rather than actual brandy.
- Original egg nog, 1L. Allergens: Milk, egg. May contain: Nil.
- Rum egg nog, 1L (contains alcohol). Allergens: Milk, egg. May contain: Nil.
Christmas custards
TBC – bookmark this page (or tap the green heart icon) and come back for updates. I’ll also let you know on Facebook.
Fruit cake
There’s only a few options for fruit cakes beyond the supermarket’s own brands. If you’ve got a local gluten free bakery, check in and see if they are making some special Christmas products.
Coles I’m Free From
Coles have one fruit cake available this year, a pack of four iced slices. Last year they had a second product which was 9 mini fruit cake bites. They are produced in the UK so perhaps they are arriving soon.
It’s also dairy free.
Allergens: Almond, sulphites. May contain: Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, walnut, egg.
David Jones
David Jones has three gluten free Christmas fruit cake options. The iced fruit cake has two sizes, a single serve (100g) and a set of five delicate slices (300g total). There’s also a larger, unsliced fruit cake topped with nuts which is 350g.
- Gluten free iced fruit cake, 100g, 300g. Allergens: Egg, soy, sulphites. May contain: Milk, peanut, sesame, almond, pecan.
- Gluten free whole fruit cake, 350g. Allergens: Sulphites, egg, almond, pecan. May contain: Milk, soy, peanut, sesame.
Simply Wize
Made the old way with brandy and sherry this is surely a proper Christmas cake. I think you’re best off checking independent stores for this one as last I checked Happy Tummies had sold out.
Simply Wize gluten free fruit cake, 400g. Allergens: Egg, milk, sulphites. May contain: Tree nuts, peanut, soy.
Woolworths Free From
There’s two options for fruit cake at Woolworths. You can get a packet of four iced fruit cake slices or a large square fruit cake that is not iced.
- Fruit cake, 500g. Allergens: Egg, almond, sulphites. May contain: Milk, peanuts, sesame, soy.
- Iced fruit slices, 180g. Allergens: Egg, almond, soy, sulphites. May contain: Milk, peanut, brazil nut, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, sesame.
Free From Family Co
Bonus! I was scrolling the Happy Tummies website one night and noticed they’ve got a Christmas cake mix. Lisa over at Happy Tummies has really gone all out making these different baking kits this year.
I think it’s because as a mother she appreciates how much children with dietary needs still want to get involved with holiday baking. It’s lovely.
It’s vegan, dairy free, assembled in their allergen free facility. All you do is add fruit and some juice.
- Fruit cake mix, 160g. Allergens: Nil. May contain: Nil.
Gingerbread
Happily, there are a lot more gingerbread options than my guide from previous years. I’ve done a bit more research and come up with a few more brands. I’ve also included two baking kits!
Christen’s Gingerbread
Have I ever heard of this brand? Nope! But apparently they’ve been making gingerbread for over 20 years.
You can buy a box of twelve individually wrapped directly from Christen’s or add a single to your order over at Happy Tummies.
- Gluten free traditional gingerbread, 40g. Allergens: Milk, egg, soy. May contain: Tree nuts, peanut, sesame.
Free From Family Co
Not quite gingerbread until you put the work in, Free From Family Co have made another awesome looking baking kit. If you’re a long time reader of this website you’ll remember the delicious hot cross buns I made earlier this year.
Following the recipe your gingerbread will be allergen free! That’s dairy free, vegan and all the rest. Makes 16 cookies. Free From Family Co is exclusive to Happy Tummies.
- FFFC gingerbread cookie mix, 360g. Allergens:Nil. May contain: Nil.
Gingerbread Folk
You’d be forgiven for thinking The Gingerbread Folk were an exclusively gluten free business. They just make so many GF products year round and seasonal occasions like Easter and Christmas.
In previous years I was able to buy their products at Woolworths (as it got close to big day), but so far this year I’ve only seen their range in Myer.
They’ve also been spotted in independent grocers, delis and of course Happy Tummies.
- Gluten free gingerbread house kit, 600g. Allergen: Soy. May contain: Nil.
- Gingerbread Christmas minis, 70g, 200g. Allergens: Nil. May contain: Nil.
I think the four below are year-round products but I’ll include them anyway!
- Chocolate gingerbread man, 30g. Allergen: Soy. May contain: Nil.
- Gingerbread man, 30g. Allergen: Soy. May contain: Nil.
- Gluten free kiddiewinks, 225g. Allergens: Nil. May contain: Nil.
- Chocolate gluten free kiddiewinks, 225g. Allergens: Nil. May contain: Nil.
Note: The cookies and packaging for the gingerbread people look almost identical to their regular gluten-containing version. There’s a big gluten free label on the front – so double check if you’re a rush.
Woolworths
Woolies has brought back it’s four pack of gluten free gingerbread cookies. The allergens are the same but I think the ingredients have changed. It had a 2.5 star rating last year and now it’s 1.5. Maybe it was just assessed incorrectly last year. 😅
Either way, you don’t eat cookies for your health, you eat them for joy!
Allergens: Egg, milk, soy. May contain: Nil.
YOMO
If you’re happy to bake your own gingerbread, or want a lovely family holiday activity YOMO makes a gluten free gingerbread kit. The kit itself is dairy free with recipes to make it plant based or add in traditional butter. Buy it from Happy Tummies or directly from YOMO.
- YOMO gingerbread biscuit mix, 215g. Allergens: Almond. May contain: Pecan, macadamia, walnut.
Meringues / Pavlovas
I think pretty much all your meringue buying needs can be sorted by a trip to Coles or Woolworths. This year both stores have a vegan option which is pretty neat.
Coles
Most of the Coles pavlovas / meringues are tested gluten free. I’ve noticed one isn’t (candy cane meringues) but it’s still GF by ingredient, no may contain.
This is just a list of the seasonal options. The standard pavlovas and meringues that are at Coles all year round are all tested gluten free.
- Coles Finest luxury Magagascan vanilla meringue wreath, 300g. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
- Christmas tree meringues, 40g. Allergens: Egg. sulphites. May contain: Nil.
- Petite pavlovas, 9 pack. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
- Individual pavlovas, 4 pack. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
- Nature’s Kitchen plant-based meringue kisses, 75.
Plantitude Pavlova Nests (Woolworths)
Meringues without the egg, but how? Aquafaba is the liquid leftover after soaking chickpeas. Yep, someone decided to whip tinned chickpea water and it turned into meringue! These are a handy vegan option.
Allergens: Nil. May contain: Egg.
Woolworths
So I’ve looked up the Woolies website twice now and there’s… not much? I am sure they had multiple types of mini pavs. Turns out, I was searching meringues, if you look up pavlova you get more options.
One thing to look out for, the fancy lemon myrtle meringues of last year have changed their recipe. There’s no longer a filling (which by most reports didn’t exist anyway), so perhaps they’ve taken on feedback and changed it.
- Country Chef Bakery Co rustic pavlova base, 400g. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
- Daintree vanilla pavlova wreath, 340g. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
- Lemon myrtle pavlovas, 4 pack. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
- Individual Pavlovas, 4 pack. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
- Petite Meringue Nests, 9 pack. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
Right when I thought I’d finished this article I found out about two new meringue products at Woolies this year. Both are Bailey’s flavoured / inspired. I’ve seen the big ones in person, but not the kisses. Fortunately a buddy on Instagram sent me a photo of the allergens so we’re all sorted.
- Bailey’s flavoured pavlovas, 4 pack. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
- Bailey’s flavoured meringue kisses, 100g. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Nil.
Mince Pies
There’s a few options at your local supermarket but I’d encourage you to also check out your local gluten free bakery. Many businesses will get on board and make gluten free mince pies as a limited offer.
While I’m not a mince pie fan, I’m sure freshly made ones win every time. 😊
Coles I’m Free From
Like other items in the Coles I’m Free From range their mince pies are also vegan. They do however have a may contain for egg, so keep that in mind if you’re serving someone with an egg allergy.
Last year Coles had two gluten free mince pie options, including mini ones. I haven’t seen them online but fingers crossed they’ll turn up.
- I’m Free From mince pies, 220g. Allergens: Almond, sulphites. May contain: Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, walnut, egg.
The Foods of Athenry
I must admit I kind of forget about this brand every year until Christmas rolls around and I see their mince pies. As well as being gluten free they are vegan and properly dairy free. No may contain for dairy.
I’m told they’ve just arrived in Australia so you should be able to get them from Happy Tummies by the end of the week (8 Nov) and independent stockists over the next week or so.
- Vegan gluten free mince pies, 240g. Allergens: Nil. May contain: Nuts.
Jon Jon
These are made over in New Zealand, and along with the brandy snaps (top of the post) make it over here for Christmas. I would note, the ingredients list margarine and in brackets it says “animal fat”. I’m not sure if that means it’s not vegetarian? If Jon Jon get back to me I’ll ask them.
I saw these at my local IGA, I don’t think you’ll see them in Coles or Woolies.
- Jon Jon gluten free fruit mince bites. Allergens: Milk, soy. May contain: Nil.
Woolworths Free From
This is a new recipe from last year, possibly a new manufacturer. So please double check ingredients to make sure it still suits your needs. This year they are vegan, last year they were not. There are still may contains so check closely.
I must say, I do prefer the pastry star topper, it just looks more festive!
- Free From Gluten mince pies, 216g. Allergens: Almond, sulphites. May contain: Egg, brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, walnut.
GF Precinct Gluten Free Mince Pies
These are egg free, nut free and soy free. You’ll find these at independent grocers like health food stores they are a bit pricey at $17 – $20. Check out the GF Precinct website for stockists.
- GF Precinct Fruit Mince Tarts, 180g. Allergens: Milk. May contain: Not available (sorry! I couldn’t find it online, I’ll update when I see these at my local organics store)
Panettone
Oh man, the questions I see about people hunting panettone! My top tip, go to independent grocers. Visit your local green grocer or Italian deli and have a look around. You’ll be amazed by the products they bring in from around Europe.
Antice Offelleria di Milano
I’ve never heard of this brand but I came across it on the Happy Tummies website and it’s still in stock so I’m listing it here.
- Antice Offelleria di Milano gluten free panettone, 600g. Allergens: Milk, egg. May contain: Almond, pistachio, hazelnut, peanut, soy.
Galup
I haven’t seen these in store this year but I’ve seen the Galup gluten free panettones online at Mercato. They’ve got two options, a classic and a chocolate, both $49. According to the Galup website the dairy used is lactose free.
- Galup traditional gluten free panettone, 400g. Allergens: Milk, egg, almond, hazelnut. May contain: Walnut, pistachio, soy.
- Galup chocolate gluten free panettone, 400g. Allergens: Milk, egg, soy, almond, hazelnut. May contain: Nuts.
Schar
Hands down the most cost-effective panettone you will get this Christmas. The Schar gluten free panettone is available at Happy Tummies, last year it was under $30. It’s 420g so it’s a similar size to the others on this list. It’s also been spotted in some stores around Australia, check your local Facebook group for tips on where to find them.
- Schar gluten free Christmas panettone, 420g. Allergens: Milk, egg. May contain: Soy.
Valentino
Chocolate chip panettone, woo! I cannot eat bakes with orange rind, it’s an absolute no go for me. I haven’t seen these for sale online but I’ve read that they can be found in IGA and independent grocers. Last year the price was around $35.
- Valentino chocolate gluten free panettone, 500g. Allergens: Milk, egg, Soy. May contain: Nuts.
- Valentino traditional gluten free panettone, 500g. Allergens: Milk, egg. May contain: Nuts, soy.
Vergani
Pistachio panettone, wow! One thing I noticed with gluten free panettone is it’s harder to get fun flavours, but Vergani seem to make quite a few. I think most are already sold out at Happy Tummies but I’ve seen people on Facebook spotting these at independent grocers and delis.
I’ll warn you, they are pricey – around $50 anywhere you look. There’s also two Pandoro in the range, which is a different style of festive Italian cake.
- Chocolate Vergani gluten free panettone, 600g. Allergens: Milk, egg, soy, sulphites. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, pistachio, peanut.
- Limoncello Vergani gluten free panettone, 600g. Allergens: Milk, egg, sulphites. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, pistachio, peanut, soy.
- Classic Vergani gluten free panettone, 600g. Allergens: Milk, egg, sulphites. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, pistachio, peanut, soy.
- Pistachio Vergani gluten free panettone, 600g. Allergens: Milk, egg, pistachio. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, peanut, soy.
- Caramel Vergani gluten free pandoro, 600g. Allergens: Milk, egg. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, pistachio, peanut, soy.
- Classic Vergani gluten free pandoro, 600g. Allergens: Milk, egg. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, pistachio, peanut, soy.
So far I’ve seen them for sale on the site Bottega Rotoro. Happy Tummies have stock left in the Caramel Pandoro.
Woolworths
Okay so this panettone isn’t Woolworths brand but I think it’s the only place you can buy it annnnd the only gluten free panettone at a large supermarket. It’s more of a mini / single serve size weighing in at 100g.
Wheat allergy warning – this product contains gluten free wheat starch. It’s absolutely safe for coeliacs, but not if you have wheat allergy. Gluten free wheat starch is very typical in Italy, Caputo gluten free flour also uses it. The butter used is lactose free, so if lactose is your issue rather than dairy, this is suitable.
- Dolce Segreto gluten free panettone, 100g. Allergens: Milk, egg, gluten free wheat starch. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, walnut, pistachio, soy.
Puddings
I’m going to preface this by saying there are more gluten free pudding brands out there. But you know what? Some don’t post their ingredients or their allergens. While I’m just about gluten free, I know many of my readers have additional requirements.
So if brands can’t get their info online, then they aren’t on my guide! 😅
Aldi gluten free Christmas pudding
This one is quite big, 700g. This year’s price is $15.99. Thank you to Kate who sent me a photo of the ingredients!
- Aldi gluten free Christmas pudding, 700g. Allergens: Milk, egg. May contain: Sulphites, almond, macadamia, pecan, soy.
Coles I’m Free From
Vegans, check this out – the Coles range of free from puddings are plant based. For those of you with dairy or egg allergies there is no may contain for either.
- Gluten free Christmas pudding, 110g, 400g. Allergens: Sulphites. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, walnut.
I’m yet to see the Coles chocolate pudding in store, let me know if you’ve spotted it!
David Jones
I’m not sure who make these but David Jones have been doing their own fancy gluten free Christmas puddings the last few years. They’re available in two sizes, 100g and 800g. Uniquely they have no added sugar.
- David Jones gluten free Christmas pudding, 100g, 800g. Allergens: Milk, egg, soy. May contain: Macadamia, almond, pecan.
Pud for All Seasons
Pud for All Seasons are a small business based in Castlemaine in Victoria. They have a huge range of gluten free pudding flavours with three sizes available.
Those with multiple dietary needs will be happy to know there are both dairy free and vegan options. Note: the website doesn’t list may contains, however it does have a nut free claim on a few products.
You can order these directly or buy them at independent stores (I saw some at my local butcher).
- Gluten free, dairy free plum pudding, 100g, 400g, 800g. Allergens: Soy, egg.
- Gluten free, dairy free date and butterscotch pudding, 100g, 400g, 800g. Allergens: Soy, egg.
- Double choc orange with Cointreau (DF), 100g, 400g, 800g. Allergens: Soy, egg.
- Cranberry and white choc, 100g, 400g, 800g. Allergens: Soy, egg.
- Vegan, GF Christmas pudding: 100g, 400g, 800g. Allergens: Soy.
- Vegan GF choc orange, 800g. Allergens: Soy.
Pudding Lane
The folks at Pudding Lane make a 500g and 1kg gluten free Christmas puddings, all of which are dairy free. They are available in a traditional round shape or a log.
- Dairy free Christmas pudding round, 500g, 1kg. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Sesame.
- Dairy free Christmas pudding log, 500g, 1kg. Allergens: Egg. May contain: Sesame.
- Vegan Christmas log, 500g, 1kg. Allergens: Soy. May contain: Sesame, nuts.
You can also buy Pudding Lane products at Happy Tummies which is handy if you want to bundle your shopping and save on shipping. I can’t see the 1kg vegan ones on Happy Tummies but they are available from Pudding Lane directly.
The Pudding People
I absolutely love stumbling across a new brand while researching for a post. That’s how I found The Pudding People, I had just typed gluten free pudding into Amazon and whoooa! Whole new product.
Despite being a small business their gluten free puddings are tested for gluten (nil detected). They also have a few sauces on their website. You can buy from them directly or a few of their sizes are available for the same price on Amazon.
- Traditional gluten free pudding, 250g, 500g, 1kg, 2kg. Allergens: Egg, milk. May contain: Nil listed.
Simply Wize
Simply Wize have a large range for Christmas foods, including this pudding. Although it’s vegan it does have a may contain for milk.
- Simply Wize Christmas pudding, 400g. Allergens: Almond, soy, sulphites. May contain: Milk, tree nuts, peanuts.
Woolworths Free From Pudding
Of course Woolies has gluten free Christmas puddings as well. They are made by a different company to the Coles ones which are accidentally vegan. You can buy the traditional fruit pudding in two sizes and they also offer a mini chocolate pudding.
- Free From fruit pudding, 100g, 400g. Allergens: Egg, almond, sulphites. May contain: Milk, peanut, brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pine nut, pistachio, walnut, sesame, soy.
- Free From chocolate pudding, 100g. Allergens: Egg, milk, soy, sulphites. May contain: Almond, pecan.
By the way if you can’t find a chocolate pudding for Christmas then grab yourself a two pack of Aunt Betty’s gluten free chocolate pudding. It’s delicious and between Coles and Woolies it’s almost always on sale half price.
Shortbread
For lovers of shortbread Christmas is a boon. Packets come over from the UK and small producers get their time in the big stores.
Butterfingers
This is an Aussie brand making gluten free treats for coeliacs. They have two flavours are available, classic and macadamia. Both tend to be available at Woolworths.
Allergens: Milk, macadamia (for that one). May contain: Tree nuts, soy, milk.
David Jones
The David Jones gluten free shortbreads are made in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. There is a classic plain and a chocolate chip version. Price this year is $8.95. Full ingredients are available on the David Jones website.
- Gluten free shortbread, 180g. Allergens: Milk. May contain: Soy and tree nuts.
- Chocolate chip gluten free shortbread, 180g. Allergens: Milk. May contain: Soy and tree nuts.
Walkers
Yes! Walkers make a gluten free shortbread!
There are multipacks where you get a mix of plain and chocolate chip biscuits, it’s a 280g box I’ve seen it at Myer for about $18. Happy Tummies stocks the full Walkers GF range including a tasty looking ginger and lemon shortbread.
- Assorted gluten free shortbread, 280g. Allergens: Milk, soy. May contain: Nuts.
- Gluten free shortbread, 140g. Allergens: Milk, soy. May contain: Nuts.
- Chocolate chip shortbread, 140g. Allergens: Milk, soy. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, walnut.
- Walkers gluten free ginger and lemon shortbread, 140g. Allergens: Milk. May contain: Almond, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, walnut.
Woolworths
Woolies have made a gluten free shortbread for 2024! It’s a lemon shortbread, shaped like a Christmas tree! It’s not yet online for order but it’s been seen in a few stores.
- Woolworths Free From gluten free lemon shortbread trees, 140g. Allergens: Milk, soy. May contain: Egg.
YOMO
I’ve heard baking shortbread is something people love doing on the holidays. Me? Baking? Nahhhh.
But if you want to make it easier YOMO has (as well as a gingerbread kit) a shortbread biscuit mix.
Like the gingerbread kit the shortbread mix is dairy free with recipes to make it plant based or add in traditional butter. Buy it from Happy Tummies or directly from YOMO.
- YOMO shortbread biscuit mix, 215g. Allergens: Almond. May contain: Pecan, macadamia, walnut.
Alright! That’s it for my Christmas foods guide for 2024. I don’t put together a guide for things like hams, turkey products etc. Buuuut, I am known to post about these to an album on Facebook. So if you aren’t already, follow me on Facebook and keep up to date!
If you haven’t already sorted out your advent calendars you can check out my Advent calendar guide, updated for 2024.