The Best Gluten Free Thanksgiving Desserts

If you have a tried-and-true family recipe that you want to serve for the holiday, you don’t have to give it up. Just make a few minor tweaks and you’ll still get to enjoy your Thanksgiving favorites. Here are some tips for making traditional Thanksgiving desserts with no gluten:

• Swap the flour – Use a high-quality gluten free flour blend that contains rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch for a similar texture to wheat flour.
• Check your thickeners – Many pie fillings use flour as a thickener. Substitute with cornstarch or arrowroot powder.
• Mind your oats – Only use oats labeled “certified gluten free” for crumbles or cookies, since cross-contamination can be an issue.
• Make a cookie crust – For pies, try gluten free graham crackers or crushed gluten free cookies mixed with butter for an easy base.
• Watch for hidden gluten – Baking powder, vanilla extract, and some chocolates may contain gluten. Always read labels.

These swaps work well when you’re trying to transform a traditional recipe into a gluten free one. If you need to make gluten free dairy free Thanksgiving desserts, simply choose dairy alternatives like coconut or almond milk or use plant-based butter, in addition to swapping out any gluten-containing ingredients.

While pumpkin pie is the star of most holiday tables at Thanksgiving, there are many other options that fit a gluten free lifestyle. Here are a few favorites:

• Pumpkin pie in a glass – The classic flavor of Thanksgiving without the crust
• Flourless chocolate cake – Rich, fudgy, and naturally gluten free
• Apple crisp or crumble – Use gluten free oats and almond flour for a spiced topping over warm apples
• Pecan pie bars – Make with an almond flour base for a nutty twist
• No-bake cheesecakes – Skip the oven and use a gluten free cookie crust

These are just a few easy gluten free Thanksgiving desserts that still capture the cozy, seasonal flavors you love and that your guests will look forward to indulging in at the end of the holiday meal.

One of the best parts about serving gluten free desserts for Thanksgiving is that everyone can enjoy them, regardless of dietary needs. Guests with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can indulge without worry, while others often can’t tell the difference. Using naturally gluten free ingredients like eggs, sugar, fruit, chocolate, nuts, and dairy makes it easy to create treats everyone will love. And there are plenty of easy swaps for gluten-containing ingredients like flour, so your desserts still maintain the taste and texture everyone loves.

Looking for more gluten free Thanksgiving dessert ideas? Check out our full collection of gluten free desserts or read this blog on Delicious and Easy Gluten Free Desserts for Fall for more delicious recipes. You’ll also find easy-to-make gluten free dinner recipes, as well as appetizers and side dishes on our site, to enhance your holiday table.