While chain establishments can’t quite compete with the unique ambiance of the best independent coffee shops in my book, I certainly appreciate the predictability and dependability of Starbucks. I know I can always count on a yummy chai tea to perk me up at just about any U.S. airport, and I have to confess I’ve racked up plenty of stars in the Starbucks app. Starbucks does have some gluten-free items and below I have listed them and tasted them for what we like best.

If you’re looking to avoid wheat or gluten, that same dependability can also work in your favor. With a reasonable number of safely packaged gluten free snacks and drinks, it’s a predictably good place for people with gluten intolerances and Ceilac’s disease to get a quick pick-me-up. Of course, like so many other chain restaurants, there’s still a risk that prepared foods and beverages could accidentally be contaminated (more on Starbucks’ official statement below). So, if you need to avoid any risk of gluten exposure, it’s best to stick with bottled and canned drinks, or prepackaged foods. 

I carefully reviewed the allergy information and thoroughly researched ingredients lists to compile this Starbucks gluten free guide. I also interviewed people who have gluten allergies and combed through forums to learn about other people’s experiences ordering at Starbucks. Keep in mind that my research is based on the U.S. menu, and that there can be menu variation depending on your location and the season. 

Canned And Bottled Gluten Free Drinks At Starbucks

The prepackaged drinks at Starbucks will vary by store and season, but here’s a list of the canned and bottled gluten-free beverages that were available at my closest Starbucks on a recent visit: 

• Brew Dr. Kombucha
• Horizon Organic Milk
• Spindrift sparkling water
• Koia protein shakes
• Evolution Fresh cold pressed juices
• Bottled water 

Other locations may carry bottled Starbucks Frappuccinos, canned Starbucks Doubleshot, and canned Starbucks Doubleshot Energy, all of which are also gluten free.

Gluten Free Coffee Drinks At Starbucks

I’ve learned from Starbucks baristas that the coffee chain’s official position is that any drinks prepared in the store have some risk of being cross contaminated by tools and machines that are used to prepare drinks with gluten (particularly blenders and shakers), meaning none of the drinks made in-house can be 100% guaranteed gluten-free. 

However, if you’re not worried about or sensitive to contamination and your main objective is to order a drink that does not have wheat listed as an ingredient, coffee drinks without flavorings like the following are a good bet for you.

• Any plain brewed coffee
• Caffè Americano 
• Caffè misto
• Cappuccino
• Espresso 
• Flat white 
• Cold brew coffee
• Nitro cold brew
• Iced caffè Americano 

Other Gluten Free Drinks At Starbucks

• Matcha latte
• Earl grey tea
• Royal English breakfast tea
• Iced black tea
• Iced black tea lemonade 
• Lemonade 

Packaged Gluten Free Food At Starbucks

Much like the bottled and canned drinks, the packaged snacks at Starbucks do vary by location and the time of year, but they are the safest bet for gluten free snacking. Here are some of the gluten free options I’ve seen: 

• KIND bars
• Starbucks marshmallow dream bars
• SkinnyDipped almonds
• Peter Rabbit Organics fruit pouches 
• Perfect Bars 
• Hippeas 
• Justin’s peanut butter cups
• Starbucks string cheese

The other perk with packaged snacks and drinks at Starbucks is that you can always check the label yourself if you’re not sure if the product contains gluten. 

Gluten Free Food At Starbucks

Much like the drinks prepared by baristas at Starbucks, the foods that are prepared on-site and don’t come prepackaged are at a higher risk of cross contamination. They often share a display case as items containing gluten and may be touched with tongs that are used to handle foods with gluten. However, if that level of risk is something you can tolerate, the following menu items at Starbucks don’t list wheat as ingredients: 

• Rolled & steel-cut oatmeal
• Berry trio parfait
• Potato, cheddar & chive bakes
• Kale & mushroom egg bites
• Bacon & gruyère egg bites
• Egg white & roasted red pepper egg bites

Starbucks Official Statement

Like many other chain restaurants, there’s a risk of gluten unintentionally making its way into foods that otherwise don’t list wheat as an ingredient because of shared containers, work surfaces, and equipment. If you use Starbucks’ app or online menu, each item is accompanied by this statement: 

“We cannot guarantee that any unpackaged products served in our stores are allergen-free because we use shared equipment to store, prepare, and serve them.” 

What To Avoid 

Java chips (a core ingredient of many frappuccino flavors) and cookie crumbles, both contain gluten, so skip drinks that use these ingredients. All of the bakery items and breakfast sandwiches list wheat as ingredients, so people with gluten sensitivities will want to avoid these foods as well. 

The “natural flavorings” listed in many Starbucks drinks and syrups are not otherwise disclosed, and if the menu says “Allergen: Not available for this item,” it’s not possible to determine if these drinks contain gluten. Some people with gluten sensitivities report having issues after drinking these beverages, so for the purposes of this guide, I’ve left off any menu item that lists “natural flavorings”—which can be a red flag for hidden gluten.

I’ve also encountered menu items on Starbucks’ website with no available ingredients (like the iced flat white). In these cases, you could ask the barista if wheat is one of the ingredients, but I’d generally recommend steering clear of these drinks. 

Special Requests 

You can lower your risks of cross contamination by asking your barista to use a clean spoon or tongs to prepare your order, or to sanitize the blender or shaker before making your drink. 

FAQ’s 

Does Starbucks have gluten free pastries?

None of the unpackaged pastries at Starbucks are gluten free. However, I’ve found there are often a handful of packaged snacks, including the Marshmallow Dream Bar, that are gluten free. 

Are the egg bites at Starbucks gluten free?

While there is a risk of cross contamination, there are no ingredients listed in the egg bites at Starbucks that contain gluten. 

Is the oat milk at Starbucks gluten free?

The brand of oat milk used at Starbucks can vary from store to store, but two of the common oat milks are Dream or Oatly, which are both certified gluten-free. It’s always a good idea to check with your barista which brand is being used before ordering your drink with oat milk.

Other Gluten Free Menu Guides

We are on a mission to analyze all the popular restaurants near you for what is and isn’t gluten-free. If you have a restaurant you want us to visit, please let us know! You can contact us or send us a DM on Instagram. Here are other guides we have written so far:

• McDonald’s Gluten Free Menu Items
• Panera Gluten Free Menu Items
• Chipotle Gluten Free Menu Items
• Olive Garden Gluten Free Menu Items
• Chick-fil-A Gluten Free Menu Items
• Taco Bell Gluten Free Menu Items
• Jersey Mike’s Gluten Free Menu Items
• Wendy’s Gluten Free Menu Items

Photos: Julianne Tripp Hillian