These are legit questions we get a lot: Are macarons gluten free? Are macarons dairy free? To find out, I'll list the ingredients in a macaron.
Table of contents
- What is gluten
- Authentic macaronsare gluten free (ingredients list)
- Cross contamination and gluten: Beware
- How to make sure macarons are gluten free
A quick definition to know what is gluten. According to Harvard, gluten is a natural protein that can be found in many cereals such as wheat, rye, etc.
The main purpose of gluten is structural: It maintains the shape of the grain itself.
Gluten is not harmful according to this article. But as everything, it is the excess of gluten that is dangerous.
Authentic macarons are gluten free (ingredients)
What is a macaron? I wrote an entire post on it, but to summarize it's a traditional French "cookie" composed of two shells and a filling in the middle.
Since my wife and I are both French chef from Le Cordon Bleu Paris, we learned and practiced thisauthentic macaron recipe for years.
Ourrecipe contains:
| Ingredients | Gluten Free? | Dairy Free? |
| Macaron shells | - | - |
| Almond flour | yes | yes |
| Powdered sugar | yes | yes |
| Egg white | yes | yes (eggs are not dairy) |
| Food coloring | yes (at Pastreez) | yes (at Pastreez) |
| Macaron filling | - | - |
| White chocolate | yes | no |
| Fruit purée | yes | yes |
| Egg white | yes | yes |
In short, Yes Traditional macarons are gluten free, but not necessarily dairy free.
But beware! Even if traditional French bakeries like Pastreez stick to the authentic recipe, most bakers in the US don't.
You might be surprised with what you find in recipes sometimes.
In my quest to find the best macaron delivery services in the US, I found that some bakers add conservatives that might contain gluten.
A dairy free macaron is a specific recipe, since the filling almost always dairy. For example, ourvegan macaronsare gluten free, and dairy free as well.
The only way to know for sure: Ask the baker prior to buy.
Cross contamination and gluten
Cross contamination is the contamination of a product by another one, simply because they are handled in the same kitchen.
Even if authentic macarons are gluten free, ask yourself if the bakery process other items that contain gluten.
For example, if a bakeryprimarily makes cookies, cupcakes, and then macarons, you'll have cross contamination with gluten.
How to make sureyour macarons are gluten free?
As explained earlier, authentic macarons are gluten free.You need to ask your bakery if:
- They make authentic and traditional macarons (most don't)
- Do they process other pastries (cookies, cupcakes, etc.) that contain gluten
- If they do, do they use the same area of their kitchen, and how often is it cleaned
At Pastreez, we sell traditional macarons and crêpes. Our macarons are gluten free, but crêpes aren't (all purpose flour used).
But we use to separate areas to process. So there is no risk of cross contamination.
We've had plenty of celiac customers during the past years, and they were always happy.
All that said, we advise you to always try carefully first to avoid any allergic reaction.
FAQs
In short, Yes Traditional macarons are gluten free, but not necessarily dairy free. But beware! Even if traditional French bakeries like Pastreez stick to the authentic recipe, most bakers in the US don't. You might be surprised with what you find in recipes sometimes.
What are macarons classified as? ›
A macaron is a meringue-based sandwich cookie made with almond flour, egg whites, confectioners' sugar, and food coloring. Common fillings include buttercream, ganache, and fruit-based jam.
Is macaron a dairy product? ›
The crispy shells have no dairy in them--only almonds, egg whites, sugar and coloring. It's the filling you need to be careful of--the creamy fillings could certainly have cream, particularly chocolate ganache.
Are macarons allergy friendly? ›
Macarons contain 2 common food allergens, eggs, and tree nuts. Specifically, macarons are made of egg whites and sugar and closely resemble meringue. But macarons also contain almond flour, which makes them off limits for people with nut allergies and me.
What flour is gluten and dairy free? ›
Cup4Cup's™ Wholesome Flour is the only non-GMO verified, nutrient-rich, dairy-free, gluten free, 1:1 substitution for whole wheat flour that is a source of fiber and omega fatty acids.
What are the 2 types of macaroons? ›
French macarons are softer with chewy shells and more subtly sweet taste, giving you more of that distinct almond flavour. Whereas Italian macarons are more crisp, even powdery at times and have a more pronounced sweet taste. A trained eye may even be able to tell the difference simply by looking at them.
How many macarons should you eat? ›
Macarons can help you stay within your recommended daily calorie intake if they're eaten in moderation. A single macaron may contain less than 90 calories, and snacking on only a couple of these treats at a time shouldn't add to your waistline.
Are macarons healthy? ›
Made Complete with Sweet, Delicious Fillings
Even with the tasty fillings, macarons are still healthier desserts when compared to other sweets, such as cupcakes. For instance, three macarons have around 210-300 calories compared to a single cupcake with around 400 calories.
Can lactose intolerant people eat macarons? ›
Dairy-free macaroons
We use non-dairy butter substitute to make delicious dairy-free fillings in a range of flavours. You can see the full ingredients list for each flavour on the products page under the description heading.
Are Disney macarons gluten free? ›
For example, the delicious Disneyland macarons or gluten-friendly IncrediCookie may be naturally gluten-free, but they are not labeled or promoted as “gluten-free.” The macarons are sitting near other baked goods, making cross-contamination possible... so approach with caution.
As traditional macarons are made with the above ingredients, they are generally not vegan. However, if you're looking for some vegan macarons, fear not! You can easily make a vegan version by subbing out the egg whites for aquafaba.
Is a macaron gluten-free? ›
Most macarons are gluten-free cookies. They are made using almond flour (which is naturally gluten-free) as a main ingredient rather than gluten-containing wheat flour. Macarons can have all kinds of unique fillings. If a particular flavor includes gluten, then the macaron will not be gluten-free, but this is unusual.
Are macaroons good for IBS? ›
A daily macaroon cookie is one “pill” he now remembers to take! A: Many readers have reported that Archway Coconut Macaroon cookies can help relieve chronic diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome. We're delighted to learn that other brands also work.
Are luxury macarons gluten free? ›
Macarons are made with almond flour and egg whites, which makes them naturally gluten-free and a good option for those with gluten sensitivities or allergies. They are low in calories: Compared to other desserts, macarons are relatively low in calories, making them a guilt-free treat. They're bite-sized.
Are macarons in Paris gluten-free? ›
Are Macarons Gluten Free? Macarons are a classic French cookie made from whipped egg whites (meringues) and ground almonds and/or almond flour, so they have always been naturally gluten free.
Does almond flour have dairy? ›
Almond Flour is dairy free. Almond Flour does not contain milk and should be safe for those with a milk allergy.
Do macaroons contain yeast? ›
Fun fact: coconut macaroons are a popular Passover dessert because they can be baked without flour, making them an unleavened cookie that doesn't require yeast.
