What do you need to have in your allergy friendly pantry to be ready for the holiday baking season? If you have food allergies or intolerances, you’ll want to have safe ingredients on hand so you can bake lots of delicious holiday treats!
Are you ready for holiday baking? Have you filled your pantry with supplies and ingredients that are safe for your food allergy needs?
Well, unless you’re excited about the prospect of running out at 9PM to grab another bag of dairy free chocolate chips, or using the last little drips of vanilla extract, now is the time to make sure your pantry is stocked and ready to go.
From gluten free flour to corn free powdered sugar to allergy friendly dried fruits and more, this guide will help you make sure your pantry is in working order before you’re up to your elbows in gluten free cookie dough.
Baking holiday cookies is so fun and festive, but it can be stressful, too. Having a well-stocked pantry can help you relax and enjoy your time in the kitchen!
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Where to Shop
You can find a lot of allergy friendly products on Amazon – see this post for a full list! Gerbs.com or Vitacost are other websites that have a lot of ingredients for those with allergies.
Or if you prefer to shop in person, try stores like Whole Foods, Meijer, Better Health, and Fresh Thyme for a wide variety of options.
If you’re looking for holiday recipes to try, be sure to visit my collection of Christmas cookie recipes. I also have a holiday cookbook – Allergy Friendly Holiday Baking.
Disclaimer: Please read labels and call the company to make sure that brands and ingredients are safe for your specific allergy needs. Ingredients and processes can change, so always double check before using any product listed here.
Disclosure: This post contains paid affiliate links.
Flour Blends
Depending on your dietary needs, you will need some type of flour to make all your Christmas cookies and other treats. If you’re gluten free, a gluten free flour blend that works for your allergies is a must!
Some brands to consider include:
- Namaste Perfect Flour Blend (affiliate link)
- Living Now Foods Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
- Gluten Free 123
- Better Batter Flour
There are many, many other brands of gluten free flours out there. Please call to make sure that any brand is safe for your particular needs. The brand I use again and again is Namaste. The flavor and result when I bake cookies with Namaste is perfect every time.
If you are not gluten free, a trusted brand of regular all-purpose flour is also a necessity.
Oats
You’ll also need certified gluten free oats for recipes like vegan monster cookies and gluten free banana oatmeal cookies.
GF Harvest Oats are available on Amazon and processed in an allergen free facility.
Sugar and Other Sweeteners
You’ll need a variety of sweeteners for treats like pumpkin kiss cookies, double chocolate cookie balls, and gingerbread sandwich cookies.
- Granulated Sugar
- Light Brown Sugar
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Coconut Sugar
- Powdered Sugar – Wholesome Sweeteners brand is corn-free
- Molasses
- Maple Syrup – Butternut Mountain Farms (affiliate link) is made in an allergy friendly facility
- Honey
Oil
- Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil
- Vegan Buttery Spread – We like the Earth Balance Soy Free variety
- Vegan Baking Sticks
- Canola Oil
Chocolate
There are a few brands of allergy friendly chocolate out there. The two brands that are made in nut-free facilities are Enjoy Life and PASCHA. PASCHA Chocolate is made in a facility that is free of the top 8 allergens.
- Dark Chocolate Chips
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Unsweetened Chocolate Bars
- Vegan White Chocolate (affiliate link)
- Cocoa Powder
Dried Fruit and Coconut
This is a category that often has a higher incidence of cross contamination from nuts. Please call the companies to ask questions. Gerbs Allergy Friendly Foods has a lot of dried fruits that are processed in an allergen free facility.
- Coconut Flakes – for cakes and cookies that need coconut, like these Chocolate Coconut Cookies
- Raisins
- Dried Cranberries
- Dried Currants
- Medjool Dates
Fruit Purees
You’ll need pumpkin for all the pumpkin treats you’ll bake, and the other purees can be good substitutes for eggs.
- Pumpkin Puree
- Prune Puree
- Unsweetened Applesauce
Extracts and Spices
Spices are another category that can have a lot of cross contamination issues. One brand to look into, depending on your particular allergens, is McCormick.
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Ground Ginger
- Peppermint Extract
Decorations
- Homemade Sprinkles
- Beets (for homemade red or pink food dye)
- Plastic Candy Molds (for making your own chocolate candy decorations)
- Allergy Friendly Candy Canes (some brands to check out are Spangler’s or Yum Earth)
- Vegan Marshmallows
- Other candies like Chocolate No No’s or lollipops, especially if you are going to make an allergy friendly gingerbread house
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Other Items
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Sunbutter
- Pumpkin Seed Butter
- Full Fat Coconut Milk – for recipes like Decadent Coconut Cream Hot Chocolate
Paper Products
- Parchment Paper – cookies never stick to the cookie sheet when you use parchment paper
- Waxed Paper – perfect for wrapping cookie dough up before freezing
- Parchment Cupcake Liners – a necessity so that gluten free cupcakes and muffins don’t stick to the pan
- Mini Cardboard Loaf Pans
- Paper or Plastic Treat Bags
- Baker’s Twine
Are you ready for holiday baking? What are your must have items?
Cynthia
Thank you for all the tips and recipes. Very helpful indeed. :)
Kelly Roenicke
You’re welcome!
Ayla @EatSimply
I’m loving coconut flour for muffins lately. It is denser, for sure so I’ll combine with buckwheat flour.
Kelly
Good idea!I can’t use a lot of coconut flour because we can’t eat eggs, but I love how healthy it is!
Cynthia
Please explain this.
Kelly Roenicke
I find that coconut flour does not work well unless you are able to bake with eggs. Without eggs, coconut flour results in very wet, dense baked goods.
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven
This a great list, Kelly! I’ve gotta get my hands on some of those dye-free sprinkles—never even knew they existed! :)
Kelly
They have them at Whole Foods!
Kristen @ Joyfully Thriving
I’m starting to stock up for my holiday baking, too! 4lb bags of sugar are on sale at Kroger this week for $1.25, so that is perfect time to stock up! Next up, chocolate chips…
Kelly
That is a really good price on sugar! I will have to get some this week! Thanks for the tip!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You’ve gotta add buckwheat flour! It is the one and only, haha ;)
Kelly
You’re right! I don’t use buckwheat much, but I need to start using it more!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon
Awesome comprehensive list!
Kelly
Thanks, Marisa!