There’s something nostalgic about enjoying a classic chocolate and cream cookie with its signature dark cocoa crunch and creamy center. But Oreos were among the first things I missed when I first had to go gluten-free. Fortunately, the world of gluten-free treats has expanded. In this post, I’ve conducted a taste test to find the best gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookie for my family. We sampled three brands: OREO Gluten Free Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Chocolate Creme Sandwich Cookies by Goodie Girl, and Gluten-Free Chocolate Sandwich Cremes from 365 by Whole Foods Market.
Let’s see which cookie ranked best!
Note: As always, if you have a food allergy or a disease that requires strict food guidelines, it’s always best to inquire about the producer’s food handling practices. What is identified in this blog post is self-reported on the packaging information.
Methodology Overview
To ensure a fair and fun blind taste test, we followed these guidelines:
- Four taste testers: Three of my family members who eat gluten, and one who doesn’t (me!).
- Fresh cookies only: Purchased within a week of testing.
- Blind ratings: Testers rated the cookies based on taste, texture, and overall appeal without seeing the packaging or cookie (i.e., done blindfolded). After the tasting ratings were conducted, the visual rating was conducted.
- Standardized rating sheets: Everyone had the same instructions and rating categories (flavor, texture, and appearance).
- Kid-Friendly: The rating sheets were designed so my second grader could participate.
- Rating System: A simple 0-2 scale for taste, texture, and appearance; summed these equaled an overall score out of 6 points possible.
- Randomized tasting order: No cookie got an unfair advantage; each rater tasted cookies in a different order.
Results
The results were interesting. Unsurprisingly, the OREO Gluten-Free Chocolate Sandwich Cookies were the top pick. Their familiar flavor and texture had everyone reaching for more. The Gluten-Free Chocolate Sandwich Cremes from 365 by Whole Foods Market surprised everyone by coming in a close second with a decent chocolate flavor and a good visual appeal.
As for Goodie Girl’s Chocolate Creme Sandwich Cookies, they were the least favorite among our family. But don’t write them off just yet; there might be a place for them on your gluten-free cookie shelf!
Analysis of Each Cookie
OREO Gluten-Free Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
The Good:
- Classic crunch and familiar flavor
- Tastes just like a regular Oreo
- Enjoyable cookie-to-cream ratio
The Not-So-Good:
- Some testers found the chocolate flavor a bit mild
- The cream had a slightly artificial aftertaste
- Crumbles easily
Summary
For most raters, the Oreo cookie had a satisfying crunch and a delicious flavor, making it a solid gluten-free option. The combination of cookie and frosting was enjoyable, though the frosting was slightly melty. Despite this, the taste remained consistent and matched expectations, especially with the familiar “Oreo” branding. It delivered a nice enough texture, tasted good, and looked as expected.
However, not all feedback was positive. Some testers noted that the cookie had an earthy smell that wasn’t appealing and didn’t taste much like chocolate. It also gets stuck in your teeth a lot. The cream filling was a particular disappointment, described as artificial and unpleasant. Additionally, the texture was crumbly, causing the cookie to fall apart easily in hand. While the appearance met expectations, the overall experience left room for improvement.
Ingredients (at time of testing from package): Sugar, white rice flour, tapioca starch, palm oil, soybean and/or canola oil, oat flour, cornstarch, cocoa (processed with alkali), invert sugar, soy lecithin, baking soda, salt, xanthan gum, chocolate, artificial flavor.
Dietary info from package: Certified Gluten-free, sustainably sourced cocoa, contains soy.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Sandwich Cremes from 365 by Whole Foods Market
The Good:
- Decent chocolate flavor
- Visually appealing, looks like an Oreo
The Not-So-Good:
- Too much frosting, making them soft and smushy
- Some found the texture gritty
Summary
The Gluten-Free Chocolate Sandwich Cremes from 365 had a mixed reception. Some testers found it pretty good overall but noted too much frosting, which made it a bit soft and smushy. The design was visually appealing, resembling an Oreo, but it was clearly an off-brand version. The texture was slightly gritty and crumbly but not in an entirely unpleasant way. It also had no bad aftertaste, making it something testers would consider eating again.
On the downside, some found the cookie to be too soft and different from what they expected. The crème had an odd flavor, and the chocolate aftertaste was mild but slightly salty in the middle. It was also crumblier than expected, making eating more difficult. While it looked as expected, the overall taste and texture left room for improvement.
Ingredients (at time of testing from package): Powdered sugar, flour blend (rice flour, organic corn flour, potato starch, soy flour, cornstarch, tapioca starch, xanthan gum, acacia gum, carrageenan), cane sugar, palm oil, expeller-pressed canola oil, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), gluten-free oat flour, cornstarch, natural flavors, salt, baking soda, soy lecithin.
Dietary info from package: Gluten-free certified Beyond Celiac, vegetarian, contains soy. May contain tree nuts (coconut), milk and eggs due to processing facilities usage.
Chocolate Creme Sandwich Cookies by Goodie Girl
The Good:
- Nice crunch and texture
- Pretty cookie design, but looks different than expected
- Clearly labeled certified gluten-free
The Not-So-Good:
- Weird aftertaste that lingered
- Chalky texture
- Too sweet and slightly artificial
- Cream was too soft
Summary
At first bite, this cookie seemed promising—it had a good texture, a nice crumbly consistency, and a visually appealing design. The front featured an eye-catching imprint, while the back clearly labeled it as gluten-free. The initial flavor was pleasant, but the enjoyment didn’t last. Testers found that the taste quickly faded, leaving behind a foul aftertaste. Some described it as chalky to the touch and comparable to eating a stale cookie.
Other criticisms included an overly sweet aroma, mild chocolate flavor with fake vanilla notes, and a slightly salty aftertaste. The crème was too soft and had an artificial taste, while the cookie was crunchy but prone to sticking to teeth. It is a slightly different color cookie, but overall, it looked as expected; the overall experience left much to be desired.
That said, it’s the only cookie that identifies as having stricter ingredients and processes. It’s also the only one that is kosher certified and has no warnings about dairy, eggs, and nuts being processed at the same facility.
Ingredients (at time of testing from package): Cane sugar, rice flour, palm oil, gluten-free whole grain oat flour, tapioca starch, high oleic sunflower oil, cocoa (processed with alkali), invert syrup, cornstarch, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, inulin, baking soda, salt, natural flavors.
Dietary info from package: Certified gluten-free, kosher certified, plant-based, contains soy, no peanuts, baked in USA, and Certified sustainable palm oil.
Key Points and Takeaways
- OREO Gluten Free Chocolate Sandwich Cookies: Topped our taste test with a nostalgic flavor and texture. While the cream had a slight artificial taste and the cookie crumbled easily, it’s still the go-to option for many gluten-free folks.
- 365 by Whole Foods Market’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Sandwich Cremes: These came in second, impressing with decent chocolate flavor and a good visual resemblance to regular Oreos, though they were a bit too soft and gritty.
- Goodie Girl’s Chocolate Creme Sandwich Cookies: While they had a nice crunch and texture, the aftertaste and overly sweet flavor were major turn-offs for us. However, they might still be a good choice for those who prioritize plant-based or sustainable ingredients.
Would I buy any of these again? Yes, especially the OREO Gluten-Free Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, which we all agreed are the best of this taste test!
Reactions and Next Steps:
Have you tried any of these gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies? What’s your favorite brand? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Additional information:
References: None
Disclaimers: At the time of writing this post, no financial compensation was derived from any of the sources, products, or people mentioned in this post. For more information about the financials of this blog, please go here.
Update history: None.
