Is Cinnamon a Gluten Free Spice? [Ground + More]

Whether you use it for rich dishes or sweet desserts, cinnamon will always make a statement! But is it gluten-free?

Cinnamon is generally gluten-free when sold as a single-ingredient product, not added with gluten-containing ingredients, and not exposed to gluten during production or purchase. The same is true for ground cinnamon, cinnamon stick, and some cinnamon baking chips.

What brands can you safely purchase? Read on to find out!

Table of Contents

Is Cinnamon Gluten Free or Not?

Spices sold in grocery stores or online that only have one ingredient, which is the spice itself, are generally free from gluten. Seasoning mixes, on the other hand, can have another ingredient called an anti-caking agent.

An anti-caking agent is an ingredient that helps prevent clumping or sticking of dry ingredients together because of moisture build-up in the product. They are added so spices (in this case) can freely flow from the container.

However, some seasoning mixes can contain an anti-caking ingredient that has gluten like wheat starch. This is why it’s crucial to read the ingredients list or the label to make sure you don’t purchase and use one that’s not gluten-free (source: Beyond Celiac).

Both cinnamon sticks and cinnamon powder are naturally gluten-free. The most common species is Ceylon. Others are Chinese cassia, Vietnamese or Saigon cinnamon, Indonesian cinnamon, and Malabar cinnamon (source: Wheat by the Way).

Chinese cassia originated from China and ceylon cinnamon

Another possible cause of cinnamon containing gluten is when it’s been exposed to it during production when the facility also processes spices or seasoning mixes that are added with a gluten-containing ingredient as mentioned above.

Gluten contamination can also happen if a person is preparing food at home and happens to also use gluten-containing ingredients such as flour, and have cinnamon lying around getting exposed to it.

It’s also best not to buy cinnamon from bulk bins or containers where you scoop out how much you want. This can get contaminated. Buying cinnamon in individual packages is best (source: Beyond Celiac).

Cinnamon Brands and GF Status

Before anything else, let’s discuss what a gluten-free label is. This label is not required by FDA for producers or manufacturers to put on their labels. However, those who do will need to comply with requirements and follow regulations (source: FDA).

So, what cinnamon brands are gluten-free according to their packaging or website? Here are some of the popular ones and let’s take a look at their gluten status.

McCormick

McCormick doesn’t label their ground cinnamon as gluten-free. But according to their website’s Allergen Statement, they always declare an ingredient on the label if it contains an allergen or a questionable ingredient like wheat and gluten.

If there is no label, then the product is what it’s named after (source: McCormick).

Great Value

Great value, a Walmart brand, states on their store that it is a naturally gluten-free ingredient but doesn’t indicate it on the label (source: Walmart).

Simply Organic

Simply Organic Ceylon Cinnamon doesn’t have a gluten-free label on their product. According to their website, spices and herbs are generally gluten-free and they don’t test for gluten in all their products (source: Simply Organic).

Cinnamon sticks and cinnamon powder in wooden scoop

365 by Whole Foods Market

The 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon is not labeled as gluten-free on the packaging. There is no information on gluten status on their website as well.

Kirkland

Kirkland Organic Ground Saigon Cinnamon also doesn’t have a gluten-free label and the company doesn’t list its cinnamon spice on its website.

Are Cinnamon Baking Chips Gluten Free?

Cinnamon baking chips’ gluten status will always depend on the ingredients and manufacturing process, much like the spice itself. However, there are gluten-free brands on the market.

One is the popular HERSHEY’S Cinnamon Chips. It is labeled as gluten-free on the packaging and they also mention that it is on their website (source: Hershey Land).

Another one is Lily’s Chocolate Cinnamon Flavor Baking Chips. It is also labeled as gluten-free and the brand also describes it as free from gluten on its website (source: Lily’s).

We hope you find this article on the gluten status of cinnamon to be helpful! If you happen to enjoy cinnamon rolls but are also following a gluten-free diet, it’s important to stay informed about the gluten-free options available when indulging in cinnamon rolls.