Is Gnocchi Vegan Friendly? (You’d Be Surprised!)


Is Gnocchi Vegan

Gnocchi is a type of potato dumpling in Italian cuisine. Cooked properly, gnocchi has a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture while still being firm enough for easy chewing. With that being said, you may think that gnocchi is a vegan-friendly dish. After all, it is just a potato dumpling, right? That is somewhat right, however, the vegan status of most traditional gnocchi may surprise you.

Gnocchi is not vegan. Gnocchi consists of mainly potatoes and has less flour than regular pasta, which makes it a healthier pasta choice. However, most traditional gnocchi recipes use eggs, making it not vegan-friendly. The best vegan alternatives to traditional gnocchi include Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi and Tattooed Chef Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Plant Based Butter and Sage.

In this article, we will discuss different brands and types of gnocchi. We will also discuss some healthy and vegan-friendly alternatives to traditional gnocchi. Let’s dig in!

Is Gnocchi Healthy?

Like many other pasta dishes, there are many different varieties of gnocchi dishes. Depending on how it is prepared and what goes into it will determine how healthy it is for you.

Regardless of how it is prepared or what you put into it, though, gnocchi is actually slightly healthier for you than traditional pasta. That is a nice bonus to its delicious taste.

Gnocchi is lower in calories and carbohydrates than traditional pasta. Gnocchi, however, is also smaller and more dense than traditional pasta, which means it is more likely you will end up eating a larger portion. That tends to negate any health benefits, which is why it is important for you to control your portion if you order the gnocchi.

Popular Brands Of Gnocchi

Like many other traditional pastas, there are many different brands of gnocchi. They are all similar, but offer their own unique flare. Here are some of the most popular brands of gnocchi available on the market:

DeLallo Gnocchi

Made in Italy with over 85% potato, DeLallo potato gnocchi are light and airy with a savory flavor.

Serve this gnocchi simply sautéed with butter and sage, dressed with olive oil and Parmegiano-Reggiano, tossed with basil pesto or paired with a hearty meat ragu. Regardless of how you enjoy it, it is sure to be a crowd favorite.

Best of all, this brand is egg-free, which means it is vegan-friendly. It is also kosher, non-GMO, soy free, tree nut free, peanut free, and lactose free.

These are the ingredients found in DeLallo Gnocchi:

  • 85% potato puree (water, potato flakes)
  • Wheat flour
  • Salt
  • Natural flavor
  • Dusted with rice flour
  • Lactic acid (acidity corrector)
  • Sorbic acid (preservative)

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 1 cup serving):

  • Calories: 230
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 560mg
  • Total carbs: 50g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 6g

Gia Russa Potato Gnocchi

Cooking in just 2-3 minutes, this brand is the perfect choice when you are looking for a quick, tasty dinner.

This brand also does not use eggs, so it is vegan-friendly.

These are the ingredients found in Gia Russa Potato Gnocchi:

  • Rehydrated potatoes 70% (water, potato flakes (potatoes, mono and diglycerides of fatty acids, natural flavors)
  • Wheat flour
  • Potato starch
  • Rice flour
  • Salt
  • Spices
  • Lactic acid (acidity regulator)
  • Potassium sorbate (a preservative)

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 3/4 cup serving):

  • Calories: 180
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 260mg
  • Total carbs: 40g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 4g

Giovanni Rana Skillet Gnocchi

Most people boil their gnocchi just as they would traditional pasta. This brand, however, is meant to be cooked in a skillet, which gives it a wonderfully crispy texture on the outside, with a soft, tender center. You can also boil it, though, if you choose.

This brand is non-GMO, no artificial flavors, and no artificial colors. This brand does not contain eggs, however, it is manufactured on equipment that also processes milk, which could be a problem for those who follow a vegan diet.

These are the ingredients found in Giovanni Rana Skillet Gnocchi:

  • Water
  • Semolina
  • Potato flakes (potatoes, mono and diglycerides of fatty acids, diphosphate, citric acid, ascorbyl palmitate and ascorbic acid)
  • Modified starch
  • 2% or less of salt, citric acid, sorbic acid, and rice flour

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 1 cup serving):

  • Calories: 250
  • Total fat: 0.5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Total carbs: 55g
  • Total sugars: 1g
  • Protein: 7g

Ricotta Gnocchi

We know that gnocchi is often made from potatoes and we discussed a few popular brands of potato gnocchi. However, gnocchi can also be made from ricotta cheese.

Potato gnocchi is easy to mess up, as it can easily become gummy when weighed down with flour or over-handled. Ricotta gnocchi is more foolproof and therefore easier to make from scratch at home, especially for beginners.

Ricotta gnocchi, however, is never vegan-friendly. Potato gnocchi often is not vegan, either, but as we have seen some brands are made without eggs and therefore vegan-friendly.

Alternatives To Traditional Gnocchi

While there are some brands of vegan-friendly gnocchi, most gnocchi dishes are not vegan, as they are made with eggs. Some people also simply do not like the taste of traditional gnocchi. Regardless, here are some of the best alternatives to traditional gnocchi available on the market:

Cappello’s Sweet Potato Gnocchi

This gnocchi is brought to you by special request from the paleo community. With zero grams of added sugar, these small orange dumplings hit all the right sweet potato notes. They are not overpowering or too sweet; they are just right.

Not only is this brand paleo, but it is also grain free, gluten free, non-GMO, vegetarian, dairy-free, soy free and kosher. This brand does contain eggs, though, so it is not vegan-friendly.

These are the ingredients found in Cappello’s Sweet Potato Gnocchi:

  • Organic potatoes (organic potatoes, mono and diglycerides)
  • Eggs
  • Almond flour
  • Sweet potato flour
  • Sweet potato juice
  • Tapioca flour
  • Potato starch
  • Sea salt
  • Annatto seed

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 1 cup serving):

  • Calories: 340
  • Total fat: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Total carbs: 51g
  • Total sugars: 11g
  • Protein: 10g

Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi

Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi (6 Pack) Calling all cauliflower lovers! This brand is made in Italy and is very similar to traditional gnocchi that we all know and love. This version, however, is made with 75% cauliflower and has no wheat, sugar, dairy, or eggs, which translates to less fat and calories than traditional potato gnocchi. You can crisp them up in a pan or boil them in a pot for a more tender texture. Regardless of how you enjoy them, this brand is sure to be a hit.

These are the ingredients found in Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi:

  • Cauliflower
  • Cassava flour
  • Potato starch
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 1 cup serving):

  • Calories: 140
  • Total fat: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 460mg
  • Total carbs: 22g
  • Total sugars: less than 1g
  • Protein: 2g

Tattooed Chef Sweet Potato Gnocchi With Plant-Based Butter And Sage

This brand does things differently on purpose. Their approach to flavor and innovation paired with a focus on quality and sustainable ingredients delivers a range of delicious plant-based foods including this sweet potato gnocchi.

This brand is not only vegan, but it is also gluten-free and grain-free.

These are the ingredients found in Tattooed Chef Sweet Potato Gnocchi With Plant-Based Butter And Sage:

  • Precooked sweet potato gnocchi (precooked sweet potato, rice flour, potato starch, vegetable fiber, extra virgin olive oil, salt)
  • Sauce (water, extra virgin olive oil, plant based butter, vegetable broth)
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Sage

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 1 cup serving):

  • Calories: 280
  • Total fat: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 520mg
  • Total carbs: 34g
  • Total sugars: 5g
  • Protein: 2g

Final Thoughts

Most traditional gnocchi is not vegan due to the fact that it is made with eggs. There are, however, some brands of gnocchi that are made without eggs and therefore are vegan-friendly.

There are also more varieties of gnocchi than just potato gnocchi like those mentioned in this article  – ricotta gnocchi, sweet potato gnocchi, and cauliflower gnocchi. Most of those alternatives are vegan-friendly aside from ricotta gnocchi and Cappello’s sweet potato gnocchi

Related Questions

Is Gnocchi Dairy-Free?

Yes, most gnocchi is dairy-free.

Is Gnocchi Keto-Friendly?

Gnocchi should be avoided on the keto diet because it is often high in carbs. However, there are lower carb versions of gnocchi that can be enjoyed in moderation on the keto diet.

Is Gnocchi Kosher?

Gnocchi is not traditionally kosher, however, it can easily be altered and made kosher for Pesach. DeLallo’s gnocchi and Capello’s sweet potato gnocchi are both kosher.

Is Gnocchi Whole30-Approved?

Most gnocchi should be avoided on whole30 with the exception of Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi. That brand is fair game on the whole30 diet.

Is Gnocchi Paleo-Friendly?

Not all gnocchi is paleo-friendly just like not all gnocchi is vegan-friendly. However, some brands of gnocchi are paleo-friendly. Paleo-friendly gnocchi is most often going to be some version of sweet potato gnocchi.

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Cara Giannetto

I am Cara, a journalist who strives to live a healthy lifestyle. My goal is to help others live a healthy lifestyle, as well, by providing you with the information you need to achieve your goals.

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