The Kodiak Cake brand came to life in 1982 when an heirloom family flapjack recipe gained local popularity in the Park City, Utah area. The company has grown tremendously over the years and as such offers its products for sale in over 26,000 retail locations. It has proven to be one of the most rapidly growing and widely known health food brands on the market today. While they offer a large selection of better-for-you food products, many are not gluten-free.
Most Kodiak Cake products are not gluten free. The company has, however, added several certified gluten-free items to their product lineup. These products are still crafted with 100% whole grains, no artificial colors or preservatives, and are non-GMO. Some solid alternatives to Kodiak Cakes’ popular items include Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Pancake + Waffle Mix, and Birch Benders Grain-Free Toaster Waffles.
Let’s review the various Kodiak Cake products together and discuss how they may or may not fit into a gluten-free lifestyle. We’ll also dive into several alternatives to traditional Kodiak Cake products. Let’s get started!
Contents
- Kodiak Cakes – The Company
- Certified Gluten-Free Kodiak Cake Products
- What is so great about whole grains?
- Alternative Options
- Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Vanilla Almond Butter Granola Clusters
- Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Pancake + Waffle Mix
- Birch Benders Grain-Free Toaster Waffles
- Kind Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Almond Oatmeal Packets
- Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Cocoa & Vanilla Bunny Cookies
- King Arthur Classic Cornbread + Muffin Mix
- Main Takeaways
- Related Questions
Kodiak Cakes – The Company
The Kodiak Cake brand has grown from humble beginnings to one of the fastest growing health food companies in the United States. Their products have soared in popularity as the demand for healthier, higher quality food increases. The family-owned company began with the goal of sharing its family flapjack recipe that used healthy, natural ingredients. While it’s flapjack and waffle mixes are quite possibly its most popular item, the brand has expanded its reach by including products like syrups, oatmeal, granola bars, and pre-made toaster waffles. Per their CEO, the Kodiak Cake brand’s mission is to “inspire healthier eating and active lifestyles with nourishment for today’s frontier”.
Certified Gluten-Free Kodiak Cake Products
A large portion of Kodiak Cake products and flavor varieties are not gluten-friendly and should be avoided if you have celiac disease, are gluten sensitive, or follow a gluten-free diet. The following Kodiak Cake products, however, are all certified gluten-free and can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, gluten-free diet. Let’s review each product and its respective nutritional profile.
Gluten-Free Frontier Oat Flapjack + Waffle Mix
This waffle and flapjack mix provides the same great quality ingredients and flavor as its gluten-containing counterparts. It offers high quality carbohydrates from 100% whole grain oat flour while also providing 6 grams of protein per ½ cup serving. While having about 4 grams of added sugar per serving, this product still serves as an excellent option for those following a gluten-free diet.
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free 100% Whole Grain Oat Flour
- Brown Sugar
- Tapioca Starch
- Leavening (monocalcium phosphate, baking soda)
- Eggs
- Sea Salt
- Xanthan Gum
Nutritional Information (per ½ Cup Dry Mix):
- Calories: 190
- Total Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 35g
- Total Sugars: 4g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
Gluten-Free Buttermilk + Maple Flapjack Cup
It doesn’t get any more convenient than a flapjack that is ready to eat in 60 seconds. Kodiak Cakes’ Buttermilk and Maple Flapjack cup is 100% gluten-free, provides 10 grams of protein per cup, along with 230mg of calcium, 1.4mg of iron, and 240mg of potassium. Just add water and microwave for 60 seconds and you’ve got a nutritious, protein-packed, gluten-free breakfast or snack option.
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free 100% Whole Grain Oat Flour
- Maple Syrup
- Palm Oil
- Brown Sugar
- Tapioca Flour
- Egg Whites
- Buttermilk
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Leavening (monocalcium phosphate, baking soda)
- Eggs
- Sea Salt
- Xanthan Gum
Nutritional Information (per ½ Cup Dry Mix):
- Calories: 190
- Total Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 35g
- Total Sugars: 4g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
Mountain Berry Syrup
This fruit syrup has excellent flavor and is an awesome addition to your pancake syrup lineup. As with any syrup, it is relatively high in added sugars at 14 grams per 2 tablespoons. The positives of this syrup would be that it is only sweetened with cane sugar and fruit, so no high fructose corn syrup like many other pancake syrups on the market.
Ingredients:
- Cane Sugar
- Marionberry Puree
- Red Raspberry Puree
- Water
- Blueberry Juice Concentrate
- Pectin
- Xanthan Gum
- Citric Acid
Nutritional Information (per 2 tablespoons):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Total Sugars: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
Raspberry Fruit Syrup
This fruit syrup is similar in nutritional content to the Mountain Berry Syrup mentioned above. It does have 1 gram less of added sugar, at 13 grams added sugar per 2 tablespoon serving.
Ingredients:
- Red Raspberry Puree
- Cane Sugar
- Water
- Pectin
- Xanthan Gum
- Citric Acid
Nutritional Information (per 2 tablespoons):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Total Sugars: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
Frontier Oat Toaster Waffles
Another convenient breakfast option for those busy mornings are the pre-made Gluten-Free Frontier Oat Toaster Waffles. Made with 100% whole grains, these waffles can be plopped in the toaster oven and ready to eat in no time. They provide 10 grams of protein per 2 waffles and pack in 5 grams of fiber, some calcium, iron, and potassium as well.
Ingredients:
- Water
- 100% Whole Grain Oat Flour
- Canola Oil
- Brown Sugar
- Egg
- Tapioca Starch
- Whey Protein Isolate
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Natural Flavor
- Baking Powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate, white rice flour)
- Rice Protein
- Pea Protein
- Sea Salt
- Guar Gum
Nutritional Information (per 2 Waffles):
- Calories: 240
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 357mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 29g
- Total Sugars: 3g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
Are Kodiak Cake Products Good for Me?
The Kodiak Cake brand proudly demonstrates its mission to inspire healthy eating and promote active living by offering tasty foods made with quality ingredients. All of their products are made with 100% whole grains, which means they provide a plethora of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals beneficial for our health. Not to mention, whole grains pack a decent amount of fiber, which is key for a healthy gut and regulating blood sugar. This brand also ensures that none of their products include artificial colors or preservatives, are all non-GMO, and pack a protein punch. While the Kodiak Cake brand has a lot going for it, we can’t gloss over the fact that some of their products can be high in fat compared to other popular baking mixes. Most have a decent amount of added sugar and the sodium content in some of their products is slightly elevated as well. All of these factors should be considered by the consumer when determining if Kodiak Cakes are a good fit for their lifestyle and health goals.
What is so great about whole grains?
In short, whole grains provide more vitamins and minerals compared to refined and enriched grains. When grains are refined, they are stripped of many of these essential nutrients. The grain can be enriched, a process where some nutrients are added back. After enrichment, though, the grain will contain less than half of the nutrients removed during refinement. Whole grains retain these nutrients completely and are therefore good sources of fiber, B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, and iron. In essence, whole grains offer more bang for your buck, nutritionally speaking.
Alternative Options
For those wanting some gluten-free alternatives to the gluten-containing Kodiak Cake products, look no further. Here are some of our favorites!
Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Vanilla Almond Butter Granola Clusters
These grain-free, gluten-free granola clusters are an awesome alternative to Kodiak Cake granola bars. Convenient and delicious, these are sure to satisfy as an on-the-go snack for those busy days. Purely Elizabeth Granola Clusters are also vegan, paleo, and keto.
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Cashews
- Coconut Sugar
- Almonds
- Coconut Flakes
- Almond Butter
- MCT Oil from Coconuts
- Chia Seeds
- Cinnamon
- Sea Salt
- Vanilla Extract (organic ingredients)
Nutritional Information (per ⅓ cup, 30g):
- Calories: 170
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 9g
- Total Sugars: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Pancake + Waffle Mix
This grain-free, gluten-free, vegan pancake mix is a big win for gluten-free dieters. It is pretty high in fat, but the majority falls under the healthier, unsaturated fat category. Purely Elizabeth’s pancake mix also gets a thumbs up for having 0 grams of added sugar, 6 grams of fiber, and a whopping 11 grams of protein. Despite its high sodium content, this product is a pretty great alternative to the Kodiak Cake Pancake and Waffles mixes.
Ingredients:
- Almond Flour
- Arrowroot Flour
- Organic Coconut Milk Powder (Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin, Organic Gum Acacia)
- Grass-fed Collagen
- Organic Coconut Flour
- Organic Tigernut Flour
- Organic Chia Seeds
- Organic Flax Seeds
- Leavening (Baking Soda, Monocalcium Phosphate Monohydrate)
- Sea Salt
- Cinnamon
Nutritional Information (per ½ cup):
- Calories: 300
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 26g
- Total Sugars: 2g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 11g
Birch Benders Grain-Free Toaster Waffles
Birch Benders is a brand that has gained popularity in the paleo community. They make a wide variety of different grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free food products. One great option they have available are their gluten-free toaster waffles. These are an excellent alternative for those who want a toaster waffle that is not only gluten-free, but dairy-free and has 0 grams of added sugar.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Tigernut Flour
- Cassava Starch
- Eggs
- High Oleic Sunflower Oil
- Coconut Flour
- Leavening (Monocalcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate)
- Salt
Nutritional Information (per 2 waffles):
- Calories: 120
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 19g
- Total Sugars: 3g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
Kind Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Almond Oatmeal Packets
Kind oatmeal packets are a great option if you’re in need of a quick, gluten-free oatmeal option. Their apple cinnamon variety provides 5 grams of protein per packet and only has 4 grams of added sugar. This brand also uses a limited amount of all-natural ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Oats
- Almonds
- Apple
- Cane Sugar
- Sea Salt
- Cinnamon
- Natural Flavor
Nutritional Information (per 1 packet):
- Calories: 170
- Total Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 29g
- Total Sugars: 7g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Cocoa & Vanilla Bunny Cookies
These graham-style snacks offer a great alternative to Kodiak Cake Bear Bites. They are NSF Certified Gluten-Free and do not include any artificial colors, preservatives, or high fructose corn syrup.
Ingredients:
- Corn Starch
- Cane Sugar
- Potato Starch
- Palm Oil
- Rice Flour
- Soy Flour
- Corn Flour
- Tapioca Syrup
- Cocoa Powder
- Tapioca Starch
- Leavening (baking soda, ammonium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate)
- Sea Salt
- Soy Lecithin
- Xanthan Gum
- Natural Flavor
Nutritional Information (per 30 cookies):
- Calories: 140
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 23g
- Total Sugars: 8g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 2g
King Arthur Classic Cornbread + Muffin Mix
While the Kodiak Cake Cornbread Mix includes whole wheat flour, this King Arthur Cornbread mix does not and is 100% certified gluten-free. It is still loaded with whole grain sorghum, meaning that you still get that extra bang for your buck in terms of nutrient composition. This product is also non-GMO project verified and Kosher.
Ingredients:
- Cornmeal
- Cane Sugar
- Sorghum Flour
- Corn Starch
- Baking Powder (baking soda, calcium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate)
- Salt
- Xanthan Gum
- Vitamin and Mineral Blend (calcium carbonate, niacinamide, reduced iron, thiamin hydrochloride, riboflavin)
Nutritional Information (per 4 Tablespoons, prepared):
- Calories: 210
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 33g
- Total Sugars: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
Main Takeaways
Kodiak Cakes is a family-owned company that strives to inspire healthy eating and promote active lifestyles. Their product line boasts a wide variety of products that taste great and are all created using high-quality ingredients. This has, no doubt, contributed to the company’s growing popularity in a day and age where healthy, convenient food is in high demand. Despite a large product line, Kodiak Cakes only offers a handful of gluten-free options. All are certified gluten-free, though, and can be consumed with confidence by those following a gluten-free diet.
Related Questions
Are Kodiak Cake Products Vegan?
The majority of Kodiak Cake products are not vegan, including the gluten-free varieties. They typically include eggs or milk-based ingredients such as whey protein, milk protein concentrate, and buttermilk, to name a few. Kodiak Cakes does have a plant-based waffle and flapjack mix in its line up. This mix does not use eggs or any milk-derived ingredients, but it is not gluten-free.
Are Kodiak Cake Products Keto?
Kodiak Cake products are not keto and the brand does not currently have any keto-compliant offerings.
Are Kodiak Cake Products Paleo?
The Paleo diet aims to limit carbohydrate consumption, especially carbohydrates from grains and processed foods. Because all of the Kodiak Cake products are made with grains, the brand in total would not be considered paleo-friendly.