Is PAM Cooking Spray Gluten Free? (Find Out Now!)

PAM Cooking Spray is one of the leaders in non-stick high-temperature cooking sprays and a household staple for easy baking and greasing. Many home cooks and home bakers use PAM for its convenient and mess-free spray functions. PAM is marketed in various flavors, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and butter. PAM also offers high-temperature sprays for grilling and baking. 

PAM Cooking Spray is considered gluten-free. It typically consists of canola oil, palm oil, olive oil, or coconut oil. However, Pam Baking Spray contains wheat flour so it is not gluten-free. Healthier gluten-free alternatives to PAM Cooking Spray, include Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Spray, Fourth & Heart High Heat Original Ghee Oil Blend Spray, and Thrive Market Coconut Oil Spray. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the PAM Cooking Sprays and investigate a few other brands of alternative cooking sprays. Let’s dig in!

Is PAM Cooking Spray Healthy?

In suggested servings sizes, PAM Cooking Spray has essentially zero calories. While best enjoyed in small doses, many will end up using more than the suggested serving size, as it is easy to spray for longer than a few seconds. PAM also contains chemical additives, like soy lecithin, palm oil, and butane which are not the most health-boosting ingredients. 

PAM Cooking Spray is highly processed and when using oils it is best to stick to less modified oils that include only one ingredient, like pure olive oil or coconut oil. For higher heat baking and cooking, avocado or coconut oil are recommended. 

All About PAM Cooking Spray

Why is PAM cooking oil popular?

PAM Cooking Spray has become a household name since the 60s for its convenience and usability. Pam makes greasing any surface an easy no-mess solution for bakers and home cooks alike. PAM Cooking Spray was invented in 1959 by Arthur Meyer Hoff and Leon Rubin. Contrary to popular belief, PAM is not named after a famous women baker but it stands for Product of Arthur Meyerhoff. PAM Cooking Spray was acquired by ConAgra Foods in 2000. 

Are there chemicals in PAM Cooking Spray?

PAM contains three key ingredients: oil, lecithin, and butane or propane.  Butane is a chemical used to propel the oil from the can. While butane is a chemical we typically do not see in our food products, it is considered FDA approved.

However, this does not necessarily mean this is healthy. Additionally, the butane in PAM makes it highly flammable and ConAgra (the current manufacturer of PAM) has undergone various lawsuits for can explosions. 

PAM Cooking Spray vs. PAM Baking Spray

Although most PAM Cooking Sprays are gluten-free, the one outlier is PAM Baking Spray which contains wheat flour. The wheat flour is used for non-stick purposes which is often times needed for baking and precision. PAM Baking Spray ensures no cakes or pastries stick to the pan, while also leaving your kitchen a tad bit cleaner (without flour dust everywhere). Most baking sprays will contain flour, so always read the label!

What is Canola Oil?

The Original PAM Cooking Spray is made predominately with canola, a refined vegetable oil. Refined vegetable oil is typically derived from genetically-modified plants (GMOs) that are sprayed with chemicals and pesticides. The long term effects of GMOs are debated, so they are best avoided in large quantities. The healthier alternatives to canola oil for high-heat cooking would be avocado oil and refined coconut oil.

Nutrition Information for PAM Cooking Spray

PAM Cooking Spray, Original

Ingredients:

• Canola Oil*
• Palm Oil*
• Coconut Oil*
• Lecithin From Soybeans (Non-Stick Agent)
• Dimethyl Silicone (For Anti-Foaming)
• Rosemary Extract (Preservative)
• Also Contains Propellant To Dispense Spray

Nutrition Facts (Per .25g, 1/4 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Olive Oil

Ingredients:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil*
• Soy Lecithin (Prevents Sticking)
• Dimethyl Silicone (For Anti-Foaming)
• Also Contains Propellant To Dispense Spray

Nutrition Facts (Per .25g, 1/4 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Butter

Ingredients:

• Canola Oil*
• Soy Lecithin (Prevents Sticking)
• Dimethyl Silicone (For Anti-Foaming)
• Natural Flavor
• Also Contains Propellant To Dispense Spray

Nutrition Facts (Per .25g, 1/4 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Baking

Ingredients:

• Canola Oil*
• Palm Oil*
• Coconut Oil*
• Lecithin From Soybeans
• Wheat Flour
• Silicon Dioxide
• Natural Flavor

Nutrition Facts (Per .27g, 1/3 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Grilling

Ingredients:

• Canola Oil*
• Phosphate Mono- And Diglycerides
• Water
• Also Contains Propellant To Dispense Spray

Nutrition Facts (Per .27g, 1/3 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Extra Virgin NON-GMO Olive Oil

Ingredients:

• Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil*
• Organic Grain Alcohol (Added For Clarity)
• Organic Soy Lecithin (Prevents Sticking)
• Also Contains Propellant To Dispense Spray

Nutrition Facts (Per .37g, 1/5 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Avocado NON-GMO Oil

Ingredients:

• Avocado Oil*
• Organic Grain Alcohol (Added For Clarity)
• Sunflower Lecithin (Prevents Sticking)
• Also Contains Propellant To Dispense Spray

Nutrition Facts (Per .37g, 1/5 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Coconut NON-GMO Oil

Ingredients:

• Coconut Oil*
• Sunflower Lecithin (Prevents Sticking)
• Also Contains Propellant To Dispense Spray

Nutrition Facts (Per .25g, 1/4 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Olive Oil Non-Aerosol

Ingredients:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Grain Alcohol (For Uniform Spray)
• Soy Lecithin (Prevents Sticking)
• Rosemary Extract

Nutrition Facts (Per 1g, 5 sprays):

• Calories – 10
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 1 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Avocado Oil NON-AEROSOL

Ingredients:

• Avocado Oil
• Grain Alcohol (For Uniform Spray)
• Soy Lecithin (Prevents Sticking)
• Rosemary Extract

Nutrition Facts (Per 1g, 5 pumps):

• Calories – 10
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 1 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

PAM Cooking Spray, Coconut Oil Non-Aerosol

Ingredients:

• Coconut Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Grain Alcohol (For Uniform Spray)
• Soy Lecithin (Prevents Sticking)
• Rosemary Extract

Nutrition Facts (Per 1g, 5 pumps):

• Calories – 10
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 1 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

Healthier Cooking Spray Alternatives

Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Spray

Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil is cold-pressed and made from high-quality real-food ingredients. It is Whole30 Approved, Certified Paleo, Keto certified, and non-GMO verified. 

Ingredients:

• Avocado Oil 

Nutrition Facts (Per .25g, 1/4 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray

Chosen Food Avocado Oil is pure heart-healthy oil with no added GMO oils or harmful additives, propellants, or emulsifiers. It only has one ingredient!

Ingredients:

• Avocado Oil 

Nutrition Facts (Per .25g, 1.4 second spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g 
• Sodium – 0 g
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g 

Thrive Market Avocado Oil Spray

Thrive Market Avocado Oil is ethically sourced, non-GMO, and expeller pressed. 

Ingredients:

• Avocado Oil 

Nutrition Facts (Per .25g, 1/4 sec spray):

• Calories – 0
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g 
• Sodium – 0 g
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0 g

Thrive Market Coconut Oil Cooking Spray

Thrive Market Organic Coconut Oil is ethically sourced and naturally extracted. 

Ingredients:

• Organic Coconut Oil 

Nutrition Facts (Per 1.8mL., 1 second spray):

• Calories – 15
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 2 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0g

Fourth & Heart High Heat Original Ghee Oil Blend Spray

Fourth & Heart offers a unique blend of grass-fed ghee, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil that is lactose-free, paleo-friendly, gluten-free, and kosher. Ghee is clarified butter that uses a process to eliminate the milk solids; casein, lactose, and water. The end result has less lactose and milk sugars. Ghee has a stronger nuttier flavor than regular butter and has been used in ancient Ayurvedic cooking for thousands of years

Ingredients:

• Grass-fed Ghee
• Non-GMO Cold Pressed
• Grapeseed Oil
• Sunflower Lecithin

Nutrition Facts (Per 1.8mL., 1 second spray):

• Calories – 10 
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 1 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0g

Simple Truth Organic Ghee Spray

Simple Truth Ghee is grass-fed, organic, and non-GMO. 

Ingredients:

• Organic Ghee 
• Organic Sunflower Oil 
• Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
• Organic Soy Lecithin

Nutrition Facts (Per .25., 1/3 second spray):

• Calories – 0 
• Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
• Total Fat – 0 g
• Sodium – 0 mg
• Sugars – 0 g
• Protein – 0g

Related Questions

Is PAM Cooking Spray vegan?

Yes, PAM Cooking Spray is vegan. 

Is PAM Cooking Spray kosher?

Yes, PAM Cooking Spray is Kosher certified. 

Is PAM Cooking Spray paleo?

No, PAM Cooking spray is not technically Paleo because it has unnatural additives. 

Related Guides

• Is Olive Oil Gluten Free?
• Is Rice Bran Oil Gluten Free?
• Is Vegetable Oil Gluten Free?