Is Powdered Sugar Gluten Free? (Yes, Here’s Why)


Is Powdered Sugar Gluten Free

Finding recipes for baked goods that do not use gluten ingredients can be tricky! Many foods such as bread, bagels, cookies, and cakes contain flours that are not consumable by anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity! Baking your own desserts may be the safest bet if you have to worry about whether or not gluten is present in foods. Can powdered sugar still be on your grocery list?

Powdered sugar is gluten-free. Powdered sugar typically contains only pulverized cane sugar and tapioca starch, neither of which contain gluten. The best gluten-free and healthier alternatives to powdered sugar are Wholesome Allulose Zero Calorie Sweetener, TEAki Hut All Natural Monk Fruit Extract, Smart138 Monk Zero, Supernatural Coconut Sugar, and Earth Circle Organic Coconut Sugar Crystles.

Let’s take a look at whether powdered sugar is healthy, if it is gluten-free, as well as some healthier alternatives. Let’s dig in!

Is Powdered Sugar Healthy?

While it can be appreciated that powdered sugar only contains a few ingredients and no additives, it is not healthy. The main ingredient, as the name suggests, is sugar. An average serving of powdered sugar has 30 grams of sugar and 120 calories, which can add up quickly when overconsumed. The recommended daily intake allowance is 24 grams for women and 36 grams for men.

When you overeat sugar on a regular basis, there can be many adverse health effects. Therefore, it is essential to regularly check the nutrition labels of any food to ensure there aren’t large amounts of added sugar that you were not expecting.

Health Risks

You are at risk for the following symptoms if you do not keep your daily sugar intake at a moderate level:

  • Acne
  • High blood pressure and risk for hypertension
  • Increased hunger and cravings for sugary foods
  • Lack of energy and fatigue
  • Mood swings and irritability
  • Stomach pain and cramping
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weight gain and risk for obesity 

Powdered Sugar Nutritional Facts

Wholesome Organic Powdered Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 30g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Wholesome Organic Powdered Sugar:

  • Organic cane sugar
  • Organic tapioca starch

Baker’s and Chef’s Powdered Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 29g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Baker’s and Chef’s Powdered Sugar:

  • Cane sugar
  • Cornstarch 

Thrive Market Organic Powdered Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 29g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Thrive Market Organic Powdered Sugar:

  • Organic cane sugar
  • Organic tapioca starch

Good & Gather Powdered Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 30g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Good & Gather Powdered Sugar:

  • Sugar
  • Corn starch

Full Circle Market Organic Powdered Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 29g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Full Circle Market Organic Powdered Sugar:

  • Organic cane sugar
  • Organic tapioca starch

Florida Crystals Organic Powdered Raw Cane Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 29g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Florida Crystals Organic Powdered Raw Cane Sugar:

  • Organic raw cane sugar
  • Organic cornstarch

Powdered Sugar vs. Confectioners Sugar

Generally, the terms “confectioners sugar” and “powdered sugar” are used interchangeably. For the most part they are the exact same thing, with the only difference being that confectioners sugar has more cornstarch present. This cornstarch prevents it from caking; you want to be more careful with what you add this type of sugar to because you may be able to taste the cornstarch.

Powdered sugar is granulated sugar that has been ground many times until it is a fine powder; it tends to have either no cornstarch added or a smaller amount.

Is Confectioners Sugar Gluten-Free?

If baking is your passion and you need to eat gluten-free, confections sugar is something you can use! With only two ingredients, confectioners sugar is a straightforward product. It is made with sugar and either cornstarch or tapioca starch, all of which do not contain any gluten!

Gefen Confectioners Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 15
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 4g
  • Total sugars: 4g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Gefen Confectioners Sugar:

  • Sugar
  • Tapioca starch

C&H Premium Cane Confectioners Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 29g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the C&H Premium Cane Confectioners Sugar:

  • Cane sugar
  • Cornstarch 

Nice! Confectioners Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 29g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Nice! Confectioners Sugar:

  • Sugar
  • Cornstarch 

Wholesome Organic Powdered Confectioners Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 30g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Wholesome Organic Powdered Confectioners Sugar:

  • Organic cane sugar
  • Organic tapioca starch

Is Domino Confectioners Sugar Gluten-Free?

If you are a lover of Domino products and eat gluten-free, you will be happy to learn that their confectioners sugar does not contain any gluten ingredients! The only two ingredients in the product are cane sugar and cornstarch, both of which are naturally gluten-free.

Domino Confectioners Sugar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total fat: 0g 
  • Total carbohydrate: 30g
  • Total sugars: 29g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Domino Confectioners Sugar:

  • Cane sugar
  • Cornstarch 

Healthy Gluten-Free Alternatives to Powdered Sugar Products

Health Garden All-Natural Allulose

This sweetener is both gluten-free and sugar-free!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 1.6
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 4g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Allulose 

Wholesome Allulose Zero Calorie Sweetener

This brand carries a sweetener that is non-GMO and vegan!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 0
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 5g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Allulose 

Splenda Allulose

This sweetener is plant-based and has no calories!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 0
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 8g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Allulose
  • Natural flavor

All-u-Lose Allulose Zero Calorie Sweetener

It isn’t sugar, but it tastes like sugar, measures like sugar, and has zero sugar alcohols!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 1.75
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 2g
  • Total sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Allulose 

Lakanto Powdered Monk Fruit Sweetener

This sweetener is gluten-free and a great sugar replacement!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 0
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 30g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Erythritol
  • Monk fruit extract

Smart138 Monk Zero

This powdered monk fruit sweetener is non-glycemic with zero calories per serving!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 0
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 4g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Non-GMO erythritol
  • Non-GMO monk fruit extract

TEAki Hut All Natural Monk Fruit Extract

Try this sweetener if you need a sugar substitute that is gluten-free and paleo-friendly!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 0
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 0g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Lo Han Guo (monk fruit) extract

Microingredients Organic Monk Fruit Powder

This sweetener contains no soy or GMOs!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 0
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 0g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Organic monk fruit powder

Big Tree Farms Organic Blonde Coconut Sugar

This sugar alternative is gluten-free and kosher certified!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 15
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 4g
  • Total sugars: 4g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Certified organic fair trade granulated coconut blossom nectar

Supernatural Coconut Sugar

This is a great sweetener made for bakers!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 15
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 4g
  • Total sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Certified organic granulated coconut flower blossom nectar

Wholesome Organic Coconut Palm Sugar

Replace your regular sugar with this sweet organic coconut sugar!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 30
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 8g
  • Total sugars: 7g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Organic coconut palm sugar

Earth Circle Organic Coconut Sugar Crystals

Add this unrefined sugar to your coffee, tea, and recipes!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 10
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 3g
  • Total sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Organic coconut sugar

Final Thoughts

If you need something sweet to add to baking recipes, powdered sugar is a great option! It is gluten-free and made with minimal ingredients. However, it needs to be eaten in moderation, as many negative health effects come with overconsuming sugar. 

Many people are finding that they prefer to avoid the traditional sugars, and if you are one of them, many other brands carry options for you that also do not contain any gluten ingredients. For example, allulose, powdered monk fruit, and powdered coconut sugar are all viable choices!

Related Questions

Is Powdered Sugar Dairy-Free?

Yes, powdered sugar does not contain any dairy products.

Is Powdered Sugar as Sweet as Granulated Sugar?

Powdered sugar is typically half as sweet as granulated sugar.

When Does Powdered Sugar Expire?

Powdered sugar is guaranteed to last one to two years, but there is a great chance it could last longer when properly stored. You will know that your powdered sugar has expired if it smells off or mold, bugs, or eggs are present in the bag.

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Christine VanDoren

Christine is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with an undergraduate degree from Missouri State University. Her passion is helping others learn how strong and healthy they can become by transforming their daily habits. Christine spends most of her time in the gym, hiking, painting, and learning how she can influence others through positivity!

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