9 Gluten-Free Desserts for the Fourth of July

Gluten-free pies, cakes, cookies and snacks are hot!

Written by
Teri Gruss, MS
Freelance writer and nutrition expert Teri Lee Gruss, M.S. has written hundreds of recipes focusing on healthy gluten-free cooking.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Teri Gruss, MS
Updated 03/09/20
Children at Fourth of July parade

 Ariel Skelley / Getty Images

July Fourth is a traditional day for barbecues, picnics, and other food-centered celebrations. If you're gluten-free, it can be a bit of a challenge to find the right recipes for desserts that are both wheatless and delicious. Thanks to some creative recipe building, however, July Fourth is now the perfect holiday to celebrate your gluten-freedom by baking classic, old-fashioned pies, cakes, brownies, and cookies that are as good as (or even better than) their wheat-laden versions. Sure, you can tell your guests these treats are gluten-free—but you also have the freedom to bake and enjoy!

Of course, there are also plenty of desserts that are "naturally" gluten-free; think ice cream sundaes, strawberries, and cream, or Jello treats. You can also turn any pie, cake, or tart into a gluten-free treat by baking with a certified gluten-free flour. Every type of flour is a little bit different, so you might want to experiment with one of many options you're likely to find in the local grocery store: almond flour, oat flour, or a commercial "gluten-free mix." 

  • 01 of 09

    Gluten-Free Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

    July 4 apple pie
    jonathansloane / Getty Images

    What would a Fourth of July picnic be without a luscious golden gluten-free old-fashioned apple pie on the menu? Our classic recipe for apple pie is filled with fragrant, spiced apples in a buttery, tender gluten-free pie crust based on gluten-free graham crackers.

  • 02 of 09

    Gluten-Free Pecan Pie

    Pecan pie
    emmaduckworth / Getty Images

    Gluten-free pecan pie is sweet and nutty-rich. Serve this luscious dessert in small wedges with a dollop of whipped cream to balance the flavors. Remember, though, that while this pie is gluten-free it is loaded with two other common allergens: nuts and dairy. So let your guests know what they're digging into before they start eating!

  • 03 of 09

    Gluten-Free Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

    Carrot cake
    4175959 / Pixabay

    Everyone loves carrot cake and this gluten-free carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is no exception. It's moist, loaded with carrots and layered in rich, cream cheese frosting. What makes this cake gluten-free is the wheat-free flour mix you'll use when making the cake.

  • 04 of 09

    Gluten-Free Yellow Cake

    Gluten Free Cake

    Kristina Vanni 

    This yellow cake is a perfect recipe for any holiday, and with the white powdered sugar and red raspberries (feel free to add a few blueberries, too), it has a nice patriotic feel. The secret ingredients in this gluten-free cake are dried coconut and almond flour, meaning no gluten-free flours are necessary.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • 05 of 09

    Gluten-Free Lemon Meringue Pie

    Lemon Meringue
    Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

    Gluten-free lemon meringue pie is a lusciously sweet and tart pie in a buttery-tender pie crust. Use a tart pan with a removable bottom for an easy-to-cut, great-looking pie. To make the crust for this gluten-free delicacy, you can use a commercial gluten-free flour or make your own.

  • 06 of 09

    Gluten-Free Brown Rice Crispie Bars

    Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats

    timlewisnm / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

    Kids, large and small love this classic treat. Gluten-free rice crispy bars are made with gluten-free brown rice cereal, they're moist, and they taste absolutely, classically "normal."

  • 07 of 09

    Gluten-Free Carob Brownies

    Brownies

    Whitney / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

    Carob is a delicious substitute for cocoa in brownie recipes. Carob powder is naturally sweeter than cocoa powder and is a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and selenium, so these gluten-free carbo brownies are naturally a great choice!

  • 08 of 09

    Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Chocolate chip cookies
    Lernestorod / Pixabay

    Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies—and yes, there is a terrific gluten-free recipe that will please even the most discerning ten-year-old. These classic gluten-free chocolate chip cookies are as easy to make as the original and just as delicious!

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • 09 of 09

    Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cupcakes With Penuche Frosting

    Oatmeal Cupcakes
    marcoronado / Pixabay

    This deliciously different gluten-free oatmeal cupcakes with penuche frosting are loaded with certified gluten-free oatmeal. Penuche frosting is a delicious broiled crunchy coconut and pecan frosting.

Don't Let Gluten Allergies Spoil Your Fun

Whether you're attending a potluck or creating your own event, don't let gluten allergies get in the way of dessert. With gluten-free flour available in every grocery store, you can master delicious, allergen-free treats for all!