Randy Chandler
Dairy is generally considered a gluten-free food group, but some cheese products may contain gluten. People with gluten intolerances or allergies should always check the packaging of processed or packaged cheese to ensure it is gluten-free. Some cheeses are more likely to be gluten-free, such as cheddar, parmesan, feta, and mozzarella. Fried cheese is often gluten-free, with recipes for gluten-free fried cheese curds available online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Type of cheese | Fried cheese curds |
| Recipe | Whisk milk, egg, gluten-free flour, baking powder, salt, basil, garlic powder together in a bowl until batter is the consistency of eggnog. Heat oil to 350-375°F. Dunk curds into batter until completely coated. Let excess batter drip off before adding to hot oil. |
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What You'll Learn
Gluten-free alternatives to fried cheese
While most cheeses are gluten-free, some cheese products may contain gluten. It is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before consuming them. Aside from wheat, barley, and rye, you should also ensure that the cheese does not contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat.
Gluten-Free Fried Cheese Curds
You can make gluten-free fried cheese curds by coating them in a gluten-free batter and then frying them in hot oil. The cheese curds will turn out crispy with a gooey centre. You can serve them with spicy ketchup or ranch or marinara for dipping.
Gluten-Free Grilled Cheese Sandwich
You can make a gluten-free grilled cheese sandwich by using gluten-free bread, sliced meat (chicken or turkey), avocado, sliced Roma tomato, and cheese. Spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place the remaining butter in a large non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Place the slices of bread buttered-side down, then layer on the other ingredients, topping it off with the other slices of bread, buttered-side up. Cook each side of the sandwich for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted to your liking.
Non-Dairy Cheese Alternatives
There are also non-dairy cheese alternatives that are usually made from plant sources such as soy or nuts. Some of these products are gluten-free, but it is important to read the labels carefully as some may contain gluten. Avocado is a naturally gluten-free alternative to cheese, adding flavour and a creamy texture to dishes. Nutritional yeast is another non-dairy alternative that can be sprinkled on top of dishes or added to sauces for a cheese-like flavour.
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Gluten-free fried cheese curds recipe
Ingredients
- Milk
- Egg
- Gluten-free flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Basil
- Oil for frying (co: 6,7>grapeseed oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil)
- Cheese curds (or small mozzarella balls)
Method
- Whisk milk and egg in a bowl.
- Combine the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl and add to the egg mixture, whisking until smooth.
- Coat cheese curds with batter and heat oil in a deep fryer or pan.
- Fry 4 to 5 curds at a time in hot oil until golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Serve immediately with spicy ketchup, ranch, or marinara for dipping.
Tips
- If frying in a pan, work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and prevent the cheese from sticking together.
- If you don't have gluten-free flour, you can use coconut flour or almond flour as a substitute.
- For a strict carnivore recipe, omit the garlic powder and fry in animal fat like lard or tallow.
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Gluten-free cheeses
While dairy does not naturally contain gluten, some cheese products may include ingredients that are a source of gluten. For example, wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat may be added to cheese. Therefore, it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it. Aside from wheat, barley, and rye, you should also ensure that the cheese does not contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat. If you go to a deli counter to purchase cheese, the cheese must be gluten-free, and the machine used to slice the cheese must also be cleaned to prevent cross-contact.
Some cheeses that are usually gluten-free include cheddar, colby jack, Swiss, and brie. Other gluten-free varieties include cream cheese, feta cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, and ricotta. Blue cheese is also usually gluten-free, but some suggest that mold cultures may be grown on wheat or rye bread, so it is important to read the ingredients label.
Plain and full-fat cheeses are most likely to be gluten-free, while cheese containing add-ins, as well as low-fat, low-salt, and fat-free cheese, are more likely to contain gluten. Gluten-containing ingredients are often used as thickeners in certain types of cheese or as stabilizers to increase shelf life. Some ingredients that may indicate gluten on a food label include hydrolyzed wheat protein, malt, food starch, powdered cellulose, artificial flavor, fillers, emulsifiers, and spice blends.
There are also non-dairy cheese alternatives, which are usually made from plant sources such as soy or nuts. Some of these products are gluten-free, but others may contain ingredients with gluten. A naturally gluten-free alternative to cheese is avocado, which can add flavor and a creamy texture to dishes. Nutritional yeast is another non-dairy alternative that can be sprinkled on top of dishes or added to sauces for a cheese-like flavor.
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Gluten-free cream cheese
Most cheese is gluten-free, including cream cheese. However, some cheese products may contain gluten, so it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it. Aside from wheat, barley, and rye, you should also ensure that the cheese does not contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat.
Some popular gluten-free cream cheese brands include Green Valley Lactose-Free Cream Cheese and Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Nearly every brand of cream cheese is gluten-free, but due to potential cross-contamination, some aren't allowed to use the term "gluten-free" on their labels. If you have celiac disease, it's best to check a company's website or contact its customer service team.
If you are looking for a dairy-free alternative, there are several vegan cream cheese substitutes that look, taste, and spread like regular cream cheese. These substitutes often use milk alternatives like almond, cashew, or tofu. Some brands to check out include Kite Hill and Tofutti.
You can also make your own gluten-free fried cheese at home. One recipe involves coating cheese curds with a batter made from milk, egg, flour, baking powder, basil, salt, and garlic powder. The coated curds are then fried in hot oil until golden brown.
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Gluten-free cheese and cross-contamination
Dairy and cheese are generally considered gluten-free products. However, some cheese products may contain gluten, and cross-contamination can occur during the production, processing, and manufacturing of cheese, as well as in food preparation and storage.
Cheese is often made from cow, sheep, goat, or buffalo milk, which does not naturally contain gluten. However, during the cheese-making process, some manufacturers may add ingredients that contain gluten. Wheat starch, for example, is sometimes added to cheese, and it can contain around 3000-4000 mg of gluten per kg. Modified food starch, which may be derived from wheat, is another potential source of gluten in cheese.
To avoid gluten in cheese, it is important to read the labels of packaged or processed cheese products. Ingredients to watch out for include wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives. Wheat starch and modified food starch, if present, should be declared on the label, and their source specified. If the source is wheat, the cheese is not gluten-free. When in doubt, consumers can also contact the manufacturer for more information.
Cross-contamination can occur when gluten-free foods come into contact with gluten-containing ingredients, foods, or surfaces. This can happen at any stage of food production, from growing and processing to manufacturing and cooking. In the case of cheese, cross-contamination can occur if gluten-free cheese is sliced with equipment that has also been used for gluten-containing products, without proper cleaning in between. Cross-contamination can also occur in food preparation and storage, such as when using the same utensils, condiments, or toasters for gluten-free and gluten-containing foods without taking precautions.
To prevent cross-contamination, it is important to follow strict protocols for cleaning and separating gluten-free and gluten-containing ingredients, foods, and equipment. This may include using separate utensils, condiments, and toasters for gluten-free items, or using toaster bags when sharing a toaster. Proper labelling of gluten-free items and clear communication between food preparers and consumers are also crucial to avoiding cross-contamination.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the ingredients used to make the fried cheese. While dairy does not naturally contain gluten, some cheese products may include glutenous ingredients. Desha's fried cheese may be gluten-free if gluten-free flour is used in the batter, and gluten-free cheese is selected.
Many types of cheese are naturally gluten-free, including cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella, feta, goat cheese, and cream cheese.
Some processed cheese products may contain gluten, including cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and blue cheese. It is important to read the labels of packaged or processed cheese to ensure they are gluten-free.
Yes, there are non-dairy cheese alternatives made from plant sources such as soy or nuts. Avocado and nutritional yeast are also gluten-free alternatives that can add a cheesy flavour to dishes.
