For years, chowing down on a steaming pie was a no-no for those who suffered from gluten allergies or celiac disease. But today’s grocery freezer cases are filled with an array of gluten-free pizza options. Yes, there are choices to be made. How do they stack up?
We recently tasted and ranked 130 frozen pizzas found in major grocery chains — including 21 gluten-free pies. The top GF pizza was Against the Grain’s Nut-Free Pesto, which placed fifth overall. Not bad for a gluten-free pizza, huh!
See the rankings for all 21 gluten-free pizzas below.
And should you want an alternative to turning on your oven, check out the Presto Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven. We used this little kitchen appliance to cook all of the 130 pizzas at our office. It’s available on Amazon or Walmart for $54.
Watch the timelapse video to see how a pizza goes from frozen to steaming hot at the kitchen table in less than 20 minutes:
No. 21 Meatless Meat Lovers, Daiya
Where we bought it: Fresh Thyme, $8.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 310 | Fat 21g | Sodium 870mg | Carbs 40g | Protein 7g
Box says: “Deliciously dairy-free; soy-free; gluten-free pizza.”
We say: The entire team thought this pizza was completely devoid of flavor. “This looks like the painted wooden toy foods kids play with – and tastes like it too!” – cleveland.com reporter Brenda Cain
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No. 21 Meatless Meat Lovers, Daiya
-Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 20 Pepperoni-style, Daiya
Where we bought it: Fresh Thyme, $8.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 470 | Fat 15g | Sodium 930mg | Carbs 64g | Protein 7g
Box says: “Deliciously dairy-free; soy-free; gluten-free pizza.”
We say: The toppings were a big disappointment. The “pepperoni” was rubbery and the “cheese” didn’t melt. Both left a bad after-taste.
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No. 20 Pepperoni-style, Daiya
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 19 Spinach & Mushroom, Quest
Where we bought it: Target, $7.49
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 340 | Fat 22g | Sodium 820mg | Carbs 22g | Protein 28g
Box says: “Say hello to Quest thin crust pizza. Craveable cheese, sauce and toppings blanket a custom crust recipe that begs you to grab another slice. Welcome back to pizza cravings.”
We say: Extreme sogginess was the theme of this pizza. The only thing we were begging to grab was a slice of a different pizza.
No. 19 Spinach & Mushroom, Quest
-Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 18 Plant-Based Sausage and Peppers, Sonoma Flatbread
Where we bought it: Target, $7.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 300 | Fat 15g | Sodium 790mg | Carbs 32g | Protein 13g
Box says: “The future of protein beyond meats”
We say: This one looked nothing like the picture on the box once cooked. The soggy crust left a weird after-taste. Beyond meat = beyond taste is more like it.
No. 18 Flatbread Sausage and Peppers, Sonoma
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 17 Uncured Pepperoni, Quest
Where we bought it: Target, $7.49
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 340 | Fat 21g | Sodium 950mg | Carbs 25g | Protein 28g
Box says: “Say hello to Quest thin crust pizza. Craveable cheese, sauce and toppings blanket a custom crust recipe that begs you to grab another slice. Welcome back to pizza cravings.”
We say: Easily the worst crust we tried – watery, with a slimy texture. The only craving we had was to toss this slice in the trash can.
No. 17 Uncured Pepperoni, Quest
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 16 Uncured Pepperoni, Cappello’s
Where we bought it: Whole Foods, $9.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 390 | Fat 28g | Sodium 930mg | Carbs 22g | Protein 13g
Box says: “Grain free. Gluten free. Made with almond flour.”
We say: The crust had a limp, pancake-like texture. It fell apart when held up with one hand under the weight of the toppings.
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No. 16 Uncured Pepperoni, Cappello’s
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 15 Margherita, Green Giant
Where we bought it: Giant Eagle, $6.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 270 | Fat 11g | Sodium 630mg | Carbs 33g | Protein 10g
Box says: “No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives”
We say: The cauliflower crust was so soggy, it was nearly inedible. The box should also say “No taste.”
No. 15 Margherita, Green Giant
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 14 Pepperoni, Live G Free
Where we bought it: Aldi, $5.49
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 360 | Fat 15g | Sodium 730mg | Carbs 46g | Protein 14g
Box says: No description – but the box does carry the Good Housekeeping seal and seal of the National Celiac Association.
We say: This rice crust was one of the better gluten-free bottoms we tasted, but come on, give us a little more pepperoni.
No. 14 Pepperoni, Live G Free
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 13 Margherita, Caulipower
Where we bought it: Target, $6.49
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 330 | Fat 15g | Sodium 470mg | Carbs 37g | Protein 12g
Box says: “Less than half the sugar of leading gluten-free pizzas. Excellent source of Vitamin C. Good source of protein.”
We say: This one looked like the photo on the box, but we couldn’t get past the overwhelming cauliflower taste and the consistency of the crust. Drink some OJ if you want vitamin C.
No. 13 Margherita, Caulipower
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 12 Turkey Pepperoni, Caulipower
Where we bought it: Target, $6.49
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 250 | Fat 11g | Sodium 600mg | Carbs 27g | Protein 10g
Box says: “Gobble it up! Good source of calcium. Excellent source of Vitamin C.”
We say: Points for consistency. As with the previously reviewed pizza from the same maker, this soft, mushy crust offered an overwhelming smell of cauliflower that we just could not get past, let alone gobble up.
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No. 12 Turkey Pepperoni, Caulipower
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 11 Four Cheese, Green Giant
Where we bought it: Giant Eagle, $6.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 290 | Fat 12g | Sodium 750mg | Carbs 33g | Protein 11g
Box says: “No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives”
We say: This crust was not as soggy as the other Green Giant pie. However, where’s the sauce? There was a nice ratio of cheese to crust, but there was little sauce and what was there was sweet.
No. 11 Four Cheese, Green Giant
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 10 Pepperoni Gluten Free, Sonoma Flatbreads
Where we bought it: Target, $8.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 350 | Fat 16g | Sodium 910mg | Carbs 41g | Protein 13g
Box says: “Thin and crispy crust. No artificial flavors or colors. No preservatives. No added nitrates or nitrites.”
We say: It’s hard to tell this crust is gluten-free, but other aspects such as amount of sauce and cheese fell flat.
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No. 10 Pepperoni Gluten Free, Sonoma Flatbreads
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 9 Cheese, Live G Free
Where we bought it: Aldi, $5.49
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 350 | Fat 13g | Sodium 630mg | Carbs 46g | Protein 13g
Box says: No description but the box carries the Good Housekeeping seal and seal of the National Celiac Association.
We say: A decent gluten-free crust with a thick layer of cheese.
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No. 9 Cheese, Live G Free
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 8 Three Cheese, Udi’s Gluten Free
Where we bought it: Target, $9.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 380 | Fat 19g | Sodium 780mg | Carbs 37g | Protein 15g
Box says: “New improved recipe. Crispier crust. 40% more cheese”
We say: A good option for those looking for gluten-free pizzas, though we wish it had a bit more cheese and was more consistent in its coverage of the crust. Makes you wonder what it was like before they added 40% more cheese.
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No. 8 Three Cheese, Udi’s Gluten Free
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 7 Italian Sausage, Cappello’s
Where we bought it: Whole Foods, $9.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 360 | Fat 25g | Sodium 750mg | Carbs 22g | Protein 11g
Box says: “Grain free. Gluten free. Made with almond flour.”
We say: Big chunks of sausage and roasted peppers, but we wanted more of both.
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No. 7 Italian Sausage, Cappello’s
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 6 Pepperoni, Smart Flour Foods
Where we bought it: Fresh Thyme, $7.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 350 | Fat 16g | Sodium 910mg | Carbs 41g | Protein 13g
Box says: “Come on, dig in! No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Minimally processed meats. Excellent source of calcium. Free of gluten, soy and rice. Cheese made from milk from cows not treated with rBST.”
We say: The flavor of this crust is a good contender in the gluten-free market, but it was flimsy and didn’t hold up under the weight of the toppings. This pizza did score higher because of the thick layer of yummy cheese.
No. 6 Pepperoni, Smart Flour Foods
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 5 Margherita, Smart Flour Foods
Where we bought it: Fresh Thyme, $7.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 300 | Fat 10g | Sodium 710mg | Carbs 42g | Protein 10g
Box says: “Come on, dig in! Named after Queen Margherita, this blend of tomato, mozzarella and basil is our crowning achievement.”
We say: This one was good enough that team members went back for a second slice. The tomatoes were charred so they ramped up the flavor. Plenty of tomatoes and basil.
No. 5 Margherita, Smart Flour Foods
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 4 Pepperoni, Against the Grain
Where we bought it: Fresh Thyme, $11.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 430 | Fat 27g | Sodium 380mg | Carbs 31g | Protein 13g
Box says: “OK, peek through the opening. No mystery in here. You can see the premium cheese blend. The real tomato sauce, and the puffy golden crust. This is the real deal, and it’s gluten-free.”
We say: Visually unappealing, the cheese saved this pie when it browned and melted nicely to give more texture.
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No. 4 Pepperoni, Against the Grain
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 3 Margherita Cauliflower Crust, Mama Cozzi’s
Where we bought it: Aldi, $4.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 230 | Fat 10g | Sodium 680mg | Carbs 24g | Protein 10g
Box says: “Made with real cauliflower. Good sources of protein. Gluten free. 0g of added sugar. Made in Italy.”
We say: This crust is paper thin, so the cauliflower is barely detectable. A nice option for those seeking a healthier pie, but are not big fans of the vegetable. Plenty of fresh tomato taste and cheese.
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No. 3 Margherita Cauliflower Crust, Mama Cozzi’s
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 2 Pepperoni, Udi’s Gluten-Free
Where we bought it: Target, $9.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 370 | Fat 18g | Sodium 900mg | Carbs 37g | Protein 15g
Box says: “New improved recipe. Crispier crust. 40% more cheese.”
We say: Udi’s offered probably the second best gluten-free crust we tried. When cooked, it was crispy around the edges and the bottom was not soggy and limp like most gluten-free pies we tried. There’s plenty of pepperoni too. But the star of this show was the generous amount of ooey-gooey cheese. And lots of cheese is never a bad thing.
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No. 2 Pepperoni, Udi’s Gluten-Free
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
No. 1 Nut-Free Pesto, Against the Grain
Where we bought it: Heinen’s, $10.99
Nutrition per serving:
Calories 490 | Fat 34g | Sodium 350mg | Carbs 32g | Protein 13g
Box says: “OK, peek through the opening. No mystery in here. You can see the premium cheese blend. The real pesto sauce, and the puffy golden crust. This is the real deal, and it’s gluten-free.”
We say: This was, by far, the best gluten-free crust we sampled out of 130 frozen pizzas. It was light, flaky and buttery — more of a crescent roll texture. The pesto was a real game changer and melded well with the abundant cheeses. A delicious alternative to the run-of-the-mill frozen pizza.
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No. 1 Nut-Free Pesto, Against the Grain
– Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com
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