Whether or not cosmic brownies contain gluten is a common question for those with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or who follow a gluten-free diet. Cosmic brownies are a popular snack made by Little Debbie, but what exactly are the ingredients and do they contain gluten?
What are Cosmic Brownies?
Cosmic brownies are a type of pre-packaged brownie made by the company Little Debbie. They feature a fudge brownie base with rainbow sprinkles on top. The brownies are individually wrapped into portioned sizes.
Little Debbie cosmic brownies were first introduced in 1992. They became popular in school lunches and as a snack for kids and adults. The colorful sprinkles give them a fun, playful appeal.
Cosmic Brownie Ingredients
The ingredients in Little Debbie cosmic brownies are:
- Enriched bleached wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Sugar
- Partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils
- Dextrose
- Corn syrup
- Cocoa processed with alkali
- Palm oil
- Whey (milk)
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Artificial flavor
- Soy lecithin
- Colored sprinkles (sugar, corn starch, palm oil, carnauba wax, confectioner’s glaze, carrageenan, titanium dioxide color, artificial colors)
Do Cosmic Brownies Contain Gluten?
Yes, cosmic brownies do contain gluten. The first ingredient listed is enriched bleached wheat flour, which contains gluten. Wheat flour contains the gluten proteins gliadin and glutenin. When flour and water are combined and kneaded, these proteins form elastic strands that give breads and baked goods their chewy texture.
In addition to the wheat flour, cosmic brownies contain other ingredients that may contain traces of gluten from cross-contamination. These include:
- Sugar (may contain traces of gluten from processing)
- Whey (a milk protein often contaminated with gluten)
- Artificial flavor (may contain barley or wheat)
- Soy lecithin (may be derived from wheat)
So cosmic brownies definitely contain gluten directly from the wheat flour, and likely contain traces of gluten from processing and cross-contamination as well.
Are There Gluten-Free Cosmic Brownies?
There are some gluten-free versions of cosmic brownies available:
- Katz Gluten Free – makes gluten-free cosmic brownies with a brown rice flour base.
- Pamela’s Products – their “Galactic Brownies” are made with gluten-free ingredients.
- Glutino – their gluten-free brownie sprinkles can be used to make DIY cosmic brownies.
So while the regular Little Debbie cosmic brownies contain gluten, there are gluten-free alternatives available for people who need to avoid gluten.
Risks of Eating Gluten with Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity
For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause symptoms such as:
- Bloating and gas
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Joint pain
In people with celiac disease, eating gluten can damage the small intestine over time and lead to complications like malnutrition, osteoporosis, infertility, and certain cancers. This is why following a strict gluten-free diet is essential for managing celiac disease.
Conclusion
Cosmic brownies contain wheat flour and likely traces of gluten from processing, so they are not safe to eat for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. There are some gluten-free cosmic brownie alternatives made with ingredients like brown rice flour for those who need to follow a gluten-free diet.
Checking labels and knowing how to identify gluten-containing ingredients is important to maintain a gluten-free diet. For those unable to tolerate gluten, there are many delicious gluten-free sweet treats to enjoy instead of cosmic brownies!