Glutino Gluten Free Chicken Pizza with BBQ Sauce

Glutino Gluten Free Chicken Pizza w/BBQ Sauce
Photograph Copyright 2012 Kelsey Wyatt

The frozen food industry is so intent on offering people the pizza they so desire that there is usually an entire aisle dedicated to nothing but frozen pizza and from gourmet pizzas topped with vegetables and types of cheeses that can't be pronounced by anyone who didn't take French in high school to ten thousand types of meat, there is usually a pizza for everyone. 

And this includes people who can't eat gluten or wheat. Although it's worth noting that most gluten free pizzas in the freezer section are a relatively new addition to the selection of gluten free food available on the market.

I have been told that there exists a gluten free pizza from California Pizza Kitchen in the freezer section of the grocery store somewhere, but I have yet to find this delicacy (if you know of any California-local grocery stores where this mystical pizza might be found, do let me know by commenting!). 

And so for my latest foray into frozen pizza, I've had to settle for a Glutino brand of pizza that has promised me chicken and barbecue sauce. After wiping the thin covering of ice and frost from the exterior of the box, the pizza pictured on the front does seem like it would be tasty. But upon first inspection of the box, it would seem that the pizza inside can't be that large as the box itself is quite petite.

Of course, the laughs begin when you actually open the box and see the actual size of this precious sized pygmy pizza.

Glutino Gluten Free Chicken Pizza w/BBQ Sauce
Photograph Copyright 2012 Kelsey Wyatt

It's just so cute. And tiny. AND ALMOST SEVEN DOLLARS. Seriously. This pizza needs to wash the dishes or something for that price. It's got the diameter of a one dollar bill! There aren't a lot of foods that inspire giggles in me, but discovering this expensive gem certainly got me cackling once I opened the box.

Glutino Gluten Free Chicken Pizza w/BBQ Sauce
Photograph Copyright 2012 Kelsey Wyatt

But enough about the size of the pizza. Because tasty things can indeed come in small packages, right? If someone is willing to endure the rather immense cost of this tiny frozen disc, perhaps the resulting pizza pie is worth it.

As with most frozen items, I chose to put this in the oven as things just tend to cook more evenly in the oven and when the food is done, I'm not greeted with a frozen center for whatever it is I choose to cook. Sure there are a few things that can go in the microwave, but frozen pizza generally does best in the oven. And so a little over twenty minutes after popping the pizza into the oven (it was kind of cute... my oven is pygmy sized just like this pizza), I was greeted with a nicely cooked and crisp pizza disc.

Glutino Gluten Free Chicken Pizza w/BBQ Sauce
Photograph Copyright 2012 Kelsey Wyatt

Now, the picture on the front of the box would have you believe that on this tiny pizza there would be at least an entire flock's worth of chicken included, but as it was, the fine folks at Glutino felt it best to include just a single piece of chicken per piece (assuming you cut the pizza into quarters). Considering the price, they're a tad stingy with the chicken.

After the huge price, the tiny size and the lack of chicken, what this item really comes down to is taste. And this is a strong point for the pizza as it does taste good. The only problem is that the entire pizza is about the size of a single slice of a regular pizza and it takes some serious willpower not to simply toss back the entire pizza the second it comes out of the oven. It's like a wee appetizer. The calories and fat are decent on it although the fat seems a tad high for the size of it. The sodium is also a fair punch in the gut as well although the protein is a nice healthy bonus.

Glutino Gluten Free Chicken Pizza w/BBQ Sauce
Photograph Copyright 2012 Kelsey Wyatt

Glutino Gluten Free Chicken Pizza with BBQ Sauce Report Card

The Good Things:

This pizza might be small, but it is very tasty. The rice style crust is done really well and while it might be a tad bit foamy at times (if you put pressure on the crust, it simply feels like foam), this is a small complaint considering the general taste of it is quite good. 

At a basic level, this is just a great tasting pizza. Great job by Glutino for making something that tastes great but is free of gluten.

What Could Be Better:

For all that is holy, the price of this little beast is obscene. It truly is something that defies explanation. Gluten free food is more expensive, but this little pizza takes the cake. Or pie. The pizza is also really small (which makes the price all the more hilarious) and has a fair bit of sodium in it. But if you're willing to overlook the price, it's a good pizza. Worth checking out if you recently got a raise at work or if you're looking to do some spending.