Glutino Gluten Free Pretzel Twists

Glutino Gluten Free Pretzel Twists
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

Pretzels aren't really a complicated food, but the are something where the main and first ingredient is usually wheat and this means they're off limits as a tasty snack to anyone who needs gluten free food. 

And that's unfortunate since they're a terrific snack that can be flavored in all sorts of ways and can be made in just about any shape imaginable (I am partial to the classic twisted pretzel shape).

Coming in a rather giant bag, Glutino Gluten Free Pretzel Twists seem to be available only in a party size (at least at most grocery stores in Los Angeles), but for anyone who has the storage room for a big bag of these simple snacks, it's probably worth the space. There are a few manufacturers out there who make gluten-free pretzels and Glutino might have a lock on the best snack in this category that tastes really close to what a traditional wheat-filled pretzel would taste like.

And any food that has gluten-free stamped on the front of the bag yet tastes like an item where the gluten hasn't been removed is a big positive in this author's opinion. Grabbing a handful of these pretzels definitely won't leave you feeling like you've just had some solidified sawdust (early versions of gluten-free pretzels from a few manufacturers have definitely earned such labels).

Glutino Gluten Free Pretzel Twists
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

These pretzels definitely have a satisfying salty flavor and although the salt content in foods is usually something that a person should be aware of and adjust their diet for if a particular food happens to have a ton of salt, pretzels are a food which probably don't need such consideration. They're supposed to be a salty food and pretzels with no salt kind of taste like sawdust whether they have wheat in them or not. Do be advised that these pretzels have a fair bit of fat in them though. It shouldn't be a concern unless someone accidentally downs an entire bag in one shot.

Glutino would get huge gluten-free brownie points if they added soft pretzels to their selection of gluten-free pretzels as so far such an item has yet to hit most store shelves from any manufacturer. Since Glutino has gotten into a few types of frozen dinner type entrees, the least they could do is think up a recipe for a big soft pretzel. That food would be reviewed in this blog immediately if it existed.

Glutino Gluten Free Pretzel Twists
Photographh Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

At a basic level, everyone loves snack food and being able to toss bag a few handfuls of pretzels while watching a movie, doing homework or driving on a road trip is pretty satisfying and for anyone requiring a gluten free version, Glutino's Pretzel Twists definitely fit the bill.

Glutino Gluten Free Pretzel Twists
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

Glutino Gluten Free Pretzel Twists Report Card

What They Did Right:

Pretzels are not an especially complex food and as long as the right amount of salt and buttery taste covers these simple snacks, it's hard to go wrong (unless you decide to try a fat-free, low-salt pretzel... but why would anyone sane ever do that?)

Pretzels earn a nice distinction as a food that won't break the scale with the calories and fat and although they're a salty little food, as long as someone doesn't go overboard with them, they probably won't break the scale. It's lucky that people who require gluten free and wheat free versions of pretzels actually have a version that tastes good (honestly, it's probably the fat content in these things that makes them taste delicious; the fat is a tad bit high per serving).

What Could Be Better:

A soft version! This really isn't something that impacts their current pretzel offerings, but consider it a request for the future...

As for the only item that really warrants being criticized, it's probably the fat content. It's easy to throw back a few servings of these pretzels in a sitting and each serving has six grams of fat (this author is not sure what ingredient has caused the pretzels to have a few extra grams of fat per serving than they should). Just be careful about eating no more than about two servings for a snack.

Glutino Gluten Free Dream Cookies

Glutino Gluten Free Dream Cookies
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

Offering joy sleeve by sleeve for the past hundred years, Oreos are a classic comfort food that generations of kids have grown up around, dipping them gleefully in milk and going into delirious sugar comas.

Over the years there have been many significant developments in the world of Oreos from cookies that have twice the amount of stuffing to Oreos that are dipped in chocolate like a cone from Dairy Queen.

The food trucks at your local fair have even come up with a delicacy involving the Fry Daddy and Oreos. Because the only thing that an Oreo is missing is being dipped in a deep fryer, right?

For those of us who are considerate of our cholesterol levels and are looking for an Oreo type of cookie that isn't filled with gluten, one option is a box of Glutino Gluten Free Dream Cookies, which look suspiciously like Oreos in their design and might lead one to think that heaven has indeed arrived.

Glutino Gluten Free Dream Cookies
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

But the reality of these cookies is not quite like a dream. Sure, they look like Oreos, but they are definitely impostors!

The signature taste of an Oreo is something that is likely almost impossible to fully imitate with the limited ingredients available to a gluten-free bakery and while Glutino has certainly done well with the basic taste of some of their other foods, these cookies definitely fall victim to issues of tasting a little stale when they've clearly just been opened.

In addition, the cream-filled center of these cookies is a tad bit gritty and isn't as smooth as what one might find in an actual Oreo. And this is confusing since they have almost as much fat as regular Oreos with six grams for two Dream cookies versus seven grams for two Oreos (bet you didn't know that a handful of Oreos or Dream cookies would offer you an entire day's supply of fat, did you?)

Overall, these cookies should taste a lot smoother for the amount of calories and fat they pack since if someone is going to have to deal with such high calorie content, the food should at least be unforgettable. Like a fresh Oreo dipped in a crisp glass of milk.

Glutino Gluten Free Dream Cookies
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

Glutino Gluten Free Dream Cookies Report Card

The Good Stuff:

If you were on a desert island and you needed some dessert to forget your troubles, these cookies might do the job. Or perhaps you could tie them together with palm fronds and use them as a life raft to get off the island.

What they Forgot:

While this cookie is clearly supposed to make you think of an Oreo, the taste is just not there. There are definitely other cookies on the market you might want to consider. If you want a better chocolate experience and must resign yourself to eating gluten free options, try Kinnikinnick Foods KinniKritters Chocolate Animal Cookies as they are quite delicious and you won't feel like you're sacrificing your cholesterol level and good taste by eating a handful.

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.