Gluten Free Food from Udi’s – a Review

We all like a treat from time to time, but when you’re gluten free, true treats can be hard to come by. You can visit most major supermarkets these days and be greeted with an array of gluten free cakes and pastries, but anyone who has tried many of them will tell you that some of them are anything but a treat to eat.

Thankfully, the quality of gluten free products has been improving in recent years and some companies really seem to have understood that it’s not enough to cut out the gluten – you have to leave in the taste and nice texture too. Easier said than done, of course.

Udi’s is one such company. The number one gluten free food brand in the US, they recently launched in the UK with a whole host of products from breads and cereals to cakes and crisps. If you’re a regular in the Free From section of the supermarket, you might well have seen some of the range.

When they asked if they could send me a hamper of their goodies I said yes. Quite quickly. I always like to try new products.

And what a lot there was in it: Strawberry Toaster Pastries, Apple & Cinnamon Toaster Pastries, Chocolate Chip and Toffee muffins, Cinnamon & Raisin bagels, Cheddar Ancient Grain crisps, Jalapeno Ancient Grain crisps and bagel chips!

And what did we think of them? (I say we, because Bean “helpfully” helped me sample them!)

Ancient Grain Gluten Free Crisps

Ancient Grain crisps are made from Amaranth, Quinoa, Flax, Sesame, Millet and Black Seed. This gives them a fantastic crunch.

I should probably come clean here and tell you that I don’t like cheese flavoured crisps. However, I tried these crisps, just to see. And they were … wonderful. Really nice. There’s something about these crisps that I really do like. They are very cheesy, but the crunch and the flavours of the grains used really add something great to the mix. I will be having these again. And then we tried the Jalapeno flavour. These are also cheesy, with the addition of chilli and they were great. Not so hot that you couldn’t feel your mouth (not a nice experience, in my opinion!), but just enough to know you’ve eaten them.

Bean really liked these and had this to say:

There’s a party in my mouth and everyone’s invited. Then a Hungarian Horntail turns up!

 

Chocolate Chip & Toffee Flavoured Gluten Free Muffins

 

A pack of two muffins – one chocolate chip and one toffee. You might well have noticed that gluten free cakes and muffins vary enormously in quality. Many – far too many – are dry, or have an odd texture or just aren’t that nice when compared to “real” cake. These are not in that category.  They are moist, full of flavour and delicious. These are a real treat and I definitely recommend them if you’re looking for gluten free cake to offer someone – you can’t go wrong with these.

 

 

Gluten Free Toaster Pastries

 

Remember Pop Tarts? These are a similar idea, but without the ridiculously sweet coating on the outside – a more refined, grown up version. They’re high in fibre, low in salt, with delicious fruit fillings.  They come in Strawberry flavour or Apple and Cinnamon flavour (there’s the cinnamon again) and both fillings are lovely. I have to be honest though, and say that I found the pastry cases a little dry.

 

 

Cinnamon & Sugar Gluten Free Bagel Chips

 

I’d never had bagel chips before and was curious to know what they were. I suppose they are similar in texture to Melba toast, but they are smaller. And the flavour? Oh. My. Goodness. I have a weakness for cinnamon flavoured anything, but these are to die for! They remind me, flavour-wise, of a cereal I used to have occasionally, way back when before I was gluten free, called Cinnamon Grahams (which I stopped buying when I started boycotting Nestle). So, they taste amazing. They are moreish. And they are gluten free. What’s not to like?

 

 

Cinnamon & Raisin Gluten Free Bagels

Udis actually do a whole range of bagel flavours, including Chocolate Chip, Savoury (with onion) and Multiseed, as well as Cinnamon and Raisin.  These bagels are not just gluten free, but dairy free as well as being suitable for vegetarians and they carry the Coeliac UK crossed grain logo.  You know by now that I like cinnamon so you won’t be surprised to know that I really enjoyed these. I’ve tried all the other flavours too though – I buy them regularly (and the flavour I get depends on where I shop) and they are all delicious. My children love bagels and they go through phases where all three of them have toasted cinnamon bagels for breakfast. Making them has been driving me bonkers – they smell so lovely and I can’t join in eating them. Having Udis bagels in the house means I can join in and it gives me some variety for breakfast.

 

So the verdict is …. I LOVE Udis! With a wide variety of products, they are adding flavour and interest to the Free From section of the supermarket – and a bit of fun too!