Is Baking Powder Gluten-Free?
Quick Answer
Yes. Argo, Clabber Girl, Rumford and Davis all state their baking powder is gluten free. It is leavening salts plus cornstarch, with no wheat.
A safe pick we listArgo Baking PowderCheck the label on the pack you buy.View on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Compare all 4 brands →
Baking Powder is usually fine. What about the rest of your shop?
Photograph any label and catch the hidden gluten that plain baking powder does not have, but plenty of packaged food does — malt, brewer's yeast, and the barley that US labels need not declare.
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Yes. Argo, Clabber Girl, Rumford and Davis all state their baking powder is gluten free. It is leavening salts plus cornstarch, with no wheat.
Key Takeaways
- •Safety Status: Safe for celiacs. Baking Powder is naturally gluten-free.
- •Hidden Risks: Cross-contamination in shared equipment, thickeners, or hidden barley/wheat additives.
- •Recommended Brands: Argo Baking Powder, Clabber Girl Baking Powder, Rumford Baking Powder and more.
- •Safe Alternatives: Baking soda plus cream of tartar.
The Bottom Line: Baking Powder is generally considered gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease. However, always check the label for cross-contamination warnings, especially if you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity. Source: Check Gluten. Last updated November 2026.
🌍 Regional Safety Checker
Yes. Argo, Clabber Girl, Rumford and Davis all state their baking powder is gluten free. It is leavening salts plus cornstarch, with no wheat.
Baking Powder is analyzed under general rules for this region. Baking powder is a mix of an acid salt, baking soda and a starch that keeps it dry. In the US that starch is cornstarch, so the common brands contain no gluten ingredients. Every major brand we checked says so: Argo's FAQ ("Argo® Baking Powder is gluten free"), Clabber Girl ("gluten free and Kosher"), Rumford ("a gluten-free product") and Davis ("a gluten free product").
The Full Answer
Baking powder is a mix of an acid salt, baking soda and a starch that keeps it dry. In the US that starch is cornstarch, so the common brands contain no gluten ingredients. Every major brand we checked says so: Argo's FAQ ("Argo® Baking Powder is gluten free"), Clabber Girl ("gluten free and Kosher"), Rumford ("a gluten-free product") and Davis ("a gluten free product").
The starch is the ingredient to read: if you buy an imported or unfamiliar brand, check that it is cornstarch or another gluten-free starch, not wheat starch. And keep a clean spoon — powder that has been scooped with a floury spoon is no longer gluten-free.
Baking soda (pure sodium bicarbonate) is gluten-free as well. Baking powder only makes a recipe gluten-free if the flour is too — in gluten-free baking it is the flour blend, not the leavening, that needs care.
Sources
- Argo Baking Powder FAQ
“Baking Powder is gluten free.”
- Clabber Girl Baking Powder (Clabber Girl product page)
“Clabber Girl baking powder is a balanced, double-acting baking powder that is gluten free and Kosher”
- Rumford Baking Powder (Clabber Girl product page)
“Rumford baking powder is a balanced, double-acting baking powder, and is a gluten-free product”
- Davis Baking Powder (Clabber Girl product page)
“Davis baking powder is a balanced, double-acting baking powder that is a gluten free product”
Hidden Gluten Risks in Baking Powder
- ⚠Unfamiliar or imported brands — check which starch is listed
- ⚠Self-rising flour, which contains baking powder and wheat flour
- ⚠Shared measuring spoons used in flour
Safe Brands
- ✅ Argo Baking Powder
- ✅ Clabber Girl Baking Powder
- ✅ Rumford Baking Powder
- ✅ Davis Baking Powder
Avoid These
- 🚫 Self-rising flour (wheat flour with leavening)
Brand by brand: Is Argo gluten-free? · Is Clabber Girl gluten-free?
🛒 Shop Safe Brands
Brands we list as safe for this food, matched to their Amazon listing. Always check the label on the pack you actually buy — recipes and factory lines change.
Compare all 4 brands in our gluten-free baking powder buyer's guideArgo Baking Powder
Argo Baking Powder-12 OZ
$8.36
Price as of Nov 4
Clabber Girl Baking Powder
Clabber Girl Double Acting Baking Powder, 8.1 Ounce
$2.52
Price as of Nov 4
Rumford Baking Powder
Rumford, Baking Powder, 4 Ounce
$3.29
Price as of Nov 4
Davis Baking Powder
Davis Double Acting Baking Powder, 8.1 Ounce
$6.36
Price as of Nov 4
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Gluten-Free Alternatives
Tap any swap to find gluten-free options on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps keep Check Gluten free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baking Powder is usually fine — what about the rest of your shop?
Photograph any label with your phone and catch the hidden gluten that plain baking powder does not have, but plenty of packaged food does.
Related: Is This Gluten-Free?
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- Fluffy Gluten-Free Pancakes: Light, Tall & Ready in 15 Minutes
- The Best Gluten-Free Birthday Cake: Fluffy, Moist Vanilla Cake With Buttercream
- Crispy & Fluffy Gluten-Free Waffles: Better Than the Freezer Aisle
Ingredients to understand
Label terms that come up with baking powder — see what each really means for celiacs.
Celiac Safety Glossary
- Gluten
- Gluten is a family of storage proteins (prolamins and glutelins) found naturally in cereal grains like wheat (including varieties like spelt, kamut, and farro), barley, and rye, which acts as a binder to give food elasticity and shape.
- Wheat starch
- Wheat starch is wheat flour that has had the gluten protein washed out. While some European gluten-free foods use codex-grade wheat starch (tested below 20 ppm), it can still trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.
Sources & References
- FDA — Gluten-Free Labeling of Foods (21 CFR 101.91) — the U.S. under-20-ppm standard for "gluten-free" claims
- Celiac Disease Foundation — Gluten-Free Foods — which foods and ingredients are safe for celiacs
- Coeliac UK — Gluten-Free Diet & Lifestyle — UK/EU labeling rules and safe-food guidance
Brand gluten-free statuses reflect manufacturer information as of November 2026 and can change — always confirm on the current label.
About This Page
Check Gluten
Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources shown on this page — not by a doctor or dietitian. Confirm anything that matters with the label or the manufacturer.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or a registered dietitian before making dietary changes related to celiac disease. Read full disclaimer.