Is Nutritional Yeast Gluten Free?

Nutritional yeast is a magical yellow-hued ingredient found on the shelves of health food stores, natural markets and right here at Bob’s Red Mill. It ranges from a fine powder to larger flakes and has a nutty, cheesy flavor.

It’s a fun, tasty, versatile ingredient that’s excellent for gluten-free cooking. It acts as a flavor booster for everything from scrambled eggs to baked potatoes and can be stirred into soups, sauces and risottos.

Interested in diving into vegan mac and cheese? Check out these nutritional yeast nutrition facts:

What Is Nutritional Yeast?

Nutritional yeast is cultivated for use as a dietary supplement.

Not to be confused with Active Dry Yeast or Brewer’s Yeast, nutritional yeast is a deactivated form of the microorganism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeast is pasteurized then placed in a dryer to deactivate it (and bring out its nutritional properties).

The yeast is gluten free with a flavor reminiscent of cheese. It’s packed with B-complex vitamins, niacin, folic acid, zinc, selenium, thiamine and amino acids.

Nutritional yeast is common among those (like vegetarians and vegans) who might have a diet low in B-complex vitamins, specifically B-12. Bob’s Red Mill nutritional yeast has been fortified with vitamin B-12. It provides 8 grams of protein per serving and can be added to scrambles, sauces, popcorn and baked potatoes.

Is Nutritional Yeast Gluten Free?

Is nutritional yeast gluten free? Yes, nutritional yeast is 100% naturally gluten free. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye or barley. Our nutritional yeast is grown on a carbohydrate, and in addition to containing no gluten, it also contains no dairy products, no sugar and no preservatives.

Nooch Crackers

Another name for nutritional yeast is nooch, and these Nooch Crackers are top notch! They’re gluten free, grain free and dairy free crackers with a fantastic cheesy flavor. To make these crackers, you’ll need Golden Flaxseed Meal, Almond Flour, Nutritional Yeast, melted coconut oil, salt, lemon juice, salt and large flake salt to garnish. Once the dough is flattened, it’s cut into 1 ½-inch squares or the shape of your choice. Dock each cracker with a fork and bake in preheated oven until deep golden, about 25 minutes. Top them with hummus and guacamole, or eat them plain. For a fun variation, you can also add fresh herbs or a slice of vegan cheese.

Cherry Chia Cornbread

This Cherry Chia Cornbread will breathe new life into your family’s chili dinner. It’s made with ripe avocado, grilled corn kernels, rice milk, Gluten Free Medium Cornmeal, onion, dried tart cherries, pecans, coconut flakes, sage, lemon peel, cardamom, paprika, nutritional yeast, Organic Chia seed, egg and plain Greek yogurt. If you’re looking to spice up your cornbread routine, look no further than this delicious gluten free bread. Even if you aren’t having chili for dinner, nothing beats a slice of warm cornbread with a bit of butter.

Almond Meal Bread

While on the topic of all things bread, this Almond Meal Bread is high fiber, lactose free, low sugar and vegan. This bread is made with whole wheat flour and almond meal, though if you’re looking to keep things gluten free, opt out of the whole wheat and utilize straight almond flour or a mix of gluten free alternatives. It incorporates both nutritional yeast and fast acting yeast, as well as vegan butter. Our favorite part about this bread is that you can get creative and cut a design into it, if you’d like. Try a heart for Valentines’ Day, a snowflake for Christmas, or a classic swirl for anytime of year.

Vegan Mozzarella Cheese

This Vegan Mozzarella Cheese recipe utilizes coconut oil, Tapioca Flour, Almond Flour, and nutritional yeast for a wild alternative to “the real deal”—the kind you can melt, slice and grate. It’s perfect for vegan pizzas and caprese salads. It also tastes good by the slice with a drizzle of olive oil, sea salt and black pepper. Pair it with good gluten free bread for a vegetarian sandwich on the go with thick slices of tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic (plus basil, if you have a hankering for a caprese sandwich).

Vegan Cheddar Cheese

Think if you’re going vegan you have to forego cheddar cheese? Think again! This Vegan Cheddar Cheese is rich and wonderful without any dairy at all. It’s made with cashews, tapioca flour and nutritional yeast, which combine to make a divine and creamy spreadable cheese. You can use it on cheese plates, spread it on toast or pair it with sliced apples. Although it might not be good for slicing or grating, it’s certainly good for sinking a cracker into. And if we dare say so, it’s even good for sinking a spoon into!

Chickpea Flour Omelette with Chipotle-Grilled Tomato

If you’re opting out of eggs but looking for a truly stellar omelette alternative, this Chickpea Flour Omelette with Chipotle-Chipotle-Grilled Tomato is incredible. The omelette is made with a mix of Garbanzo Bean Flour, nutritional yeast, salt, turmeric powder, olive oil, curly kale and soy sauce (or coconut aminos). Although this is typically a breakfast treat, we think this dish tastes pretty good in the evening, too, as a nutritious breakfast-for-dinner option. Add some sliced avocado on top for extra flavor and texture.

Potato and Kale Vegan Quiche

As another good breakfast-for-dinner alternative, this Potato and Kale Vegan Quiche is a true treat. It uses Garbanzo Bean Flour as a gluten free egg substitute and incorporates the cheesy flavor of nutritional yeast into the filling. The crust is made with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pie Crust, coconut oil and water for a wonderful texture. Let the quiche cool for 10 minutes once it’s out of the oven to ensure that it’s ready to slice and serve. Pair it with your favorite breakfast (or dinner) beverage and enjoy.

Popcorn Three Ways

There’s something amazing about popcorn. Whether you’re snacking in the afternoon, watching a movie at night or grabbing a few handfuls in the morning, there’s nothing like popcorn for the ultimate light and airy indulgence. This recipe for Popcorn Three Ways offers three distinct ways to get your popcorn on. Try the vegan cheesy popcorn, made with nutritional yeast, olive oil, fresh chives and sea salt. If you’re more in the mood for something cinnamon-infused, try the sweet (or the parmesan parsley version for savory). Whatever you choose, we’re certain you’ll be happy!

Cashew No Cheese Sauce

Cashew sauce is often used as a vegan alternative to pasta sauce, and this Cashew No Cheese Sauce is rich, cheesy and delectable. It’s made with nutritional yeast, cashews, salt, lemon juice and garlic powder, and can be used on anything from noodles to veggies. Drizzle it over chips or put a spoonful of it on anything your heart desires. It also works well with zucchini noodles for the ultimate in healthy indulgence.

Nacho Cheese Dip

If you’re a fan of vegan cheeses, put the recipe for this Nacho Cheese Dip in your back pocket. It’s made with cashews, nutritional yeast, salt, paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, water and lemon juice, and is the perfect addition to nachos of all sorts. Add it to super nachos with beans and meat to make a meal of it, or serve it at your next gathering alongside a big bowl of chips and serving of homemade salsa. However you serve it (warm or room temperature), we know it will be a hit!

Other Options for Nutritional Yeast Recipes

These recipes are just a sampling of all the wondrous magic that can be created with nutritional yeast. Keep this ingredient in mind when you’re making the dishes below, too. It’s incredible what a pinch of nutritional yeast can do.

• Potato chips
• Risotto
• Soup
• Hollandaise sauce
• Kale chips
• Sauces
• Gravy
• Pesto
• Paleo cheeses
• Salads
• Crackers
• Cauliflower
• Scrambled eggs
• Vegetables

• Breads
• Biscuits
• Pasta
• Baked potatoes
• Mac and cheese

Whether you’re looking to integrate nutritional yeast into your diet as an addition to a gluten free lifestyle—or are looking for a dairy free cheese alternative—its an in ingredient that can be used in so many ways.

Use it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and every snack in between!

Do you have any experience using the gluten free goodness of nutritional yeast in your cooking? Feel free to share recipes and creative ideas with us in the comments below.

We’d love to hear how you incorporate this dietary supplement into your day-to-day routine. From all of us at Bob’s Red Mill, happy eating! Wishing you a healthy day ahead.