Satisfy your sweet tooth at these great gluten-free bakeries in metro Phoenix

Endia Fontanez, Arizona Republic
·4 min read

There are many misconceptions about gluten-free food, but the one that irks me the most is the idea that gluten-free baked goods have the taste and texture of cardboard. Sure, bad gluten-free baked goods exist, but allergen-friendly baking has come a long way and these 6 metro Phoenix bakeries prove it.

I've taken friends and family, both gluten averse and those who eat everything, to these bakeries and the consensus is that no one can tell the difference. The pastries, waffles and cupcakes are just plain delicious.

Here are 6 gluten-free, allergen-friendly bakeries in metro Phoenix that everyone should try.

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Gluten Free Creations Bakery

LynnRae Ries, founder and operations manager at Gluten-Free Creations Bakery, holds a plate of gluten-free cupcakes as she poses for a portrait inside the bakery in Phoenix on March 1, 2023.
LynnRae Ries, founder and operations manager at Gluten-Free Creations Bakery, holds a plate of gluten-free cupcakes as she poses for a portrait inside the bakery in Phoenix on March 1, 2023.

Gluten Free Creations is one of the oldest entirely gluten-free bakeries in metro Phoenix. LynnRae Reis and Vern Lang opened the bakery in 2002 to sell bread and desserts to the gluten-free community.

"People with Celiac disease and food allergies deserve to have good food," Lang told The Arizona Republic.

Both Phoenix and Scottsdale locations offer a retail shop and seating area so customers can pick up gluten-free goods to-go or enjoy them on the spot. The Scottsdale location also features a cafe that serves made-to-order sandwiches.

Details: 10880 N. 32nd St., Suite 39, Phoenix. 602-626-7458. Also, 7607 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale. 480-990-2253, glutenfreecreations.com.

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Wonderland Afternoon Tea Treats - Chocolate Espresso Cake, Almond Chess Board Cake, Lime Tart, Vanilla Shortbread, and Earl Grey Macaron at Drink Me Tea Room in Tempe, Ariz. on Nov. 18, 2021.
Wonderland Afternoon Tea Treats - Chocolate Espresso Cake, Almond Chess Board Cake, Lime Tart, Vanilla Shortbread, and Earl Grey Macaron at Drink Me Tea Room in Tempe, Ariz. on Nov. 18, 2021.

Drink Me! Tea Room

This modern teahouse is a cozy getaway in Tempe offering a wide selection of teas like Earl Grey Creme and Lady Grey. Perhaps even more exciting are the baked goods made to pair with afternoon tea, all of which are gluten-free and vegan.

Reservations are required at the whimsical cafe, which also hosts themed events like Wonderland Afternoon Tea featuring "eat me" cookies and "drink me" bottled juice.

Details: 1730 E. Warner Road, Tempe. 602-206-5469, drinkmetearoom.com.

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Jewel's Bakery and Cafe is located at 4041 E. Thomas Road in Phoenix.
Jewel's Bakery and Cafe is located at 4041 E. Thomas Road in Phoenix.

Jewel's Bakery and Cafe

In ten short years, Jewel's Bakery and Cafe has become an Arcadia neighborhood staple. Everything on the menu is entirely gluten-free, but the food is also just delicious, drawing customers with and without allergies. Jewel's signature brunch dish is their fried chicken and waffles, but other standouts include a chorizo omelet, AZ hot chicken sandwich and, my personal favorite, the churro waffle.

Details: 4041 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 602-714-5243, jewelsbakeryandcafe.com.

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Knead Luv Bakery and Cafe

Knead Luv is a family-owned business that offers mouthwatering gluten-free crepes, fruit tarts, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, scones, pizza and sandwiches. They also take custom cake orders. Pro tip: don't scroll through their Instagram while hungry.

Details: 21031 N. Cave Creek Road, Suite F2, Phoenix. 602-844-5091, @knead_luv on Instagram.

Halloween themed cupcakes for sale at Spooky's Swirls Gluten Free Bakery on Oct. 28, 2022, in Chandler, Ariz.
Halloween themed cupcakes for sale at Spooky's Swirls Gluten Free Bakery on Oct. 28, 2022, in Chandler, Ariz.

Spooky's Swirls

Whether you're obsessed with Halloween or gluten-free desserts (or like me, both!) Spooky's Swirls should be on your list of must-try bakeries. Not only are all their treats adorably Instagram-worthy — like chocolate mousse resembling a black cat or sweet lemon cupcakes topped with a "Coraline" candy button and sewing needle — but they also live up to the bakery's slogan "so good, it's scary."

The spooky Chandler bakery also doubles as a horror movie prop museum, featuring costumes from cult classics like "Beetlejuice" (1988) and "Carrie" (2013).

Details: 3029 N. Alma School Road, Suite 117, Chandler. 707-776-6597. spookysswirls.com.

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Sugared Edge

Sugared Edge is an online custom cake-ordering service from Phoenix baker Heather Botluck. She prides herself on her cake art, and rightfully so — her eye-catching cakes have even captured the attention of major celebrities like Anderson .Paak and Paramore. One of her most popular items are "bronuts" or brownie donuts. And yes, everything she bakes is gluten-free.

Details: 602-585-8616, sugarededge.com.

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Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: A guide to the best gluten-free bakeries metro Phoenix