Gluten Free Fortune Cookies: Are Fortune Cookies Gluten Free?

Contents

1 Why These Gluten Free Fortune Cookies Are the Perfect Recipe For Your Next Dinner Party
2 Three Fun and Easy Steps For Making Gluten Free Fortune Cookies
3 Ingredient Information & Notes
- 3.1 Special Equipment
4 Gluten-Free Fortune Cookies in Three Fun & Easy Steps
5 Recipe: Gluten Free Fortune Cookies
- 5.1 Ingredients:
- 5.2 Instructions:
6 Gluten Free Fortune Cookies Recipe FAQs

Why These Gluten Free Fortune Cookies Are the Perfect Recipe For Your Next Dinner Party

Are you celebrating the Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day (aka Galentine’s Day these days), or a milestone birthday or anniversary? If so, these fortune cookies are sure to be a hit at your next Asian cuisine inspired dinner party!

Homemade Personalized Touch

Fortune cookies are a perfect way to add a simple, personalized touch to any special occasion. Plus, the customized fortunes can be something your guests keep in their wallets to remember for weeks.

Gluten-Free Delight

In addition, these gluten-free fortune cookies will surprise and delight guests while showing them you care. If you’re catering to dietary restrictions, you can ensure they’re safe for your guests with food allergies. Unlike fortune cookies with wheat-based flour, sesame seed oil, or almond extract, these gluten-free ones are a safe choice.

Safe for Guest With Food Allergies

These gluten-free fortune cookies aren’t only safe for those with celiac disease, but also for those with wheat, sesame, or tree nut allergies if you make them yourself. Regular fortune cookies may have cross-contamination to gluten, eggs, sesame, and tree nuts, which can be a concern for many diners. These are the fortune cookies that you may find served at many restaurants and can be bought from Asian grocery stores.

Three Fun and Easy Steps For Making Gluten Free Fortune Cookies

Create Fortunes
Make the Fortune Cookies
Fold and Decorate

Ingredient Information & Notes

Learn more about the 9 ingredients used in these delicious gluten-free fortune cookies, including gluten-free flour, cornstarch, xanthan gum, cooking oil, superfine granulated sugar, salt, egg whites, pure vanilla extract, and water. Use this information to make informed choices while preparing the cookies.

Gluten-Free Flour– These fortune cookies use 3/4 cup Gluten Free Superfine White Rice Flour. Several brands make GF flour including Authentic Foods.
Corn starch – 1/2 cup GMO-Free Gluten Free Cornstarch. Cornstarch adds to the crispness of these fortune cookies. You can also use potato starch or tapioca flour if you don’t have cornstarch on hand.
Xanthan Gum – This ingredient is a common food additive in gluten free baking to prevent separation of ingredients.
Cooking Oil – Make sure to use a neutral-flavored cooking oil so it doesn’t overpower the subtle cookie taste (corn oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or soybean oil can work well).
Superfine Granulated Sugar – Superfine granulated white sugar or real cane sugar works best for these fortune cookies.
Salt – Fine grain sea salt or table salt works well for these cookies.
Egg Whites – Using fresh eggs, you will need to separate the egg yolks to make these fortune cookies light and crisp.
Pure Vanilla Extract – Pure real vanilla works best if you have it.
Water: You will need ¼ cup water + 2 tablespoons

Special Equipment

Gather the necessary equipment, such as a medium bowl, smaller bowl, cookie sheet to bake the cookies, and a muffin tin, wooden spoon, water glasses, and optional silicone mat or gluten-free spray. The wooden spoon and water glasses will aid in the folding process and ensure your fortune cookies turn out perfectly shaped.

Gluten-Free Fortune Cookies in Three Fun & Easy Steps

1. Create the Paper Fortunes Using Small Strips of Paper

To make these gluten-free fortune cookies, you’ll need to create (or buy) your fortunes first. You can decide to create and write them on your own or buy the paper fortunes pre-made (quick tip: you can buy them on Etsy). Either way, you’ll have fun personalizing these to suit your dinner party guests.
If you’re making them, you’ll need a 3.5-to 4 inches long and ½-inch wide piece of paper for each fortune. These seem to fit best.
Get ready to infuse your fortune cookies with a dash of wit a sprinkle of humor, and a pinch of inspiration! These personalized messages will make your cookies truly memorable. Here’s what you need to do:
- Unleash your Creativity: Let your imagination run wild as you brainstorm witty, funny, and inspirational messages. Come up with phrases that will bring a smile to anyone’s face!
- Set Them Aside: Once you’ve crafted them, set them aside for now. Don’t worry, they’ll make their grand appearance in Step 3 when you fold your cookies.
- Date for Celebration: Don’t forget to add a special touch by writing the date of the celebration on the back of the message. This way, you’ll have a delightful keepsake to commemorate the joyous occasion.
Remember the messages you create will bring smiles, laughter, and perhaps even a spark of inspiration to those who crack open your delightful fortune cookies. So seize the moment, have fun and let your creativity soar!

2. Make the Gluten Free Fortune Cookies

Preheat your oven to 300ºF and grease two large cookie sheets with oil or non-stick GF cooking spray. Oil works just as fine here, if you don’t have spray.

To make the fortune cookie dough, in a medium bowl, lightly beat together the egg whites, vanilla extract, and oil until the mixture is frothy, but not stiff.

In another bowl, sift together the GF cornstarch and GF flour until no lumps are visible and then whisk in some water until pasty.

The flour and cornstarch mixture is then stirred into the egg mixture until everything is smooth. At this point, the batter should not be runny but should drop off easily from a wooden spoon.

Equal amounts of batter are spooned and spaced out evenly onto the prepared cookie sheets. After that, the cookie sheets are tilted around gently in order to form the smooth batter into a round 4 inch circle shape in diameter.

The GF fortune cookies are baked until the outer half-inch of each cookie turns a beautiful golden and they are easy to remove from the baking sheet with a spatula, which takes about 15 minutes.

Once the cookies are baked, this is where the fun begins, and you and your fellow foodies should get ready to work quickly while the dough is still warm… so find your homemade fortunes you set aside earlier, and get ready!

3. Fold your fortune cookies (with fortunes inside) and decorate as desired!

Working quickly, it’s time to fold your fortune cookies and add some personal flair!

Grab a spatula to carefully remove the hot cookie from the baking sheet. If needed, use gloves for added protection or handle the cookies with care. Take one of the handmade fortunes you prepared earlier and place it in the center of the cookie.

Now, let’s start folding! Picture it like a taco shape.

Four Simple Steps To Folding Your Fortune Cookies:

Bring the two sides of the cookie together, creating a semi-circle.
Hold the edges of the taco shape together with one hand or use a glass cup to keep it in place.
Using a wooden spoon or your finger, gently poke the center of the curved taco shape. With your other hand, fold the top and bottom edges towards the center, making sure to bring them fully together. This classic folding technique gives you the iconic fortune cookie shape.
Place the folded cookies in muffin cups to maintain their shape. Continue folding the rest of the cookies and allow them to cool completely in the muffin tins before serving.

Quick Tip: If you prefer a simpler shape, just fold the fortune cookie in half and then half again.

Once the cookies have cooled down, it’s time to unleash your creativity! Decorate them with chocolate, icing, sprinkles, or toasted coconut for an extra pop of color and texture.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. Making these customized gluten-free fortune cookies can be time-consuming, and the first batch might not turn out perfectly. But fear not! With practice, a sprinkle of humor, and the help of your friends, you’ll have a blast making these delightful treats.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to embark on this fun fortune cookie adventure? Trust me, the effort is worth it. And soon enough, you’ll be a fortune cookie pro, impressing everyone with your personalized creations. Get folding and enjoy the experience!

Recipe: Gluten Free Fortune Cookies

Yield: 12

Diet: Gluten Free, Sesame-Free, Vegan, Dairy Free, Nut-Free

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
3/4 cup Gluten Free Superfine White Rice Flour (Authentic Foods)
1/2 cup GMO-Free Gluten Free Cornstarch or Potato Starch or Tapioca Starch / Flour (Bob’s Red Mill)
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Xanthan Gum
1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons Water
3 Tablespoons neutral flavored cooking oil (Canola, Vegetable)
2 large Egg Whites
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
Gluten-free olive oil spray or non-stick baking spray (or oil)

To decorate (optional)

56 g baking chocolate (chopped)
Icing of your choice
Sprinkles

Useful Tools:

Wooden spoon
Spatula
Muffin Tins
Cookie Sheets
Silicone mat
Medium bowl / small bowl
2 Water Glasses

Instructions:

Preparing Fortunes

Write or print out fortunes on pieces of paper and cut to no larger than 4 x 1/2-inches and set them aside.

Preparing the Baking Sheet

Prepare the baking sheet(s) by lightly oiling them and and setting them aside.

Gathering Supplies

Get ready with two glasses, a pair of gloves and a wooden spoon. These will come in handy during the folding process. Set them aside within reach.

Preheating the Oven

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it reaches the desired temperature before proceeding.

Mixing the Batter

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the following dry ingredients: GF flour, cornstarch, xanthan gum, salt and sugar. Ensure they are well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, egg, oil and vanilla until they form a smooth mixture.
Gradually pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the the dry ingredients, whisking thoroughly until the batter becomes smooth and free of lumps.

Baking the Cookies

Take four tablespoons of batter and spoon them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart. Remember, if you’re working alone, it’s best to bake only four cookies at a time in your first batch to ensure you can fold them before they set.
Use the back of the spoon to remove any lumps and spread the batter to create round shapes with a diameter of approximately 3 inches. Gently shake the baking sheet to level the batter.
Place the baking sheet on the center shelf of your pre-heated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies turn lightly golden brown.

Folding the Cookies

Once baked, promptly remove the cookies from the oven. It’s time to fold them!
Follow the folding instructions mentioned above or use the rim of one of the glasses you prepared earlier.

Inserting the Fortunes and Storage

Insert a fortune into each cookie, then fold the cookie around the wooden spoon standing in a glass. Slide it off the spoon and transfer it to a container that can be sealed until the cookie sets. Repeat this step for all four cookies.
Store the cookies at room temperature in a closed container, such as a paper bag, to prevent moisture from developing and softening the cookies.

Gluten Free Fortune Cookies Recipe FAQs

Can I make traditional vanilla gluten free fortune cookies with other flavors like chocolate?

- We love chocolate, and we think adding chocolate, as a main flavoring, would make for the best tasting fortune cookies!
- The only thing to note is that if you add cocoa to your gluten-free version, make sure you use gluten-free cocoa powder.
- If you decide to add chocolate, you should melt the chocolate in a bowl over boiling water or in a microwave safe bowl, and dip the cookies in the chocolate after the cookies have cooled and decorate with sprinkles if you want extra color. Then place on a cooling rack lined with parchment paper to let the chocolate set and solidify!
- Another fun idea to add color and flavor to your fortune cookie bakery repertoire is matcha green tea powder.

What are the traditional ingredients in a fortune cookie and how are these cookies different?

- Most classic fortune cookies are made with gluten-laden wheat flour, sugar, vanilla, sesame oil, and almond extract.
- The only way to assure your guests’ safety is by making fortune cookies gluten-free if they are allergic to wheat.
- Gluten-free recipes like this one offer a gluten-free alternative with plant-based ingredients where you can assure your guests safety. Many fortune cookies offered at restaurants like Panda Express are not gluten free as their packaging state that they may contain egg, soy, and wheat ingredients.
- Those who follow a strict vegan diet, a gluten-free diet, have gluten sensitivities, or have allergies to sesame or tree nuts can feel good that you are taking good care of them.

Are fortune cookies safe for food allergies?

- Many fortune cookies served after meals at restaurants in the United States like Panda Express are made from enriched flour, soybean oil, and hydrogenated soybean oil, sugar, salt, corn starch, and artificial flavorings based on their information only.
- Some include packaging or statements online that states that their cookies may “the major FDA allergens” and uses “shared cooking equipment”.
- You may find that Asian restaurants offer the Golden Bowl Fortune Cookies brand, the Super K and Baily International Foods brands. According to the information online, these cookies have similar ingredients including the following: Water, Soybean Lecithin, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, and FD&C Yellow 5 and 6. Therefore, they are not safe for those with allergies to egg, soy and wheat or if you follow a strict vegan diet.

Are fortune cookies vegan friendly?

- Most fortune cookies are vegan-friendly. However, if you are a stricter vegan, you may want to avoid food items that are questionable including refined sugar, artificial flavorings, and added colors (e.g. FD&C Yellow 5 and 6 may be used which could indicate that there has been animal testing). If you are buying fortune cookies, be sure to check ingredients.
- Many fortune cookies are made with bleached rather than unbleached flour, which gives them their pale coloring, and many vegans are concerned about consuming bleached flour since they believe the bleaching chemicals are animal derived. However, it depends on different methods of production. For example, palm oil requires clearing land, which may threaten endangered species and contribute to the growth of greenhouse gas emissions.

Do restaurants that serve Asian cuisine like PF Chang’s offer a fortune cookie, and what are the base ingredients?

- Last time we checked, PF Chang does not list their fortune cookie as a dessert of item on their website.

What are the ingredients in Panda Express fortune cookie?

Panda Express has a statement online that states the following: Panda uses ingredients that contain all the major FDA allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, milk, soy and wheat).
Panda prepares its entrees fresh with shared cooking equipment and therefore allergens could be present in any entree.
No MSG added except for that naturally occurring in certain ingredients, the Panda Express fortune cookies’ packaging states that they may contain egg, soy, and wheat ingredients.
Therefore, they are not safe for those with allergies to egg, soy, or wheat.

According to info found online Panda Express fortune cookies have the following ingredients:

Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
Sugar
Soybean Oil
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
Corn Starch
Salt
Artificial Flavor

Gluten Free Fortune Cookies Recipe [Are Fortune Cookies Gluten Free?]

Why These Gluten Free Fortune Cookies Are the Perfect Recipe For Your Next Dinner Party

Three Fun and Easy Steps For Making Gluten Free Fortune Cookies