8 Gluten-Free Food Trends That Will Be Big in 2026

Fiber is having a moment, while tastier frozen meals are here to make your life easier.

For the past couple of years, I’ve done a deep-dive into Whole Foods’ annual trend report, with my own analysis and gluten-free product recommendations. My 2025 gluten-free trend guide was one of my most popular posts, so I was excited to dig into the latest trend report ahead of the new year and share it here.

What food trends are set to be big in 2026? Here’s what Whole Foods predicts.

Table of contents:

• Beef tallow

• Fiber

• Support for women farmers

• Dopamine packaging

• Frozen meals

• Vinegar

• Mindful sweets

• Instant options

1. Beef tallow reigns supreme

No surprises here: Beef tallow is sweeping the nation and will continue its dominance in 2026. Despite being high in calories and saturated fats with no proven health benefits, Whole Foods reports that restaurants are still trading in traditional oils for beef tallow to prepare a variety of menu items, including fries, to capitalize on the craze. There are also now a bunch of products available at the grocery store.

Make it gluten-free: Jesse & Ben’s House-Cut Tallow & Sea Salt Fries, FOND Beef Tallow, South Chicago Packing Wagyu Beef Tallow Spray

2. Fiber gets its time to shine

Brands are adding fiber to products like pasta, bread, crackers, and bars—a win if you have celiac disease since the gluten-free diet is often low in fiber. Some of the more popular ingredients are cassava and chicory, which you can find in prebiotic sodas, as well as konjac, which is popular in plant-based ready-to-eat meals. Then, there are of course, oats, a pantry staple. (Just a heads up: If you have celiac disease, you should choose oat products that are either certified gluten-free or clearly state gluten-free oats in the ingredients.)

Make it gluten-free: Banza Cavatappi, Olipop Vintage Cola, Queen Street Bakery Everything Superfood Bagels, Flackers Flax Seed Sea Salt Crackers

3. Brands support women farmers

Whole Foods that reports that a few food and wellness brands, including Lotus Foods, Kvarøy Arctic, and True Moringa, are supporting women farmers across the globe by providing premium wages and access to health insurance, setting up internship programs, and more.

Make it gluten-free: Lotus Foods Organic White Jasmine & Forbidden Rice, Kvarøy Arctic Salmon Nuggets, Painterland Sisters Vanilla Bean Organic Skyr Yogurt

4. Packaging that boosts your dopamine

Remember the “dopamine decor” trend for the home? Well, now it’s coming for your food packaging. Whole Foods explains that many brands are releasing products with bright, bold colors and designs on the packaging—and customers are loving it. These products can be displayed proudly on your counters, giving you a mood boost any time you look at them.

Make it gluten-free: Brightland Alive 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fishwife Albacore Tuna in Spicy Olive Oil, Heyday Canning Co Golden Butternut Lentil Stew

5. Frozen food meets fine dining

Lazy celiac friends, rejoice: Frozen food is getting a serious upgrade. Brands are releasing tons of cool new frozen apps, sides, and entrees made with high-quality ingredients and globally-inspired flavors. Even better? Many of them can be popped into the air fryer for convenience.

Make it gluten-free: Feel Good Foods Tempura Chicken Bites with Sweet Chili Sauce, Cappello’s Five Cheese Crispy Crust Pizza (made with gluten-free wheat starch—safe for celiacs but not suitable for those with a wheat allergy), Masienda Cheese Quesadillas

6. Vinegar in everything

These days, you can find vinegar in just about anything, from craft mocktails to condiments. This age-old ingredient has made a big comeback recently, reports Whole Foods, with customers seeking it out thanks to the potential health benefits (although it’s worth noting research is mixed). Still, if you want to add more vinegar to your meals, there are many premium, small-batch options available.

Make it gluten-free: Acid League Vinegar Meyer Lemon Honey Living Vinegar, Ayoh! Foods Hot Giardinayo Sando Sauce, O Olive Oil Aged Sherry Vinegar

7. Sweets that are slightly less sweet

While I still love my desserts, I’ve noticed that overly-sweet treats don’t hit the way they used to when I was younger. Instead, I gravitate toward things that are slightly less sweet these days. Whole Foods has noticed many customers are looking to reduce their sugar intake—and brands are delivering with product that are sweetened with ingredients like fruit, honey, and maple syrup instead.

Make it gluten-free: Good Good Special Reserve Five Fruits Spread, Hu Kitchen Hazelnut Butter Dark Chocolate Bites, Smash Foods Sunflower Butter & Strawberry Jam Superfood Bites

8. Instant options get a makeover

As Whole Foods states, there are now innovative and better-for-you instant options available when all you have the energy for is to pop something into the microwave. Think: single-serve matcha lattes, globally-inspired meals-in-a-cup, and microwaveable rice that packs a punch of flavor.

Make it gluten-free: Aahana’s Coconut & Ginger Sprouted Power Bowl, Aiya Matcha To Go Single Serve Packs, Lundberg Family Farms Organic Cilantro Lime Jasmine Rice

---

Disclaimer: If you click on a link, I may get a small commission. This helps support this newsletter so I can keep writing it.