Delightful gluten free desserts that will make you fall in love with Greece

Greek cuisine is famed not only for its savory dishes but also for its delectable desserts. From rich, syrupy pastries to light and fruity spoon sweets, Greek desserts offer something for every palate. If you are following a gluten free diet and planning a foodie holiday in Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos or wherever, navigating the array of sweets can be a bit challenging. But worry not: we are here to drive you through the gluten free dessert options available. And we will mention the non-gluten free ones too, because in some places – like our café Rhodes Gluten Free – you might be lucky enough to find them in their gluten free and celiac safe version. Let’s start, but get ready to drool – we warned you!

1. Melekouni

Gluten free: yes
Melekouni is a traditional, soft sesame and honey bar found predominantly on the island of Rhodes. It is particularly popular during weddings and baptisms, when it’s shared by the family as a sign of unity and happiness. This nutritious treat is made from toasted sesame seeds, honey and often includes nuts or citrus zest. Melekouni is a gluten free dessert, but to make sure that it’s celiac safe choose the ones that openly state “gluten free” on the package.

2. Glikà tou koutalioù (spoon sweets)

Gluten free: usually yes
Glikà tou koutalioù, or spoon sweets, are a traditional type of Greek dessert served by the spoonful as a gesture of hospitality. It will often happen to you to be offered a small portion of these at the end of a meal in a typical taverna. These sweets are made from a variety of fruits preserved in syrup, sometimes paired with yogurt, which makes them – usually – gluten free desserts. Kidoni, which we mentioned in our article about gluten free Greek food, is one of them. Other popular flavors include cherry, grape and fig. This is definitely a gluten free sweet deeply embedded in Greek culinary tradition.

3. Halva

Gluten free: usually yes
Halva is a dense, sweet confection commonly found – in different versions – across the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and South Asia. In Greece you can find two main variations: one is made from tahini (sesame paste) and it’s a naturally gluten free dessert, the other one is made from semolina so it’s not gluten free. If you want to try the tahini-based halva, which you can find also enriched with nuts or chocolate, make sure it reports the “gluten free” statement on the packaging. It’s a rich, satisfying dessert with a distinctively crumbly texture – something to try, if you can.

4. Pasteli

Gluten free: yes
Pasteli, often seen as the Greek version of sesame bars, is a simple yet delicious candy made from sesame seeds and honey. Sometimes nuts like almonds or pistachios are added for extra flavor. This gluten free dessert, or snack, is similar to melekouni but the texture is different: pasteli is crunchy, while melekouni is soft. In any case, it is naturally gluten free and has a great nutritional value!

5. Amygdalota

Gluten free: usually yes
Amygdalota is an almond cookie prevalent in the Greek islands, particularly Cyclades. These cookies are chewy, flourless and a naturally gluten free dessert – of course, as always, make sure they are baked in a non-contaminated facility. Made primarily from ground almonds, sugar and egg whites, amygdalota is often flavored with rosewater or citrus zest, offering a delightful and aromatic treat suitable for everyone.

6. Vanilia

Gluten free: yes
Vanilia, not to be confused with the vanilla flavor, is a unique and traditional Greek dessert often served as a refreshing palate cleanser at the end of a meal. This delicacy is a simple, yet elegant spoon sweet, typically presented in a small glass of water. The dessert consists of a dense, sugary confection made from a mixture of sugar, water and natural flavorings such as mastic or vanilla, which give it its name, distinctive taste and creamy white appearance.

The process of serving vanilia involves a spoonful of this thick sweet placed in a glass of cold water. The water does not mix with the dense gluten free dessert, but rather provides a medium through which the vanilia can be enjoyed, enhancing its flavors and offering a cool contrast to the sweetness. Guests typically take small spoonfuls directly from the water, enjoying the burst of sweetness with the refreshing simplicity of the water. If you decide to try it, just check the words “gluten free” on the label.

7. Bougatsa

Gluten free: no – but you can taste the gluten free version at Rhodes Gluten Free
Originating from Northern Greece, bougatsa is a beloved Greek breakfast pastry made with layers of phyllo stuffed with custard and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon. This dessert is a real treat but, as you can imagine, is not suitable for gluten intolerant people. Except that you can find gluten free bougatsa in some specific places, like Rhodes Gluten Free for example! Don’t miss it: it will make your holiday truly memorable.

8. Galaktoboureko

Gluten free: no – but you can taste the gluten free version at Rhodes Gluten Free
Similarly to bougatsa, galaktoboureko is also a beloved traditional Greek dessert known for its creamy and rich flavor. It consists of layers of phyllo pastry sandwiching a thick custard filling flavored with lemon zest or orange zest to add a subtle citrusy brightness. After baking, the dessert is soaked in a sweet syrup, usually made from honey and lemon, which infuses the layers with additional sweetness and moisture. As it is made with phyllo dough, galaktoboureko is not suitable for celiacs and intolerant people… unless you find its gluten free version somewhere – like at Rhodes Gluten Free, for example! Check carefully: we might also have a vegan and gluten free version of this dessert available, for you to indulge in.

9. Baklava

Gluten free: no – but you can taste the gluten free version at Rhodes Gluten Free
Baklava is one of the most iconic desserts in Greek cuisine, although it is shared among several cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. This crunchy pastry is made by layering thin sheets of phyllo dough with a mixture of chopped nuts, typically pistachios, walnuts or almonds. Each layer is buttered, and the assembled pastry is baked to a golden brown and then drenched in a sweet syrup made from sugar or honey, often enhanced with spices like cinnamon or clove. Like galaktoboureko and bougatsa, baklava in its common form is unsuitable for a gluten free diet. But if you visit Rhodes Gluten Free, you will have the chance to taste a mouthwatering gluten free baklava, 100% celiac safe and loved by “regular” eaters too!

10. Loukoumades

Gluten free: no
Loukoumades are small, deep-fried dough balls that resemble doughnut holes and are soaked in honey syrup, then sprinkled with cinnamon and sometimes nuts or chocolate spread. Traditionally made from a wheat flour-based batter, they are not a gluten free dessert. However, they are a beloved treat in Greece, especially at festivals and celebrations.

11. Kataifi

Gluten free: no
Kataifi is a unique dessert that uses a special type of pastry called kataifi dough, which is similar to shredded phyllo. It is typically filled with nuts and soaked in honey syrup. As you can imagine from the description, kataifi is not gluten free, but we might have a free-from-gluten version at Rhodes Gluten Free in special occasions.

12. Ravani

Gluten free: no
Ravani is a moist and spongy cake made from semolina flour, which gives it a distinctive texture different from typical flour-based cakes – but it also makes it non-gluten free, unfortunately. Often infused with the flavors of orange or lemon zest, it is soaked in a light syrup after baking, which enhances its sweetness and adds a delightful tenderness. It is often served in tavernas as a treat at the end of the meal… but yes, if you’re celiac or gluten intolerant you will have to leave your piece to your meal-mates!

13. Karidopita

Gluten free: no
Karidopita, or walnut cake, is a rich, flavorful dessert that epitomizes Greek baking. It is made with a generous amount of chopped walnuts, spices like cinnamon and cloves, and soaked in a sweet syrup. The traditional recipe often includes breadcrumbs and/or wheat flour as binders, making it not suitable for those on a gluten free diet. However, there are gluten free versions of this dessert that use gluten free bread crumbs or almond flour instead, making it accessible to those avoiding gluten while still preserving its moist texture and spiced flavor. You might find it at our café too, once in a while!

14. Koulourakia

Gluten free: no – but you can taste the gluten free version at Rhodes Gluten Free
Koulourakia are traditional Greek cookies that are known for their distinct, buttery flavor and pleasing crunch. Typically shaped into twisted forms or rings, these cookies are subtly sweet and sometimes finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top. The primary ingredients include flour, butter and sugar, making standard koulourakia not gluten free. However, they can become a gluten free dessert by substituting with gluten free flour – and, guess what, you can find them at Rhodes Gluten Free!

15. Tsoureki

Gluten free: no – but you can taste the gluten free version at Rhodes Gluten Free
Tsoureki is a traditional Greek Easter bread (we mentioned it in our article about Greek Easter food) that is cherished for its soft, brioche-like texture and aromatic flavor, typically enhanced with mahlab (cherry pits that have been ground into a spice) and mastic resin. It is usually braided and sometimes enriched with nuts or chocolate. The usual preparation involves wheat flour, making it not gluten free. However, gluten free versions of this dessert can be made – such as the one you can find at Rhodes Gluten Free.

16. Kourabiedes

Gluten free: no
From Easter to Christmas, kourabiedes are traditional Greek butter cookies that melt in your mouth, known for their crumbly texture and rich almond flavor. These cookies are typically coated in loads of powdered sugar which will likely fly everywhere when you eat them – it’s part of the fun! Made with wheat flour, they are not a naturally gluten free dessert. Nevertheless, substituting the wheat flour with a suitable gluten free flour blend can allow celiacs and intolerant people to indulge in these delectable cookies during holidays and special occasions, particularly during Christmas as we said.

17. Melomakarona

Gluten free: no
Another kind of cookies typically made during Christmas holidays are melomakarona. These oval-shaped cookies are soaked in honey and rolled in chopped walnuts. The traditional recipe is not suitable for those on a gluten free diet, though gluten free recipes using alternative flours are available and equally delicious.

Let’s sum up the gluten free desserts situation in Greece

As you can imagine by now, Greek desserts – both gluten free and not – are a feast for the senses. While many classic Greek pastries like bougatsa and baklava contain gluten, there are plenty of naturally glutenfree desserts like melekouni, kidoni and spoon sweets that allow everyone to enjoy a taste of Greek sweetness. The options are diverse and cater to a wide range of tastes: from the rich, syrupy textures to the healthier gluten free desserts like pasteli.

We know that when you visit Greece for your holiday you will want to try as many traditional foods as possible, including sweets. As a celiac or gluten intolerant person, that is not always easy. But Rhodes Gluten Free comes to the rescue! Pay us a visit and taste all of our Greek desserts in their gluten free version.