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Gluten Free Sprinkles Recipe

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Make your decoration for baking using our Gluten Free Sprinkles Recipe as a healthier alternative to store-bought brands. Using coconut shreds with natural coloring for your candy sprinkles blend will be a great medley of colors for any occasion. 

Colorful sprinkles arranged in a circle on a white surface.
Colorful sprinkles arranged in a circle on a white surface.

Sprinkle on cupcakes, white chocolate-covered strawberries, or protein cheesecake for that extra burst of colors. 

You can even sprinkle breakfast eggs for your kids to enjoy their meals. 

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Healthier Gluten-Free Sprinkle Options

Have you ever thought of making your sprinkles? Sprinkles that anyone with, however restrictive diet they follow, can enjoy?

Our recipe shows you that there is always an option to make anything you can imagine healthier than ever before.

Forget all brands. Make you won using just a few steps I will show you. 

Are Sprinkles Gluten Free?

In general, most sprinkles are not entirely gluten-free as they contain gluten ingredients such as wheat or gluten. Although some brands have already started introducing gluten- or sugar-free options, some still use other ingredients to hold the shape. 

What is unique in our recipe is the base you use as sprinkles. 

And that is pure coconut. You can shred and dry a fresh coconut for a perfect healthy alternative. 

Are Sprinkle Brands Like Betty Crocker Sprinkles or Wilton Sprinkles Gluten-Free?

Even though both brands are not always certified gluten free, their website states that they are, in fact, gluten-free. I suggest reading labels and checking descriptions for the particular type you are about to purchase as some are made on shared equipment as producing wheat products or products that contain gluten. 

Colorful sprinkles in wooden spoons on a wooden cutting board.
Colorful sprinkles in wooden spoons.

What Brand of Sprinkles Are Gluten Free?

There are now many brands of sprinkles labeled products as gluten free, and you can have a look at them incase you need to purchase them. 

Cake Mate, Color Kitchen, Sweetapolita, and Fancy Sprinkles are certified gluten-free brands worth mentioning. 

Always read the labels, making sure there are no gluten-containing parts. Ensure that they only have gluten free ingredients and that the sprinkles are safe.

The manufacture of the sprinkles ensures that they contain less than 5 parts per million of gluten to prevent cross-contamination and meet the needs of those with gluten intolerance while also making them vegan and free from artificial ingredients and common allergens. However, due to the risk of cross-contamination, the packaging may contain a warning that the product may contain trace amounts of gluten or other allergens.

How Are Sprinkles Made

We make our fun and colorful sprinkles using natural coconut shreds. Our Sprinkles are made with colors we derive from herbs, fruits, or dehydrated powders. 

Are Those Sprinkles Celiac Safe?

You do not have to worry about our recipe if you have celiac disease. Our sprinkles contain only coconut and herbs or fruits. Therefore, they are entirely celiac safe and perfect for most restricted lifestyles. 

Food that colors

Here are some organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables you can use to color your food:

  • White – Plain dried coconut shreds
  • Purple – Blueberries
  • Magenta – Beetroot
  • Orange – Sweet paprika powder or saffron
  • Yellow – Turmeric
  • Brow – Cocoa powder
  • Red – Fresh strawberries or strawberry powder
  • Pink – Raspberries of raspberry powder
  • Black – Black cocoa powder or activated charcoal
  • Green – Matcha tea spirulina or spinach
  • Blue – Blue spirulina
Colorful sprinkles in a row on a white surface.
Colorful sprinkles in a row.

Homemade Coconut Sprinkles

Kitchen Gadgets:

  • Cooking Pot
  • Sieve
  • Glass bowls
  • Baking Tray
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients:

  • Coconut shreds
  • Fruits
  • Herbs
  • Dehydrated Powders

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR HEALTHY SPRINKLES 

First Step: Prepare your Ingredients

Depending on how you make your colors, prepare your fruits, powders, herbs, or gluten-free food colorings. 

Have a bag of coconut shreds ready for later. You can also make coconut shreds by shredding fresh coconuts and drying them on a baking tray in your oven. 

The ingredients for a gluten free sprinkles.
The ingredients for a gluten free sprinkles.

Second Step: Cook your Fruits

As the video shows, I have picked raspberries and wild blueberries as color addition. Wild blueberries always give me a much deeper color to work with than fresh blueberries. I have them in my freezer at all times. 

Into a cooking pot, place your fruits and cook on medium heat. Occasionally mix while your fruits release their liquid, and most of the water evaporates. 

Cooking berries.
Cooking berries.

Third Step: Sieve thick liquid colors

Once you see that most of the water has evaporated and you are left with thick liquid, let it run through the sieve to get the liquid color in. Using spoon, press hard onto the sieve to get as much liquid color as possible. Place aside and let it cool. 

Two pictures of a jar with berries in it.
Jar with berries.

Fourth Step: Color

Place your shreds into individual bowls depending on the number of colors you will make. 

Into each bowl, add your colors and gently mix, making sure all of the shreds are fully colored. 

Making sprinkles.
Making sprinkles.

Fifth Step: Bake – Dry

Place each color into one line on a baking tray. Leave enough space in between so the colors do not mix. Use a fork or a small spoon to spread the colored shreds gently. This allows for minimizing your drying time.

Place into the oven and bake – dry for 10 to 15 minutes at 160 Fahrenheit or 70 Degrees Celsius. Drying time will depend on how many sprinkles you are drying and how spread they are on a tray. After 15 minutes, switch your oven off, mix the sprinkles gently so the layers interchange, and let it fully dry and cool in the oven. 

A person is sprinkling colored sprinkles on a baking sheet.
Colored sprinkles on a baking sheet.

TRICKS AND TIPS:

  • Sweeten – some powders or herbs like matcha or spinach might need a bit of sweetener added. Add that while you are coloring the shreds. Using a liquid sweetener or melting it with a few drops of water beforehand is best. 
  • Cookies – If you plan to use those gluten free sprinkles for baking and decorating your cookies, sprinkle them right after you bake them. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ways To Use Sprinkles

There are infinitive ways to use those colorful sprinkles in your daily life. They add a great burst of color to whatever occasion you are preparing. Some of the ideas you can use to: 

  • Decorate cupcakes
  • Make a sprinkle cake
  • Add on top of blueberries in chocolate for that extra color
  • Make a sprinkle-infused cookie dough
  • Add sprinkles to homemade ice cream
  • Use instead of sugar crystals on top of the glaze or frostings
  • Top yogurt parfaits with sprinkles
  • Use as edible decorations on cakes and desserts like chocolate nut clusters or chocolate almond clusters
  • Add a small handful of sprinkles to the pancake batter before cooking
  • Sprinkle some on top of milkshakes for an extra special treat
  • Line the rim of a cocktail glass with them
  • Mix into homemade granola for an extra burst of flavor
Colorful sprinkles on a wooden table.
Colorful sprinkles on a wooden table.

Can I Use Cake Mate To Color Sprinkles?

If you want to avoid going our natural coloring path, you can pick some of the food coloring such as Cake Mate, Watkins, or Americolor. Add a few drops of color into the bowl of coconut shreds and a few drops of water and mix them. 

Can You Make Funfetti Or Candy Sprinkles With Those?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to shape coconut shreds into various candy, sugar shapes, or funfetti. If you have enough patients, slice your fresh coconut into wide paper-like sheets and cut those into your desired shapes before coloring. 

How Do You Store Coconut Sprinkles?

I usually store each color in a small glass container in my pantry. It will last for a month if properly dried. 

Whenever you want to use them, mix a few colors that are an excellent fit for your event. In that way, you can have green and red for Christmas, red and pink for Valentine’s, light colors for easter, black and orange for Halloween, or rainbow sprinkle medleys as decorating sprinkles for daily use or any other holidays. 

Can You Freeze Homemade Sprinkles?

As our sprinkles stay fresh in your pantry for a very long time, there is no need to freeze them. 
Freezing sprinkles prolong their freshness, but frozen sprinkles may have to re-dry them once they thaw. 

More Great Recipes

For some extra recipes to try, I would like to suggest our brioche French toast casserole perfect for breakfast, brunch or even dinner. 

For your morning coffee or tea time, our gluten free bundt cake is perfect addition. 

Pin For Later

Gluten free sprinkles with the text gluten free sprinkles.
Gluten free sprinkles.

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Colorful sprinkles arranged in a circle on a white surface.

Gluten Free Sprinkles Recipe

Zuzana Paar
5 from 15 votes
Make your decoration for baking using our Gluten Free Sprinkles Recipe as a healthier alternative to store-bought brands. Using coconut shreds with natural coloring for your candy sprinkles blend will be a great medley of colors for any occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine International
Servings 20
Calories 39 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  • Depending on how you make your colors, prepare your fruits, powders, herbs, or gluten-free food colorings. Have a bag of coconut shreds ready for later.
  • As the video shows, I have picked raspberries and wild blueberries as color addition. Into a cooking pot, place your fruits and cook on medium heat. Occasionally mix while your fruits release their liquid, and most of the water evaporates. 
  • Once you see that most of the water has evaporated and you are left with thick liquid, let it run through the sieve to get the liquid color in. Using spoon, press hard onto the sieve to get as much liquid color as possible. Place aside and let it cool.
  • Place your shreds into individual bowls depending on the number of colors you will make. Into each bowl, add your colors and gently mix, making sure all of the shreds are fully colored. 
  • Place each color into one line on a baking tray. Leave enough space in between so the colors do not mix. Use a fork or a small spoon to spread the colored shreds gently. This allows for minimizing your drying time. Place into the oven and bake – dry for 10 to 15 minutes at 160 Fahrenheit or 70 Degrees Celsius. After 15 minutes, switch your oven off, mix the sprinkles gently so the layers interchange, and let it fully dry and cool in the oven. 

Video

Notes

  • Sweeten – some powders or herbs like matcha or spinach might need a bit of sweetener added. Add that while you are coloring the shreds. Using a liquid sweetener or melting it with a few drops of water beforehand is best. 
  • Cookies – If you plan to use those gluten free sprinkles for baking and decorating your cookies, sprinkle them right after you bake them. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1TablespoonCalories: 39kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.4gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 34mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.2mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

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By Zuzana Paar on November 18th, 2023
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About Zuzana Paar

Zuzana is the creative force and mastermind behind this scrumptious clean eating heaven. She will guide you on this delicious journey as a content creator, recipe developer, food writer, movie maker, blogger, and photographer. With her diverse skills she is dedicated to sharing delicious, healthy recipes and helpful tips with readers.

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2 Comments on “Gluten Free Sprinkles Recipe”

  1. 5 stars
    These made my cupcakes look really pretty! I had fun making them with my kids, and I’ll definitely use these sprinkles for the cupcakes I’m preparing for my daughter’s birthday party.

    Reply

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