Last updated on February 20th, 2025
If you are a gluten-free traveler in Italy then you may be wondering what Italian desserts you can eat along the way.
Lucky for you, we’ve got plenty!
Italy has come a long way in terms of gluten-free Italian desserts (and eating gluten-free in general).
Even before the boom in gluten-free requests, there were plenty of classic Italian desserts naturally made without gluten:
- gelato
- cookies
- chocolate cake
- affogato
Are you hungry yet?!
Let’s take a look at gluten-free Italian desserts to try on your next trip to Italia. Each of these gluten-free Italian desserts is easy to find throughout Italy (and if it’s not, I’ll tell you where to find it!).
Important Note: If you have a serious allergy or Coeliac disease, you must know that in any restaurant that is not 100% gluten-free or AIC accredited, there is always the small chance of cross contamination. If this is a serious issue for you, stick to AIC certified restaurants or skip the dessert all together.
Gluten-Free in Italy: Read up on eating senza glutine in Italy:
Eating Gluten-Free in Italy – Florence – Venice – Rome
Gluten-Free Meals in Italy
Gluten-Free Italian Side Dishes
Gluten-Free Italian Desserts
Gluten-Free Cicchetti in Venice
Is Gelato Gluten-Free?
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Gluten-Free Italian Desserts That Are Easy To Find In Italy
Gluten-Free Reminder: All of the following desserts are traditionally made without gluten. As a general rule, always confirm with your server or read packaging before ordering or purchasing.
Castagnaccio
Castagnaccio is a gluten-free chestnut cake made in Tuscany during the fall when chestnuts come into season. Studded with pine nuts, raisins and rosemary, this sweet yet savory gluten-free dessert is perfect for snacking or as a street food in Florence as you tour the sights.
Where To Get It: Look for castagnaccio at bakeries in Florence or pastry shops in Florence in October and November.
Budino
Budino means pudding in Italian and it can come in all shapes, sizes and flavors. Every region in Italy has their own spin on this classic gluten-free Italian dessert but most popular is budino al cioccolato.
Affogato
Affogato isn’t a common dessert at restaurants but you will often see people ordering it at gelaterie (shoutout Vivoli in Florence for the best ever!). It’s made by scooping a small amount of creme flavored gelato into a cup and pouring hot espresso over it.
Make It: Affogato is a simple and delicious dessert to whip up at home with my step-by-step instructions Affogato – Italy’s Five-Minute Dessert.
Crema Pasticcera
Crema pasticcera is Italian pastry cream made from eggs, milk and vanilla bean. It’s unlikely you will find pastry cream served on its own but rather, with berries or seasonal fruit.
Make It: It’s easy with my recipe for Real Italian Pastry Cream.
Poached Pears
Poached pears are a classic dessert in Italy during the winter months when pears are in season. They will either be served in a spiced wine sauce or covered in chocolate.
Macedonia
Macedonia means fruit salad in Italian and is one of the most popular gluten-free Italian desserts. Italians always close their meal with something, be it a sweet dessert, a couple of nuts of fresh fruit. Macedonia is made with seasonal fruit, making it different every time you order it.
Ricciarelli
Ricciarelli are a naturally gluten-free Italian Christmas cookie from Siena made from almonds and egg whites. These are some of the best cookies to bring home as a souvenir or gift because they last for ages and hold up well to travel if packed in a tin or box.
Make Them: And if you don’t get the chance to taste or buy ricciarelli in Tuscany, be sure to make them using my recipe for Ricciarelli – Italian Almond Cookies from Siena.
Panna Cotta
Panna cotta is a rich gluten-free Italian dessert made from cream and sugar thickened with gelatin. It usually comes with some kind of topping such as a berry sauce, chocolate sauce or with crumbled cookies (in this case make sure the cookies are gluten-free).
Semifreddo
Semifreddo means half frozen in Italian, referring to the way in which this gluten-free Italian dessert is prepared. Made from eggs, cream and sugar, semifreddo is frozen but only partly, creating a creamy and icy treat.
Sorbetto
Sorbetto is a dairy-free version of gelato made with ingredients such as fruit, chocolate and nuts that can easily be processed into a creamy frozen treat without dairy. This is also perfect for lactose-free travelers in Italy.
Torta Caprese
Torta caprese is a flourless chocolate cake, perfect for gluten-free travelers. I always recommend travelers to double check because some recipes call for a tablespoon or two of flour.
Amaretti Cookies
Amaretti cookies are a type of gluten-free Italian cookie recipe that changes significantly from household to household. Some are soft, others hard and crumbly but the base is always made from ground almonds, sugar and egg whites.
Zabaglione
Zabaglione is a cream made from egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine usually served with Italian cookies or eaten with a spoon. For gluten-free folks, be sure to ask for the cookies on the side or confirm that they are gluten-free.
Cremolata
Cremolato, often confused with its Italian friend, granita, is a frozen dessert made from pureed fruit blended together with sugar and water to make a smooth, almost creamy frozen gluten-free Italian dessert. Cremolata is served in a bowl and enjoyed with a spoon while granita is served in a tall cup or in a brioche bun (avoid this for a gluten-free diet).
Granita
Granita is a frozen gluten-free Italian dessert from Messina in Sicily. It’s made from crushed ice flavored with sugar syrups. The most popular flavors are almond, coffee, chocolate and lemon. Sicilians even eat it for breakfast in the summer.
Confused about the exact differences between sorbetto, cremolata and granita? You’re not alone! Read The Difference Between Gelato, Ice Cream and Sorbet, Cremolata and Granita to get the full run-down!
Gelato
Gelato in Italy is generally gluten-free if there are no other ingredients that include gluten such as cookies, cake or panettone. This being said, cones have gluten and establishments aren’t usually gluten-free. The one exception to this is GROM, an Italian gelato chain that is 100% gluten free, making it the best choice for travelers with Coeliac disease. To read more about gluten-free gelato in Italy read Is Italian Gelato Gluten-Free?
Venice Travelers: Don’t miss Best Gelato In Venice.
Bonet
Bonet is probably one of my favorite Italian desserts and it also happens to be gluten-free. It’s similar to a chocolate creme caramel, rich and decadent, sometimes flavored with amaretti cookies.. This is a must-try for chocolate lovers in Italy.
Panforte
Panforte is a Christmas dessert from Tuscany made from sugar, dried fruit and several kinds of nuts. The original recipe for panforte is naturally gluten-free but some conventional brands add gluten so read labels or ask before consumption!
Torrone
Torrone is a sweet Italian candy, similar to a chewy or hard nougat made with walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds. This is a classic gluten-free Italian dessert that changes significantly depending on where you are in Italy. Sardinia, for example, has a unique version perfect to bring home as a souvenir or gift.
Italian Cheese
Most Italian cheese is naturally gluten-free and if you are in northern Italy such as the Aosta Valley or Piedmont then you will see cheese on any dessert menu.
For more on cheese in Italy, don’t miss
Italian Cheese – All You Need To Know Before Coming to Italy
Is Mozzarella Pasteurized In Italy?
Is Ricotta Pasteurized In Italy?
What is Mozzarella di Bufala (Buffalo Mozzarella)?
Mozzarella Types and Shapes + a Mozzarella Imposter
Additional Tips For Finding Gluten-Free Italian Desserts
Many Italian restaurants cater to the demand for gluten-free meals so be sure to ask your server if you are eating out at a restaurant or classic Italian trattoria what their gluten-free specials are.
In addition, many holiday treats and pre-packaged goods that you find at a grocery store are made gluten-free these days including:
- Pandoro – Italian Christmas cake
- Panettone – Italian Christmas cake with candied fruit and raisins
- Colomba – Italian Easter cake
- Cookies
- Crostata – Italian fruit/nutella filled pie
Allergies & Dietary Restrictions in Italy: If you’re traveling in Italy and have special dietary needs, be sure to check out:
Eating with Dietary Restrictions in Italy
How to Eat Vegetarian In Italy
How to Eat Vegan in Italy
Eating Gluten-Free in Italy
Eating in Italy While Pregnant
Eating Dairy-Free in Italy
Eating Lactose-Free in Italy
