Best Simple Mills gluten-free products review: the full lineup ranked

Simple Mills has become one of the most recognizable names in the gluten-free aisle, but does the whole product line actually deliver? We've worked through their baking mixes, crackers, cookies, and more to give you an honest breakdown of what's worth buying and what you can skip.

Who Simple Mills is best for

Before we get into individual products, here's a quick reality check on whether Simple Mills is even the right brand for you. Their lineup is built around a specific philosophy — clean ingredient lists with almond flour as the primary base — and that shapes everything from taste to price.

Simple Mills is a great fit if you are:

• A beginner who wants convenience. Their mixes are genuinely foolproof. If you're new to gluten-free baking and just want something that works without a pantry full of specialty flours, this is a solid starting point.
• Paleo-leaning or grain-free. Most of their products avoid rice flour and starches entirely, relying on almond flour, coconut flour, and arrowroot powder instead. That's a big deal if you're avoiding grains beyond just wheat.
• Shopping for clean ingredient lists. No gums, no artificial anything, no seed oils. If that matters to you, Simple Mills is one of the cleanest options on the shelf.
• Celiac or highly sensitive. Their products are certified gluten-free and made in dedicated facilities, which gives real peace of mind for cross-contamination concerns.

Simple Mills might not be the best fit if you are:

• On a tight budget. This is a premium brand. You'll pay noticeably more per box than Bob's Red Mill or King Arthur mixes.
• Allergic to tree nuts. Almond flour is in almost everything they make. If tree nuts are off the table, this brand is essentially off the table too.
• Looking for a 1:1 flour replacement. Simple Mills doesn't sell a standalone all-purpose flour blend, so you can't use them for your own recipes the way you would with Bob's Red Mill or King Arthur.

Key takeaways

• Simple Mills uses almond flour as its primary base across nearly all products, making most of the lineup both gluten-free and grain-free.
• The baking mixes are among the easiest gluten-free mixes to use — minimal added ingredients, consistently good results.
• Their snack crackers and sandwich cookies are standout products that rival (and sometimes beat) conventional versions.
• Prices run 30-50% higher than comparable King Arthur or Bob's Red Mill products, so value shoppers should be selective.
• Everything is certified gluten-free and free from gums, soy, and artificial additives.
• The pizza dough and bread-adjacent products are the weakest part of the lineup — almond flour has limits when it comes to structure.

If you're building out your gluten-free pantry and want to know which essentials to stock beyond mixes, our Confident Gluten-Free Baker Toolkit walks you through everything you need — from flours and starches to the tools that actually make a difference.

Simple Mills baking mixes reviewed

The baking mixes are the heart of the Simple Mills lineup, and they're where the brand really shines. Each mix uses a base of almond flour, coconut flour, and arrowroot starch, with minimal additional ingredients. Here's how each one performs.

Artisan bread mix

This mix produces a dense, hearty quick bread rather than a true yeast-risen loaf. The flavor is pleasant — slightly nutty with good moisture — but the texture is closer to a muffin than sandwich bread. It works well toasted with butter or as a side with soup, but don't expect it to hold up for sandwiches.

Best use case: Toasted slices, side bread for meals
Texture: Dense, moist, crumbly when untoasted
Taste: Nutty, mild, slightly sweet
Value: Fair — small yield for the price

If you want a gluten-free bread that actually slices and holds together, you'll get better results from a dedicated bread mix. Check our best gluten-free bread mix roundup for options that perform more like traditional bread.

Chocolate muffin and cake mix

This is one of our favorites in the lineup. The chocolate flavor is rich without being artificial, and the crumb is surprisingly tender for an almond-flour-based mix. It makes excellent cupcakes and a solid single-layer cake. The texture is a touch denser than a wheat-based cake, but most people won't notice once it's frosted.

Best use case: Cupcakes, birthday cakes, snacking muffins
Texture: Moist, tender, slightly dense
Taste: Rich chocolate, not too sweet
Value: Good — one box makes 12 cupcakes or a single layer

Vanilla muffin and cake mix

Similar performance to the chocolate version, with a clean vanilla flavor that doesn't taste artificial. The crumb is light for a grain-free product. It takes well to mix-ins like blueberries or a swirl of jam. This is a reliable everyday mix.

Best use case: Muffins, layer cakes, cupcakes
Texture: Light, slightly crumbly
Taste: Clean vanilla, naturally sweet
Value: Good

For more options in the cake mix category, we have a full best gluten-free cake mix comparison that includes Simple Mills alongside other top brands.

Banana muffin and bread mix

Add a couple of ripe bananas and this mix delivers a legitimately good banana bread. It's moist, flavorful, and has that comforting, homemade quality. The almond flour base actually complements banana flavor really well. This is one of the best uses of the Simple Mills formula.

Best use case: Banana bread, banana muffins
Texture: Moist, tender, holds together well
Taste: Excellent banana flavor, warm spice notes
Value: Great — a standout product

Pumpkin muffin and bread mix

Seasonal but worth stocking up on. The spice blend is well-balanced and the pumpkin flavor comes through without being overwhelming. Like the banana version, this one benefits from the almond flour base adding richness.

Best use case: Fall baking, muffins, quick bread
Texture: Moist, slightly dense
Taste: Warm pumpkin spice, not overly sweet
Value: Good

Chocolate chip cookie mix

These cookies bake up chewy in the center with lightly crisp edges — honestly one of the best gluten-free cookie mixes we've tried. The chocolate chips included are decent quality, and the dough comes together quickly. They taste remarkably close to a homemade cookie.

Best use case: Classic chocolate chip cookies
Texture: Chewy center, crisp edges
Taste: Buttery, rich, excellent chocolate chip ratio
Value: Good — makes about 24 cookies

We also ranked this mix in our best gluten-free cookie mix guide if you want to see how it stacks up against the competition.

Pizza dough mix

This is the most polarizing product in the lineup. The dough is more like a flatbread than a true pizza crust — it won't stretch, it won't get that chewy pull, and it's on the thin and crispy side. If you go in expecting a cracker-style pizza base, you'll be pleasantly surprised. If you want anything resembling New York style, look elsewhere.

Best use case: Thin, crispy flatbread-style pizza
Texture: Crisp, cracker-like, not chewy
Taste: Mild, nutty, good flavor carrier for toppings
Value: Fair — makes one small pizza

For a chewier crust, our best gluten-free pizza crust mix roundup has better options for that style.

Pancake and waffle mix

Light, fluffy, and genuinely enjoyable. This is one of the easiest wins in the Simple Mills lineup. The pancakes hold together on the griddle, brown nicely, and have a pleasant almond undertone that pairs well with maple syrup. Waffles come out crisp on the outside and tender inside.

Best use case: Weekend pancakes, waffles
Texture: Fluffy, tender
Taste: Slightly nutty, clean flavor
Value: Good

Simple Mills snack products reviewed

Beyond baking mixes, Simple Mills has built a strong snack line. These are ready-to-eat products you'll find in the cracker and cookie aisles.

Almond flour crackers

These are the product that put Simple Mills on the map, and for good reason. They're crispy, well-seasoned, and hold up to dips and cheese without crumbling. The Fine Ground Sea Salt and Farmhouse Cheddar flavors are the standouts. They taste like real crackers — not like a "health food alternative."

Best use case: Snacking, cheese boards, dipping
Texture: Crisp, sturdy
Taste: Excellent across all flavors
Value: Premium but worth it

Seed flour crackers

A nut-free option using sunflower and flax seeds. These have a heartier, more rustic flavor and slightly grainier texture than the almond flour version. Good if you need to avoid tree nuts but still want a Simple Mills cracker option.

Best use case: Nut-free snacking
Texture: Crunchy, slightly grainy
Taste: Earthy, seedy, well-seasoned
Value: Good

Sweet thins cookies

Thin, crispy cookies that satisfy a sweet craving without being heavy. The Mint Chocolate and Honey Cinnamon flavors are particularly good. These aren't meant to replace a thick, chewy cookie — think of them as a lighter, snackable option.

Best use case: Light dessert, snacking, lunchbox treats
Texture: Thin, crisp, snappy
Taste: Well-balanced sweetness, good flavor variety
Value: Fair — small package for the price

Sandwich cookies (creme-filled)

These are surprisingly excellent. The cookie is crisp and chocolatey (or vanilla, depending on the variety), and the creme filling is smooth without being waxy. They're the closest thing to an Oreo-style cookie we've found in the gluten-free space. Kids and adults both tend to love these.

Best use case: Snacking, lunchboxes, dessert
Texture: Crisp cookie, smooth filling
Taste: Rich, satisfying, genuinely craveable
Value: Good

Best overall pick and best value pick

How Simple Mills compares to King Arthur and Bob's Red Mill

If you've read our Bob's Red Mill vs King Arthur comparison, you know those two brands take a very different approach. Here's how Simple Mills fits into the picture.

The short version: King Arthur and Bob's Red Mill are better if you want versatile flour blends for your own recipes. Simple Mills is better if you want grab-and-go mixes and snacks with the cleanest possible ingredient lists. They're solving different problems.

If you're dealing with common gluten-free baking issues like gritty texture or dry, crumbly results, the almond flour base in Simple Mills products naturally sidesteps some of those problems — though it introduces its own quirks, like denser textures in bread applications.

Where to buy Simple Mills products

Simple Mills is widely available both online and in stores:

• Amazon — Full lineup available, often with Subscribe & Save discounts. Best for buying in bulk. We like grabbing the Simple Mills Crackers Variety Pack this way.
• Target — Good in-store selection of mixes and snacks, often with Cartwheel deals.
• Walmart — Growing selection, competitive pricing on individual boxes.
• Whole Foods — Full selection, occasionally on sale during Prime member deals.
• Thrive Market — Good prices if you have a membership, especially for bulk orders.

For the baking mixes specifically, the Simple Mills Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix and the Pancake and Waffle Mix are the two we'd recommend starting with if you're trying the brand for the first time.

Frequently asked questions

Is Simple Mills actually gluten-free and safe for celiac disease?

Yes. Simple Mills products are certified gluten-free and manufactured in dedicated gluten-free facilities. This makes them a reliable choice for people with celiac disease or serious gluten sensitivity, not just those avoiding gluten by preference. You can feel confident about cross-contamination with this brand.

Why is Simple Mills so much more expensive than other gluten-free brands?

The higher price comes down to ingredients. Almond flour is significantly more expensive than the rice flour and starch blends used by brands like King Arthur and Bob's Red Mill. Simple Mills also avoids gums, fillers, and artificial ingredients, which adds to the cost. You're paying for a cleaner ingredient list and grain-free formulation.

Can you use Simple Mills mixes if you have a tree nut allergy?

For most of their products, no. Almond flour is a primary ingredient in nearly everything Simple Mills makes, including their baking mixes and most crackers. The Seed Flour Crackers are the one exception — those use sunflower and flax seeds instead. Always check the label for the specific product you're considering.

How does Simple Mills pizza dough compare to other gluten-free pizza mixes?

It's thinner and crispier than most gluten-free pizza dough mixes. The almond flour base creates more of a flatbread or cracker-style crust rather than a chewy, stretchy pizza dough. If you prefer thin and crispy pizza, it works well. For a chewier crust, check our best gluten-free pizza crust mix guide for alternatives that use different flour blends.

Does Simple Mills sell a standalone gluten-free flour blend?

No, Simple Mills does not offer an all-purpose flour blend. Their products are all pre-made mixes or ready-to-eat snacks. If you need a versatile gluten-free flour for your own recipes, you'll want to look at brands like King Arthur (Measure for Measure) or Bob's Red Mill (1-to-1). We compare those two in detail in our Bob's Red Mill vs King Arthur review.