For those of us with food allergies, kids with allergies, or other family members with allergies, it can be hard to navigate sweet treats, birthdays, and other celebrations. The worry that someone might eat something that could make them horribly sick can suck the fun out of a special day faster than you can say “hip-hip!”
And yet, kids and adults with allergies deserve to be celebrated on their special day, included in holidays, and given the chance to indulge their sweet tooth! Thankfully, San Antonio has plenty of choice when it comes to allergy-friendly bakeries. We’ve put together the ultimate list to help you find your favorite new bakery, whether you’re looking for a birthday cake, holiday pie, classroom treats, and more.
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Plantyful Sweets
Plantyful sweets is a superfood bakery and coffee shop that is one-of-a-kind. Modern and thoroughly wholesome, Plantyful’s facility is entirely gluten-free, vegan, and free from artificial colors and flavors. They also offer daily nut-free options, and refined sugar-free and oil-free options are available to order.
Intentional about ingredients and fuelling our bodies the right way, Plantyful’s baked goods are still tasty and vibrant! They just hold themselves to a higher standard of allergy-friendly, cleaner-alternative foods.
Visit the bakery for a range of donuts, cakes, cookies, brownies, blondies, and rolls — accompanied by an espresso, chai, matcha or tea based drink, of course. Special occasion? Order a beautifully decorated cake (with special flavors ranging from strawberry to German chocolate, lemon-blueberry and chocolate chip cookie), a dozen cupcakes, or cake donuts online — two weeks advance notice is required, and spots fill up quickly (especially on the weekends). The Plantyful Sweets secret is OUT!
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Sprinkles and Spoons
Centrally located at 2323 Vance Jackson, Sprinkles and Spoons is an entirely and unapologetically gluten-free bakery. When owner Amber was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2009, she was devastated by the quality of baked goods available — having grown up baking delicious treats with her mom, she made it her mission to make something better.
And she did! A professional recipe tester, Amber spent over a decade coming up with desserts that everyone loves, whether they are gluten-free or not. The menu rotates regularly, with a weekly pop-up menu, and staples (like cinnamon rolls, pop tarts, cakes, etc) available for purchase from the store Thursday-Sunday, local pick-up and delivery, and nationwide shipping so you can treat your allergy-friends to a taste of the Alamo City. Custom orders for custom cookies, cookie cakes, cupcakes, and macarons are available; two weeks notice is required. There’s also a Sprinkle Squad monthly subscription, offering you a box of 5 exclusive goodies, based on a specific theme, on the last Saturday of the month.
Whether you are newly gluten-free or just discovering Sprinkles and Spoons for the first time, this bakery is a wonderful spot for delicious treats that everyone will enjoy — including holiday pies!
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Powerhouse Bakery (Nutrition Matters)
Suzanne’s gluten-free home kitchen is a hive of activity: baking up delicious breads, cakes, bars, and granolas using an incredible variety of allergy-friendly flours (coconut, brown rice, sorghum, quinoa, oat, hazelnut, almond, chia seed, hemp hearts, cassava, and more).
As well as being completely gluten-free (though, sadly not nut-free), vegan, paleo, and keto options are available — including keto hamburger buns, vegan paleo donuts, “happy baby” lactation cookies, and beautifully decorated, wholesome and healthy cakes for all occasions.
Because Suzanne works from her home kitchen, orders for bakery items are on a limited basis. Email for more information.
Totally Tasty Treats
Located in Alamo Ranch, this self-taught baker specializes in gluten- and dairy-free options. From traditional and modern celebration cakes for adults and kids, to cupcakes, oatmeal pies, and more, find her on Facebook to place an order.
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Miss Chickpea’s Bake Shop
Founded in 2017 by Tatiana McCullough, this bakery is born out of a love of experimenting — and baking — all things vegan! “Miss Chickpea” earned her name by baking macarons using aquafaba — the liquid in a chickpea can — and selling them at San Antonio’s vegan markets. She’s come a long way, and now operates Miss Chickpea’s Cafetal, serving all the original pastries, kolaches, and speciality drinks from her original bake shop alongside sandwiches made with homemade bread, fresh soups and salads, and pupusas.
Cakes and special orders are made at their 2,500sq ft bakery — offering celebration cakes of all sizes and flavors (from Italian Cream to Hummingird, German Chocolate and Ube), as well as cheezecakes, regular and gluten-free tiramisu, cookie cakes, cupcakes, and hand-decorated sugar cookies. If you or any of your family members are vegan, this is a must-visit!
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Southern Roots
“So good you won’t believe it’s vegan!”
Southern Roots proudly proclaim that their vegan donuts are the best in the country: and their mouthwatering, crave-worthy donuts live up to the hype! Baked rather than fried, they are filled with southern charm and available in classic and seasonal flavors.
The brains (and heart) behind the business are powerhouse couple Cara and Marcus Pitts, who found their niche by combining her love of tradition and baking for family with Marcus’ plant-based lifestyle. What they’ve created is extraordinary: delicious, innovative, and deserving of their many accolades.
Available with free local delivery within San Antonio, and nationwide shipping everywhere else, this bakery goes beyond their famed cake donuts to cookies, volcano cakes, “naked” celebration cakes, and pies.
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Bird Bakery
It’s important to note here that beloved San Antonio institution Bird Bakery isn’t an allergy-friendly bakery, but a regular bakery that offers some gluten free options — so it’s really only for you if you are gluten-free by choice or don’t have to worry too much about cross-contamination.
That said, whether you are dining in or taking away, there are a number of gluten-free options available to you — from lunchtime protein plates serving their delicious chicken salad, egg salad, and pimento cheese alongside salad and gluten-free crackers; to gluten-free variations of 1-3 of their most popular cupcakes on a given day. Their cake flavors (from decadent chocolate to nostalgic yellow, salted caramel, and peanut butter) are listed on their site, and can be pre-ordered in regular and mini sizes for events. Celebration cakes are also available to pre-order.
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The Cake Shop SA
Founded over 13 years ago and located in Huebner Oaks, The Cake Shop has become a go-to for deliciously tasty and beautifully decorated cakes for special events of all kinds. But did you know they also provide allergy-friendly cakes and cupcakes?
Although they are pretty restricted with cake flavor offerings (think, basic chocolate or vanilla) they also offer sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan cakes; as well as vegan icing and sugar-free icing! Most diets and food-preferences can be catered for, as well as allergies.
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Akki’s Cupcakery
The Tejwani family, led by Brandeis senior and passionate baker Akeila (Akki) specialize in providing a healthy variety of baked goods to people with special dietary needs. They use predominantly organic ingredients, make everything to order, and donate 50% of their profits to kids charities across San Antonio.
Whether you’re looking for cupcakes or a celebration cake, Akki provides vegan, dairy- and gluten-free options. From classic flavors to more adventurous tastes, it’s easy to order a cake, cupcakes, loaf of banana bread, or even treats like hot cocoa bombs via her website. Contact her directly for more detailed or specific requests!
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Cake Thieves
On E Houston, Cake Thieves is a vegan bakery serving donuts, buns, pastries, kolaches, muffins, and more. Regulars stop in each week to enjoy the rotating menu of delicious treats — including filled round croissants that are almost too beautiful to eat! Gluten-free options are typically available, too.
Custom cakes are available to fit the needs of your event or party, and they are beautiful! This bakery is sure to become a new favorite.
Lily’s Cookies
A true San Antonio institution, I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t love to receive a pink box of Lily’s homestyle cookies. I often stop in to pick up a dozen when I’m on the way to visit a friend, or want to say thanks to my son’s teachers.
Gluten-free cookie lovers can get in on the action — they bake up gluten-free versions of 5 of their most popular homestyle cookies every day, plus rotating flavors. You’ll also find large individually wrapped cookies and vegan options (like chocolate and raspberry) in their cabinet, too.
Navigating food allergies can be difficult, but finding delicious allergy-friendly baked goods doesn’t have to be. Whether you need a weekday pick-me-up, or something delicious to celebrate a special day, give one of these bakeries a try.
