Back in 2007 I wrote about how I make my own gluten-free burrito, the big Mexican-food-place kind of burrito. But there is the other kind of burrito I remember from junior high and high school days — the frozen bean and cheese burrito in the plastic wrapper that you popped in the microwave and ate as a snack. Remember those? It’s funny how we can remember tastes even if that food hasn’t touched our taste buds in years. Those burritos are like that for me. I’m not claiming they are a fabulous food that I miss after going gluten-free, but there is definitely something nostalgic about this little frozen burrito.
When Amy’s offered to send me their new gluten-free burritos to try, the taste came to my memory and I wondered if theirs would taste like I remember. They have two flavors: the traditional bean and cheese, and a dairy-free version (thank you, Amy’s, for not putting tofu in a burrito!)
I first tried the gluten-free dairy-free bean and rice burrito and I have to say, I really liked it! It did split in the middle when I microwaved it according to directions, so I wasn’t able to pick it up (like I remember doing long ago), but I managed with a fork. I thought the flavor was really great on both the tortilla and the filling. I shared it with my daughter who thought it was too spicy — but keep in mind that she is so ultra-sensitive to spices that if there were one speck of pepper in her entire meal she would know it! It was barely spicy.
On a different day we tried the gluten-free bean and cheese burrito. Very good! This one is not spicy at all, as confirmed by my daughter (I had her try a little even though she doesn’t regularly eat dairy). The cheese in this burrito is not obvious — it gets melted into the beans. When my husband tried some, his response was “Legit.” A man of many words is he. Translation: “It’s a legitimate version of a regular burrito.” He’s right. It works. Are Amy’s gluten-free burritos exactly the same as other frozen burritos? Thankfully, no. They are much healthier!
GlutenFreeda also makes gluten-free frozen burritos. If anyone has opinions about either of these burrito brands, let us know in the comments!
Col says
This is so awesome! The dairy-free burritos used to be a staple for my son until he got his celiac diagnosis. Can’t wait to find these in a store again! Thank you Amy’s!!!
Rebecca says
My 18 yr. old daughter and I are gluten free eaters for medical reasons, and I’m always on the search for delicious,nutricious and filling foods that we can grab on the go. These days, with the plethora of new gf items in the freezer section and aisles of the grocery store, I’ve got quite a bit to choose from! I actually did a “home study” taste test between the Amy’s gf burritos and Glutenfreeda’s. First, the Amy’s product has a very strong odor that permeates everything from my hair and clothes to upholstery and rugs, and not in a good way. The garbanzo bean flour is a bit blah and disappointing. Of course, this could be because my ex is Hispanic, and memories of his mother’s steaming hot homemade tortillas are front and center in my taste memory these days. Amy’s burritos have a “mass produced” taste that left me disappointed and missing “real” food all the more. And then I tried Glutenfreeda’s burritos. They come in four flavors, including a vegetarian one that my carnivore daughter prefers over all the others. The beef breakfast burrito is great any time of day and is my particulat favorite. The smell in my house? It lasts only as long as the burrito, which isn’t very long! The gf flour tortilla is delicious and “gluteny” tasting, and I felt satisfied that I’d eaten a truly Mexican treat. I toast my burritos in the oven since I don’t own a microwave, and this works just find for me. I slip the frozen burrito out of the package and bake until it’s crisp. Absolutely YUMMY with salsa, sour cream, guacomole, or whatever garnish is available. I mostly just eat them plain – easy, healthy and filling. Overall, I give Glutenfreeda’s burritos the win this time around (sorry, Amy’s) – they surpassed Amy’s in all the categories of taste, texture, tortilla quality, variety, overall nutrition….and I feel they’re worth far more than a cursory mention, that’s for sure!
alison says
Rebecca,
I appreciate the honest feedback! I did not do a comparison, but I guess I should!
Paula Cole says
This is wonderful, I can’t have any dairy, so now I can finally have a burrito!!