One of my most anticipated blog posts… my favorite allergy-friendly treat spots in Los Angeles! While I’m originally from the Bay Area, I attend college in Claremont, a suburb of LA, and over the years, I’ve found so many great spots for safe treats! From gluten-free fried donuts, to colorful cupcakes, and top 8 allergen free shaved ice, Los Angeles really does have it all! All the bakeries and treat shops, including their allergen information, are listed below. Make sure to confirm each spot is able to accommodate your allergens before consuming. Keep reading for all my favorite bakeries in the Los Angeles area, as well as my go-to items to get at each spot!
Where to Get Allergy-Friendly Treats
There’s a variety of bakeries and ice cream shops across the Los Angeles Area to get allergy-friendly treats. Read the list to learn more about each spot and what allergens they are free from. You can also take a look at the Google map below to see where these places are located throughout Los Angeles!
1. Erin McKenna’s Bakery Los Angeles
One of the most famous allergy-friendly bakeries in the United States, Erin McKenna’s Bakery has two locations in Southern California area! Their more popular location on Larchmont Blvd. is a must stop if you’re anywhere near Downtown Los Angeles. Everything in the bakery is gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan, as well as completely free of peanuts and tree nuts (not including coconut). Note: they do use Bob’s Red Mill flour which is made in a facility that processes some tree nuts but has good manufacturing practices. Make sure to refer to Erin McKenna’s allergen statement before visiting. I love their donuts, cupcakes, tea cakes, and cinnamon rolls, but my all-time favorite treat is their chocolate eclairs!
2. Sensitive Sweets
(UPDATE: Closed as of 8/2024) Located in Fountain Valley a little outside of Huntington Beach, Sensitive Sweets is one of the original allergy-friendly bakeries in the Socal area! Their bakery is dedicated free from peanuts, tree nuts, and gluten, and almost everything is vegan and soy-free. The owner’s children have food allergies, so the staff are extremely knowledgeable about food allergies and can help you find a safe treat if you have allergies other than nuts or gluten. They always carry a variety of baked goods and also sell pies and gingerbread house kits during the holidays! I love getting the brookie bars, midnight chocolate cupcakes, and cake pops!
3. Twice Baked Baking Company
Another dedicated gluten-free bakery, Twice Baked Baking Co. in Long Beach is known for its fun pink aesthetic and adorable treats! Their facility is also completely peanut-free, and every item is clearly labeled for tree nut, milk, egg, and soy allergens. While most of their treats are nut-free and vegan, make sure to alert the staff if you have allergies outside of peanuts and gluten. Every Saturday, they offer freshly fried donuts and donut holes, and all of them are nut-free! I also highly recommend their circus animal cookies and lemon raspberry cupcakes!
4. Cake Girl
Cake Girl, located in the heart of Los Angeles, is one of my favorite allergy-friendly bakery finds to date! Everything is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free! They have a variety of cookies, cupcakes, donuts, and savory items, as well as cake slices and full cakes. You can pick up treats at the physical location, which is in the back of St. Louis Pharmacy, or if you’re nearby, you can order on Postmates. Some of my favorite items are the churro chocolate donut, cookies and cream cupcake, and chocolate peppermint cookie!
5. Erin McKenna’s Bakery Santa Monica
(UPDATE: Closed as of 8/2024) The second Erin McKenna’s location in Downtown Santa Monica is another fun spot to stop for treats! All Erin McKenna’s locations are dedicated free of gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy, and there are no nuts in any of the treats (other than coconut). I love the Santa Monica location because they have a full brunch menu! Some of my favorite brunch items to get are the apple pie waffles and berry pancakes. This location also has the best chocolate chip cookies and mini brownie bites. Definitely make a stop by Erin McKenna’s if you’re visiting Santa Monica!
6. Happy Ice
One of my more recent LA finds, Happy Ice is a dream for anyone with food allergies. They serve delicious shaved ice that is completely free of the top 8 allergens. They also recently added oat milk soft serve to their menu which you can add on top of their shaved iced treats. While their physical storefront is in Los Angeles, they also have a handful of food trucks that rotate throughout the Los Angeles area. Make sure to check out their Instagram for updates on truck locations. My favorite flavor combination to get is mango, pineapple, and watermelon (shown above!)
7. Rising Hearts Bakery
Rising Hearts Bakery is one of the cutest bakeries I’ve visited! Their facility is dedicated gluten-free, vegan, and peanut-free, and anything containing tree nuts and/or soy is clearly labeled. Staff are extremely knowledgable about food allergies and cross-contamination. I love that everything they offer is so intricately decorated and tastes delicious! They have a wide variety of cupcakes, cookies, and breakfast items, and always have special holiday items. I love their cookies and cream cupcakes and pumpkin chocolate chip scones! Update: As of early 2022, their location in Culver City closed, but they still sell baked goods and other treats at Follow Your Heart Market in Canoga Park.
Thanks for reading my guide to allergy-friendly treats throughout Los Angeles! If you’re looking for more allergy-friendly bakeries, make sure to follow my Instagram where I share daily eats and travel finds. And for more West Coast travel recommendations, check out my restaurant guides to Seattle and Disneyland. Let me know in the comments which treat in Los Angeles you want to try most!
