Panera Bread Gluten Free Menu Options

When a restaurant has the word ‘bread’ in its name, it can seem scary and a little daunting to consider eating there when you follow a gluten free diet. If you’re wondering about Panera Bread gluten free menu options, you’re not alone.

You may be surprised to learn that Panera Bread does offer ‘made without gluten’ items. While they call it gluten conscious, like many restaurants, they do not guarantee their food is gluten free.

In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about the Panera Bread made without gluten menu options. Keep reading or use the table of contents to jump around.

The gluten-free guide below is based on personal experience and research.  Always be sure to discuss any medical changes with your doctor for your personal medical needs. Additionally, this post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My full disclosure isn’t that interesting, but you can find it here. 

Is there a Panera Bread Gluten Free Menu?

Panera Bread offers what they call a ‘gluten conscious’ menu. Unfortunately, they indicate that they have some great menu options that do not contain gluten “as long as you don’t have celiac disease, a heightened gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy.”

Further, the Panera Bread allergen statement indicates that they “use shared equipment and handle common allergens throughout [their] supply chain and bakery-cafe”. They also recommend consulting your doctor before eating at their restaurant.

There are a few considerations that make the ‘made without gluten’ food at Panera concerning. Things like cross contact, menu items which contain oats, and the obvious fact that their main food product is bread that is made with wheat.

If you’re not familiar with gluten, it is a protein that is found most commonly in wheat, rye and barley. Given that most bread is made with wheat flour, it’s easy to see why bread isn’t safe on a gluten free diet.

Where things become more confusing is with ingredients like oats. While oats are naturally gluten free, they have a very high risk of cross contact with other gluten containing grains because of how they are processed. The only oats that are safe for someone with celiac disease to eat are purity protocol oats. 

For easy reference, Gluten Free Watchdog has prepared a list of suppliers and manufacturers who offer oats produced under a  gluten free purity protocol.

Finally, cross contact is another major concern with Panera Bread. Unfortunately it’s often a concern with most restaurants that are not dedicated gluten free.

Cross contact/contamination is what happens when gluten containing foods like bread made with wheat flour are prepared using the same tools and equipment as ingredients that are gluten free. Crumbs from gluten containing foods come into contact with gluten free ingredients and the food is no longer safe for gluten free consumption.

Options Made Without Gluten at Panera Bread

There are several made without gluten options at Panera Bread. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean they are safe to consume, especially if you have celiac disease or a heightened wheat or gluten allergy.

Since Panera Bread indicates that they used shared equipment, we know for certain that the risk of cross contact with these menu items is extremely high. They also do not guarantee that any of these products are gluten free.

For your convenience, below are the items included on Panera’s made without gluten list. Always use due diligence to ensure that these items will meet your individual dietary needs.

Breakfast

While there isn’t a Panera gluten free breakfast menu, the following options are listed on Panera’s made without gluten list.

• Seasonal Fruit Cups
• Grape Cup
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Egg Styles Scrambled Egg or Egg White
• Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries Parfait
• Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries & Pecans

*NOTE: there is no evidence that the oats being used in these breakfast foods are gluten free. In addition to cross contact that can happen during preparation of these menu items, the oats may be subject to cross contact at the point of processing.

Bowls

If you’re wondering ‘are any of the Panera bowls gluten free’ there are several bowls listed on the Panera Bread gluten conscious menu. Like all of the menu items at Panera Bread, these bowls are subject to cross contact and are not guaranteed gluten free.

• Baja Bowl with Chicken
• Baja Bowl
• Mediterranean Bowl with Chicken
• Mediterranean Bowl

Soups

If you enjoy soup, you’ll need to know ‘what soups does Panera have that are gluten free’? While most of their soups contain wheat, Panera Bread has a couple of soup options that are made without wheat. Keep in mind, this does not guarantee that they are gluten free or safe from cross contact.

• Chicken Tikka Masala with Brown Rice & Quinoa
• Turkey Chilli
• Vegetarian Autumn Squash

Salads

Salads are often the go-to when trying to eat gluten free at a restaurant, so you’re probably wondering ‘are any of the Panera salads gluten free’? While the following salads are not guaranteed gluten free or free from cross contact, they are listed as made without wheat.

• Green Goddess Cobb with Chicken
• Fuji Apple with & without Chicken
• Greek with & without Chicken
• Southwest Caesar with & without Chicken
• Catering Seasonal Greens with & without Chicken

 NOTE: These salads are only made without gluten as long as there are NO ADDITIONS. Additional items like croutons or tortilla strips contain gluten and are not safe to eat.

Sides

Depending on the location of the Panera Bread you’re visiting you may find different sides available. Always check the ingredients list or ask the staff for a complete list of ingredients to determine if the side you’re considering is made without gluten containing ingredients. Sides like potato chips that are individually packaged from the manufacturer and labeled gluten free are the safest option.

• Apple
• Potato Chips
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Seasonal Fruit Cup
• Grape Cup
• Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries Parfait

*NOTE: there is no evidence that the oats being used in the Parfait are gluten free. In addition to cross contact that can happen during preparation, the oats may be subject to cross contact at the point of processing.

Drinks

Drinks are typically the safest thing on a menu for gluten free consumption. While these are not guaranteed to be gluten free they typically have the lowest risk of cross contact. 

• Agave Lemonade
• Americano
• Blood Orange Naturally Flavored Charged Splash
• Caffe Latte (espresso - Hot or Iced)
• Cappuccino (espresso)
• Caramel Latte (espresso - Hot or Iced)
• Chai Tea Latte (Hot or Iced)
• Chocolate Latte (espresso - Hot or Iced)
• Cinnamon Crunch Latte (espresso - Hot or Iced)
• Coffee/Decaf Coffee (Hot or Iced)
• Cold Brew - Regular
• Frozen Caramel Cold Brew
• Frozen Chocolate Cold Brew
• Fuji Apple Cranberry Naturally Flavored Charged Lemonade
• Green Passion Smoothie (Frozen)
• Hot Chocolate
• Hot Tea Bags
• Iced Teas - Unsweetened/Sweetened/Passion Papaya Naturally Flavored Green Tea
• Madagascar Vanilla Almond Cold Brew
• Madagascar Vanilla Cream Cold Brew
• Madagascar Vanilla Latte (espresso - Hot or Iced)
• Mango Smoothie with Greek Yogurt (Frozen)
• Mango Yuzu Citrus Naturally Flavored Charged Lemonade
• Peach & Berry Smoothie with Almond Milk (Frozen)
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie with Greek Yogurt (Frozen)
• Strawberry Lemon Mint Naturally Flavored Charged Lemonade
• Strawberry Smoothie with Greek Yogurt (Frozen)

Frequently Asked Questions about Panera Bread and Gluten

Is Panera broccoli cheddar gluten free?

No, Panera broccoli cheddar contains wheat and is therefore not gluten free.

Does Panera sourdough bread have gluten?

Yes, Panera sourdough is made with wheat flour and contains gluten.

Is Panera Bread Baked potato soup gluten free?

Panera Bread refrigerated Baked Potato soup is made without gluten containing ingredients. You can find Panera Bread Baked potato soup at your local grocery store.

Is Panera chicken and rice gluten free?

Panera Bread Chicken Tikka Masala with Brown Rice & Quinoa soup is made with ingredients that do not contain gluten. The Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice soup contains wheat and is not gluten free.

Did you find this article on Panera Bread Gluten Free Menu Options helpful?

If so, be sure to share this post on social media or Pinterest using the social sharing buttons below!

Other Posts You Will Love:

• 5 Tips for Eating Out Gluten Free at Restaurants
• Your Guide to Gluten Free Chipotle
• Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Chicago
• Your Guide to Gluten Free Subway

Thanks for reading this article on Panera Bread Gluten Free Menu Options!