Are Chick-fil-A French fries gluten-free? A Detailed Look at Fast Food for Gluten-Free Diets

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Chick-fil-A's own allergen information and numerous celiac-focused sources, the waffle fries are made from naturally gluten-free potatoes and cooked in a dedicated fryer. This means that yes, Chick-fil-A French fries are gluten-free by ingredients, but for those with celiac disease, the crucial question of cross-contamination must also be addressed.

Quick Summary

Chick-fil-A's waffle fries are made with gluten-free ingredients and fried in a dedicated fryer separate from gluten-containing items, offering a safer option for many. However, due to shared kitchen environments, some risk of cross-contact exists, necessitating precautions like communicating dietary needs to staff.

Key Points

Naturally Gluten-Free Ingredients: Chick-fil-A's waffle fries are made from potatoes and cooked in canola oil, both naturally free of gluten.
Dedicated Fryer for Fries: The fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer with a different oil than the breaded chicken, significantly reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Risk of Cross-Contamination: Despite the dedicated fryer, Chick-fil-A operates a shared kitchen, meaning there is still a potential for cross-contact with gluten from other menu items.
Ordering Precautions are Key: Individuals with celiac disease or high sensitivity should inform staff about their allergy and request precautions like glove changes and careful handling.
Pea Starch in New Recipe: As of early 2025, a pea starch coating is used for crispiness, which is gluten-free but a concern for those with pea protein allergies.
Better Than Many Competitors: Compared to many other fast-food chains, Chick-fil-A's dedicated fryer policy makes their fries a more reliable option for gluten-free diets.

The Core Ingredients: Naturally Gluten-Free

At their core, Chick-fil-A's signature waffle fries are made from simple, naturally gluten-free ingredients: potatoes, canola oil, and sea salt. The fundamental composition of the fries themselves does not contain any gluten. This simple recipe is the foundation of their gluten-free status, a fact that gives peace of mind to many diners with gluten sensitivities or dietary preferences. The primary cooking oil, canola oil, is also naturally free of gluten, making the product's base a safe choice.

The Change in Fry Coating

It is important to note a change made in early 2025 regarding the waffle fries' recipe. Chick-fil-A introduced a new coating containing pea starch to enhance crispiness. For individuals managing celiac disease or a general gluten sensitivity, this change does not impact the gluten-free status, as peas are naturally gluten-free. However, it is a critical update for individuals with a pea protein allergy, who must now exercise caution. This highlights the importance of staying informed about fast-food menu changes, even for seemingly safe items.

The Dedicated Fryer: A Key Safety Measure

What truly sets Chick-fil-A's fries apart as a safer option for the gluten-sensitive community is their commitment to using a dedicated fryer for the waffle fries. The restaurant chain cooks its breaded chicken products, which contain gluten, in a separate fryer with a different oil (peanut oil). This separation of cooking equipment and oil is the primary defense against gluten cross-contact and is a crucial practice that many other fast-food establishments do not follow. It is this practice that allows many individuals with celiac disease to eat Chick-fil-A fries without concern, provided all other precautions are met.

The Cross-Contamination Risk: A Shared Kitchen Reality

While the fries themselves are free of gluten ingredients and cooked in a dedicated fryer, Chick-fil-A operates shared kitchens. This means there is always a potential risk of cross-contact, where gluten-containing items could accidentally contaminate a gluten-free order. Sources of potential cross-contact include shared utensils, surfaces, and airborne flour from breaded items. For individuals with a high sensitivity to gluten, such as those with celiac disease, this is a significant consideration. The company acknowledges this risk on its website, noting that while they take precautions, they cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free environment.

Mitigation Strategies for Safe Ordering

For customers who are highly sensitive to gluten, taking an active role in the ordering process is essential. Here are some actionable steps to minimize risk:

Inform the staff of your allergy: Clearly state that you have a gluten allergy or celiac disease when ordering, preferably with a manager, and not just in the drive-thru. This allows the team to follow specific protocols. For example, some Chick-fil-A locations use a specific “red flag” to indicate an allergy order.
Request a glove change: Ask that your food be handled with fresh gloves to avoid contamination from hands that may have handled breaded products.
Ask for a separate preparation area: While not always feasible in a fast-paced environment, requesting that your order be prepared in a clean area is an important step.
Consider a separate bag: Asking for your fries to be placed in a separate bag can help prevent contact with other items in your order, like a regular sandwich.

Comparison: Chick-fil-A Fries vs. Other Fast-Food Chains

For those on a gluten-free diet, finding safe fast-food fries can be a challenge. Here is how Chick-fil-A's approach compares to some other popular options:


Feature	Chick-fil-A Waffle Fries	McDonald's French Fries	In-N-Out Burger Fries	Five Guys Fries
Gluten-Free Ingredients?	Yes, potatoes and seasoning are naturally gluten-free.	Yes, ingredients are naturally gluten-free.	Yes, potatoes and oil are naturally gluten-free.	Yes, potatoes and peanut oil are naturally gluten-free.
Dedicated Fryer?	Yes, used for waffle fries only, minimizing cross-contact risk.	No, fries are cooked in the same fryer as other breaded items.	Yes, dedicated fryers are standard.	Yes, dedicated fryers are standard and only potatoes are fried.
Cross-Contamination Risk?	Low to medium, but can be mitigated with communication and precautions.	High, due to shared frying equipment with items like McChicken.	Low, due to dedicated fryers and careful procedures.	Low, due to dedicated fryers and single product focus.
Suitability for Celiac?	Can be a safe option with proper communication and precautions.	Not Recommended, due to high cross-contamination risk.	Generally considered a very safe option.	Generally considered a very safe option.

Making an Informed Choice

Deciding whether to eat at Chick-fil-A on a gluten-free diet requires balancing the restaurant's positive protocols with the inherent risks of a shared kitchen. Chick-fil-A goes further than many competitors by using a dedicated fryer, but the shared preparation environment is a reality that cannot be ignored by those with celiac disease. Many individuals with celiac and high gluten sensitivity successfully enjoy Chick-fil-A fries by communicating their allergy and taking precautions, while others may feel the risk is too high. The individual's level of sensitivity and comfort with fast-food dining is the ultimate determining factor. For authoritative information on menu ingredients, it is always best to consult the company's official website: Chick-fil-A Nutrition & Allergens.

Conclusion

In summary, Chick-fil-A's waffle fries are made from naturally gluten-free ingredients and are cooked in a dedicated fryer, making them a safer fast-food option for many on a gluten-free diet. The restaurant chain's proactive approach to separating frying equipment is a significant advantage over many competitors. However, the presence of gluten-containing items in a shared kitchen means a small risk of cross-contact is always present. For those with celiac disease or a high sensitivity, communicating clearly with the staff and requesting specific precautions is the best way to ensure the safest possible dining experience. Ultimately, the decision to dine at Chick-fil-A comes down to personal comfort and the severity of one's gluten sensitivity, but it remains one of the more transparent and accommodating fast-food chains available.

Frequently Asked Questions

The waffle fries are naturally gluten-free and cooked in a dedicated fryer at most standard locations. However, cross-contamination is a risk in a shared kitchen, and some smaller venues like those in airports or malls may have different procedures. It's always best to ask staff directly.

Most of Chick-fil-A's sauces and dressings are gluten-free, including the signature Chick-fil-A Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, and Polynesian Sauce. However, always check the allergen menu, as some seasonal or new offerings may contain gluten.

Beyond the fries, Chick-fil-A offers other gluten-free options, including Grilled Nuggets, a certified gluten-free bun for sandwiches (in a sealed bag), side salads (without croutons), the Kale Crunch Side, and fruit cups.

Yes, the pea starch coating introduced in 2025 is gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease. The change only affects individuals with a pea protein allergy.

When ordering, inform the staff that you have a gluten allergy. Request that they use fresh gloves and, if possible, prepare your food in a clean area and place it in a separate bag.

Chick-fil-A offers a certified gluten-free bun that arrives in a sealed package. To avoid cross-contact, request the bun remain in the bag and assemble the sandwich yourself with grilled chicken.

The risk comes from other shared kitchen items, such as utensils, cutting boards, and staff members' gloves that may have handled gluten products. Airborne flour from breaded items can also be a potential source of contamination.