Are In-N-Out Animal Fries GF? A Complete Gluten-Free Guide

November 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to sources like the Celiac Community Foundation of Northern California, everything at In-N-Out is gluten-free except the buns. The short answer to 'Are In-N-Out animal fries GF?' is yes, the ingredients themselves are gluten-free, but ensuring a safe meal for those with Celiac disease requires careful ordering to avoid cross-contamination.

Quick Summary

In-N-Out's animal fries and their components are inherently gluten-free, but cross-contact with gluten-containing items during preparation is a serious concern for sensitive individuals. Specific ordering instructions must be followed to minimize risk, ensuring a safer meal.

Key Points

Core Ingredients Are GF: The french fries, cheese, and spread in In-N-Out's animal fries are inherently gluten-free.
Cross-Contamination is Key: The main risk for those with Celiac disease comes from cross-contamination on shared grill surfaces and with shared utensils.
Fries Use Dedicated Fryer: In-N-Out fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer with sunflower oil, reducing the risk of gluten contamination for the fries themselves.
Order Carefully: Specify "severe gluten allergy" when ordering to alert staff to follow special preparation protocols, including changing gloves and cleaning surfaces.
Modify Your Order: To minimize risk, request spread in a sealed packet on the side and ask for whole grilled onions cooked separately from the buns.
Risk Tolerance Varies: While many Celiac customers have good experiences, staff diligence can vary, and In-N-Out cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free experience.
Other GF Options Available: In-N-Out also offers other gluten-free choices like Protein-Style burgers and shakes, but all require careful ordering to avoid cross-contact.

Understanding the Core Ingredients of Animal Style Fries

To answer if In-N-Out animal fries are GF, it's essential to break down the components. The dish consists of three main parts: the french fries, the signature spread, and the grilled onions. While all of these are inherently gluten-free, the preparation process poses risks for those with Celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance.

The Fries: In-N-Out uses a dedicated fryer for their fresh-cut potatoes, cooked in 100% sunflower oil. This process, free from other breaded items, makes the plain fries a low-risk option.

The Spread: The signature animal style spread is gluten-free. However, shared utensils used for buns increase cross-contamination risk. Ordering the spread in a sealed packet on the side is recommended for safety.

The Grilled Onions: Grilled onions can be a source of cross-contamination as they are often prepared on the same grill surface as buns. Requesting whole grilled onions or specifying a clean grill surface can help.

The Critical Factor: Cross-Contamination Risk

The primary challenge for Celiac individuals ordering animal fries is the risk of cross-contamination in In-N-Out's busy kitchen. Despite gluten-free ingredients, shared surfaces and utensils can introduce gluten.

Handling and Utensils: Spatulas and other tools used for gluten-containing buns are often used for other items. Specifying an allergy is crucial to trigger special handling.
Shared Surfaces: The grill where onions are cooked is also used for toasting buns, a major risk point.
Allergy Protocols: In-N-Out has procedures for allergy orders, including changing gloves and cleaning areas. However, the application of these protocols may vary between locations and staff.

How to Order In-N-Out Animal Fries GF Safely

A specific ordering approach is necessary to minimize cross-contamination risk. Follow these steps for a safer experience:

Clearly State "Severe Gluten Allergy": Using this phrase alerts staff to the need for strict precautions.
Request Allergy Protocol: Ask the staff to follow the established allergy procedure.
Modify Ingredients: Order plain fries with the spread in a side packet. Request whole grilled onions to be cooked on a clean, separate area of the grill.
Confirm Details: Verify with the staff that your allergy request and modifications have been noted.
Prevent Contact: Ask for your order to be placed separately to avoid contact with other gluten-containing items.

Comparison: Standard vs. Celiac-Safe Animal Fries


Feature	Standard Animal Fries	Celiac-Safe Animal Fries (Modified Order)
Fries	Freshly fried in dedicated fryer.	Freshly fried in dedicated fryer.
Cheese	Melted cheese slice added on top.	Melted cheese slice added on top.
Spread	Applied with a utensil potentially used for buns.	Requested in a sealed side packet to prevent cross-contact.
Grilled Onions	Grilled on the same surface as buns.	Requested to be grilled separately on a clean surface or as whole onions.
Preparation	No special precautions for cross-contact.	Employee changes gloves, cleans station, uses dedicated utensils.

What About the Cheese?

The cheese on animal fries is generally gluten-free. The risk is minimal, but there's a slight possibility of cross-contamination if staff handle buns before adding cheese without changing gloves.

Can I Just Ask for No Spread and Onions?

Yes, ordering plain fries is the simplest option. However, to enjoy the animal style flavor more safely, ordering the spread on the side and requesting carefully prepared onions allows you to assemble them with less risk.

Conclusion

In summary, while the ingredients of In-N-Out's animal fries are gluten-free, significant cross-contamination risks exist for individuals with Celiac disease. A safe order requires clear communication, specifying a "severe gluten allergy," and requesting modifications such as side spread and separately grilled onions. The dedicated fryer for fries is beneficial, but vigilance is key to enjoying this dish safely.

An Important Note on Reliability

Customer experiences with allergy safety at In-N-Out can vary. In-N-Out states they cannot guarantee against allergen exposure. Individuals with high sensitivity should consider their personal risk tolerance. Consulting In-N-Out's official allergen information is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, In-N-Out's signature spread is confirmed to be gluten-free. However, to avoid cross-contamination from shared utensils, it is safest to request a fresh, sealed packet of spread on the side.

You can get grilled onions, but you must be specific to minimize risk. Request that they be grilled on a clean surface or ask for whole grilled onions, as the diced variety are often grilled where buns are toasted.

The fries themselves are safe for Celiacs because they are cooked in a dedicated fryer. The risk of contamination comes from the toppings (spread, onions) and general kitchen environment.

The safest way is to state "severe gluten allergy," request the allergy protocol, order plain fries, and ask for the spread in a side packet. For the onions, request them grilled separately.

Use the term "severe gluten allergy" when ordering, as this often triggers a special allergy protocol from the kitchen. It is also wise to confirm the steps being taken with the cashier.

In-N-Out provides allergen information but states they cannot guarantee food will not be exposed to an allergen due to shared kitchen spaces. This means you should still be vigilant about cross-contamination when ordering.

Yes, In-N-Out's vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry shakes are all considered gluten-free. However, it is still recommended to mention your allergy to ensure staff changes gloves before preparing your drink.

The main risks are the shared grill surface where buns and grilled onions are made, and the use of shared utensils to apply spread to both buns and fries.