Does Applebee's have gluten-free? Navigating the Menu and Safety Precautions

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

With an estimated 3.1 million Americans following a gluten-free diet, the question of Does Applebee's have gluten-free? is more relevant than ever. While the chain's interactive allergen menu lists numerous options, diners with sensitivities like celiac disease must understand the important risks of cross-contamination.

Quick Summary

Applebee's designates some menu items as "gluten-sensitive" but cannot guarantee they are 100% gluten-free due to shared kitchen and fryer usage. Diners with strict dietary needs must exercise caution and speak directly with staff to mitigate risks.

Key Points

Official Stance: Applebee's offers "gluten-sensitive" items but openly warns about cross-contamination risks due to shared cooking areas.
Shared Equipment is Risky: The use of common fryers and prep surfaces makes fried foods and other items high-risk for celiacs.
Safer Choices Exist: Plain, grilled items like steak or chicken and simple sides like a baked potato or steamed vegetables are the best options.
Always Communicate Your Needs: Inform your server and manager about your celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to ensure precautions are taken.
Know Your Risk Tolerance: For individuals with celiac disease, the risk at Applebee's is generally considered high, and caution is strongly advised.
Consult Resources: Use tools like the restaurant's allergen menu and community apps for guidance on location-specific safety.
Avoid All Sauces: Many sauces contain hidden gluten, so it's safest to request all grilled items plain.

Understanding Applebee's 'Gluten-Sensitive' Policy

When you review Applebee's menu, you will see a 'GS' symbol next to certain items. This stands for "gluten-sensitive," indicating that the dish is made without gluten-containing ingredients in its standard recipe. However, Applebee's is transparent in its official allergen statement, which is crucial for customers to understand:

"Because we have multiple sources of allergens and gluten-containing ingredients in our shared cooking and prep areas, including common fryer oil, we are unable to guarantee that any menu item can be completely free of allergens or gluten-containing ingredients".

This disclaimer is particularly important for those with celiac disease, where even trace amounts of gluten can trigger a severe autoimmune reaction. For individuals with a less severe gluten intolerance, gluten-sensitive options might be acceptable, but for celiac diners, the risk of cross-contamination is a serious concern.

Navigating the Menu: Safer Options

For those who decide to dine at Applebee's despite the risks, careful ordering is essential. The safest approach is to stick to menu items that are naturally free of gluten and require minimal preparation. When ordering, always specify your needs to your server and consider asking to speak with a manager.

Naturally Gluten-Free Options (with modifications):

Steaks and Ribs: Plain sirloin, ribeye, or baby back ribs (with no sauce). Request that the item be prepared on a clean, dedicated cooking surface or on foil to minimize cross-contamination from other items grilled with marinades.
Chicken and Shrimp: Grilled chicken breast and the grilled shrimp skewer can be safe options. Ensure they are cooked separately and without any marinades.
Salads: A house salad with a plain, verified gluten-free dressing (such as oil and vinegar) and without croutons can be a good choice. The Fiesta Chicken Chopped Salad or Grilled Shrimp 'N Spinach Salad can also be adapted by omitting specific toppings or dressings.
Sides: A baked potato is a reliable choice. Steamed broccoli or garlicky green beans are also good options. Always confirm that toppings or sauces are not added.

Items to Approach with Extreme Caution (or avoid):

Fried Items: French fries, wings, and chips are often fried in shared oil with gluten-containing items, making them unsafe for celiacs.
Sauces and Dressings: Hidden gluten is common in sauces. Only use sauces that are explicitly listed on the allergen menu as gluten-free.
Burgers: While Applebee's Canada lists a gluten-free bun option, this varies by location and a bun doesn't eliminate cross-contamination risk from the grill. A safer bet is a plain burger patty with a lettuce cup.

Mitigating Cross-Contamination Risk

To improve your chances of a safe dining experience, follow these steps:

Use the Interactive Allergen Menu: Before you go, consult Applebee's website to identify which items are listed as gluten-sensitive. This helps you plan your order in advance.
Talk to Your Server: Inform your server about your celiac disease or gluten allergy and the severity of your reaction. Ask them to relay this information directly to the kitchen staff.
Request Specific Preparation: Ask if your meal can be prepared with fresh gloves and on a clean surface or separate pan. Inquire about shared fryers for any fried items you consider.
Confirm Ingredients: For dishes with sauces or dressings, double-check that only verified gluten-free ingredients are used.

Comparison Table: Applebee's vs. Other Chains

For those with celiac disease, transparency and dedicated practices are key. Here's how Applebee's generally compares to other restaurant chains known for their gluten-free protocols:


Feature	Applebee's	Outback Steakhouse	Chili's Grill & Bar
Designation	"Gluten-Sensitive"	Separate, dedicated "Gluten-Free Menu"	Separate, dedicated "Gluten-Free Menu"
Cross-Contamination	Warns of high risk due to shared prep and fryers.	Generally has better protocols, but still requires communication.	Menu clearly labels items and acknowledges risks.
Staff Knowledge	Varies by location; some servers are knowledgeable, others are not.	Often trained to handle allergen requests carefully.	Can vary, but corporate provides allergen guides.
Dedicated Fryer	Generally does not have a dedicated fryer.	Many locations offer a dedicated fryer, but always ask.	May use a shared fryer; customer must ask to confirm.
Overall Safety	Considered high-risk for celiacs due to shared equipment.	Better safety track record, though caution is still advised.	Improved in recent years, but celiacs should always confirm protocols.

Making an Informed Decision

In summary, while Applebee's does offer a list of gluten-sensitive menu items, it is not a certified gluten-free restaurant and carries a significant risk of cross-contamination. For individuals with a casual intolerance, this may be acceptable. However, for those with celiac disease, the potential for gluten exposure from shared surfaces, utensils, and fryers is high. Your ability to have a safe meal is highly dependent on effective communication with staff and the specific location's practices. If you have celiac disease, it's safer to consider restaurants with more robust gluten-free protocols or to stick to simple, unprocessed options with clear instructions.

An excellent resource for navigating restaurant dining with celiac disease is the Find Me Gluten Free app, which provides community-sourced reviews on safety practices.

Conclusion

Does Applebee's have gluten-free options? Yes, they have menu items that are labeled as "gluten-sensitive," meaning they are made without gluten-containing ingredients in their standard recipe. However, due to the use of shared cooking equipment and prep areas, the risk of cross-contamination is explicitly stated by the company and remains a significant concern for those with celiac disease. For those with strict dietary needs, thorough communication with the staff and careful menu choices are mandatory. For peace of mind, dining at a restaurant with dedicated gluten-free preparation is often a safer alternative. The ultimate decision depends on your personal sensitivity level and tolerance for risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applebee's is generally considered high-risk for individuals with celiac disease due to the potential for cross-contamination. While they offer gluten-sensitive options, they do not have dedicated gluten-free kitchen space or fryers.

The 'GS' symbol indicates that an item is prepared without gluten-containing ingredients in its standard recipe. However, Applebee's states that due to shared cooking areas, they cannot guarantee items are completely free of gluten.

No, Applebee's generally uses common fryer oil for all fried items, including fries and wings. This poses a high risk of cross-contamination, making them unsafe for individuals with celiac disease or a strict gluten-free diet.

Plain sirloin steak, ribeye, or baby back ribs ordered with no sauce are the safest options. You must confirm with your server that the meat is cooked on a clean surface or on foil to avoid contact with other marinades.

Your best bet is to order a plain burger patty without a bun, likely with a lettuce cup instead. Even if a location offers a gluten-free bun, cross-contamination from the grill is still a significant risk.

Clearly state that you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy. Ask to speak with a manager to discuss specific preparation instructions, such as using fresh gloves and preparing your food on a clean, separate surface.

While some sauces and dressings may be listed as gluten-sensitive, it's best to consult the interactive allergen menu or a manager. Many sauces contain hidden gluten, and cross-contamination is a concern.