The Official Buffalo Wild Wings Allergen Stance
For anyone with a serious gluten allergy or celiac disease, the first and most important step is to consult the restaurant's official documentation. Buffalo Wild Wings is transparent about its allergen risks, stating directly in its guide that it cannot eliminate the risk of cross-contact and no items are certified gluten-free. They rely on information from suppliers and use shared cooking areas, which is the primary reason for this disclaimer. This means that even if an ingredient list is clean, the preparation method makes it unsafe for highly sensitive individuals.
Unpacking the Wing Ingredients
Understanding the components of the wings themselves is key. Buffalo Wild Wings' traditional wings, which are bone-in, are not breaded and do not contain gluten ingredients. In contrast, their boneless wings and cauliflower wings are breaded and contain gluten. Therefore, for a gluten-free order, you must specify traditional wings only. But the story doesn't end there—the preparation and sauces introduce major risks.
Sauces and Dry Rubs
Many of Buffalo Wild Wings' signature sauces and dry rubs are free of gluten-containing ingredients. The official allergen guide indicates which ones do not contain wheat. Historically, most sauces have been considered safe, with the notable exceptions of Asian Zing and Teriyaki due to soy sauce content. However, always check the most recent guide, as formulations can change. Dry rubs are generally safe as well, but the cross-contamination from how they are applied is a separate issue.
Here is a list of historically gluten-free sauces and seasonings (always confirm with staff):
- Blazin'® Carolina Reaper
- Caribbean Jerk
- Honey BBQ
- Hot
- Medium
- Mild
- Nashville Hot
- Original Buffalo
- Spicy Garlic
- Sweet BBQ
- Wild
- Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub
- Desert Heat® Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper Dry Rub
- Salt and Vinegar Seasoning
The Critical Risk of Cross-Contamination
This is where dining out for a person with celiac disease becomes incredibly difficult at Buffalo Wild Wings. The high potential for cross-contamination is the most significant hurdle. It is a multi-step process, and each step has an element of risk.
- Shared Fryers: Traditional wings are deep-fried, and in most Buffalo Wild Wings locations, all fried items—both breaded and unbreaded—are cooked in the same beef tallow fryer. This means the same oil that cooks breaded boneless wings, cheese curds, and onion rings is also used for traditional wings. For a celiac individual, this is an automatic red flag. Some customer reports indicate that some locations might have dedicated fryers, but this is not standard and should never be assumed without speaking directly to a manager.
- Shared Tossing Bowls: After frying, wings are placed in large metal bowls to be tossed with sauce or seasoning. The restaurant uses the same bowls for both breaded and unbreaded wings. Even with washing, this process presents a high risk of cross-contamination. You can request a manager to toss your wings in a fresh take-out container, but this depends entirely on staff awareness and willingness.
- Shared Surfaces: In a busy restaurant kitchen, shared surfaces, utensils, and gloves are common. The risk of a gluten-containing ingredient coming into contact with a 'safe' item is always present.
A Comparison of Wing Options and Risks
| Feature | Traditional Wings | Boneless Wings | At-Home Wings (Sauces from BWW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Non-breaded, non-gluten ingredients. | Breaded; contains gluten. | You control all ingredients. |
| Preparation | Deep-fried in shared oil; tossed in shared bowls. | Deep-fried in shared oil; tossed in shared bowls. | You control all preparation methods. |
| Cross-Contamination Risk | Extremely High. Not recommended for celiac disease. | Extremely High. Not recommended for celiac disease. | Minimal to None. Recommended for celiac disease. |
| Best for | Individuals without celiac who are just reducing gluten intake and aren't severely sensitive. | No one on a gluten-free diet. | Anyone on a strict gluten-free diet who wants Buffalo Wild Wings flavors. |
Safer Options and How to Order
If you decide to dine at Buffalo Wild Wings despite the risks, there are ways to minimize exposure, though no option is 100% safe for celiacs. The Naked Chicken Tenders are a potential choice, as they are grilled rather than fried. However, you must confirm with a manager that they are prepared on a clean surface and not cross-contaminated with other items on the grill. Additionally, many of the cheeses and toppings are safe, but a plain grilled hamburger patty with no bun is another choice.
For wings, a very specific set of requests is required:
- Order traditional, bone-in wings only.
- Choose one of the gluten-free sauces or dry rubs.
- Explicitly request the wings to be sauced in a separate, clean container, such as a take-out box.
- If available, ask about dedicated fryers. Be aware that this is not standard and may be a risk in itself.
- The safest approach is to order your wings with the sauce on the side and do the tossing yourself.
Conclusion
In summary, while the ingredients of traditional wings at Buffalo Wild Wings are not inherently gluten-containing, the restaurant's preparation methods create a high, often unacceptable, risk of cross-contamination for individuals with celiac disease. The shared fryers and communal sauce-tossing bowls make it impossible to guarantee a gluten-free meal. The safest course of action for those with a serious gluten allergy is to avoid the fried wing options entirely or make your own wings at home using the bottled sauces, which are available in many grocery stores. For those with less severe sensitivities, communicating clearly with the staff and taking precautions like getting sauce on the side might be an acceptable risk, but it is not without danger.
For the most up-to-date allergen information, you can always visit the Buffalo Wild Wings official website and consult their most recent allergen guide.
What to Know About Gluten-Free Eating at BWW
- The Official Stance: Buffalo Wild Wings explicitly states no menu items are certified gluten-free due to shared cooking spaces and supplier reliance.
- Shared Fryers: Traditional (unbreaded) wings are fried in the same oil as breaded items, posing a high cross-contamination risk for celiacs.
- Saucing Procedure: Wings are tossed with sauces in shared bowls, a major source of gluten contact.
- Ordering Safely: You can ask for sauce on the side or request a manager to use a separate container, but this is not foolproof.
- Avoid Boneless and Cauliflower Wings: Both are breaded and contain gluten, making them unsafe for any gluten-free diet.
- Safer Alternatives: Grilled Naked Chicken Tenders or a bun-less burger with a side salad are potentially safer options, but still require careful communication with staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Are Buffalo Wild Wings' traditional wings gluten-free? Answer: The traditional bone-in wings do not contain gluten ingredients, but are not certified gluten-free because they are fried in shared fryers with breaded items, leading to high cross-contamination risk.
Question: Can someone with celiac disease eat wings from Buffalo Wild Wings? Answer: It is not recommended for someone with celiac disease to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings due to the very high risk of cross-contamination from shared fryers, preparation surfaces, and saucing bowls.
Question: Which Buffalo Wild Wings sauces are gluten-free? Answer: Most sauces are made without gluten ingredients, but always check the most recent allergen guide or with a manager, as formulations can change. Exceptions usually include Asian Zing and Teriyaki.
Question: Do Buffalo Wild Wings have a dedicated fryer for gluten-free items? Answer: No, Buffalo Wild Wings uses shared fryers for all fried items, including traditional wings, boneless wings, and other breaded items. Some customer reports mention dedicated fryers, but this varies by location and is not standard policy.
Question: How can I order wings more safely at Buffalo Wild Wings? Answer: To reduce risk, order traditional wings with sauce on the side. You can also request a manager to have the wings tossed in a clean, separate container, though success depends on staff and location.
Question: What are the safest gluten-free menu items at Buffalo Wild Wings? Answer: The safest options are grilled items like the Naked Chicken Tenders or a bun-less hamburger patty. Side salads without croutons are also a good option, but careful ordering and communication with the staff are crucial.
Question: What should I tell my server about my gluten allergy? Answer: Clearly state that you have a gluten allergy and emphasize the severity, noting that cross-contamination is a serious concern. Ask to speak with a manager to discuss safe preparation methods and confirm ingredient details.
Question: Are the French fries at Buffalo Wild Wings gluten-free? Answer: While the fries themselves contain no gluten ingredients, they are cooked in the shared deep fryers, making them unsafe for someone with celiac disease due to cross-contamination.
Key Takeaways for Gluten-Free Diners
- High Cross-Contamination Risk: Due to shared fryers, tossing bowls, and kitchen space, Buffalo Wild Wings is not a safe environment for individuals with severe gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
- Ingredients vs. Preparation: It is critical to differentiate between items made with gluten-free ingredients (like traditional wings) and those prepared in a gluten-free environment (which BWW is not).
- Sauce on the Side is Safer: Opting for sauce on the side for your traditional wings and handling the mixing yourself can help reduce the risk from shared tossing bowls.
- Communicate Clearly: Always inform your server about your allergy and ask for a manager to discuss safe preparation procedures.
- Consider Alternatives: Grilled items or making your own wings at home with BWW sauces are the most reliable options for avoiding gluten entirely.
