Does Crushed Red have gluten-free pizza? Your Guide to Ordering Safely

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

Over 3 million Americans have celiac disease, and countless others have gluten sensitivities, making the search for safe dining options a constant challenge. When it comes to Crushed Red, the answer to whether they offer gluten-free pizza is a bit complex: they do offer a gluten-free crust, but the risk of cross-contamination makes it a hazardous choice for individuals with a severe intolerance.

Quick Summary

Crushed Red offers a veggie-based gluten-free pizza crust, available for an extra charge. However, their kitchens are not dedicated gluten-free facilities, and customer reports confirm a high risk of gluten exposure from shared ingredients and prep areas. It is generally unsafe for celiac diners to order a pizza, but salads may be a safer, though still risky, alternative.

Key Points

Availability: Crushed Red offers a specific gluten-free crust option, sometimes a veggie-based version, for an extra charge.
High Cross-Contamination Risk: The restaurant operates a shared kitchen, making their gluten-free pizza unsafe for individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten allergies due to potential gluten exposure.
Celiac Dangers: Customer reports detail instances of contamination despite staff being informed of celiac needs, leading to illness.
Alternative Options: While salads are available, cross-contamination is still a risk, and it is best for celiac diners to exercise extreme caution.
Official Info: For precise ingredient details, consult the Crushed Red official nutrition and allergen portal.

The Availability of Gluten-Free Crusts at Crushed Red

Crushed Red, a fast-casual restaurant known for its healthy, customizable salads and pizzas, does provide a gluten-free crust option. At one point, the restaurant introduced an innovative veggie crust made from leftover vegetable parts blended with black beans and agave, which was also certified gluten-free. However, menus may differ by location, and it is crucial to confirm the current offering with the specific restaurant you plan to visit. The gluten-free crust, regardless of its specific composition, is typically subject to an additional charge. This option allows many customers with mild sensitivities to enjoy a pizza, but it is not a fail-safe solution for everyone.

The Critical Concern: Cross-Contamination Risk

The most important factor for individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance is the high risk of cross-contamination. Unlike restaurants with dedicated gluten-free kitchens, Crushed Red prepares all of its food in a single shared kitchen space. This means regular wheat flour is used freely and frequently around the gluten-free ingredients. Online reviews and reports from customers and even past employees confirm that separate prepping areas or equipment are not used.

Potential points of cross-contamination include:

Shared pizza cutters and utensils.
Shared toppings bar, with gluten-containing ingredients potentially falling into gluten-free options.
Staff handling both regular dough and gluten-free crusts without changing gloves.
Flour dust present in the air and on surfaces in the kitchen and serving areas.
Shared cooking surfaces or ovens that may not be thoroughly cleaned between uses.

Making a Safe Decision for Your Diet

For someone with a mild gluten sensitivity, the gluten-free crust might be a viable option, but for a person with celiac disease, the risk is simply too high. Several customer reports on sites like Find Me Gluten Free highlight disappointing and dangerous experiences, where even after specifying celiac disease, they still experienced adverse reactions. For this reason, many celiac diners recommend sticking to salads, which still carry some risk but are less likely to involve extensive direct contact with flour.

To minimize risk when ordering anything at Crushed Red:

Communicate Clearly: Inform staff you have a serious gluten allergy or celiac disease and need to avoid cross-contamination. Do not assume they will know the protocol.
Verify Process: Ask if they can change gloves, use fresh utensils, and prepare your order in a separate, clean area. Be aware that this may not always be possible.
Consider Safer Alternatives: Many celiac-friendly restaurants have stricter protocols. For pizza, chains like Papa John's and Domino's also issue warnings about their gluten-free crusts not being suitable for celiac diners due to cross-contamination. Your best bet is to find a dedicated gluten-free eatery.

Comparison Table: Ordering for Celiac vs. Gluten Sensitivity


Feature	Celiac Disease (Strict)	Gluten Sensitivity (Mild)
Pizza Crust	Generally unsafe. High risk of cross-contamination from shared tools, toppings, and environment.	Potentially fine. The restaurant offers a gluten-free crust, and the low level of gluten exposure may not trigger a reaction.
Salads	Risky. Ingredients are preassembled on a shared line, increasing cross-contamination risk. Specify needing clean utensils and toppings from fresh containers.	Likely safe. A good choice, especially when asking for fresh toppings.
Staff Communication	Crucial. Must explicitly state 'celiac' and ask about cross-contamination procedures. Expect that safety cannot be guaranteed.	Recommended. Inform staff of your sensitivity to help them avoid gluten, but cross-contamination is less of a concern.
Best Practice	Avoid pizza entirely. Stick to packaged, verified gluten-free foods or salads with extreme caution.	A build-your-own pizza with the gluten-free crust and a carefully chosen salad are reasonable options.

Official Resources and Further Information

For the most up-to-date information on ingredients and allergens, Crushed Red maintains an interactive nutrition and allergen portal on their website. It is always wise to consult this resource before visiting. You can find the Crushed Red Nutrition Portal here. This portal can help you identify specific toppings and dressings that are gluten-free, but it will not eliminate the risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen environment.

Conclusion: Caution is Key

While Crushed Red provides a gluten-free crust option, it is not a safe choice for individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten allergies. The use of a shared kitchen and preparation space introduces too many opportunities for gluten cross-contamination, as numerous customer reports confirm. For those with a milder gluten sensitivity, it may be an acceptable option, but communicating clearly with staff is still essential. The safest route for celiac diners is to avoid the pizza entirely and to be extremely cautious when ordering salads. Always remember that when it comes to managing a serious allergy, a restaurant's dedicated allergen protocol is far more important than the mere availability of a special menu item.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Crushed Red's gluten-free pizza is not recommended for individuals with celiac disease. The shared kitchen and equipment pose a high risk of cross-contamination, which has been reported by multiple customers.

Historically, Crushed Red has offered a gluten-free crust, and at one point, it was a zero-waste 'Veggie Crust' made from vegetable scraps, agave, and black beans. You should confirm the current ingredients at your specific location.

If your sensitivity is mild and not celiac disease, you may be able to tolerate the gluten-free crust. However, you should still communicate your dietary needs clearly to the staff to minimize risk, as a completely gluten-free preparation cannot be guaranteed.

Many of Crushed Red's salads can be made gluten-free. The risk of cross-contamination from shared ingredients is still present but may be lower than with the pizza. Always communicate with staff about your allergy.

Yes, ordering the gluten-free crust typically costs an additional fee compared to the standard crust.

You can find detailed nutritional and allergen information on the Crushed Red website through their official nutrition portal.

The gluten-free crust is handled and prepared in the same kitchen as regular flour products. Shared utensils, ovens, and the airborne flour dust in the environment mean that the crust can be easily contaminated with gluten, making it unsafe for celiacs.

While the staff may be well-intentioned, the restaurant's kitchen setup is not designed to prevent cross-contamination for severe allergies. You should not rely on special instructions to guarantee a gluten-free meal.