Is Panera's loaded baked potato soup gluten-free?

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected by celiac disease. For those with gluten sensitivity, knowing if a beloved menu item like Panera's loaded baked potato soup is gluten-free is crucial, and the answer depends on where you buy it.

Quick Summary

The retail version of Panera's baked potato soup is labeled gluten-free, but the in-cafe soup is not considered safe for those with celiac due to significant cross-contamination risks in Panera's kitchens.

Key Points

In-Cafe Risk: The loaded baked potato soup served in Panera's cafes is not gluten-free and poses a significant risk of cross-contamination for those with celiac disease or severe sensitivities.
Retail is Safe: The ready-to-heat Panera Baked Potato Soup sold in grocery stores is explicitly labeled and certified gluten-free.
Shared Kitchen: All food prepared in Panera's cafes is made in a shared kitchen, making cross-contamination with gluten-containing items highly likely.
Always Declare Allergies: If ordering in-cafe, inform staff of your gluten allergy and consider ordering via the kiosk to add specific allergy notes to your ticket.
Safer Alternatives: For in-cafe dining, stick to items with a lower cross-contamination risk, such as modified salads without croutons, fruit cups, or specific chips.
No Certified Items: Panera Bread does not certify any of its menu items as gluten-free due to its shared kitchen policy.

The Important Distinction: In-Cafe vs. Retail Soup

For those managing a gluten-free diet, Panera's popular loaded baked potato soup can be a point of confusion. The most critical factor to understand is the difference between the version served in Panera's cafes and the ready-to-heat soup sold in grocery stores. The retail version, often found in the refrigerated section of supermarkets like Walmart or Sprouts, is explicitly labeled and marketed as gluten-free. However, the same cannot be said for the soup prepared and served in the restaurant.

The retail product is manufactured in a controlled environment, likely by a third-party company like Blount Fine Foods, which produces soup for Panera at Home. Its ingredients are carefully selected to ensure no gluten-containing components are included. On the other hand, the soup prepared in Panera's cafes is made in a shared kitchen, a detail Panera Bread is very transparent about. This shared preparation space presents a high risk of cross-contamination, which is a major concern for anyone with celiac disease or a severe gluten sensitivity.

Understanding Cross-Contamination at Panera

Panera's official stance on gluten is very clear and can be found on its allergen information page. The company does not offer any certified gluten-free items because of the potential for cross-contact. The risk comes from several sources within the busy cafe environment, including shared equipment used for gluten-free and gluten-containing items, airborne flour from daily baking, and the challenges of preventing cross-contact during busy periods. These factors make the in-cafe environment unsuitable for those requiring a strict gluten-free diet.

A Safe Bet? Panera at Home

The retail version of Panera's Baked Potato Soup, found in grocery stores, is explicitly labeled gluten-free and is a reliable option for those seeking a gluten-free experience. This refrigerated product can be quickly prepared at home and is made without artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, or colors from artificial sources.

How to Navigate a Gluten-Free Diet at Panera's Cafes

If you choose to dine in a Panera cafe, communicate clearly about your serious gluten allergy, ideally using the kiosk to add specific notes. Consider inherently gluten-free side items like plain kettle chips or fruit cups, or modified salads without croutons. Visiting during less busy times may also reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Comparing Panera's Baked Potato Soup Options


Attribute	Panera In-Cafe (Loaded Baked Potato Soup)	Panera at Home (Retail Gluten-Free Baked Potato Soup)
Gluten-Free Status	Not guaranteed. Made in a shared kitchen with high risk of cross-contamination.	Explicitly labeled “Gluten-Free” on packaging.
Celiac Safety	Not recommended for celiac disease or severe gluten allergies due to unavoidable cross-contact.	A safe option for those needing strict gluten-free ingredients.
Availability	Served fresh in all Panera Bread cafe locations.	Sold in refrigerated cups at major grocery stores nationwide.
Control	No control over kitchen practices or cross-contact during preparation.	Full control over preparation and cooking environment at home.
Ingredients	Recipe not explicitly labeled gluten-free, with a possibility of containing gluten-based thickeners or other contaminants.	Confirmed gluten-free ingredient list. For example, some versions use rice flour as a thickener.

Beyond the Soup: Other Panera Gluten-Conscious Items

While cross-contamination is a risk, some Panera items are made with naturally gluten-free ingredients. These include many salads (without croutons), kettle chips, and smoothies. Steel Cut Oatmeal and Mixed Berries with Greek Yogurt also have naturally gluten-free ingredients, but Panera notes they don't use certified gluten-free oats. Always check for processing warnings on pre-packaged items.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice for Your Health

For individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, the in-cafe loaded baked potato soup at Panera is not safe due to significant cross-contamination risks. The ready-to-heat Panera Baked Potato Soup available in grocery stores, however, is confirmed gluten-free and provides a safe alternative for home consumption. It is essential to distinguish between these two products. When dining out with a gluten intolerance, always prioritize caution. For absolute peace of mind, preparing meals at home with certified gluten-free products is the safest approach. Your health is the priority. For more information on Panera's nutrition and allergen policies, visit their official website.

Panera Nutrition and Allergen Information

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the loaded baked potato soup served in Panera's cafes is not gluten-free. It is prepared in a shared kitchen with gluten-containing ingredients, which creates a high risk of cross-contamination.

Yes, the retail version of Panera Baked Potato Soup, sold in refrigerated cups at grocery stores, is explicitly labeled and advertised as gluten-free.

No, it is not recommended for individuals with celiac disease to eat the soup in the cafe due to the unavoidable risk of cross-contamination from the shared kitchen and equipment.

The retail version of the soup uses gluten-free ingredients, sometimes using thickeners like rice flour. The in-cafe version's exact recipe and handling, however, are not guaranteed to be free of gluten contamination.

Panera explicitly states that because all menu items are prepared in a shared kitchen, they cannot guarantee that any item is free of allergens, including gluten. They use the term 'gluten-conscious,' not 'certified gluten-free'.

The safest options are pre-packaged items like certain kettle chips and the fruit cup, as well as smoothies. However, for cooked items, even those with naturally gluten-free ingredients carry a risk of cross-contamination.

Yes, always clearly communicate your gluten allergy to the staff. This can prompt them to take extra precautions, like changing gloves or using fresh ingredients from a different area, although it does not eliminate all risk.