Is Ululani's Shave Ice Gluten-Free? Your Complete Guide

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Ululani's official website, all of their signature syrups are crafted to be gluten-free, providing a tasty option for those with gluten sensitivities. However, the safety of your treat, especially for individuals with celiac disease, depends on more than just the syrups. This guide explores the details of whether Ululani's shave ice is truly gluten-free.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a detailed analysis of Ululani's shave ice, confirming that its syrups are gluten-free while outlining potential risks from cross-contamination with certain toppings. It offers practical advice for ordering safely, particularly for those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities.

Key Points

All Syrups are Gluten-Free: Ululani's confirms that 100% of their house-made syrups are gluten-free, offering a vast selection of safe flavors.
High Risk of Cross-Contamination: The risk for cross-contact is significant, especially for individuals with celiac disease, due to shared handling of toppings and potential shared facilities.
Avoid Gluten-Containing Toppings: Toppings like Oreo and graham cracker crumbles contain gluten and must be avoided. When in doubt, skip all toppings.
Communicate With Staff: Informing staff about a severe gluten allergy and requesting fresh utensils is crucial for preventing cross-contamination.
Select Toppings with Caution: Certain ice cream brands used (like Roselani) and other toppings like Snow Cap and Cheesecake Cream are not guaranteed safe and should be avoided by celiacs.
Location Varies in Risk: Some locations may pose a higher risk than others due to shared kitchen facilities. The Kihei shop, for instance, is noted for sharing a kitchen with a bakery.

Understanding Ululani's Gluten-Free Options

For those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, enjoying a sweet treat from a popular spot like Ululani's requires careful consideration. The good news is that the core component of Ululani's famous shave ice—the syrups—are confirmed to be gluten-free. The company takes pride in using high-quality, house-made syrups with pure cane sugar and often natural fruit purees.

The Syrups: The Core Gluten-Free Component

Ululani's dedication to crafting their own syrups from pure cane sugar and natural purees means they have complete control over the ingredients. This process ensures the base of the shave ice is free from gluten-containing ingredients, making the main event safe for most gluten-sensitive customers. With over 50 flavors, there is a vast selection of safe options to choose from, offering endless flavor combinations.

Potential Risks: Navigating Cross-Contamination

While the syrups are gluten-free, the potential for cross-contamination is a significant concern for those with celiac disease. As many locations are not dedicated gluten-free facilities, there is a risk, particularly with certain add-ons and shared equipment. The company and community reports highlight specific areas to be cautious of:

Toppings: Some toppings offered, such as Oreo or graham cracker crumbles, contain gluten and are not safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
Ice Cream: The ice cream used, often a local Hawaiian brand like Roselani, may be made in a facility that uses shared equipment. While the ice cream itself might be listed as gluten-free, this is a potential risk area.
Shared Kitchens: Specific locations may share kitchen space with bakeries or other establishments that handle gluten products. The Kihei shop, for instance, has been noted to share a kitchen with a bakery.
Utensils: Shared scoops or skewers can pose a cross-contamination risk, especially during busy periods. It is crucial to request fresh, clean utensils.

How to Order a Safe, Gluten-Free Ululani's Shave Ice

To ensure a safe and delicious treat, especially if you have a severe gluten allergy or celiac disease, follow these steps:

Communicate with the Staff: Inform the server about your gluten allergy and your need to avoid cross-contamination. Many staff members are knowledgeable and prepared for such requests.
Stick to Syrups: Choose your flavors carefully, selecting from the wide array of gluten-free syrups and avoiding any add-ons that could contain gluten. When in doubt, it's safest to skip all toppings.
Request Fresh Utensils: Always ask the server to use a fresh skewer or scoop for your order to prevent contact with other ingredients.
Confirm Location Specifics: For severe allergies, ask about the specific location's kitchen setup. Some shops may have a lower cross-contamination risk than others, especially those not co-located with bakeries.

Comparison Table: Gluten-Free Options at Ululani's


Item	Gluten-Free Status	Cross-Contamination Risk	How to Order Safely
Shave Ice Base	Yes (Ice and Water)	Very low to none	Standard ordering is safe.
Syrups	Yes (Confirmed by Ululani's)	Low, if handled carefully	Choose from any flavor, but verify with staff.
Ice Cream	Varies (Roselani brand often gluten-free, but potential for shared equipment)	Medium to High	Avoid completely or ask for details about brand and preparation.
Toppings	Varies (Mochi is generally gluten-free, but crumbles are not)	High (due to scooping and handling)	Stick to ingredients you know are safe or skip toppings entirely.
Snow Cap	No (Some variations may have gluten or be prone to cross-contamination)	High	Avoid, as it's not guaranteed gluten-free.

Safe Topping Alternatives

For those who want more than just syrup, some safer options exist, but caution is still advised. A common and generally safe topping is mochi, but this should be confirmed on a case-by-case basis as preparation methods can vary. Another low-risk option is the addition of fresh fruit or fruit purees, as long as they are prepared in a dedicated area and not subject to cross-contact. However, the safest approach for those with severe sensitivities is to enjoy the delicious syrups and skip any additional toppings.

Conclusion: Navigating Ululani's Gluten-Free Menu

In summary, the question "Is Ululani's shave ice gluten-free?" has a nuanced answer. The foundation of the treat—the shaved ice and the extensive list of syrups—are indeed gluten-free and can be enjoyed safely by most. However, the risk of cross-contamination from non-gluten-free toppings, ice cream, and shared kitchen spaces means that individuals with celiac disease must exercise extreme caution. By communicating with staff, sticking to the syrups, and requesting fresh utensils, you can minimize risk and savor a delightful, safe dessert. For the most up-to-date and specific allergen information, always check with the staff at the particular location you visit. For further reading, see Ululani's official website for their ingredient philosophy at https://www.ululanishawaiianshaveice.com/why-were-the-best/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all of Ululani's house-made syrups are gluten-free. The company uses pure cane sugar and natural fruit purees to craft their flavors, ensuring the syrups themselves are safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

There is a significant risk of cross-contamination due to shared toppings, utensils, and shared kitchen spaces in some locations. Individuals with celiac disease should inform staff of their allergy and request fresh utensils.

You should avoid any toppings that explicitly contain gluten, such as Oreo or graham cracker crumbles. It's safest to avoid toppings handled with shared scoops, as this increases the risk of cross-contact.

While the ice cream may not contain gluten ingredients, it's often from an external supplier (like Roselani) and potentially made on shared equipment. Due to the risk of cross-contamination, it is best for those with severe sensitivities to avoid it.

Yes, by taking precautions, you can get a celiac-friendly shave ice. Order the shaved ice with only the gluten-free syrups and request that the staff use fresh, clean utensils for your order.

Many staff members are reportedly knowledgeable about celiac disease and trained to take precautions when notified of an allergy. Open and clear communication is key to a safe order.

The Snow Cap topping is not guaranteed to be gluten-free and should be avoided by those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities due to a high risk of cross-contamination.