What fast food fries don't have gluten? Your guide to celiac-safe options

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 3 million Americans have celiac disease, and many more have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, making the seemingly simple question, "What fast food fries don't have gluten?" a serious dietary consideration. While potatoes are naturally gluten-free, the cooking process in many fast-food kitchens introduces a significant risk of cross-contamination that makes fries unsafe for those with strict gluten-free needs.

Quick Summary

This guide examines major fast-food chains to identify which offer fries without gluten-containing ingredients and, more importantly, cook them in dedicated fryers. Discover which restaurants have safe options, which are high-risk due to shared fryers, and crucial ordering tips to protect against cross-contact.

Key Points

Dedicated Fryers are Key: Chains with dedicated fryers for fries, like Five Guys and In-N-Out, are the safest bets for gluten-free options.
US McDonald's Fries are Not Gluten-Free: McDonald's fries in the U.S. contain a wheat-based beef flavoring, making them unsafe for celiac patients.
Always Confirm Fryer Use: Even at typically safe restaurants like Chick-fil-A, it is critical to confirm with a manager that they use a dedicated fryer, as practices can vary by location.
Cross-Contamination is a Major Risk: Shared fryers that cook breaded items are the most common source of contamination for otherwise gluten-free fries.
Communicate Your Allergy Clearly: When ordering, always inform staff that you have a gluten allergy to ensure proper precautions, such as changing gloves, are taken.
Home Preparation is Safest: The only 100% guaranteed way to get gluten-free fries is to prepare them at home using fresh, clean ingredients and equipment.
Some Chains are Consistently Risky: Due to shared fryers or variable policies, chains like Arby's (with fried items) and often Wendy's and Burger King pose a high risk for cross-contamination.

The Hidden Gluten Threat in Fast Food Fries

On their own, potatoes are a gluten-free food. However, the path from a potato to a finished french fry at a fast-food restaurant is fraught with potential for gluten exposure. For individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance, simply ordering fries without a bun is not enough. The primary culprits are shared fryers and added flavorings containing wheat.

Cross-Contamination from Shared Fryers

Many fast-food kitchens use the same fryer oil for multiple items, including breaded products like chicken nuggets, onion rings, and crispy chicken sandwiches. Even if the fries themselves contain no gluten ingredients, the oil is saturated with gluten particles from other products. This cross-contact is a major risk and makes the fries unsafe for sensitive individuals. The risk level can vary between locations, so even at a chain that is generally considered safe, it is vital to confirm cooking practices.

The Problem with Flavored Coatings

Some chains add a crisping agent or flavoring to their fries that contains wheat derivatives. The most infamous example in the U.S. is McDonald's, where their "Natural Beef Flavor" contains hydrolyzed wheat as a starting ingredient, making their fries unsuitable for anyone on a gluten-free diet. This practice is a crucial detail that highlights why checking ingredients is just as important as asking about fryers.

Reliable Chains with Dedicated Fryers

Fortunately, some fast-food restaurants have implemented protocols that make their fries safer for gluten-sensitive patrons. These chains typically use separate, dedicated fryers for their french fries, ensuring they are not cooked with gluten-containing items.

Five Guys: A standout for gluten-free diners, Five Guys cooks their hand-cut fries in dedicated fryers using 100% peanut oil. They do not fry any breaded products. All their toppings and seasonings are also gluten-free, except for malt vinegar. However, peanuts are present in the dining area, which is a consideration for those with other allergies.
Chick-fil-A: The waffle fries are cooked in dedicated fryers at most locations. However, this is not guaranteed at every franchise, particularly smaller mall or airport locations. Always confirm with the manager that they have a dedicated fryer solely for their fries.
In-N-Out Burger: Found primarily on the West Coast, In-N-Out fries are made from fresh-cut potatoes and fried in sunflower oil in a dedicated fryer. This minimizes cross-contamination risk, though it is still wise to inform staff of your dietary needs.
Red Robin: This chain often accommodates gluten-free requests by cooking their steak fries in a dedicated fryer. It is essential to specifically request this when ordering, as it is done by request only and not a universal practice.

Fast Food Fries to Avoid or Double-Check

Not all fast-food fries are created equal when it comes to gluten. Some chains are consistently risky, while others have location-dependent policies.

McDonald's (USA): As mentioned, the fries in the U.S. contain a beef flavoring made with hydrolyzed wheat. Despite being fried in dedicated equipment, the ingredient itself contains gluten. This makes them unsafe for celiac patients.
Wendy's: Some Wendy's locations have dedicated fryers for fries, but it is not a standard corporate policy. The risk of cross-contamination is high and unpredictable, making them an uncertain choice. You must ask a manager at each specific location.
Burger King: Similar to Wendy's, whether Burger King's fries are safe depends on the location and whether they use a dedicated fryer. The fries themselves do not contain gluten ingredients, but cross-contamination risk is high.
Arby's: While their Crinkle Fries are listed as gluten-free, their curly fries are not. All items are fried in the same oil, making cross-contamination a significant concern for sensitive individuals.

Fast Food Fries: A Comparison Table


Restaurant	Fryer Status	Added Gluten?	Risk for Celiacs	Key Action for Ordering
Five Guys	Dedicated Fryer	No	Low Risk	None, but mention allergy for prep
Chick-fil-A	Typically Dedicated	No	Moderate Risk	Always confirm dedicated fryer
In-N-Out	Dedicated Fryer	No	Low Risk	Mention allergy for prep
Red Robin	Dedicated by Request	No	Moderate Risk	Must request "gluten-free fryer"
Wendy's	Varies by location	No	High Risk	Inquire with a manager each time
Burger King	Varies by location	No	High Risk	Inquire with a manager each time
Arby's	Shared Fryer	No (Crinkle Fries)	High Risk	Not a safe option due to CC
McDonald's (US)	Dedicated Fryer	Yes	Unsafe	Not safe for celiacs (contains wheat)

The Critical Need for Communication

For those with celiac disease or a severe gluten sensitivity, personal communication is paramount. While this guide provides a starting point, corporate policies and kitchen practices can vary significantly from one location to another. The most effective strategy is to inform the staff of your dietary restrictions, ask about dedicated fryers, and politely request fresh gloves for preparation, even at restaurants with generally safe reputations.

The Bottom Line on Fast Food Fries

Finding a safe option for fast food fries requires diligence and clear communication. While some chains have implemented protocols that protect against cross-contamination, many still pose a high risk for those with gluten sensitivities. Five Guys, Chick-fil-A (with confirmation), and In-N-Out are among the safer bets due to their dedicated frying practices. For the best assurance, preparing your own fries at home is always the safest option, but with the right questions, you can find a satisfying meal on the go.

Navigating Fast Food with Celiac Disease

Managing a gluten-free diet while dining out, especially at fast-food restaurants, is always a compromise. While chains like Five Guys have made it relatively straightforward, the constant risk of human error or a deviation from corporate policy means that a certain degree of caution is always necessary. Making healthy choices on a gluten-free diet, and understanding all the potential sources of contamination, is an ongoing process that requires active participation from the consumer. For more information on dietary restrictions and healthy eating, consider resources like the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, in the United States, McDonald's fries are not gluten-free. They contain a "Natural Beef Flavor" which is derived from wheat, making them unsafe for those with celiac disease.

Yes, Five Guys fries are generally considered safe for celiacs because they are cooked in dedicated fryers that are used exclusively for potatoes, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Most Chick-fil-A locations use dedicated fryers for their waffle fries, making them safe. However, you should always confirm with a manager to ensure they have a separate fryer, especially in smaller locations.

The biggest risk is cross-contamination from shared fryers that are also used to cook items with gluten, such as breaded chicken nuggets or onion rings.

Yes, it is crucial to inform the staff of your allergy. This prompts them to take extra precautions, like changing gloves, to minimize cross-contamination risks during food preparation.

No, this is a common misconception. For example, while US McDonald's fries contain gluten, their fries in other countries, like Canada and the UK, are typically gluten-free, but cross-contamination can still be a risk.

No, for celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance, it is not possible to safely eat fries from a shared fryer. The oil becomes contaminated with gluten particles, and no amount of filtering can make it safe.