Panera's Official Stance: The Gluten Conscious Menu
Panera Bread operates as a bakery-café, meaning its kitchens are filled with wheat flour and other gluten-containing ingredients. For this reason, Panera does not claim to offer any menu items that are certified gluten-free. Instead, they provide a “Gluten Conscious” menu, listing items that do not contain gluten ingredients. For individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities, the risk of cross-contamination is high and must be carefully considered before dining. The official Panera website clearly states that it cannot guarantee any item is completely free of allergens.
Naturally Gluten-Conscious Salads
Salads are often the safest and most popular option for gluten-conscious diners at Panera. While they can contain gluten in toppings like croutons or dressings, many are naturally gluten-conscious and can be easily modified.
- Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken: A crowd-pleaser with naturally gluten-conscious ingredients like mixed greens, chicken, apple chips, pecans, and Gorgonzola.
- Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken: Features chicken, bacon, pickled onions, avocado, and a Green Goddess dressing over romaine and kale.
- Greek Salad: A classic choice with romaine, feta, red onions, and Kalamata olives. Always remember to ask for no croutons.
- Ranch Cobb Salad: Includes chicken, hard-boiled egg, bacon, feta, and pickled onions over greens.
- Southwest Chicken Ranch Salad: Contains chicken, black bean and corn salsa, feta, and avocado over romaine.
- Strawberry Poppyseed Salad with Chicken: A seasonal favorite featuring chicken, fresh strawberries, and pecans with a poppyseed dressing.
How to Customize Your Gluten-Conscious Salad
To ensure your salad remains gluten-conscious, always specify your needs when ordering. The online ordering platform often allows for easy customization.
- Caesar Salad: Must order without croutons. The Caesar dressing itself is gluten-conscious.
- Mediterranean Salad: If it comes with a farro and rice blend, request to have it removed.
- Request new gloves: For more sensitive diners, politely ask the staff to change their gloves to minimize cross-contamination.
Soups and Warm Bowls
Navigating Panera's soups requires careful attention, as many popular options are thickened with wheat flour. However, some soups and warm bowls are naturally gluten-conscious, with a warning about shared kitchen preparation.
Gluten-Containing Soups to Avoid
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup: Made with wheat flour.
- Creamy Tomato Soup: Contains gluten unless ordered without croutons, but still faces cross-contamination risk.
- Bistro French Onion Soup: Contains gluten.
- Chicken Noodle Soup: Contains gluten.
Gluten-Conscious Soup Options
- Hearty Fireside Chili: Often a safer choice, but always check the most current ingredients.
- Mexican Style Street Corn Chowder: A naturally gluten-conscious option available seasonally.
- Vegetarian Autumn Squash Soup: This seasonal item is typically gluten-conscious.
Warm Bowls
- Baja Bowl: Features a cilantro lime brown rice and quinoa blend. Order without the tortilla strips for a naturally gluten-conscious meal.
- Mediterranean Bowl: Another option with the brown rice and quinoa base, hummus, and Greek toppings.
- Note: The Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Bowl contains gluten and should be avoided.
Other Menu Items
Panera offers a variety of sides and breakfast items that can fit into a gluten-conscious diet with minimal risk.
- Sides: The Seasonal Fruit Cup, Hard Boiled Egg, and Panera Kettle Cooked Potato Chips are all naturally gluten-conscious choices.
- Breakfast: Hard-Boiled Eggs are a simple, safe option. The scrambled eggs are also an option, but confirm preparation procedures to be safe. Both the Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries and the Steel Cut Oatmeal contain oats that are not certified gluten-free, posing a cross-contact risk.
- Drinks: Most beverages, including coffee, tea, and smoothies, are gluten-conscious. The Strawberry Banana Smoothie is a popular example.
Gluten-Conscious vs. Gluten-Containing Panera Items
| Item Category | Gluten-Conscious Options | Gluten-Containing Items to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Salads | Greek (no croutons), Fuji Apple w/ Chicken, Green Goddess Cobb w/ Chicken, Southwest Chicken Ranch | Caesar with croutons, any Asian-style salad with wonton strips |
| Soups | Hearty Fireside Chili, Autumn Squash (seasonal), Mexican Street Corn Chowder (seasonal) | Broccoli Cheddar, Creamy Tomato w/ croutons, Chicken Noodle, Bistro French Onion |
| Warm Bowls | Baja Bowl (no strips), Mediterranean Bowl | Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Bowl |
| Breakfast | Hard-boiled eggs, Scrambled eggs | Oatmeal, Greek Yogurt (due to oats/granola) |
| Baked Goods | None | All bagels, breads, pastries, cookies, and desserts |
| Sides | Seasonal Fruit Cup, Kettle Chips, Pickle Spear, Apple | Mac & Cheese, any bread-based side |
The Bottom Line: Making an Informed Choice
For those with celiac disease, the verdict from Panera and many gluten-free experts is to exercise extreme caution or avoid dining there altogether due to the risk of cross-contamination. The open kitchen environment and the prevalence of baked goods make a completely gluten-free experience impossible to guarantee. However, if you have a mild intolerance or are just choosing to avoid gluten, several menu items without gluten ingredients can be enjoyed with proper modifications. Always communicate your dietary needs to staff and verify ingredients and preparation methods for your own safety.
This article provides general information based on publicly available data and Panera's allergen statements. Menu items and ingredients can change, so always confirm with the restaurant directly before ordering.
Conclusion
While Panera Bread is not a safe haven for individuals with celiac disease due to pervasive cross-contamination, those with less severe sensitivities can find several naturally gluten-conscious options. By focusing on salads (with careful customization), specific soups and warm bowls, and basic sides, a satisfying meal is possible. The most crucial steps are to communicate clearly with staff and be aware that a completely gluten-free meal cannot be guaranteed. The best approach is to stay informed, review the allergen information on the Panera website, and make choices that align with your health needs.
