Wondering if you can eat at Panera on a gluten-free diet? The quick answer is: Yes! Check out this ultimate guide to find out more about Panera’s gluten-free menu.
This post was originally published in May 2023. It was updated with new photos and instructions in May 2025.
Panera Bread is one of those dependable spots for so many occasions. It’s perfect for grabbing lunch with a friend, getting work done with a coffee, or squeezing in a quick bite between errands. The menu has something for everyone. Plus, the “Pick Two” is a lifesaver for the indecisive!
But if you eat gluten-free or have Celiac disease, you’re probably asking: Can I actually eat at Panera?
This post breaks it all down. We’ll cover what’s on Panera’s gluten-free menu, what to avoid, and what to know before you order.
Panera Gluten-Free Menu
Panera Bread does not offer any certified gluten-free items. According to their website, all menu items are prepared in a shared kitchen, which means cross-contamination with gluten is possible.
That said, if you can tolerate foods that are naturally gluten-free but not certified, you have quite a few options. Take a look at the Panera allergen menu for all items that don’t list wheat as an ingredient.
These items do not contain gluten ingredients but may still come into contact with gluten during prep.
Important: Panera cannot guarantee any item is completely free of allergens, including wheat, soy, or dairy.
Panera Gluten-Free Breakfast
Panera has several breakfast items listed as wheat-free on its menu, but remember: none are guaranteed gluten-free, and cross-contamination is possible.
- Scrambled Eggs
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Mixed Berries with Greek Yogurt (NOT MADE WITH GLUTEN-FREE OATS!)
- Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries & Pecans (NOT MADE WITH GLUTEN-FREE OATS!)
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie with Greek Yogurt
- Strawberry Smoothie with Greek Yogurt
- Tropical Green Smoothie
- Mango Smoothie with Greek Yogurt
- Seasonal Fruit Cup
Note: Mixed Berries with Greek Yogurt and Steel Cut Oatmeal may contain wheat, since they’re not made with gluten-free oats. Learn more here: are oats gluten-free?
For more gluten-free restaurant menus, be sure to check out these articles on Starbucks gluten-free, Chipotle gluten-free, Wendy’s gluten-free, Taco Bell gluten-free, Jersey Mike’s gluten-free and Chick Fil-A gluten-free.
Does Panera Bread have gluten-free bread?
No, Panera Bread has wheat-based breads and does not offer any gluten-free bread options. They do have a Gluten Conscious menu, but it doesn’t contain any sandwiches or breads.
Panera Gluten-Free Salads
Many Panera salads can be customized to fit a gluten-conscious diet:
- Greek Salad
- Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken
- Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken
- Ranch Cobb Salad
- Southwest Chicken Ranch Salad
- Strawberry Chicken Caprese Salad
- Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad
All of these salads can be ordered with or without chicken.
Panera Gluten-Free Salad Dressings
Panera doesn’t label its salad dressings as gluten-free, but many are listed on the allergen guide as items that don’t contain wheat.
These dressings are:
- White Balsamic Apple Dressing
- Green Goddess Dressing
- Greek Dressing
- Caesar Dressing
- Ranch Dressing
- Balsamic Dressing
- Asian Sesame Vinaigrette
- Poppyseed Vinaigrette
You could substitute any of these dressings on any of the salads listed above.
Panera Gluten-Free Drinks
Good news! All of Panera drinks are listed as wheat-free:
- Agave Lemonade
- Americano
- Blueberry Lavender Lemonade
- Caffe Latte
- Caramel Latte
- Chai Tea Latte
- Citrus Punch
- Coffee/Decaf Coffee
- Hot Tea Bags
- Iced Teas
- Madagascar Vanilla Latte
- Pomegranate Hibiscus Herbal Tea Infusion
- Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Remember, all smoothies listed in the breakfast section are also wheat-free!
Panera Gluten-Free Sides
Panera has a few gluten-free side options to round out your meal. These would be great with a salad or breadless sandwich!
Here’s what’s on the menu:
- Seasonal Fruit Cup
- Pickle Spear
- Hard Boiled Egg
- Panera Kettle Cooked Potato Chips
How to Modify Your Panera Order to Make it Gluten-Free
Some Panera menu items aren’t listed as gluten-free simply because of one ingredient—like croutons, a grain blend, or a topping with gluten. The good news? You can easily customize your order to leave that ingredient out and still enjoy the meal.
For example:
- Skip the croutons on a Caesar or Greek salad.
- Remove the farro and rice blend from warm grain bowls.
- Ask for no crouton topping on soups like Creamy Tomato.
- Ask for no bread on your sandwich.
Just use the “Customize” button when ordering online, or let the staff know in person.
Here are some good options:
- Frontega Chicken Sandwich (no bread)
- Chipotle Chicken, Egg and Avocado Sandwich (no bread)
- Spicy Buffalo Chicken Melt (no bread)
- Mediterranean Salad (no farro & rice blend)
- Caesar Salad with Shicken (no croutons)
This doesn’t make the item certified gluten-free (due to shared kitchen space), but it’s a great option for those who are gluten-sensitive but not strictly celiac.
What to Avoid at Panera If You’re Gluten-Free
As mentioned earlier, Panera does not offer gluten-free bread or baked goods, meaning baked goods are off-limits—including bagels, cookies, muffins, and pastries.
You’ll also want to skip:
- All sandwiches (unless you skip the bread)
- Mac & cheese and pasta dishes
- Soups served in bread bowls
- Soups made with wheat flour, including:
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Bistro French Onion Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
If you’re missing comfort foods like chicken noodle soup, try making a gluten-free version at home! Check out 15 must-try gluten-free soups for every season.
What is gluten-free at Panera?
Panera Bread has many items that are free of wheat (but not certified gluten-free). Some popular items include salads, smoothies, and sides like the seasonal fruit cup and kettle chips. You can also modify certain dishes to remove croutons and grains.
Does Panera Bread have gluten-free bread?
No, Panera doesn’t offer any gluten-free bread options. If you want to order a Panera sandwich, you can request it be made without bread.
Is Panera Bread celiac safe?
Panera Bread offers a gluten-conscious menu with several salads, smoothies, and breakfast items. But these foods are not certified gluten-free, and there is a risk of cross-contamination with other gluten ingredients in the kitchen.
Are Panera Bread chips gluten-free?
It depends. Panera Bread sells many different types of chips, and some are gluten-free, while others are not. It’s best to read the product packaging and look for certified gluten-free chips when ordering.
Panera’s Kettle Cooked Potato Chips are gluten-free. They are made with the following ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following: Sunflower, Corn, Or Canola Oil), Sea Salt.
The Bottom Line
Are there any Panera gluten-free options?
Panera Bread doesn’t offer any certified gluten-free food items, but it does have menu options that may be safe for those who do not have an extreme gluten allergy.
The gluten-free menu includes quite a few craveable meals, including salads, smoothies, and breadless sandwiches.
You know your diet best, so if you do decide to eat at Panera, proceed with caution!
I’m really disappointed that you don’t offer at least ONE kind of gluten free bread so customers with celiac or gluten sensitivity can have a sandwich for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Seems you are missing the boat!
Hi Pat, Meaningful Eats is a separate business from Panera so unfortunately we don’t have a say with their menu. We’d love a gluten-free bread option too! This post is just meant to share some of the gluten-free options we’ve found at Panera currently. We hope you find it helpful!
Thank you for this thorough breakdown of Panera menu items. Very helpful!
Panera Bread has one of the most unfriendly menus for gluten free people. Even their tomato basil soup contains gluten. Salads are about the only thing on the menu that can be made gluten free.
I agree they don’t have very many options! Wish they offered more choices.