Panera is one of my favorite places to stop when I need a quick meal out that isn’t fried, but figuring out what you can actually order can take a little digging. Their seasonal menu also means it’s worth checking the current allergen information regularly, since temporary offerings can change.
Can I Eat Gluten-Free At Panera?
While Panera doesn’t offer gluten-free bread or a dedicated gluten-free menu, there are still quite a few options to choose from, including salads, soups, breakfast items, and sides.
Still, Panera uses shared equipment to prepare all menu items so there is some risk of cross-contact. For people with celiac disease or severe allergies, the risk of cross-contact is an important consideration before ordering.
Panera’s Official Statement: “Our bakery-cafe and catering menus vary by location due to, among other things, market tests and local requirements. If you have an allergy concern, please ask a manager at your bakery-cafe to check the ingredient listing for specific menu items. Please note that we cannot guarantee that any of our menu items are free of allergens because we use shared equipment and handle common allergens throughout our supply chain and bakery-cafe.“
What Can I Order At Panera That’s Gluten-Free?
Panera’s allergen guide lists wheat and gluten in the same category. The following menu items do not list wheat in the current allergen guide:
Soups
- Mexican Street Corn Chowder
- Vegetarian Black Bean Soup
- Vegetarian Autumn Squash Soup
- Rustic Baked Potato
- Creamy Tomato Soup (No Croutons)
Salads
- Green Goddess Chicken Cobb Salad
- Southwest Chicken Ranch Salad
- Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad
- Fuji Apple Chicken Salad
- Greek Salad (With and Without Chicken)
- Farmhouse Crunch Salad (Without Almonds)
- Caesar Salad (No Croutons, With or Without Chicken)
- Mediterranean Chicken Greens Salad (No Farro & Rice Blend, With or Without Chicken)
- Balsamic Chicken Greens Salad (No Farro & Rice Blend, With or Without Chicken)
- Dressing: Asian Sesame Vinaigrette, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Caesar Dressing, Creamy Garden Herb Dressing, Farmhouse Ranch Dressing, Greek Dressing, Green Goddess Dressing, Poppyseed Dressing, White Balsamic Apple-Flavored Vinaigrette
Market Bowls
- Carnitas Elote
Breakfast
- Broccoli Cheddar Frittata
- Scrambled Egg or Egg White
- Five Cheese & Bacon Frittata
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Fruit Cup
- Greek Yogurt With Berries Parfait
Sides, Spreads & Sauces
- Kettle Cooked Potato Chips
- Apple
- Banana
- Pickle Spear for Cold Sandwiches
- Plain Cream Cheese Spread
- Reduced Fat Honey Walnut Cream Cheese Spread
- Sauces: Apple Cider BBQ Sauce, Balsamic Glaze, Bravo Signature Sauce, Cheese Hollandaise Sauce, Chipotle Aioli Sauce, Creamy Basil Pesto, Garlic Aioli Sauce, Green Chile Salsa Verde Sauce, Hummus, Mayonnaise
My Go-To Gluten-Free Order at Panera
I liked the Carnitas Elote market bowl, but their salads are still my absolute favorites. I love that there are so many salads that can be made gluten-free, like the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad or the Green Goddess Chicken Cobb Salad.
On cold days, I love to order a You Pick Two and pair one of my favorite salads with the Creamy Tomato Soup (No Croutons) or the Autumn Squash Soup (when it’s in season).
For my side option, I’ll switch between the chips or an apple depending on the day.
Does Panera Have Gluten-Free Bread?
No, sadly they do not offer sandwiches on gluten-free bread. In my opinion, their sandwiches aren’t the type to order without bread. The fillings on their own just aren’t the same. I tend to skip the sandwiches altogether and focus on their gluten-free salad, soup, and market bowl options.
Can Someone with Celiac Eat at Panera?
Panera does offer a detailed allergen guide that makes it easier to identify menu items that do not list wheat, but cross-contact is still a concern for people with celiac disease.
Panera’s allergen information notes that its restaurants use shared equipment and handle common allergens, and it does not guarantee that items are free from allergen cross-contact. It also does not state that employees follow a dedicated gluten-free preparation procedure.
I have celiac and still eat at Panera, but everyone should weigh the potential risks based on their own health needs.
More Gluten-Free Menu Guides
This post was originally published in May 2023. It was updated with new information in September 2026.
This is great information. I never would have thought of eating at Panera, Thank you.
We’re so glad you found the guide helpful, Marianne! Thank you for the kind feedback!
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.