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.
What did we do before Panera Bread existed? It’s one of those reliable dining options that has something for everyone, whether you’re craving a healthy salad, a warm cup of soup, a hearty sandwich, or all three! (The “Pick Two” menu is a dream for indecisive eaters!)
Panera is a go-to for lunch meet-ups, remote work, or a quick meal with a friend. If you have a busy schedule, it’s a great place for a healthy meal any time of day.
If you eat gluten free or have Celiac disease, you may be wondering: Are there any Panera gluten-free options?
We’ll answer ALL of your Panera gluten-free questions in this post, so you know exactly what to order next time you’re there!
Table of Contents
Panera Gluten-Free Menu
Okay, let’s set the record straight right away: Panera Bread does not have any menu items that are certified gluten-free. As they state on the Panera website and menu, all food is prepared in the same kitchen, and there’s a chance of cross-contamination with other gluten-containing ingredients.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean ALL Panera menu items are off-limits — it just depends on your level of gluten sensitivity. If you usually do okay eating gluten-free foods that aren’t certified gluten-free, there are a lot of options at Panera.
In fact, Panera has an entire “Gluten Conscious” Menu, full of foods that are naturally free of gluten (but they are prepared in a kitchen with other gluten ingredients).
For general informational purposes, Panera states that it cannot claim any items are free of allergens like wheat, soy, or milk.
Here’s what you’ll find on the Gluten Conscious menu:
- Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken
- Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken
- Greek Salad
- Baja Bowl with Chicken
- Baja Bowl
- Mediterranean Bowl with Chicken
- Mediterranean Bowl
- Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries Parfait
- Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries & Pecans
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Green Passion Smoothie
- Mango Smoothie
- Peach & Blueberry Smoothie with Almond Milk
- Strawberry Smoothie
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.
They also caution that the Gluten Conscious menu is not certified gluten-free, and people with a wheat allergy should consult a doctor before ordering from the menu.
Panera Gluten-Free Soups
Unfortunately, your Panera gluten-free options are slim if you’re in the mood for soup.
There aren’t any soups on Panera’s Gluten Conscious menu, but there may be a small glimmer of hope: Two soups on the regular menu appear to be naturally gluten-free, since no gluten ingredients are included on the ingredients list.
These soups include:
- Autumn Squash Vegetarian Soup
- Turkey Chili
Still, it’s important to proceed with caution and use your best judgment. Since these soups aren’t on the Gluten Conscious menu, there may be a higher risk of cross contamination in the cooking process.
All other soups on the menu explicitly state that they contain wheat flour, so make sure you avoid these options!
Panera Gluten-Free Salads
If you want a Panera salad, you have a few options. The Gluten Conscious menu includes three different salads, but just remember that none of these menu items are certified gluten-free.
The Gluten Conscious salads include:
- Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken
- Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken
- Greek Salad
Panera Gluten-Free Salad Dressings
Panera Bread doesn’t explicitly state which salad dressings are gluten-free, but you can peruse their Gluten Conscious menu to get some ideas.
The following salad dressings are included with salads on the Gluten Conscious menu, so we can assume they’re free of gluten ingredients:
- White Balsamic Apple Dressing
- Green Goddess Dressing
- Greek Dressing
These are the only Gluten Conscious dressings, so avoid all others, including the Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Dressing and Creamy Caesar Dressing.
Panera Gluten-Free Warm Bowls
Panera’s Gluten Conscious menu includes a couple of warm bowls.
Just remember, these bowls do have the potential for cross-contamination during the preparation process, since the kitchen is used to make gluten menu items. If you have a heightened gluten sensitivity, it may be best to avoid these menu options altogether.
The Gluten Conscious warm bowl options include:
- Baja Bowl with White Meat Chicken
- Baja Bowl
- Mediterranean Bowl with Chicken
- Mediterranean Bowl
Panera Gluten-Free Breakfast
Good news! Panera has quite a few breakfast items on their Gluten Conscious menu. But as with the other items on this menu, keep in mind that Panera does not guarantee the allergen content of anything on their menu, and there is a chance the items may contain trace amounts of gluten.
Panera’s gluten conscious breakfast options include:
- Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries Parfait (NOT MADE WITH GLUTEN-FREE OATS!)
- Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries & Pecans (NOT MADE WITH GLUTEN-FREE OATS!)
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Green Passion Smoothie
- Mango Smoothie
- Peach & Blueberry Smoothie with Almond Milk
- Strawberry Smoothie
FAQs
Panera Bread has many items on their Gluten Conscious menu, including salads, warm bowls, and smoothies. However, these are not certified gluten-free items, so if you have a severe gluten allergy, you should take caution.
No, Panera 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. They also caution that the Gluten Conscious menu is not certified gluten-free, and people with a wheat allergy should consult a doctor before ordering from the menu.
Panera Bread offers a Gluten Conscious menu with several salads, warm bowls, 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.
It depends. 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. 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 has a few warm bowls on its Gluten Conscious menu, including the Baja Bowl and Mediterranean Bowl. These bowls are both naturally gluten-free (but not certified gluten-free).
No, Panera Chicken and Rice soup is not a gluten free soup. It contains wheat and is not safe for those with a gluten allergy.
No, Panera chicken tortilla soup contains wheat and is not safe for those with a wheat allergy.
No, Panera Bread potato soup contains wheat and is not safe for those with Celiac disease.
No, the creamy tomato soup at Panera Bread contains wheat and is not safe for those with a gluten allergy.
The Turkey Chili at Panera Bread does not contain any gluten ingredients, but it is not certified gluten-free.
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 a Gluten Conscious menu that may be safe for those who do not have an extreme gluten allergy.
The Gluten Conscious menu includes quite a few crave-able meals, including a gluten free grain bowl, salads, smoothies, and a few other gluten-free food options.
You know your diet best, so if you do decide to eat at Panera, proceed with caution!
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.