It may be a bakery at its core – it has the word bread in its name, after all – but that doesn’t mean Panera Bread can’t be a friendly place for a gluten-free customer.
Although Panera does not make gluten-free bread, and obvious gluten-filled items like pastries, bagels, and sandwiches are to be avoided, the bakery chain does offer a large menu with plenty of salads, soups, and snacks that can be enjoyed on a gluten-free diet.
So if you follow a gluten-free lifestyle and find yourself at the popular lunch spot, what are your options at Panera Bread? We’re breaking down everything on the menu you can order for a gluten-free meal.
Gluten-free food available on the Panera menu
There’s one important disclaimer to address, especially when it comes to gluten and other allergens at Panera. While there are numerous menu items that don’t contain gluten, the restaurant chain can’t necessarily guarantee that anything is 100% gluten-free because there’s always a risk of cross-contamination.
According to their website, Panera’s official statement regarding gluten and other allergens is as follows: “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.” Since Panera’s gluten-free items are prepared in the same kitchen as their gluten-containing items, the risk is at your discretion depending on your own personal gluten sensitivity.
All of that said, if you’re simply avoiding or cutting back on gluten, or aren’t as concerned about possible cross-contamination, then Panera has plenty of choices on the menu! Bagels, muffins, and pizza may be out, but several soups, salads, and snacks are in – many are gluten-free as is, while a couple require a simple modification to be made gluten-free. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner you’ve got gluten-free options to choose from on Panera’s menu.
Just keep in mind that some meals and menu items are seasonal or vary by location, so it’s always best to check ahead with your local Panera if you’ve got something specific in mind.
Below is the complete list of all food items on Panera Bread’s current menu that don’t contain wheat and are naturally gluten-free.
| Gluten-Free Breakfast | Notes |
| Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries Parfait | Oats are listed on the gluten-conscious menu but not confirmed gluten-free |
| Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries & Pecans | Oats are listed on the gluten-conscious menu but not confirmed gluten-free |
| Seasonal Fruit Cup | |
| Gluten-Free Soups | Notes |
| Vegetarian Autumn Squash Soup | |
| Turkey Chili | |
| Chicken Tikka Masala with Brown Rice & Quinoa | |
| Vegetarian Mexican Street Corn Chowder | |
| Creamy Tomato Soup | Order without croutons |
| Gluten-Free Warm Bowls | Notes |
| Baja Bowl | With or without chicken |
| Mediterranean Bowl | With or without chicken |
| Gluten-Free Salads | Notes |
| Southwest Caesar Salad | With or without chicken |
| Caesar Salad | With or without chicken Order without croutons |
| Green Goddess Cobb Salad | With or without chicken |
| Fuji Apple Salad | With or without chicken |
| Greek Salad | With or without chicken |
| Strawberry Poppyseed Salad | With or without chicken |
| Seasonal Greens Salad | With or without chicken |
| Gluten-Free Sides & Spreads | |
| Apple | |
| Banana | |
| Chips | |
| Pickle Spear | |
| Seasonal Fruit Cup | |
| Hard Boiled Eggs | |
| Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries Parfait | |
| Strawberry Squeezable Yogurt | |
| Mixed Berry Squeezable Yogurt | |
| Plain Cream Cheese | |
| Chive & Onion Cream Cheese | |
| Honey Walnut Cream Cheese | |
| Gluten-Free Sauces & Dressings | |
| Garlic Aioli | |
| Chipotle Aioli / Sauce | |
| Caesar Dressing | |
| Greek Dressing | |
| Asian Sesame Dressing | |
| Green Goddess Dressing | |
| White Balsamic Apple Dressing | |
| Lemon Tahini Dressing | |
| Poppyseed Dressing | |
| Apple Cider BBQ Sauce | |
| Mayonnaise | |
| Horseradish Sauce | |
| Signature Sauce | |
| Country Mustard | |
| Hummus | |
| Salsa Verde | |
| Buffalo Sauce |
Gluten-free drinks available on the Panera menu
Panera isn’t just a great spot for bakery items, sandwiches, soups, and salads – but as a cafe chain, the popular bakery also offers an abundance of coffee and tea beverages. Whether you prefer coffee or espresso drinks, fruity smoothies, or refreshing flavored lemonade, nearly all of the beverages available on Panera’s menu are naturally gluten-free.
Here’s a list of every drink – hot, iced, or frozen – that you can enjoy at Panera on a gluten-free diet.
| Coffee + Espresso |
| Coffee / Decaf Coffee |
| Cafe Blend Dark Roast Coffee (Hot or Iced) |
| Cafe Blend Light Roast Coffee (Hot or Iced) |
| Hazelnut Coffee |
| Espresso |
| Americano |
| Cappuccino |
| Caffe Latte (Hot or Iced) |
| Caramel Latte (Hot or Iced) |
| Madagascar Vanilla Latte (Hot or Iced) |
| Chai Tea Latte (Hot or Iced) |
| Chocolate Latte (Hot or Iced) |
| Cinnamon Crunch Latte (Hot or Iced) |
| Hot Chocolate |
| Cold Brew |
| Frozen Caramel Cold Brew |
| Frozen Chocolate Cold Brew |
| Madagascar Vanilla Cream Cold Brew |
| Madagascar Vanilla Almond Cold Brew |
| Tea + Lemonade |
| Hot Tea |
| Iced Tea |
| Brisk Raspberry Tea |
| Passion Papaya Iced Green Tea |
| Agave Lemonade |
| Smoothies |
| Strawberry Smoothie |
| Strawberry Banana Smoothie |
| Green Passion Smoothie |
| Mango Smoothie |
| Peach & Blueberry Smoothie with Almondmilk |
| Charged Sips |
| Blood Orange Charged Splash |
| Strawberry Lemon Mint Charged Lemonade |
| Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade |
| Fuji Apple Cranberry Charged Lemonade |
While the oats that Panera uses in their oatmeal and granola items technically do not contain gluten, not all oats are certified gluten-free. Many, like the oats used at Panera, come with a potential risk of gluten contamination due to being grown and harvested near wheat.
The broccoli cheddar soup at Panera does contain wheat and is not gluten-free. The seasoning used in the soup recipe is made with wheat flour, so this soup is not safe for those on a gluten-free diet.
Yes, Panera’s sourdough bread contains gluten, as it is made with wheat flour. This is true of all types of bread that Panera makes. Currently, the bakery chain does not offer a gluten-free bread option.
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