Quick Answer
Yes, there are gluten free dinosaur chicken nuggets available from several brands. Most major nugget manufacturers like Tyson and Perdue offer gluten free options. You can find gluten free dino nuggets in the freezer section at most major grocery stores. They are typically made with white meat chicken and coated in a gluten free breading or batter. Some popular brands of gluten free dino nuggets include Ian’s, Bell & Evans, and Applegate.
What are dino nuggets?
Dino nuggets, also known as dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, are a popular type of chicken nugget shaped like dinosaurs. Traditional nuggets are made from blended chicken meat that is shaped into small pieces, breaded or battered, and then cooked by baking or frying. The breaded exterior gives the nugget a crispy texture.
Dino nuggets follow the same process but are pressed into fun dinosaur shapes like T-rexes, triceratops, and stegosauruses before cooking. This makes them appealing to kids who enjoy the dinosaur theme. The most common dinosaur shapes are:
- T-Rex
- Triceratops
- Stegosaurus
- Brontosaurus
- Velociraptor
- Pterodactyl
- Tyranosaurus
Dino nuggets are typically made from chicken breast meat or a blend of white and dark chicken meat. They provide protein and calories for a growing child’s diet. Most brands recommend oven baking instead of frying to reduce the fat and calorie content.
Are regular dino nuggets gluten free?
Most traditional dino nuggets contain wheat-based ingredients and are therefore not gluten free. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. The breaded coating used on regular dino nuggets often contains wheat flour. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to avoid gluten as it can cause gastrointestinal issues and other health problems.
Some of the common ingredients that make regular dino nuggets not gluten free include:
- Wheat flour
- Bread crumbs
- Wheat starch
- Maltodextrin
- Soy sauce
- Malt vinegar
Always check the ingredient labels on nugget packaging carefully for gluten-containing ingredients. Unless the packaging specifies the product is gluten free, you should assume regular dino nuggets contain gluten.
What makes dino nuggets gluten free?
Gluten free dino nuggets substitute ingredients like wheat flour with gluten free alternatives in both the inner chicken blend and outer breading.
Here are some common gluten free ingredients:
- Corn starch
- Rice flour
- Potato starch
- Tapioca starch
- Chickpea flour
- Almond flour
- Cornmeal
- Rice bran
- Pea protein
These naturally gluten free ingredients provide a similar binding, crispy texture and flavor as traditional wheat-based breading. Replacing malt vinegar with cider vinegar and soy sauce with tamari also helps make dino nuggets gluten free.
Manufacturers must avoid cross-contamination with gluten containing products during processing. Gluten free items should be produced first each day before regular nuggets are made. Most brands exercise good manufacturing processes to keep gluten exposure low.
What brands offer gluten free dino nuggets?
Here are some popular brands offering gluten free dino nuggets:
Ian’s
Ian’s makes several types of gluten free dino nuggets including Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets Shaped Like Dinosaurs. They are coated in a crunchy cornmeal and rice flour batter. Ian’s nuggets contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Tyson
Tyson’s gluten free dino nuggets are made with all natural white meat chicken in fun dino shapes. They have a light crispy coating and are oven baked. Tyson tests their facilities and products to ensure no detectable gluten.
Perdue
Perdue Simply Smart Organics Breaded Chicken Nugget Shapes are gluten free dino nuggets made with no antibiotics ever. Their unique coating has cauliflower, buttermilk and a blend of gluten free flours.
Applegate
Applegate Naturals Chicken Nuggets, Shaped Like Dinosaurs are made humanely with no GMOs or artificial ingredients. Their gluten free breading has potato starch, yellow corn flour and chickpea flour.
Bell & Evans
Bell & Evans makes gluten free breaded chicken breast nuggets shaped like dinosaurs. They contain antibiotic free chicken and a crisp, gluten free coating.
Where to buy gluten free dino nuggets
Gluten free dino nuggets are stocked in the frozen food aisle at many major grocery store chains. Here are some places you can find them:
- Walmart – Great Value or Tyson brands
- Target – Market Pantry or Ian’s brands
- Costco – Kirkland or Foster Farms brands
- Trader Joe’s – Trader Joe’s brand
- Aldi – Earth Grown brand
- Publix – Publix brand
- Kroger – Simple Truth brand
- Safeway – O Organics or Ian’s brands
- Stop & Shop – Nature’s Promise brand
You can also find many gluten free dino nugget options online from Amazon, Thrive Market, Vitacost and more. Search for individual brands mentioned earlier.
Some natural food stores like Sprouts or Whole Foods may carry specialty brands in the freezer section too. Call ahead to check availability if looking for a certain brand.
How to cook gluten free dino nuggets
Cooking gluten free dino nuggets is fast and easy. Follow the package instructions for baking or air frying. Here are some general tips:
- Preheat oven to 400°F if baking.
- Arrange nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes until heated through and coating is crispy.
- To air fry, cook at 360°F for 6-8 minutes, flip halfway.
- Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Microwaving is not recommended as it makes the coating soggy.
For extra flavor, season the nuggets with salt, pepper, garlic powder or Italian seasoning before cooking. You can also brush on a thin coating of oil to make the exterior crispier.
Serve the gluten free dino nuggets right away with dipping sauces and sides like fries, fruit or coleslaw. They can be stored frozen for up to 3-6 months before the quality declines. Reheat leftover nuggets in the oven or toaster oven until hot.
Gluten free dino nugget recipes
Here are a couple homemade gluten free dino nugget recipes to try:
Chickpea Dino Nuggets
Make breaded nuggets from chickpeas, gluten free panko breadcrumbs, spices and eggs. These protein-packed nuggets are baked crispy. Get the full recipe here.
Cauliflower Dino Nuggets
These baked cauliflower nuggets are coated in an almond flour and gluten free panko breading. They are lower carb and make a nutritious vegetarian main. Find the recipe here.
Conclusion
Gluten free dinosaur chicken nuggets provide a fun and tasty option for those with gluten sensitivities. All the major brands now offer gluten free versions with superior taste and texture. Read labels carefully to ensure no wheat, barley or rye ingredients are included. With a range of gluten free breadings like cornmeal, chickpea flour and almond meal, the nuggets can have just as satisfying crunch. Bake or air fry for a quick meal kids and adults will love. With homemade options too, there are plenty of ways to enjoy safe gluten free dino nuggets.
