Pizza Hut is one of the most popular pizza chains in the United States and around the world. With thousands of locations globally, Pizza Hut offers a wide variety of pizzas, sides, and other menu items to satisfy any pizza craving. For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, enjoying pizza from a major chain like Pizza Hut may seem challenging or impossible. However, Pizza Hut does offer some gluten-free options for customers looking to avoid gluten.
What is gluten and why do some people need to avoid it?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, consuming gluten is not a problem. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten can cause serious health issues and must be avoided.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where gluten causes damage to the small intestine. When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, their immune system attacks and destroys the villi in the small intestine. The villi are small, finger-like projections that absorb nutrients from food. Destruction of the villi makes it difficult for the body to absorb essential vitamins and minerals, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and more. Celiac disease affects about 1% of the population worldwide.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition where gluten triggers symptoms like pain, fatigue, and digestive issues, but there is no damage to the small intestine. The prevalence of NCGS is not fully known, but studies estimate it may affect anywhere from 0.5% to 13% of the population.
The only treatment for celiac disease or NCGS is strictly following a gluten-free diet, avoiding any foods and ingredients containing gluten. This includes most breads, pasta, baked goods, and even beer or other products containing malt from gluten grains. Following a gluten-free diet is challenging but essential for managing these conditions.
Does Pizza Hut offer gluten-free pizza?
The good news is that yes, Pizza Hut does offer gluten-free pizza at many of its locations across the United States. Pizza Hut launched its gluten-free pizza in 2018 after several years of research and development to create a pizza recipe that would meet strict gluten-free standards while also replicating Pizza Hut’s iconic original pan pizza.
Pizza Hut’s gluten-free pizza uses a gluten-free crust made with rice flour, sorghum flour, and tapioca starch to achieve the crispy pan texture. The sauce, cheese, and toppings are also gluten-free. The gluten-free pizzas are prepared using designated pans and utensils to prevent any cross-contact with gluten.
While availability can vary by location, the following gluten-free pizzas are typically offered on Pizza Hut’s gluten-free menu:
- Gluten-Free Cheese Pizza
- Gluten-Free Pepperoni Pizza
- Gluten-Free Supreme Pizza
- Gluten-Free Meat Lover’s Pizza
- Gluten-Free Veggie Lover’s Pizza
There may also be some limited-time gluten-free specialty pizzas or promotional offerings at certain locations.
What steps does Pizza Hut take to avoid gluten cross-contact?
When preparing gluten-free items, cross-contact with gluten is a major concern. Even tiny traces of gluten can make someone with celiac disease or NCGS ill. That’s why Pizza Hut has implemented strict procedures to prevent cross-contact when making their gluten-free pizzas:
- Gluten-free pizzas are made using designated pans that are only used for gluten-free pizzas.
- Employees change gloves after handling regular gluten-containing pizzas before preparing gluten-free pizzas.
- Gluten-free pizzas are placed on aluminum pizza screens rather than directly on the oven’s surface to prevent contact with flour.
- Gluten-free pizzas are cut and served using designated gluten-free cutting tools.
- Gluten-free pizzas are boxed and served in Pizza Hut’s standard gluten-free pizza boxes to avoid cross-contact.
Pizza Hut staff are trained on these procedures to help ensure a safe experience for gluten-free customers. However, those with celiac disease or NCGS should still advise the staff of their gluten-free needs when ordering to confirm proper procedures are followed.
What other menu items can you order gluten-free at Pizza Hut?
In addition to gluten-free pizza, Pizza Hut offers the following gluten-free menu items that are safe when avoiding gluten:
- Garden Salad – without croutons
- Chicken Salad – without croutons
- Chicken Wings – traditional or boneless
- Bone-In Wings – with gluten-free sauce
- Cinnamon Sticks – without icing
Most of Pizza Hut’s chicken, salad, and wing options can be prepared gluten-free. Just request no croutons or breaded items and confirm a gluten-free sauce or dressing is used. For dessert, the cinnamon sticks without icing make a gluten-free treat.
It’s best to still advise Pizza Hut staff of the need to avoid gluten cross-contact when ordering, even with naturally gluten-free menu items. For example, requesting clean gloves to make the salad and ensure no croutons come in contact.
What menu items should you avoid with a gluten allergy at Pizza Hut?
While Pizza Hut has many gluten-free offerings, there are some menu items that contain gluten and should always be avoided with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Menu items to stay away from include:
- Pizza crusts and doughs containing wheat/gluten
- Breads and cheesy breads
- Pasta and dessert pizzas
- Sandwiches and calzones
- Beer and malt beverages
- Breaded appetizers and wings
- Pizza sauces and dressings containing gluten ingredients
- Oatmeal Creme cookies and other desserts with wheat-flour
If uncertain about ingredients or potential for cross-contact, don’t hesitate to ask Pizza Hut staff about the gluten-free status of any menu item. It’s always better to be safe when it comes to avoiding gluten.
Tips for ordering gluten-free at Pizza Hut
To make the process of ordering gluten-free pizza and food at Pizza Hut easy, keep these tips in mind:
- Mention you need a gluten-free pizza and food items when first ordering. This gives staff time to prepare using proper precautions.
- Confirm that gluten-free pans and tools will be used to make the pizza with no contact with gluten.
- Request fresh gloves to be used by staff handling your gluten-free order.
- Ask for sauces, dressings, and other accompaniments to be served on the side to ensure no cross-contact.
- If dining in, ask for an unused plate rather than the one that may have touched gluten-containing food.
- Carefully check pizza toppings and get confirmation ingredients are gluten-free before eating.
Advising staff of your needs and asking questions goes a long way in getting safe gluten-free meals. Pizza Hut’s menu has many tasty options to enjoy while avoiding gluten.
Is Pizza Hut gluten-free pizza healthy?
While Pizza Hut’s gluten-free pizza allows those sensitive to gluten to still enjoy pizza, it may not necessarily be considered a healthy option. Here is a quick look at the nutritional value of Pizza Hut’s gluten-free pizza:
Gluten-Free Cheese Pizza Nutrition Facts
- Calories per slice: 320
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 11g
A few slices of any style of Pizza Hut’s gluten-free pizza can pack a caloric punch and be high in sodium and fat, though relatively low in sugars. Those looking for healthier gluten-free pizza options may want to create their own pizzas at home with lots of veggie toppings and lighter cheese.
Are there any concerns about Pizza Hut’s gluten-free pizzas?
Pizza Hut states their gluten-free pizzas contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This is considered gluten-free and safe for most with celiac disease or NCGS based on FDA standards. However, some individuals report still reacting to traces of gluten at this level. It likely comes down to individual sensitivity.
There is also the possibility of cross-contact occurring if procedures are not strictly followed in store. While unlikely, there have been rare reports of customers getting sick from gluten exposure when ordering gluten-free at Pizza Hut.
As with any restaurant, there is an inherent risk of cross-contact. The best approach is to advise Pizza Hut staff of your needs and double check proper handling procedures are followed when preparing your gluten-free order.
Are other major pizza chains gluten-free friendly?
Pizza Hut is not the only chain expanding gluten-free offerings. Here is how other top pizza chains compare for gluten-free options:
Domino’s
- Offers gluten-free pizza crust
- Uses dedicated tools and trays for gluten-free pizzas
- Has protocols for avoiding cross-contact
Papa John’s
- Has gluten-free crust, but availability varies by location
- No gluten-free specific procedures in place
- Higher risk of cross-contact
Papa Murphy’s
- Offers raw gluten-free pizza crust to take and bake at home
- No risk of cross-contact
- Can custom build toppings and flavors
Domino’s likely offers the safest gluten-free pizza option among major chains alongside Pizza Hut. Papa Murphy’s allows you to control gluten-free at home. Papa John’s has limited and riskier gluten-free compared to competitors.
Is it hard to make gluten-free pizza from scratch at home?
Perhaps surprisingly, it has gotten much easier to create delicious gluten-free pizza from scratch right at home. Here are some tips for making gluten-free pizza safely at home:
- Use reputable gluten-free flour blends or cauliflower crust
- Get a pizza stone to help crust crisp up
- Load up on gluten-free toppings
- Drizzle olive oil for a crispier crust
- Opt for less, but thicker cheese
There are also many pre-made gluten-free crusts, doughs, and even full pizza kits available at grocery stores to simplify the process. Making your own gluten-free pizza gives you total control over ingredients and prevents cross-contact. Give it a try for your next pizza night at home!
The bottom line on gluten-free pizza from Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut serves up tasty gluten-free pizza options at locations across the US for those needing to avoid gluten. By using designated tools and pans and following strict protocols, Pizza Hut makes a concerted effort to prevent cross-contact for gluten-free orders.
However, there is always some risk at any restaurant that traces of gluten could contaminate food. Those with celiac disease or NCGS should advise staff of their needs and verify proper handling procedures are followed when visiting Pizza Hut and ordering gluten-free menu items. Overall, Pizza Hut is a relatively safe option for enjoying gluten-free pizza from a major chain.
