Five Guys is a popular fast food restaurant chain known for its burgers, hot dogs, and french fries. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, determining the gluten content of menu items is an important consideration.
Quick Answer
The short answer is: No, Five Guys fries are gluten-free. Five Guys uses a dedicated fryer for french fries only. The fries are made from potatoes, vegetable oil, and salt, none of which contain gluten.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, gluten does not cause any problems or negative health effects. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can trigger a range of unpleasant symptoms.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) refers to a condition where exposure to gluten causes issues like bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue and headaches, but does not damage the intestine.
The only treatment for celiac disease or NCGS is following a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. This means avoiding foods and products containing wheat, barley, rye and often oats.
Are French Fries Typically Gluten-Free?
Plain french fries made from potatoes, vegetable oil and salt are naturally gluten-free. Potatoes do not contain gluten. However, many restaurants cook fries in oil that is also used for breaded menu items that do contain gluten.
Shared fryers create the risk of cross-contact with gluten. Even tiny amounts can make those sensitive to gluten ill. Using separate, dedicated fryers is the best practice to avoid cross-contamination.
Some restaurants also add flour or batter containing wheat to their fries, but Five Guys does not do this with their regular fries.
Five Guys Fries Are Gluten-Free
On their website, Five Guys clearly states that their french fries are gluten-free. Five Guys only fries potatoes in peanut oil and adds salt after cooking. Their fries do not come into contact with any gluten-containing ingredients.
Additionally, Five Guys uses separate fryers just for french fries. No other menu items are cooked in the fryers. This avoids any chance of cross-contamination from food containing gluten prepared in the same oil.
Five Guys also offers Cajun fries, which are first coated in Cajun seasoning before frying. As of November 2022, the Cajun seasoning used by Five Guys contains wheat and barley and is not gluten-free. Only the regular Five Guys fries are guaranteed to be gluten-free.
Five Guys Fries Ingredients
According to the Five Guys website, their fries contain just three basic gluten-free ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Peanut oil
- Salt
Potatoes are a gluten-free vegetable. Peanut oil is a highly refined pure oil that does not naturally contain any gluten. Salt is gluten-free as long as no anti-caking agents containing gluten are added.
The gluten-free status of Five Guys fries depends on these key factors:
- No batter or flour coating is added
- Fries only cooked in dedicated fryer that only fries potatoes
- No chance of cross-contact from frying other menu items in same oil
As long as these strict precautions are followed in store, the ingredients list confirms Five Guys fries are gluten-free as claimed.
Verifying Gluten-Free Fries at Restaurant Location
To be extra careful, customers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may want to verify the gluten-free procedures when ordering at a specific Five Guys location. There are a few things that can be done to check:
- Ask to see the ingredient list for fries
- Ask if there is a separate fryer only used for fries
- Ask when the fryer oil was last changed
- Ask if staff wash hands and change gloves before cooking fries
- Visually inspect fries when served in case of cross-contamination
Reputable restaurants like Five Guys thoroughly train staff on food allergy protocols. Employees should be able to easily answer questions about ingredients and preparation practices.
Most Five Guys locations use best practices for gluten-free frying. But it never hurts to verify that the location is following proper procedures.
Are Other Five Guys Menu Items Gluten-Free?
While their fries are gluten-free, many other popular menu items at Five Guys are not safe for those avoiding gluten:
| Menu Item | Gluten-Free? |
|---|---|
| Hamburger/Cheeseburger | No (bun) |
| Hot dog | No (bun) |
| Grilled cheese | No (bread) |
| Veggie sandwich | No (bun) |
| BLT | No (bread) |
Buns, breads, and rolls contain gluten. The meat patties may be gluten-free, but cross-contamination is likely during preparation and cooking.
Five Guys notes the grilled cheese sandwich and BLT both contain wheat. The hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie sandwich likely contain gluten through cross-contact if not direct ingredients.
Those with celiac disease or NCGS need to avoid these menu items and stick to the gluten-free french fries.
Gluten-Free Modifications and Substitutions
While the sandwich bread and rolls have gluten, Five Guys offers some ways to modify menu items to make them gluten-free:
- Bowl – Any sandwich can be ordered in a bowl without the bun
- Lettuce Wrap – Burgers and hot dogs can be served in a lettuce wrap
- Gluten-Free Bun – Bring your own gluten-free bun or wraps
Keep in mind even the meat and vegetables may get cross-contaminated from prep and cooking surfaces. Make sure to clearly explain any gluten allergy when ordering modified menu items.
Those with celiac disease or NCGS need to determine their own comfort level with potential cross-contact of substitutions.
Are Milkshakes and Ice Cream Gluten-Free?
Five Guys offers hand-mixed milkshakes and also serves ice cream in a cup or cone. According to the website, all milkshake flavors and ice cream are gluten-free.
Milkshakes are made with real ice cream mixed with milk and the flavor mix-ins. Ice cream is also served on its own. Neither contains any gluten ingredients.
There is still the possibility of cross-contact from toppings containing gluten, such as cookies or brownies. But plain ice cream and shakes made following standard procedures should be safe.
Other Allergy Considerations Besides Gluten
Those with celiac disease or NCGS often have other food allergies or intolerances as well. Five Guys menu items contain some other top allergens besides gluten:
- Dairy – Milkshakes, cheese, mayonnaise contain dairy
- Eggs – Buns and breads likely contain eggs
- Peanuts – Fries cooked in peanut oil
- Soy – Vegetable oil may be soybean oil
Always inform staff of any food allergies when ordering. Five Guys trains employees on major allergens and can inform you about ingredients and preparation considerations.
Other Fast Food Fries Without Gluten
Some other fast food chains also offer gluten-free french fries:
- McDonald’s
- Burger King
- Wendy’s
- Chick-fil-A
- Arby’s
Like Five Guys, these restaurants cook fries in dedicated fryers and don’t add gluten-containing batters or coatings. But it’s still smart to ask questions when ordering to confirm precautions against cross-contact.
Cooking Gluten-Free Fries at Home
Making gluten-free fries at home lets you control the ingredients and avoid cross-contamination. Here is a simple recipe:
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Oil for frying – peanut, vegetable, coconut, etc
- Salt
- Optional seasonings – paprika, garlic powder, rosemary, etc
Instructions
- Wash and peel potatoes if desired. Cut into fry shape.
- Rinse fries in cold water until water runs clear.
- Dry fries thoroughly with paper towels.
- Heat 2-3 inches oil to 325°F in pot or deep fryer.
- Fry potatoes in batches for 4-5 minutes until soft.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Increase oil heat to 375°F and fry again until crispy.
- Remove and drain on fresh paper towels.
- Toss fries with salt and any other seasonings.
Be sure to use a completely clean pot and utensils and avoid contamination with any gluten containing foods when preparing at home.
Conclusion
Five Guys takes steps to ensure their standard french fries are safe for those avoiding gluten. The fries are made from gluten-free ingredients and fried in dedicated peanut oil in separate fryers. Following best practices for gluten-free preparation avoids cross-contact.
Anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should still verify the gluten-free procedures when ordering. While regular fries are gluten-free, most other Five Guys menu items contain gluten from buns and bread.
Sticking to the gluten-free fries, milkshakes and ice cream provide safe menu options at Five Guys for people with celiac disease or NCGS.
