Baskin-Robbins is known for its wide variety of ice cream flavors – 31 to be exact! With so many options to choose from, Baskin-Robbins has become a popular spot for ice cream lovers. However, for those with dietary restrictions like gluten intolerance or Celiac disease, enjoying ice cream can be tricky. The good news is that Baskin-Robbins does offer some gluten-free flavors!
What is Gluten?
Before diving into the gluten-free options at Baskin-Robbins, it’s helpful to understand what gluten is. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, consuming gluten is not a problem. However, for those with gluten intolerance or Celiac disease, gluten can cause serious health issues. When someone who is sensitive to gluten eats it, their immune system mistakenly attacks the small intestine, which can lead to damage and make it difficult to absorb nutrients. This is why it’s critical for anyone with gluten issues to avoid gluten in their diet.
Identifying Gluten-Free Ice Cream
When scanning the flavors at an ice cream shop like Baskin-Robbins, how can you identify which ones are gluten-free? Here are some tips:
- Look for labels that specifically say “gluten-free.” Baskin-Robbins marks flavors that are certified gluten-free with a gluten-free label.
- Avoid flavors with cookies/candy/baked goods mixed in, like cookie dough or brownie batter, as those likely contain gluten.
- Opt for fruit-based or chocolate flavors. Pure chocolate and fruit ice creams are less likely to have gluten.
- Ask the staff for advice. Employees at Baskin-Robbins can point you towards flavors that are gluten-free.
When in doubt, double check with the staff to see if a flavor contains any gluten. Many ice cream shops like Baskin-Robbins have ingredient lists available that identify potential allergens like wheat/gluten. Being an informed customer is key for anyone avoiding gluten!
Gluten-Free Flavors at Baskin-Robbins
Now let’s explore some of the gluten-free friendly options you can enjoy at Baskin-Robbins. Here are some of their flavors that are certified gluten-free:
Fruit Flavors
- Banana Royale
- Watermelon
- Mango Tango
- Pink Grapefruit
- Pineapple Coconut
- Florida Orange Sherbet
- Strawberry
- Wild ‘n Reckless Sherbet
The nice thing about fruit-based flavors like these is that they naturally tend to be gluten-free. Focusing on fruit options is a safe bet at an ice cream shop if you’re avoiding gluten.
Chocolate Flavors
- Chocolate
- Chocolate Chip
- Choc’n Chips
- Mint Chocolate Chip
- Chocolate Almond
- Mocha Chocolate Chip
Baskin-Robbins has several chocolate and chocolate-based flavors that are certified gluten-free. Again, with pure chocolate ice cream you typically don’t have to worry about hidden sources of gluten. The chocolate flavors above are all safe bets.
Other Gluten-Free Flavors
- Cotton Candy
- Jamoca® Almond Fudge
- Pralines ‘n Cream
- Gold Medal Ribbon
- Mint Chocolate Chip
- Rainbow Sherbet
- Raspberry Sherbet
In addition to fruit and chocolate flavors, Baskin-Robbins also marks these miscellaneous flavors as gluten-free. So there are plenty of options beyond just chocolate and fruit when you visit Baskin-Robbins with Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance.
Cross-Contamination Risks
One important note is that despite a flavor being labeled gluten-free, there is still a small risk of cross-contamination at an ice cream shop like Baskin-Robbins. Even though the ice cream itself may not contain gluten, scoops and containers could come into contact with other flavors that do contain gluten. The good news is that Baskin-Robbins states that they follow procedures to minimize cross-contamination, but the small risk still exists.
Some tips to further reduce the risk of gluten cross-contamination:
- Ask that your order be prepared using a clean, unused scoop and new container.
- Consider visiting the shop at a slow time when all the scoops are less likely to be jumbled together.
- Stick to flavors that are low risk like chocolate and fruit that have few ingredients.
While being super vigilant, the fact is eating out anywhere poses some degree of risk for those with Celiac disease or gluten issues. The most surefire way to avoid gluten is to prepare your own food. But with some extra care and by asking questions, you can feel comfortable eating gluten-free ice cream flavors from shops like Baskin-Robbins.
Kids’ Gluten-Free Options
Along with flavors marked gluten-free, Baskin-Robbins does offer some other menu items that can be modified to be gluten-free for kids and adults alike. This includes:
- Banana Splits – Get this classic treat prepared with your choice of gluten-free ice cream flavors and without cookies/sprinkles that may contain gluten.
- Ice Cream Cakes – Customize an ice cream cake with gluten-free flavors and without cookie/crunch pieces on top or for the base.
- Waffle Cones/Bowls – Opt for a cup or a plain cake cone instead of a waffle cone or waffle bowl, as those contain gluten.
- Mix-Ins – Choose your add-ins from among gluten-free mix-in options like fresh fruit or gluten-free chocolate candies.
The staff at Baskin-Robbins can help suggest ways to adapt menu items to be gluten-free when ordering. It just may require some modifications and special requests compared to the standard versions of treats like ice cream cakes and banana splits.
Enjoying Your Treat Safely
Here are a few final tips for enjoying your gluten-free frozen treat from Baskin-Robbins once you have ordered it:
- Tell the staff you have an allergy so they take extra care in preparing your order in a safe way.
- Take a close look when they hand you your ice cream to make sure it looks free of gluten-containing toppings or mix-ins.
- Consider eating your ice cream in the shop or outdoors instead of taking it to go, so you don’t have to worry about cross-contact from your own kitchen.
- Feel free to use a napkin or spoon to scrape off the top layer of ice cream that may have been exposed to other flavors.
- Enjoy your treat right away before ice cream can melt and drip onto unsafe flavors.
By being vigilant and asking questions, you or your kids with gluten issues can find plenty of ways to indulge in all the frozen fun at Baskin-Robbins. They offer numerous flavors that are already certified gluten-free, and staff are equipped to make other customizations to help customers avoid gluten.
Conclusion
When it comes to enjoying ice cream despite having Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, Baskin-Robbins is a great option. With clearly labeled gluten-free flavors to choose from and helpful staff ready to assist with modifications, you can feel at ease indulging in your favorite frozen treats. Be sure to call ahead and ask any needed questions. With an understanding of proper precautions and by sticking to fruit and chocolate flavors, a gluten-free ice cream experience from Baskin-Robbins is easy to achieve.
