Domino’s Pizza is one of the largest and most popular pizza chains in the world. With thousands of locations across the globe, Domino’s offers customers convenient delivery of pizza right to their door. In recent years, Domino’s has expanded their menu offerings to provide more options for customers with dietary restrictions, including gluten free crusts and toppings. For those who need to follow a gluten free diet for medical reasons like celiac disease, being able to order pizza for delivery is a great convenience. But how does Domino’s gluten free crust and pizza toppings compare in taste, texture, and quality to a traditional pizza?
What gluten free pizza options does Domino’s offer?
Domino’s currently offers two different kinds of gluten free crusts: thin crust and hand-tossed style. Customers can choose either crust option and customize it with gluten free toppings. Domino’s gluten free toppings include options like pepperoni, Italian sausage, onions, mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, jalapeños, pineapple, bacon, chicken, beef, and ham. So essentially, customers can create any type of pizza they want, from a simple cheese to a loaded supreme, using Domino’s gluten free ingredients.
In addition to build your own pizzas, Domino’s also offers three specialty “Gluten Free Pizza” options:
- Gluten Free Pizza – Pepperoni
- Gluten Free Pizza – Cheese
- Gluten Free Pizza – Veggie
The specialty pizzas are made with a gluten free thin crust and feature preset toppings, like pepperoni and a four cheese blend for the Pepperoni pizza. The Veggie pizza has onions, green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and black olives.
So whether you want to create your own pizza or order a convenient gluten free option, Domino’s can accommodate gluten free diets.
What is Domino’s gluten free dough and crust like?
According to Domino’s website, their gluten free pizza crust is baked on a separate pizza pan from their regular wheat crusts to avoid cross contamination. Domino’s uses a distinct gluten free dough for their thin and hand-tossed crust options. The gluten free dough and crusts are made without wheat, barley, rye, or any gluten containing grains.
Reviewers generally find Domino’s gluten free crust to be decent, but noticeably different from a traditional pizza crust. The texture and taste of the gluten free crust is more dense and tougher in comparison. Some customers note the crust has a slight cardboard or cracker-like quality. It lacks the tender, chewy texture of wheat crusts. The thin crust tends to be crisper while the hand tossed style is softer.
Since the gluten free dough lacks the gluten protein found in wheat, it doesn’t stretch and bubble up the same way during baking. So the crust has a flatter, denser texture. While the taste and texture differs from wheat crusts, Domino’s gluten free crust provides customers with celiac disease a fast, convenient way to enjoy pizza.
How does Domino’s prepare and handle the gluten free pizzas?
To prevent cross contamination for customers with celiac disease, Domino’s takes special precautions when making and handling gluten free orders:
- Gluten free pizzas are prepared on separate pizza pans from wheat crust pizzas.
- Work surfaces and equipment are thoroughly cleaned before making gluten free pizzas.
- Employees change gloves and wash hands before handling gluten free orders.
- Gluten free pizzas are placed in separate pizza boxes from other pizzas.
- Gluten free orders are tagged and labeled to prevent mixups.
Customers can also request for their pizza to be prepared in a separate clean area of the kitchen if they have celiac disease or sensitivity. Domino’s employees are trained on gluten free procedures to prevent cross contamination during preparation and delivery.
What do reviewers think of Domino’s gluten free pizza?
Many reviewers find Domino’s to be a convenient and safe option for gluten free pizza delivery. While the taste and texture of the crust is different from wheat dough, most customers are happy to have an option from a popular national chain.
Positive reviews mention things like:
- The crust has decent flavor and gets crispy, especially the thin crust.
- Having the option to build your own pizza or order a quick gluten free pizza is great for those with dietary needs.
- The ingredients taste fresh and the pizza fulfills cravings.
- Domino’s offers good gluten free variety with specialty pizzas or custom orders.
- Employees follow proper protocols to avoid cross contamination of orders.
Negative critiques focus mostly on the denser, less flexible texture of the crust:
- The crust has a cardboard-like consistency that falls apart easily.
- It lacks the soft, chewy texture of traditional pizza crusts.
- The thinner crust gets too crispy and cracker-like on the bottom.
- The edges and bottom can taste burnt.
- The flavor is blander than wheat crusts.
So while some customers wish the gluten free crust was more tender and flavored, most appreciate having the ability to enjoy pizza delivery. Domino’s provides reasonable gluten free options for those with dietary restrictions.
How does Domino’s gluten free crust compare to other gluten free pizzas?
Domino’s gluten free crust is relatively comparable to other gluten free pizza chains in terms of texture and taste. Like Domino’s, most gluten free crusts use a blend of rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum to mimic the properties of wheat dough. As a result, gluten free crusts tend to be dense, drier, and more cracker-like than traditional wheat dough crusts.
Brands like Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, California Pizza Kitchen, and Blaze Pizza also offer gluten free crusts with similar qualities to Domino’s. However, Blaze Pizza gets particular praise for its gluten free crusts being thin, crispy, and closer to traditional pizza dough. Local pizza restaurants may also offer gluten free crusts with slightly better texture and flavors. But they lack the convenience of a nationwide pizza chain like Domino’s.
When it comes to taste, ingredients, and texture, Domino’s gluten free crust is on par with most other gluten free pizza options. The primary benefit of Domino’s is the accessibility and convenience for customers adhering to a gluten free diet.
What kind of nutritional information does Domino’s offer about its gluten free pizzas?
Domino’s provides detailed allergen and nutritional information for customers to make informed choices about their gluten free pizzas. Their website includes a gluten free FAQ and PDF allergen guide that covers:
- Full ingredients lists for the crusts and toppings.
- Allergen and cross contamination information.
- Carb, calorie, fat, protein, sodium, sugar counts for pizzas.
- Serving sizes.
Some key details from Domino’s nutrition info:
- 1 slice of a medium Hand-Tossed gluten free cheese pizza has 300 calories, 38g carbs, and 13g protein.
- 1 slice of a medium Thin Crust gluten free cheese pizza has 260 calories, 32g carbs, and 12g protein.
- Gluten free crusts have more carbohydrates than traditional wheat crusts.
- Dairy, soy, eggs, and corn are used in the gluten free crust and toppings.
So customers with multiple food allergies or diet restrictions beyond just gluten can evaluate the options. Those counting carbs or calories can also compare the nutritional values versus Domino’s regular pizzas. The transparency and details are helpful for customers deciding if Domino’s gluten free pizzas fit their needs.
What have reviews said about ordering gluten free from Domino’s?
Overall, reviewers seem to have positive experiences when ordering gluten free pizzas from Domino’s:
- Most locations are accustomed to gluten free orders and handle them properly.
- Employees follow procedures to avoid cross contamination with other pizzas.
- Pizzas are clearly labeled as gluten free upon delivery.
- Online ordering and fast delivery makes it easy to get gluten free pizza.
- The prices are reasonable compared to other gluten free pizza options.
- Customers appreciate the convenience Domino’s provides.
Some negative feedback on ordering includes:
- Some staff seem less knowledgeable about gluten free processes.
- Orders can occasionally get mixed up with non-gluten free pizzas.
- Not all crust/topping options are available gluten free at some franchises.
- gluten free charges extra compared to regular pizzas.
But issues seem infrequent when ordering gluten free from Domino’s. Customers mention that being upfront about celiac disease gets their orders properly handled. Domino’s makes gluten free pizza accessible for delivery at most locations.
What tips do reviewers have for getting the best gluten free pizza from Domino’s?
Reviewers offer some suggestions to get the best tasting gluten free pizza from Domino’s:
- Opt for the thin crust over the hand-tossed to get a crispier texture.
- Load up on toppings to mask the denser crust.
- Use garlic butter or parmesan crust flakes to add more flavor.
- Order extra sauce or try a flavored crust drizzle.
- Stick with vegetable toppings and lighter meats.
- Avoid additional cheese or greasy meats that weigh down the crust.
- Request pizza be cooked “well-done” to crisp up the bottom more.
- Cut pizzas into smaller pieces since the crust is more brittle.
Essentially, keeping the crust thin and full of flavor helps compensate for the differences in gluten free dough. Customizing orders and clear communication with staff also helps customers get the best gluten free Domino’s experience.
Is Domino’s a good gluten free pizza option for children?
Domino’s can be a good gluten free option to satisfy kids’ pizza cravings. Benefits of Domino’s for children include:
- Fast delivery right to home.
- Kid-friendly pizza toppings like pepperoni, sausage, cheese, etc.
- Ability to customize a pizza with their favorite ingredients.
- Gluten free pizzas clearly labeled and separated from regular pizzas.
- No need to prep a special gluten free meal.
Challenges to consider:
- Kids may dislike the denser, drier gluten free crust.
- Limited ability to monitor ingredients or preparation.
- Risk of cross contamination from errors, though rare.
- Higher cost than regular kids menu pizza options.
Talking to kids about their preferences and ordering smaller gluten free pizzas can make Domino’s work for family meals. For more severe celiac disease, homemade gluten free pizza may be safer. But Domino’s gives kids an easy, mainstream option.
Conclusion
Domino’s provides great convenience for those seeking gluten free pizza delivery. Their crust tastes decent and fulfills cravings thanks to widespread locations and fast service. While the texture and flavor differs somewhat from wheat dough pizzas, Domino’s offers flexibility to customize gluten free orders. Their kitchen practices prevent cross contamination of pizzas for most customers. Trying a thinner crust, loading up toppings, and asking for pizzas well-done can all enhance the gluten free Domino’s experience. Although not perfect, Domino’s gives gluten free diners an accessible, reliable pizza option that satisfies.
