Gluten free pizza has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people are diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. For those who love pizza but need to avoid gluten, Mellow Mushroom offers gluten free crusts made with flours and ingredients that are free of gluten.
Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten Free Crust
The base for Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free crust is made with rice flour and tapioca flour. These flours give the crust its structure and texture without containing any gluten. Rice flour is made from finely milled rice, while tapioca flour comes from the starchy root of the cassava plant. Both provide nutrients like carbohydrates, calcium, and iron without gluten.
In addition to rice flour and tapioca flour, Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free crust contains potato starch, which helps bind the dough. Potato starch also adds moisture and flexibility to the crust. Xanthan gum and psyllium husk are added as well, which give the crust elasticity to stretch and hold its shape when topped with sauce and toppings.
Some additional ingredients found in Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free crust include olive oil, sugar, salt, yeast, and baking powder. The olive oil adds flavor and moisture. Sugar helps feed the yeast and aids in browning and crisping the crust. Salt brings out the flavors, while yeast makes the dough rise. Baking powder gives the unbaked crust loft and lightness.
Mellow Mushroom does not add any wheat, barley, rye or related grains to their gluten free crust. All ingredients and food preparation procedures are designed to prevent cross contamination with gluten as well. Mellow Mushroom kitchens take careful precautions to keep gluten free pizza truly gluten free.
Benefits of Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten Free Crust
The biggest benefit of Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free crust is that it allows those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to enjoy delicious pizza again. The restaurant takes care to avoid cross contamination and uses dedicated kitchen tools to prepare the gluten free pizzas.
In addition to being gluten free, Mellow Mushroom’s crust is vegan and kosher, opening up the pizza to more people with dietary needs. The use of rice and tapioca flours creates a crust that is more nutrient dense than a traditional white flour crust.
The gluten free crust has a pleasant flavor and texture. The olive oil gives it a subtle richness, while ingredients like xanthan gum allow it stretch and chew like a regular pizza crust. Many customers find Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free crust to be one of the best among pizza chains.
How Mellow Mushroom Makes Gluten Free Pizza
Mellow Mushroom takes extensive steps to ensure proper preparation and prevention of cross contamination with their gluten free pizzas.
First, the kitchen staff uses dedicated tools and prep areas for gluten free crusts. This includes using separate cutting boards, knives, pans, and portioning the dough on aluminum pizza screens that are used only for gluten free pizzas.
The gluten free dough is stored separately from wheat doughs in clearly marked containers. Hands and work surfaces are thoroughly washed and sanitized between handling different types of dough.
Mellow Mushroom is careful in its selection of toppings that go on gluten free pizzas. All of the sauce, cheese, and topping ingredients are verified gluten free. The restaurant chooses gluten free spices, oils, and sauce ingredients for their pizzas.
When it comes to baking, the gluten free pizzas are placed on the top oven rack, above the regular pizzas cooked below. This prevents any crumbs or flour from landing on the gluten free crust.
Finally, the gluten free pizza is sliced and served using freshly sanitized pizza cutters and serving trays reserved only for gluten free orders. This rigor helps ensure a safe eating experience.
Types of Gluten Free Crusts Offered by Mellow Mushroom
Mellow Mushroom gives guests a choice between two styles of gluten free crust:
- Gluten Free Classic Crust – This 10-inch crust has a crispy, thin crust pizza texture.
- Gluten Free House Made Crust – This also 10-inch crust has a thicker, chewier texture more like a traditional pizza crust.
Both crusts are dairy free, kosher, and vegan in addition to being gluten free. They are prepared in a dedicated space and use ingredients verified to be free of gluten. The differences come down to personal texture preference.
Topping Options for Gluten Free Pizza at Mellow Mushroom
Mellow Mushroom offers over 40 toppings for customizing gluten free pizzas. Some of the most popular options include:
- Meats – Pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham, chicken
- Veggies – Onions, mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, tomatoes, spinach, jalapeños
- Cheeses – Mozzarella, feta, Parmesan, cheddar
- Sauces – Classic red pizza sauce, olive oil, pesto
There are also specialty pizza options featuring unique combinations of gluten free toppings and sauces:
- Kosmic Karma – Feta and mozzarella cheese, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Roma tomatoes with pesto
- Holy Shiitake Pie – Olive oil garlic sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, Montamore cheese, shiitake mushrooms, and roasted red peppers
- Great White – Olive oil, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, fontina, Parmesan, garlic
Guests can build their own pizza or modify one of the existing specialty pizzas to be made on a gluten free crust. There are abundant delicious possibilities to safely enjoy pizza again.
Nutritional Profile of Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten Free Crust
Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free crusts are nutritious options providing energy and nutrition minus the gluten. Here is the nutrition data for a 6-slice, 10-inch gluten free crust:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 660 |
| Fat | 6g |
| Carbohydrates | 130g |
| Protein | 8g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 2g |
As you can see, the gluten free crust delivers a hefty amount of carbohydrates for energy, plus some protein. It is low in fat and sugar. The fiber content is moderate. Overall, it provides a nutritious base for building a gluten free pizza.
Price of Gluten Free Pizza at Mellow Mushroom
Ordering your pizza on a gluten free crust at Mellow Mushroom costs an additional $3-4 on average. However, many feel it is worth the extra cost for the peace of mind of safe, truly gluten free pizza cooked with care and high quality ingredients.
The ability to customize your pizza with over 40 gluten free toppings is an added bonus. You can keep your gluten free pizza simple and affordable, or create an upscale artisan pizza experience.
Is Mellow Mushroom Good for Gluten Free and Celiac Diets?
Mellow Mushroom stands out as a very accommodating restaurant for those on gluten free or celiac diets. The restaurant takes extra steps to prevent cross contamination and has a separate kitchen space for preparing gluten free foods.
All employees receive training on safe gluten free protocols. Managers thoroughly verify that all ingredients are gluten free before being offered on a gluten free pizza.
Inside the restaurant, there is clear signage and reminders for staff on procedures for taking and preparing a gluten free order. Guests can feel confident that care and attention to detail is given to gluten free orders.
Many celiac blogs and food sites rate Mellow Mushroom highly for its gluten free offerings. The chain is responsive about ensuring strict ingredient and preparation standards so those sensitive to gluten can comfortably eat there.
Is Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten Free Pizza Safe for Celiacs?
According to company statements and consumer reports, Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free pizza manages to be safe for most people with celiac disease. The diligent kitchen protocols minimize risk of cross contamination.
Of course, individuals have varying sensitivity levels to gluten. The FDA defines gluten free as less than 20ppm of gluten. Mellow Mushroom states its gluten free pizzas fall well below this threshold.
However, there is always some small risk of traces of gluten in restaurant settings. Highly sensitive celiacs may want to exercise extra caution and inquire about details before eating.
For less sensitive celiacs, Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free pizza offers a tasty way to follow the diet. But be sure to listen to your own body’s response.
What Do Customers Say About Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten Free Pizza?
Here are some common thoughts shared by customers who have ordered gluten free pizza from Mellow Mushroom:
- “The gluten free crust was delicious! My son with celiac was in heaven being able to eat pizza again.”
- “You really can’t tell the difference between the gluten free and regular crusts. Nice and tasty without upsetting my stomach.”
- “The chef came out to confirm my gluten allergy and seemed very knowledgable about safe prep procedures, which I appreciated.”
- “I’ve never gotten sick eating their gluten free pizza. Love that they have so many toppings to choose from too.”
- “It’s a little pricey but worth it to get pizza from a restaurant for once. The crust holds up well with lots of toppings.”
In general, reviews praise the taste and texture of the gluten free crust, safety procedures, and extensive gluten free topping options. Many say Mellow Mushroom offers the best gluten free pizza among large pizza chains.
Is Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten Free Crust Healthy?
Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free crust is a healthier option compared to a traditional pizza crust in a few regards.
First, it eliminates the refined wheat flour, which spikes blood sugar more than the gluten free grains. Second, it provides more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than white flour crust from ingredients like rice flour and tapioca.
However, the gluten free crust is still fairly high in carbohydrates and lower in protein compared to some other gluten free crust options. Those monitoring their carb intake may want to limit to 1-2 slices.
Overall, Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free crust is a good starting point. Customizing your pizza toppings can add nutrients from vegetables, plant proteins like grilled chicken, and healthy fats from ingredients like avocado or nuts.
Should You Eat Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten Free Pizza?
Here are some tips on whether Mellow Mushroom may be a good gluten free pizza option for your needs:
- If you have celiac disease or avoid gluten for medical reasons, Mellow Mushroom can be a safe option based on their diligent protocols to avoid cross contamination.
- If you want delicious pizza that happens to be gluten free, their crust and toppings will give you plenty of flexibility to create favorites.
- If you’re looking for a healthier gluten free crust that is high in protein or low in carbs, you may want to create your pizza elsewhere.
- If you need absolute certainty your food had zero exposure to gluten, the risk of eating out anywhere may be too much. Preparing your pizza completely from home can give you full control.
For many gluten free pizza lovers, Mellow Mushroom offers a tasty restaurant option. Their strict processes provide assurance of safety for celiacs. Customers praise their crust and the ability to pile on creative topping combos.
Is Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten Free Pizza Vegan?
Yes, you can request for Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free crust and pizza to be made vegan. The base gluten free crust does not contain any dairy or animal products.
To make a vegan gluten free pizza, simply ask for no cheese or dairy-based sauces. Then build your pizza with Mellow Mushroom’s wide array of vegetable toppings, sauces like tomato or olive oil, and spices.
Some suggested vegan gluten free pizza combinations include:
- Tomato sauce, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, black olives
- Pesto sauce, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, basil
- Olive oil, plant-based sausage or “pepperoni”, Follow Your Heart vegan mozzarella, peppers, oregano
Mellow Mushroom is happy to accommodate vegan requests, just as they do for gluten free. You get the same delicious crust with inventive vegan toppings.
Mellow Mushroom Gluten Free Pizza Review
Here is a quick summarizing review of Mellow Mushroom’s gluten free pizza offering:
- Crusts – Two choices of crust, either thin and crispy or thick and chewy. Based on rice flour and tapioca flour.
- Safety – Strict protocols in place to avoid cross contamination.
- Taste – Delicious, indistinguishable from regular crust, according to many customers.
- Price – $3-4 upcharge for gluten free crust.
- Topping options – Over 40 gluten free toppings to customize your pizza.
- Nutrition – Lower carb than regular crust but higher in vitamins and minerals.
- For celiacs – Considered safe for most but check on your own individual sensitivity.
Overall, Mellow Mushroom stands out as a leader in gluten free pizza among pizza chains. From taste to safety to customization, they excel at providing an inclusive, delicious gluten free pizza experience.
Finding Pizza You Can Eat When Gluten Free
Pizza is such a popular food, which makes having to follow a gluten free diet especially challenging. Thankfully, many restaurants like Mellow Mushroom are taking steps to provide tasty gluten free pizza in a safe environment.
When ordering out, look for dedicated spaces to prepare gluten free dishes, staff awareness about gluten free protocols, and clear labels or menus identifying gluten free options. Ask questions to give yourself peace of mind.
For the greatest flexibility and control, make your own gluten free pizza at home. This lets you customize ingredients and prevent cross contamination completely. Homemade pizza is also often cheaper than eating out.
With the rise in gluten free diets, the options for enjoying safe, delicious pizza keep improving. Don’t despair about a future without pizza – instead embrace the many gluten free friendly restaurants and recipes that enable you to keep enjoying this popular food.
