Mod Pizza is a popular pizza chain that offers customizable artisan-style pizzas and salads. One of the things that sets Mod apart from other pizza chains is their commitment to accommodating a variety of dietary needs and preferences. This includes offering a gluten-free pizza crust option for guests who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. But what exactly is Mod Pizza’s gluten-free crust made out of?
The Need for Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts
For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, eating gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. This can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. The only treatment for celiac disease is adhering to a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. This means avoiding foods that contain wheat, barley, and rye – three grains that contain the protein gluten.
Gluten is found in many beloved foods, including pizza. But with the rising popularity of gluten-free diets in recent years, demand has grown for gluten-free alternatives to traditional pizza crusts. Pizza chains like Mod Pizza have responded by developing gluten-free crusts made without wheat.
For celiacs and others avoiding gluten, having this option available allows them to enjoy pizza again without risking a reaction. It provides a more normal social dining experience with family and friends.
Mod Pizza’s Gluten-Free Crust Ingredients
So what is Mod Pizza’s gluten-free crust made out of? According to the company’s website, these are the ingredients:
- Filtered water
- Rice flour
- Tapioca starch
- Potato starch
- Canola oil
- Sugar
- Yeast
- Salt
- Guar gum
- Cultured brown rice
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Mod’s gluten-free crust is made without any wheat, barley, or rye. Instead, it uses a blend of gluten-free flours and starches like rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch.
Binding agents like guar gum and yeast help give the crust its stretch and structure, mimicking the properties of gluten. Oils and sugar add moisture and flavor. Vitamins are included to enrich the nutritional profile. The cultured brown rice provides a probiotic boost.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the main ingredients:
Rice Flour
Rice flour is made from finely milled rice. It’s a common ingredient in gluten-free baking since rice does not contain gluten. Rice flour adds bulk and body to the pizza crust, while also providing a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch comes from the starchy root of the cassava plant. Tapioca starch helps improve the texture of gluten-free doughs and batters. It adds chewiness to Mod’s crust.
Potato Starch
Like tapioca starch, potato starch is extracted from a starchy tuber – in this case, potatoes. It lendsBinding agents like guar gum and yeast help give the crust its stretch and structure, mimicking the properties of gluten. Oils and sugar add moisture and flavor. Vitamins are included to enrich the nutritional profile. The cultured brown rice provides a probiotic boost.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the main ingredients:
Rice Flour
Rice flour is made from finely milled rice. It’s a common ingredient in gluten-free baking since rice does not contain gluten. Rice flour adds bulk and body to the pizza crust, while also providing a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch comes from the starchy root of the cassava plant. Tapioca starch helps improve the texture of gluten-free doughs and batters. It adds chewiness to Mod’s crust.
Potato Starch
Like tapioca starch, potato starch is extracted from a starchy tuber – in this case, potatoes. It lends lightness and a crispy texture to the baked crust.
Guar Gum
Guar gum is a soluble fiber derived from guar beans. It’s a thickening agent that’s commonly used in gluten-free baking. Guar gum helps bind the dough, increase elasticity, and prevent crumbling.
Yeast
Yeast is essential for making pizza crust rise. The yeast feeds on sugars and starch in the dough, emitting carbon dioxide gas. This causes bubbles and pockets that give the crust a light, airy interior beneath the crispy exterior.
Nutrition Information
Many gluten-free products are nutritionally deficient compared to their traditional, gluten-containing counterparts. But Mod Pizza’s gluten-free crust stacks up well from a nutrition perspective.
Here’s the nutrition information for one 6-inch gluten-free crust, according to Mod Pizza:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 260 |
| Total Fat | 3 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 730 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 51 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
The gluten-free crust is low in fat and saturated fat, and contains no cholesterol or trans fat. It provides a significant amount of carbohydrates – mainly in the form of gluten-free starches.
While not high in protein or fiber, the 3 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber per crust represent reasonable nutritional values for a gluten-free pizza base.
Preparing the Gluten-Free Crust in Restaurants
To prevent cross-contamination with gluten, Mod Pizza follows strict procedures when making their gluten-free pizzas:
- Gluten-free crusts arrive at restaurants pre-made and individually wrapped.
- Work surfaces and tools are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before handling the gluten-free crusts.
- Gluten-free pizzas are made with new, uncontaminated pizza sauce and cheese.
- Pizzas are sprinkled with rice flour to prevent sticking.
- Gluten-free pizzas are cooked on separate pizza pans.
- Pizzas are sliced using designated gluten-free pizza cutters.
These measures help ensure guests with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can enjoy Mod’s gluten-free crust safely.
Taste and Texture
So how does Mod Pizza’s gluten-free crust actually taste and feel when eating it?
Online reviews indicate the taste and texture get mostly positive marks, though some people find it doesn’t have quite the same flavor or crispiness factor as a traditional crust.
Those who have tried Mod’s gluten-free crust describe it as:
- Flaky and tender
- Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside
- Having a slightly gritty texture
- Neutral in flavor
- Thin and flexible enough to fold New York-style
- Not soggy or doughy
While it may not be a dead ringer for regular pizza crust, many reviewers say Mod’s gluten-free version is one of the better gluten-free pizza crusts out there. It strikes a satisfying balance between crispy and chewy without turning mushy.
Ordering Gluten-Free Crust at Mod Pizza
If you want to try Mod Pizza’s gluten-free crust, ordering it is easy:
- Ask for a gluten-free crust when placing your order. You can build your own pizza or order one of Mod’s signature pizzas on a gluten-free base.
- For an extra charge – usually $2 to $3 – you can substitute the gluten-free crust on any pizza.
- Be sure to let staff know about any serious gluten allergies when ordering.
- The kitchen will take extra care to avoid cross-contact if you have celiac disease.
- Feel free to customize your gluten-free pizza with any of Mod’s sauces and toppings.
- Check the status of your order if taking food to go – they may keep gluten-free pizzas separate from others.
Other Gluten-Free Options at Mod
Beyond the pizza crust, those avoiding gluten have additional options when dining at Mod Pizza:
- Salads – Create your own gluten-free salad or choose from signature salad recipes.
- Dressings – All Mod’s salad dressings are gluten-free.
- Garlic Strips – Roasted garlic cloves served with choice of dipping sauce.
- Sides – Enjoy gluten-free salad, garlic strips, or chips as a side.
- Desserts – Most locations offer gluten-free chocolate chip cookie bites.
- Beverages – Sodas, juices, teas, and other drinks are gluten-free.
Staff can help identify the safest menu items if you explain your dietary needs. Some individual Mod Pizza locations may offer additional gluten-free foods too.
Is Mod Pizza’s Gluten-Free Crust Celiac-Safe?
For those with celiac disease, there is always a risk of cross-contamination when dining out. Even foods made without gluten-containing ingredients can pick up traces of gluten during preparation and serving if proper protocols are not followed.
However, Mod Pizza seems to take gluten-free procedures seriously. Their kitchen workflow separates gluten-free crusts from the outset. All employees receive special training on safely handling gluten-free orders.
Many online reviews from celiacs who have eaten Mod’s gluten-free crust report no adverse reactions. Of course, experiences may vary by individual and by location.
If you have celiac disease, it’s always smart to assess your comfort level with the policies of any restaurant before eating there. Don’t hesitate to ask Mod Pizza staff detailed questions about their gluten-free practices when deciding whether to eat there.
Conclusion
Mod Pizza aims to accommodate gluten-free diners with crusts made from a blend of gluten-free flours, starches, yeast, sugars, and gums. Prepared separately from regular crusts, the gluten-free version allows those avoiding gluten to construct personalized pizzas.
Reviews deem Mod’s gluten-free crust one of the better ones available. While maybe not perfectly identical to wheat crust, it offers a tender, flaky, and crisp pizza base. The crust satisfies many cravings for pizza night while protecting those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Careful kitchen protocols minimize cross-contamination risk.
By offering gluten-free crusts in restaurants nationwide, Mod Pizza opens up more inclusive pizza enjoyment for more people. Those unable to eat regular crusts can savor the fun of piling on inventive toppings and sharing pizzas with less worry. Amid the surge of gluten-free dieting, Mod provides greater freedom and flexibility to customize pizzas to meet dietary needs – all with the welcoming service of a neighborhood pizzeria.
