Gluten-free pizza has become increasingly popular as more people adopt gluten-free diets. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, finding tasty gluten-free pizza can be a challenge. With so many pizza restaurants to choose from, it can be difficult to know which ones offer the best gluten-free crust and toppings. This article will explore the top pizza chains that offer gluten-free crust and evaluate their GF pizza options to help you determine where you can find the best gluten-free pizza.
What is Gluten and Why Do Some People Need to Avoid It?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For most people, consuming gluten is not a problem. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten can cause serious health issues.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the body mounts an attack against itself when gluten is ingested. The immune system attacks the small intestine, causing damage and interfering with the absorption of nutrients from food. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity causes similar gastrointestinal symptoms but without the autoimmune response.
People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity who eat gluten will experience symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue and more. The only treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. This means avoiding foods and products containing wheat, barley, rye and sometimes oats.
There are many great gluten-free food options available today, including pizza! While gluten-free pizza used to universally be quite terrible, many restaurants have stepped up their GF pizza game. You can now find gluten-free pizza with amazing crust that tastes just as delicious as “regular” pizza. However, not all pizzerias offer gluten-free options so it’s important to do your research to find the best gluten-free pizza.
The Top Pizza Chains for Gluten-Free Pizza
Here are some of the top pizza chains that offer gluten-free crust and pizza:
Domino’s
Domino’s Pizza was one of the first large pizza chains to offer gluten-free crust on their pizzas. The Domino’s gluten-free crust is thin and crispy on the outside while still being soft on the inside.Domino’s offers two sizes of gluten-free crust, 10” and 12”, so you can customize your pizza. You can also choose cornmeal or white rice flour as the base for your crust. All Domino’s pizzas are prepared in store using gluten-free practices to avoid cross-contamination.
Papa John’s
Papa John’s also has gluten-free pizza available nationwide. Their gluten-free crust has a pleasantly sweet flavor and airy texture. It’s available in a 12″ size. Papa John’s uses separate pans and utensils to make their gluten-free pizzas and the pizzas go through a separate quality check. The restaurants have procedures in place to avoid cross-contamination with gluten.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut jumped on the gluten-free trend by introducing their own gluten-free pizza in 2018. Pizza Hut’s thin crust 10” gluten-free pizza provides a crispy and flavorful crust. The restaurants follow procedures to prevent cross-contamination when making gluten-free pizzas. There is a dedicated pizza cutter and the pizzas are placed in a separate warming bag after cooking.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza is a popular fast-casual pizza chain with over 300 locations. They offer an excellent gluten-free crust that is vegan as well. The gluten-free dough is stretched and topped just like their standard crusts. Blaze Pizza employees change gloves and wash equipment when preparing gluten-free pizzas. The chain has a great system to avoid cross-contamination.
California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen is known for its gourmet ingredient combinations. The restaurant chain has a 10” gluten-free thin pizza crust available nationwide. Their gluten-free crust has a pleasant flavor and consistency. California Pizza Kitchen does an excellent job avoiding cross-contamination by using color-coded utensils and preparation surfaces when making gluten-free food.
| Pizza Chain | Crust | Crust Sizes | Cross-Contamination Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domino’s | Thin, crispy | 10″, 12″ | Gluten-free preparation procedures |
| Papa John’s | Sweet, airy | 12″ | Separate pans, utensils |
| Pizza Hut | Crispy, thin | 10″ | Separate cutter, warming bag |
| Blaze Pizza | Traditional | Standard sizes | Glove changes, equipment washing |
| California Pizza Kitchen | Thin crust | 10″ | Color-coded utensils |
Evaluating the Gluten-Free Pizza Options
Now that we’ve covered which major pizza chains offer gluten-free crust, let’s evaluate some of the key factors to determine who has the best gluten-free pizza.
Taste
For most pizza lovers, taste is the most important factor. No one wants a gluten-free pizza that tastes cardboard-y or has a weird aftertaste. Domino’s wins points for its crispy, flavorful thin crust. Pizza Hut also offers a tasty thin crust gluten-free pizza. Papa John’s gets kudos for their sweeter, almost dessert-like gluten-free pizza crust. In terms of taste alone, Domino’s and Pizza Hut edge out Papa John’s and the others.
Texture
Along with taste, a pizza’s texture can make or break the experience. Domino’s thin crust gets high marks for its crispiness and blend of softness on the inside. Pizza Hut’s gluten-free crust also has a pleasing crisp exterior and slightly chewy interior. Papa John’s airy, thinner crust offers a different but still appetizing texture. Blaze Pizza’s traditional stretchy crust texture translates well to the gluten-free version. When it comes to texture, Domino’s and Pizza Hut again come out on top.
Size Options
Having the option to choose between different pizza sizes is always nice. Domino’s wins in terms of size choices, with both 10” and 12” gluten-free crusts available. Papa John’s and Pizza Hut currently only offer one size of gluten-free pizza each, at 12” and 10” respectively. Size flexibility gives Domino’s an advantage over other chains.
Cross-Contamination Risk
For gluten-free customers, it’s crucial that restaurants take steps to avoid cross-contamination with gluten. All the major pizza chains seem to understand this concern and have implemented procedures to prepare gluten-free pizzas safely. Domino’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Blaze Pizza and California Pizza Kitchen all appear to do a good job avoiding cross-contamination based on their website info and customer reviews.
Price
Price is often a consideration when choosing where to eat. Unsurprisingly, the gluten-free versions of pizza tend to cost a little bit more than their standard counterparts. However, most pizza chains don’t charge too much extra for gluten-free crust. Domino’s charges around $2 more for a GF pizza compared to regular crust. Papa John’s charges a $2 upcharge for gluten-free as well. Pizza Hut adds $1.50 to switch their pizzas to the gluten-free crust. Overall, the prices are comparable between chains for gluten-free pizza.
Availability
Being able to easily get gluten-free pizza is important for convenience and satisfying spontaneous pizza cravings! Domino’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut and Blaze Pizza all offer gluten-free crusts at locations nationwide. This wide availability makes it easy for those with dietary restrictions to enjoy pizza wherever they are. Between the major national chains, availability is excellent.
| Pizza Chain | Taste | Texture | Size Options | Cross-Contamination Risk | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domino’s | Excellent | Excellent | 10″, 12″ | Low | +$2 | Nationwide |
| Papa John’s | Good | Good | 12″ | Low | +$2 | Nationwide |
| Pizza Hut | Excellent | Excellent | 10″ | Low | +$1.50 | Nationwide |
| Blaze Pizza | Good | Good | Standard sizes | Low | +$2 | 300+ locations |
| California Pizza Kitchen | Good | Good | 10″ | Low | +$2 | Nationwide |
The Verdict: Domino’s and Pizza Hut Are Top for GF Pizza
Based on this evaluation across different categories, Domino’s and Pizza Hut emerge as the best options for gluten-free pizza among major national pizza chains. They excel in terms of taste, texture and size choices for their gluten-free crusts.
Domino’s thin, crispy gluten-free crust consistently earns rave reviews for its great flavor and texture that mimics traditional pizza crust well. Pizza Hut also offers a tasty, thin crust gluten-free pizza with a pleasing crunch on the outside and chewiness on the inside. Both chains offer classic pizza flavors packed with cheese and toppings on their gluten-free pizzas so you don’t miss out on anything.
In addition to their delicious gluten-free crusts, Domino’s and Pizza Hut win bonus points for their efforts to prevent cross-contamination and make customers with dietary restrictions feel comfortable. Their prices are in line with what you would expect to pay extra for gluten-free pizza as well.
Papa John’s, Blaze Pizza and California Pizza Kitchen also fare well in many categories, but fall slightly behind Domino’s and Pizza Hut. Their gluten-free pizzas are still worth trying for variety!
The wide availability of gluten-free crust at Dominos and Pizza Hut locations across the U.S. is a huge perk. This makes it easy to get safe, tasty gluten-free pizza quickly whether you’re dining in, getting takeout or delivery.
In conclusion, both Domino’s and Pizza Hut stand out from competitors when it comes to the total gluten-free pizza experience. From crust to toppings, these pizza giants deliver exceptional gluten-free pizzas that will satisfy any pizza craving. If you’re gluten-free, you can’t go wrong choosing Domino’s or Pizza Hut for your next pizza night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of gluten sensitivity?
Common symptoms of gluten sensitivity include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, headaches, brain fog, skin rashes, joint pain and depression. Symptoms typically begin to improve once gluten is eliminated from the diet.
What happens if you have celiac disease and eat gluten?
People with celiac disease experience an autoimmune reaction when they consume gluten that damages the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. The only treatment is sticking to a strict gluten-free diet.
Do you need a prescription for gluten-free pizza?
No prescription is required to order gluten-free pizza. You can visit any pizza restaurant that offers gluten-free crust or order online/by phone. Some people get a note from their doctor to inform staff about gluten intolerance.
Is gluten-free pizza healthier?
There’s no nutritional difference between gluten-free and regular pizza crust. Gluten-free crust is essential for those who medically require a gluten-free diet. But for the general population, it’s not necessarily a healthier option.
Does gluten-free pizza taste different?
When gluten-free pizza first emerged, the taste and texture were quite poor. But these days, restaurants like Domino’s and Pizza Hut have gluten-free crusts that taste very similar to regular pizza crust. The average person likely can’t tell much difference.
Is Domino’s gluten-free pizza really gluten-free?
Yes, Domino’s gluten-free crust is certified gluten-free to less than 10 ppm of gluten. Domino’s uses thorough procedures and training to avoid cross-contamination of the gluten-free pizzas.
What gluten-free certification does Pizza Hut have?
Pizza Hut’s gluten-free pizzas are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group to have less than 10 parts per million of gluten. This is the recognized standard for foods to be labeled gluten-free.
Does Little Caesars have gluten-free pizza?
No, unfortunately Little Caesars has not added gluten-free pizza options to their menu yet. The chain only offers a regular wheat crust at this time.
Can you order gluten-free pizza from Pizza Hut?
Yes, Pizza Hut has gluten-free pizza available nationwide. You can order it online, on their app, or ask for the gluten-free crust when ordering in-restaurant or for delivery.
The Bottom Line
Domino’s and Pizza Hut stand out as the best choices when looking for gluten-free pizza from a major national chain. Both offer thin, tasty gluten-free crusts and excellent precautions to avoid cross-contamination. Their wide availability makes it convenient to enjoy delicious gluten-free pizza anywhere across the U.S. While all the pizza chains included here have commendable gluten-free options, Domino’s and Pizza Hut lead the pack in terms of taste, texture and gluten-free practices.
