Are McDonald’s fries gluten free? Here’s the answer, plus a look at which menu items have no gluten ingredients. This guide covers McDonald’s in the United States. Ingredients and allergens vary by country, so if you’re traveling, check the local McDonald’s website.
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What Are McDonald’s Fries?
Wherever you are across the globe, you’ll definitely have heard of these world famous fries! McDonald’s says they’re made from potato varieties such as Russet Burbank and Shepody. These famous fries are known for being soft and fluffy on the inside, while being golden and crisp on the outside. Let’s be honest, these fries need no introduction!
Ingredients In McDonald’s Fries
You may be wondering which ingredients make these fries as iconic as they are. McDonald’s lists these ingredients for its US fries:
- potatoes
- vegetable oil
- natural beef flavor (contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk)
- dextrose
- sodium acid pyrophosphate
- salt
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Nutritional Information Of McDonald’s Fries
You may be curious as to the nutritional value of McDonald’s French fries. According to McDonald’s, a small serving of fries contains about:
- Calories: 230
- Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Protein: 3g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Calcium: 10mg
- Sugar: 0g
- Potassium: 470mg
Are McDonald’s Fries Gluten Free?
As you can probably tell from the list of ingredients, McDonald’s fries from the US are not gluten free. This is because they contain natural beef flavor made with hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk. As wheat is a gluten containing grain, these fries are unfortunately not suitable for those following a gluten free diet.
McDonald’s also notes that its kitchens share cooking and preparation areas, equipment and utensils, so cross-contact with gluten is possible.
Do McDonald’s Fries Have Dairy?
As well as not being suitable for those with a gluten intolerance, they’re also unsuitable for those with a dairy intolerance too. The natural beef flavor they use for the fries is derived from both wheat and milk products. That means they aren’t suitable for a dairy-free diet either.
Are McDonald’s Hashbrowns Gluten Free?
Much like their fries, the hashbrowns at US McDonald’s are also not gluten free. They contain the following ingredients:
- potatoes
- vegetable oil
- natural beef flavor (contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk)
- salt
- corn flour
- dehydrated potato
- dextrose
- sodium acid pyrophosphate
- extractives of black pepper
As you can see, wheat and milk are both listed as allergens in this product. You should not consume McDonald’s hashbrowns when following a gluten free diet.
Do McDonald’s Have Anything Gluten Free?
McDonald’s doesn’t label any US menu item as “gluten free,” but some items have no gluten ingredients. That’s not the same thing. Under FDA rules, a food labeled “gluten free” must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. McDonald’s doesn’t make that promise, and it notes that shared equipment means cross-contact can happen. If you have celiac disease, keep that risk in mind.
McDonald’s Gluten Free Menu
If you’re happy to bring your own bun, these items have no gluten ingredients. Menus change and vary by location, so check McDonald’s ingredient and allergen information before you order.
Meats
- beef patty
- beef steak
- Canadian bacon
- sausage
Sides
- apple slices
Salads
Dressing
- creamy Caesar dressing
- cobb dressing
- low fat balsamic vinaigrette
- ranch dressing
- salsa
Toppings and Condiments
- cheese
- butter
- honey
- hot mustard sauce
- jam
- ketchup
- hotcake syrup
- lettuce
- tomato
- pickles
- onion
- tartar sauce
- mayonnaise
- mustard
- margarine
Desserts
- ice cream sundaes
- McFlurry (with M&Ms)
Beverages
- coffee
- ice coffee
- hot chocolate
- sweet tea
- caramel frappe
- mocha frappe
- chocolate chip frappe
- vanilla shake
- chocolate shake
- strawberry shake
- orange juice
- apple juice
- milk
- soft drinks
- blueberry pomegranate smoothie
- strawberry banana smoothie
- mango pineapple smoothie
Make McDonald’s-Style French Fries at Home
McDonald’s French fries in the United States contain beef flavoring derived from wheat and milk, making them unsuitable for a gluten-free diet.
If you’d like to make a similar style of fries at home, The Cozy Cook’s McDonald’s-Style French Fries provides instructions for preparing them from fresh potatoes.
Use gluten-free seasonings and clean cooking equipment. Homemade fries won’t necessarily taste identical to the restaurant version.
Conclusion – Are McDonald’s Fries Gluten Free
I hope this post has helped to answer the question: are McDonald’s fries gluten free? And given you an idea of which foods you can enjoy when eating out at McDonald’s.
I’m lucky to live in the UK where the fries and hashbrowns are both gluten free!
Club Gluten Free shares practical, well-researched guides to gluten-free ingredients, products, restaurants and recipes. We check manufacturer statements and celiac organization guidance, and update our guides when products change.