Last Updated on June 8, 2024
Today, we’re going to be answering the question: is there gluten in French fries and taking a look at which frozen brands of fries are gluten free, as well as which fast food chains offer gluten free fries. Fries are perfect for any time of the day, with any meal. French fries. Having a sandwich for lunch? Add French fries. Having steak for dinner? Add French fries. But unfortunately, French fries can often contain gluten. How do you when fries are gluten free? Which brands are the best to choose? Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
What Are French Fries?
Their name is French fries, but you may know them better as chips or simply fries. French fries are made from potatoes. The potatoes are cut into thin strips and placed in a deep fat fryer and fried until crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. They’re a favorite across the Western world and as they’re so versatile, it’s not difficult to see why.
Nutritional Information Of French Fries
The nutritional value of French fries differs massively depending on where you’re buying them and how they’ve been cooked. Some of the world’s most famous fries are McDonald’s. A medium serving of McDonald’s fries in the US contains the following:
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 43g
- Protein: 5g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 0g
Ingredients In French Fries
Much like the nutritional information of French fries, the ingredients can vary drastically too. However, the three ingredients you’ll find in almost all French fries are potatoes, oil and salt. While these are the most common ingredients, additional ingredients are often used, and that’s why ingredients should always be checked.
Are Potatoes Gluten Free?
In their raw form, potatoes are always gluten free! Whether it’s white potatoes, red potatoes, sweet potatoes – they will never contain gluten if you’re using them in their purest form. You would think that because fries are made from potatoes that they would always be free from gluten, right? Unfortunately, that is not always the case!
Is There Gluten In French Fries?
There is no straight answer to this question. The answer is: sometimes. It all depends on the ingredients used and how they are prepared. For example, the fries themselves may contain no gluten, but if they’re cooked in a fryer where gluten containing products have also been cooked, they will no longer be gluten free.
Another danger to watch out for is seasoned or “extra crispy” fries. To achieve this, wheat is often added as an ingredient, which would mean the product is no longer gluten free. This is particularly common when it comes to frozen French fries. Other ingredients you may want to watch out for are barley and rye. For example, beer battered fries contain barley and should not be consumed on a gluten free diet.
However, there are plenty of gluten free options available! Both in fast food chains and frozen options. Or you can try making them yourself! Let’s be honest, they’ll likely be healthier that way too.
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Gluten Free French Fries Brands
If you’re worried about which brands to opt for, there are plenty of frozen brands that offer gluten free fries, as well as several popular fast food chains. Let’s take a look at the most accessible options available for those following a gluten free diet.
Fast Food Chains
The following fast food chains have a separate fryer for their fries, and they are completely gluten free:
- Chick-Fil-A
- Five Guys
- In N Out Burger
The following chains should have a separate fryer, but it’s always best to check:
- Burger King
- Dairy Queen
- Wendy’s
It’s also worth noting that it also depends on where you are in the world. For example, McDonald’s fries in the US contain wheat and are not cooked in separate fryers. Whereas in the UK, they do not contain wheat are cooked in separate fryers. If you’re unsure, check with your server or the nutritional information on the chain’s website.
Frozen Brands
There are many frozen options available which offer gluten fries, but the most common include:
- McCain
- Ore-Ida
- Cascadian Farms
- Alexia Foods
Copycat Gluten Free McDonald’s French Fries Recipe
If you’re from the US, McDonald’s fries are not suitable for a gluten free diet. The recipe we’re going to be looking at is inspired by The Cozy Cook. Let’s take a look at how to create these favorites at home.
Ingredients
Brine
- 8 cups of cold water
- 3 tablespoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of white vinegar
- 1/2 cup of corn syrup
Fries – Is There Gluten in French Fries?
- 4.5 lb of russet potatoes
- 1 quart of vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup of vegetable shortening
- salt (to taste)
Step By Step
Step 1: Prepare The Potatoes
Place all of the brine ingredients in a bowl and leave to one side. Rinse the potatoes and peel them before slicing them into the shape of fries and placing them into the brine. They must be completely covered. Cover and leave in the fridge for at least two hours. Once ready to cook, rinse with cold water and pat fries dry.
Step 2: Fry The Potatoes
Conclusion – Is There Gluten in French Fries?
I hope this article has helped to answer the question: is there gluten in French fries?
FAQ’s
Hi, my name’s Zoë. I live in London, UK. I work full time as a freelance writer and critic for West End theatre. Writing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I spend most of my free time at the theatre, or at conventions. I’m married to the love of my life, and live in a small apartment with my fur baby, Lillie. I run two of my own blogs: No Safer Place and Stage to Page: both of which have won awards. I also have a YouTube channel where I talk about all things stagey.