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Burger King Gluten Free – Everything You Need To Know

Craving Burger King gluten free options? Find out what’s safe to munch at UK branches. From bunless burgers to tasty sides, we’ve got the lowdown!

Fancy a Burger King but worried about gluten? Let’s delve into the gluten-free options available at UK Burger King outlets.

While the menu might seem limited at first glance, there are still some choices for those avoiding gluten.

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Burger King’s Allergen Policy (Gluten-Free)

Burger King UK takes food allergies seriously, but it’s crucial to understand their stance:

1. Cross-contamination risk: Burger King acknowledges that their kitchens are open environments, making it impossible to guarantee any product is entirely free from allergens.
2. Shared equipment: Many items are marked as “may contain gluten via shared equipment,” indicating potential cross-contamination through cooking processes.
3. Supplier warnings: Some products are labelled “may contain” due to suppliers reporting real risks of cross-contamination on their production lines.
4. Clear labelling: Burger King uses a system of “Contains,” “May contain,” and “May contain via shared equipment” to indicate allergen risks.

For those with Coeliac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, dining at Burger King carries significant risks. The fast-paced environment and proximity to gluten-containing items increase the likelihood of cross-contamination.

It’s essential to weigh these factors when considering your dining options at Burger King UK.

You can view the official Burger King allergen guide here.

If you are here for Burger King, then you should definitely see what gluten-free menu options are available at McDonald’s, Nandos, Costa, Subway, Greggs, Pizza Hut, KFC, Pizza Express, Jimmy John’s, Red Robin, Waffle House, Outback Steakhouse, Firehouse Subs, Krispy Kreme and Domino’s.

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Burgers

While the standard burgers aren’t safe, there’s a potential workaround for us coeliacs: the bunless burger!

Bunless Burger Strategy

• Request “no bun” when ordering
• Specify you have a coeliac requirement
• Confirm no cross-contamination with grill or utensils

Potential Safe Bunless Options

Some Burger King burgers may be just fine for Coeliacs, but you need to be aware that Burger King marks all of their beef patties as May Contain, due to processing methods and cross-contamination. Some toppings and sauces may contain gluten, so for coeliacs, it may not be worth the risk.

Recommended Additions

• Side Salad
• Plain fries (check fryer status)
• Gluten-free condiments

Burger products gluten-free breakdown

❌ WHOPPER – contains wheat
❌ Double WHOPPER – contains wheat
❌ Bacon Double Cheeseburger – contains wheat
❌ Bacon Double Cheese XL – contains wheat
❌ Cheeseburger – contains wheat
❌ Double Cheeseburger – contains wheat
❌ Hamburger – contains wheat
❌ Bacon KING – contains wheat
❌ BBQ Double Melt – contains wheat
❌ BIG KING XL – contains wheat
❌ Spicy Mayo Double WHOPPER – contains wheat
❌ Steakhouse Angus (crispy onions contain wheat)
❌ Bacon Caesar Angus (crispy onions contain wheat)

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Crispy & Tender Chicken

As a seasoned coeliac who’s navigated more dodgy fast food menus than I care to admit, I can tell you straight – the Crispy & Tender Chicken range at Burger King is an absolute minefield for us gluten-sensitive folk.

The Gluten Situation

Every single item in this category is a big fat NO for coeliacs:

• The breading? Wheat flour central
• Shared cooking equipment? Cross-contamination central
• Risk level? Astronomical

My Honest Advice

• Steer clear of the entire Crispy & Tender Chicken section
• Don’t risk your gut health for a quick chicken fix
• If you’re craving something crispy, ask about bunless options or salads

A pro tip from someone who’s been there: Always check with staff and see the full allergen menu. Your health is worth more than a cheeky chicken burger! 💁‍♀️🥗

Crispy & Tender Chicken products gluten-free breakdown

❌ Chicken Royale – contains wheat
❌ Chicken Nuggets – contain wheat
❌ Chicken Royale Bacon & Cheese – contains wheat
❌ Steakhouse Crispy Chicken – contains wheat
❌ Doritos Tangy Cheese Chicken Fries – contain wheat & barley
❌ Chicken Melt – contains wheat & barley
❌ Bacon Caesar Crispy Chicken – contains wheat

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Veggie & Vegan

Let’s chat about the veggie and vegan options at Burger King! 🌱🍔

Veggie and Vegan Situation

Now, I’ve got some good news and some not-so-good news. Let’s break it down:

The Plant-Based Whopper

I wish I could say it’s a safe bet, but it’s not quite there for us coeliacs. The patty itself doesn’t contain gluten, but:

• It’s cooked on the same grill as regular buns 😬
• The standard bun contains gluten
• The cross-contamination risk is higher than my hopes were for this burger!

The Veggie Bean Burger

Sadly, this one’s a definite no-go. The patty contains wheat, and it’s served in a glutenous bun. Double whammy!

Veggie & vegan products gluten-free breakdown

❌ The Ultimate Bean Burger – contains wheat, barley, oats, rye & spelt
❌ Vegan Royale – contains oats & wheat
❌ Vegan Nuggets – contain oats & wheat
❌ The Ultimate Bean Burger – contains wheat, spelt, barley, rye & oats

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Salads

Here’s where things look up a bit:

• Garden Side Salad: Generally safe, but always check for any sneaky croutons!

Salad product’s gluten-free breakdown

✅ Lettuce
❌ Crispy Onions – contains wheat
✅ Onion Slice
✅ Tomato Slice
✅ Pickles
✅ Rocket Leaves

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Sides

Let’s explore the gluten-free options for sides at UK Burger King. 🍟🥗

While McDonald’s UK boasts dedicated fryers for their gluten-free chips (barring branches using re-filtered oil), Burger King takes a different approach. They’re upfront about their fryer setup: separate vats for a different nosh, but a shared oil filtration system.

This means all fried goodies take a dip in the same filtered oil, creating a bit of a gluten-mingling party.

So, here’s the skinny on those tempting Burger King fries and Loaded King Fries: they’re technically gluten-free ingredients-wise, but they’re getting cosy with gluten during their oil bath.

For my coeliac mates, that’s a no-go zone.

But if you’re just watching your gluten intake for other reasons and don’t mind a bit of potential cross-contamination, you might still fancy giving those fries a go.

Important Considerations

Key points for coeliacs:

• Shared cooking equipment increases cross-contamination risks
• Fryers are typically used for multiple products and oil filtration system is shared among all products

Side dishes gluten-free breakdown

⚠️ Fries – high cross-contamination risk
⚠️ Loaded King Fries – high cross-contamination risk
⚠️ Loaded King Fries with Bacon – high cross-contamination risk
⚠️ Halloumi Fries – may contain gluten via shared equipment
✅ Garden Side Salad – check the dressing
❌ Onion Rings  – contain wheat
❌ Chilli Cheese Bites – contain wheat
❌ Nuggets- contain wheat
❌ Doritos Tangy Cheese Chicken Fries – contain barley & wheat
❌ Sharer Box – contains wheat & barley

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King Jr. Meals

Unfortunately, none of the Kid’s Meals at Burger King UK are gluten-free for coeliacs.

While the beef patties in the cheeseburger and hamburger meals don’t contain gluten ingredients, they may be cross-contaminated via shared equipment. Even if you order these without the bun, there’s still a risk for coeliacs.

For those avoiding gluten but not diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could potentially request a bunless burger for kids, but be aware of the cross-contamination risks.

King Jr. Meals gluten-free breakdown

❌ Kids Cheeseburger Meal – Contains gluten (wheat in the bun)
❌ Kids Hamburger Meal – Contains gluten (wheat in the bun)
❌ Kids Chicken Nugget Meal – Contains gluten (wheat in the coating)
❌ Kids Vegan Nugget Meal – Contains gluten (wheat and oats)

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Sweet Treats

Alright, let’s dive into the sweet side of Burger King menu! 🍨

For those of us watching our gluten intake, desserts can often be a bit of a minefield. But don’t worry, I’ve done some digging to help you navigate the sugary offerings.

When it comes to sweet treats, Burger King offers a mix of ice creams, milkshakes, and sundaes.

The good news is that several of these options are potentially safe for those avoiding gluten.

However, as always with fast food, there are some important caveats to keep in mind.

Remember, while some items don’t contain gluten ingredients, cross-contamination is always a possibility in a busy fast-food kitchen.

Now, let’s break down the menu and see what sweet options might be available for us gluten-avoiders!

Sweet treats gluten-free breakdown

✅ Ben & Jerry’s Caramel Chew Chew ice cream
✅ Chocolate Milkshake
✅ Strawberry Milkshake
✅ Vanilla Milkshake
✅ Caramel Sundae
✅ Chocolate Fudge Sundae
❌ Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie – contains wheat & barley
❌ Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough – contains wheat
❌ Oreo Fusion – contains wheat
❌ Nutella Muffin – contains gluten

If you are looking for more sweet treats, then you should check out my article; Are Roses Gluten Free?

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Beverages

Let’s take a look at the beverage options at Burger King for those of us watching our gluten intake. ☕

Much to my surprise the hot drinks are a mixed bag for coeliacs; the Hot Chocolate and Mocha coffee are flagged as containing gluten!

The full menu of tea and coffees is flagged as May Contain, so, if you need to maintain a strict gluten-free diet then it’s best to avoid the hot drinks section of the menu.

To be honest, this is really bonkers! I don’t know how you can get gluten in a cup of tea, but there you go. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Soft Drinks and Water

Most soft drinks and water are typically gluten-free.

Hot Drinks

Coffee and tea are usually safe, however, in Burger King all teas and coffees are flagged as May Contain gluten.

Milkshakes and Dessert Drinks

These can be trickier and may contain gluten or have cross-contamination risks.

Beverages gluten-free breakdown

✅ Coca-Cola (all varieties)
✅ Fanta (all flavours)
✅ Sprite
✅ Still Water|
✅ Sparkling Water
⚠️ Americano – may contain gluten
⚠️ Espresso – may contain gluten
⚠️ Cappuccino – may contain gluten
⚠️ Latte – may contain gluten
⚠️ Flat White – may contain gluten
⚠️ Tea – may contain gluten
⚠️ Milkshakes (check for malt ingredients and cross-contamination)
⚠️ Frappes (may contain gluten in some flavourings or toppings)
❌ Hot Chocolate – contains gluten
❌ Mocha – contains gluten

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Extras

Alright, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of Burger King ‘extras’ – those little bits and bobs that make up our burgers and sides.

For us gluten-watchers, this is where things get really interesting (and sometimes a bit tricky)!

Gluten Status of Burger King UK Extras

Does Not Contain Gluten

✅ Flame-grilled chicken breast fillet
✅ Diced bacon
✅ American cheese slice
✅ Back bacon
✅ Cheese slices
✅ Lettuce
✅ Rocket leaves
✅ Tomato slice
✅ Mustard
✅ Onion slice
✅ Pickles
✅ Mayonnaise
✅ Caesar mayo
✅ Oak smoked cheese slice
✅ Streaky bacon
✅ Cheddar cheese sauce
✅ Chimichurri sauce
✅ Sweet caramelised onions

May Contain Gluten (due to cross-contamination)

⚠️ Plant-based patty
⚠️ Fries
⚠️ Spicy mayo
⚠️ Angus Beef patty
⚠️ Hamburger patty
⚠️ Whopper patty
⚠️ BBQ Dip Pot
⚠️ Smokey BBQ sauce
⚠️ Ketchup

Contains Gluten

❌ All buns (including brioche and sesame seed)
❌ Beef patty
❌ Bean patty
❌ Crispy chicken fillet
❌ Chicken nuggets
❌ Onion rings
❌ Crispy onion rings
❌ Chilli cheese bites
❌ Veggie bean patty
❌ Hot Chilli Sauce
❌ Peppercorn Mayo

Remember, even if individual components are gluten-free, there’s always a risk of cross-contamination in a busy kitchen. Always inform staff of your dietary needs and ask about current preparation methods.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions that I found while researching this article:

Are Burger King fries gluten free?

Burger King’s fries in UK outlets are not considered gluten-free. While the fries themselves do not contain gluten ingredients, they are cooked in a shared fryer that uses the same oil filtration system for various products. This creates a risk of cross-contamination with gluten from other fried items.

According to the allergen information, although the Fries and Loaded King Fries are marked as gluten-free in terms of ingredients, they may come into contact with gluten during cooking. Therefore, they are not safe for anyone with coeliac disease.

For individuals avoiding gluten for other reasons, the fries could be an option as long as they are aware of the potential cross-contamination risk

Where is the Burger King allergen menu?

You can view the official Burger King allergen guide here.

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To Sum Up

To sum up, while Burger King offers a variety of menu items, the options for those with coeliac disease are extremely limited.

Here’s a summary of what coeliacs can consider and what to avoid:

Safe Options for Coeliacs

• Some side dishes
• Garden Side Salad (without croutons)
• Apple slices
• Some beverages (soft drinks)
• Some desserts (some ice creams)

Items to Avoid

• All burgers and sandwiches (even without buns due to cross-contamination risks)
• Fries (due to shared fryers)
• Chicken items (nuggets, royales, fries)
• Onion rings
• Chilli cheese bites
• Veggie and vegan options (contain gluten)
• Milkshakes and desserts (cross-contamination risk)

A Cheeky Plea to Burger King

Hey, Burger King! We get it – you’re the cool kid of fast food. But right now, you’re about as inclusive as a velvet rope at an exclusive club, and coeliacs are definitely not on the guest list.

Imagine the coeliac community’s excitement when we walk up to your counter, only to be met with a menu that’s basically a gluten minefield.

Our hopes? Crushed faster than your flame-grilled patties. We’re not asking for the world – just a chance to enjoy a burger without playing digestive roulette.

Come on, BK! Other chains are stepping up their gluten-free game.

Are you really going to let Ronald McDonald show you up? A few dedicated fryers, some gluten-free buns, and you’d have an entire community of loyal customers who’d worship the ground your restaurant stands on.

Until then, we’ll be over here, sadly munching on our garden salad and dreaming of the day we can bite into a proper Whopper.

No pressure, but the coeliac community is watching… and we’re hungry! 🍔🚫🌾

It’s crucial for coeliacs to be aware that Burger King UK does not offer gluten-free buns or have dedicated gluten-free preparation areas. Even items without gluten ingredients may be subject to cross-contamination.

Always inform staff of your dietary requirements and exercise caution when dining at Burger King. For those with coeliac disease, it may be safer to choose alternative dining options that can better accommodate gluten-free needs.

Stay safe and gluten-aware, my fabulous coeliac friends! 💖🥗

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