The Ultimate Whataburger Gluten-Free Menu Guide For 2025
Tasty burgers shouldn’t mean gambling with your health, so with our Whataburger gluten-free menu guide, we’ll show you how to order a burger safely.
Burgers and celiacs have a very complicated, messy relationship. Everyone loves hamburgers, and there’s no crowd hungrier for a juicy, mouthwatering handheld than celiacs like me. 🍔
However, fast-food burger chains have always fallen far behind most other restaurants when gluten-friendliness is concerned, and only a few have even adopted gluten-free buns. 🥪🍞
With such a poor track record in catering to celiacs and those who are sensitive to gluten, can Whataburger fill in the gap instead? Sadly, it looks like we have to keep on searching. 🍅🧀
Whataburger doesn’t offer gluten-free bun options, though you could customize your burgers and sandwiches to be “bun-less” or modify your salads to exclude breaded components. 🥓
However, while removing the bun and breading, as well as favoring plain grilled proteins and opting for simple toppings, does remove one major gluten threat, that doesn’t make it safe!
Given how bad the cross-contact is, consider skipping this icon of fast, made-to-order burgers and Texan comfort food, so follow along our Whataburger gluten-free guide to learn more.
Table of Contents
Disclaimer
Speaking of, it’s vital to bear in mind that Whataburger does not operate a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, and therefore, cross-contamination and trace gluten exposure are highly possible.
In other words, their grills, fryers, prep counters, buns, toasters, cookware, utensils, and more are all shared across many wheat-containing and glutenous items on their menu. 👉🚫🌾
This basically means that even with their menu items that technically contain no wheat or are naturally wheat-free, they could still pick up traces of wheat or gluten allergens from elsewhere.
As such, even with some of the safer items on Whataburger’s menu, ideally, you should treat them more like “gluten-sensitive” rather than being 100%, certified “gluten-free”. 🥪🍔🍟
Besides, like most restaurants, Whataburger doesn’t test its menu items to meet the FDA’s very strict <20 ppm gluten threshold for any food or drink to be labeled “gluten-free”. 🧪
With such high cross-contamination risks, request extra precaution from the staff, like using fresh gloves, new utensils, no shared cutting board, no toast, and a clean plate for serving.
Whataburger Allergen Policy (Gluten-Free)
With that said, at least Whataburger makes it pretty easy for you to filter out their menu for the items you want to avoid, and it starts by heading over to the Whataburger website. 🌐
Unlike most other restaurants, Whataburger doesn’t have a dedicated allergen guide, but it does have a detailed Nutritional Information PDF file that you could refer to instead. 🥗🥐
This PDF file contains a detailed breakdown of the nutritional value for every single item that you’ll find on the Whataburger menu, including nutritional data like calories, fiber, and carbs.
This might come in handy if you’re especially conscious about your dietary intake. Otherwise, for celiacs who are looking for a comprehensive allergen breakdown, you’ll need their menu.
- Using the online Whataburger menu page, all you have to do now is click on a specific menu item, customize and modify it however you’d like, and then scroll all the way down. 🍗🌶️
- On the product page, you will find a link that says “Additional nutrition information available upon request.” Clicking on this gives you the nutritional data, allergen data, and ingredients.
- The “Allergens” list is what we’re really after, and for celiacs, in particular, avoid anything on the Whataburger menu that specifically contains “Wheat” and “Gluten” allergens. 🍔🍟🥓
- You can also see here how modifying a specific menu item excludes or adds certain allergens. For example, choosing the “No Bun” option on a hamburger removes “Wheat” and “Gluten”.
- The ingredients list below is another great way to filter out Whataburger’s menu, so if you’re gluten intolerant, avoid ingredients like wheat flour, malted barley flour, and wheat gluten.
Breakfast
If you’re thinking about starting your day with a plate full of Whataburger, then you may be interested in their huge breakfast menu, though sadly, celiacs need not apply. 🥞🍯🧇
❌ Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit
❌ Biscuit Sandwich with Bacon
❌ Biscuit and Gravy
❌ Pancake Platter
❌ Biscuit with Bacon
❌ Biscuit with Sausage
❌ Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuit
❌ Biscuit
❌ Taquito with Cheese
❌ Cinnamon Roll
⚠️ Hash Brown Sticks
❌ Pancakes
❌ Breakfast Platter
❌ Breakfast On A Bun
❌ Biscuit Sandwich
❌ Breakfast Burger
❌ Breakfast Bowl
❌ Egg Sandwich
❌ Egg and Cheese Biscuit
To figure out why these breakfast goodies are so hazardous to celiacs, let’s take a closer look:
Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit: A fried chicken filet coated and served inside a buttery buttermilk biscuit. The biscuit contains enriched wheat flour and is baked in shared bakery areas, so this sandwich is unsafe for celiac diners due to its high gluten content and cross-contact.
Biscuit Sandwich with Bacon: Crispy bacon and egg served on a warm buttermilk biscuit. The biscuit base contains wheat flour and is prepared alongside other breaded items, creating both direct gluten in the biscuit and a high cross-contact risk for celiacs.
Biscuit and Gravy: Flaky buttermilk biscuit smothered in white sausage gravy. The biscuit contains wheat flour, and the gravy may be thickened with wheat flour. Between the shared prep stations and the shared utensils, they make this dish unsafe for anyone avoiding gluten.
Pancake Platter: Fluffy pancakes served with eggs and a protein choice. Pancakes are made from wheat flour batter and cooked on shared griddles that also handle waffles and breads, so this entire breakfast platter contains gluten and poses cross-contact risk.
Biscuit with Bacon: A simple buttermilk biscuit served with bacon. The biscuit is made from enriched wheat flour, and they’re also baked/handled in the same stations as other baked goods; therefore, it contains gluten, and it’s not safe for celiac diners.
Biscuit with Sausage: Buttermilk biscuit paired with a breakfast sausage patty. The biscuit contains wheat flour, and while the sausage may be gluten-free by ingredient, shared prep surfaces and the biscuit’s presence make this unsafe for strict gluten avoidance.
Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuit: Cheesy biscuit flecked with jalapeño peppers, baked from wheat flour dough. The biscuit’s core recipe contains gluten and is produced in shared bakery spaces, so this item is unsafe for people with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity.
Biscuit: Classic buttermilk biscuit baked from enriched wheat flour. As a straight wheat-based bakery item prepared alongside other breaded products, the biscuit plainly contains gluten and should be avoided by celiac diners or anyone requiring strict gluten avoidance.
Taquito with Cheese: A rolled flour tortilla filled with melted cheese and fried or baked. The tortilla is made from wheat flour according to Whataburger’s allergen guide, so this taquito contains gluten in abundance, and it’s unsafe for celiacs or if you’re gluten intolerant.
Cinnamon Roll: Sweet yeast or dough-rolled pastry finished with icing. The cinnamon roll is prepared from wheat-containing dough and baked with other pastries, so it contains gluten and poses a cross-contact risk for anyone with celiac disease.
Hash Brown Sticks: Shredded potato sticks are formed and fried until crisp. While potatoes themselves are gluten-free by ingredient, many locations handle or fry them near breaded items, so confirm their frying practices to gauge the cross-contamination risks.
Pancakes: Individual pancakes made from a wheat flour batter and cooked on shared griddles. Because the batter contains gluten and the griddles are used for other wheat items, these are unsafe for strict gluten-free diets and celiacs.
Breakfast Platter: Combination breakfast (eggs, pancakes or biscuits, protein) featuring wheat-based pancakes or biscuits. With biscuits/pancakes included, this platter contains gluten and also carries a significant cross-contact risk from shared prep stations and utensils.
Breakfast On A Bun: Eggs and protein served on a white bun or roll. The bun is baked from enriched wheat flour and handled with other breads, so the sandwich contains gluten and is unsafe for celiac diners unless a certified gluten-free bun is available (it isn’t, sadly).
Biscuit Sandwich: Egg, cheese, and optional protein served on a buttermilk biscuit. The biscuit contains wheat flour and is prepared in shared bakery areas, so this sandwich is not safe for people with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance.
Breakfast Burger: Burger-style breakfast sandwich on a white bun with egg and cheese. The bun is wheat-based and often toasted with other bread items, making this entrée contain gluten and carry pretty severe cross-contact risks for celiac diners.
Breakfast Bowl: Bowl typically built with biscuit pieces, eggs, cheese, and meat. Because the bowl contains biscuit components made from wheat flour and may be assembled on shared lines, it contains gluten and is unsafe for strict gluten avoidance.
Egg Sandwich: Fried or folded egg served on a white bun or roll. The bun contains enriched wheat flour. Plus, even if the egg is gluten-free by ingredient, the sandwich is unsafe due to the wheat-based bun and the shared handling procedures.
Egg and Cheese Biscuit: Scrambled or fried egg and melted cheese tucked into a buttermilk biscuit. The biscuit is wheat-based, and preparation near other wheat and breaded items increases cross-contact risk, so this item is unsafe for celiacs.
Pretty much Whataburger’s entire breakfast menu is built with buttermilk biscuits, pancakes, tortilla wraps, and burger buns, all of which are wheat-based, with no substitutes. 🥯🌯🌮
Burgers & Chicken Sandwich
Whataburger’s namesake selection of burgers and chicken sandwiches is to die for, though that might be a bit too literal if you’re a celiac, as not every burger here is safe. 🥪🍔🍟🍗
❌ Bacon Wrangler Double
⚠️ Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger
⚠️ Whataburger Patty Melt
❌ Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich
⚠️ Whataburger
⚠️ Double Meat Whataburger
⚠️ Triple Meat Whataburger
⚠️ Jalapeño & Cheese Whataburger
⚠️ Bacon & Cheese Whataburger
⚠️ Avocado Bacon Burger
⚠️ Whataburger Jr.
⚠️ Double Meat Whataburger Jr.
❌ Whatachick’n Sandwich
⚠️ Grilled Chicken Sandwich
❌ Spicy Chicken Sandwich
❌ Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich
For comparison, let’s break these burgers apart and see what they’re actually made of:
Bacon Wrangler Double: Two beef patties topped with crispy bacon, cheese, and ranch-style sauce on a wheat bun. Whataburger’s allergen guide flags this item for wheat, even if you’re ordering it bun-less, likely due to breaded/coating or the individual sauce ingredients.
Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger: Beef patty, smoked bacon, sweet-spicy glaze, and cheese on a wheat bun. Removing the bun removes the primary wheat source, but request separate prep and clean utensils to avoid cross-contact on shared grills and stations.
Whataburger Patty Melt: Beef patty, grilled onions, and cheese served between grilled Texas toast. If ordered without the toast (no bun), the patties and toppings are wheat-free by ingredient. However, the grilled bread and shared griddle present high cross-contact risks.
Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich: Breaded chicken strips tossed in honey BBQ sauce on a wheat bun. The chicken is breaded and contains wheat, and there’s no bun-less alternative to remove all that gluten, so this is unsafe for celiacs, even with modifications in mind.
Whataburger: Signature beef patty with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onions on a wheat bun. Order it bun-less (aka “no bun”) to remove the primary wheat component, but insist on separate handling and no shared toasting to reduce cross-contact on shared surfaces.
Double Meat Whataburger: Two beef patties with standard toppings on a wheat bun. The patties themselves are gluten-free by ingredient, but the bun contains wheat, so ordering it bun-less removes the main gluten source, while still requiring cross-contact precautions.
Triple Meat Whataburger: Three beef patties with classic toppings on a wheat bun. Like the double, the meat is typically wheat-free, but the bun contains gluten, so no-bun orders help to reduce the ingredient risk, yet still face shared-grill and assembly cross-contact risks.
Jalapeño & Cheese Whataburger: Beef patty topped with jalapeños and melted cheese on a wheat bun. The toppings are usually gluten-free by ingredient, but make sure you order it bun-less, and ask for careful prep to minimize cross-contact on shared equipment and toasts.
Bacon & Cheese Whataburger: Beef patty with bacon and cheese served on a wheat bun. Removing the bun eliminates the main wheat ingredient, but ask for separate handling, as bacon or prep surfaces may come into contact with breaded items in busy kitchens.
Avocado Bacon Burger: Beef patty topped with avocado, bacon, and cheese on a wheat bun. Avocado and bacon are gluten-free by ingredient, and ordering it without the bun removes primary gluten, but you’ll still want the staff to use clean utensils and a fresh plate.
Whataburger Jr.: Smaller version of the classic patty and toppings on a wheat bun. The bun contains wheat, so ordering it bun-less removes the primary source of gluten, though cross-contact risks persist from shared grills, toasters, and handling practices.
Double Meat Whataburger Jr.: Two smaller patties with toppings on a wheat bun. The same guidance as the Single Jr applies… Patties are typically wheat-free by ingredient, but request the bun-less option and insist on clean prep to reduce cross-contact risks.
Whatachick’n Sandwich: Breaded chicken filet with lettuce and pickles on a wheat bun. The chicken is breaded and contains wheat in the coating. Because the filet itself contains gluten, removing the bun will not make this safe for celiacs.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich: Grilled chicken breast with standard toppings on a wheat bun. The chicken is generally gluten-free by ingredient when grilled plain, and ordering it without the bun and requesting separate handling can substantially reduce risk, but cross-contact risks remain possible.
Spicy Chicken Sandwich: Breaded, seasoned spicy chicken filet on a wheat bun. The chicken’s breading contains wheat and cannot be removed by skipping the bun, so this sandwich remains unsafe for celiac diners even if you order it bun-less.
Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich: Breaded chicken strips tossed in Buffalo ranch-style sauce on a wheat bun. There is no bun-less option, and the strips are breaded, so the dish contains wheat in the coating, and it’s unsafe for celiacs.
While some burgers are off-limits by default, others could be ordered bun-less to remove the wheat buns from the equation, making them safer, though be wary of cross-contact. 🚫🌾
Kids & Jr. Meals
For the young’uns dining out at Whataburger, their menu has a decent selection of kid-sized meals and Jr. burgers, though if your kids are celiacs, approach with lots of caution. 🍔🍟
❌ Justaburger
❌ Whatachick’n Strips 2 Piece
❌ Whatachick’n Bites 4 Piece
❌ Grilled Cheese
❌ Bacon Wrangler Double Jr.
❌ Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich Jr.
⚠️ Whataburger Jr.
❌ Double Meat Whataburger Jr.
⚠️ Whataburger Jr. with Bacon & Cheese
⚠️ Double Meat Whataburger Jr. with Cheese
⚠️ Whataburger Patty Melt Jr.
❌ Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich Jr.
⚠️ Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger Jr.
Just so we’re absolutely sure that these burgers could be made safe, let’s take a closer peek:
Justaburger: Single beef patty with standard toppings on a wheat bun or served bun-less on request. Per Whataburger’s allergen guide, this item still lists wheat/gluten risks beyond the bun, so it’s unsafe for strict celiacs even when you order it bun-less.
Whatachick’n Strips 2 Piece: Two breaded and fried chicken strips served with a side, though the coating contains wheat flour. The breading makes this item unsafe for celiac diners, and shared fryers/utensils further increase cross-contamination risks.
Whatachick’n Bites 4 Piece: Bite-size breaded chicken pieces, breaded and deep-fried. The coating contains wheat and is handled on shared equipment, so this kid’s favorite is not safe for anyone who must avoid gluten strictly.
Grilled Cheese: Melted cheese between toasted wheat bread. The sandwich is built on wheat bread and toasted on shared griddles with other wheat items, making it unsafe for people with celiac disease unless a certified gluten-free bread and separate prep line exist.
Bacon Wrangler Double Jr.: Double beef patties with bacon and ranch-style toppings on wheat bread. Whataburger’s allergen guide flags wheat/gluten even for a bun-less order, suggesting that other components or the prep introduce gluten, so this Jr. entrée is unsafe for celiacs.
Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich Jr.: Breaded chicken strips tossed in buffalo-style sauce on a wheat bun. Breaded strips contain wheat in the coating and are prepared on shared surfaces. Because the filet itself contains gluten, this item is unsafe even without the bun.
Whataburger Jr.: Smaller version of the signature burger on a wheat bun. Ordering it bun-less removes the obvious wheat source and makes it a tiny bit safer by ingredient, though insist on separate prep, clean utensils, and no shared toasting for reduced cross-contact risk.
Double Meat Whataburger Jr.: Two patties with standard toppings, typically on a wheat bun. Despite a bun-less option, Whataburger’s allergen guide indicates wheat/gluten risks remain, likely due to sauces, seasonings, or shared prep, so treat this as unsafe for strict celiacs.
Whataburger Jr. with Bacon & Cheese: Junior patty topped with bacon and cheese on a wheat bun. If ordered without the bun, this removes the primary wheat ingredient, but cross-contact risks from grills and handling remain, so request separate prep and fresh gloves.
Double Meat Whataburger Jr. with Cheese: Two small patties with extra cheese on a wheat bun. Ordering without the bun removes the main gluten ingredient, but shared equipment and possible sauce/seasoning contamination mean you should ask staff for careful handling.
Whataburger Patty Melt Jr.: Beef patty with grilled onions and cheese served on toasted Texas-style bread. If the bread is omitted, the patties and toppings are wheat-free by ingredient, but the griddle and bread prep are high-risk cross-contact areas, so order this with caution.
Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich Jr.: Breaded chicken strips glazed in honey BBQ sauce on a wheat bun. The chicken is breaded with wheat-containing coating, and there’s no safe bun-less workaround for the coating itself, so this item is unsafe for celiacs.
Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger Jr.: Beef patty with bacon and sweet-spicy glaze on a wheat bun. Removing the bun eliminates the main wheat source, but the glaze, bacon handling, and shared surfaces can introduce cross-contact, so request clean utensils and separate prep.
Just like the adult-sized burgers, some of these handhelds could be ordered bun-less to be rid of the primary gluten source, the bun. Still, be wary of high cross-contamination risks. 🍗🌶️
Salads, Sides & Chicken
Whether you’re looking for something light or to complement your entrée, Whataburger has quite a healthy selection of fresh salads, side dishes, and deep-fried poultry, too. 🥗🍎🍟
⚠️ Cobb Salad
⚠️ Apple & Cranberry Chicken Salad
⚠️ Garden Salad
✅ Apple Slices
⚠️ Family Fry Box
⚠️ French Fries
❌ Onion Rings
❌ Whatachick’n Strips
❌ Whatachick’n Bites
❌ WhataWings Bundle (Buffalo)
❌ WhataWings Bundle (Honey Butter)
❌ WhataWings Bundle (Plain)
❌ WhataWings Bundle (Honey BBQ)
❌ WhataWings Bundle (Sweet & Spicy)
❌ WhataWings 9 Piece (Buffalo)
❌ WhataWings 9 Piece (Honey Butter)
❌ WhataWings 9 Piece (Plain)
❌ WhataWings 9 Piece (Honey BBQ)
❌ WhataWings 9 Piece (Sweet & Spicy)
For context, let’s take an even closer look at each item here and see what they’re made of:
Cobb Salad: Romaine and mixed greens topped with cheese, egg, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, and a chicken filet option. The default chicken may be breaded, so choose grilled chicken or no chicken to avoid wheat. Ask for dressing on the side and separate prep to reduce cross-contact.
Apple & Cranberry Chicken Salad: Mixed greens with apple slices, dried cranberries, cheese, and a chicken filet. If the menu uses breaded chicken by default, swap to grilled chicken or skip the chicken entirely to be safe. Request fresh gloves, a clean utensil, and dressing on the side.
Garden Salad: Crisp mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, and shredded cheese, and it’s served with your choice of chicken. The salad is wheat-free by ingredient if you order grilled chicken or no chicken, but the breaded chicken options introduce gluten, and shared tongs increase cross-contact risk.
Apple Slices: Pre-sliced fresh apples served as a kid-friendly side. Ingredient-wise, this is naturally wheat-free, and it’s pretty low-risk. Still, ask the staff to serve with clean tongs and away from pastry stations to avoid crumb contamination for highly sensitive celiacs.
Family Fry Box: Large portion of seasoned French fries intended for sharing. Fries are wheat-free by ingredient when not battered. Ask whether fryers are shared with breaded items, and if they’re fried separately, this is a safe choice. Otherwise, treat as a slight cross-contact risk.
French Fries: Classic cut fries seasoned and cooked to order. By ingredients, these are wheat-free, but shared fryers or oil used for breaded items can cause cross-contact, so remember to ask the Whataburger staff whether the fry oil is used exclusively for fries to lower risk.
Onion Rings: Sliced onions dipped in a wheat-based batter and deep-fried. The batter contains wheat flour, and the rings are cooked in shared fryers, making this item unsafe for celiacs and anyone who must avoid gluten completely.
Whatachick’n Strips: Breaded chicken strip filets coated in seasoned wheat batter and fried. The coating contains wheat, and strips are fried/handled near other wheat products, so this menu item is not safe for strict gluten avoidance.
Whatachick’n Bites: Bite-sized breaded chicken pieces, breaded and deep-fried. The batter contains wheat, and handling/frying shared with other wheat items raises cross-contact risk, so avoid these if you need a strictly gluten-free meal.
WhataWings Bundle (Buffalo): Packaged bundle of wings tossed in Buffalo sauce. Per the Whataburger allergen guide, these wings are flagged for wheat, likely due to preparation or seasoning, so the full bundle is unsafe for strict celiacs.
WhataWings Bundle (Honey Butter): Wing bundle finished with a honey-butter glaze. Even if the glaze seems simple, Whataburger’s allergen guide lists these wings as containing wheat, making the bundle unsafe for people with celiac disease.
WhataWings Bundle (Plain): Plain-seasoned wings sold as a bundle. Despite appearing unbreaded, these are flagged for wheat in the official allergen guide, likely due to the seasoning or the shared prep, so they’re unsafe for strict gluten avoidance.
WhataWings Bundle (Honey BBQ): Wings tossed in a honey BBQ glaze and packaged as a bundle. The official Whataburger allergen guide lists this flavor as containing wheat, so avoid the entire bundle if you have celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance.
WhataWings Bundle (Sweet & Spicy): Wings coated in sweet-and-spicy sauce and sold in a bundle. Although sauces often don’t contain wheat, Whataburger flags these wing bundles for wheat, so avoid this for strict gluten-free diets due to ingredient/prep concerns.
WhataWings 9 Piece (Buffalo): Nine-piece order of Buffalo wings. Whataburger’s allergen guide flags these as containing wheat, so the wings are unsafe for strict celiacs, but ask the restaurant for extra details, only if you’re comfortable with the added risk.
WhataWings 9 Piece (Honey Butter): Nine-piece honey-butter wings that the allergen guide identifies as containing wheat, and it might be the glaze, the seasoning, or the prep line that introduces gluten, so this order is not celiac-safe, regardless.
WhataWings 9 Piece (Plain): Nine plain wings. Though plain wings often appear safe, Whataburger flags them for wheat in the allergen guide, so do not order these if you must avoid gluten strictly.
WhataWings 9 Piece (Honey BBQ): Nine wings in honey BBQ sauce flagged by the allergen guide as containing wheat and gluten allergens, thus making them unsafe for celiacs or if you’re strictly gluten-free.
WhataWings 9 Piece (Sweet & Spicy): Nine-piece sweet-and-spicy wings listed as containing wheat by the allergen guide, so avoid them if you’re a celiac, not to mention those requiring strict gluten avoidance, too.
Unsurprisingly, all of the chicken-based dishes are unsafe due to the wheat breading, and it’s the same story with Whataburger’s salads, as well, leaving you with few safe options. 🍗🌶️
Desserts & Snacks
For a sweet finisher to your trip down to the local Whataburger, their fairly small but hearty selection of desserts and snacks might do it for you, but not if you’re a celiac like me. 🍪🍫
❌ Hot Apple Pies
❌ Brownie
❌ Graham Crackers
✅ Fruit Chews
❌ Cinnamon Roll
❌ Cookie
To get an idea as to why these sweets and desserts are unsafe for celiacs, let’s take a peek:
Hot Apple Pies: Flaky baked pastry filled with spiced apples, sugar, and butter. The crust is made with wheat flour and baked in shared ovens, creating both ingredient-level gluten and cross-contact risks, so this is unsafe for celiac diners.
Brownie: Dense chocolate baked bar made from wheat flour, cocoa, sugar, eggs, and butter. Because the recipe uses wheat flour and is prepared on shared baking surfaces, brownies are not safe for strict gluten avoidance.
Graham Crackers: Crisp, sweet crackers made from wheat-containing graham flour, sugar, and oil. These are explicitly made with wheat, and they’re often used as dessert crusts, so they contain gluten and are unsafe for celiacs.
Fruit Chews: Individually wrapped chewy fruit candies made mainly from fruit puree, sugar, and pectin. By ingredient, these are typically wheat-free, and because they are prepackaged, they pose a low cross-contact risk, but always check the wrapper for specific allergen details.
Cinnamon Roll: Soft, sweet roll made from enriched wheat flour, cinnamon sugar, and icing. The dough contains wheat and is baked in the same facility and ovens as other bakery items, thus making this unsafe for anyone requiring strict gluten avoidance.
Cookie: Classic bakery cookie made with wheat flour, sugar, butter, and mix-ins. Cookies are baked from wheat-based dough and handled near other bakery items, so they contain gluten and are unsafe for celiacs, as well as folks who are highly gluten intolerant.
Whataburger’s pastries, sweets, and baked goods aren’t just made with wheat flour in mind, but they’re also baked in shared ovens, further increasing the cross-contact risks. 🎂🍰🥧
Drinks & Shakes
Like most restaurants, drinks are a rather safe option for celiacs, but Whataburger’s shakes present a slight challenge with their glutenous malt drinks that you ought to avoid. 🥤☕🍵
❌ Blackberry Dr Pepper Malt
❌ Vanilla Malt
❌ Chocolate Malt
❌ Strawberry Malt
✅ Blackberry Dr Pepper Shake
✅ Iced Coffee (Regular)
✅ Iced Coffee (Vanilla)
✅ Iced Coffee (Caramel)
✅ Hot Coffee
✅ Craft Lemonade
✅ 75th Anniversary Cup
✅ Prickly Pear Raspberry
✅ Hot Coffee with Vanilla and Sweet Cream
✅ Hot Coffee with Caramel and Sweet Cream
✅ Coca-Cola Classic
✅ Coke Zero Sugar
✅ Diet Coke
✅ Sprite
✅ Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade
✅ Dr Pepper
✅ Diet Dr Pepper
✅ Barq’s Root Beer
✅ Fanta Strawberry
✅ Powerade Mountain Berry Blast
✅ Unsweet Tea
✅ Sweet Tea
✅ Half Sweet Tea & Half Unsweet Tea
✅ Half Unsweet Tea & Half Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade
✅ Half Sweet Tea & Half Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade
✅ Water
✅ Vanilla Shake
✅ Chocolate Shake
✅ Strawberry Shake
✅ Honest Apple Juice
✅ Simply Orange Juice
✅ 1% Regular Milk
✅ 1% Chocolate Milk
Just to be safe, let’s take a closer look at each beverage and figure out what they’re made of:
Blackberry Dr Pepper Shake: Creamy shake blended with Dr Pepper syrup and blackberry flavor, made from ice cream and milk. The ingredients are wheat-free, but ask staff about shared blenders or spoons to reduce cross-contact.
Blackberry Dr Pepper Malt: Similar to the shake but finished with malt powder. Malted milk powders frequently contain barley or other glutenous ingredients, so this malt is flagged as containing gluten and is unsafe for celiacs.
Iced Coffee (Regular): Brewed coffee served chilled over ice. Coffee itself contains no gluten, but request a clean pitcher and no pastry garnishes to avoid cross-contact from bakery areas.
Iced Coffee (Vanilla): Chilled brewed coffee sweetened with vanilla syrup and milk. Vanilla syrup and milk are typically wheat-free, yet confirm the syrup ingredients and ask for a clean dispenser and cup to reduce cross-contact.
Iced Coffee (Caramel): Iced coffee with caramel syrup and milk. By ingredient, this drink is gluten-free, but shared pumps and machines can introduce trace contamination, so request a fresh pour if you’re highly sensitive.
Hot Coffee: Plain-brewed coffee served hot. Coffee is naturally gluten-free by ingredient, but ensure that it’s prepared away from pastry stations and that any flavor shots are verified gluten-free to minimize cross-contact.
Craft Lemonade: Fresh lemonade made from lemon, sugar, and water (often with some flavor options). The ingredients are gluten-free by recipe, though ask that it be poured fresh to reduce fountain-nozzle cross-contact risks.
75th Anniversary Cup: Promotional beverage or bundled drink, typically a fountain or specialty item prepared from standard syrups. It’s generally gluten-free by ingredient, but confirm any special mix-ins and request a clean pour to avoid cross-contact.
Prickly Pear Raspberry: Fruit-forward fountain or specialty drink made with fruit syrup and soda. Syrups are usually gluten-free, though double-check the ingredient list and request a fresh pour to avoid shared-nozzle contamination.
Hot Coffee with Vanilla and Sweet Cream: Hot brewed coffee finished with vanilla syrup and a sweet cream topper. The ingredients are typically wheat-free, but confirm syrup composition and ask for clean tools near baked goods to reduce cross-contact.
Hot Coffee with Caramel and Sweet Cream: Hot coffee with caramel syrup and sweet cream. Caramel and cream ingredients generally don’t contain wheat, yet shared dispensers and pastry stations create cross-contact risk for highly sensitive diners.
Coca-Cola Classic: Classic cola syrup mixed with carbonated water. The syrup formulation does not contain wheat, making this a low-risk, gluten-free beverage, but you might prefer sealed bottles if you want zero dispenser contact.
Coke Zero Sugar: Zero-sugar cola using diet syrup and carbonation. There are no wheat ingredients in the formula, but choose bottled or request a wiped fountain nozzle if you’re avoiding any dispenser cross-contact.
Diet Coke: Diet cola syrup and carbonation. Diet Coke’s ingredient list lacks wheat, making it gluten-free by recipe, but sealed bottles minimize any shared-dispenser concerns for sensitive diners.
Sprite: Lemon-lime carbonated soda made from flavor syrup and water. Sprite contains no wheat ingredients and is safe by recipe, and bottled drinks further reduce cross-contact risk.
Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade: Low-calorie lemonade syrup and water. Ingredients are wheat-free by recipe, but request a fresh pour and avoid any pastry garnishes to reduce cross-contact.
Dr Pepper: Spiced cola-like syrup with carbonation. Dr Pepper contains no wheat ingredients in standard formulations, and order a sealed bottle or ask for a clean nozzle to avoid shared-dispense contact.
Diet Dr Pepper: Diet version of Dr Pepper with no wheat in the ingredient list. This is safe by recipe, but consider bottled options or fresh pours for the most cautious approach.
Barq’s Root Beer: Root beer syrup and carbonation. Barq’s is gluten-free by ingredient, and bottled formats are the safest choice to avoid shared fountain contamination.
Fanta Strawberry: Fruit-flavored soda using strawberry syrup and carbonation. Syrup-based sodas typically lack wheat ingredients, but check for unusual additives and favor sealed bottles for minimal cross-contact.
Powerade Mountain Berry Blast: Sports drink in bottle or fountain form. Powerade’s ingredients do not include wheat, making it gluten-free by recipe, and factory-sealed bottles are very low risk.
Unsweet Tea: Brewed tea without additives. Tea leaves contain no gluten, but request that it be prepared away from pastry areas and have it served in a clean cup to minimize crumbs or cross-contact.
Sweet Tea: Brewed tea sweetened with sugar. By ingredient, this is gluten-free, but if the serving area is near baked goods, ask the staff to confirm clean handling and that no cookie garnishes are accidentally mixed in.
Half Sweet Tea & Half Unsweet Tea: Mixed ratio of brewed sweet and unsweet tea. The ingredients remain wheat-free, but ensure the same caution for clean dispensers and fresh pours to avoid any shared-nozzle issues.
Half Unsweet Tea & Half Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade: A half-and-half mix of brewed tea and zero-sugar lemonade. All the components are gluten-free by ingredient, though shared dispensers can cause trace contamination, and request a fresh pour.
Half Sweet Tea & Half Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade: A sweet-and-lemonade mix made with brewed tea and lemonade syrup. The components are wheat-free, though ask for clean dispenser handling to avoid cross-contact hazards.
Water: Bottled or filtered water. Factory-sealed bottled water is effectively zero risk for gluten cross-contact, and it’s the safest beverage option here for celiacs.
Vanilla Shake: Milkshake blended with vanilla ice cream and milk. By ingredient, this shake is gluten-free, but blenders and scoops are shared, so ask staff to use a clean blender and utensils to reduce cross-contact.
Chocolate Shake: Classic milkshake made from chocolate ice cream and milk. The ingredients are typically wheat-free, but request fresh, dedicated blending and a clean straw to minimize cross-contact with bakery items.
Strawberry Shake: Fruit or strawberry-swirled milkshake made from ice cream and milk. They’re usually free from wheat ingredients, but insist on a clean blender, spoon, and no cookie/brownie mix-ins to avoid cross-contact.
Vanilla Malt: Vanilla shake blended with malt powder. Malt powders often include barley or other glutenous components, and this malt is flagged as containing gluten and is unsafe for celiacs.
Chocolate Malt: Chocolate shake plus malt powder. Because malted milk powders may contain glutenous ingredients like barley, this malt has been flagged as containing gluten, and it’s also unsafe for strict gluten avoidance.
Strawberry Malt: Strawberry shake finished with malt powder. Malt additions are commonly derived from barley, so this malt is listed as containing gluten and is unsafe for celiac diners, like the other malt drinks here.
Honest Apple Juice: Factory-sealed apple juice bottle. Sealed juice contains no wheat ingredients, and it presents effectively zero cross-contact risk, making it a safe beverage for those avoiding gluten.
Simply Orange Juice: Factory-sealed orange juice. Sealed orange juice is gluten-free by ingredient, and it’s one of the safest options since it avoids shared dispensers and cross-contact.
1% Regular Milk: Pasteurized low-fat milk in sealed carton or dispenser. Milk itself contains no wheat, and the sealed packaging is a very low-risk option for gluten-sensitive diners.
1% Chocolate Milk: Chocolate-flavored milk made with milk and cocoa syrup. Ingredients are typically wheat-free, but verify any added flavorings and opt for sealed cartons to keep cross-contact minimal.
While most of the other drinks are fine gluten-wise, remember that cross-contact risks are a very real hazard, so consider a clean pour or order exclusively sealed drinks instead. 🧃🍹
To Sum Up
Like most of its fast-food burger joint compatriots, Whataburger is a bit of a mixed bag if you are planning to dine there as a celiac, given how few safe options you’d really have. 🍔🍟
Never mind the pancakes, biscuits, and breaded chicken fillets; some of their burgers could be made a smidge safer by ordering them without the bun (aka, a “bun-less” burger). 🥪🚫🍞
However, even when you order them bun-less, the burger stations present such severe cross-contamination risks that I’m not personally comfortable ordering any of their handhelds. 🌯
So, with Whataburger’s signature menu item out of the picture, what else do they have that might satisfy a hungry celiac? Well, it’s certainly none of their deep-fried chicken dishes, sadly.
As a celiac, then, that basically just leaves you with Whataburger’s small selection of sides or salads, and even then, you have to deal with custom orders and cross-contamination, as well.
As a whole, I wouldn’t really consider dining at Whataburger as a celiac, and unless you have really high gluten tolerance, it might be worth checking out burgers somewhere else! 🍗🌶️
In the meantime, if you want recommendations on other restaurants with plenty of gluten-free items, make sure to stay tuned to us here at Great Without Gluten for even more celiac-friendly and gluten-free eating out guides! ✍📝
And, while you’re here, you might also want to check out my other eating out guides and some tasty gluten‑free recipes!
If you’re craving other fast-food or casual dining chains and gourmet meals, do check out my other celiacs-friendly, gluten-free dining out guides to First Watch, Potbelly, Red Lobster, Yard House, LongHorn, Pei Wei, Wendy’s, Cheddar’s, Bob Evans, BJ’s, Maggiano’s, Carrabba’s, MOD Pizza, Little Caesars, Qdoba, and more! 🍔🍟🍗
Stay safe and gluten‑aware, my celiac friends! 💖🥗
Frequently Asked Questions
As I was working on this Whataburger gluten-free menu guide, I came across a few intriguing questions floating around foodie forums and social media, so here’s what I think of them:
Is Whataburger gluten-free?
No. Whataburger is not a gluten-free restaurant. While some menu items don’t contain wheat by ingredient, they use shared grills, fryers, and prep areas, so cross-contamination is possible, and most of their signature menu items rely heavily on wheat components, like burger buns.
What Whataburger items are gluten-free or safe for celiacs?
There are some lower-risk choices here, like bun-less burgers, bottled drinks, and some of their salads (without breaded chicken), though avoid the biscuits, pancakes, breaded chicken, malts, and bakery items. Otherwise, most of Whataburger’s menu uses a lot of wheat components.
Does Whataburger offer a gluten-free menu or gluten-free options?
Whataburger doesn’t have a dedicated gluten-free menu. However, they do allow for special orders, like bun-less burgers, which would remove the primary wheat component from a dish, but that doesn’t fully remove the cross-contact risk, which applies to all of their hamburgers.
Are Whataburger fries and shakes gluten-free?
French fries may be wheat-free by ingredient, but cross-contact can occur if fryers are shared with breaded items. As for Whataburger’s shakes, most shakes are wheat-free by ingredient, but their special malt variations contain malt powder (barley), and they’re safe for celiacs.
How should I order at Whataburger to minimize gluten cross-contamination?
Make sure you tell the server that you have celiac disease, ask for burgers to be made bun-less, while also avoiding breaded and battered items and malts. You should also ask for fresh gloves, clean utensils, and a wiped prep area, and ask that your food be assembled on a clean surface.
Photo Credit
The Bushranger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Becky ✍️
Hi, I am Becky. I am a passionate recipe maker and having been a coeliac (celiac) for 30+ years I focus on gluten-free recipes. My blog is my online cookbook of gluten-free tasty recipes. You can follow me on X: @beckygwg
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