As someone living with gluten intolerance, I’ve done my fair share of watching my friends eat pizza. This is especially cruel when they’ve assured me that, “Of course, the restaurant has options for you!”
And when you get to that restaurant, you discover they only have side salads.
I’m here to walk you through Pizza Hut’s gluten-free options so you can stop staring at restaurant patrons with sad eyes.
Is Gluten-Free Pizza Crust Offered in Every Pizza Hut in the US?
Over the past few years, most fast food restaurants have made enormous strides to accommodate customers with food restrictions. Pizza Hut’s menu is no different.
Unfortunately, many franchise locations don’t offer gluten-free pizza dough options yet. And even if they do, they may not always be celiac-friendly. Luckily, the company has a gluten-free crust locator page!
How to Safely Order Gluten-Free Food at Pizza Hut
While a gluten-free menu at Pizza Hut exists, people will need to weigh their options before indulging in a slice or two.
“The Hut” states that they have designated pizza boxes and rollers for GF crust, but it's important to remember that all Pizza Hut kitchens are shared. Even if your local Pizza Hut uses dedicated gluten-free kitchen utensils, there’s always going to be a risk of cross-contamination.
People with celiac disease or serious allergies should always alert the cashier and/or waitress ahead of time. If you – or staff – have any doubts about safety, it might not be worth the risk.
Remember: It’s easy to make GF pizza at home!
Does Pizza Hut Have Gluten-Free Crust?
Udi’s is the #1 gluten-free brand in the US. They produce all Pizza Hut gluten-free crust (the same product available to the public). Udi’s gluten-free crust comes in sealed, individual packages to ensure zero contamination. These 10-inch crusts typically serve 1-2 people.
Ingredients: Water, tapioca starch, brown rice flour, canola oil, egg whites, dried cane syrup, tapioca syrup, tapioca maltodextrin, salt, xanthan gum, yeast, cultured corn syrup solids, citric acid, enzymes.
What Does Udi’s Pizza Crust Taste Like?
This isn’t the hand-tossed or pan-style pizza from your childhood. It’s more of a thin and crispy crust. That makes sense: It’s the gluten that gives most pizza dough its delicious texture.
Some people complain that pizza sauces can make the crust underneath a little gummy, but most diners are fairly pleased with their experience eating gluten-free at Pizza Hut.
What Gluten-Free Ingredients Can I Top My Pizza With?
To top your GF pizza, you’ve got a wide array of toppings to choose from. Whether you want meat, cheese, or even pineapple (I support your decision!), nearly every selection is safe for a gluten-free diet.
Choose from the following ingredients:
- Anchovies
- Beef
- Diced Roma Tomatoes
- Fresh Green Bell Peppers
- Fresh Mushrooms
- Fresh Red Onions
- Fresh Spinach
- Green Chile Peppers
- Grilled Chicken
- Hardwood Smoked Bacon
- Italian Sausage
- Mediterranean Black Olives
- Pepperoni
- Peruvian Cherry Peppers
- Premium Salami
- Seasoned Pork
- Sliced Banana Peppers
- Sliced Jalapeno Peppers
- Slow-Roasted Ham
- Sweet Pineapple
Two exceptions include wheat-based ingredients:
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Meatballs
Which Pizza Hut Sauces Are Gluten-Free?
Technically, only one pizza sauce is stored in a designated container: Classic Marinara Sauce. If you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy, inform your server so they can tell the kitchen to use this sauce.
If you have slight intolerances, you may be able to consume the following pizza sauces (though they may have come into contact with wheat-based ingredients):
- Alfredo Sauce
- Barbeque Pizza Sauce
- Buffalo Pizza Sauce
You can also customize your order with dipping sauces. These come in individually sealed containers:
- Barbeque
- Buffalo
- Blue Cheese
- Marinara
- Nacho Cheese
- Ranch
Does Pizza Hut Have Other Gluten-Free Options?
Obviously, the oven-baked pasta and sandwiches are wishful thinking.
Aside from Udi’s pizza crust, the only other gluten-free options at Pizza Hut are the following salads, but you’ll need to order them without croutons:
- Garden Salad
- BLT Salad
- Chicken Garden Salad
- Zesty Italian Salad
- Caesar Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad
Gluten-Free Salad Dressings at Pizza Hut
To “zhuzh” up your salads, you can choose from the following dressing packets:
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Blue Cheese
- Royal Caesar
- Creamy Caesar
- Creamy Italian
- Light Italian
- Honey French
- Buttermilk Ranch
- Fat-Free Ranch
- Romano
- Sun-Dried Tomato Basil
- Thousand Island
Are Pizza Hut Wings Gluten-Free?
Nope, sorry. These items get their crispy-crunch from a glutinous batter and they’re prepared in a shared fryer. You’d be better off making chicken wings at home.
Are Drinks at Pizza Hut Gluten-Free?
When it comes to soda, it’s pretty safe to assume that it’s celiac-friendly. All of Pizza Hut’s Pepsi-based soft drinks are gluten-free.
Can I Order GF Desserts at Pizza Hut?
Pizza Hut doesn’t offer any celiac-friendly desserts. The only recommendation I could make is dipping your Udi’s crust in their White Icing.
Gluten-Free Palette Is Here to Help
Pizza Hut’s gluten-free menu might be pretty basic, but it’s a great sign of changing attitudes. With so many Americans dealing with gluten intolerance and celiac disease, I’m delighted to see more restaurants providing more options for us (unlike McDonald’s, which has a long way to go).
If you’re looking to simplify home cooking, Purple Carrot offers some of the best plant-based meals. Easy, delicious, and about $11 per serving. What’s not to love?
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