I’ve personally visited multiple McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S. this year to review, research, and test which menu items are safe for people avoiding gluten. As someone deeply familiar with food sensitivities and label research, I’ve gone through McDonald’s full 2025 ingredients list, allergen statements, and even spoken with staff to give you a realistic guide to McDonald’s gluten-free menu in the USA.
If you’re gluten-sensitive, gluten-intolerant, or living with celiac disease, this guide is for you. I’ve included what’s safe, what’s risky, and exactly how to order your food for the best gluten-free experience at McDonald’s fast food chain.
If you are currently in any state in the USA and planning a gluten-free meal at a top restaurant, McDonald’s is not the best choice. If you have a Wendy’s nearby, it is a great alternative. If McDonald’s is your only option, you can pick from their limited gluten-free items. If McDonald’s is your only option, you can pick from their limited gluten-free items. You can also check out the McDonald’s secret menu for fun custom orders that might work for you.
Please note that if you are reading this from Canada, the UK, or any other country, the menu items may vary by region. This article specifically covers McDonald’s gluten-free menu in the USA.
It’s important to keep in mind that McDonald’s does not officially certify any menu items as gluten-free. Their official statement warns of potential cross-contact due to shared cooking equipment and preparation areas. If you have Celiac Disease or are highly sensitive to gluten, be aware that even naturally gluten-free ingredients might be contaminated.
McDonald’s Gluten-Free Menu Items
After carefully analyzing McDonald’s ingredient statements and allergen charts in 2025, these are the top gluten-free items you can order that do not contain wheat.
- Apple Slices
- Vanilla Shake
- Chocolate Shake
- Strawberry Shake
- Shamrock Shake (seasonal)
- Hot Fudge Sundae
- Hot Caramel Sundae
- McFlurry with M&M’s® Candies
- Frozen Coca-Cola® Classic
- Frozen Fanta® Blue Raspberry
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Mango Pineapple Smoothie
- Fruit and Maple Oatmeal
- Orange Juice
- Sweet Tea
- Unsweetened Tea
- Black Coffee
- Iced Coffee
- Espresso
- Bottled Juices
- Ketchup
- Creamy Ranch Sauce
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Mustard
Personally, my favorite choices from the top gluten-free items are apple slices and milkshakes, which are fresh and made with nutritious ingredients. The drinks and coffee options are also great choices. The salads on McDonald’s gluten-free menu were available but were discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Simple Modifications to Enjoy Gluten-Free Meals at McDonald’s
Mcdonald’s officially does not have any gluten-free meal options, but you can order some breakfast sandwiches and a few burger meals without bread or a bun. This makes your meal gluten-free and does not contain wheat.
A few days ago, while researching for this article, I stopped by my local McDonald’s and decided to test out how smoothly the “no bun” request would go. I asked for a Big Mac without the bun or bread, and kindly let the order taker know it was due to a gluten sensitivity. The staff member didn’t hesitate—he noted it in the system right away and even confirmed it verbally. The burger came neatly packaged in a container (not a wrapper), and sure enough, my receipt clearly said “no bun.” That gave me extra peace of mind that my request was handled properly in the kitchen.
Below are some great options that can be safely modified with a quick request when ordering:
Breakfast Sandwiches
- Egg McMuffin – No muffin
- Sausage McMuffin – No muffin
- Sausage McMuffin with Egg – No muffin
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit – No biscuit
- Sausage Biscuit – No biscuit
- Sausage Biscuit with Egg – No biscuit
Burgers Menu items
- Hamburger – No bun
- Cheeseburger – No bun
- Double Cheeseburger – No bun
- McDouble – No bun
- Big Mac – No bun and no Big Mac sauce (contains wheat)
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese – No bun
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe – No bun
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese & Bacon – No bun
These condiments are also gluten-free: Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, honey mustard sauce, creamy ranch sauce, and spicy buffalo sauce. You can try them to make your meal more delicious and satisfy your taste buds.
⚠️ What to AVOID at McDonald’s (Contains Gluten)
McDonald’s offers a few gluten-free menu options, most of its popular foods contain wheat. If you’re eating gluten-free, here’s what to avoid at McDonald’s to stay safe.
| Item | Why To Avoid |
|---|---|
| French Fries | Natural beef flavor contains wheat |
| Chicken Nuggets | Breading contains wheat |
| Crispy Chicken Sandwiches | Breading and bun contain gluten |
| Hotcakes (Pancakes) | Contain wheat |
| Hash Browns | Contain wheat |
| Biscuits, Muffins, McGriddles | All contain gluten |
| Most McFlurries (Oreo flavor) | Oreo contains wheat |
| Chocolate Chip Cookies, Baked Apple Pie | Contain wheat |
FAQs
Are McDonald’s French fries gluten-free?
No. In the U.S., McDonald’s French fries contain wheat-derived flavoring (“natural beef flavor”), making them not gluten-free. They are also cooked in shared fryers, increasing cross-contact risk.
Are Chicken McNuggets gluten-free?
No. McNuggets are breaded with wheat-containing ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.
Where can I check McDonald’s gluten-related ingredient info?
You can view McDonald’s full allergen and ingredient information on their official U.S. website or app. They provide up-to-date details on all menu items, including allergen declarations.
