Are McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Gluten Free?

McDonald’s is one of the most popular fast food chains in the world, known for menu items like Big Macs, French fries, and chicken nuggets With many people now adopting gluten-free diets, a common question is are McDonald’s chicken nuggets gluten-free?

The short answer is no McDonald’s chicken nuggets contain gluten.

Below I’ll explain in more detail why McDonald’s chicken nuggets are not gluten-free alternative gluten-free options at McDonald’s and tips for ordering gluten-free at McDonald’s.

Why McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Contain Gluten

The primary reason that McDonald’s chicken nuggets contain gluten is because of the breading used on the nuggets.

According to the McDonald’s USA ingredients website, the chicken nugget breading contains the following ingredients that contain gluten:

• Wheat Flour: This is the main source of gluten in the breading. Wheat flour contains gluten proteins that helps bind the breading together.

• Yellow Corn Flour: While corn is naturally gluten-free, McDonald’s adds wheat to their yellow corn flour, making it not gluten-free.

• Spices: McDonald’s does not specify which spices they use in the breading, but many spice blends contain gluten from wheat or barley.

In addition to the breading, McDonald’s notes on their FAQ page that they do not certify any menu items as gluten-free due to potential cross-contamination in the kitchen. So even if you removed the breading from the chicken nuggets, there is still some risk of gluten exposure.

Gluten-Free Options at McDonald’s

While the chicken nuggets at McDonald’s contain gluten, there are some alternative gluten-free options to consider:

• Fruit & Maple Oatmeal – Make sure to avoid adding any toppings that may contain gluten.

• Salads without croutons – McDonald’s used to offer grilled chicken salads but discontinued them during the pandemic. Keep an eye out in case they return.

• Burgers without buns – You can order any burger or sandwich “without the bun” to make it gluten-free. Double check condiments for gluten.

• Apple Slices – A tasty gluten-free side.

• McCafe Drinks – Coffee drinks and sodas should be gluten-free, but confirm before ordering.

• Ice Cream Desserts – Sundaes, McFlurrys, and shakes are gluten-free options for dessert. Always good to double check for gluten-containing mix-ins.

So while the options are limited, there are still some ways to eat gluten-free at McDonald’s in a pinch. I recommend checking the ingredients and nutrition info online before ordering to double check for any changes.

Tips for Ordering Gluten-Free at McDonald’s

Here are some tips to follow when ordering gluten-free food at McDonald’s:

• Customize your order – Request no bun on sandwiches, no croutons on salads, and no gluten-containing toppings on desserts.

• Ask about prep procedures – Inquire if they use separate surfaces, utensils, and fryers for gluten-free orders. Cross-contamination is common.

• Confirm ingredients – Double check ingredients of menu items online or by asking employees before ordering. Ingredients can change.

• Explain food allergy/intolerance – Let the cashier know you need to avoid gluten due to an allergy or intolerance. They may be able to accommodate.

• Check labels – Carefully read ingredient labels on packaged foods like oatmeal before purchasing.

With some modifications and extra care, you can usually find something gluten-free to eat when dining at McDonald’s. However, the risk of cross-contamination is real, so caution is advised if you are highly sensitive. Overall it’s safest to call ahead and check if the location can accommodate gluten-free orders before visiting your local McDonald’s.

No, McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets are not gluten-free.