Gluten-Free at Whataburger: What You Can Order

What is listed gluten-free

Of the 48 items with an allergen line in our data, 5 are listed free of both wheat and gluten: French Fries (medium), Hash Brown Sticks, Shake (medium vanilla), Milk (1%), Garden Salad (grilled chicken). Everything else on the list contains wheat or gluten, mostly from buns, biscuits, tortillas and breading.

The allergen lines are Whataburger's information as compiled by fastfoodnutrition.org. The full table, item by item, is on the Whataburger allergen menu.

Burgers without the bun

Every listed burger contains wheat and gluten, and the bun is the obvious source: the #1 Whataburger lists gluten, soy, wheat. Ordering a burger with no bun or lettuce-wrapped removes the bun, which takes away 310 calories on a full-size burger.

The allergen listing covers the whole sandwich, not the patty on its own, so the data cannot tell you whether the patty or the seasoning has any gluten. If you have celiac disease, tell the staff when you order. No-bun orders are covered on keto and lettuce-wrapped Whataburger.

Fries, hash browns and onion rings

Medium fries are listed with soy only and free of wheat and gluten. Hash Brown Sticks are listed free of wheat and gluten too. Onion rings are breaded and contain egg, gluten, milk, soy, wheat.

A gluten-free recipe is not the same as a gluten-free kitchen. Fryers and prep areas in fast-food kitchens are commonly shared, and the allergen chart does not show cross-contact. Sizes and prices are on Whataburger sides and fries.

Chicken and salads

The breaded chicken (strips, Whatachick'n and the chicken in the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit) contains wheat. The Garden Salad with grilled chicken is listed free of wheat and gluten, 290 calories and $8.99, which makes it the most complete gluten-free meal on our list.

The Grilled Chicken Sandwich lists egg, gluten, soy, wheat with the bun. See Whataburger salads for both salads.

Shakes and drinks

The medium vanilla shake is listed free of wheat and gluten. Malts are different: malted milk powder is made from barley, so malts are not gluten-free. Fountain drinks, tea and coffee have no gluten in the recipe. Shake sizes are on Whataburger shakes.

Breakfast without gluten

Breakfast is the hardest meal to eat gluten-free at Whataburger. The biscuits, pancakes, taquito tortillas, Texas toast and buns all carry wheat. Hash Brown Sticks ($1.99, 190 cal) are the one breakfast item listed free of wheat and gluten in our data.

If you are eating breakfast hours (11 pm to 11 am), a bunless burger from the all-day menu at a 24-hour store is the more filling gluten-free option. Breakfast items are on the Whataburger breakfast menu.

A gluten-free order, start to finish

• Main: a #1 or #2 with no bun, or the Garden Salad with grilled chicken.
• Side: medium fries (420 cal), keeping the fryer question in mind.
• Drink: unsweet tea, a soda or a vanilla shake (not a malt).
• Skip: buns, biscuits, taquitos, pancakes, onion rings, breaded chicken and desserts.

Dairy-free and meat-free planning are on Whataburger dairy-free and vegetarian and vegan options.