Pizza Hut Offers Gluten-Free Food — but That Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe on a GF Diet

While many consider Pizza Hut their go-to Friday night takeout chain, those following a gluten-free diet will have an easier time picking their pie.

Pizza Hut offers limited choices for those avoiding gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Although the restaurant does offer several gluten-free menu options, Pizza Hut kitchens are not gluten-free environments, according to the company site. And GF option aren't available at all Pizza Hut locations just yet.

So, any food you order at a Pizza Hut restaurant can be at risk of cross-contamination, which occurs when gluten ingredients come in contact with gluten-free foods, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation.

But foods don't need to necessarily touch in order for cross-contact to occur, according to the National Celiac Association.

In restaurants, wheat flour particles can be tossed in the air (during food prep), landing on other surfaces or foods, ultimately contaminating them. What's more, airborne flour can potentially get into the nose, mouth, throat and get swallowed down into the GI tract, causing a reaction to gluten and posing a risk.

All things considered, Pizza Hut says it cannot guarantee that the restaurant itself or any item on its menu is completely free of gluten — and it does not recommend any menu items for people with celiac disease.

Considering pizza dough is usually made with wheat flour, it's no surprise that Pizza Hut's gluten-free menu isn't very extensive. Nevertheless, the popular chain does offer a handful of Certified Gluten-Free crust options, according to Pizza Hut's allergen menu.

The chain offers Udi's certified gluten-free pizza crusts, which are made with tapioca flour and brown rice flour, among other ingredients, rather than wheat flour.

Pizza Hut offers a Cheese-only Gluten-Free Pizza and a Pepperoni Gluten-Free Pizza made with Udi's certified gluten-free crust — both of these pizzas are prepared following a strict preparation process certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), according to the company site.

Staff wear gloves and use a designated gluten-free pizza roller cutter to cut the gluten-free pizzas, and your pizza will be packed in a designated gluten-free Pizza box.

But if you're making a create-your-own pizza with Udi's gluten-free crust and select other toppings besides the gluten-free cheese, pepperoni and marinara, know that your pie is not made using GIG-approved procedures.

• Udi's Gluten-Free Crust

• Applewood smoked bacon
• Beef
• Diced roma tomatoes
• Fresh green bell peppers
• Fresh mushrooms
• Grilled chicken
• Italian sausage
• Mediterranean black olives
• Roasted spinach
• Seasoned Pork
• Sliced banana peppers
• Sliced jalapeno peppers
• Slow-roasted ham
• Sweet pineapple
• Crushed red pepper packet
• Grated cheese packet

• Barbeque dipping sauce
• Buffalo dipping sauce
• Buffalo ranch dipping sauce
• Cheese dipping sauce

• Barbeque pizza sauce
• Buffalo pizza sauce
• Classic marinara