Einstein Bros Bagels Gluten-free Menu Items

Find out what menu items from Einstein Bros Bagels do not contain gluten and what you need to know about their allergen statement.

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Do you love to pick up a bagel for breakfast or lunch from Einstein Bros Bagels? Or have you found yourself on vacation and are seeing this fast food restaurant for the first time and wondering if they have anything you can enjoy on your dairy-free diet?

Einstein Bros Bagels is a franchised restaurant owned by Panera Brands that specializes in bagel sandwiches, both breakfast options with eggs, cheese, and meat and lunch options like hot sandwiches.

They also offer plain bagels with your choice of cream cheese shmears, butter, honey, peanut butter, and jam.

Like other quick sandwich shops, in addition to offering sandwiches, they also have coffee, sides and soups for you to round out your meal.

If you’re following a gluten-free diet, you know that many bread options contain gluten, but if you’re like me, you’re always hopeful when looking at restaurants that they’ll be accommodating to gluten-free folks.

In this post, we’re going to talk about the gluten-free menu items from Einstein Bros Bagels to help you make the most informed decision about this bagel restaurant as well as their company allergen statement.

We’ll talk first about what gluten is, where you can most often find gluten in restaurants, and what you’ll want to know about cross contamination. 

Read on: Panera gluten-free menu items

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in most wheat products, and acts as the “glue” that helps to hold wheat, barley, kamut, spelt, farro, durum, bulgur, rye, and semolina together to maintain their shape. 

Gluten is naturally occurring, and therefore is impossible to strip away from the grain. If a grain naturally has gluten in it, there’s no way to make that food gluten-free.

Where can you find gluten in food?

Gluten can be found in the form of wheat and grain products, like bread of flour in the more obvious places. You can also find gluten as a binding ingredient, an ingredient added for texture like to make a food more crispy, or as a thickening agent.

Where can you find gluten in many fast food restaurants?

Depending on the fast food restaurant you’re visiting, you may find gluten in a variety of places. Hamburger buns, the breading of crispy chicken sandwiches or chicken nuggets, some French fries, salad dressings and dips, croutons on salad, and chili or soup options at many traditional fast food restaurants.

Delis or other cafes that offer breakfast sandwiches or soup and salad options may also contain gluten in the bread, croutons, or as a thickener in a soup.

Where gluten is found in the menu items will vary from restaurant to restaurant. That’s why it’s always a good idea to review menus from home, and see if you can find any allergen information before you get to the restaurant itself.

Being able to review nutritional information and allergen statements before visiting a fast food restaurant can be the difference between ordering something that you think is safe for your gluten-free diet and getting sick. Being knowledgeable about what specific menu items you’ll be able to eat without any worries of later reactions is extremely helpful on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros Bagels allergen statement

According to the Einstein Bros Bagel website and nutrition PDF I was able to find, here is their allergen statement as of February 5, 2019.

“Guest satisfaction and safety is our most valued priority. We prepare and use food ingredients containing all 8 major allergens in our restaurant kitchens. Although measures are taken to prevent cross contact, as a bakery/ restaurant, there is the possibility of food touching, allergens like wheat becoming airborne or common equipment being utilized to handle foods containing any of the major allergens. If you have an allergen concern of any type, please openly discuss your needs with your server to fully understand all the facts you need to decide on a safe dining choice that fits your unique allergen needs. Thank you.”

What to know about cross contamination at fast food restaurants

Most fast food restaurants are not considered gluten free establishments so it’s useful to keep this in mind when making decisions about where to go and what to order.

It’s important to know that even if a fast food restaurant claims that their menu items do not contain gluten, that the possibility and probability of gluten in their products is going to be high if there is even one menu item with gluten available. 

Depending on your level of sensitivity to gluten, this can be make or break information for you. If you are Celiac and are allergic to trace amounts of gluten, you’ll likely want to avoid most fast food restaurants that offer any bread products or French fries that are cooked in a shared fryer with other gluten-containing ingredients.

If you are not sensitive to gluten at the trace level and have adverse reactions to gluten due to a food intolerance, you may decide that these trace amounts of gluten from cross contamination are worth risking for a quick, easy, and convenient food option.

Being aware of how you have reacted to gluten in your diet in the past and how much gluten it takes for your body to react is useful knowledge when it comes to situations like these. Use your best judgment about what you know about your body, how you react to gluten, and what the risks are for you specifically.

Are bagels gluten-free?

Most bagels you find at grocery stores and delis are made with enriched flour. all-purpose flour, or wheat. Flour. All of these contain gluten and are not safe for a gluten-free diet. 

That said, there are some delicious gluten-free bagels on the market from some reputable gluten-free brands.

Read on: The best gluten-free bagels

Einstein Bros Bagels Gluten-free Menu Items

Knowing that Einstein Bros Bagels shares in their allergen statement that the top 8 allergens are present in their restaurants, you may want to steer clear entirely of their restaurants if you’re following a gluten-free diet.

The potential for cross contamination of gluten is high in a place where most menu items contain wheat.

Regardless, I think it’s always useful to review menu items one by one to see if there is a way to make something work when you find yourself at a restaurant with a hungry belly.

All information for this menu review was found here.

Classic Bagels

None of the Classic Bagels at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Signature Bagels

None of the Signature Bagels at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Thintastic Bagels

None of the Thintastic Bagels at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Gourmet Bagels

None of the Gourmet Bagels at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Specialty Breads

None of the Specialty Breads at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Read on: 15 Gluten-free breakfast sandwich recipes

Whipped Cream Cheese Shmear

All the Whipped Cream Cheese Shmears from Einstein Bros Bagels contain no wheat ingredients, but are not necessarily considered gluten-free, including:

• Garden Veggie Reduced Fat
• Garlic Herb Reduced Fat
• Honey Almond Reduced Fat
• Jalapeno Salsa Reduced Fat
• Maple Reduced Fat
• Onion and Chive
• Plain
• Plain Reduced Fat
• Smoked Salmon
• Strawberry Reduced Fat

Read on: Is cream cheese gluten-free?

Crafted Whipped Shmear

The Country Pepper Shmear from Einstein Bros Bagels does not have any wheat ingredients.

Spreads

All of the Spreads at Einstein Bros Bagels do not contain wheat ingredients, including:

• Butter Blend
• Honey
• Natural Peanut Butter
• Natural Strawberry Jelly
• Peanut Butter and Jelly

Eggs

A few of the egg options from Einstein Bros Bagels contain no wheat ingredients, meaning you may or may not choose to enjoy these on your gluten-free diet, depending on your level of sensitivity to gluten and cross contamination.

• 1 Cage Free Egg
• 2 Cage Free  Eggs
• 1 Egg White
• 2 Egg White
• Fried Egg Patty

Cheese

The cheese products from Einstein Bros Bagels all contain no wheat ingredients. You might opt to eat these on a gluten-free diet if you feel comfortable with the idea of cross contamination from nearby ingredients in the kitchen of these restaurants.

• American
• Cheddar
• Swiss

Meat

Some of the meat products from Einstein Bros Bagels contain no wheat ingredients and may or may not be ingredients you’ll feel comfortable eating on a gluten-free diet. These will all have a high likelihood of cross contamination with gluten ingredients, but it is up to you to determine how comfortable you are eating them based on what you know about your body and reaction to gluten.

• Bacon
• Brisket
• Chorizo Sausage Patty
• Ham, Breakfast
• Ham, Lunch
• Lox
• Pepperoni Slices
• Turkey, Lunch
• Turkey Sausage Patty

Sauces

All sauces from Einstein Bros Bagels have no wheat ingredients, but aren’t necessarily gluten-free as the company has specifically noted in their allergen statement that there is a likelihood of cross contamination with all top 8 allergens.

• Chipotle Salsa
• Double Egg Mayo
• Roasted Tomato Spread
• Spicy Brown Mustard

Veggies

All veggies you can get from Einstein Bros Bagels contain no wheat ingredients, including:

• Avocado
• Capers
• Cucumber
• Leaf Lettuce
• Pickle Spear
• Red Onion
• Spinach
• Tomato

Einstein Bros Company Classic 1 Egg Sandwiches

None of the Company Classic 1 Egg Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros Company Classic 2 Egg Sandwiches

None of the Company Classic 2 Egg Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros Company Classic Egg White Sandwiches

None of the Company Classic Egg White Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros Company Chef’s Creations: 1 Egg Sandwiches

None of the Company Chef’s Creations 1 Egg Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros Company Chef’s Creations: 2 Egg Sandwiches

None of the Company Chef’s Creations 2 Egg Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros Company Chef’s Creations: Egg White Sandwiches

None of the Company Chef’s Creations Egg White Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros Company Burrito

The Einstein Bros Company Burrito contains wheat ingredients and therefore also contains gluten.

Einstein Bros License: Classic Egg Sandwiches

None of the License Classic Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros License: Signature Egg Sandwiches

None of the License Signature Egg Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros License Burrito

The Einstein Bros License Burrito contains wheat ingredients and therefore also contains gluten.

Einstein Bros Company: Signature Lunch Sandwiches

None of the Company Signature Lunch Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros Company: Hot and Toasty Sandwiches

None of the Company Signature Hot and Toasty Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros License: Signature Lunch Sandwiches

None of the License Signature Lunch Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Einstein Bros License: Hot Sandwiches

None of the License Signature Hot Sandwiches at Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free. They all contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Sides

Some of the sides from Einstein Bros Bagels are have no wheat ingredients, including: 

• Sea Salt Potato Chips
• Twice Baked Hash Brown

Soup

Only the Broccoli Cheese Soup from Einstein Bros Bagels contain no wheat ingredients. However, this soup is not considered gluten-free as there is still a risk of cross contamination throughout the restaurant.

Shmearfuls

None of the Shmearfuls from Einstein Bros Bagels are considered gluten-free and all contain wheat ingredients.

Avocado Toast

The Avocado Toast options from Einstein Bros Bagels contain wheat ingredients and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Sweets

All the Sweets options contain gluten as they all contain wheat ingredients. You’ll want to avoid these menu items if you’re on a gluten-free diet.

Beverages

All beverages from Einstein Bros Bagels contain no wheat ingredients, however they may be prepared in an area that has the possibility of cross contamination with gluten.

Classic Coffee Drinks

• Hot Americano
• Hot Cappuccino
• Hot Chai Tea Latte
• Iced Chai Tea Latte
• Hot Latte
• Iced Latte
• Hot Mocha
• Iced Mocha

Read on: Is coffee gluten-free?

Signature Coffee Drinks

• Hot Caramel Macchiato
• Iced Caramel Macchiato

Cold Brew

• Classic Cold Brew
• Caramel Cream Cold Brew
• Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
• Vanilla Cream Cold Brew

Cold Brew

• Caramel Cold Brew Shake
• Caramel Cold Brew Shake Coffee Free
• Chocolate Cold Brew Shake
• Chocolate Cold Brew Shake Coffee Free
• Classic Cold Brew Shake
• Classic Cold Brew Shake Coffee Free
• Vanilla Cold Brew Shake
• Vanilla Cold Brew Shake Coffee Free

Others

• Hot Chocolate
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Does Einstein Bros have gluten-free bagels?

Unfortunately, Einstein Bros has no gluten-free bagels or bread options. Some of their menu options may contain no gluten-containing ingredients, but none of their bagels are on that list.

If you find yourself at Einstein Bros Bagels fairly often or have been wondering if there are any menu items you can choose from for your gluten-free diet, I hope you have the information you need to make a good choice for you and your body.

Most foods from this fast food restaurant are not gluten-free and contain wheat ingredients.

Einstein Bros Bagels also are very clear in their allergen statement that they have a lot of the top 8 allergen ingredients in their restaurants so it’s quite possible for cross contamination throughout the entire kitchen area.

You know your body best, so use your best judgment based on what you know about how your body reacts to gluten before visiting and ordering from this restaurant.

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More Gluten-free Restaurant Menu Items

If you’re looking at other popular restaurants and wondering what gluten-free menu items they offer, be sure to check out my Gluten-free Restaurant Guide. I’ve outlined all the gluten-free options from 45+ popular restaurants and fast food chains.

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