Buffalo Wild Wings Gluten Free Menu: Options & Nutrition

If you want the Buffalo Wild Wings gluten free menu without guesswork, this guide maps out the safest starting orders, sauce picks, and what to skip. It gives a short, clear answer: bone-in traditional wings are generally the safest by ingredient, while breaded and boneless items pose the biggest cross-contact risk.

The restaurant lists many items as “gluten-free friendly,” but it does not run a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. Shared fryers, grills, and saucing bowls mean exposure can happen even when ingredients look safe.

This article is organized so you can scan fast: what to know, safest core orders, wings and sauces, apps, avoid list, dips and dressings, nutrition and prices, and how to order. You will learn which sauces are lower risk and why handling matters.

Big takeaway: start with traditional bone-in orders, confirm location practices, and use official allergen resources to check nutrition and price for your store. By the end you’ll know what questions to ask and how to order with confidence.

What to Know Before Ordering Gluten-Free at Buffalo Wild Wings

A product can be free of wheat ingredients yet face cross-contact from shared equipment in busy kitchens. This section helps you weigh ingredient labels against handling practices so you can make an informed choice.

Why “gluten-free” and “gluten-friendly” mean different things

Gluten-free usually means no gluten ingredients are listed. Gluten-friendly signals that ingredients may be safe, but the location acknowledges shared equipment and potential cross-contact.

How cross-contamination happens

Shared fryers, grills, saucing bowls, and tongs create the main cross-contamination points. Even careful staff can transfer particles when tools or oil are shared.

Key operational risks and a quick checklist

High risk: shared fryers used for breaded items.
High risk: shared mixing and saucing bowls.
High risk: tongs or gloves used across different items.

Point	Why it matters	Ask to verify
Fryer	Oil transfers crumbs and proteins	Is there a dedicated fryer for traditional wings?
Saucing	Shared bowls spread sauces	Can sauces be applied separately?
Prep surfaces	Cross-contact during assembly	Will staff use clean gloves and utensils?

If you have celiac disease or severe reactions, this guide recommends extra caution. Ask the manager the verification checklist questions, and trust your comfort when deciding to dine in or skip this restaurant.

buffalo wild wings gluten free menu: The Safest Orders to Start With

Pick simple, low-handling items first to reduce cross-contact and speed up your order. This helps you eat confidently on a busy game night.

Traditional bone-in wings: the best core option (and what makes them different)

Traditional wings are usually the only wing style without a wheat-based batter. That ingredient difference makes them the most reliable core item by ingredient.

Still, confirm whether the location uses a dedicated fryer. That detail determines real-world risk.

Naked tenders and grilled chicken: when they work and what to double-check

Naked tenders and grilled chicken can be safe by ingredient. Ask that the chicken is grilled or roasted without breading. Request clean tongs and a glove change while ordering.

Simple sides that can fit gluten-free needs

Fresh carrots and celery usually list safe by ingredient. Chili is a warm, filling option but ask about shared ladles and scoops.

Starter order template: traditional wings + celery + confirmed gluten free dip.

Item	Why it works	What to ask
Traditional wings	No batter listed by ingredient	Separate fryer or dedicated prep?
Naked tenders	Grilled without breading	Cook method and clean tools?
Carrots & celery	Fresh, low handling	Clean utensils for serving?

Next section breaks down sauces, dry rubs, and which flavors are safer to request.

Gluten-Free Wings at BWW: Traditional Wings, Sauces, and Dry Rubs

For safer orders, treat the wing style and the sauce as one combined choice.

Traditional wings are the baseline option by ingredient. They are not breaded like boneless or hand-breaded items, which typically contain wheat. That makes traditional wings a better starting point when you worry about gluten.

Safer sauce and seasoning picks to ask for

Several sauce options list as safer by ingredient. Ask for Lemon Pepper, Original Buffalo, Honey BBQ, or Spicy Garlic.

Also request a simple pepper dry or toasted dry rub if available. Recipes can change, so confirm the ingredient list at your location.

Sauces to be cautious with

Be wary of Asian-inspired glazes and thickened sauces. These often use soy or wheat thickeners and can contain hidden gluten.

How cross-contact happens and how to reduce risk

Cross-contamination happens when wings are tossed in shared saucing bowls, handled with the same tongs, or sauced at a common station after breaded items.

Ask for a separate saucing container or bag.
Request clean tongs and fresh gloves.
Ask staff to add an allergy note on the ticket.

Item	Why it matters	What to ask
Traditional wings	No batter listed by ingredient	Separate fryer or dedicated prep?
sauces	Can contain hidden wheat	Show ingredient list; avoid Asian glazes
Handling	Main cross-contact source	Clean tools and allergy note

Apps and Shareables That Can Work (With Substitutions)

The following apps and shareables are possible, but they are verification-heavy. Ingredients like chips, cheese, and chicken may be safe by label. The real question is how the restaurant handles fryers and prep stations.

Ultimate nachos with chicken: what’s typically safe and what’s not

Typical safe components include tortilla chips, shredded cheese, beans, pico, and cooked chicken.

Risk points are shared prep surfaces, scoops, and chip oil. Ask how the chicken is handled and if chips are fried in shared oil.

Chips, queso, guacamole, and safer swaps

Dips like queso, salsa, and guac often list safe ingredients. The real problem is the chips. If chips share fryer oil with breaded items, cross-contamination can occur.

Ask for veggie dippers (carrots, celery) instead of chips.
Request dips served with clean ladles and separate containers.

Fries and tots: potato items and fryer setup

Fries and tots are potatoes and are naturally gluten free by ingredient. Treat them as safe only after confirming a dedicated fryer or protected process.

Item	Why it works	Ask
Ultimate Nachos (chicken)	Chips + toppings usually safe	Are chips fried separately?
Chips & Queso	Dips often safe; chips can carry risk	Can dips come with veggie dippers?
Fries / Tots	Potatoes are safe by ingredient	Separate fryer or protected process?

Buyer’s-guide lines to use: “Can you do fresh chips/fries in a separate fryer?” and “Can you bring dips with clean ladles?” Keep shareables simple and limit how many stations touch your food to lower cross-contamination risk.

Menu Items to Avoid on a Gluten-Free Diet at Buffalo Wild Wings

When you need a quick avoid list, focus on items that start with batter, breading, a bun, or a tortilla. Those are the highest-risk foods on the restaurant’s offerings and are likely to contain gluten by design.

Hard no: boneless wings, hand-breaded tenders, and cauliflower wings. These items use a wheat-based batter and are cooked alongside other breaded foods in shared oil. That combination creates a high cross-contact risk for anyone with celiac disease or serious sensitivity.

Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and tacos typically come on wheat buns or tortillas. The chain does not offer a guaranteed gluten-free bun or tortilla substitute, so these items are unsafe unless you bring your own substitute or skip the bread entirely.

Salads can be misleading. Croutons, crispy or breaded chicken, and tortilla strips often add hidden gluten. Customization may help, but shared prep surfaces and utensils still create risk.

Avoid: boneless wings, hand-breaded tenders, cauliflower wings.
Avoid: burgers, sandwiches, wraps, street tacos with wheat bread or tortillas.
Watch: salads with croutons, crispy chicken, or tortilla strips.

Item	Why it contains gluten	Risk
Boneless wings	Wheat-based batter coats the chicken	High – shared fryers and handling
Hand-breaded tenders / Cauliflower wings	Breaded with wheat flour, fried with other items	High – not safe for celiacs
Burgers / Sandwiches / Wraps / Tacos	Wheat buns and tortillas; no GF swap offered	High – contains gluten by default
Salads with croutons or crispy chicken	Adds breaded components or crunchy wheat toppings	Medium–High – cross-contact may remain after customization

Treat this section as a quick decision filter: if an item begins with breading, batter, bun, wrap, or crouton, it’s usually not worth the risk. The next section covers dips and dressings — the common add-ons people often forget to verify.

Gluten-Free Dips, Dressings, and Extras: Ranch, Bleu Cheese, and More

Dips and dressings are small choices with big consequences during busy service. Ranch and bleu cheese often show as safe in the allergen guide, but supplier changes and shared utensils can change that risk.

What the allergen guide usually shows — and what to confirm

Ranch and bleu cheese are frequently listed without wheat in the official allergen guide. Still, ask staff to confirm the current supplier and recipe at your location.

Always verify that the dressing container is dedicated or that fresh portion cups are taken from the kitchen, not the condiment rail.

Safer add-ons and service tips

Safer items by ingredient include pico de gallo, salsa, crema, and hatch queso. These tend to list fewer wheat ingredients but can face cross-contamination from shared ladles.

Ask if ranch/bleu cheese comes from a dedicated container.
Request clean portion cups and utensils for allergy orders.
Ask for sealed single-serve cups or fresh portions from the kitchen.

Lower-risk serving tip: use celery instead of chips if fryer sharing is unclear. Celery is a safe, crunchy dip vehicle and reduces fryer-cross risk.

Item	Why it’s usually safe	What to ask	Risk level
Ranch	Often not flagged for wheat in the allergen guide	Is it from a dedicated container or sealed cup?	Low–Medium
Bleu cheese	Dairy-based; suppliers vary	Confirm current ingredient list and handling	Low–Medium
Pico / Salsa / Crema	Simple ingredients; low wheat risk	Ask for fresh scoop from kitchen, not shared ladle	Low
Hatch Queso	May contain thickeners; check label	Show allergen guide or request ingredient list	Low–Medium

Once dips and dressings are confirmed, the next step is building a meal that fits your calories, carbs, and sodium targets. The nutrition section that follows will help with that planning.

Nutrition Facts and Prices: Building a Gluten-Free Meal That Fits Your Goals

With safer items selected, compare calories, carbs, and sodium in the official nutrition guide before you finalize an order.

Start by opening the restaurant’s Nutrition, Allergen, & Preparation PDF. Use it to compare calories, fat, carbs, protein, and sodium for different item counts, sauces, and sides.

How to use the Nutrition Guide PDF to compare calories, carbs, and sodium

Find the row for traditional wings and the sauce you plan to order. Check calories and sodium per piece or per order size.

Note how Honey BBQ or Parmesan Garlic raises sugar and calories compared with dry rubs.

Smarter combos: wings + veggie sides vs. fried sides

Pick a protein plus low-handling sides. Traditional wings plus carrots and celery usually keep carbs and calories lower than fries or tots.

If fries are in a shared fryer, treat that as a handling risk, not a nutrition swap.

Portion sizing for traditional wings (snack vs. meal)

Snack portion: 6 traditional wings — lighter calories, good for sharing or small appetite.

Meal portion: 10–12 traditional wings with a veggie side or a salad — fuller protein and a balanced plate.

Sauce strategy: BBQ-style sauces add sugar; dry rubs raise sodium — check the PDF for exact numbers.
Price note: Prices vary by location; pair the Nutrition Guide with the store price list before ordering.

Item	Price (varies)	Calories	Gluten-Free Options	Allergens
Traditional wings (6)	Varies by store	See Nutrition Guide	Yes (by ingredient)	Dairy (if sauced)
Carrots & Celery	Varies by store	Low	Yes	None typical
Fries	Varies by store	Higher	Yes (ingredient only)	May contact wheat
Parmesan Garlic sauce	Varies by store	Adds calories	Often listed safe	Dairy

Final reminder: nutrition numbers guide choices, but preparation and cross-contact controls determine real safety. Always verify preparation steps and allergen notes at your location before ordering.

How to Order Gluten-Free at Buffalo Wild Wings Without Guessing

Before you order, check the Nutrition, Allergen, & Preparation page and save the Allergen & Preparation Guide PDF. These resources show current ingredient flags and handling notes so you can choose safer items and sauces.

What to say to your server: state a clear allergen note, ask for a glove change, request clean utensils, and ask that proteins be cooked on a clean area or grill.

Ask if the location will use separate fryers or a protected process for fries and chips.
Request that saucing be done in a separate container or bag to avoid cross-contamination.
Confirm the wing style (traditional wings vs. boneless), or ask about naked tenders and grilled chicken handling.

Dine-in vs. takeout: dine-in lets you confirm steps and read the ticket. Takeout can be misread—double-check the order at pickup and keep allergen items apart from other plates.

Step	Why it matters	Quick script
Check guide	Lists current ingredient and handling flags	“I checked the allergen guide; can you confirm handling?”
Verify fryers	Use separate fryers reduces transfer risk	“Do you use separate fryers for chips/fries?”
Protect saucing	Separate saucing avoids shared bowls	“Please sauce in a separate container or bag.”

Protect-your-order checklist: read the ticket, verify traditional wings or chosen protein, confirm sauce, and separate your plate from other items at the table.

Conclusion

Bottom line: you can often build a gluten-aware order at buffalo wild wings, but real safety depends on your location’s prep and handling. Use the allergen list and confirm staff steps before you commit.

Stick with traditional wings or bone-in wings, a confirmed sauce or dry rub, and veggie sides. Ask about lemon pepper, ranch, or a simple dry rub and verify the sauce and utensils.

Avoid boneless, breaded tenders, cauliflower bites, and bun or tortilla items every time. The two biggest risk reducers are separate fryers and separate saucing/clean utensils.

Check the official PDFs each visit. Use the scripts and checklist in the ordering section so you can enjoy game-night food with confidence, not luck.

FAQ

What does "gluten-friendly" mean at Buffalo Wild Wings and how is it different from gluten-free?

“Gluten-friendly” indicates items that the restaurant identifies as made without wheat-based ingredients but that may still carry cross-contact risk. It is not the same as certified gluten-free. If you need strict avoidance for celiac disease, ask for ingredient lists and allergen documents and confirm preparation steps with staff before ordering.

How high is the cross-contamination risk in a shared kitchen with common fryers and prep stations?

Risk varies by location. Shared fryers, common saucing bowls, and the same utensils raise chances of cross-contact. Ask your server whether staff use separate utensils, change gloves, and avoid shared bowls when preparing your plate to reduce risk.

Do any Buffalo Wild Wings locations use a dedicated fryer for non-breaded items?

Dedicated fryer policies differ by restaurant. Some franchise locations may maintain separate fryers for certain items while others do not. Always verify with the local team if fryer separation is required for your order.

Which core items are typically the safest to order when avoiding gluten?

Traditional bone-in wings tossed in approved dry rubs or sauces, naked grilled chicken, and simple veggie sides (carrots, celery) are commonly safer choices. Confirm each sauce and seasoning on the allergen guide and request no cross-contact during preparation.

Are boneless wings, hand-breaded tenders, and cauliflower bites safe for a strict diet?

No. Boneless wings and hand-breaded tenders are breaded and contain wheat. Cauliflower bites are usually breaded too. These items are not safe for strict avoidance and should be avoided unless a certified gluten-free preparation exists.

Which sauces and dry rubs are safer to request for an allergy-sensitive order?

Lemon pepper and some classic sauces are often listed as lower-risk, but formulations change. Ask for the current Allergen & Preparation Guide to confirm which sauces and dry rubs do not list wheat or barley ingredients before ordering.

Which sauces and flavors should customers be cautious about?

Asian-inspired sauces, some BBQ blends, and items with soy or malt vinegar often contain wheat or barley. Always check the allergen guide for these specific flavors and request ingredient verification from staff.

Are fries, tots, chips, queso, and guacamole safe sides for someone avoiding wheat?

Fries and tots may be naturally free of wheat, but fryer cross-contact with breaded items is common. Tortilla chips depend on fryer use; queso and guacamole are typically safe by ingredient but can be contaminated if served from shared utensils. Ask about fryer and service practices.

Can salads be ordered safely without risk from hidden gluten ingredients?

Some salads can be safe if you remove croutons and avoid crispy proteins. Watch for dressings, tortilla strips, and protein toppings that are breaded. Confirm the dressing ingredients and request fresh gloves and utensils for assembly.

Are ranch and bleu cheese dressings safe to use for people with wheat allergies?

Ranch and bleu cheese typically do not list wheat as a primary ingredient, but recipes vary. Check the allergen document and ask staff to verify to ensure the dressing brand used at that location does not contain gluten-containing additives.

How should I ask staff to minimize cross-contact when ordering for an allergy?

Be explicit: state you have a wheat sensitivity or celiac disease, request glove changes, ask for clean utensils and separate saucing bowls, and confirm whether items will be prepared away from breaded foods or in a dedicated fryer if available.

Does ordering takeout or delivery increase the risk of contamination compared with dine-in?

Takeout can increase risk if kitchen staff are preparing many orders quickly and using the same equipment. Dine-in gives you a chance to speak directly with staff about preparation. For strict needs, call ahead and speak with a manager.

Where can I find accurate nutrition, allergen, and ingredient information?

Use the restaurant’s Nutrition, Allergen, & Preparation page and the downloadable Allergen & Preparation Guide PDF. These documents list current ingredients, allergen flags, and preparation notes—always confirm with the location because recipes and suppliers can change.