Dutch Bros is a popular all-American coffee place that is extremely popular amongst locals. They specialize in all varieties of coffee and offer various sodas, smoothies, and lemonades.
Their extensive menu also offers some baked goods, but their coffee is what put them on the map!
So what’s gluten-free at Dutch Bros?
The variety of drinks at Dutch Bros is extraordinary – you name it, they’ve got it. The best part is that majority of their drinks are in fact gluten-free (according to the internet).
They offer a wide variety of gluten-free drinks that include Dutch Classics, Americano, Chai, Smoothies, and much more.
The only downside to Dutch Bros is the fact that they do not have a dedicated allergen or gluten-free menu. They will provide the customer with necessary nutritional information upon inquiry.
So, if you’re someone who suffers from Celiac disease or extreme gluten sensitivity – it’s better to avoid Dutch Bros. The risk of cross-contamination is always present and nothing is worth risking your health over.
This article is going to be an in-depth analysis of the Dutch Bros menu to filter out all the possible gluten-free options that you can enjoy.
We’ve gone through the trouble of researching their extensive menu and scoured the internet for reviews, so you won’t have to.
Stay tuned for some great tips to stay gluten-free on your next drive to Dutch bros!
Gluten-Free Options at Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros was founded in 1992 by two brothers Dave and Travis Boersma, who wanted to bring their own take on classic coffee. The brothers started with a small pushcart to sell their coffee in Oregon.
Today, Dutch Bros is a multimillion-dollar company with over 530 locations across 12 states.
Dutch Bros boasts an expansive menu with a plethora of drinks on offer. Upon inquiry, a company representative stated that all the drinks on offer are in fact gluten-free.
After conducting some extensive research we found a few syrups that need to be avoided, we’ll be mentioning those at the end of this section so you remember to stay away from them.
Now let us look at some of the popular drinks Dutch Bros has to offer that are gluten-free to the best of our knowledge.
Disclaimer: Dutch Bros does not have an official gluten-free menu. So if you suffer from severe gluten sensitivity, it is better to avoid taking a risk with these drinks.
Dutch Classics
Dutch Bros has its own take on the classic espresso. They offer the Dutch Classics in a variety of gluten-free flavors for you to choose from. These drinks can be served hot, cold, or blended according to your preference.
- Kicker (380/460/510 kcal)
- Annihilator (330/420/520 kcal)
- Cocomo (280/400/510 kcal)
- Double Torture (240/340/470 kcal)
- 9-1-1 (250/370/540 kcal)
*The calories mentioned are for small servings. They vary based on whether you get the cold, hot, or blended version.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLE: Waffle House Gluten-Free Options
Cold Brew
The signature cold brew at Dutch Bros comes in a variety of exciting flavors. They make for a perfect pick-me-up on a tiring day. You can get the cold brew two ways; toasted or cold.
- Annihilator (170/180 kcal)
- White Mocha (180/270 kcal)
- Cold Brew (20 kcal)
- Kicker (180/370 kcal)
*The calories mentioned are for small servings. They vary based on whether you get the toasted or cold version.
Dutch Freeze
The dutch freeze is blended cold coffee that makes for a perfect treat on a hot summer day. It is only available in one gluten-free flavor.
- Cocomo (540 kcal)
Americano
An espresso shot of Dutch Bros’ unique blend of coffee combined with water. If you’re looking for something light to wake you up, this is your go-to. It’s served hot or cold based on your preference.
Dutch Frost
Dutch Bros has its own twist on the classic ice cream shake. It’s available in four exciting flavors which will surely satiate your sweet tooth.
- Strawberry (460 kcal)
- Ninja (500 kcal)
- White Chocolate (520 kcal)
- Cotton Candy (500 kcal)
*The calories mentioned are for a single small serving.
Tea
Dutch Bros premium quality green or black tea is infused with a flavor of your choice to make for a refreshing serving of flavored tea. Their tea is available in 35+ unique flavors and is served iced or hot. Here are some popular options.
- Double Rainbro
- Peach
- Passion Fruit
- Strawberry
- Tropical
- Ray of Sunshine
- Palm Tree
- Rocky Point
- Starry Night
- Midnight
- Earl Grey
- Green Tea Lemonade
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Everything Gluten-Free at White Castle
Smoothies
Made with fresh fruit, the smoothies at Dutch Bros are a true gluten-free delight!
- Peach (470 kcal)
- Strawberry (350 kcal)
- Green Apple (410 kcal)
- Mango (410 kcal)
*The calories mentioned are for a single small serving.
Lemonade
The refreshing lemonade at Dutch Bros is available in almost 30 unique flavors. Their ice-cold lemonade is the perfect drink on a hot summer’s day.
- Electric Berry
- Strawberry
- Palm Beach
- Tiger’s Blood
- Sweet Sunrise
- Aquaberry
- Midnight
- Hawaiian
Dutch Soda
Dutch Soda is simply your favorite gluten-free flavoring infused in some sparkling soda water.
- Electric Berry
- Unicorn Blood
- Watermelon
- OG Gummybear
- Pink Flamingo
Chai
You can have the chai latte at Dutch Bros in two gluten-free flavors. You can have their chai iced or hot.
- Vanilla (280/330 kcal)
- White Chocolate (310/360 kcal)
*The calories mentioned are for a single small serving which can be ordered iced or hot.
Dutch Cocoa
Who doesn’t love a great hot chocolate? Dutch Bros is offering different varieties of hot chocolate that are topped with fluffy whipped cream. Perfect for a cold winter night.
- White Chocolate (470 kcal)
- Double Chocolate (460 kcal)
- Vanilla (440 kcal)
*The calories mentioned are for a single small serving.
Menu Items to Avoid at Dutch Bros
Some of the drinks at Dutch Bros contain specific syrups that contain gluten and should be avoided at all costs.
Moreover, all the baked goods at Dutch Bros contain gluten and need to be avoided at all costs. The only positive is that the edible items at Dutch Bros come pre-packed this reduces the risk of cross-contamination significantly.
Gluten Containing Syrups
The following syrups at Dutch Bros contain gluten. The drinks made with these syrups should be avoided at all costs, or ask your server to refrain from adding any of these syrups to your drink of choice.
You’ll have to read the menu carefully and stay vigilant to avoid ordering items with these syrups.
- Torani Bacon
- Caramel Classic
- Sugar-Free Caramel Classic
- Sugar-Free S’mores
Food Items
The following baked goods available at Dutch Bros contain wheat and need to be avoided at all costs.
- Granola Nut Bar
- Chocolate Chip Muffin
- Lemon Poppyseed Muffin
- Orange Cranberry Muffin
- Peppermint Sprinkles
Tips to Stay Gluten-Free at Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros doesn’t have a dedicated gluten-free menu or allergen menu on its website. This makes it quite challenging to order something that you can be sure about.
Upon inquiry, they claim that none of their drinks contain gluten and are safe to consume for people with gluten allergies.
The ambiguity surrounding the Dutch Bros menu can induce stress if you’re someone who suffers from severe gluten sensitivity.
Thus, we’ve come up with a series of tips that you can follow while ordering at Dutch Bros to ensure what you’re getting is free of gluten.
Know the Cafe
It is important to research the place you’re going to visit beforehand. You should know what kind of menu they have, what ingredients are going into their food, and whether they have stringent cross-contamination protocols in place or not.
This information will help you make an informed decision about whether the place you choose to visit is worth going to or not.
Remember, your health should be the number one priority and if you’re not convinced that an eatery will serve you adequate gluten-free items then it’s better to avoid it.
Communicate your Preferences
Before ordering, always let the staff know about your allergy. The restaurant staff must be aware of your allergy so they can take adequate measures to address your concerns.
At this point, the staff or manager will let you know whether they can cater to your dietary needs or not and whether they have gluten-free items or not.
Since Dutch Bros does not have a dedicated gluten-free menu, it is paramount that you make your preferences clear so there isn’t any confusion.
Ask Relevant Questions
Asking questions is beneficial in a way that it will clear any confusion on your part, and it will also convey the seriousness of your allergy.
Whenever you’re in a restaurant or cafe that you’re not too sure about you must inquire about their menu and protocols. Here are some questions that will help you decide whether it’s safe for you to order something off the menu or not.
- Do you guys have a gluten-free menu?
- Do you guys follow cross-contamination protocols?
- Do you guys prep gluten-free and gluten-containing items separately?
- Do you guys have an ingredient list or allergen list?
It’s better to avoid ordering anything if you’re not convinced with the answers to these questions. Nothing is worth risking your health over.
If in Doubt, Throw it Out
If you’ve ordered something but you’re not too sure about it being free of gluten, it is better to skip it.
Avoid Rush
Rush hours usually mean the waiting staff won’t be able to give you their full attention. This will increase the risk of mistakes being made which will potentially contaminate your food. Hence, it is better to avoid rush hours.
Cross Contamination Risk at Dutch Bros
Cross-contamination occurs when items free of gluten come into contact with gluten-containing items, utensils, or gloves. This contaminates gluten-free items and may trigger allergies.
This is a serious concern for people who suffer from Celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity. Even trace amounts of gluten can adversely affect their health.
The risk of cross-contamination at Dutch Bros is fairly low since they claim all of their drinks are gluten-free except for a few that contain gluten-containing syrups. Caution is always advised no matter where you go to eat or drink.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind to stay gluten-free next time you visit Dutch bros.
- Inform the staff about your gluten sensitivity before placing your order.
- Ask for their gluten-free options and how they’re prepared.
- Ask for an ingredient profile or allergen list if they have one.
- Inquire about the cross-contamination protocols in place and how strictly they’re followed.
- Request for a single server to prepare your drink from start to finish to avoid any confusion.
- Ask the server to wash their hands and put on a fresh pair of gloves before preparing your order.
- Ask the server to use clean utensils to take out the desired ingredients and use a clean blender to prepare your drink.
If these steps are followed properly, the risk of contamination goes down significantly. You will feel at ease knowing that your order is totally gluten-free.
Dutch Bros lets you make a fully customized drink according to your preferences, all you have to do is ask!
What the Public is Saying
We have compiled a series of reviews from people with gluten allergies who visited Dutch Bros. These reviews have been sourced from the internet after extensive research.
The majority of the reviews are positive and reflect on Dutch Bros’ amazing staff that will cater to all your special needs.
The satisfied customers claimed that the staff followed stringent cross-contamination protocols when they were informed about gluten intolerance. The staff will use clean utensils and blenders to prepare your drink.
People claimed that all of the drinks at Dutch Bros except a few are safe for consumption. The best part was that there wasn’t a single reviewing customer that experienced any health issue after consuming Dutch Bros.
The only downside in the reviews was that Dutch Bros doesn’t have anything gluten-free to eat. All of their baked goods contain gluten.
If you suffer from Celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity it is paramount that you practice caution even if the reviews online are positive. Your health should always be the top priority.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dutch Bros is an amazing place to visit if you’re a casual gluten-free eater with no serious health concerns. They have an amazing variety of drinks for everyone to choose from.
If you’re someone who deals with severe gluten allergies, it’s better if you remain cautious and follow all the measures mentioned in this article. Overall, you could say Dutch Bros’ is a pretty allergy-friendly place.
They just need to work on making an explicit gluten-free menu to make it easier for people to navigate.
Next time you’re confused about how to order gluten-free at Dutch Bros, be sure to give this article a read!