Mcdonald’s is arguably one of the best fast food corporations known for its hamburgers. But have you ever wondered what their French fries taste like? If you’re sensitive to gluten, you may be curious to know if their fries are gluten-free. This post will answer these pertinent questions.
Are mcdonalds French fries gluten free?
No. Their French fries contain beef flavoring made of hydrolyzed wheat which contains gluten.
Outside the US, the fries do not contain gluten. But again, there’s always a risk of contamination. We recommend that you confirm from your local restaurant to safely enjoy the fries.
Gluten is a type of protein common in barley, rye, and wheat. Because it occurs naturally, you can’t stripe it from your food. Since wheat is used as a binding agent, this makes Mcdonald’s French fries crispy on the outside.
What are Mcdonald’s fries made of?
The French fries are made of:
- Potatoes
- Natural beef flavor – hydrolyzed milk and hydrolyzed wheat
- Sodium acid pyrophosphate
- Vegetable oil
- Soybean
Nutrition facts:
| Nutrition facts | McDonald’s French Fries – Small | McDonald’s French Fries – Medium | McDonald’s French Fries – Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Units | 1 serving | 1 serving | 1 serving |
| Calories | 220 | 320 | 490 |
| Total Fat | 10g | 15g | 23g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0mg | 0mg |
| Sodium | 180mg | 260mg | 400mg |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 43g | 66g |
| Protein | 3g | 5g | 7g |
| Vitamin A | 0mcg | 0mcg | 0mcg |
| Sugars | 2g | 5g | 0g |
| Calcium | 20mg | 26mg | 26mg |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 0.7mg | 1.4mg |
By ordering large versus small fries, you cut 13 grams of fat, 37 grams of carbs, and 270 calories.
How are Mcdonald’s fries made?
MacDonald’s uses French fries, shepody, and Russet Burback potatoes. They are made in a factory and partially fried before being sent to Mcdonald’s. They are then fried again with vegetable oil to give a crispy bite.
Are there any gluten-free French fries?
French fries can be enjoyed by people with gluten intolerance as long as they don’t have ingredients that contain gluten. If you’re making your order from a restaurant, you may want to know more about the ingredients. Perhaps, the best way is to buy some fries and cook them in the oven.
Are McDonald’s fries dairy-free?
No. McDonald’s fries contain dairy products. If you’re allergic to gluten, you should steer clear of daily products. The fries contain hydrolyzed milk to give some flavor.
Did Mcdonald’s change their French fries?
If you’ve been a fan of French fries for a couple of years, you must have noted the oily and oily look. Why do their fries taste different compared to back then? Unlike in the 90s, the fast-food franchise now uses ingredients that make their fries extra flavorful. They have also introduced the natural beef flavor.
In all their restaurants, you’ll quickly notice the signature golden spears in their fries. You may assume it’s the generic brown spud. But the secret lies in the potato species. Mcdonald’s uses Russet Ranger, Russet Burbank, shepody, and Umatilla Russet potatoes.
Another notable difference is that their fries are cooked more than once. Before they make it to the restaurant, they are deep-fried and frozen. They are then cooked the second time ready for consumption.
What you should know before eating Mcdonald’s French fries
If you’ve ordered Mcdonald’s French fries before, you must have noted the greasy and crispy taste.
It takes 19 ingredients to make them
You probably thought that French fries are made with salt and oil. Well, there’s more to that. According to MacDonald’s website, there are about 19 ingredients. Each serves a purpose. For instance, dextrose is a natural sugar that gives a mouth-watering brown color. You’ll also find the natural beef color.
The calorie count is a bit high
The medium package contains 320 calories. While this may not be too alarming, you’re probably better off with a burger.
If you want fresh fries, you just ask
One thing you’ll notice about French fries is that you get the freshest possible. While salt is part of McDonald’s fries, you can also get salt-free options.
Some are not exactly vegan-friendly
McDonald’s fries feature a natural beef flavor. This gives them a meaty flavor. If you’re following a diet that avoids animal products, you may want to stay away from hydrolyzed milk and hydrolyzed wheat.
You get many dipping options
Depending on your needs, you have several dipping options like ketchup + mayo, mustard, tangy BBQ, McDonald’s new signature sauce, and Oreo McFlurry.
Should I eat French fries I have celiac disease?
No. French fries are naturally gluten-free. However, they can be contaminated with other fried foods that contain gluten. Some restaurants have dedicated French fry flyers; others share with breaded foods like mozzarella sticks.
If you’re on a strictly gluten-free diet, you should avoid French fries that are cross-contaminated. If you’re making your order from shared flyers, then the fries are not gluten-free.
Potatoes are perfectly okay for people with celiac disease – it’s all about the method of preparation. Additional ingredients can be a back door for gluten.
Gluten can affect celiacs in many ways. Some people complain of digestive problems; others experience hormonal imbalance. The intestinal damage can cause anemia, bloating, fatigue, and weight loss. Over time, the reaction can damage the small intestine preventing the absorption of nutrients.
Before you buy those French fries to satiate your taste buds, you should:
- Verify there are no added ingredients. Some restaurants like to add wheat to create a crispy texture.
- Check the fryer. Many restaurants use the same flyer to cook chicken nuggets, fried chicken, onion rings, and other battered foods that contain gluten. Let’s say some chicken nuggets are fried and removed. If a batch of French fries goes to the same flyer, there’s a possibility of cross-contamination. To be on the safe side, you should ask the chefs if they use the same flyer for other foods.
While McDonald’s fries are not cooked on a shared flyer, they come with ingredients that cannot be considered gluten-free.
Does MacDonald’s offer gluten-free items?
Now that you know that their French fries are not gluten-free, you’re probably looking for a second alternative. Some of the gluten-free foods on their menu include:
- Smoothies
- Hot chocolate shake
- Hot caramel sundae
- Soft drinks
- Premium roast coffee
- Apple slices
- Hot fudge
- Juice
For the sweet tooth, a hot fudge, McFlurry shakes, and cookies can be the perfect fit. Sausages eggs and bacon can also be a good breakfast-free option. In addition to that, you can order fruit parfait exclusive of granola.
Wrap up
When you want to enjoy some fries from your favorite restaurant, you should figure out whether they have gluten or not. If you’re sensitive to gluten, you should stay away from McDonald’s fries.