There is nothing more quintessentially summer than sitting down at a backyard barbecue and enjoying a flavorful hot dog. For a long time, I accepted that my hot dog had to be a sad soul without a bun because I either couldn’t find gluten-free hot dog buns or they were so bad that eating sand was a better choice.
As with a lot of things gluten-free, buns have come a long way, though I still find them to be a bit thicker than I’d like. However, instead of eating your hot dog speared on a fork, you can now actually eat it on a bun with all of your favorite condiments!
Don’t forget to check out our list of gluten-free hot dog brands you can trust!
What Are the Best Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns Brands Available?
Have you ever wondered where you can find a good gluten-free hot dog bun? We want you to be able to enjoy your hot dogs, so we put this list together of popular brands that are free from gluten. Here’s to getting your grub on and having a great backyard cookout!
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Ener-G Foods 
Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns
Ener-G gluten-free hot dog buns are dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, and kosher. Ener-G recommends that you warm or toast these buns before eating them.
They offer two different options:
Tapioca Hot Dog Buns
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, High Oleic Safflower Oil, Pear Juice Concentrate, Bamboo Fiber, Yeast, Methylcellulose, Tapioca Syrup, Guar Gum, Organic Palm Fruit Oil, Salt, Orange Citrus Fiber, Calcium Phosphate, Baking Powder (Glucono Delta-Lactone, Calcium Carbonate & Magnesium Carbonate). Enriched with Thiamin (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin Vitamin B2), Niacin, Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin D.
Regular Hot Dog Buns
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Corn Starch, Tapioca Starch, Rice Flour, Palm Fruit Oil, Safflower Oil, Tapioca Syrup, Bamboo Fiber, Invert Sugar, Pear Juice Concentrate, Methylcellulose, Yeast, Salt, Apple Sauce (apples, water), Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Fiber, Glucono Delta Lactone (antioxidant).
(These hot dog buns are produced in a facility that also processes eggs.)
Cross-Contact: Ener-G Food’s website says that all of their products are created in a dedicated gluten-free facility. They also clean, sanitize, and inspect their equipment after each production run. (Source: Ener-G)
Franz Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns
Franz is a bread and pastry manufacturer based in the Pacific Northwest. They’ve been around since 1906, and while they focus the majority of their efforts on regular bakery products, they have a strong line of gluten-free breads, buns, and rolls.
Franz gluten-free hot dog buns are certified gluten-free and hand-crafted in a dedicated gluten-free bakery. According to Franz, each bag has a 45-day shelf life before the product is opened. In our experience, that’s not actually the case. Most gluten-free bread products tend to mold quickly, so it’s best if you freeze the hot dog buns right away or store them in the fridge if you plan on eating them within a few days.
The only real downside to these buns is that they are really thick. The hot dog to bun ratio is not ideal unless you’re a real bread lover, but it is the most like homemade gluten-free buns you can find.
We’ve tried hollowing out the bun a little bit or even adding a second hot dog (double the dog!). Whatever trick you take, just know that you’ll still need to lube that sucker up with ketchup or mayo to avoid a dry bun.
I’m not doing a great job of selling you on these, but they are a real winner. I promise! They are one of my favorite gluten-free buns on this list (for hot dogs or hoagie sandwiches). I fry them up with butter, making them crispy, soft and delicious!
Ingredients: Water, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, tapioca syrup, corn starch, xanthan gum, potato starch, contains 2% or less of each of the following: dried whole eggs, high oleic safflower oil, salt, vinegar, yeast, enzymes
Cross-Contact: Franz says that all of their gluten-free bakeries and products have been certified by the GFCO. Additionally, their gluten-free products are manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free bakery and undergo regular testing to verify the ppm of gluten is safe. (Source: Franz)
Katz Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns
Katz GF hot dog buns come frozen and need to be kept that way until you’re ready to eat them.
Ingredients: Gluten-free flour (white rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch, arrowroot flour, soy flour, potato flour, potato flakes, flaxseed meal), water, eggs, palm oil, honey brown sugar, xanthan gum, salt, dry yeast, apple cider vinegar, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate).
Cross-Contact: Katz products have been certified by the GFCO and the Gluten Intolerance Group, which is part of the Gluten-Free Certification Organization. Katz products are also manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free facility that is nut-free, dairy-free and kosher. (Source: Katz)
Kinnikinnick Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns
Kinnikinnick gluten-free, vegan hot dog buns are free from the top 8 allergens and are enriched with vitamins and minerals. *Note that their website says this is a vegan product, but they also say that the ingredients may contain egg.
Ingredients: Gluten-free flour blend (modified tapioca starch, potato starch*, white rice flour, brown rice flour, rice starch), Water, Sugars (dextrose*, cane sugar), Canola oil*, Modified cellulose, Psyllium, Salt, Yeast, Vinegar, Milled flaxseed, Cultured corn syrup solids*, Citric acid, Vitamin and mineral blend (niacin, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid). (May contain egg)
Cross-Contact: Kinnikinnick products have been certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Program and are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility that is also safe from dairy, tree nuts, peanuts, and soy. Additionally, they have strict policies where they test all incoming ingredients before they use them and don’t let gluten in their facilities in any form, even from their employees. This makes Kinnikinnick one of the safest gluten-free hot dog bun brands available. (Source: Kinnikinnick)
Little Northern Bakehouse Gluten-Free Millet and Chia Hot Dog Buns
Little Northern Bakehouse gluten-free hot dog buns are Non-GMO Project verified and allergen-friendly. The buns have a smooth texture and a bit of a crunch due to the millet and chia.
Ingredients: Water, gluten-free flour blend (modified tapioca starch, corn starch, potato starch, brown rice flour), sugars (dextrose, cane sugar), sunflower oil, psyllium husk, yeast, pea fibre, modified cellulose, salt, rice bran, whole millet, whole chia seeds, cultured cane sugar, cellulose gum, vinegar.
Cross-Contact: Little Northern Bakehouse’s website says that their products are made in a gluten-free facility and that both their products and facilities have been certified by the GFCO and the Gluten-Free Certification Program. (Source: Little Northern Bakehouse)
Sam’s Choice Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns
Sam’s Choice hot dog buns without gluten are the surprise hit on this list. Sam’s Choice isn’t known for being a gluten-free brand, so it’s great to see that it’s branching out more and providing certified safe options for celiacs and people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Note that these GF buns are available only at Walmart.
Ingredients: Water, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, tapioca syrup, cornstarch, xanthan gum, potato starch, cultured rice flour, contains 2% or less of each of the following: whole eggs, extra virgin olive oil, salt, yeast, enzymes
Cross-Contact: The Sam’s Choice website doesn’t contain a statement regarding their allergen safety policy, so we reached out to them. We’ll update this article when we hear back.
However, the packaging for their gluten-free products does contain a GFCO certification.
Schar Gluten-Free Hot Dog Rolls
Schar gluten-free hot dog buns are a well-known favorite brand. They have a fluffy, almost spongy texture. The buns look a little on the pale side, but don’t let that stop you from gobbling them up. Throw them on the grill or pop them in the toaster oven, and these gluten-free buns will be good to go. Schar’s pre-sliced hot dog rolls are baked with ancient grains and fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients: Water, corn starch, sourdough (rice flour, water), rice flour, rice starch, agave syrup, psyllium seed husks (vegetable fiber), millet flour, modified cellulose, sunflower oil, navy bean powder, yeast, rice syrup, salt, calcium citrate, corn flour, soy protein, niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin (May Contain: Mustard)
Cross-Contact: Schar’s website didn’t have any information regarding how they avoid gluten cross-contact, so we reached out to them. They emailed Gluten-Free Grubbin’ back and said that all of their products are made in dedicated gluten-free bakeries and that they regularly test their ingredients and products to make sure that they come in below 10 ppm of gluten. (Source: Schar)
Three Bakers Gluten-Free Whole Grain Hot Dog Buns
Three Bakers hot dog buns are the hardest item to find on this list, but The Gluten-Free Mall seems to consistently have them in stock. These buns are soy and dairy free, as well as gluten free.
Ingredients: Water, brown rice flour, corn starch, tapioca starch, eggs, corn dextrin, sugar, canola oil, potato flour, honey, baking powder, yeast, rice bran, xanthan gum, salt, vinegar, enzymes (calcium sulfate and enzymes).
Cross-Contact: Three Bakers states that all of their products are made in dedicated gluten-free facilities and are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group, which is a part of the GFCO. (Source: Three Bakers)
Udi’s Gluten-Free Classic Hot Dog Buns
Udi’s is one of the most well-known brands in the gluten-free community. The buns they make are soft and fluffy, with a slightly sweet taste. Udi’s gluten-free hot dog buns are free from wheat, dairy, soy, and nuts, but they do contain eggs. They are also certified gluten-free.
Ingredients: Water, Tapioca Starch, Brown Rice Flour, Canola Oil, Resistant Corn Starch, Egg Whites, Cane Sugar Syrup, Tapioca Maltodextrin, Potato Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Tapioca Syrup, Yeast, Sugarcane Fiber, Salt, Gum (Xanthan Gum, Sodium Alginate, Guar Gum), Cultured Corn Syrup Solids And Citric Acid (mold Inhibitor), Xanthan Gum And Enzymes.
Cross-Contact: Udi’s website doesn’t have any information regarding how they avoid gluten cross-contact, so we reached out to them. They explained how they thoroughly clean and test their production lines prior to doing a gluten-free run. They also keep all gluten-free ingredients completely separate from gluten-containing ingredients to further prevent cross-contact. (Source: Udi’s)
How To Thaw Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns
Many gluten-free hot dog buns come frozen and must be thawed before eating. Here are a couple of ways to do so, plus one method we discourage you from trying.
Best: Thaw at Room Temperature
Try to plan ahead and defrost the bun at room temperature for several hours before you are going to eat it. This will leave you with a moist, fresh bun.
Good: Pop It in the Oven
For the fastest defrosting method, place your frozen gluten-free hot dog bun in a 300° F oven for 5 minutes. If you cook it hotter and longer than this, your buns will toast.
Worst: Use the Microwave
Resist the urge to pop them in the microwave for a few seconds, otherwise, you’ll be left with a chewy bun that may harden up as soon as it cools down. But if the microwave is the only option you have, then cook the bun on high for no more than 10 seconds. If the gluten-free hot dog bun is still frozen, put it in the oven for 5 more seconds, repeating in 5-second intervals until fully defrosted.
Gluten-Free Hot Dog Bun FAQ
What brand of hot dogs are gluten-free?
- Ener-G
- Franz
- Katz
- Kinnikinnick
- Little Northern Bakehouse
- Sam’s Choice
- Schar
- Three Bakers
- Udi’s
Who makes the best gluten-free hot dog buns?
Everyone has different tastes, especially when it comes to gluten-free foods. However, the consensus tends to be that Schar, Canyon Bakehouse, Franz, and Udi’s have the best gluten-free hot dog buns.
Can celiacs eat hot dog buns?
Yes, people with celiac disease can eat hot dog buns. It’s best if they stick to certified gluten-free hot dog buns to be safe, and there are plenty of delicious options available.
Were Trader Joe’s gluten-free hot dog buns discontinued?
Trader Joe’s no longer sells gluten-free hot dog buns. However, they do still sell their gluten-free hamburger buns, which have a similar taste and texture as their buns did.
Does King’s Hawaiian make gluten-free buns?
No, King’s Hawaiian does not have a gluten-free product line. However, Canyon Bakehouse has a line of Hawaiian sweet bread and rolls that are a great alternative.
Does Canyon Bakehouse make gluten-free hot dog buns?
The closest thing to a gluten-free hot dog bun that Canyon Bakehouse offers is their sub rolls. They are thicker than a traditional hot dog bun, but you could make them work with hot dogs.
What restaurants have gluten-free buns?
- Burgerville
- Chick-Fil-A
- Culver’s
- Killer Burger
- McDonald’s (outside the United States)
- Red Robin
Does anyone make vegan gluten-free hot dog buns?
Kinnikinnick hot dog buns are vegan and gluten-free.
Stay Safe With These Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns Brands
Hopefully, you have found this list of gluten-free hot dog buns brands helpful. We encourage you to share this list with your loved ones and spread the word about Gluten-Free Grubbin’ so that all of us celiacs and those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity/non-celiac wheat sensitivity can stay healthy and safe.
Go get your grub on!
