Are Egg Rolls Gluten-Free?

From The New Day Notebook · Facts last checked October 21, 2026 · General information, not medical advice

No, traditional egg rolls are not gluten-free. The crispy, bubbly wrapper that defines an egg roll is made from wheat flour, and wheat is a primary source of gluten.

While the fillings inside an egg roll might be gluten-free on their own, the wrapper makes the entire item unsuitable for a gluten-free diet. This applies to the vast majority of egg rolls found in restaurants and grocery store freezer aisles.

Egg rolls and gluten at a glance

Why egg rolls contain gluten

The source of gluten in an egg roll is simple: its wrapper. These wrappers are a type of dough made with wheat flour, water, eggs, and salt. Because wheat is a gluten-containing grain, anything made with standard wheat flour contains gluten. The filling ingredients, such as vegetables, meat, and seasonings, can also be a source of gluten if they include soy sauce or other sauces made with wheat. However, the wrapper is the main ingredient that makes egg rolls off-limits.

Even if an egg roll were made with a gluten-free wrapper, cross-contact is a major concern. Most restaurants cook egg rolls in a shared deep fryer with other battered, gluten-containing items. This practice makes them unsafe for people who need to avoid gluten for medical reasons.

Where egg rolls show up

Egg rolls are a staple on appetizer menus at many American Chinese restaurants. They are often served as part of a combination platter, alongside other fried items that also typically contain gluten. You will also find them in the frozen food section of most supermarkets, sold in boxes for easy preparation at home. In all these common settings, the standard egg roll recipe uses a wheat-based wrapper.

Be cautious with similar foods. Some appetizers called spring rolls also use wheat-based wrappers and are fried just like egg rolls. Always ask about the wrapper ingredients when eating out.

Gluten-free swaps that work

For a similar experience, look for fresh spring rolls, sometimes called summer rolls. These are made with thin, translucent rice paper wrappers that are naturally gluten-free. The wrappers are softened in water and wrapped around fresh fillings like shrimp, rice noodles, herbs, and vegetables. They are not fried, offering a lighter alternative.

At home, you can find gluten-free recipes for egg rolls that use specialty gluten-free wrappers. You can also make an “egg roll in a bowl” by stir-frying all the delicious filling ingredients without the wrapper. When buying any packaged food, look for a product specifically labeled “gluten-free.” According to the FDA’s 2013 rule, a food labeled gluten-free in the US must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten.

When to loop in your doctor or dietitian

For people with celiac disease, a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment. If you suspect you have a medical reason to avoid gluten, speak with your doctor. It is essential to complete any testing for celiac disease before you remove gluten from your diet, as the tests require gluten to be present in your system for an accurate result.

• If you think gluten is making you unwell, ask about celiac disease testing before cutting gluten out: testing needs gluten in the diet
• If you have celiac disease and still have symptoms on a gluten-free diet
• If you are unsure whether oats, wheat starch or a specific ingredient suits you
• For help planning a gluten-free diet that still meets your nutrition needs

Sources

• Celiac Disease Foundation: Sources of Gluten
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Gluten-Free Labeling of Foods

Last checked October 21, 2026. Recipes and ingredients change: always read the current label.