Is Louisiana New Orleans Style Fish Fry Gluten Free?

Fish fry is a popular way to prepare fish in the Southern United States especially in Louisiana. The fish is usually coated in seasoned breading or batter and then deep fried. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity checking the ingredients of packaged fish fry is important to ensure it is safe to eat. In this article, we’ll take a look at Louisiana New Orleans Style Fish Fry in particular and determine if it is gluten free.

About Louisiana Fish Fry Products

Louisiana Fish Fry Products is a company based in Baton Rouge Louisiana that produces a variety of fish frys seasonings, boil mixes, and sauces. Some of their most popular products include

• Fish Fry Original Recipe
• Fish Fry Crispy Southern
• Fish Fry Cajun
• New Orleans Style Fish Fry
• Cajun Seasoning
• Crawfish, Crab and Shrimp Boil
• Dirty Rice Mix
• Remoulade Sauce

The company distributes their products nationally across the United States. They are especially beloved in the South for their authentic Louisiana flavors.

Is Original Recipe Fish Fry Gluten Free?

Louisiana Fish Fry’s original recipe fish fry contains wheat flour, making it not gluten free. The original recipe fish fry has been around for decades and uses a wheat flour based batter.

For people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, this means the original recipe fish fry is off limits. Consuming it would cause adverse reactions like nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue.

Is Crispy Southern Fish Fry Gluten Free?

The crispy southern style fish fry from Louisiana Fish Fry also contains wheat flour, meaning it is not gluten free. It uses a very similar batter recipe to the original fish fry.

Again, this makes the crispy southern fish fry unsafe for people avoiding gluten. Sticking to the gluten free options is important for health.

Is Cajun Fish Fry Gluten Free?

Louisiana Fish Fry’s Cajun fish fry is labeled as gluten free. Instead of wheat flour, it uses a gluten free rice and corn flour batter. This makes it a safe option for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Be sure to check the packaging when purchasing the cajun variety to confirm it is the gluten free version. Louisiana Fish Fry periodically updates product packaging and recipes.

Is New Orleans Style Fish Fry Gluten Free?

The New Orleans style fish fry from Louisiana Fish Fry is also certified gluten free. It contains no wheat flour. This variety uses corn flour, rice flour, and corn meal to create its gluten free breading.

The New Orleans style fish fry comes in original as well as lemon flavor. Both the original and lemon recipe New Orleans fish frys are gluten free friendly.

Checking with the Manufacturer

With any packaged food product, it’s always smart to check directly with the manufacturer if gluten free status is unclear. Recipes and ingredients can change over time. What was once gluten free may not always remain so.

According to Louisiana Fish Fry’s customer service department, as of January 2023, the following products are gluten free:

• Cajun Fish Fry
• New Orleans Style Fish Fry (Original and Lemon)
• Crawfish, Crab and Shrimp Boil (Liquid and Bag)
• Southwest Chile Mix
• Dirty Rice Mix
• Seafood Sauce
• Cocktail Sauce
• Tartar Sauce
• Remoulade Sauce
• Hot Sauce
• Cajun Seasoning
• Blackened Fish Seasoning
• Chinese Red Pepper Seasoning
• All Individual Spices

That covers most of their product line! With so many gluten free options to choose from, people with celiac disease don’t have to miss out on Louisiana style fried fish.

Risk of Cross-Contamination

While Louisiana Fish Fry states that the above products are gluten free, the company also discloses that cross-contamination is possible during production.

This is because they produce both gluten free and non-gluten free products, like the original recipe fish fry, on shared equipment. There is a chance of gluten cross-contaminating the gluten free items.

The company tries to minimize this risk by thoroughly cleaning equipment between production runs. However, they cannot guarantee the gluten free products are 100% free of cross-contamination.

For people highly sensitive, even small amounts of gluten cross-contact can trigger symptoms and damage to the small intestine. In those cases, it may be safest to avoid Louisiana Fish Fry’s products altogether, even those labeled gluten free.

Homemade Gluten Free Fish Fry Alternatives

To fully eliminate the risk of gluten cross-contamination, making homemade gluten free fish fry is an alternative. This allows you to control all the ingredients and avoid shared fryers or equipment.

Some good gluten free breading options include:

• Cornbread – Crumble up gluten free cornbread to use as a coating.

• Corn Flour – Mix with Cajun seasoning for a simple fish fry breading.

• Rice Flour – Combine with salt, pepper, paprika and other spices.

• Almond Meal – Provides crunch and nutty flavor.

• Potato Flakes – Help give the fish an extra crispy crust.

• Chickpea Flour – Has an egg wash-like effect to help breading adhere.

Baking, grilling or air frying the fish can further reduce risk of cross-contamination from oil shared with gluten containing foods.

The Verdict

Preparing homemade gluten free fish fry with ingredients like corn flour, almond meal, or chickpea flour avoids potential cross-contact. But for less sensitive individuals, Louisiana Fish Fry’s gluten free fish frys provide a convenient way to enjoy a southern classic. Checking labels and contacting the manufacturer can help determine current gluten free status when in doubt.

So is Louisiana New Orleans style fish fry gluten free? The answer is yes it is labeled gluten free, but there are caveats to keep in mind based on your sensitivity level and comfort with potential cross-contamination. Make the personal choice that fits your needs and provides you with peace of mind!