Do you know how to spot the difference between Classic Dough Balls at Pizza Express and the gluten free ones? Neither did I until recently.
These are some of the hacks you need to know if you’re planning to eat out at Pizza Express. As well as the dough balls, there are other differences… This special information could help you stay safe, avoid any allergic reactions and help you feel more confident and more comfortable eating out at our favourite pizza restaurant.
What allergen safe meals do Pizza Express offer?
Pizza Express operates under Coeliac UK accreditation, and the procedures they use for gluten-free dishes are specific, carefully controlled and separate from our wider allergen processes. Their accredited gluten-free process appy only to Gluten Free dishes, whereas other allergy requests follow a different set of procedures. Be sure to communicate clearly exactly what your dietary restrictions are to ensure staff can advise you and help you order a safe meal for you.
That being said, they have a great and easy to follow Allergen menu. They do gluten free pizza, GF pasta, vegan cheese for toppings as well as other options, depending on what your allergies are. You can view the extensive and very reliable Allergen Matrix online. Here is a link to our comprehensive online allergen, nutritional, and ingredient information: PizzaExpress Allergen Information.
What you need to know about Pizza Express
I recently had a very interesting conversation with Pizza Express Allergen Management team. What they told me was a bit of an eye opener. It made me feel so much safer eating there. Here’s what I found out:
- All their pizza toppings are gluten-free; therefore, all of our Romana and Classic recipes can be ordered on our unique, classic-sized, gluten-free base, made in our gluten-free bakery.
- Important note: If your gluten-free pizza is not served to you on a black board, please check this with a member of our team.
- The Filter by Diet function on our app is not an allergen tool but simply highlights gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan dishes; it should not be used to manage allergies or Coeliac requirements. If you are ordering a gluten free meal or have an allergy, always speak to staff.
- The message boxes on delivery apps are driver-only notes and are not seen by our restaurant teams, so guests who require dishes prepared under our Coeliac UK accredited system must always order directly with the restaurant rather than through digital platforms.
- Gluten-free pasta is intentionally made with fusilli rather than penne because the spiral shape helps the kitchen visually confirm that a GF pasta has been prepared correctly.
- All gluten-free pizzas are now served on plates rather than black serving boards (as was previously the case)
- Gluten-free Dough Balls and Dough Balls Doppio are plated and marked differently to ensure very clear visual identification.
- ‘PizzaExpress’ Dough Balls available gluten-free.
- Loose pasta is made with rice flour and therefore suitable for a gluten-free diet. NB Lasagna and Cannelloni are NOT Gluten Free.
- To reduce the risk of cross-contamination, they only use loose gluten-free rice flour in their kitchens.
- They offer a wider selection of gluten-free dishes which are marked as ‘GF’ on our menus, as accredited by Coeliac UK.
- Gluten-free dishes ordered via our website are delivered by a third party. Please note that our Gluten-Free Accreditation with Coeliac UK does not cover a situation where a third-party delivery company is used.
- Gluten-Free describes foods that contain gluten at a level of no more than 20 parts per million (20ppm).
- Vegan dishes and Vegan symbols do not guarantee a Dairy free dish or beverage.
- There are also a number of gluten free desserts on the menu so you don’t have to miss out.
- Watch out for may contain labelling on the Allergen Matrix. This means I can’t eat any of the puddings, but depending on the severity of your allergy you may be able to.
- Always check ingredients and allergens with staff before ordering.
How to spot the gluten free dough balls
Knowing how to spot the difference between the normal gluten and wheat containing dough balls and the gluten free ones could be live saving.
- Gluten free dough balls are just slightly smaller than the standard ones.
- They will also always look identical as they are pre-prepared and come packed specially to avoid contamination.
- The normal dough balls are cooked to order and whilst they are similar, you will be able to see slight differences in size as they are baked fresh each day in the restaurant bakery.
- Gluten free dough balls are served on a white plate with a black serviette.
This was the mistake we experienced – and because I didn’t know how to identify them, I couldn’t tell I’d been brought he wrong ones. Make sure you remember this and make sure you tell everyone you know who has allergies or is a coeliac. If you are not sure, always check with staff who are always happy to ask the kitchen to clarify what food you have been served.
This is something I have never been told by staff in Pizza Express. Why don’t they tell everyone ordering gluten free to check they get them in a white bowl with a black serviette? It would help me so much to know they really know what they’re doing AND give me agency to know I can check too.
How to tell you have orderded the correct pizza
If you look carefully, you CAN spot the difference between the three pizzas below. Importantly please note that the gluten free pizza is no longer served on a black slate, however the descriptions of the dough, toppings etc are still helpful so I’ve kept this image in here.
Gluten free vegan pizza
Up next, in real life, my gluten free pizza with vegan cheese:
If you look at my gluten free and vegan pizza here, you can see it’s almost perfectly round in shape. It is often smaller than the standard pizzas too. And you can see the vegan cheese stays quite white in colour and does not brown like other cheese will on a pizza.
your plate will also come with a Gluten Free sticker on the side so that you and staff know the right dish has been served to the correct diner.
I hope this helps, but I have one final tip that gives me added peace of mind, and further discounts at Pizza express…
Please also note, the one thing I always do when eating out, I show my Equal Eats allergen dining care. It really helps me communicate with staff, especially when I’m not feel quite as confident. Staff can take this to the kitchen to show the chef and I always get really good feedback on how much this helps. Visit my affiliate page for your Equal Eats Discount code.
Get the app for even more peace of mind
If you download the Pizza Express app, you will be many benefits, inluding discounts, which apply to the normal and gluten free pizzas and dough balls. No discrimination here!
The best part is the “Check-In” on the app option. Whether it’s just you or a large group, ask for the table number and you can check-in. This will allow you to collect points, and also check what dish has been ordered.
- You can check that the server has recognised any allergy orders. You can see exactly what meals have been ordered. It will say Plus Vegan cheese and also Minus mozzarella. So you can see your substitution ingredient
- You can also see any allergies or special notes.
- And you earn rewards!
This makes me feel so much safer. It also gives me more confidence to check if I feel the need to because I can show the waiting staff the app and we can confirm what was ordered and check the right food has been brought to the table.
Always photograph your meal
Fellow diners may think you’re crazy, but taking a photograph of your meal is really helpful. If mistakes are made, you have proof of what was served to you. This is an old photograph showing gluten free doughballs on a black plate; since this photograph was taken the proceedure has changed to a white plate with black serviette.
What do I recommend at Pizza Express?
These are the menu items that I feel safe ordering:
- Salad nicoisse with Honey and Mustard dressing
- Gluten free pizza with vegan cheese
- Gluten free doughballs
- Chicken wings (Lemon and herb)
Pizza Express will remain a firm favourite of mine, a place I can trust. With the tips above about how to understand the measures taken to keep those with allergies safe.
My personal all-time favourite tip for eating out with allergies is using the Equal Eats Food Allergy Dietary Card. It helps you communicate effectively and means the staff can check, take the plastic card with them to show the kitchen staff
Do you eat out with allergies? What do you do to feel safe? Did you know these things about ordering at Pizza Express? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
You may also be interested in reading:
- You need to know this if you have a wheat allergy – Wheat dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis
- Anaphylaxis – The essential guide – the best book and the No.1 Anaphylaxis book on Amazon!
- Get 10% off Equal Eats Allergen Dietary Cards
- 30 Tips to eating out with Allergies
Huge thanks to Pizza Express for helping me get the information in this blog correct.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information in this blog is correct at the date of writing, 28th November 2025. Menus, dishes and ingredients supplied can change at any time so please always refer to the Allergen Matrix and cheak with staff every time you order at Pizza Express.
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