Is Indian Food Gluten-Free? A Guide to Ordering Dosa, Idli and More

Some Indian food is naturally made without wheat, especially South Indian dishes like dosa, idli and uttapam, whose batter is traditionally rice and lentils. But many Indian dishes do use wheat, and our kitchen handles wheat every day, so we can't promise any dish is gluten-free. If you have celiac disease or a serious gluten intolerance, please talk to the counter before you order.

This guide explains which Indian dishes traditionally contain wheat, which traditionally don't, and the questions worth asking wherever you eat.

Is dosa gluten-free?

Traditional dosa batter is made from rice and urad dal (split black lentils), soaked, ground and fermented. No wheat flour is part of the classic recipe, which is why dosa is often recommended to people avoiding gluten.

That said, "traditionally made without wheat" isn't the same as "gluten-free." Recipes vary from kitchen to kitchen, and in a kitchen that also makes naan, roti and puri, there's a real chance of cross-contact on shared surfaces, griddles and utensils. Fillings, toppings and spice blends can also contain wheat. Learn more about dosa itself in What is a dosa?

Is idli gluten-free?

Like dosa, idli is traditionally made from a fermented rice and urad dal batter and steamed. The same caution applies: the traditional ingredients don't include wheat, but we're a shared kitchen, so ask before ordering if gluten is a medical concern. Our idli vs. dosa guide explains how the two differ.

Which Indian dishes usually contain wheat?

These are traditionally made with wheat flour, so they're not suitable if you avoid gluten:

• Breads: naan, roti, paratha, puri and bhature.
• Samosas: the pastry shell is typically made from wheat flour.
• Pav: the soft rolls used in vada pav and samosa pav.
• Many chaat items: puri shells, papdi wafers and some crunchy toppings are often wheat-based.

Where can gluten hide in Indian food?

• Asafoetida (hing): a common seasoning in dal and sambar. Powdered asafoetida is frequently blended with wheat flour.
• Frying oil: fried foods like vada and pakoras may share oil with wheat-based items such as samosas or puri.
• Griddles and surfaces: dosa, uttapam and flatbreads may be cooked on shared equipment.
• Batters and coatings: some fritters and snacks use flour blends that can include wheat.
• Spice mixes and sauces: ready-made blends can contain wheat or be processed alongside it.

None of these are unique to us. They're common across Indian kitchens, which is why it's always worth asking.

What should I order if I'm avoiding gluten?

If you're avoiding gluten as a preference rather than for a medical reason, many people choose dishes built on rice and lentils, such as Idli (3 pieces), Plain Dosa, Uttapam (Plain) or the Sambar & Jeera Rice Platter, and skip the breads, samosas and chaat.

If you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy, please don't rely on this list. Tell the counter about your needs before ordering, and we'll tell you what we know about the dish and how it's prepared. If we can't be confident, we'll say so.

Tip: if you're ordering online for pickup, call us at (410) 381-0011 before you order to ask about a specific dish.

Does Ananda Kitchen have gluten-free options?

We have dishes traditionally made from rice and lentils, but we don't label anything gluten-free and we can't guarantee it. Our kitchen is a dedicated vegetarian kitchen, but it isn't a gluten-free kitchen: we use wheat, along with dairy, ghee, nuts, sesame and other common allergens. Our FAQ has our allergen note.

Is gluten-free the same as vegan?

No. Dosa and idli are often discussed for both, but they're different needs. A dish can be wheat-free and still contain ghee or yogurt, or be vegan and still contain wheat. If you're both vegan and avoiding gluten, mention both at the counter. Our vegan Indian food guide covers the dairy side.

Where to find us

Ananda Kitchen is inside BITES Food Court + Bar at 8046 New Hampshire Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20783, in the Langley Park Shopping Center, near College Park, Takoma Park and Silver Spring. Parking is free.

We're open daily 11am to 9pm, and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Talk to the counter about your dietary needs, then order online for pickup. Most orders are ready in about 30 minutes.