Is Tempura Gluten Free?

Gluten verdict for Tempura: Not Gluten Free

Not Gluten Free Tempura

Tempura batter is made from wheat flour and is not gluten free.

AU FSANZ & Coeliac Australia US FDA

Rated against the stricter of the two standards. Compare AU and US rules

Tempura is a light wheat-flour batter, so battered tempura vegetables, prawns and fish contain gluten, and the frying oil is usually shared.

Coeliac Disease

Avoid tempura unless it is specifically made with a gluten free batter and a clean fryer.

Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)

Same as coeliac guidance.

Why Does Tempura Contain Gluten?

Wheat flour batter contains gluten.

Australia vs United States

Australia (FSANZ)

FSANZ requires wheat to be declared. Standard tempura is not gluten free.

United States (FDA)

The FDA permits a gluten free label below 20 ppm. Standard tempura batter is wheat.

What to Watch For

Wheat batter and shared fryers used for other battered foods.

Gluten Free Alternatives

If you need a gluten free substitute, consider: Food cooked without batter, a gluten free rice-flour batter made at home.

Medical disclaimer: This is general information about gluten content, not medical advice. If you have coeliac disease, non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, or a wheat allergy, always consult your doctor or accredited practising dietitian before making dietary changes. Product formulations change. Always read the label.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tempura gluten free?

Tempura is a light wheat-flour batter, so battered tempura vegetables, prawns and fish contain gluten, and the frying oil is usually shared.

Can coeliacs eat tempura?

Avoid tempura unless it is specifically made with a gluten free batter and a clean fryer.

Related Foods in Processed Foods

Check the label Soup (canned)Not GF, not gluten free Soup (packet or instant)Check the label Baked beans Not GF, not gluten free Canned spaghetti Not GF, not gluten free Frozen pizza Check the label Frozen dinners or meals Check the label Veggie burgers (commercial)Check the label Meat substitutes

More from RefDat

Looking for kitchen gear that handles gluten-free cooking? See RefDat's Australian reviews of food processors for coeliac-friendly options. Explore more reference data at refdat.com.

How We Verify This

Every food in our database is reviewed against current FSANZ and FDA gluten-free standards. Brand data is verified against manufacturer labelling. We cross-reference with Coeliac Australia ingredient lists and the USDA FoodData Central database. When Australian and US standards differ, we apply the stricter standard.

Sources

Coeliac Australia, FSANZ

Last reviewed: July 2026