Tasty and Easy Gluten-free Snack Recipes

From cookies to brownies to chicken nuggets, we've got you covered with these delicious and easy gluten-free recipes the whole family will enjoy.

But first things first, what is gluten and where is it found? 

 

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a general term used to refer to the proteins glutelin and prolamin that exist together with the starch found in the endosperm of some cereal grains.

 

Where is Gluten found?

Gluten is found in cereals such as rye, oats, barley, wheat, and triticale. Gluten ensures foods maintain shape as it acts as a glue which holds the food together.

Wheat is found in pasta, sauces, roux, salad dressings, soups, bread, and cereals. Barley exists in soups, food coloring, beer, and malt products. Rye is present in pumpernickel which is rye beer, rye bread, and cereals.

Triticale is the grain that is grown to have similar qualities as wheat and also tolerant to various growing conditions just like rye. It can be used in the manufacture of pasta, cereals, and bread. Gluten-free snacks are meals which exclude gluten which is essential for those who suffer from celiac disease and those who aim to reduce gluten in their diet.

 

1. Gluten-free Brownie RECIPE

easy tasty gluten free snack recipes brownies

 

They are easy to prepare, chocolate-like and fudgy.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free all purpose plain flour
  • gluten-free dark chocolate chips

 

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 320 F
  2. Grease and line an 8-inch square baking tin with parchment paper, ensuring two sides overhang.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter and sugars and gently whisk together. Add the vanilla extract and stir.
  4. Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring in-between, then sift in the cocoa powder and flour. Stir until just combined. Add chocolate chips.
  5. Pour the brownie batter in the prepared tin and place in the oven.
  6. Bake brownies for approximately 30-35 minutes. Check center with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean your brownies are done.
  7. Leave in the tin and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. These brownies are quite fragile so if you can, transfer to the fridge for an hour before cutting into squares to serve

 

 

2. Gluten-free Chia Energy Bar

tasty easy gluten-free snack recipes chia bars
 (Image Source: Making Thyme for Health)

 

Chia energy bars are whole grain, easy to prepare gluten free and dairy free. They are flavorful, chewy and crunchy. It takes almost forty-five minutes to have these bars ready.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, cooled
  • 1/4 cup whole flax meal
  • 3 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit, nuts, etc.
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup peanut (or almond) butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease an 8" x 8" pan, or line it with parchment.
  2. Toss together the oats, quinoa, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, dried fruit, and egg white in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
  3. Warm the honey, nut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until well blended. Don't let it boil, just let it get warm (just enough to blend easily with the dry ingredients) for about 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until everything is coated.
  5. Press the mixture into the prepared pan.
  6. Bake the bars for 23 to 25 minutes, or until the oats on the edges start to turn golden brown. Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely before serving.
  7. To serve, cut into squares.

     

    3. Gluten-free Quinoa & Apple Snack Cake 

    easy tasty gluten-free snack recipes apple cake

    (Image Source: King Arthur Flour Blog)

     

    It is usually ready in one hour and five minutes. Preparation takes twenty minutes while baking takes forty-five minutes. Gluten-free flour is readily available in wholesale and retail stores.

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup gluten-free flour
    • 1 cup quinoa flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
    • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
    • 2 cups grated apple (about 2 medium apples, peeled and cored)
    • 1/2 cup diced dried cranberries
    • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

    Steps

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9″ square pan. In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine dry ingredients.
    2. In a separate bowl, stir together brown sugar and oil
    3. Then beat in 4 large eggs until the mixture is completely smooth
    4. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, and mix until evenly moistened
    5. Then fold in apple, cranberries, and walnuts
    6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake the cake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
    7. Remove the cake from the oven, and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a rack.
    8. Serve the cake warm, or cool completely and frost or glaze as desired.

     

      

    4. Easy Gluten-free Carrot Cake 

    tasty easy gluten-free snack recipes carrot cake
    (Image Source: BBC)

     

    It is a delicious and moist cake filled with tasty ingredients. This carrot cake also makes for the most perfect dessert during special occasions.

     

    Ingredients

    Cake

    • 1 box of Gluten Free yellow cake mix
    • ⅔ cup water
    • ½ cup butter softened
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla
    • 3 eggs
    • 1 cup finely shredded carrots (2 medium)
    • ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts

     

    Frosting

    • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ½ teaspoon gluten-free vanilla
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 to 3 teaspoons milk

    *use almond or oat milk if desired

     

    Steps

    1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 8- or 9-inch square pan with shortening, or spray with cooking spray.
    2. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, water, 1/2 cup butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, 2 teaspoons vanilla and eggs on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
    3. With a spoon, stir in carrots and pecans. Spread in pan.
    4. Bake 36 to 41 minutes for 8-inch pan or 33 to 38 minutes for 9-inch pan or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
    5. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon milk with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time. Spread frosting over cake.

     

    5. Gluten-free Paleo Chicken Nuggets 

    tasty easy gluten-free snack recipes chicken nuggets
    (Image Source: Betty Crocker)

    This tasty treat isn’t only gluten-free but it’s also paleo! With this recipe, you won’t have any trouble with even the pickiest eater.

     

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb chicken tenderloins
    • 1 - 2 cups blanched almond flour
    • 1 tsp fine grain sea salt
    • 1 tsp smoked paprika
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1/4 tsp black pepper
    • 1 egg whisked
    • 1/4 cup ghee or coconut oil for frying

    *add more if needed

     

     Steps

    1. First, cut the chicken tenderloins into 1-2 inch bites sized pieces and set aside
    2. In a shallow dish, combine the almond flour, salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper and mix well to combine the flavors
    3. In another shallow dish, whisk the egg. Heat a large cast iron pan over medium heat and add the coconut oil or ghee. Before adding the chicken, make sure the oil is hot enough by dropping a bit of almond flour in the pan to see if it sizzles.
    4. Since the chicken bites are small, you dredge several at a time and it will come out fine. Take the chicken and first coat in egg, then coat with almond flour mixture shaking off extra. Immediately add to the hot pan.
    5. Let the chicken cook about 2-4 minutes on each side, or until just cooked through. You will have to fry in 2 batches most likely. Adjust the heat to avoid burning the outside and add more cooking fat to the pan if you need to for the second batch.
    6. Transfer to a paper towel-lined dish to drain excess oil, then serve hot! Enjoy!

     

     

    6. Gluten-free Sweet Caramel Corn 

    tasty easy gluten-free snack recipes caramel corn

    (Image Source: Once Upon a Chef)

     

    Caramel corn is a deliciously sweet and salty snack typically found at fairs and carnivals. But with this recipe, you can make it right at home AND it's gluten-free, what could be better?

     

    Ingredients

    • 5 quarts popcorn (freshly popped)
    • 1/2 cup agave syrup (or light corn syrup)
    • 2 cups brown sugar
    • 1 cup butter
    • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda

     Steps

    1. Preheat oven to 250 F.
    2. Pop 5 quarts of popcorn and place in a large roasting pan.
    3. Put butter, sugar, agave syrup (or corn syrup) and cream of tartar in a large pan. Over medium heat, melt the mixture, stirring to prevent burning.
    4. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
    5. Add vanilla and baking soda and stir to mix.
    6. Carefully pour this mixture over the popcorn. Gently stir to coat the popcorn thoroughly.
    7. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
    8. Remove and pour on a large baking sheet to cool. Use a spatula to separate the warm clumps.

     

     

    7. Easy Gluten-free Blueberry Muffin 

    tasty easy gluten-free snack recipes blueberry muffins

    Image source: Beaming Baker

     

    Blueberry muffins are a great way to start your day by having them for breakfast or you can have them as your mid-afternoon pick-me-up snack that’ll have you energized to take on the rest of your day.

     

    Ingredients
    • 1/2 cup dairy-free butter, room temperature
    • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
    • 2 eggs, room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
    • Zest from one small lemon
    • 1 3/4 cups gluten-free flour blend
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
    • 1/2 cup dairy-free milk *almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk work great
    • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
     Steps
    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with papers; set aside.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the dairy-free butter and sugar with an electric mixer.
    3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
    4. Add vanilla and lemon zest and mix until combine.
    5. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder.
    6. Add to the wet mixture, alternately with the dairy-free milk.
    7. Fold in blueberries.
    8. Fill each paper liner about 2/3rds full.
    9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is set.
    10. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
    11. Store in a container for up to 4 days at room temperature.

     

    Whether or not you follow a gluten-free diet or not, these tasty snacks are worth a try for anyone looking to try some homemade healthy snacks! Do you have any favorite gluten-free recipes? Share them with us in the comments section!

     

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