Cutting gluten from your diet may feel like you’re restricted in what you can eat, as pasta, bread and grains are no longer options. Worry not — we’ve got seven fantastic gluten-free recipes that are easy to make and come out absolutely delicious:
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Pancakes
This oatmeal chocolate chip cookie pancake recipe is an easy way to get an energy boost without feeling sluggish and weighed down by hard-to-digest ingredients all day, not to mention they’re both gluten-free and vegan.
The batter is a combination of gluten-free oats, ripened bananas, dates, cinnamon, milk and dark chocolate chips. Once mixed together, it can be used to make a delicious stack of fluffy pancakes in a matter of minutes. Feel free to generously douse the final product in any of your favorite toppings — the recipe is so light, you can afford to indulge a bit.
Green Spinach-Avocado Power Smoothie
A big pile of leafy greens may not sound like the most appealing thing to eat first thing in the morning, but thanks to this spinach and avocado smoothie recipe, you’ll be leaping out of bed ready to down those veggies. Every ingredient serves an important purpose: the spinach provides nutrition, the honey sweetens the whole drink, and the avocados, yogurt and bananas combine to create the silky-smooth texture. The quick prep time, easy clean-up and heaps of nutritional benefits make this smoothie a must-have in a gluten-free diet.
Rainbow Thai Chicken Salad
The rainbow Thai chicken salad is easy to prepare — simply toss together some red and orange bell peppers, carrots, fresh mangos, avocados, green onions, cabbage, cilantro, limes and cabbage along with a hefty serving of grilled chicken for extra protein. Top with some chopped nuts and the tasty, protein-packed peanut dressing, and you’re ready to eat.
Five-Ingredient Pesto Chicken Soup
Whether it be for a light on-the-go lunch or a soothing dinner after a long day, this five-ingredient pesto chicken soup will leave you refreshed and satiated.
As stated in the title, the recipe only requires five key ingredients: chicken stock, fresh spinach, shredded cooked chicken, rinsed and drained cannellini beans and pesto. Every single component boasts substantial nutritional traits, making it all the more beneficial even outside of its gluten-free properties. Once prepared, it can also be topped with freshly-grated Parmesan, gluten-free crackers or any other preferred soup accompaniment for maximum flavor.
Shrimp Scampi Skewers
Perfect for warm, summer evenings spent grilling on the patio, these shrimp scampi skewers combine the ease of kabobs with the flavor of seasoned shellfish. To prepare this dish, simply heat parsley, garlic, butter and dry white wine together in a pan. Then, thread shrimp and lemon slices onto skewers, sprinkle with some salt and red pepper flakes, toss them on the grill and slather the butter mix onto the shrimp. The dish is best served with a side of veggies and quinoa.
Steak, Poblano and Mushrooms Tacos
A perfect dinner option for families with picky eaters, these steak, poblano and mushroom tacos will be a hit with just about anyone. Prep time for this meal is minimal — after soaking the meat in a nice carne asada marinade, the steak can be cooked on either a grill or stovetop to your liking. Chop up your steak and then combine with poblano, mushrooms, fresh cilantro, onions and lime in a gluten-free corn taco shell for an authentic “street taco” vibe. For an additional twist, consider topping with crumbled cheese and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve with a side of avocados.
Hemp-Crusted Baked Chicken Tenders
Hemp seed are gluten-free, low in carbs and packed with heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Now, thanks to this tasty recipe for hemp-crusted baked chicken tenders, you can satisfy your craving for some greasy, fried poultry using hemp seeds as a nutritious alternative to flour. The nutty flavor and ultra-crispy texture help bring the classic comfort food to the next level with no messy fryer setup required.