Gluten-free diets can be tough to navigate. Living with celiac disease or having a gluten sensitivity can feel limiting to someone who is new to a gluten-free lifestyle. Luckily, food scientists, retailers, and restaurants are more accommodating than ever to those who are gluten-free. There are plenty of gluten-free substitutes to replace your favorite snacks. Who knows, you might even like the gluten-free versions more than the originals. Below is a list of our favorite gluten-free snacks that we think you might enjoy.
Gluten Free Snacks At The Store And Online
While there are tons of snacks, like fruits, nuts, and vegetables, that are naturally gluten free, sometimes it’s just nice to grab a bag of chips and not have to worry whether or not they are safe to eat. Luckily, there are a ton of gluten-free options out there that make the transition from gluten foods to non-gluten foods much easier. Here are some of our favorite snacks you can purchase online or at the store.
Gluten-Free Pretzels
Gluten Free Foods Ltd. provides an award-winning option for gluten-free pretzels and pretzel sticks called Barkat, which are available in most stores and online.
If you prefer a nice soft pretzel over a crunchy one, then Dutch Country Soft Pretzels makes frozen, premade pretzels, as well as a gluten-free mix you can make at home.
Snyder’s of Hanover also provides a gluten-free option that tastes similar to the traditional pretzel that includes excellent flavors such as hot buffalo wings and honey mustard and onion. They also come in 100 calorie packs!
Gluten-Free Chips
Luckily, gluten-free chips are not too difficult to come by — most can be found at any local grocery store for a reasonable price.
Kettle Brand offers gluten-free potato chips that are made in a gluten-free environment with no risk of cross-contamination. Kettle Brand has many flavors available and even reduced-fat options. Cape Cod is another choice for gluten-free potato chips that are affordable and can be found easily
There is a broad list of Frito-Lay products that are not made with gluten, but they are on the same assembly line as products containing gluten. If purchasing gluten-free options of Frito-Lay chips, it’s important to do further research to ensure there are no minor traces of gluten.
Gluten-Free Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent choice for a gluten-free breakfast, as well as a great mid-day snack. While most yogurts are already gluten-free, many companies are now making delicious gluten-free yogurts that come with gluten-free oats so even those with celiac disease can indulge in parfait treats.
Gluten-Free Popcorn
While plain popcorn by itself is gluten-free, some seasonings and additives to microwave popcorn and pre-made popcorn, do contain gluten. Plus, some popcorn brands may be subject to gluten cross-contamination based on how they process their foods. The only way to be sure that your popcorn is safe to eat is to either buy plain kernels and pop your corn over the stove or buy a gluten brand.
Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP popcorn is great if you’re interested in stocking up on a variety of flavors. Some of our favorites are Sea Salt, Sweet ‘N Salty, White Cheddar, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Roll Drizzle, and Chile Lime. All of BOOMCHICKAPOP’S popcorns are certified gluten-free, avoid high fructose corn syrup, use all natural flavors and colors, and are GMO-free.
Skinny Pop popcorn is also a good brand to keep an eye out for, while at the grocery store. Skinny Pop is gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, tree nut free, and preservative free. It also contains zero trans fat, preservatives, artificial ingredients, or GMOs.
Gluten-Free Sweets
Let’s be honest, one of the hardest parts of being gluten-free is having to give up sweets. Cakes, brownies, and cookies traditionally all contain flour, so if you need to satisfy a sweet tooth, check out these brands.
Enjoy Life Soft Baked Cookies are delicious and made with certified gluten-free buckwheat flour instead of regular flour in a completely gluten-free facility, so there’s no risk of cross-contamination. Enjoy Life is also a really great brand if you have other food sensitivities. The brand prides itself on being free of the following allergens: wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, casein, soy, egg, sesame, sulfites, lupin, mustard, fish, shellfish, and crustaceans.
Ethel’s Baking Co. sells cookies, brownies, and dessert bars. This brand takes gluten sensitivity very seriously – celiac disease has been in founder Jill Bommarito’s family for over 30 years, which is what inspired her to start a completely gluten-free baking company. Not only are their products gluten-free, but they are super decadent and delicious.
Gluten-Free Snacks To Make At Home
Some store-bought items just don’t taste as satisfying as treats that are homemade, and that is especially true for gluten-free foods. Homemade snacks allow you to have full control over what goes into your food and ensure that no gluten accidentally made its way into your food.
Sweet Potato Crunchies
A healthy snack for both adults and kids, this recipe is easy, simple and full of vitamins; plus it is gluten-free. The ingredients are straightforward: one sweet potato and one tablespoon of olive oil. The potato is cut into thin strips, tossed in olive oil and baked to deliver a crispy, gluten-free snack.
Gluten-Free No-Bake Granola Bars
Granola bars are popular snacks and grab-and-go breakfasts. This recipe only takes 10 minutes to prepare, and they don’t need to be baked – just use a frying pan to cook the ingredients and then pour the ingredients into an eight-inch baking dish to shape the bars. Cool to room temperature, remove it from the dish and serve.
Gluten-Free Cheez-Its
Cheez-Its are such a classic snack. They are the perfect mix of salty and crunchy and, unfortunately, they are made with gluten. Luckily, this recipe for gluten-free cheez-its is here to save the day whenever you’re craving these tasty cheese crackers.
Gluten-Free Brownies
Who doesn’t love brownies? Seriously, nothing quite cures a sweet tooth like this recipe replaces flour with cornstarch resulting in melt-in-your-mouth, fudgy brownies. You can also replace the flour in most regular brownie recipes with almond flour or coconut flour.
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
This is an easy recipe for gluten-free cookies. It takes around eight to 10 minutes to bake in the oven, although preparing the dough takes a couple of hours. But it’s worth it for some truly delicious peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies that are completely gluten-free.
Where To Buy Gluten-Free Products
Though most grocers carry some gluten-free brands, these stores are pretty reliable when it comes to finding a variety of gluten-free foods. If you can’t find what you’re looking for at the store or if your grocery store options are limited, you can always order food online and have it shipped to you.
- Hannaford
- Kroger (or any of their affiliate stores)
- Publix
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Trader Joe’s
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods Market
