In a world where gluten intolerance and celiac disease are becoming more recognized, the demand for gluten-free snacks has skyrocketed. Whether you’re avoiding gluten due to a medical condition or simply want to explore healthier snack options, the gluten-free snack market is booming with variety. With endless choices of savory and sweet options, these snacks offer everyone a delicious, healthy way to keep hunger at bay. In this article, we’ll dive into the best gluten-free snacks, ranging from store-bought delights to easy homemade treats.
What is Gluten-Free?
Before we explore our favorite gluten-free snacks, let’s clarify what gluten-free means. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and it’s responsible for giving dough its elasticity. For people with celiac disease, gluten triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. Others may suffer from gluten sensitivity, which causes discomfort but doesn’t damage the intestine. By choosing gluten-free.
Yummy Gluten Free Snacks That You Will Totally Love!
Hi there! My name’s Ari, and I’m 8 years old. I have to eat gluten free because I can’t have gluten, and that means I’m always on the lookout for the best snacks ever. You know, the kind that make your tummy super happy! Gluten free might sound a bit tricky, but trust me, it’s not. There are loads of tasty snacks that are just as good (maybe even better!) than regular ones. And guess what? They won’t make you feel like you’re missing out on anything!
So today, I’m going to share with you some of my favourite gluten free snacks – some you can buy, and some you can make at home! Let’s dive right into the yumminess!
What Does Gluten Free Even Mean?
Okay, so first things first. What’s gluten? Well, gluten is this thing that’s in wheat, barley, and rye. It helps things like bread and cakes stick together. But for some people like me, gluten can make us feel pretty bad, so we need to stay away from it. That’s why we eat gluten free. It’s like a superpower! We get to try different foods and discover awesome gluten free snacks that even my friends love – and they don’t need to eat gluten free!
The Best Shop-Bought Gluten Free Snacks
Let’s start with snacks you can find in the shops. These are perfect when you want something quick or when you’re going to school, a party, or maybe on a day out.
1. Gluten Free Crisps
Who doesn’t love crisps? They’re crunchy and come in so many flavours. The good news is, lots of crisps are gluten free! My absolute favourite has to be Kettle Chips. They’re super crunchy and come in flavours like sea salt and vinegar, which makes my mouth water just thinking about it! You have to check the label, though, just to make sure they’re gluten free.
2. Popcorn
Popcorn is one of those snacks that makes everything more fun! It’s great for movie nights, and it’s naturally gluten free. You can have it plain, salted, or even sweet. My favourite is sweet and salty popcorn – it’s the best of both worlds! And it’s not just for movies – I take it to school for a snack too.
3. Rice Cakes
Okay, I know rice cakes don’t sound that exciting, but when you add peanut butter or chocolate spread on top, they’re AMAZING. They’re super light and crunchy, and they don’t have gluten in them, so they’re safe for me to eat. You can get plain ones, or flavoured ones like caramel, which are sweet and yummy!
4. Gluten Free Chocolate Bars
There’s nothing better than a treat of chocolate, right? The good news is that lots of chocolate bars are gluten free, like Cadbury’s Dairy Milk. It’s creamy and melts in your mouth, and it’s my go-to treat when I’m craving something sweet. You can also get special gluten free chocolate brownies or cookies from the shops – they’re so good, you won’t believe they’re gluten free!
5. Gluten Free Biscuits
When I have tea with my mum, I love to dunk biscuits in it. My top choice is Schär’s gluten free biscuits. They have all sorts – from chocolate covered ones to plain ones, and they taste just as good as any biscuit with gluten. I sometimes take them in my lunchbox too!
Homemade Gluten Free Snacks
Now, I love shop-bought snacks, but there’s something really fun about making snacks at home. You can mix things up, add your own favourite ingredients, and it’s a fun thing to do with your family. Plus, you know for sure that everything’s gluten free because you made it!
1. Gluten Free Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats
If you love chocolate and you love rice crispies, then this snack is perfect! All you need are gluten free rice crispies (like the ones from Nature’s Path), some melted chocolate, and a bit of butter or marshmallow. Mix them all together, pop them in the fridge to set, and BOOM – you have crispy, chocolatey, chewy bars that are so yummy. They’re perfect for a treat after school.
2. Gluten Free Pancakes
I love pancakes, and the best part is that you can make them gluten free really easily. Just swap regular flour for gluten free flour – we use Doves Farm gluten free flour at home. Then, add eggs, milk, and a little sugar, and fry them up. I like to top mine with maple syrup and strawberries, but you can add whatever you like. Pancakes for breakfast – yes, please!
3. Gluten Free Pizza Muffins
This one is so fun and easy to make, and it’s a snack that everyone loves. You mix gluten free flour with eggs, milk, a bit of cheese, and some gluten free pizza sauce. Then, pour the mix into muffin tins, pop them in the oven, and you have mini pizza muffins! They’re soft and cheesy on the inside and perfect for picnics or after-school snacks.
4. Gluten Free Fruit Skewers
Okay, this one’s super healthy and so colourful! All you need is your favourite fruit – I like strawberries, grapes, pineapple, and bananas. Cut them up and stick them on a skewer (you can even use a toothpick). Then, dip them in a bit of melted dark chocolate (which is gluten free), and you’ve got a fun, healthy snack that tastes amazing.
5. Gluten Free Veggie Chips
If you like crisps, but you want to try something a bit different, you can make your own veggie chips at home. It’s easy! Slice up sweet potatoes, carrots, or even courgettes super thin, then toss them in a little olive oil and salt. Bake them in the oven until they’re crispy. They’re so tasty and healthier than regular crisps!
Sweet Gluten Free Snacks
Now, I have a bit of a sweet tooth (don’t we all?), so I always make sure to have a few sweet gluten free treats around. Here are some of my favourites:
1. Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies
Brownies are one of the best sweet treats ever, and guess what? You can make them gluten free, and they taste just as delicious! My mum uses gluten free flour and lots of melted chocolate to make ours extra fudgy. Sometimes, we add gluten free chocolate chips on top for even more chocolatey goodness!
2. Gluten Free Banana Bread
Banana bread is perfect for a snack, especially when you have ripe bananas sitting around. My mum and I love making gluten free banana bread using gluten free flour. We add a bit of cinnamon for flavour, and sometimes, we throw in some nuts or chocolate chips. It’s great for breakfast or as a snack anytime.
3. Gluten Free Apple Crumble
Apple crumble is one of my favourite desserts, and it’s super easy to make gluten free. Just use gluten free oats and gluten free flour for the topping, and mix it with butter and sugar. Add some cooked apples with cinnamon, and you’ve got a warm, comforting treat. I like to have mine with a bit of vanilla ice cream!
4. Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
You can’t go wrong with chocolate chip cookies! My mum and I use gluten free flour and gluten free chocolate chips, and we make the dough just like regular cookies. Then, we bake them, and they come out soft and chewy – just how I like them. They’re perfect for dunking in milk too!
5. Gluten Free Jelly
This one’s super easy – just pick your favourite jelly flavour (most are gluten free!), mix it with water, and let it set in the fridge. Sometimes, I add fruit like strawberries or blueberries to my jelly to make it even tastier.
Savoury Gluten Free Snacks
If you prefer savoury snacks like me sometimes, don’t worry – there are loads of gluten free options for you too!
1. Gluten Free Cheese and Crackers
You can find gluten free crackers in lots of shops these days, and they’re perfect for pairing with cheese. My favourite are the Nairn’s Gluten Free Oatcakes – they’re crispy, and when you add a slice of cheddar or brie, they’re the perfect snack!
2. Gluten Free Sausage Rolls
If you like savoury snacks, you’re going to love this. You can make gluten free sausage rolls at home using gluten free puff pastry and gluten free sausages. Just wrap the sausage in the pastry and bake them. They’re warm, flaky, and so tasty – perfect for lunchboxes or parties.
3. Gluten Free Nachos
Nachos are one of my favourite snacks, especially when I get to pile them up with toppings like cheese, salsa, and gluten free sour cream. You can buy gluten free corn tortilla chips, or make your own by cutting up gluten free wraps and baking them until they’re crispy.
4. Gluten Free Cheese Toasties
Sometimes, simple snacks are the best. For a gluten free cheese toastie, all you need is gluten free bread, some butter, and lots of cheese. Toast it up until the bread is golden and the cheese is melty, and you’ve got a snack that’s so delicious, it’ll disappear fast!
Conclusion: Gluten Free Snacks for the Win!
So there you have it – loads of yummy gluten free snacks that you can buy or make at home. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, savoury, crunchy, or soft, there’s a gluten free snack out there that’ll hit the spot. Being gluten free doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun foods. In fact, it’s a great chance to try new things and make your own tasty treats.
Next time you’re hungry, try one of these gluten free snacks and see how awesome they are. Your tummy will thank you, and you’ll never feel like you’re missing out!
I hope this captures the fun, light-hearted tone of an 8-year-old boy writing about gluten free snacks!
