ByAcademy of Culinary NutritionLast updated onReading Time: 6 minutes
It’s that time of year again: back-to-school. Parents everywhere have begun the daily process of packing lunchboxes, perhaps with a bit of ‘what-do-I-feed-my-kid’ panic. Though we’re big advocates of feeding your kids appropriately sized portions of the good food you’re eating, we also recognize that parents are up against all the ‘fun-food’ kids see on TV and that their friends are indulging in. All we can do is our very best.
That’s why we’ve rounded up our 20 favourite recipes for kid-friendly gluten-free snacks – whether you’re sending them off with your children or serving them to big kids (also known as adults), these healthy snack ideas will be gobbled up in no time.
A much healthier version of fruit rollups that only needs 3 ingredients: mangoes, honey and lemon juice. Puree the fruit and let it dry in the dehydrator or in your oven at the lowest temperature overnight. These are great for lunch boxes or road trips.
A completely luscious gluten-free treat that you can spread thickly on crackers, toast, fruit, granola or dairy-free coconut yogurt. An endless array of possibilities!
These beautiful bars aren’t just gluten-free – they’re Paleo, grain-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. With so much going for them, they’ll disappear in your house – fast.
A happy and vibrant hummus with a twist, packed with protein and veggies – but the kiddos won’t notice because it’s incredibly tasty. Dip crackers or veggies in it, or spread into rice wraps or tortillas for rollups.
A crunchy gluten-free snack for the kids who love salty snacks like chips. You can easily adjust the spice level for your family, and this recipe offers great tips for keeping the leftovers crispy.
Granola bars are a lunchbox staple, but many store-bought granola bars contain artificial ingredients and often have more sugar than chocolate bars! This recipe, however, is packed with fibre, protein and nutritious fats, which results in a tasty yet nutritious snack.
What’s the secret to getting apple chips perfectly crispy, instead of that unpleasant apple combo of too-well-done and also soggy? Meghan shares her secret to baking the perfect apple chips, along with how to transform them into a blood sugar-balancing snack.
Chicken fingers might seem like a full-meal deal, but having just one as a gluten-free snack can be quite filling and satisfying. Or, you could make them into nuggets instead!
These little mouthfuls of pizza are grain-free, easy to make and completely customizable based on what toppings your kids like on their pizza – or in their pizza, in this case.
We love this gluten-free snack recipe because it’s the ultimate big-batch baking project: the recipe makes 2 entire loaves and a batch of mini muffins, so you can yield more deliciousness with basically the same amount of work. Or, you could make dozens upon dozens of mini muffins for little hands. Either way, you can’t lose.
There’s no denying crackers are delicious, but many store-bought brands are all crunch and no substance. Not these gluten-free sweet potato flax crackers! They are jam-packed with fibre, and are extra delicious when paired with a great dip or nut butter.
Let’s face it: avocados are pretty easy to love. But when you make them into adorable crocodiles? Magic. And makes it so much easier to get kids to eat their veggies!
This vegan smoothie recipe is awesome because it only has three ingredients and Lorena offers a bunch of handy tips to encourage your kids to drink green smoothies – including the best greens, liquid bases and sweeteners to use. A great how-to post for those who need help upping their kids’ veggie consumption.
We love that this gluten-free bread is lightly sweetened so it can ‘swing both ways’: spread it with jam, nut butter or chocolate hemp spread, or go savory with avocado or roasted red pepper dip.
Some might find it mind-boggling that Jello is something that can be made from scratch, but it can and it’s super easy! Conventional jello, with its array of neon colours, is a cocktail of artificial colours and sugar. Instead, this healthy jello alternative is made with fruit juice, honey and gelatin – and there’s a video to show you how it’s done.
Here’s another fun recipe to make that we’re not accustomed to whipping up at home. Homemade marshmallows are simple and delicious, perfect for dunking in your dairy-free hot chocolate. And we love that this recipe includes probiotics for an extra health boost!
Made with oats, banana, cinnamon and jam, these gluten-free and flourless thumbprint cookies are truly, to quote Angela, ‘like portable baked oatmeal’. And even though they’re touted as breakfast cookies, you can easily eat them for a gluten-free snack at any time of the day!
Would you believe that this gluten-free licorice recipe has only three ingredients? It’s true! And you can customize it based on your favourite fruits. Think about how much fun your kids will have making their own candy – and because these are sweetened with fruit and dates, they won’t go on a bonkers sugar high.
What are your fave gluten-free snacks for kids?
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