Regardless of which month of the year or season you are in, it’s always good to eat healthy and to get you in that gear we have some simple gluten-free treats you can make right in your own kitchen. And once you do, I am sure it will be a game changer for your eating habits.

Chips & Dips

The GOOD news is that it just so happens that rice and corn, chickpeas, tomatoes and most all vegetables are gluten free (unless they have been processed, e.g., canned or seasoned), so you can pretty much feel confident in enjoying fresh-made salsa and hummus with corn tortilla chips, falafel chips or rice crackers. Yum.

Aside from salsa, look for other vegetable-based toppings to put on your chips, such as eggplant caponata or tapenades. You can also try slices of meat and cheeses (all Boar’s Head products are gluten free) or some grilled chicken topped with fresh basil pesto, roasted red bell pepper and shaved Parmesan cheese.

The granddaddy of chips and dip is nachos, and they can be on the safe list as long as the beef is seasoned with natural herbs and spices (and not a packaged mix that may have gluten in it) and the cheese is also natural and not processed with some additive that might contain gluten.

Keep in mind that to melt your natural cheese, you’ll put this whole dish in the oven and heat it all up together like a casserole, so you’ll want to top it with sour cream and cilantro after it comes out not before it goes into the oven.

Other Easy Peasy Snacks:

Natural peanut butter on celery (Go for it!)
KIND® Bars (yep)
Popcorn (Now we’re talkin’!)
Mixed Nuts
Corn Chex® Mix

And if you enjoy baking, here’s a recipe you can enjoy for a late-night snack, for the kids’ lunch boxes or when you’re in the mood for a quick pick-me-up on the road.

Mini- Apple Oatmeal Chew Snacks

Make about 2-dozen small chews

2 Cups Rolled Oats, Gluten-Free
¼ Cup Light-Brown Sugar, Packed
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
¼ tsp Salt
1 ½ Cup Milk
¼ Cup Applesauce
3 Egg Whites (about ½ Cup)
1 Honey Crisp Apple, Cored, Peeled and Cut into Small ½” Pieces
1/3 Cup Raisins or Currants
¼ Cup Toasted Almonds, Chopped
¼ Cup Toasted Coconut, Shredded

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and then spray a mini cupcake pan (about 1 ½” size) with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, applesauce, and egg whites.
4. Stir the milk mixture into the oat mixture until just combined, and then fold in the apples, raisins, almonds and coconut.
5. Fill each cupcake impression about 3/4 full. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes or until the tops are browned.

I hope these tips, ideas and recipes have given you NEW possibilities for enjoying your 2023 gluten-free.

What are your favorite gluten-free snacks? Share with me in the comments below!

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