Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks and Appetizers
Gluten is everywhere and shows up in many prepackaged and processed foods, making snacking a challenge. The best way to ensure gluten-free choices is to prepare foods in your own kitchen. These fresh and delicious gluten-free snacks and appetizers are packed with flavor and promise healthy and safe snacking.
We'll start with Roasted Garlic, Poblano, and Red Pepper Guacamole with Homemade Tortilla Chips.
When storing this guacamole, press plastic wrap against its surface to keep it from turning brown. You can use it to liven up a turkey sandwich or as a condiment in a vegetable wrap.
Kalamata-Garbanzo Hummus
Tangy Greek yogurt and salty olives give this hummus a Mediterranean kick. Serve with gluten-free rice chips. Opa!
Roasted Sweet Onion Dip
Serve this dip with gluten-free rice crackers or mixed fresh vegetables. Making the recipe a day ahead allows the flavors to meld.
Citrus, Fennel, and Rosemary Olives
A mix of fruity and meaty olives works well in this recipe. They are ideal for cocktail platters, antipasto, snacking, or as a gift when placed in a decorative jar. You can refrigerate the olives for up to a month.
Bruschetta with Warm Tomatoes
Use any variety of small summer tomatoes you find at the market; for a gorgeous look, mix tomato colors and shapes, such as yellow and orange pear tomatoes paired with red grape tomatoes.
Smoked Salmon Crostini
You can prepare the salmon topping earlier in the day and keep it refrigerated until ready to assemble. These appetizers look great assembled like canapés. Serve these immediately after toasting and assembling since gluten-free bread can toughen quickly if left out after heating or toasting.
Beef Teriyaki Crisps with Wasabi Mayonnaise
Prepare the mayonnaise mixture and cook the steak up to a day in advance. There’s no need to reheat it; just slice the steak about an hour ahead, and leave at room temperature.
*Remember to check for gluten in soy sauce.
Tempura Green Beans with Mild Cayenne Sour Cream
Batters like this one that use carbonated beverages such as club soda produce gas bubbles that discourage oil absorption, yielding a lighter fried food.
Diner-Style Onion Rings
You’ll have some of the batter left over, but don’t decrease the amount you use. You need the full amount so the onion rings can be immersed in batter and get fully coated.
Grilled Shrimp with Romesco Sauce
To get a head start on this appetizer, you can prepare and refrigerate the no-cook sauce the night before. Store it in an airtight container, and then set it out while you grill your shrimp so it can come to room temperature; or, serve the sauce chilled, if you like.
Coconut Shrimp with Mango Sauce
A light and crisp coconut topping coats delicious shrimp. Mango sauce gives a punch of fresh and fruity flavor. We use for gluten-free panko-style breadcrumbs (we suggest Kinnikinnick brand panko).
Spiced Pecan-Cherry Crunch Mix
This is a versatile snack mix, so feel free to substitute another type of nut in place of the pecans (almonds would be delicious), or try dried cranberries or raisins in place of the cherries.
Spicy Almond-Pumpkinseed Snack Mix
This snack mix stores well for up to a week in an airtight container.
Honey-Roasted Nuts and Fruit
Use any variety of mixed nuts or seeds you like in this trail mix. Dried fruit is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and the nuts add healthy fats and protein, which makes this an excellent on-the-go snack.
Indian-Spiced Roasted Nuts
This simple recipe makes a tasty party snack. Use your favorite nuts, and add a bit of heat with a dash of ground red pepper, if you like.
Chocolate-Almond Pretzels
Toasting almonds gives them a richer, nuttier taste. Simply spread the almonds on a baking sheet, and bake at 350° for 6 to 8 minutes. Or, place the almonds in a dry skillet, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes or until they’re toasted. Be sure to watch them carefully —they can go from toasted to burned very quickly.
*Remember to check for gluten in chocolate chips; we like Glutino brand gluten-free pretzels.
