Maybe you’ve noticed that I don’t always get a recipe up on Fridays. I have posted some recipes lately, but not always on Friday, so I sort of stopped naming the recipe posts “Gluten Free Friday.” In the last couple of weeks, though, several people have told me that they have referred family or friends who are just starting out on the gluten-free-diet-journey to my blog. In my horror at this revelation, I say that I hope they find something actually helpful on that journey in my sidebar where there are real bloggers listed who blog only about gluten free living! Unfortunately, reading my blog may be disappointing in that regard, as they may find more information about my homeschooling adventures, or my hens, or whatever my heart so desires on a given day. Oh well. As I told a blogger friend recently, and as the old song goes….”It’s my blog and I’ll cry or ________________ (fill-in-the-blank) if I want to.” This space is really just a creative outlet for me and a fun way to keep in touch with far off friends and family. I used to scrapbook, now I blog. Virtual show and tell. But if it actually helps someone, well….great!
But in honor of those who come here to look for gluten free lifestyle helps, I would like to make a list of our family’s favorite gluten free snacks. We are regularly scheduled snackers here in the Krum house. No one is ever able to make it from breakfast to lunch without a snack or their hobbit’s “second breakfast.” The kitchen is really never closed around here, much to this mama’s dismay and fruitless efforts to do just that every morning after breakfast. And we don’t eat cereal. If we did, there would no doubt be, a 9a.m. snack AND an 11a.m. one as well. We’re all about protein for breakfast around here just so that we can make it until 10a.m.! It’s just same song, second verse after lunch. 3p.m. around here means coffee for mom and popcorn or some other snack for kiddos. I do not remember snacking like this as a kid, but I know it is probably a healthier way to eat, so I surrender to the twice-a-day snack routine. Honestly, I can’t make it for more than 3 hours without food either, but feeding yourself a bite of something is much easier than feeding 4 or 5 folks five times a day!
Here are some gluten free snack favorites of ours:
popcorn ~I make it the old fashioned way ~ in a pot, with oil, on the stove.
(Once a college student saw me doing this and exclaimed, “WHAT are you doing?????” They thought popcorn mysteriously materialized out of an inflated bag in the microwave.)
chips and salsa ~ we’re from Texas, but who doesn’t love this snack? I run the store bought salsa through the blender for “chunk aversion” children. Add guacamole for a more filling snack.
rice crackers and hummus
carrot sticks (and other raw veggies) and hummus (Tribe Garlic Roasted is our favorite brand/flavor.)
rice crackers and cheese ~ we love Trader Joe’s Rice crackers and herbed goat cheese or asiago
cheese slices and pepperoni
apples and peanut butter ~ protein + sweet crispness = perfect
pears with goat cheese and cinnamon ~ see photo. YUM!
rice cakes (Lundberg Brown Rice ~ our fave!) with cream cheese ~ try a flavored cream cheese.
rice cakes with peanut or almond butter ~ have you tried the individual peanut/almond butter packets by Justin’s? Perfect for travel ~ I don’t go anywhere without them! Frozen gluten free waffles with cream cheese or nut butters work great, too.
trail mix ~ assortment of nuts and dried fruit (chocolate chips always seem to sneak in around here, too)
yogurt ~ we love the new Greek yogurt fad ~ delicious and custard-y. Oh ~ and coconut milk yogurt! Wow!
bars ~ this protein/energy bar recipe or a chocolate chip/oatmeal bar that I hope to post soon!
muffins ~ I make a double batch on Monday or Tuesday mornings, leave them out on a plate all day, and watch them disappear! (Or freeze them for future snacking.)
bananas ~ always hanging in the kitchen or in the freezer for smoothies
cereal ~ not for breakfast, but often for a snack time or before-bed-treat ~ we love the new gluten free Chex cereal varieties. I think chocolate and cinnamon are the favorites here.
granola ~ whenever I get around to making it from gluten free oats, but oh-so-yummy on Greek yogurt!
olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and marinated garlic ~ this is really a mom favorite. I love to go to the olive bar at the grocery store and get my Mediterranean fix.
What about you? What do you eat for a gluten free snack?
We’re always looking for more ideas around here.
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Hey Melanie!–I've missed you! I've been too busy of late to make my usual rounds. What a great listing of snack ideas! I love that so many are naturally gluten free and others are mainstream foods that are gluten free … sure makes life easier and more economical, too. And, who doesn't love these treats you've mentioned? I had to chuckle over the popcorn. I admit I still prefer our old hot air popcorn popper. I'm sure popping real popcorn in one of those is considered an antiquated method of cooking popcorn, too. 😉
Since I can't guarantee I'll make it back soon, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🙂
xo,
Shirley