These snack ideas will keep you satisfied and feeling great! An extensive list (over 60 ideas!) of gluten free and dairy free snacks for clean eating to make sure that easy snacks are always at the ready. Featuring both store bought and homemade recipes.
Snacks are one of the toughest things to think of and find. Even harder, healthy ones that fall under the gluten and dairy free category. This extensive list of gluten free dairy free snacks for clean eating are perfect for anyone - kids or adults!
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When eating clean, I really struggle in the snacks department. To be honest, I’ve always struggled with snacks, even before then! The truth is, there’s actually plenty of ideas out there! Feel free to make your own snacks or even purchase directly from the store.
The best routine is the one that you will stay consistent with!
What is Clean Eating?
Clean Eating can seem restrictive or tough, but think about it as trying to consume as many real foods in their natural form. It is a way of eating that emphasises eating regular, balanced meals and snacks to improve health and well-being.
Clean Eating means:
- More whole foods (as close to their natural form as possible)
- More fruits and vegetables
- More whole grains
- No processed foods
- Limit added sugars
- Limit artificial ingredients
Tips for Snack Labels
Dairy Free Snacks
Dairy is a top 8 allergen, so it must be listed on a food label as either an ingredient or underneath as “Contains: Milk.” Make sure to check ingredients for any dairy products on the ingredient list.
Gluten Free Snacks
Gluten is a bit tougher to find on food labels as it’s not required like dairy.
The Gluten Intolerance Group recommends three tips for confirming gluten free for food labels:
- Look for Third-Party Certification
- Look for “gluten-free” or “no gluten” on the label
- Read the ingredients list
The Gluten Intolerance Group also has a handy reference card that you can reference when you’re at the grocery store (or at a restaurant!).
Store-bought Snacks
These gluten free dairy free snacks can be found in the store and online. They’re an easy grab-and-go snack. Perfect for kids (and adult!) lunches, meal preps, or having laying around the house for when that afternoon slump hits!
- Fruit
- Raw Nuts
- Roasted, Salted or Flavored Nuts
- Fruit Snacks
Try: Solely or Chums Fruit Bites
- Jerky Sticks
Try: Chomps or the New Primal (or the New Primal Snack Mates for a specified kid's option)
- Bars
Try: RX Bar, 88 Acres (only some of the flavors are clean so be sure to check the ingredients list - I suggest Ginger Apple or Cinnamon Oats), Larabar
- Popcorn
Try: LesserEvil or Quinn (microwaveable)
- Dried Fruit
The process of drying fruit leaves an energy-dense tiny bite of sweet fruit! Dried fruit lasts much longer than fresh fruit, is packed with nutrients and is a great snack option for those reasons.
Try: RIND has really fun combinations of dried fruit and they keep the skins on most of their fruit!
- Nut Butter Packs
Nut butter packs are a great saviour for keeping in your bag for emergency situations (aka being really hungry!). They’re high protein and I love that nut butter packs are perfectly portioned for one snack. I eat them straight out of the packet most times, but you can also use them to be pre-portioned nut butter for any occasion.
Try: RX Bar Nut Butters (avoid nut butter packs that use rapeseed oil)
- Fruit or Veggie Chips - Pineapple Chips, Banana Chips, Apple Chips
Try: Bare or Rhythm Organic Kale Chips
- Granola
Try: Purely Elizabeth
- Trail Mix
- Olives
- Baby Carrots
- Pretzel Sticks or Twists
Try: From the Ground Up
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Dried Nori
- Goji Berries
- Applesauce
- Dairy-Free Yogurt Drinks
Try: Forager Project Organic Dairy-Free Yogurt Drink (only the unsweetened plain flavor has no added sugars)
- Chocolate Bars
Try: Hu Chocolate Bars
- Cookies
- Dairy-Free Yogurt
- Crispy Corn Snacks
Try: Love Corn Snacks Crunchy Corn
- Edamame
- Fruit Leathers
Try: That's It Fruit Bars
- Rice Cakes
TIP! When looking for snacks at the store, it’s about the ingredients not the calories. Look for no-added sugars and fewer ingredients (all should be recognizable!). Avoid products with “diet” trend labels like keto or low-fat, as they typically have higher processed ingredients and can have higher sugars or other nutritional values.
5 Minute Snacks (Homemade)
This is a combination of store-bought items to create a quick and easy snack. From fruit cups to smoothies, these snacks take only 2-4 ingredients and a few minutes and are great for a work-from-home or after-school snacks situation.
Overnight Oats
Gluten Free Toast + Jam
Stuffed Dates
Gluten Free Crackers + Dip
Rice Cakes + Dip (or for a savory flair, try vegan cream cheese and lox!)
Celery + Dip
Carrots + Dip
Cucumbers + Dip
Frozen Edamame + Sea Salt or Sauce
Fresh-Pressed Juices
Dairy-Free Yogurt + Granola or Fruit
Cubed Fruit + Chili Lime Seasoning (Tajín)
Apples + Seed Butter or Nut Butter
Favorite dairy-free, gluten-free dips include: guacamole, spicy hummus, or dairy-free cashew queso
Simple Homemade Snacks Recipes
These snacks are easy, simple homemade snacks. From roasted nuts to granola, these are batch recipes that will help you prep delicious snacks for on-the-go or for enjoying at home.
Bars + Energy Balls
Everybody loves a good granola bar or energy ball recipe, and here are ten gluten-free options to keep you going! Typically taking under 30-minutes, these recipes are homemade versions of those bars you love, or a great energy ball recipe to keep your mood up.
TIP! For Gluten-Free oats, make sure oats are clearly labeled as gluten-free, or for those with gluten-free preferences, make sure oats are glyphosate-free or organic.
Baked Goods
Never underestimate a delicious baked good to keep you energized and full. These baked goods are all gluten and dairy free and are great for any time of day. Freeze them to last longer!
Have any other gluten-free dairy-free snack ideas I should add? Let me know!
Marta
What a great roundup of gluten-free snacks! I can't wait to eat my way through it, LOL!
Elise Shivamber
Thanks, Marta! Imagine me .. I had to try them all! 🥵
Denise Schnitzer
WELL DONE!!!
I've also found VERB energy bars to be delicious, GF, and arrive in the mail (an online order) easily. https://www.verbenergy.com
I'm not a 'spicy' fan, so I will try your recipes sans So. Cal Kick! ;)
Bon appétit! Keep on cookin'.
Aloha,
Denise
Elise Shivamber
Thanks, Denise! I have to try them ASAP!