Gluten is present in wheat, rye, barley and triticale, so most baked goods contain gluten. If your child is gluten intolerant or has celiac disease it should be avoided, but it is not always easy to find snacks they can eat.
Gluten free food does not have to be expensive, although it can be. According to the Telegraph, the NHS pays as much as £6.73 for 500g of gluten free pasta although it only costs £1.20 in a supermarket. Here are ten easy gluten free snacks:
Cheesy Crackers
These savoury bites are made by substituting gluten free flour for plain flour in your favourite cheesy biscuit recipe. Roll the dough out and cut into little squares for a tasty savoury snack.
Sweet Potato Crunchies
Spiralise sweet potato and toss in melted coconut oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet and bake in a moderate oven, turning every ten minutes until they are crisp.
Granola Bars
Use gluten free oats and puffed rice mixed with honey and coconut oil to make these. They do not need baking and you can add in a few nuts or coconut chips for variety.
Cucumber Sandwiches
Spear slices of cucumber with sliced tomato, chicken and avocado as quick and easy mini snacks.
Honey Cookies
These are quick to make using a mixture of gluten free plain flour and sorghum flour. Sweeten with honey for a healthy snack.
American Corn Dog Muffins
Use a GF cornbread and muffin mix in a mini muffin tray. Place a one inch piece of hot dog in each muffin and bake.
Soft Pretzel Bites
Substitute gluten free flour in your pretzel recipe for a substantial teatime snack.
Peanut Butter and Jam Oatmeal Bars
Blend grapes and chia seeds with honey until smooth. Refrigerate. Mix oats with peanut butter and spread half in a lined baking tin. Spread with the grape jam and cover with more oats and peanut butter. Bake for 30 minutes.
Banana Ice Cream
Cut bananas into slices and freeze. When frozen, blitz in a food processor and add a little apple juice.
Popcorn
Gluten is mainly in grains, but not in corn, so popcorn is an ideal snack for kids with gluten intolerance. Experiment with different sweet and savoury flavours.
Keeping your children gluten free without them feeling deprived is easier than you might think!
