Gluten free holiday snacks can be difficult. They can be expensive, complicated, yucky and downright inconvenient (especially to make for a large crowd).
We want everyone to love our snacks, especially the kids and avoid that holiday pressure and stress that comes with allergies.
I’m giving you my favorite and some of my easiest go to holiday snack ideas and tips. If you want store bought, homemade, savory, or sweet we have it all!
This is your ticket to an easy snack board for after school, holiday parties, ladies nights, you name it! No stress and tons of delicious food!
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Smart Snack Strategies for an Allergy-Friendly Holiday Season
I honestly think that the easiest and most impactful system to implement in your home when you have food allergies is to simply use what you already have and love.
Here’s what I mean, your family has snacks and treats that they already love. Write a master list of those snacks and put it somewhere easy to refer to.
This is way if you’re in a hurry, you don’t have to rack your brain, all your best gluten free holiday snacks are right there on a list.
Another tip I live by is always have self stable ready to go snacks in my pantry. This has saved me for last minute party or hosting snacks, road trips and even mid day melt downs. You can add these pantry stable snacks to your master list and keep them in your grocery list!
For large gatherings, make something that is one pan and can be cut up into smaller pieces. For examples: rice crispies, cake, bars, brownies, oat squares, protein bars etc…
This way serving gluten free holiday snacks to a large group becomes a lot easier and since everyone is enjoying it kids or adults don’t feel singled out by having to eat something “special”.
SAVORY GLUTEN FREE HOLIDAY SNACKS
- Trail mix
This snack can be shelf stable and customized to quickly help you make gluten free dairy free snacks. Use a base of nuts, seeds, or even some roasted legumes/edamame. Then add sweet treats like dairy free chocolate chips, cocoa nibs, dried fruit, a favorite cereal, candy etc… It is the perfect grab and go while also being something you can serve as a snack to guests.
- Chips & dip
I LOVE all chips and dips! This gluten free holiday snack is almost too easy. All you need to do is buy or make your favorite chip dip and you’re done! Salsa makes for an easy choice, but some of my other favorites are dairy free onion dip or a taco dip, guac, a plant based queso etc…
- Garlic bites
There are tons of recipes for gluten free dairy free garlic bites to use as gluten free holiday snacks. These garlic bites are my favorite and they’re not as complicated as you’d think, although they do require some prep!
- Cheese & cracker board
If you can’t do dairy then meat, fruit, veggies, or will do the trick for your gluten free dairy free snacks. These gluten free holiday snacks are really simple and can be for one person or 10! Kids love this one!
- Pretzel bites
Soft pretzel bites… they hold a piece of my heart. You can buy these frozen or you can make them! I personally have to be pretty dedicated to my craving to actually make these, but they are SOOO good and your kids will love them.
SWEET GLUTEN FREE HOLIDAY SNACKS
- Chocolate covered pretzels
Making these gluten free holiday snacks is actually a bit of a tradition in my family. They are the yummiest snack and are fun to make and decorate! Kids can easily help make this treat!
- Toffee
Mmmm… toffee. The way I like to make this gluten-free holiday snack is without peanuts and with dairy free butter and in a big pan. There are tons of different ways to make toffee and it’s really easy to make without the top nine allergens. Not to mention, it’s super delicious and perfect for the holidays.
- Fruit & fruit dip
I find this to be a super, simple and healthy option. Kids and adults love fruit and of course it’s naturally free of top allergens. Choose any fruit that seasonal you can skip the fruit dip or even make a dairy free cream cheese, fruit dip, which is so yummy! It’s perfect for a large crowds and people can grab what they like and pass over what they don’t!
- Sugar cookie bars
I am slave to delicious holiday sugar cookies. I am obsessed with them, my mom does something to the sugar cookies that makes them addictive. Even being gluten-free and dairy free, I still love my mom sugar cookies! The only thing is, is making a beautiful delicious sugar cookie takes so much time and patience. I’ll do it once a year, but otherwise no way. The sugar cookie bars are the perfect alternative. They’re in a large pan. They don’t take a lot of time and they are delicious. Sugar cookies are the perfect holiday treat and this just makes them perfect for serving a large crowd and easier for people on a time crunch.
- Crinkle cookies
I think crinkle cookies are just so cute, and have such a holiday feel. Every recipe I’ve ever made has been super simple and fast. If you’re gonna be making easy gluten-free holiday snacks, I think these cookies are a winner.
- Jazzed up popcorn
As far as gluten-free dairy free holiday snacks go, This one is perfect for holiday parties. This can be really simple by simply adding some sweet candy in a cup with some popcorn, or it can be drizzling your popcorn with dairy free, chocolate, dairy, free caramel, anything else you can think of. It’s the perfect snack because it’s customizable and delicious.
Related: 10 No-Bake Gluten Free Holiday Desserts for No Stress Holidays
STORE-BOUGHT GLUTEN FREE + DAIRY FREE SNACKS
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These store-bought options are perfect when you need fast, reliable gluten free dairy free snacks for school parties, road trips, family gatherings, or busy holiday weeks. Always double-check labels, but these are widely trusted favorites for kids (linked for easy shopping):
- GF Oreos — https://amzn.to/48J65JC
- Veggie Straws — https://amzn.to/4oSpmhI
- Kinnikinnick Donuts — usually in the freezer section
- Savory Mochi Bites (my kryptonite)— https://amzn.to/4s75lHc
- Dried Fruit
- Gluten-Free Pretzels — https://amzn.to/4iQRvEt
- Heavenly Hunks — https://amzn.to/4oSQsFF
These options make it easy to build a full spread of gluten free holiday snacks without baking everything from scratch.
WHY THESE SNACKS WORK FOR KIDS
The best gluten free dairy free snacks for kids meet three important needs: safety, familiarity, and energy.
Familiar snack formats like pretzels, cookies, donuts, popcorn, and fruit help kids feel included instead of “different”, plus it’s what they link. Texture variety—crunchy, chewy, soft—makes sure there is something for every kid. And balancing sweet snacks with protein, fiber, and carbs helps prevent sugar crashes during busy holiday days. It also helps curb tantrums and moodiness when we manage our glucose,
When kids feel confident in the food available to them, holidays become more joyful and far less stressful.
HOW TO BUILD A SIMPLE GLUTEN FREE HOLIDAY SNACK BOARD
You don’t need complicated recipes to build a festive and safe holiday snack board. Use this simple structure:
- 1–2 salty items (pretzels, chips, savory mochi)
- 1–2 sweet items (cookies, popcorn, donuts)
- 1 fruit option (fresh fruit or dried fruit)
- 1 dip (fruit dip, dairy-free chocolate dip, or hummus)
This formula keeps your gluten free holiday snacks budget-friendly, visually appealing, and easy for kids to navigate.
Hosting this season? My Gather Safe: Allergy-Safe Holiday Hosting Kit walks you step-by-step through creating a fully safe, inclusive, and affordable holiday spread—without overwhelm.
HOLIDAY SNACK SAFETY TIPS FOR ALLERGY-FRIENDLY HOMES
- Keep allergy-safe snacks on a separate tray
- Bring one full safe option your child can eat freely
- Teach kids to ask before grabbing food
- Always keep backup snacks with you
Prepared families enjoy holidays with far less stress and risk.
A Better Way to Snack (Even on Busy Days)
Gluten free holiday snacks do not have to be hard and they can be safe. Using these options, you can create a beautiful safe charcuterie snack board and feed large crowds easily.
My allergies have not stopped me from enjoying delicious holiday food, And yours or your children’s don’t have to either.
Gluten free holiday snacks are going to be a lot easier this holiday season! Let me know which ones you try or if you have any other favorites!
FAQ
Are gluten free holiday snacks usually dairy-free too?
Not necessarily. Gluten-free and dairy-free are two separate allergy categories, so a snack labeled GF may still contain milk, butter, whey, or casein. Holiday snack mixes, cookies, and packaged treats often use dairy for flavor or texture.
For the safest option, use this simple rule:
- Check both the gluten-free label and the “contains milk” line at the bottom of the ingredient list.
- When possible, choose naturally gluten- and dairy-free whole foods—they’re budget-friendly and reliable.
What are the easiest gluten-free, dairy-free snacks for kids?
Stick with simple, no-prep foods to reduce stress and cross-contact risks. Kid-friendly favorites include:
- Fresh fruit, veggie sticks, and allergy-safe dips
- Popcorn, GF pretzels, and tortilla chips
- Applesauce cups or fruit pouches
- Rice cakes or safe crackers with spreads
- Store-bought GF/DF snack bars
These options work because they’re naturally free of top allergens, travel well, and fit any busy family routine.
What should I send for a school party?
Schools love individually packaged, clearly labeled snacks. Safe and easy ideas include:
- Gluten-free fruit snacks or pouches
- Allergy-safe popcorn or chips
- GF cookie packs from trusted brands
- Fresh fruit trays
- Non-food treats (stickers, pencils) if allowed
Always check with the teacher first—they’ll know if additional allergens (nuts, eggs, sesame, etc.) need to be avoided.
Can I make gluten free holiday snacks without baking?
Yes! Some of the best allergy-safe holiday snacks require zero baking. Simple no-bake ideas include:
- Whole-food snack boards
- Store-bought GF treats arranged in a festive way
- Fruit- or veggie-based options
- No-bake pantry staples you can assemble quickly
No-bake snacks are perfect when you’re stretched for time, want kid involvement, or just want to avoid the stress of baking.
