Going gluten-free might often feel like you have to change your entire way of life. You may have to give up nights out at your favorite Italian restaurant and spend a lot of time finding substitutions for your favorite foods. Typically, you need to meticulously read the ingredient labels on each and every product.
One of the hardest parts about going gluten-free is finding protein snacks that can accommodate your diet. When you’re in the snack aisle at the grocery store, it can be a challenge to find certified gluten-free options.
Luckily, there are ways to stay gluten-free while still enjoying delicious flavors and textures. We’ve laid out our favorite protein and gluten-free snack ideas to help keep you satisfied throughout the day.
The best part? All of these snacks have commonly available ingredients, which means you won’t have to drastically overhaul your lifestyle.
1. LK Smoke Show Beef Sticks
Finding a mouthwatering, certified gluten-free snack doesn’t get any easier than this. Our Smoke Show Beef Sticks have 8 grams of protein per serving and are certified free from the top 9 allergens. Made with 100% grass-fed and finished beef, they’re smoked to perfection and convenient for your on-the-go lifestyle.
Each stick is seasoned with a delicious blend of real ingredients for a bold, savory flavor. The result? A tender meat snack that offers simplicity and satisfaction.
Beef sticks also save you from the hassle of preparation. Just tear open the package and dive right in! Plus, they’re shelf-stable and can last up to a year. This makes it easy to store them in your purse, backpack, desk drawer, or vehicle.
2. Gluten-Free Oatmeal with Fruit
If you didn’t think oats could contribute to your daily protein intake, think again! 100 grams of oats, which is a little less than a half cup, have 13.5 grams of protein. Whether you enjoy instant or stovetop oatmeal, you can add some sweetness by mixing in your favorite fruit. Bananas, dates, berries, or apples are all tasty options.
While oats are naturally gluten-free, they can come into contact with grains like wheat and rye during the manufacturing process. Buying specifically gluten-free oats helps ensure that the oats aren’t exposed to other grains during the farming and transportation process.
3. Mango with Lime Juice and Chili Powder
You can munch on a plain apple or banana any day of the week, so why not try something a little more exciting once in a while? While juicy mangos are delicious on their own, adding a little lime with chili powder gives this fruit a flavorful boost.
To make this popular Mexican street food, cut up a mango and arrange the slices on a flat dish. Then, squeeze some fresh lime juice and sprinkle a little chili powder on top. The result? An instantly refreshing snack that will awaken your taste buds to a whole new world.
If you’re sensitive to spice, try lightly sprinkling a small amount of chili powder at a time. You can also try this simple recipe with other tropical-tasting fruits, like pineapple and watermelon!
4. Rice Cakes and Nut Butter
Rice cakes were once a trendy, low-calorie snack often associated with diet culture. On their own, they’re not that exciting. But when you pair these crispy gluten-free cakes with creamy nut butter, the result is to die for.
One of the best things about this snack? It’s incredibly easy to make and can be enjoyed in less than 60 seconds. Just take a rice cake, slather on your favorite nut butter, and enjoy! Since rice cakes are relatively low in calories, feel free to heap on a generous amount of mouthwatering nut butter.
No matter what nut butter you choose, you’ll get a quality dose of protein. Types of nut butter with the highest amount of protein include:
- Almond butter: One tablespoon of plain almond butter has 3.3 grams of protein
- Peanut butter: One tablespoon of smooth peanut butter has 3.5 grams of protein
- Cashew butter: About one cup of plain cashew butter has 2.8 grams of protein
When choosing a nut butter, choose one with little or no added salt or sugar. The same goes for rice cakes. There are many flavors to choose from, so read the nutrition facts carefully to make sure you’re not buying cakes with any undesired ingredients.
5. Almond Flour Crackers With Cheese
Whether they’re going in a lunchbox or served as hors d’oeuvres, crackers, and cheese are a classic snack with endless variations.
If you’re on the hunt for gluten-free crackers, give almond flour crackers a whirl. Since almond crackers are made from almond flour, they’ll be higher in protein than wheat crackers. From rosemary sea salt to cheddar cheese, these tasty morsels come in all sorts of scrumptious flavors and are perfect for a gluten-free lifestyle.
You’re bound to have a favorite type of cheese to go with your crackers. But don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try something new! From Manchego to Gouda, the world of cheese is vast. An unexpected combo could become your new favorite snack!
Want to bump up your protein intake even more? Add our Smoke Show Beef Jerky to your cheese and crackers for a flavorful twist!
6. Apple Chips
Chips made out of apples? Yes, please! Apple chips are a gluten-free snack that’s truly addictive. Made from thinly sliced apples, they’re then sprinkled with ingredients like cinnamon and then baked until they’re perfectly crisp.
Tart, sweet, and light, apple chips are a satisfying treat. Use them as a palette cleanser or munch on a handful when you need to tide yourself over till your next meal.
While you may find apple chips at your local store, they’re really simple to make on your own. You can make them completely sugar-free and control how crispy and crunchy they become.
To make apple chips, you’ll just need some of your favorite apples and spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves are all great options. For a licorice, candy-like flavor, you can sprinkle your apple chips with ground anise.
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F, and wash your apples before cutting them into thin slices. The thinner they are, the crispier they’ll become. Lay your apple slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure they’re evenly spaced apart so each slice bakes thoroughly.
Sprinkle your apple slices with your chosen spices. If you want to sweeten them up, use your preferred granulated or powdered sweetener. Bake between one and two hours, or until they reach your desired crispiness. When they’re finished baking, cool your slices for at least 30 minutes.
Once they’ve cooled, your apple chips are ready to enjoy! You can also store them in an airtight container for up to a week.
7. Sweet Potato Chips
When you have a major case of the munchies, chips are one of those snacks you instinctively reach for. Many brands of sweet potato chips are gluten-free and are a great option when you’re looking for a little crunch. Just be sure to check the bag to make sure they are labeled gluten-free!
Sweet potato chips come in many shapes and sizes, from flat and curled to thick and thin. You can buy them with ripples or kettle-style. Depending on the brand, they may be seasoned with various spices and ingredients, including coconut oil, sea salt, and avocado oil.
While this crispy snack is widely available in stores and markets, you can also try a recipe to make them at home. You only need a handful of ingredients: sweet potatoes, cooking oil, and your favorite spices.
To make your own sweet potato chips at home, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Wash, peel, and slice one or two sweet potatoes before placing them in a bowl. Slice them thinly enough so they’ll turn nice and crispy when baking.
Toss your slices with ⅓ cup of your preferred cooking oil and lay them evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle them with your favorite spices and bake them for 10-15 minutes on each side or until crispy. Let them cool, and voila! You have a crunchy, appetizing snack at your fingertips.
You can store homemade sweet potato chips in an airtight container for about one week. Need seasoning ideas? Try any of these:
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Cinnamon
- Cayenne pepper
- Rosemary
8. Yogurt with Granola
If you’re a fan of breakfast food, a wholesome yogurt and granola bowl will hit the spot. About one cup of plain yogurt has 3.8 grams of protein, along with other nutritious vitamins and minerals. Certain granolas contain wheat flour, but not to worry! There are a lot of gluten-free options, so make sure to check the label.
If you want yogurt with a higher protein content, try Greek yogurt, which has about 8.78 grams of protein per 100 grams of yogurt (a little less than half a cup). You can also make or buy protein granola, which features ingredients like nut butter, protein powder, and nuts. You can also naturally sweeten the yogurt with fresh or frozen fruits, honey, agave syrup, or other sweeteners.
9. Trail Mix With Dried Fruit
Trail mix is one of life’s greatest snacking pleasures. Whether you’re hiking in the wilderness or simply binge-watching your favorite show, this snack is easy to take with you wherever you go.
While packaged trail mix is available at the market, creating it at home lets you customize it to be high in protein and gluten-free. Need some gluten-free ingredient ideas? Try the following:
- Nuts: Peanuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, and pistachios are all gluten-free and quality sources of protein.
- Dried Fruit: Keep it simple by adding your favorite dried fruits. Cranberries, raisins, banana chips, pineapple, mango, and coconut flakes will add some sweetness to your trail mix.
- Protein granola: For a satisfying crunch, you can mix in protein granola. It often features rolled oats and protein powder bound together with nut butter.
Enjoy Certified Gluten-Free Snacks With LK
Whether you’re fueling for a road trip or need a midnight bite, LK has a variety of effortless, gluten-free meat snacks to choose from. From chicken jerky to beef sticks, you can easily find a delicious snack to help soothe your hunger pains. Stock up your glove box, desk drawer, or kitchen cabinet by shopping LK’s tasty snacks today!
Lorissa’s Kitchen does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.