12 Gluten Free Children’s Snacks

By Candace Braun Zafirellis
Published 8/30/2025
Dietitian Reviewed: Erin McNamara, RDN, LDN, CLT
In This Article
12 Gluten Free Children’s Snacks
Photo Credit: iStock

Once school is back in session, the daily afterschool battle begins: the kids want something yummy now, and you want to make sure they’re eating something simple and safe for a gluten free diet. If snack time feels like a daily scavenger hunt, Health eCooks has the solution: gluten free children’s snacks you can easily pull together at home with a few simple ingredients. These gluten free snack recipes are dietitian approved and can be prepped ahead to enjoy at home or tossed in the lunchbox. Plus you can rest easy knowing each one has been made with gluten free ingredients you can trust.

In this list you’ll find easy wins like a corn-tortilla cheese quesadilla, freezer-friendly peanut butter banana bites, and bake-ahead chocolate chip muffins made with gluten free flour and oats. Every pick is simple to prepare, lunchbox-friendly, and built from real foods, making them good gluten free snacks you can trust when you’re wondering what to give the kids on busy days on-the-go or when they have the after-school munchies.

What Snacks Are Gluten Free?

If your child has to avoid gluten, think simple: fruit, veggies, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, popcorn, and gluten-free grains like rice and corn are your kid’s best friends. For processed foods (crackers, cereal, granola), buy brands that say they’re gluten-free on the package so you’re not guessing. 

You can also clip this list of easy, kid-approved gluten free snacks for kids to your fridge:

  • Apple slices with nut or sunflower butter
  • Carrot and cucumber sticks with hummus or a healthy ranch dressing
  • Cheese with gluten free rice crackers
  • Yogurt parfait with berries and gluten free granola
  • Homemade trail mix made with gluten-free ingredients like nuts, seeds, raisins and dark chocolate chips
  • Air-popped popcorn with cinnamon or Parmesan cheese seasoning
  • Gluten free rice cakes topped with peanut butter and banana
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Smoothies made with milk, yogurt, fruit and gluten free oats

Shopping Sanity Savers for Gluten Free Snacks

Here are some tips and tricks to use when buying gluten free children’s snacks:

  • Look for the “gluten-free” label (it has a legal definition: under 20 ppm).
  • Lean on simple foods first, then add a few packaged items clearly marked “gluten-free.”
  • Scan labels for hidden gluten (like barley malt) and watch for “shared equipment” notes if your child is very sensitive.
  • With oats, granola, and cereal, pick brands that say gluten-free to avoid cross-contact.
  • Keep a short list of staple gluten free kids snacks and rotate in one or two new items each week.

12 Gluten Free Snacks for Kids

From crunchy drizzled apple snacks and playful dinosaur fruit skewers to dippable honey dijon hummus and poppable veggie crisps, this list of gluten free snacks for kids has plenty of delicious options the whole family will enjoy devouring. 

  1. 01

    Drizzled Apple Snacks

    Heart Healthy Drizzled Apple Snacks
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    Apple rings drizzled with melted dark chocolate and peanut butter feel like dessert but use fresh fruit as the base. Let the kids decorate the apples with their favorite gluten free toppings like coconut and almonds.

    View Recipe
  2. 02

    Dinosaur Fruit Skewers

    Heart Healthy Dinosaur Fruit Skewers
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins

    Let the kids build their own snack sticks with dino-shaped watermelon, grapes, strawberries, and cantaloupe. Fruit is naturally gluten free, and the dip is safe to eat as long as you use gluten free yogurt.

    View Recipe
  3. 03

    4-Ingredient Homemade Snickers

    Heart Healthy Homemade Snickers®
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    Stuff dates with peanut butter, add chopped peanuts, and drizzle with melted dark chocolate for a candy-bar vibe without the mystery ingredients. Use chocolate chips labeled gluten free and you’re set for a delicious and healthy snack. 

    View Recipe
  4. 04

    Apple Chips

    Heart Healthy Apple Chips
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins

    Paper-thin apple slices dusted with cinnamon bake up crisp to make the perfect lunchbox treat or afterschool snack. These healthy chips are made with simple ingredients so they’re naturally gluten free. 

    View Recipe
  5. 05

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares

    Heart Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    These chewy, no-bake treats are made from peanut butter, maple syrup, rolled oats and chocolate. So simple, but oh so craveable, too!

    View Recipe
  6. 06

    Cheese Quesadilla

    Healthy Cheese Quesadilla
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins

    Melty cheese between corn tortillas is the 10-minute lifesaver when you need an afterschool snack on the fly. Serve it with salsa and sliced veggies for a healthy, gluten free snack option.

    View Recipe
  7. 07

    Peanut Butter Banana Bites

    Heart Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Bites
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins

    These banana sandwiches are made with a swirl of peanut butter and Greek yogurt, plus a little granola for crunch. They’re the perfect healthy alternative to ice cream bites!

    View Recipe
  8. 08

    Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Muffins

    Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Muffins
    Photo Credit: Jessica Kielman, Baldwin Publishing
    90 mins

    These muffins are made with gluten free flour, ripe bananas, Greek yogurt and gluten free rolled oats for a soft, bakery-style bite that kids love. These gluten free muffins are great for breakfast, snacks or lunchboxes. You can also make your own gluten free flour for this recipe.

    View Recipe
  9. 09

    Veggie Chips

    Heart Healthy Veggie Crisps
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins
    View Recipe
  10. 10

    Peanut Butter Rice Krispies® Treats

    Heart Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispies® Treats
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    20 mins

    A no-bake bar with peanut butter, honey, maple, and raisins—fast and fun to make together. Use a crisp rice cereal that’s labeled gluten free and doesn’t list barley malt in the ingredient list. 

    View Recipe
  11. 11

    popcorn

    Heart Healthy Caramel Popcorn
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    45 mins

    Air-popped popcorn tossed with a quick honey-brown sugar syrup makes for a sweet, crunchy, and movie-night approved snack that’s safe for gluten free diets.

    View Recipe
  12. 12

    Honey Dijon Hummus

    Heart Healthy Honey Dijon Hummus
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    10 mins

    Sweet meets tangy in this creamy dip kids love to dunk: chickpeas and tahini get a bright boost from honey-Dijon, lemon, and a pinch of turmeric, and it all comes together in about 10 minutes. Serve this dip with carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, or gluten free crackers for an easy afterschool win.

    View Recipe

Make Gluten Free Children’s Snacks Easy and Fun

By checking labels carefully and keeping a few pantry staples on hand, you can build gluten free snacks for kids in minutes—no stress, no guesswork. Keep gluten free basics on the weekly grocery list like fruit, veggies, popcorn, yogurt and nuts, then add a couple of packaged items clearly labeled gluten free. Rotate snack options each day for variety and keep snack time simple, safe and delicious—exactly what busy families need.

Here are more gluten free recipes for the family to enjoy together:

Gluten Free Dessert Recipes and Baking Tips

The Best Gluten Free Side Dishes

Gluten Free Dinner Recipes

12 Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes

Health eCooks Cookbook on Amazon

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