Finding the perfect gift for someone with dietary restrictions like gluten intolerance can seem challenging. With so many everyday foods off limits, you may be wondering what treats you can give them that will still put a smile on their face. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious gluten-free options to choose from!
Baked Goods
Homemade baked goods are a thoughtful gift, but only if they are gluten free! There are many recipes for gluten free cookies, cakes, breads and more that your recipient can enjoy without worry. Check to see if they have any other food allergies or sensitivities besides gluten before baking. Some gluten free flours like almond meal or coconut flour make great substitutes. You can find gluten free flour blends and baking mixes at many grocery stores too. Just be sure to thoroughly clean cooking tools and work areas first to prevent any cross-contamination.
Gluten Free Cookies
Cookies are a classic holiday treat, but wheat flour is typically used to bind them. Gluten free cookie recipes use grain flours like rice flour, buckwheat flour, oat flour or quinoa flour instead. Additives like xanthan gum or guar gum help replicate the binding qualities of gluten. Here are some tasty gluten free cookie ideas to try baking:
- Snickerdoodles – Cinnamon sugar cookies are naturally gluten free. Use cream of tartar and egg whites to give a chewy texture.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies – The classic! Use mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate to add pockets of chocolate.
- Peanut Butter Blossoms – Peanut butter cookies dipped in chocolate or sprinkled with sugar.
- Gingerbread Cookies – Perfect for the holidays, make sure to use certified gluten free gingerbread spice mix.
- Shortbread – Buttery, crumbly cookies that hold their shape well after baking.
Gluten Free Cakes and Cupcakes
Bake a festive cake or cupcakes using gluten free all-purpose baking mix and add holiday touches with frosting and decorations. Here are some ideas:
- Gingerbread Cupcakes – Spice cake with gingerbread flavored frosting.
- Pumpkin Cupcakes – Top with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
- Vanilla Cupcakes – Simple treats to decorate with sprinkles or piped frosting.
- Chocolate Cake – Frost with mint, mocha or chocolate frosting.
- Carrot Cake – Top with cream cheese frosting.
Gluten Free Breads
A loaf of homemade gluten free bread makes a thoughtful gift. Yeast breads like sandwich bread, rolls or bagels need time to rise, while quick breads like banana bread or pumpkin bread are simpler to make. Here are some gluten free breads to consider baking:
- Sandwich Bread – Use a bread machine or bake in a loaf pan.
- Cinnamon Raisin Bread – A touch of sweetness makes this bread extra special.
- Pumpkin Bread – Delicious for breakfast or a snack.
- Banana Bread – Mash ripe bananas for sweetness and moisture.
- Cornbread – Serve with chili or barbecue for a taste of comfort food.
When preparing baked goods, be sure to thoroughly clean cooking tools and surfaces first. Even crumbs of wheat flour can contaminate a gluten free treat. Package the finished goodies in a nice bakery box or basket for gifting.
Snacks and Treats
Everyone loves snacks! Give your gluten free friend or family member a gift basket of tasty gluten free snacks to nibble on. Search for gluten free brands of their favorite snack foods or choose naturally gluten free items. Here are some gluten free snack ideas:
Salty Snacks
- Popcorn – Opt for kernels to pop yourself instead of pre-popped in oil.
- Tortilla chips – Made from corn, potato or cassava flour instead of wheat.
- Crackers – Look for crackers made from gluten free grains or seeds.
- Pretzels – Certain brands make wheat-free pretzel sticks and twists.
- Potato chips – Most plain potato chip brands are gluten free.
Sweet Treats
- Chocolate bars – Many dark chocolate and candy bar brands are gluten free.
- Candy canes – Pure sugar candy is naturally gluten free.
- Marshmallows – Check labels for gluten free brands.
- Hot cocoa mix – Use dairy or non-dairy milk for a soothing drink.
- Dried fruit – Look for unsweetened varieties without preservatives.
DIY Snack Mixes
Create your own snack mix by combining gluten free crackers, nuts, seeds, pretzels and dried fruit. Portion into individual bags or jars. Some fun flavor combinations include:
- Holiday Mix – Pretzels, pepitas, dried cranberries, chocolate chips.
- Tropical Mix – Cashews, banana chips, mango, coconut flakes.
- Savory Mix – Rice crackers, peanuts, popcorn, soy nuts.
- Sweet and Salty – Peanuts, chocolate chips, caramel corn, pretzels.
Meals and Food Gifts
If you want to give your gluten free friend something more substantial, give the gift of food! Choose non-perishable ingredients to make gluten free meals or find prepared foods that are gluten free. Here are some ideas:
Gluten Free Flours and Baking Mixes
Stock up their pantry with gluten free flours and baking mixes. Useful blends include:
- All-purpose flour – For cakes, cookies, muffins, etc.
- Bread flour – High protein for sandwich bread, pizza dough, etc.
- Pancake/waffle mix – Just add milk or non-dairy milk.
- Brownie mix – Bake a pan of fudgy gluten free brownies.
- Muffin mix – Whip up bakery-style muffins at home.
Gluten Free Pasta
Made from rice, quinoa, buckwheat or lentils, gluten free pasta comes in all the classic shapes like spaghetti, penne, spirals, etc. Sauce it up with marinara, pesto or alfredo.
Hearty Soup Mixes
Whip up a pot of nourishing soup with a gluten free soup mix. Add protein like chicken, shrimp or beans and vegetables like spinach, tomatoes or carrots.
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Creamy Potato Soup
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- French Onion Soup
Instant Pot Meals
An Instant Pot is great for preparing filling gluten free meals with the press of a button. Find kits that come with gluten free grains like quinoa or rice, seasoning mixes and sauces.
- Rice and beans
- Quinoa chili
- Chicken biryani
- Coconut curry lentils
Prepared Frozen Meals
Look for prepared gluten free frozen meals made with quality ingredients. They provide a quick heat-and-eat meal for busy days.
- Gluten free pizza
- Gluten free mac and cheese
- Gluten free chicken tenders and fries
- Gluten free pot pies or shepherd’s pie
- Gluten free burritos or enchiladas
Drinks
Drinks make nice stocking stuffers or additions to a gift basket. Consider gluten free coffee, tea, hot chocolate and candy cane straws. Some other drink ideas include:
Gluten Free Coffee
Coffee beans are naturally gluten free but avoid flavored coffee blends with barley or wheat. Opt for single origin or certified gluten free blends.
Herbal Teas
Most pure teas and herbal teas are gluten free. Pick a few soothing flavors like chamomile, peppermint or citrus ginger.
Hot Chocolate
Look for gluten free hot cocoa mixes or make your own on the stove with milk, chocolate, sugar and spices.
Apple Cider Packets
Instant apple cider packets are festive and gluten free. Just add hot water for a mug of cider.
Infused Waters
Make tasty infused waters by adding fruits, herbs or vegetables to filtered water. Combinations like lemon-lime, strawberry-cucumber, or peach-basil are refreshing.
Spreads and Condiments
Flavorful spreads and condiments make excellent gluten free food gifts as they can be used in cooking, on sandwiches or as dips and sauces. Get creative with combinations of oils, vinegars and spices too.
Jams and Jellies
Most jams and jellies are gluten free, just check labels. Gift a few favorite flavors like strawberry, raspberry, apricot or orange marmalade.
Nut Butters
Nut and seed butters like almond, peanut, cashew, sunflower or pumpkin seed butter are gluten free. Look for all natural brands without additives.
Pesto
Find gluten free pesto made with olive oil, basil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese. Use it to quickly dress up gluten free pasta or as a sandwich spread.
Mustard
Spicy, sweet, or honey mustard varieties are usually gluten free. Mustard is great on sandwiches, in salad dressings or as a dipping sauce.
Hot Sauce
Add some zing to meals with gluten free hot sauce or salsa. Check labels for added ingredients like wheat.
Specialty Items
Part of managing a gluten free diet is finding tasty substitutions for foods containing gluten. There are many specialty products that can help fill the gap. Consider giving one of these useful items:
Gluten Free Bread or Bagels
Having gluten free bread and bagels makes it easier to enjoy sandwiches, avocado toast, burgers and more. Look for frozen options to keep on hand.
Gluten Free Beer or Wine
Sorghum, buckwheat and gluten free grains are used to brew gluten free beer. Wines are made gluten free through the fermentation process.
Pizza Crust
Give the gift of Friday night pizza with a gluten free pizza crust or crust mix. Top with their favorite sauce, cheese and veggies for homemade pizza.
Gluten Free Oats
Look for certified gluten free oats, which are uncontaminated by wheat. Use for oatmeal, granola bars, cookies or to coat meat.
Gluten Free Soy Sauce
Gluten free tamari sauce made from fermented soy beans makes a good substitute for soy sauce in Asian dishes.
Non-Food Gifts
Along with food, consider giving non-edible gifts to make gluten free cooking easier for your recipient:
Cookbooks
Expand their recipe collection with gluten free cookbooks covering everything from baking and desserts to easy weeknight meals.
Kitchen Tools
Useful gadgets include silicone baking mats, bread loaf pans, a pizza stone, ice cream maker, immersion blender or instant pot.
Gift Cards
Help stock their gluten free pantry with gift cards for grocery delivery services or health food stores with gluten free selections.
Gluten Free Flours
Give a set of popular gluten free flours like almond flour, coconut flour, tapioca flour, chickpea flour, etc.
Insulated Lunch Bag
An insulated lunch bag lets them safely pack gluten free meals, snacks and drinks for work or school.
Gifting Tips
Here are some final tips for giving great gluten free gifts:
- Check labels to verify foods are gluten free and produced in a gluten free facility.
- Include a gift receipt in case they need to exchange for a different food item.
- Ask about other allergies besides gluten they may have.
- Ensure craft materials like playdough or baking kits are gluten free.
- Wrap edible gifts in a pretty basket, bakery box or gift tin.
- Give pantry stable items they can enjoy for weeks.
- Make sure kitchen tools have not been contaminated by gluten.
- Organize a selection of gluten free snacks or baked goods in a gift tower.
- Hand write simple cooking instructions for any homemade food gifts.
Conclusion
With so many delicious options, from cookies and chocolate to pasta and pizza, it’s easy to find gluten free gifts anyone will appreciate. Fill a basket with an assortment of gluten free snacks, sweets, meals and kitchen tools they can enjoy. Or bake up tailored gluten free treats like their favorite cupcakes or cookies. With a bit of care and creativity, you can make this Christmas bright for the gluten free people in your life!
