The Snack Attack Solution: Easy Gluten-Free Bites You'll Crave

Okay, friends, let's be real – the snack struggle is real, isn't it? You're chilling on the couch, the afternoon slump hits, and suddenly, that pantry starts calling your name. If you're gluten-free like me, it can often feel like you're facing a wasteland of bland options, or painstakingly complicated projects. But fear not! I'm here to tell you that delicious, satisfying, and easy gluten-free snacking IS completely possible. Believe me, I've been there - staring into the fridge, wondering what magic I can whip up without spending an eternity in the kitchen. That's why I'm so excited to share these super simple (and super yummy) gluten-free snack bites that will save you from any "hangry" moment. These are my go-to's for those in-between meal cravings, perfect for when I need a little pick-me-up. And the best part? They're all so easy, you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry! So ditch the processed junk and let's get snackin'!
Ingredients: Simple Ingredients, Big Flavors
For the Peanut Butter Energy Bites (Makes about 12 balls)
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats (ensure they're certified gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup natural peanut butter (or any nut butter you prefer)
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed meal
- ¼ cup mini gluten-free chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Alternative: For a nut-free version, you can use sunflower seed butter or even tahini for a slightly different flavor profile.
For the Cheesy Herb Crackers (Makes about 20 crackers)
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum)
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese (or any hard cheese you love)
- ¼ cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
- ¼ cup cold water
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (such as Italian blend, thyme, or rosemary)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Dash of black pepper
Alternative: For a vegan version, use a plant-based butter alternative and dairy-free cheese shreds.
For the Cinnamon Apple Chips (Makes about 2 servings)
- 2 medium apples (any variety, but Fuji or Honeycrisp are delish)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon coconut sugar (or any granular sweetener)
- Optional: A splash of lemon juice to prevent browning
Alternative: You can use any type of fruit you prefer such as pears or peaches.
Instructions: Easy as 1, 2, 3!
Peanut Butter Energy Bites
- Combine the Dry: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free oats, ground flaxseed meal, and a pinch of salt. Give it a good stir to evenly distribute everything.
- Add the Wet: Now, add the peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
- Mix it Up: Using a sturdy spoon or spatula, mix everything together until it's well combined. It will seem a little crumbly, that's okay, keep mixing!
- Stir in Chocolate (and more, if desired!): Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips. Feel free to throw in any extras you might enjoy, like shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries.
- Roll into Balls: Using your hands, roll the mixture into small, 1-inch balls. The mixture should be a little sticky but easy to handle. If it's too sticky, you can add a bit more oats, one tablespoon at a time!
- Chill and Enjoy: Place the balls on a plate lined with parchment paper and put them in the fridge to firm up for about 20-30 minutes. This also stops those sticky fingers from getting too messy! Then, they're ready to grab and go whenever a snack attack strikes!
Cheesy Herb Crackers
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, this is important to prevent sticking!
- Combine the Dry: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then, stir in your dried herbs. I have a serious obsession with rosemary, so sometimes I add a bit more if i'm in that mood!
- Incorporate the butter Add the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture and cut it in with a pastry blender (or your fingertips) until it resembles coarse crumbs. You want it to stay as cold as possible!
- Add cheese and Water: Stir in the grated cheese. Then, gradually add the cold water, mixing until the dough just comes together. You want a soft, pliable dough, not a sticky mess, so add water a little at time.
- Roll Out the Dough: Lightly dust a clean surface with some gluten-free flour. Roll out the dough to about ⅛ inch thick.
- Cut and Transfer: Use a knife or cookie cutter to cut the dough into desired shapes. Carefully transfer the shapes onto the baking sheet.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown and crispy. Watch them closely, as oven temperatures can vary.
- Cool and Crunch: Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will allow them to achieve maximum crispiness.
Cinnamon Apple Chips
- Prep Your Apples: Preheat your oven to the lowest setting your oven allows (around 200°F or 95°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
- Slice the Apples: Thinly slice the apples using a mandoline or sharp knife. Aim for even slices so that they'll bake uniformly. The thickness should be about 1/8 of an inch. You can also toss the slices in a splash of lemon if you're not baking them right away to help prevent browning.
- Season Those Slices: In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and coconut sugar (or your sweetener of choice). Arrange the apple slices in a single layer on the baking sheet and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over them.
- Bake Low and Slow: Pop the baking sheet into the oven for 2-3 hours. The bake time will depend on how low your oven will go, and the slice thickness, so keep an eye on them. The goal is to dry them out, not bake them, so they become crunchy without burning. If the edges are browning too quickly, reduce the temp slightly and prop the door open slightly with a wooden spoon.
- Crisp and Cool: Let the apple chips cool completely on the baking sheet for them to crisp up perfectly. They may still be a little soft when they come out of the oven but will firm up considerably as they cool.
Tips & Tricks: Snack Your Way
- Peanut Butter Bites Customization: Feel free to swap out the mini chocolate chips for dried fruit, chopped nuts, or even a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder for a richer flavor. Add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth!
- Cheesy Crackers Variety: Experiment with different herbs and spices to find your personal favorite blend – everything bagel seasoning, a touch of red pepper flakes for heat, and even dried dill are all great options! You can also try swapping cheddar cheese for other cheeses like parmesan or Gruyere.
- Apple Chip Alternatives: If you don't have coconut sugar on hand, granulated sugar or even brown sugar works great. Feeling a little extra? Drizzle the finished chips with just a touch of honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
- Storage Solutions: The energy bites will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for a week. The crackers once fully cooled, will be perfectly crunchy in a sealed container (like a cookie jar!) at room temp, and the apple chips once cooled can be stored in an airtight bag or container at room temp.
- Ingredient Sourcing For ensuring optimal results I highly recommend using high quality ingredients that are fresh!
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Recipe Card
Gluten-Free Snack Trio: Peanut Butter Bites, Cheesy Crackers, and Cinnamon Apple Chips
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: Varies by snack (10-12 minutes for crackers, 2-3 hours for apple chips)
Serves: Varies by snack (12 energy bites, 20 crackers, 2 servings of apple chips)
Ingredients:
Peanut Butter Energy Bites
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed meal
- ¼ cup mini gluten-free chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Cheesy Herb Crackers
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
- ¼ cup cold water
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt, Dash of black pepper
Cinnamon Apple Chips
- 2 medium apples
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon coconut sugar
- Optional: lemon juice
Instructions:
Peanut Butter Bites
- Combine dry ingredients, add wet ingredients, mix well.
- Stir in chocolate chips or other desired additions.
- Roll into 1-inch balls, chill for 20-30 min.
Cheesy Crackers
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine dry ingredients.
- Cut butter into the flour, add cheese, water, mix to combine.
- Roll out dough, cut into shapes, bake for 10-12 minutes.
Cinnamon Apple Chips
- Preheat oven to the lowest setting, arrange apple slices on a baking sheet.
- Combine cinnamon and sweetener, sprinkle over slices.
- Bake for 2-3 hours at low temperature. Cool completely till crisp.
Product Recommendations
If you're looking to try your hand at making the crackers, I highly recommend using this pastry blender. It'll make the entire mixing process so much smoother and more enjoyable! Plus, if you are a regular baker, I highly recommend a good silicone baking mat to protect your baking pans.
Now go forth, get baking, and enjoy those gluten-free snacks, friends! You deserve it!
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