Let’s talk about all things gluten free Super Bowl snacks!! If you’re gearing up for the big football game and have gluten-free guests coming to your party, be sure to read the section on hosting. I’ve included tips on how to make your Super Bowl Sunday as safe for them as possible.
If you need more than gluten free, check out these Super Bowl articles as well:
 This article is primarily GF, DF, Top 9 Free |
 This article is primarily Vegan only |
Gluten Free Party Food Tips
When it comes to hosting a good gluten free party, it’s important to make sure that the food is on point. Now is not the time to try that experimental kale and sweet potato brownie you saw on the internet.
The easiest way to make sure your snacks and finger foods are well received is to choose bold flavors. We want your guests to be wowed by amazing food and that won’t happen if you’re opting for bland recipes or delicate flavours. Now, in some cases, that’s the appropriate way to go, but this is Game Day. Let’s pull out all the stops.
Your Super Bowl foods don’t have to be shaped like footballs or feature team colours. If needed, you can start with plates and decorations that are football themed.
A football cookie cutter can go a long way. For example, you can place three football cookie cutters on an empty platter. Fill each one with a small fruit (wild blueberries, pomegranate seeds, etc.), then build out the rest of your fruit platter around the cookie cutters. The end result is a fruit platter with cute football shapes within.
Since we’re on the topic of fruit, you can also take larger fruits such as pineapple or watermelon and use a football cookie cutter to make football shaped fruits. If you’d like football shaped vegetables, I suggest purchasing a mini football cookie cutter like this one (this is a set that comes with several sizes).
As you put together your perfect meal plan, think about texture. If you only serve up fried fruits, there’s no relief. On the flip side, if you only serve soft foods, people will want something else. Plan to serve a range of textures, and know that it doesn’t have to be rocket science. For example, you can have a veggie platter with celery included for crunch.
When you go shopping for your football food, also pick up disposable to-go containers. This will allow people to take leftovers home with them.
Tips for Hosting Guests with Celiac Disease, Food Allergies, and Dietary Restrictions
If you’re new to all things gluten free, know that gluten can be found in wheat, rye, and barley. Additionally, approximately 25% of people with Celiac Disease can’t have oats. You should also know that despite the name, buckwheat is not a type of wheat, but made from a seed.
The first thing you’ll want to do to ensure your friends have an awesome gluten free game day with you is to communicate clearly. Ask for their dietary information, ask questions about foods that are safe, and even ask about their favorite game day snack. However, don’t be offended if during said communication they share that they don’t feel safe eating something you’ve made.
A lot of people with Celiac Disease and food allergies have a deep understanding of cross-contact and opt to bring their own food wherever they may go. Yet! The best part about living in our modern times is that you can purchase a wide range of free-from foods, including football snacks.
If your free-from friends don’t want to you to cook or bake for them, ask “Is there a pre-packaged food sold in stores or online that I can purchase to have available for you?” I can tell you from personal experience, when someone asks that question, your insides melt from pure joy that someone thought to ask and wants to safely include you.
Top Ways to Make Sure Everything Goes as Smoothly as Possible:
As I’ve mentioned, the gluten free life is a hard one and for some, shared cooking and baking equipment (oven, cutting boards, pans, etc.) isn’t an option. Some gluten free people will politely decline the food for their safety. When that happens, ask about options you can purchase. When shopping, send a picture of the label so they can review the ingredients and confirm you’re getting the right thing.
As you put together your Super Bowl snack station (is that what they call it?? because that sounds like a cute name) have a designated free-from table or serving area. You know your guests, so label and color code as needed.
The free-from snack station should have its own set of serving utensils to reduce the chance of cross-contact with other party foods.
Lean into naturally gluten free carbs and grains for your GF Super Bowl food. Rice, quinoa, and potatoes are all delicious, and all naturally gluten free.
Whether you serve bottled drinks or have open cups, make sure there’s a Sharpie available so people can label their drinks.
During and after the party, take notes of what worked best (or where the hiccups were) so you can replicate your success at your next Super Bowl party (or next party in general).
Finally, don’t offer to make food if you don’t think it’s safe. If you have a kitchen covered in wheat and aren’t sure where to start, you may put your friends’ health at great risk. Be upfront with your gluten free friends and I promise, they’ll appreciate the honesty and consideration. In that situation, offer to have pre-made snacks available to them, that are set aside in a safe serving area.
Delicious Ideas for Gluten Free Super Bowl Snacks
Here are some easy Super Bowl snacks you can make at home. These snacks are very easy to make gluten free as they’re either naturally gluten free, or you can purchase a gluten free version of specific ingredients needed.
Seven Layer Taco Dip
Suggested Layers:
- Chopped Olives (top layer)
- Guacamole
- Salsa + Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheese
- Shredded Meat
- Caramelized Onions
- Refried Black Beans (bottom layer)
For one of my kids, this is their favorite dip that I make. I add a little maple syrup to the refried beans and I use bacon and onion cooked together in place of the shredded meat.
You can also have halved grilled limes available so people can add fresh squeezed lime juice to their dip.
Homemade Nachos
One of the best things about homemade nachos is that you can have a lot of fun with the ingredients. You can use potato slices, chips, tots, or even sweet potatoes as your base layer. You can then top with a range of vegan proteins or meats (or even fish if that’s your jam). Add a shredded cheese, other flavourful toppings and some kind of garnish and boom. You’ve got amazing nachos that your friends are sure to love.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Here are three easy ways you can make a tasty buffalo chicken dip:
- Small diced chicken pan seared, then simmered in a buffalo sauce.
- Chicken thigh pressure cooked in buffalo spices, then shredded, then mixed with a buffalo sauce.
- Shredded chicken mixed with buffalo sauce and cream cheese.
Note: You can also make this kind of dip with a ground meat if needed. Whilst the texture will change, it can still be an enjoyable experience.
Artichoke Dip
There are so many recipes online for artichoke dip. You can easily add the term gluten free to your search and you’ll find what you’re looking for. Personally, I like to lean into capers, along with diced tomatoes and lemon zest for fresh and lemony flavors.
Next Level Gluten Free Super Bowl Snack Ideas
Alright, I shared some good ideas, but now, let’s look at the snacks you’ll want to make if you have the time, energy, and bandwidth to impress your guests during the big game.
Chili Cups + Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
This one is pretty self explanatory. Make sure you start with a rich, hearty, delicious chili recipe. The fries should be super crispy. You can also use regular fries for chili cheese fries vibes.
Stuffed Bell Peppers (in team colours if possible)
There can be so much goodness stuffed inside of bell peppers. Make an amazing filling, cut open bell peppers, remove the core and pith, then spoon in your filling. Bake until the bell peppers have softened and you’re good to go. A few filling ideas:
- Bacon + Onion + Peppers + Maple + Small Diced Carrots
- Ground Beef + Salsa + Quartered Zucchini
- Small Diced Eggplant + Harissa Paste + Caramelized Onion + Medium Diced Potatoes
Bacon + Cream Cheese Stuffed Habanada Peppers
Habanada peppers bring flavor without heat. Their name is haba + nada, as in no habanero heat. Whilst these peppers are pretty small, their impactful flavour makes them great for stuffing. You can create any kind of creamy stuffing and fill your peppers.
Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Smashed potatoes are pretty easy to make, but have several steps (so not as easy as popping a tray of potatoes into the oven). However, the results are textured, savory, and downright delicious. You can find a lot of recipes online for smashed potatoes, and most of them will be naturally gluten free, making them perfect for your big game day shindig.
Mini Puff Pastry Tarts
Making tarts has taken the internet by storm, and the gluten free crowd doesn’t have to be left behind. There are two options for gluten free puff pastry:
First, a warning. Gluten free puff pastry doesn’t taste good to everyone. Make sure your gluten free guests have had the product before and actually like it. No point in wasting cash if it will go uneaten.
Second, it doesn’t behave like wheat based puff pastry, so read the instructions, several times, before you make anything.
And third, read reviews online from real people. See what others are saying, and how they’ve managed to make these products shine. This is an area that I can’t help with die to my severe corn allergy. Both options have top level corn, so it’s something I made one time for my free-from kid, and had a terrible airborne reaction for my troubles.
Knowing all of that, if you proceed with the tart idea, if you look online for puff pastry tarts, you can follow most recipes and use the gluten free puff pastry in the place of regular pastry. A lot the recipes are simple: place a few items on a baking tray and gently cover with the puff pastry. Bake, and when you take it out and flip it over, you have a lovely mini tart.
Gluten Free Products to Purchase for Your Super Bowl Spread
Here are a lot of examples of foods you can purchase that are gluten free. Where possible, I’ve linked to an example. If you have a Sprouts or Whole Foods (or Co-Op/natural/organic store) in your area, they will absolutely have a lot of gluten free snacks for you to purchase.
- Gluten Free Pita Chips (these are more of a cracker, not actual pita bread)
- Gluten Free Mini Muffins
- Corn Tortilla Chips or Grain Free Tortilla Chips
- Gluten Free Puffed Snacks
- Greek yogurt (can be used to make a range of sauces and dips)
- Veggies
- Gluten free and/or Grain Free Crackers
- Popcorn or Popped Sorghum
- Nuts or Nut Mixes with Dried Fruit
- Gluten Free and/or Grain Free Pretzels
- Feel Good Foods Mini Gluten Free Pizza Bagels
- Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
- Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Egg Rolls
Need more snack ideas and gluten free brands to choose from? Download my 99+ Gluten Free and Allergy Friendly Snack Brands Guide.
Common Party Foods That Can Contain Gluten (Items to Double Check)
As you prepare to make gluten free snacks, if you plan on following recipes you found online, make sure you know the pitfalls of gluten free shopping. These are foods and ingredients that can contain wheat and/or gluten.
- Alcohol
- Frozen Fried Foods
- Granola
- Meat Marinades
- Panko (a type of breadcrumb that contains wheat, you can purchase gluten free panko)
- Salad Dressing & Condiments
- Sauces (BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, soy sauce, etc.)
- Vegan Meat Substitutes
Pizza Note: Some brands of frozen gluten free pizza contain wheat starch. Before purchasing gluten free pizza for your GF guests, find out which brands have safe crust and toppings for them.
This list only scratches the surface. Refer to the Hidden Sources of Wheat and Gluten to learn a lot more.
Gluten Free Finger Food Ideas
There’s just something so magical and fun about enjoying finger foods with friends. As the name suggests, this should be something you can pick up with your fingers, however, I think you could also serve a small bite on a toothpick and it still counts. Here are some easy, yet tasty finger foods you can serve at a gluten free Super Bowl party:
- Bacon Wrapped Dates (this adds something sweet without being overtly sugary)
- Baked Meatballs (baking them will be much easier when you’re trying to get everything set up for your party)
- Fruit Platter (great if kids will be at your house, uses mini cookie cutters to have a few shapes on the platter as well)
- Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Stars (wash, peel, and slice sweet potatoes, use a star cookie cutter to make the shape, oven roast in an oil of choice)
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Cucumber Cups
This may be a little fancy for your style, but it’s something someone like myself would totally serve up, and then make at least three different versions so everyone had something to choose from.
To make cucumber cups, purchase cucumbers that are on the smaller size. Cut off the ends and peel away the skin in an “every other stripe” pattern. You’ll peel in one straight line, rotate the cucumber to skip some skin, and peel down again. When you’re finished, you should have vertical stripes of skin and no skin.
Cut your cucumber into pieces that are about 1.5″ (3.75cm) in length. Use a knife to hollow out each piece. In a bowl, mix together any filling you’d like. Transfer your filling to a disposable decorator bag, cut a large hole, then pipe filling into each cucumber cup.
The filling needs to be a bit creamy, but also not super duper runny. People need to be able to pick it up and take a bite without having everything spill out. Three fillings I’d make:
- Bacon + Peppers + Cream Cheese
- Shredded Meat + Cream Cheese + Spices
- Tomatoes + Peppers + Caramelized Onions + Cream Cheese
Notice I used cream cheese in my fillings. That’s to ensure the mix will be on the thicker side, but still creamy.
Pizza Dough Bites
Pizza dough bites are a fun alternative to serving up a slice. You can make and serve pizza dough bites a few different ways:
- Use a small cookie dough scoop to portion gluten free pizza dough, roll into a ball, top with seasoning (Italian, etc.), bake, and serve with a dipping sauce.
- Use a medium cookie dough scoop to portion GF pizza dough, roll and flatten, fill, fold over and roll into a ball, bake, and serve with a dipping sauce.
- Use a small cookie dough scoop to portion gluten free pizza dough, roll and flatten, place on a tray coated with bacon drippings, sprinkle seasoning on top, bake, serve with sauce (kind of like a unique pizza dough chip)
The sauce doesn’t have to be a pizza sauce. It can be anything that will pair well with your seasonings and/or filling. I made little bites like these for my kids when they were younger and they’d legit fight over the leftovers.
When making pizza dough bites, you’ll want to use a gluten free pizza dough like this one. Technically you can use a pre-shaped dough that’s kind of hard, but it just won’t eat the same.
Stuffed Lunch Box Peppers
These are lunchbox peppers. They’re cute, little, and ready to be stuffed and enjoyed as a finger food. You can use ANY filling that you’d like. Lunchbox peppers can be eaten raw, so it’s entirely up to you if you serve them hot or cold, or with a hot filling whilst remaining raw.
The sky’s the limit on this concept. Anything that tastes good with peppers will work, from vegan to meaty to crunchy to creamy. Go wild.
Gluten Free Super Bowl Snacks Recipes
Now that we’ve talked ideas, let’s look at some gluten-free Super Bowl recipes. Each of these recipes is not only gluten free, but also dairy free, egg free, and very allergy friendly.
- Power Balls (dust with team colors for an extra layer of fun)
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hummus
- Homemade Granola Bars (you can cut these into small cubes, or use an awesome mini football pan like this one to shape the bites)
- No Bake Cookies (this have a great little pop of sweet, but are super duper easy to make for a crowd)
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Easy Appetizers for Your Gluten Free Super Bowl Parties
Now let’s take a look at delicious gluten free appetizers that are also very allergy friendly.
Chips + Dip
You can purchase chips that are naturally gluten free and also lean into a dip recipe that’s naturally gluten free so all of your guests can feast together. A few dip ideas:
- Pepperoni Pizza Dip
- Spinach + Artichoke Dip
- Salsa + Cream Cheese Dip
- Hummus + Fresh Veggies (your veggie platter could focus on vegetables that lean into team colours)
- Cream Chicken Salad Dip
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Deviled Eggs
Another great appetizer to serve that’s naturally gluten free is deviled eggs. Anytime I’ve made these, they’ve been a huge hit with friends and family, and the great news is that you can find elevendybajillion recipes online for deviled eggs if you don’t already have one that you love. Note: if the recipe calls for any kind of sauce or condiment, make sure you purchase a gluten free version of said ingredient.
Tots + Sauce
You can make air fryer tots or bake up a bag of tots in your oven. Most brands that sell both potato based and sweet potato based tots are naturally gluten free. This is the brand that I adore for frozen tots and frozen fries. Fun ways to serve your tots (or fries):
- Serve with a side of homemade spicy cheese sauce.
- Make a cream cheese + Korean gochujang sauce.
- Create a tot nachos platter.
- Make an Italian savory Parmesan dipping sauce.
- Serve alongside caramelized onions and crispy mushroom bits.
- Make bacon jam or bacon relish and serve it on the side.
Waffle Quarters
This works if you’re already a gluten free household. If you’re not gluten free and only hosting GF friends, skip this idea. For those who will proceed, here are some delicious savory waffle ideas:
- Pepperoni + Cheese Waffle
- Italian Seasoned Waffle
- Shredded Cheese Waffle (you fold shredded cheeses into your batter and cook as normal)
- Spicy Waffles
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Gluten Free Foods to Enjoy During the Half Time Show
I could be totally wrong given the number of Super Bowl parties I’ve been to (it’s zero in case you were wondering). I figure, the half time show is the perfect time to serve your friends more of a traditional dinner, or something a little more filling. There’s less screaming or jumping off of the couch, so that’s a plus, right?
Here are some mains your gluten free game day menu can include that are more substantial than finger foods:
Slow Cooker Chili
Long before the big game starts, you can take your favorite chili recipe and get it started in your slow cooker. When the half time show is due to start, your chili should be perfectly cooked through and ready to serve. Make sure you have a head count so you make enough chili to feed the whole crowd.
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Gluten Free Chicken Wings
You can purchase these or try to make them at home. If you’re already a gluten free home, make them. It’s not too difficult. However, if you’re not a gluten free home, you’ll want to purchase gluten free chicken wings. Shared fryers are an easy way for cross-contact to happen, and whilst we aim to keep taste buds happy, we also want to keep all of your foods super safe.
Homemade Gluten Free Sliders
You’ll want to start with a solid gluten free burger recipe (many recipes contain breadcrumbs) and make a smaller version. This brand sells rolls, and you can find their products in the freezer section at a wide range of grocery stores. Alternatively, you can purchase something like this, and cut the bread in half or thirds so it’s more like a slider size.
Unless you’re a free from baker, I don’t suggest trying to take on the task of baking fresh bread rolls. If those two bread options don’t work, serve burger patties on thick sliced + roasted sweet potato and call it a day. You can also call it quasi-burger and fries.
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Tropical Chicken Skewers and/or Tropical Pork Skewers
Fruits such as pineapple and mango can take a meat skewer and turn into a tropical situation. Below is a picture of a simple skewer that I oven baked (chicken + red onion + pineapple + spices + salt). You can bake or grill your skewers. Should you opt to grill, make sure your grill isn’t a source of cross-contact with gluten.
Set up a Taco Bar
Tacos are so fun, and when you serve up your components bar style, this allows everyone to take the parts they enjoy the most. You can also provide toppings that are fun twists on what’s normally served. For example, you could use fruit or veg powders to tint sour cream the color of the teams that are playing. Note: don’t add ingredients such as cilantro to your taco bar unless you know your guests will enjoy it. Approximately 25% of people carry a gene that makes cilantro taste like soap.
In case you need them, here are some gluten free, allergy friendly taco resources and recipes:
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Delicious Desserts to Serve at Your Gluten Free Super Bowl Party
What better way to end end the perfect Super Bowl party with dessert your guests will love? Here are several gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and allergy friendly recipes to serve to your friends and family.
- Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies
- Fudgy Brownies (you can bake these in a football pan like this one)
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (one of my kids all time favorites)
- Easy Gluten Free Baked Vanilla Cake Doughnuts
Note: If added sugar is an issue for you and/or your guests, you can serve sweet leaning smoothies, ripe fruit with a little unsweetened whipped cream, or even bacon wrapped dates and call it a day. Remember, sweet bites don’t have to contain added sugar.
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