Tasty Gluten-Free Snacks

Tasty Gluten Free SnacksOne of my personal struggles is to fully commit to a gluten free diet. I have been pretty close for the last few years but it keeps sneaking in. I find snacks especially challenging- I can only handle so many almonds! One of my goals over the holidays was to find a few gluten free snacks that would suit my lifestyle and also be appealing to my 5 year old stepson- for me that means quick and easy to prepare, tasty, loaded with protein, and easy to eat on the playground. My New Year resolution is to commit to a gluten free diet- if that is something you are working on or if you are simply looking for some new snack ideas, I hope you enjoy these recipes.Gluten Free Breakfast BarsIngredients:

• 1 ¼ cup almond flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp baking soda (gluten free)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup shredded coconut
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds, raw and unsalted
• ½ cup sunflower seeds, raw and unsalted
• ¼ cup almonds, whole or slivered
• ¼ cup raisins (optional)

Directions:In a small bowl, combine almond flour, salt and baking soda. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, sweetener and vanilla. Stir dry ingredients into wet and mix in coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, and raisins. Grease an 8x8 baking dish with olive oil and press the dough into the baking dish. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.Dried Fruit and Nut BitesIngredients:

• 2 cups dried fruit of choice (I love the combination of apricots, cranberries and some coconut; if you prefer something sweeter, include 2-3 dates)
• 2 cups raw nuts and seeds of choice
• dash cinnamon
• pinch salt
• ~3 cups raw sesame seeds

Directions:Pulse 2 cups of dried fruit in food processor and transfer to a bowl.Pulse 2 cups of nuts and seeds until finely chopped.Add nuts and seeds to dried fruit with a dash of cinnamon and pinch of salt.Knead together and form 1 inch balls.Roll each ball in raw sesame seeds.