Gluten is a protein found in rye, wheat, barley, and some lesser-known grains. Some people can be highly sensitive to gluten, to the point that they might suffer from a disease called celiac sprue. Unfortunately, most of the “on-the-go” snack options include bread, pastries, crackers, and other cereals. Cross contaminating these with grilled hamburgers can make it unhealthier.

There are multiple options for gluten-free snacks. However, if you are running against time and have a busy schedule, there are a handful of easy snacks that you can prepare in a jiffy. Read the following article for some of the easiest gluten-free snacks, whether you are craving for something crunchy, sweet, or spicy.

• Almond snack bars – This nutty and easy snack recipe is for the people who prefer savory sweets on a gloomy afternoon. You will need at least a cup of smoked (or ordinary) almonds, pumpkin seeds, a quarter cup of puffed millet, smoked paprika, a quarter cup of brown rice syrup, and 2 tablespoons of honey.
  Preparation – Preheat an oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an 8×8-inch baking pan and coat the bottom and sides with a cooking spray. Chop the almonds roughly so that some are chopped to small pieces and some almonds are left whole. Combine these with the millet, pepitas, and smoked paprika in a bowl.

Combine honey and brown rice syrup in a measuring cup. Microwave the mixture for 20 to 30 seconds to make it easy to pour. Pour the nut mixture into the baking pan. Spray your hands with cooking spray and press the mixture evenly onto the pan. Bake this for at least 15 minutes or until the mixture starts bubbling around the edges. Check if there is a touch of toasty color on the seeds touching the side of the pan.Cool the bars in the pan for half an hour and let them hold together in the form of a solid block. Then, cut them into equal blocks and glaze them with some maple syrup and honey before serving.

Roasted chickpeas – Making easy gluten-free snacks does not get easier than this. Soak around 100 grams of chickpeas overnight and then, boil them until they are soft.
Preparation – Dry and gently roll the chickpeas between two clean dishtowels. Add some olive oil. The more oil you use, the crispier the chickpeas will be. Preheat oven at 350-degree Fahrenheit and roast the chickpeas for at least 20 minutes. Don’t forget to shake the pan every 10 minutes. Toss the chickpeas with the spices and seasonings of your choice. Make sure to sprinkle spices only after you have roasted them, as spices have the tendency to burn and become bitter.

Pepperoni chips – This particular easy snack recipe is a good option for non-vegetarians who have decided to go gluten-free. Moreover, this easy snack recipe requires nothing more than a pepperoni and an oven for baking the chips.
Preparation – Line a couple of rimmed baking sheets with aluminium foil. Lay four to six ounces of sliced pepperoni slices in a single layer on the racks. Bake these until they turn crispy and light brown. Rotate the pans in the oven every two to three minutes, through a total of six to eight minutes of baking. Make sure you don’t overcook and burn them in the process. Let them cool, and you can enjoy them with your favorite dip.

Cheese crackers – This easy gluten-free snack recipe is something that kids will love. The best part about this recipe is it requires only a few pantry staples and yet they make for an appetizing snack.All you need is a cup of all-purpose gluten-free flour, one cup of shredded cheese, and three to four tablespoons of butter. Prefer using grass-fed versions of cheese and butter, as they are easy to mix with the flour.
Preparation – Mix all the ingredients while you preheat the oven at 350-degree Fahrenheit. Pulse the batter until it has a crumbly but well-combined texture. Add water to it until it forms a dough. Put this dough in the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes. Once chilled, flatten the dough to about a quarter of an inch thick. Cut it into equal squares and trim off the uneven edges. Sprinkle some salt and poke the top surface with a toothpick. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until they turn slightly brown along the edges.

Cucumber sandwiches – This is one of the healthiest easy snack recipes. Slices of cucumber take the place of bread, and you can stuff a variety of ingredients that’re used in a typical sandwich.
Preparation – Cut thick slices of cucumber and place thinner slices of tomatoes, avocado, chicken, and/or ham between the two cucumber slices. Pierce a toothpick through the sandwich to keep all the ingredients together. Add a bit of sea salt and toss in herbs of your choice to make the cucumber sandwiches tastier. Enjoy!