30+ Back-to-School Gluten-Free Recipes Kids Will Actually Eat
Summer has flown by, and it’s time to gear up for the busy back-to-school season with some delicious gluten-free recipes for kids. Whether it’s quick grab-and-go breakfasts, satisfying snacks, or easy weeknight dinners, having simple and nutritious options on hand is essential. The trick? Striking the right balance between healthy ingredients and kid-approved flavors to keep everyone happy and energized all school year long.
30+ Gluten-Free Back-to-School Recipes That Make Mealtime a Breeze!
For a smooth transition from summer to back to school, I have compiled our most popular gluten-free kids’ recipes that will also please grown ups.
Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bars
Say hello to the taste of fall in every bite—Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bars! Think warm cinnamon apples with a hint of nutmeg and vanilla, all nestled between a buttery shortbread crust and topped with lightly sweetened, crunchy almonds. It’s like apple pie, snack-style—perfect for lunchboxes, after-school treats, or cozy weekend baking. YUM!
Gluten-Free Chocolate Banana Pancakes
Mixing bananas and chocolate in pancakes is what kids love! This is an allergy-friendly vegan recipe and will accommodate most restricted diets. Even the pickiest eater will love these pancakes.
Grain-Free Banana Custard Cake
This Grain-Free Banana Custard Cake is a cozy, better-for-you twist on banana bread! Light, creamy, and packed with vanilla-banana flavor, it’s super easy to make with just a few ingredients—perfect for beginner bakers or a sweet after-school treat that feels like dessert but sneaks in some goodness too!
Shepherd’s Pie Double Baked Potato
This Shepherd’s Pie Double Baked Potato is a total back-to-school dinner win! Crispy potato skins are loaded with a flavorful, saucy meat and veggie filling, then topped with the fluffiest, creamiest mashed potatoes—aka the part kids can’t get enough of. It’s cozy, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights!
Gluten-Free Chewy Granola Bars For Kids
Soft and chewy and delightfully delicious is what makes this healthy granola bar perfect for even the pickiest kids. Made with ingredients they love and still keeping the granola bar allergy-friendly. When it comes to kids snacks, they like simple things, so sometimes less is more, such as this tasty, chewy granola bar.
No-Bake Pumpkin Seed Coconut Ginger & Cranberry Bars with Hemp (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
These healthy bars make a great addition to your kids’ lunch box. Packed with antioxidants, protein, healthy fats and fiber and most importantly, delicious. Did I mention the kids love them? Why spend money on expensive store-bought bars when you can make these for just a few pennies?
Apple Cinnamon Chips – Easy Recipe
Apple cinnamon chips are a perfect healthy snack. The apple chips are chewy and very addictive. This recipe is sooo easy, all you do is thinly slice the apples. No peeling or removing the seeds. The seeds fall out once the chips are done baking. How easy is that?
Healthier Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles Recipe
To make these cookies healthier, I replaced honey for refined sugar almond flour for added protein and fiber. So all in all, this cookie is healthy-ish. Did I mention the cookie melts in your mouth and kids LOVE snickerdoodles? So now you can offer a healthier cookie to your family.
Gluten Free Apple Raisin Fritters {Dairy-Free}
If your kids are donut fans, they’ll go crazy for these apple raisin fritters! Packed with fresh apples, sweet raisins, cozy cinnamon, a splash of vanilla, and just a touch of maple syrup, they taste like a mini donut with a healthy twist. Perfect for an after-school snack that feels like a treat—but you’ll feel good about it too!
Snickerdoodle Oat Snacking Cake – Gluten Free
I’m excited to share this recipe for Snickerdoodle Oat Snacking Cake with you today. This melt in your mouth cake is not only gluten-free but is made with nutrient-packed oats, and it’s topped with a sweet and crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping that kids love!
Pull Apart Sticky Pumpkin Spice Buns – Gluten Free
Warm, buttery, sticky pumpkin spice buns, they are so good straight from the oven. The buns can be prepared the night before, and in the morning pop them in the oven making breakfast a breeze.
Gluten Free Pop Tarts
The Very Best Homemade Gluten Free Pop Tarts. This is an easy recipe for gluten free pop tart pastry filled with blueberry jam and topped with a light glaze. These pop tarts are extra flakey, hinted with butter, perfectly sweet, and baked until toasted. And by far better than store-bought!
Back to School Gluten Free Granola Bars
Chewy, crisp homemade, no-bake Gluten Free Granola Bars. The dairy-free granola bars that everyone loves! Sweet and salty, these chewy oat snacks are made with nut butter, sesame and chia seeds to add crunchiness, hinted with coconut and vanilla, and sweetened with raisins and a splash of maple syrup.
Gluten Free Baked Meatballs
These gluten free baked meatballs are tender, moist, studded with feta cheese, and exceptionally delicious. In addition, the baked meatballs are coated in a light Italian tomato sauce for an extra layer of flavour.
Fajita Chicken Soup (Gluten-Free)
This hearty Gluten-Free Mexican-style soup is light enough for warmer days but filling enough to satisfy after school (or after practice) hunger. Make it ahead and pop it into a thermos for a warm lunch on the go—it’s perfect for those busy days packed with hockey, piano, gymnastics… you know the drill!
Upside-Down Mac & Cheese Pie With Bacon (Gluten-Free)
Inspired by everyone’s favourite Mac and Cheese, this twist on the classic features everyone’s favourites such as pasta, cheese, bacon and fresh tomatoes. This is a simple pasta dish, baked in a pie dish and then inverted on a plate featuring bacon topping. It is sooo delicious! Besides, who doesn’t like bacon?
Best Gluten Free Banana Apple Muffins
These muffins are moist, light, and perfectly tender—bursting with juicy apples and naturally sweetened with ripe bananas. And let’s be real: is there anything more comforting in a lunchbox (or after school) than a warm, cinnamon-spiced muffin?
Instant Pot Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese With Ham
This 10-minute Instant Pot gluten-free Mac and Cheese with ham will make the perfect weeknight meal or side when you need something on the table fast. The best part is, the kids love Mac & Cheese, so it’s a win-win all the way. STOVETOP recipe included.
30-Minute One Pot Cheesy Chicken Taco Rice
Delicious weeknight comfort food in 30 minutes not to be missed. Enjoy a bowl of cheesy chicken taco rice with your favourite toppings. This Mexican flavoured rice is a meal that your entire family will love. So make sure you make plenty!
Gluten-Free Apple Turnovers
These homemade Gluten-Free Apple Turnovers are a school-year favorite! Flaky, light pastry wraps around a warm apple-cinnamon filling with just a hint of lemon—like a cozy mini apple pie. Kids love them, and you’ll love how easy they are to grab and go!
Gluten-Free Sheet Pan Spaghetti and Meatballs
This pasta recipe is an easy weeknight meal made on one baking sheet and in less than 30 minutes. The meatballs are light and moderately spiced. If you are serving this dish to young children, you can adjust the seasoning. Everyone loves spaghetti and meatballs, enjoy!
Gluten-Free Burrito in a Skillet – Vegetarian
A vegetarian dish that has all the ingredients of a delicious vegetarian burrito but without the tortilla. Having a hearty, nutritious meal that takes only minutes to prepare is always welcome. For this recipe, you only need a large skillet and an oven. What a nice relaxing way to end the day
Homemade Gluten-Free Rice-A-Roni
This is a very flavorful gluten-free Rice-A-Roni dish made under 20 minutes. If you’re like most people, you probably grew up eating Rice-A-Roni. It’s a classic American dish that’s easy to make and can be a side dish or a meal.
Gluten-Free Homemade Hamburger Helper
A healthier classic Hamburger Helper with a depth of flavour and nutritious veggies. This easy one-pot gluten-free pasta dinner is made with ground beef, shredded carrots, zucchini, cheddar cheese, sour cream, spices and gluten-free pasta
Gluten-Free Oatmeal Coconut Butter Cookies
You can never have enough wholesome cookie recipes. This gluten-free oatmeal coconut butter cookie is one of my favourites. Super easy to make, delicious and will satisfy that afternoon sweet craving.
Back to School Chocolate Chip Banana Snack Cake – Gluten Free
This Chocolate Chip Banana Snack Cake is the perfect treat to have on hand when those mid-afternoon cravings hit! The gluten free banana cake is extra moist and is topped with the fluffiest light Nutella frosting.
Healthier Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Bundt Cake
This every day, gluten-free chocolate dessert should be a staple in your home. Everyone loves chocolate! Grain-free chocolate cake recipe, made with almond flour adding more protein and fiber, and as a sweetener, I used bananas with maple syrup eliminating refined sugar. Chocolate cake is a dessert to keep on hand always.
Easiest Gluten-Free Waffles
Get ready for the ultimate gluten-free waffle recipe—quick, easy, and totally customizable! With fun twists, plant-based swaps, and simple tips for perfect waffles every time, they’re great for busy school mornings or laid-back weekend brunch. Keep it classic or pile on the toppings—everyone’s happy!
Marshmallow Nutella Brownies – Gluten-Free, Egg-Free
These Gluten-Free, Egg-Free Marshmallow Nutella Brownies are the ultimate treat—part brownie, part s’more, all delicious! With a buttery almond cookie base, rich Nutella center, and toasted marshmallow top, they’re perfect for lunchbox surprises or after-school indulgence.
Easy Gluten-Free Lasagna Soup
If you’re sending a thermos back to school, this Gluten-Free Lasagna Soup is a kid favorite! Made from scratch and packed with Italian favorite flavors, it’s everything you love about lasagna—turned into a cozy, slurpable soup. Easy to pack, fun to eat, and totally delicious!
Looking for more delicious gluten-free recipes for kids for your back-to-school routine. Fresh and flavorful, explore various easy, wholesome meals and snacks designed to fit seamlessly into busy schedules—helping you fuel your family with meals everyone will enjoy.