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Switching to a Gluten-Free and/or Dairy-Free diet is an extremely difficult change to make. This list of my favorite Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Pantry Staples will hopefully make this transition easier for you! All of these items are gluten and dairy free as of writing this post, however, I would recommend always double checking labels to be sure. Need to stock your fridge next? Check out our post for Stocking Your Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Fridge!
Making the switch at home is much easier than figuring out how to go out to eat. Check out our list of Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Friendly Restaurants for more help on that!
Baking Ingredients
Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour Blends can be used in any recipe as a 1 to 1 swap. It will great a slightly different texture but still allows you to try some of the same recipes you are used to. It works perfectly in this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mug Cake!
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Oats are so versatile. They can be ground into flour for baking or used as is. Try these Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pecan and Oatmeal Cookies!
Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips are one of my favorites to bake with. They are free from the top 8 allergens and bake and melt well.
Hu Chocolate Baking Gems are another favorite. These can be baked with or snacked on.
Coconut Flour is another gluten-free baking option. It absorbs more water and gives a coconut flavor to whatever you bake. It is not a 1 to 1 swap though. Try it in this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hummus.
Buckwheat flour is good for making pancakes. These will not be as fluffy as traditional pancakes but still are delicious.
Coconut Cream can be used in many recipes for things like frosting or ganache in place of dairy.
King Arthur makes a wide variety of baking mixes from muffins to brownies that are both dairy and gluten free. These mixes are high quality and you can’t tell they are any different. As always, be sure to double check labels before you buy!
Cooking Ingredients
Raw cashews are a must have. Cashews are used to make so many different sauces and add a “cheesy” flavor and texture to many recipes.
Pre-made pasta sauce is great to have on hand for a quick meal. Just be sure to check the label to make sure there is no cheese hidden in it!
Tolerant Lentil Pasta is another great pasta option if you are not a fan of chickpeas. It does not taste as similar to regular pasta in my opinion but it is still delicious. Try it in our Kid Approved Citrus Chicken Pasta.
Quinoa, rice and arborio rice are always on hand as well because they are all naturally gluten-free. If buying rice be sure to get a plain rice and not the flavored packages without checking the ingredients.
Nutritional Yeast is used in many recipes to add a cheesy flavor. It is also good sprinkled over pasta or popcorn.
Gluten-free bread crumbs are a simple swap for some of your favorite breaded meats or vegetables.
Potatoes! All of the potatoes, sweet potatoes, baby potatoes, etc. Potatoes are a delicious and versatile form of carbohydrates.
Snacks
Snyder’s makes a few varieties of gluten-free pretzels. They are crunchier than traditional pretzels, but equally delicious! These are perfect in our Small Batch 20-Minute Air-Fryer Snack Mix.
Boom Chicka Pop is one of our favorite popcorns. The pre-popped and microwave bags are both great. Avoid any of the cheese flavors.
Nuts! All kinds as long as there are no allergies. Peanuts, pistachios, walnuts, cashews etc. Nuts make a great snack.
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Cups come in regular size and mini. Perfect for a sweet treat.
There is always a stash of Tostito’s chips at our house. Both the traditional and multigrain are dairy free. Scoop up our Tropical Salsa with them!
Trader Joe’s 3 Seed Sweet Potato Crackers are a delicious option for crackers with lots of flavor.
The Perfect 10 Crackers by Van’s are so flavorful! Pair them with hummus or just eat them by themselves!
Pamela’s Whenever Bars have easily become one of my favorite snacks. I prefer the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip flavor but they have many others.
Lesser Evil Popcorn is another delicious, healthy and quick snack option!
Simply 7 has a variety of chip and cracker options that we have found and love. These should be easy to find at local grocery store or online at retailers like amazon.
Other Food Items
Cheerios cereal makes many different flavors of gluten-free cereal. We love the multigrain and apple cinnamon the most in our home.
Banza Pasta so far is the closest I have found to regular pasta. It works as a great swap for just about any pasta dish you traditionally make.
Banza Plant-Based Mac is a delicious and quick boxed mac and “cheese”. It uses sweet potato, nutritional yeast and seasoning to create a “cheese” sauce.
BFree Wraps are great for tacos or wraps. They come in a few different flavors and all are gluten and dairy free. Their pita bread is also a great substitute and pairs perfectly with hummus.
Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Bagels are one of my favorite quick breakfast options! They have a wide variety of flavors as well.
Orgain protein powder is the most comparable to whey protein powder that I have tried so far. It is the least gritty of the gluten and dairy free options. Add it to recipes like our Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Shake (and substitute a non-dairy milk).
Have items we missed on our Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Pantry Staples list? Send us a message or write it in the comments and we will check it out!
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