Gluten-Free Appetizers for the Holidays
The month of December is always packed with holiday parties and events. With more food allergies and intolerances on the rise, it’s not always so easy to put together a crowd-pleasing menu. But if you plan in advance, you can come up with a nutritious and delicious spread that will satisfy all your guests, including those who are on a gluten-free diet.
Whether I’m hosting dinner or a cocktail party, I like to include a variety of dishes that make up a balanced plate, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein, healthy fat, and some low-fat dairy too. Personally, I’m a big fan of small bites since I always like to try lots of different foods.
Here are Some of my Favorite Appetizers to Share over the Holidays – and They are All Gluten Free!
- Soup shots: Serve shot glasses of seasonal pureed soups like butternut squash soup, mushroom soup, or this sweet and savory parsnip pear soup.
- Vegetables & dip: A vegetable crudités platter is always appreciated. Include a variety of colorful vegetables like sliced bell peppers, blanched broccoli and snap peas, and baby carrots, and serve with a calcium-rich cucumber yogurt dip.
- Stuffed endive spears: Use endive spears as a scoop for nutrient-rich fillings like I do with these Lemon Hummus Endive Boats with Pomegranate Seeds.
- Fish dishes: Omega-3 rich fish like tuna and salmon make pretty, flavorful, and nutritious hors d’oeuvres when served as tartar or ceviche. Try my Fresh Salmon Ceviche with Cucumbers and Radishes or Gluten-Free Salmon Cucumber Bites.
- DIY flatbread pizzas: Dedicate an area of the kitchen for DIY pizzas using gluten-free flatbreads and an assortment of toppings like tomato sauce, shredded cheese, olives, sautéed mushrooms and onions, and sliced lunchmeat (try Land O’Frost’s Simply Delicious line for lower sodium options).
- Kebab options: Break out the indoor grill pan and have fun making kebabs with different meats and vegetables. Or make dessert kebabs with fruit and cubes of angel food cake – bonus points if you serve with a bowl of melted chocolate sauce for dipping!
