Gluten-free, dairy-free, lactose-free are all terms we’re seeing more of nowadays, whether it’s recipes or packaged foods. Parents are becoming increasingly aware of their children’s food sensitivities and allergies, something that has been undiagnosed for long. An article in the Indian Journal of Medical Research refers to celiac disease (a severe form of gluten intolerance) as an “impending epidemic”, claiming that there are still many more cases left to be diagnosed. As a result, gluten free recipes for kids have seen an increased demand.
At My Little Moppet, we’ve had many queries from concerned parents about gluten free recipes, which is why we decided to handle it all with this mega post of 60 healthy gluten free recipes for kids! We’ve covered all meals, from breakfast to snacks to desserts, so you don’t need to search anywhere else!
60 Healthy Gluten Free Recipes for Kids
Gluten Free Breakfast Recipes
1. Uttappams aren’t made just from rice; they can also be made from ragi or finger millet. This Ragi Uttappam recipe gives a different twist on traditional uttappams and the result is yummy!
2. Banyard millet isn’t a grain that you’d generally associate with upma, but this recipe of Barnyard Millet Upma will make you wonder why you didn’t think of it before!
3. Oats pancakes are common – the sweet kind. Add some spices and vegetables in this Savoury Oats Veggie Pancake that’s ideal for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
4. Give your regular oats porridge a sweet, nutty flavour by adding bananas and coconut to it! Check out the recipe of Banana Coconut Oats Porridge to know more.
5. Brown rice still has it’s outer covering, making it more nutritious than brown rice. Try using brown rice flakes in a Brown Rice Poha, to which you can add veggies of your choice.
6. Bajra or pearl millet is often used in making rotis, but not commonly in upma. Give this Bajra Upma recipe a try and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
7. Why stick to regular white rice dosas all the time? Change up your breakfast menu with this Jowar Dosa that’s soft and easy for toddlers to eat too.
8. If the kids are tired of all the upmas and dosas, give them a break with this filling and tasty Egg Breakfast Casserole from Leelalicious. With potatoes, eggs and veggies, it’ll keep them full till lunch!
9. Waffles are fun for kids and adults alike, but they can be tricky for people with a gluten allergy. The Primal Food Blog has a genius Almond Flour Waffle recipe that’s quite yummy!
10. When it’s hot outside and your kids would rather have a cool breakfast, try serving this Maize Flakes with Milk and Honey. Go for chilled milk for more crunch and cooling.
11. Yes, you can also make dosas with vegetables! This Sweet Potato Dosa uses sweet potato, a healthy spud that also adds a wonderful flavor that kids will love.
12. There’s nothing simpler than porridge for breakfast, even if it’s not made of oats! This Ragi Flakes Porridge is a warm, comforting porridge to have first thing in the morning, and will appeal to toddlers who still prefer semi-solid food.
13. These Millet Pancakes from the Gluten Free Homemaker are super nutritious, what with the Sorghum and Millet flours and almond milk. Just stack them up and eat with fruit and honey!
14. With lots of nutrients, barnyard millet is an ideal grain to include in the diet of kids with gluten intolerance. This Barnyard Millet Pesarattu is simple enough to make and enjoy on busy mornings.
15. Think beyond mixing maize flakes with milk and you’ll be surprised at how versatile they are! This Maize Flakes Upma proves our point and is great with chutney or sauce!
Gluten Free Snack Recipes
16. Pancakes needn’t necessarily be eaten for breakfast, they also make a great snack! This Oats Pancake recipe is perfect for a snack when it’s not yet mealtime.
17. It can be hard getting toddlers to eat dry fruit, so instead, try this Dry Fruit Balls recipe. Packed with dates, almonds and cashews, these pack quite a punch!
18. Skip store bought namkeens that have lots of salt and preservatives, and make your own with organic maize flakes, like in this Maize Flakes Chivda recipe.
19. Want a snack that’s good to go on the road? This Roasted Chickpeas recipe should be perfect, especially when you don’t want to risk outside food.
20. If it’s been a hot day and you want something light yet filling for your kids, try feeding them Brown Rice Flakes in Yogurt – otherwise known as Gopalkala.
21. Yes, kids are big fans of French Fries, but we know how unhealthy they are! Instead, give them these Sweet Potato Baked Fries that are just as yummy, without compromising on health.
22. Muffins can be hard to make when you want to avoid wheat flour, but the Gluten Free Homemaker has the ideal solution with her Banana Walnut Coconut Flour Muffins recipe!
23. Got an avid little sportsperson in your home? You need something solid to give her after practice, like these Dry Fruit Jaggery Energy Bars.
24. These Jowar Balls are lightly crispy on the outside and beautifully soft inside – a winning combination that goes well with chutney too!
25. These Curd Fritters are completely free from wheat, using rice flour instead as a coating. They’ll go great with some tomato sauce!
26. Pakodas are usually made with besan or maida, but this Palak Poha Pakoda is different! Packed with the goodness of spinach, this recipe uses poha instead, making it perfect for the gluten-conscious!
27. These No Bake Banana Bread Bites from The Big Mans World are super easy to make and will have the kids asking for seconds and thirds! You can substitute some of the sweeteners with organic jaggery.
28. No this upma doesn’t use sooji or rava, it uses idlis! Make good use of your leftover idlis by turning them into this ideal snack – Idli Upma!
29. Kids giving a tough time with eating veggies? These Baked Cauli Tots from Cupcakes and Kale Chips will solve all your problems – fussy eating and gluten allergies!
30. Here’s a healthy alternative to your little potato lover – Herbed Potato Bites! This recipe uses potatoes tossed with lovely spices, making them irresistible!
Gluten Free Lunch and Dinner Recipes
31. Start your meal with a lovely, warming Maize Flakes Soup. It’s also a great thing to feed kids to ensure they stay hydrated during cold weather.
32. If you’d like a creamy soup that’s easy on the tummy, go for this Creamy Tomato Soup from Officially Gluten Free. With lots of warming spices, this soup is perfect for winter!
33. Paneer is a good option for kids who resist drinking their milk from a glass. This Paneer Tikka is sure to have them asking for more and more!
34. Coconut Rice is a popular South Indian dish that’s also very kid-friendly. It’s light on spice and has the mild sweetness of coconut, making it a winner for kids!
35. One of the identifying features of fish sticks is the breadcrumb coating, something that’s not gluten friendly! However the Simply Gluten-Free blog works around this with their Coconut Fish Sticks recipe.
36. Italy meets India in this Vegetable Pizza Dosa recipe! Sneak in veggies with this unique dish, perfect for your fussy eater’s dinner!
37. This Tomato Pulao from Revi’s Foodography is an ideal one pot dish that is lightly spicy but flavorful enough to appeal to fussy eaters. Serve with cold raitha as the perfect accompaniment.
38. If the paneer tikka is a tad too spicy for your little one, go for this Flavored Paneer recipe instead. It’s much milder, softer and just as yummy!
39. Only the queen of cooking Tarla Dalal could come up with a scrumptious recipe that’s gluten free but doesn’t look like it, with this Carrot Coriander Roti recipe!
40. Get some protein power in your little champion’s lunch with this Egg Rice recipe. It tastes almost like fried rice, without all the unhealthy ingredients!
41. Did you know that you can make pooris without wheat? Yes, this Rice Poori recipe from Veg Recipes of India proves that it can be done!
42. This Masala Jowar Roti from Smitha Kalluraya looks yummy and filling – and a great idea not just for kids but for adults watching their weight!
43. Chicken nuggets are very popular among kids and Whole New Mom has a lovely gluten free Baked Chicken Nuggets recipe that’s not just allergy friendly, but not fried too!
44. When you have a fussy eater at home, a one pot dish with everything included is your best bet to make sure they have a balanced meal. This Vegetable Nut Pulao from GK Food Diary checks all the right boxes and is gluten free!
45. Rice flour can be very useful for people with a gluten intolerance, as in this Akki Roti recipe from Sharmis Passions. You can have them spicy or go plain – tastes great either way!
Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
46. You may not associate a healthy ingredient like ragi with dessert, but the truth is that this Ragi Flakes Kheer is absolutely delectable!
47. You’ve probably tried rice kheer, but have you tried Brown Rice Kheer? Made with organic brown rice flakes, this is one gluten-free, wholegrain dessert.
48. Gajar Halwa is a mainstay at all Indian festivals and celebrations and with good reason! Check out our gluten free recipe for your little gluten-sensitive toddler.
49. Get the benefits of dry fruit and finger millet with these Ragi Flakes and Dates Laddus. These are positively addictive, so you’ve been warned!
50. The Thrifty Diva has a delicious looking Microwave Chocolate Fudge recipe that looks absolutely melt-in-the-mouth! Cut down on the sugar if you think it’s too much.
51. Every busy Mom loves the word ‘no-bake’ doesn’t she? These No-bake Cookie Dough Bites will delight you too, because they’re easy and yummy too!
52. With strawberries in abundance now, it’s the perfect time to make some Strawberry Yogurt! This is a head and shoulders above the store bought version, so do try it out!
53. These Ragi Balls are so yummy they’re perfect for a kiddie party! You won’t believe they’re made from something as healthy as finger millet!
54. Have you tried a banana payasam before? If not, you should try this Banana Coconut Payasam recipe, made with the popular raw Kerala bananas.
55. Nearly every household has their own recipe for Sesame Laddu. Whatever it may be, we recommend trying out our recipe too at least once!
56. This Raw Kerala Banana Halwa is a rather unique recipe and a mouthwatering one too! Use natural raw Kerala banana powder for best results.
57. Speaking of Kerala, it’s the land where red rice is regularly consumed. Get the benefits of this wonder grain in this Red Rice Poha Kheer recipe.
58. Got a can of condensed milk lying around? Hurry and make these Milkmaid Coconut Laddus – your kids will love them for their taste and they’ll love you for making it!
59. Want to impress someone special? This multi-layered Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt Parfait with homemade chocolate and strawberry yogurts should do it!
60. Summer’ll be here soon, as will the season of mangoes. Give the kids a treat with this homemade Mango Kulfi recipe!
Gluten sensitivity in kids can be of different levels of severity, and while some kids can tolerate a small amount, some can’t tolerate any gluten at all. Speak to your doctor about what ingredients you can have and what you should avoid, and prepare your child’s menu accordingly. As for recipes, you know we’ve got you covered!