The gluten-free diet does not have to get in the way of entertaining! I've been hosting parties for nearly a decade with celiac disease.
You and your guests (the gluten-free and the gluten-eaters) will all love this specially curated collection of delicious gluten-free appetizers.
No one will ever know that everything is gluten-free... unless you tell them!
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Keeping it Safely Gluten-Free
Every recipe in this round-up is gluten-free. Some were written by exclusively gluten-free bloggers, like yours truly. Other recipes on the list are naturally gluten-free. And just a few have clear instructions for a simple gluten-free modification on the recipe card.
In all cases, you still have to check the ingredients you purchase, to make sure they are indeed free of gluten. Here are a few suggestions for ingredients that pop up in several recipes:
- Seasoned Meat: Cooked Perfect Gluten-Free Beef Meatballs, Del Real Carnitas, Applegate Chicken & Apple Sausages
- Sauces: Stubb's BBQ sauce, San-J Tamari Gluten-Free Soy Sauce (regular soy sauce contains wheat)
- Seasonings: McCormick Perfect Pinch Cajun Seasoning, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce (labeled gluten-free in the United States), Riega Organic Taco Seasoning
- Beverages: Toma Bloody Mary Mix, Tito's Vodka
These recipes are guaranteed to make you hungry! Gathering them together for you made me want to throw a party.
So let's get into those mouth-watering appetizers! You will find more than enough gluten-free options for a wedding reception, holiday gathering, summer BBQ, dinner party, New Year's Eve event, or any special occasion.
Meat Lovers
This lineup of carnivore-pleasing appetizers is full of crowd favorites you can serve at your next Super Bowl party or any gathering of hungry friends.
Bacon & Prosciutto
I know, I know... bacon and prosciutto are technically meat. But they deserve their own category. Everything is better wrapped in bacon or proscuitto!
Seafood
Your guests will love this collection of seafood appetizers, from spring rolls to cocktails.
Cheese
You knew we had to get to cheese! For easy gluten-free appetizer recipes that will quickly be devoured by your guests, pick from these simply delicious, cheese-based appetizers.
Vegetarian
You could host an entire gluten-free, vegetarian, tapas party just by mixing and matching several of these appetizers. Or choose just one (if you can) as an impressive appetizer before a main course at your next dinner party.
Dips
There's something special about the way we gather around a bowl of dip. It draws everyone together into good food and conversation. Set a bowl of dip in the middle of the table and enjoy the moment.
Bread
What to dunk in all of those amazing dips? In addition to veggies, gluten-free, toasted French bread, gluten-free pretzels, tortilla chips or many of the already listed appetizers, the following gluten-free breads are an excellent option.
Charcuterie & Crudités
Charcuterie boards (meat & cheese platters) and crudités (veggie trays) are nearly as addictive to create as they are to eat. Once you figure out how fun and easy they are to put together, you will start throwing parties just to make one!
More Appetizers!
Want more appetizers? There are plenty in these round-ups:
- Crowd-pleasing casual appetizers: Gluten-Free Super Bowl Snacks for the Win!
- Fancy, seasonal appetizers: Gluten-Free Christmas Appetizers You'll Love!