Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes Everyone Will Love

Dec. 1, 2023

Whether you’re gluten-free, gluten-minimal, or hosting someone who is gluten-free, these healthy recipes are sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering.  

Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus

Take a little dip with this flavorful, colorful, and antioxidant-touting sweet potato hummus. You can whip this creamy goodness up in less than 30 minutes. Feel free to double the recipe if you’re serving this dip for a holiday party.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large sweet potato

  • 3 tablespoons tahini

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

  • 1 clove of garlic, minced

  • ¼ teaspoon of cumin

  • Optional: cayenne pepper to give it a little kick

  • Drizzle of good olive oil, for serving

  • Dash of paprika, for serving

Tools:

  • Food Processor

  • Steamer Basket

Instructions:

  1. Peel and chop the sweet potato into cubes. Add to steamer basket and cover. Let steam for about 15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

  2. Add the cooked sweet potatoes to a food processor. Add the tahini, lemon juice, salt, garlic, cumin and cayenne (optional).

  3. Process on high until the consistency is smooth and creamy (about 3-4 minutes). There should be no chunks of sweet potato remaining.

  4. Transfer to a serving bowl. Add a drizzle of olive oil and dash of paprika, and this creamy goodness is ready to go. Pomegranate arils or fresh herbs also make a colorful and tasty garnish. Serve with fresh veggies or gluten-free crackers or pita chips.  

  5. The hummus can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-7 days.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

This pasta-less mac is a cheesy, rich, and creamy gluten-free alternative. In almost 30 minutes, you’ll have a warm and cozy dish to serve up during this chilly season. If you’re not feeling Cheddar, you can swap for Gruyere instead, or use half Cheddar and half Gruyere. Choose your own cheesy adventure. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 large cauliflower (2½ pounds), cut into small florets the size of macaroni

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • Kosher salt and black pepper

  • 1½ cups grated Cheddar (about 6 ounces)

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 garlic clove, finely grated

  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne

Instructions: 

  1. Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil on a baking sheet—season with salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer and roast until browned and cooked through but retaining some bite. Roast for about 15 minutes.

  2. Transfer the cauliflower to an 8-inch baking dish. Reserve ¼ cup Cheddar. Add the remaining 1¼ cups Cheddar, heavy cream, garlic and cayenne to the cauliflower and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then top with the reserved ¼ cup Cheddar.

  3. Roast until the cream thickens, the cheese has melted, and some cauliflower is browned on top for about 15 to 20 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes to cool before serving.

Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots

Transform your carrots into garlicky, cheesy goodness that will have your guests wanting seconds. To make this dish more colorful, use rainbow carrots. Orange or purple carrots are a great option, too. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds carrots, washed and halved

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tablespoon minced garlic)

  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

  • Salt and pepper

  • Optional: Fresh chopped parsley

Instructions: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil.

  2. Arrange carrots on the baking sheet. Add the olive oil, garlic, parmesan, and salt and pepper. Toss all ingredients together. Once the carrots are completely coated, spread them out on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Toss with a spatula halfway through.

  3. Remove from the oven. For extra cheesiness, top with fresh parsley or some shaved parmesan, and serve immediately.  

The Best Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

These delectable and healthy chocolate chip cookies from Liz Moody’s cookbook Healthier Together are quick to make and only use a few simple ingredients. In just 15 minutes, you will have a refined sugar-free and gluten-free cookie that’s crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Bake them for your cookie exchange, to have around the house for a sweet treat, or to plate up for Santa. Enjoy! 

Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2 cup unsalted creamy almond butter (well stirred)

  • 1/4 cup almond flour

  • 1/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt

  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

  • 1/4 cup rolled oats

  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (tip: look for chocolate that’s sweetened with only coconut sugar)

  • Optional: Maldon or flaky sea salt, to sprinkle

Instructions:  

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. In a large bowl, beat the egg, vanilla, and almond butter with a large spoon until combined. Stir in the almond flour, salt, coconut sugar, and baking soda until smooth. Stir in the walnuts, oats, and chocolate chips, working the dough a bit to get everything distributed evenly (the dough will be thick – that’s okay)

  3. Scoop the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls and drop them onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with Maldon salt, if using. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown.

  4. Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately lift the side of the baking sheet up a few inches and gently let it drop down against the counter to set the edges. Let them cool on the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, take a bite and enjoy. 

  5. This recipe yields 6-8 cookies. While the texture of these is best on the first day, making small batches and eating them fresh is recommended. They’ll keep uncovered at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. Of course, you can double the recipe if you’re baking for a larger group. 

Notes:

  • This healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe is from Liz Moody’s cookbook Healthier Together.

  • This recipe works well with other nut butter like cashew butter, but always remember when using nut butter in recipes: make sure to stir it well beforehand, as the oils can separate. Nut butters can differ in consistency. When mixed, the batter should be thick. If it’s not, to ensure optimal quality, add almond flour 1 tbsp at a time until it’s almost hard to stir.

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