30 Gluten-Free Appetizers for Every Taste

1. Shrimp cocktail with lemon aioli

The star of the show in this dish is the lemon horseradish aioli. It's punchy yet tangy, made with mayonnaise, horseradish, and lemon juice. The whole thing takes 20 minutes to put together, and there's no trace of wheat or rye in sight. Try the recipe from Delish.

2. Bacon-wrapped scallops

Another naturally gluten-free appetizer, bacon-wrapped scallops are elegant, delicious, and are bound to impress. They only require a few ingredients and only a few minutes to assemble and cook. You only need butter, scallops, bacon, garlic, and fresh thyme leaves, all ingredient compliant with your diet. You can add a little citrus by pairing your appetizer with lemon wedges.

3. Sausage pineapple bites

Sausage pineapple bites are a quick go-to appetizer that's bursting with flavor. These mini skewers are salty and savory, yet sweet and light. Best of all, this dish only contains eight ingredients and is made all in one pan for essay cleanup. Find the recipe here.

4. Oven-baked shrimp skewers

For a easy, quick protein bite, shrimp is among your best options. No wonder this seafood makes its way onto this appetizer list so many times!

These lightly marinated shrimp skewers are flavorful, juicy, and super simple to make. The shrimp cooks in the blink of an eye. Use fresh or frozen shrimp, then coat them in olive oil, lime, and seasonings. After baking in the oven, garnish with cilantro or parsley. That's all it takes to make a party-going favorite.

5. Shrimp ceviche

Capture fresh, tropical flavors with this easy ceviche recipe. The citrus does the heavy work in this recipe, taking only 20 minutes to make with zero actual cooking required. All you need is small, cooked, and deveined shrimp, cucumbers, tomatoes, green onions, lime juice, avocados, oil, and seasonings. The classic recipe is naturally gluten-free, paleo, and nut and dairy-free, too. Find the recipe here.

6. Smoked salmon appetizer roll-ups

You don't need a wheat tortilla to make a roll-up. This smoked salmon roll-up platter is simple yet sophisticated, all while being allergen-friendly. All you need to do is layer two thin slices of cucumber on top of each other and dab off the excess moisture using a paper towel. Then, spread a softened cheese and chive mixture over the top, then layer it with smoked salmon. You can secure your roll-ups using a toothpick and immediately serve or store them in the fridge in an airtight container.

7. Stuffed mini peppers

Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a delicious appetizer, these stuffed mini peppers will do the trick. This vibrant snack is filled with a creamy blend of cheddar cheese, chives, and broccoli. They're easy to prep and bake, only taking about 30 minutes to make. You can follow virtually any recipe for stuffed mini peppers, just keep an eye out for bread crumbs and leave those out (or use a gluten-free crumb).

8. Goat cheese mushrooms

This six-ingredient stuffed mushroom recipe is sure to impress. You'll need baby portobello mushrooms (the small bite-size kind), crumbled goat cheese, roasted sweet red peppers, olive oil, parsley, and pepper. Fill the mushroom caps with the cheese, red peppers, and sprinkle pepper and olive oil over the pan after filling. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender. Check out the recipe.

9. Jalapeno poppers

These jalapeno poppers make the perfect bite - they're creamy, spicy, cheesy, and have a little crunch. They're perfect for game days, dinner parties, or even to serve as an app during the holidays. For this recipe, all you'll need is fresh jalapenos, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chives, and melted butter. Like the stuffed mini peppers, you can skip the breadcrumbs, or replace them with gluten-free breadcrumbs or something similarly crunchy, like chicharrones.

10. Buffalo cauliflower

Buffalo cauliflower is a great go-to if you or your guests follow a vegetarian diet. They're crispy and full of flavor, yet lighter than a chicken wing. Each bite is air fried for crispy perfection. The tangy buffalo sauce coats each floret. Pair the florets with a creamy blue cheese dressing or flavorful ranch to complete the dish.

11. Tahini roasted cauliflower

If you're not a fan of buffalo cauliflower, swap it out for this sweet and savory tahini cauliflower. This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian with no modifications, but it does contain pine nuts, so keep an eye out if there's a nut allergy in your family. For this recipe, you'll need cauliflower florets, dates, pine nuts, lemon, olive oil, curry powder, garlic, and salt. Check out the recipe.

12. Caprese bites

It's a trip to Italy without boarding a plane. Whether you're in a time pinch or don't want to cook, caprese bites come together in a snap. This recipe only takes a few minutes to make, and only contains mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, balsamic glaze, basil, and some seasonings. Spear the ingredients on a skewer for easy handheld eating. The whole dish is simple and light, yet bursting with flavor.

13. Whipped feta dip

Step up your cheese board game with this whipped feta dip recipe. Combine fresh feta cheese with herbs, garlic, and cream cheese until smooth, then top with any sauce of your choosing. From cranberry sauce with toasted pistachios to a hot honey sauce, the options are endless. Use gluten-free crackers or veggies for dipping for a complete allergen-free experience.

14. Cannoli dip

Add a sweet treat to your savory appetizer assortment with this tasty cannoli dip. To make this delicious dip, all you need is ricotta cheese, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and chocolate chips. Mix the ingredients and serve with gluten-free wafer cookie or waffle cone pieces.

15.Lemon whip

This gluten-free, dairy-free lemon whip is a must-try at your next party. Its light, mousse-like texture, and creamy, citrusy tang make it a unique party dip that will add some color to your appetizer assortment. To create this dip, all you need is dairy-free coconut whip and lemon curd - that's it. Pair the delicious dip with various fruits and gluten-free cookies for serving.

16.Avocado feta dip

This avocado feta dip is a great dietary-friendly option that requires less than 10 ingredients and only takes a few minutes to make. For this recipe, all you need is avocado, tomatoes, red onion, garlic, parsley, olive oil, vinegar, and feta. If you have guests with a dairy allergy, you can substitute the feta for a vegan alternative. Offer carrot sticks or broccoli florets for gluten-free dipping. Get the recipe here.

17.Mango habanero guacamole

Add some tropical heat to your gathering with this sweet and spicy mango habanero guacamole. Combine ripe, peeled avocados with lime juice, salt, chopped mangoes, and habaneros. Remember, the pepper does have some heat - it's best to start with less and add more spice as you go. Serve with corn tortillas, nearly all of which don't contain any wheat.

18.Chicken taquitos

Chicken taquitos are a simple and easy appetizer you can whip up in less than 30 minutes. Each corn or gluten-free tortilla is rolled with a flavorful chicken filling, and then fried on a cast iron skillet or in the air fryer. Arrange them into a platter and top with guacamole and salsa for an even more bold flavor. Find hte recipe here.

19.Sweet and salty grape dip

It's an intriguing appetizer, and it's gluten-free to boot. This sweet and salty treat is an effortless dish to create with only three ingredients - grapes, cream cheese, and toasted almonds. It's a standout bite that we're sure many of your guests haven't tried before.

20.Gluten-free veggie pizza

Pizzas make the perfect party appetizer, a party-pleasing handheld bite. This gluten-free pizza recipe uses gluten-free crescent dough (either homemade or premade), but you can use a pre-made crust or dough. Pop on your favorite toppings and cook the crust according to package directions.

21.Soft pretzels

Create your own gluten-free soft pretzel that tastes just as good as its gluten-filled counterpart. This recipe is a labor of love, taking over 12 hours to complete due to chilling time. But the wait is well worth it. Once baked, you'll have a warm, soft, and salty pretzel that may even beat the real thing. Try out the recipe for your next gathering.

22.Mozzarella sticks

Known as much for their breading as they are for their cheese, mozzarella sticks don't typically make a gluten-free appetizer list. But the breading doesn't have to be out of wheat - you can use gluten-free flour and bread crumbs or panko for an alternative that works for you and your guests. You can bake these in the oven or air fryer, creating a healthier alternative to the traditionally deep-fried game day classic. Here's the recipe.

23.Pigs in a blanket

Pigs in a blanket is a crowd-pleasing dish that's sure to keep all your guests smiling and reaching for more. Like mozzarella sticks, though, this app is known for the flaky dough that wraps around the cocktail frank. Gluten-free dough can easily stand in and not take anything away from the original's experience. All you need is gluten-free puff pastry dough and cocktail weiners, plus an egg, water, and sea salt to make a golden wash. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown, and pair with any sauce of your choosing.

24.Gluten-free garlic cheesy bread

Buttery, garlicky cheese bread is the perfect appetizer, especially for pasta night for that Italian restaurant experience. This recipe contains gluten-free white bread or baguettes that are topped with garlic, butter, fresh parsley, and shredded cheese. Cook for roughly 30 minutes and you have a soft yet crispy, cheesy, delicious appetizer everyone can enjoy.

25.Cheese crisps

Instead of opting for the store-bought version, create your own elegant, all-natural cheese crisp at home. These crisps are very easy to make, only taking five minutes, and contain one ingredient - cheese. Simply add the cheese to a hot skillet, and cook for three to four minutes when the edges turn brown. You can also add them to parchment paper and pop them in the oven until melted. Let them cool completely to ensure they get that craveable crispy texture.

26.Stuffed dates

Here's another appetizer that requires no stove time. This recipe for stuffed dates might just become your new craving. These pitted dates are filled with a mixture of cream cheese, pistachios, and honey. It's the perfect appetizer if you're looking for a sweet treat that's on the healthier side, and it can even work for dessert.

27.Harissa deviled eggs

Protein-rich, low-carb deviled eggs are a great app that will keep your guests full and satisfied. This party classic adds some heat from harissa to this flavorful yet easy dish. All you need is eggs, mayo, seasonings, and harissa sauce. Toss some crispy fried shallots (gluten-free, of course) and fresh cilantro on top of your deviled eggs for an even more perfect bite.

28.Charcuterie skewers

Who ahs time to build a whole grazing board? These charcuterie skewers are a quick and easy way you can gear up for company with no cooking required. They're perfect during the busy holiday season, or if you want to provide a simple yet classy appetizer dish. The skewers are a lot friendlier to feed a crowd, too, since you won't have a crowd of people touching al the food laid out on the board. To create these, all you'll need are skewers and your favorite meats and cheeses. Olives and fruit make for good add-ons to each skewer if you'd like.

29.Herb-roasted olives and tomatoes

You can create a delicious veggie-forward, allergen-friendly dish in under 15 minutes using this herb-roasted vegetable recipe. This appetizer option is bursting with fresh, flavorful ingredients, like cherry tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and a variety of olives. Place all the ingredients on a baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes. Once the vegetables are soft, pair with a toasted gluten-free baguette or various cheeses.

30.Zucchini fries

If you're looking for a lighter way to enjoy your favorite fried foods, try these air fryer zucchini fries. They're crispy on the outside, while moist and tender on the inside. Enjoy them warm on their own, or pair them with a homemade ranch or marinara dipping sauce. Just like the mozzarella sticks, you'll use gluten-free breadcrumbs or panko to make the crispy breading.

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