Gluten-Free Recipes: 75+ Easy Meals, Desserts & Drinks

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Living gluten-free doesn’t mean missing out on your favorite foods. Over the years, we’ve created and tested more than 75 gluten-free recipes that prove you can enjoy everything from comfort food classics to international cuisine without gluten—and without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Whether you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or simply want to reduce gluten in your diet, this collection makes gluten-free living easier and more delicious. From weeknight tacos to party appetizers to decadent desserts, every recipe is naturally gluten-free or specifically adapted to work perfectly without gluten.

What You’ll Find in This Collection

75+ gluten-free recipes – From appetizers to desserts to beverages
Naturally GF meals – Salads, grilled meats, Mexican dishes, and more
GF versions of classics – Pizza, pasta, crab cakes, bread pudding
Family-tested – Real recipes that work, not just flour substitution suggestions
Dietary flexibility – Many include dairy-free, low-carb, or keto options

🌮

Mexican & Tacos

12 recipes

🍝

Pasta & Mains

10 recipes

🥗

Salads & Bowls

8 recipes

🍰

Desserts & Sweets

12 recipes

☕

Drinks & Smoothies

20 recipes

🧀

Appetizers & Sides

14 recipes

🍲

Soups & Comfort Food

4 recipes

Why This Gluten-Free Recipe Collection Is Different

Most “gluten-free recipe” sites just tell you to substitute gluten-free flour and hope for the best. We don’t do that. Our collection includes two types of recipes:

Naturally gluten-free meals that never needed gluten in the first place—think grilled meats, fresh salads, Mexican dishes with corn tortillas, and vegetable-forward recipes. These prove that some of the best food is naturally gluten-free.

Carefully adapted classics where we’ve done the testing to create gluten-free versions that actually work—like pasta dishes with GF noodles that don’t turn mushy, pizza with crispy crust, and baked goods with proper texture.

What “Gluten-Free” Means in This Collection

Naturally GF: Made with ingredients that are inherently gluten-free (salads, grilled proteins, corn tortillas, rice)
GF Adaptations: Recipes specifically developed with gluten-free flour, pasta, or breadcrumbs
Watch for cross-contamination: If you have celiac disease, ensure all packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free and prepared in a GF-safe kitchen
Oats: Always use certified gluten-free oats as regular oats are cross-contaminated during processing

🌮 Gluten-Free Mexican & Tacos

Mexican cuisine is naturally gluten-free friendly—corn tortillas, fresh salsas, grilled meats, and simple seasonings mean you can enjoy authentic flavors without worry. These recipes celebrate the naturally GF nature of Mexican cooking.

🌽 Tip: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels—some brands add wheat flour. Look for 100% corn tortillas or make your own with masa harina.

🍝 Gluten-Free Pasta & Main Dishes

From Italian classics to Asian-inspired bowls to fresh seafood, these main dishes prove gluten-free eating can be diverse and satisfying. Many use quality gluten-free pasta (we love Barilla GF and Banza chickpea pasta) or are naturally grain-free.

🍝 Pasta Tips: Cook gluten-free pasta al dente and rinse immediately after draining to prevent sticking. Brown rice pasta holds its shape best, while chickpea pasta adds protein.

🥗 Gluten-Free Salads & Healthy Bowls

Fresh, vibrant salads and bowl meals are naturally gluten-free and packed with nutrients. These recipes feature seasonal ingredients, homemade dressings, and protein-rich additions for complete meals.

🍰 Gluten-Free Desserts & Sweet Treats

Satisfy your sweet tooth without gluten. From elegant desserts to quick treats, these recipes use gluten-free flours, naturally GF ingredients like chocolate and fruit, or grain-free almond and coconut flour bases.

🧁 Baking Tip: Let gluten-free batters rest 10-15 minutes before baking. This allows the flour to fully hydrate and improves texture significantly.

☕ Gluten-Free Drinks & Smoothies

From energizing smoothies to cozy coffee drinks to festive cocktails, all beverages are naturally gluten-free (just watch for barley malt in some processed drink mixes). These recipes use whole ingredients for maximum nutrition and flavor.

Smoothies & Wellness Drinks

Bubble Tea & Tea Drinks

Coffee & Hot Drinks

Cocktails & Special Drinks

🧀 Gluten-Free Appetizers & Sides

Perfect for entertaining or rounding out meals, these appetizers and sides are crowd-pleasers that happen to be gluten-free. From hot dips to stuffed vegetables to fermented favorites, no one will miss the gluten.

🍺 Beer Note: For the beer cheese dip, use certified gluten-free beer brands like Omission, Glutenberg, or New Grist.

🍲 Gluten-Free Soups & Comfort Food

Warming soups and comfort dishes without gluten. These recipes use naturally GF thickeners like cornstarch or potato starch, or skip thickeners entirely for lighter, broth-based soups.

Looking for More Recipes?

Explore these related recipe collections:

Complete Recipe Collection – Browse all 100+ recipes organized by type
Keto & Low-Carb Recipes – Many gluten-free recipes are also keto-friendly (grain-free bases)
Dairy-Free Options – Several recipes include dairy-free modifications

Essential Tips for Gluten-Free Cooking Success

Gluten-Free Kitchen Fundamentals

1. Prevent Cross-Contamination

If cooking for celiac disease, cross-contamination is serious. Use separate cutting boards, toasters, colanders, and wooden spoons for gluten-free foods. Thoroughly clean surfaces, and cook GF foods first when sharing a kitchen. Learn more about preventing cross-contamination from the Celiac Disease Foundation.

2. Read Every Label

Gluten hides in unexpected places: soy sauce (use tamari or coconut aminos), beer, broths, processed meats, spice blends, and even some medications. When in doubt, look for products that meet FDA gluten-free labeling requirements or choose whole, unprocessed foods.

3. Master GF Substitutions

Not all gluten-free flours behave the same way. For best results, use recipes specifically developed for GF cooking rather than substituting 1:1 in traditional recipes (except when using commercial 1:1 blends designed for substitution).

4. Check Your Oats

Regular oats are processed in facilities with wheat and are heavily cross-contaminated. Always buy certified gluten-free oats if you’re celiac or highly sensitive. Bob’s Red Mill, Quaker, and GF Harvest all make certified GF oats.

5. Stock the Right Ingredients

Keep these GF pantry staples on hand: certified GF oats, tamari or coconut aminos (instead of soy sauce), cornstarch or arrowroot (for thickening), GF pasta (Barilla, Banza, Jovial brands), corn tortillas (100% corn), and GF breadcrumbs or panko.

Understanding Gluten-Free Flours & Ingredients

Your Gluten-Free Flour Guide

All-Purpose GF Flour Blends (Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1, King Arthur Measure for Measure)

Best for: Baking, breading, general cooking where you’d use regular flour
These blends already include xanthan gum for binding
Can usually substitute 1:1 for regular flour in recipes

Almond Flour

Best for: Grain-free baking, breading, paleo/keto recipes
High fat content creates moist, dense texture
Store in refrigerator to prevent rancidity

Coconut Flour

Best for: Absorbing moisture, keto baking (very low carb)
EXTREMELY absorbent—you need much less than other flours
Requires more eggs and liquid in recipes

Corn-Based (Masa Harina, Cornmeal, Cornstarch)

Masa harina: For tortillas, tamales
Cornmeal: For cornbread, breading
Cornstarch: For thickening sauces, gravies, soups

Rice Flour (White or Brown)

Best for: Asian cooking, blending with other flours
Can be gritty alone; works best in flour blends
Sweet rice flour (mochiko) is great for chewy textures

Frequently Asked Questions About Gluten-Free Eating

Are all these recipes safe for celiac disease?

These recipes are gluten-free in their ingredients, but if you have celiac disease, you must also ensure: (1) all packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free, (2) your kitchen is free from cross-contamination, (3) shared equipment like toasters and cutting boards are thoroughly cleaned or dedicated GF-only. When eating out or at others’ homes, ask about preparation methods and cross-contamination prevention.

Can I eat oats on a gluten-free diet?

Pure oats are naturally gluten-free, but they’re almost always cross-contaminated during growing, harvesting, or processing. Buy only certified gluten-free oats if you’re avoiding gluten. About 5% of people with celiac disease also react to avenin (the protein in oats), so introduce GF oats slowly if newly diagnosed.

What should I use instead of soy sauce?

Traditional soy sauce contains wheat. Use tamari (check label—most tamari is GF but not all), coconut aminos (naturally GF, slightly sweeter), or certified gluten-free soy sauce brands like Kikkoman GF or San-J Tamari.

Is gluten-free healthier if I don’t have celiac or sensitivity?

Not necessarily. Gluten-free processed foods are often higher in sugar, fat, and calories to compensate for texture, and may lack B vitamins and fiber found in whole wheat. However, going gluten-free can lead to healthier eating if it means choosing more whole foods (vegetables, fruits, proteins, rice, quinoa) over processed items. If you don’t have celiac disease or diagnosed sensitivity, whole grains containing gluten can be part of a healthy diet.

What’s the best gluten-free pasta brand?

Top recommendations: Barilla Gluten Free (tastes closest to traditional pasta, holds up well), Banza (chickpea-based, high protein, nutty flavor), Jovial (brown rice, excellent texture), and Tinkyada (brown rice, very reliable, doesn’t get mushy). Cook GF pasta al dente, drain when it still has slight bite, and rinse immediately to prevent sticking.

Do restaurants have gluten-free options?

Many restaurants now offer gluten-free menus or options, but cross-contamination is common. For celiac disease, ask about: dedicated GF prep areas, separate fryers for GF items, whether pasta is cooked in shared water, and if surfaces/utensils are cleaned between orders. Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese restaurants often have naturally GF options (corn tortillas, rice noodles). Pizza places increasingly offer GF crusts, but ask about cross-contamination in ovens.

Want to browse all recipes? View our complete recipe collection →

Building the Most Comprehensive Gluten-Free Recipe Resource

With 75+ gluten-free recipes and counting, we’re committed to proving that gluten-free eating can be delicious, diverse, and satisfying. From quick weeknight dinners to impressive party appetizers to decadent desserts, this collection covers every meal and occasion.

Have a gluten-free recipe request? Let us know what you’d like to see, and we’ll add it to our testing queue. We’re always developing new recipes and improving existing ones based on reader feedback!

Gluten-Free Recipes: 75+ Delicious Meals Without Compromise