Snikiddy Baked Corn Puffs (Mac n' Cheese, Grilled Cheese and Pizza varieties)
These were quite possibly my snack food find of the year. First, you must leave all of your preconceived cheesy-poof notions at the door because these are unlike their bright orange (and very good in their own right) counterparts. The just looked so interesting sitting on the shelf that I had to give all the varieties I could get my hands on a try. I first sampled the Mac n’ Cheese which was like nothing I had ever had before. The flavor really did have that bit of pasta note to it and coupled with the cheesiness, made for a totally unique taste sensation. I couldn’t get through the bag fast enough so that I could open the next flavor…Pizza.
The Pizza flavor was wonderfully spicy reminiscent of a good marinara sauce. You could really taste the bouquet of herbs that flavored each puff. That, coupled with the mild notes of cheese and tomato tang, made this variety a real favorite of mine. I rounded out my cheese ball induced coma with the Grilled Cheese variety. This was probably the most subtle of the flavors sampled and carried a very mild muted cheese flavor.
I highly recommend giving this brand a go and diving into a nice bag of their corn puffs when the snacking hour creeps up on you. Check out their complete line of products on their Web site.
The Pizza flavor was wonderfully spicy reminiscent of a good marinara sauce. You could really taste the bouquet of herbs that flavored each puff. That, coupled with the mild notes of cheese and tomato tang, made this variety a real favorite of mine. I rounded out my cheese ball induced coma with the Grilled Cheese variety. This was probably the most subtle of the flavors sampled and carried a very mild muted cheese flavor.
I highly recommend giving this brand a go and diving into a nice bag of their corn puffs when the snacking hour creeps up on you. Check out their complete line of products on their Web site.
Edward and Sons Brown Rice Snaps (Vegetable)
There is nothing better than a crisp, crunchy, and flavorful cracker (well, perhaps one topped with cheese). I came across these ate my new favorite Super Stop & Shop supermarket that has a rather impressive gluten-free section with lots of new products I had never seen before. I love rice crackers and have tried many but these looked different from the get go. They were a fantastic shade of brown with a grainy look to them. They also appeared to have a fair amount of flavoring on them,
They did not disappoint. They were a bit more robust than their white rice counterparts that you may already be familiar with. The vegetable flavoring was really very nice with a slight hint of saltiness giving them a really unique taste. I used these for dipping as well as the perfect vessel to hold a lovely prosciutto and mozzarella pinwheel cut into small bite-sized pieces. You can view the complete line of products from Edward and Sons on their Web site. If you are a fan of rice crackers I highly recommend giving these a try. I am looking forward to picking up some additional flavors on my next visit to the market.
They did not disappoint. They were a bit more robust than their white rice counterparts that you may already be familiar with. The vegetable flavoring was really very nice with a slight hint of saltiness giving them a really unique taste. I used these for dipping as well as the perfect vessel to hold a lovely prosciutto and mozzarella pinwheel cut into small bite-sized pieces. You can view the complete line of products from Edward and Sons on their Web site. If you are a fan of rice crackers I highly recommend giving these a try. I am looking forward to picking up some additional flavors on my next visit to the market.
Bhuja Original Snack Mix
I came across these snacks when I was putting together my gluten-free contingency travel pack for my previous trip. I actually sampled two varieties but will start with the original variety. What’s nice about this snack is that you really feel like you are indulging in a gluten-filled snack. There are wonderfully crunchy multi-grain noodles (from chick pea, yellow peas, and some GF starches) that are just AMAZING. The mix is also chock-full of green peas, peanuts, and sweet sultanas – all in a great spicy coating that has a bit of a kick but is not overly powering.
These snacks go extremely well with cocktails (making a great little bar mix) as the savory snacks subtle saltiness with hint of sweetness makes for the perfect combination with a nice wine, gluten-free beer or cider, or mixed cocktail. You can check out their complete product line on their Web site.
These snacks go extremely well with cocktails (making a great little bar mix) as the savory snacks subtle saltiness with hint of sweetness makes for the perfect combination with a nice wine, gluten-free beer or cider, or mixed cocktail. You can check out their complete product line on their Web site.
Utz Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips
I am a confessed snack food junkie when it comes to snack foods. I love, love, love, a good potato chip particularly a well-seasoned variety. Utz are a bit of a regional phenomenon I believe, but I do see them popping up in more and more places in my travels.
I am a fan of all of their varieties but absolutely love their Sour Cream and Onion variety. They are so fantastically seasoned that each bite contained a good amount of their famed seasoning. The seasoning, while dry, makes for almost a creamy sensation when you being to eat them. The chips themselves are thin and while well-seasoned, not overly salty which I really like. These chips have no preservatives which initially drew me to the brand. They bag is also carries a small sentence just below the ingredients This is a Gluten Free Food – six words that make all the difference in my life.
I have always wanted to take a tour of their facilities (they offer daily tours) and next time I am in the Hanover, Pennsylvania area I am definitely stopping by. Ah, who am I kidding, I will probably just make a special trip to visit my snack food shrine.
Check out their Web site for more information on their products and a look. They have been around since 1921 so a clearly doing something right.
I am a fan of all of their varieties but absolutely love their Sour Cream and Onion variety. They are so fantastically seasoned that each bite contained a good amount of their famed seasoning. The seasoning, while dry, makes for almost a creamy sensation when you being to eat them. The chips themselves are thin and while well-seasoned, not overly salty which I really like. These chips have no preservatives which initially drew me to the brand. They bag is also carries a small sentence just below the ingredients This is a Gluten Free Food – six words that make all the difference in my life.
I have always wanted to take a tour of their facilities (they offer daily tours) and next time I am in the Hanover, Pennsylvania area I am definitely stopping by. Ah, who am I kidding, I will probably just make a special trip to visit my snack food shrine.
Check out their Web site for more information on their products and a look. They have been around since 1921 so a clearly doing something right.
Mary's Gone Crackers, Original
If you are looking for a cracker that is unique and tastes great than look no further. Now if you are thinking of a buttery Ritz, think again. These are savory and delicate rounds that are chock-full of wonderful gluten free grains making for a unique taste sensation.
They are truly unlike anything I have come across and make for a great addition to cheese and dips. I have also tried their Herb variety and while they are good found the flavoring to be a bit overpowering for pairing with other items and are best on their own. The original variety, even with their distinct taste, pair extremely well and proved to be quite versatile. Next time you are entertaining try putting these out with your nibbles and you and your guests will not be disappointed.
You can view Mary's complete product line online.
They are truly unlike anything I have come across and make for a great addition to cheese and dips. I have also tried their Herb variety and while they are good found the flavoring to be a bit overpowering for pairing with other items and are best on their own. The original variety, even with their distinct taste, pair extremely well and proved to be quite versatile. Next time you are entertaining try putting these out with your nibbles and you and your guests will not be disappointed.
You can view Mary's complete product line online.
Plocky’s Black Beans 'N Rice Tortilla Chips
Having tried the red bean variety, I thought I would give these a try. The consistency was very similar to the red bean version but, without the spicy Tabasco kick. These chips are wonderfully plain and are great for dipping. They are thick enough to withstand even the thickest of dips and make the perfect receptacle for a flavorful piece of cheese.
But perhaps their crowning achievement was being able to be “nacho-ized” with fresh salsa and shredded cheese then placed under a hot broiler until the cheese turns into gooey liquid heaven. These chips remain crisp no matter what you throw at them and the corn/bean/rice trifecta sets them apart from their plain corn counterparts.
Check out their Web site for a full listing of products.
But perhaps their crowning achievement was being able to be “nacho-ized” with fresh salsa and shredded cheese then placed under a hot broiler until the cheese turns into gooey liquid heaven. These chips remain crisp no matter what you throw at them and the corn/bean/rice trifecta sets them apart from their plain corn counterparts.
Check out their Web site for a full listing of products.
Plocky’s Red Beans 'N Rice Tortilla Chips
My other half surprised me with these knowing that I love all things spicy. I love it when new products present themselves to me as it really goes to show that there is a vast universe of products out there that are suitable for Celiacs.
The chips were, in a word, amazing. They are really very different from anything I have come across. You think you are in for a typical tortilla chip but when you take a look at these bright red chips you will notice a small surprise. Rice! That right, cooked right into the chips. These are among the most complex tasting chips I have come across. At first crunch you will notice a mild corn taste that evolves into an almost nutty sensation that is finally rounded out with a subtle kick of Tabasco – yes, they use the real-deal in these chips. I am normally a dip person but these really are perfect by themselves.
Plocky’s has a range of products including hummus chips that are marketed gluten free. These chips do not have the GF branding on the bag but a quick glance at the ingredients and all is well. Both these and the GF-branded are produced in a facility, as with many products, that manufacture other types of ingredients. In all my years as a Celiac I have never reacted to anything gluten free made in a non-gf exclusive plant. Check out their Web site for a full listing of products.
The chips were, in a word, amazing. They are really very different from anything I have come across. You think you are in for a typical tortilla chip but when you take a look at these bright red chips you will notice a small surprise. Rice! That right, cooked right into the chips. These are among the most complex tasting chips I have come across. At first crunch you will notice a mild corn taste that evolves into an almost nutty sensation that is finally rounded out with a subtle kick of Tabasco – yes, they use the real-deal in these chips. I am normally a dip person but these really are perfect by themselves.
Plocky’s has a range of products including hummus chips that are marketed gluten free. These chips do not have the GF branding on the bag but a quick glance at the ingredients and all is well. Both these and the GF-branded are produced in a facility, as with many products, that manufacture other types of ingredients. In all my years as a Celiac I have never reacted to anything gluten free made in a non-gf exclusive plant. Check out their Web site for a full listing of products.
Sabra Fresh Sautéed Onion Dip
I loved the Sabra Tzatziki so much that when I saw their Fresh Sautéed Onion Dip sitting beside its Tzatziki cousin I could not resist. Again, while it tastes sinfully it is in actuality really not that bad from a fat and calorie standpoint.
Like the Tzatziki it only has 1.5 grams of fat and only 30 calories per 1 ounce serving.The dip itself is very rich and creamy with a good amount of sautéed onions swimming throughout. Now, if you are expecting something akin to the wonderful but terribly fatty premade French Onion dips that are out there – look elsewhere. This is a much lighter and actually more refreshing take on the classic dip of yesteryear. GFM loves him some fat-filled sour cream-based dips but a change is nice from time to time. This dips is versatile as well, from a baked potato to chips to veggies it holds up well and pairs terrifically. Do give it a try if you can find it at your local grocery. Oh, and if you want to be naughty, try mixing in a good amount of parmesan cheese. GFM did and it was De-lish with a capital “D”. Check out Sabra's complete product line online.
Like the Tzatziki it only has 1.5 grams of fat and only 30 calories per 1 ounce serving.The dip itself is very rich and creamy with a good amount of sautéed onions swimming throughout. Now, if you are expecting something akin to the wonderful but terribly fatty premade French Onion dips that are out there – look elsewhere. This is a much lighter and actually more refreshing take on the classic dip of yesteryear. GFM loves him some fat-filled sour cream-based dips but a change is nice from time to time. This dips is versatile as well, from a baked potato to chips to veggies it holds up well and pairs terrifically. Do give it a try if you can find it at your local grocery. Oh, and if you want to be naughty, try mixing in a good amount of parmesan cheese. GFM did and it was De-lish with a capital “D”. Check out Sabra's complete product line online.
Sabra Fresh Tzatziki
I am a huge snack fan and have always enjoyed Sabra’s Hummus varieties so was excited to see they were branching out into dips – and healthier dips at that. Their Fresh Tzatziki dip was delicious. Sabra knows Mediterranean food and this dip does not disappoint. It is wonderfully rich and creamy chock full of sautéed cucumber making for a thick dip. When you take your first bite you notice the subtleness of the yogurt then the cool, crisp cucumber, rounded out by a nice bite of garlic and tart lemon juice.
Perhaps the best part of this product is that it is low fat with only 1.5 grams per serving. From a calorie standpoint it is only 25 calories per 1 ounce serving. I love this dip on toast (taking me back to my European childhood) or as a proper dip for chips or crackers. Tzatziki is an enormously versatile dip so don’t be afraid to try it with whatever you fancy. Check out Sabra's complete product line online.
Perhaps the best part of this product is that it is low fat with only 1.5 grams per serving. From a calorie standpoint it is only 25 calories per 1 ounce serving. I love this dip on toast (taking me back to my European childhood) or as a proper dip for chips or crackers. Tzatziki is an enormously versatile dip so don’t be afraid to try it with whatever you fancy. Check out Sabra's complete product line online.
Mr. Krispers Baked Rice Crisps (Nacho)
These little crisps caught my eye while shopping the other day. I was in the mood for something different and these jumped out at me amid the sea of crunchy choices lining the snack wall. At first I thought that they would be like flavored rice crackers but actually they were more chip-like in texture. They are slightly elliptical in shape and quite thin which makes for some delicious, and crunchy, snacking. I sampled the nacho flavored variety which was somewhat spicy and extremely cheesy. They are so light and airy I could not help myself and over the course of an afternoon realized I had consumed the entire bag. The good news is that 35 crisps are only 120 calories so I did not completely ambush my waistline. If you are tired of potato or corn ships, I highly recommend giving these a try. I know I am looking forward to trying their other varieties. You can order their products from there online store.
Schär Table Crackers
I have been singing the praises of Schär gluten free products a lot after discovering a free-standing display in my local grocery.
I had actually not purchased these crackers the first time I tried them. I was at a friend’s house for cocktails and low and behold these were purchased for my enjoyment. Not to mention they were neatly protected from the gluten-filled options by a carefully constructed napkin wall – very nice touch!
But I digress, back to the crackers. These crackers were light a buttery not dense and heavy as can sometimes be the case. The worked extremely well with cheese, dip, and meat. They are just salty enough so as not to over power whatever you decided to top them with. They are a bit delicate but after years of dense and cakey gluten free options I welcome their fragility wholeheartedly. Also, they are a bit larger than their more traditional counterparts but again, you can pile more toppings on to enjoy. If you love crackers, please do give these a try.
I had actually not purchased these crackers the first time I tried them. I was at a friend’s house for cocktails and low and behold these were purchased for my enjoyment. Not to mention they were neatly protected from the gluten-filled options by a carefully constructed napkin wall – very nice touch!
But I digress, back to the crackers. These crackers were light a buttery not dense and heavy as can sometimes be the case. The worked extremely well with cheese, dip, and meat. They are just salty enough so as not to over power whatever you decided to top them with. They are a bit delicate but after years of dense and cakey gluten free options I welcome their fragility wholeheartedly. Also, they are a bit larger than their more traditional counterparts but again, you can pile more toppings on to enjoy. If you love crackers, please do give these a try.
Joseph Banks Cassava Chips
The other day while perusing the aisles of my local grocery, I came across these Cassava chips in and end-cap display and was excited to see “Gluten Free” emblazoned on the bag. Now my other half is Bermudian so cassava pie is a staple around the holidays but for those of you unfamiliar, it is a root vegetable that is similar to taro in taste (though I find it a bit more subdued in flavor).
These chips hail all the way from New Zealand and two flavors immediately caught my attention, the Roasted Tomato and Chilli (the brand’s spelling) and Kaffir Lime. The chips themselves were very thinly cut almost to the point of transparency, and had a good amount of their respective seasonings but not too much as to be overpowering. The roasted tomato was tangy with just the right amount of saltiness. The chilli lime was exotic indeed. Very Indian in the spice combination and had a fair amount of heat without taking away from the flavor of the cassava.
If you cannot find these in your local grocer, visit the brand's site and they will link you to an online distributor here in the United States. With less fat than potato chips and a whole lot of flavor you just cannot go wrong.
These chips hail all the way from New Zealand and two flavors immediately caught my attention, the Roasted Tomato and Chilli (the brand’s spelling) and Kaffir Lime. The chips themselves were very thinly cut almost to the point of transparency, and had a good amount of their respective seasonings but not too much as to be overpowering. The roasted tomato was tangy with just the right amount of saltiness. The chilli lime was exotic indeed. Very Indian in the spice combination and had a fair amount of heat without taking away from the flavor of the cassava.
If you cannot find these in your local grocer, visit the brand's site and they will link you to an online distributor here in the United States. With less fat than potato chips and a whole lot of flavor you just cannot go wrong.
Ener-G Foods Sesame Pretzel Rings
Ever the snack food junkie, I love to try all and every type of gluten free snacks as I can humanly consume. There really is nothing I enjoy more than a good pretzel. Ener-G Foods makes a wonderful pretzel with a twist – sesame seeds.
I love the saltiness coupled with the nuttiness that the sesame seeds add. The fact that these pretzels are round also make them fun to serve and dip (try a spicy mustard sauce on theses). You get a decent amount of pretzels in each bag and I enjoy them as a mid-day snack to carry me through dinner. We all know that some gluten free replacements do not taste exactly like their gluten-filled counterparts but these snacks are the real deal and indistinguishable from real pretzels. I order these by the case so I always have them on hand – oh, and they are a great snack to take along when traveling.
I love the saltiness coupled with the nuttiness that the sesame seeds add. The fact that these pretzels are round also make them fun to serve and dip (try a spicy mustard sauce on theses). You get a decent amount of pretzels in each bag and I enjoy them as a mid-day snack to carry me through dinner. We all know that some gluten free replacements do not taste exactly like their gluten-filled counterparts but these snacks are the real deal and indistinguishable from real pretzels. I order these by the case so I always have them on hand – oh, and they are a great snack to take along when traveling.
Food Should Taste Good Olive Chips
Who doesn’t enjoy a good chip I ask? Yet, flavorings can be a Celiac’s worst nightmare oftentimes containing gluten in one form or another. Plain chips are always a good standby and through the years I have identified flavored chips that are safe.
When I was placing my routine Fresh Direct order the other day I was looking for something savory but outside of the norm, I was surprised to see the Food Should Taste Good brand available so ordered a couple of bags. Now, I have had these Olive chips before and really enjoyed them and to see the readily available was terrific.
These chips are really very good by themselves with a strong but not overpowering olive taste. The texture is very similar to a corn tortilla chip. The olive blend includes black, Kalamata, and green which really play well off of each other. I love the fact that the ingredients are few, simple, and easily recognizable. The product also carries the Certified Gluten-Free seal right on front making them easily identifiable as a GF option.
These chips are quite substantial and handle cheese, dips, and spreads very well. If you like olives try them with a great olive hummus for a real treat or try them with some smoked gouda melted under the broiler for a few minutes and serve with some fresh salsa on the side for a new spin on nachos.
When I was placing my routine Fresh Direct order the other day I was looking for something savory but outside of the norm, I was surprised to see the Food Should Taste Good brand available so ordered a couple of bags. Now, I have had these Olive chips before and really enjoyed them and to see the readily available was terrific.
These chips are really very good by themselves with a strong but not overpowering olive taste. The texture is very similar to a corn tortilla chip. The olive blend includes black, Kalamata, and green which really play well off of each other. I love the fact that the ingredients are few, simple, and easily recognizable. The product also carries the Certified Gluten-Free seal right on front making them easily identifiable as a GF option.
These chips are quite substantial and handle cheese, dips, and spreads very well. If you like olives try them with a great olive hummus for a real treat or try them with some smoked gouda melted under the broiler for a few minutes and serve with some fresh salsa on the side for a new spin on nachos.
Glutino GF Pretzels
I have to admit that I am a self-proclaimed junk food junkie at times. Since my Celiac diagnosis I have probably most missed the crunchy goodness that is a hard salted pretzel. Now there are a few brands out there and fear not, I will cover them all eventually, but today I'd like to offer my comments on Glutino's GF Salted Pretzels.
Glutino's offering are really quite good and indistinguishable from their non-gluten counterparts. Just the right amount of salt perfectly compliments the savory pretzels. The texture is spot on (which as we know is not always the case with GF products) and I have rolled these out when entertaining my non-Celiac friends and they were non the wiser. Try dipping these in a thick vegetable or onion dip (recipes to soon follow in our Recipe section) or a little spicy Dijon mustard -- Delish!
You can increasingly find these at major supermarkets and I have seen them on the shelves here in New York, on the West coast, and down South. You can also often find them at specialty retailers and of course online at one of the many GF sites out there.
And remember, if you don’t see something in your local grocery, talk to the manager. You will be surprised at how accommodating they can be. GF options are often at much higher price points than their non-gluten counterparts so it is a win-win for consumers and grocers.
Glutino's offering are really quite good and indistinguishable from their non-gluten counterparts. Just the right amount of salt perfectly compliments the savory pretzels. The texture is spot on (which as we know is not always the case with GF products) and I have rolled these out when entertaining my non-Celiac friends and they were non the wiser. Try dipping these in a thick vegetable or onion dip (recipes to soon follow in our Recipe section) or a little spicy Dijon mustard -- Delish!
You can increasingly find these at major supermarkets and I have seen them on the shelves here in New York, on the West coast, and down South. You can also often find them at specialty retailers and of course online at one of the many GF sites out there.
And remember, if you don’t see something in your local grocery, talk to the manager. You will be surprised at how accommodating they can be. GF options are often at much higher price points than their non-gluten counterparts so it is a win-win for consumers and grocers.
Sophia All Natural Rice Cakes (Sesame Flavor)
Well, my favorite gourmet grocery delivered a surprise yet again. I was looking for something to pair with dips and cheese and stumbled across these cakse from Sophia Foods. Now let’s face it, rice cakes are rice cakes and rather akin to Styrofoam on a good day. Yet, these were surprisingly good on their own with the hint of sesame and a bit of salt. Now I am not condoning eating them on their own (though I just did) but the unique square shape of these make for a strong presentation when entertaining.
The cakes are robust and hold up well when used as a base for your favorite cheese, spread, or dip – so you can prepare them before your guests arrive and not worry about serving soggy cakes. I found them to go wonderfully with a ripe piece of brie spread atop a cake with a touch of red currant jam. The sweet and savory tastes work so very well. A nice hummus also works well with these cakes. Perhaps my favorite recipe comes from the package itself, and I must admit I was hesitant at first to try. They recommended trying a fresh slice of tomato with a bit of basil and a small dribble of olive oil. A few pieces of cheese to top it off and it is into the oven for a quick melt. The result, a GF rice bruschetta that was actually very good.
The cakes are robust and hold up well when used as a base for your favorite cheese, spread, or dip – so you can prepare them before your guests arrive and not worry about serving soggy cakes. I found them to go wonderfully with a ripe piece of brie spread atop a cake with a touch of red currant jam. The sweet and savory tastes work so very well. A nice hummus also works well with these cakes. Perhaps my favorite recipe comes from the package itself, and I must admit I was hesitant at first to try. They recommended trying a fresh slice of tomato with a bit of basil and a small dribble of olive oil. A few pieces of cheese to top it off and it is into the oven for a quick melt. The result, a GF rice bruschetta that was actually very good.
Kame Gluten Free Rice Crackers Cheddar
Had a wonderful little get-together this evening and served these rice crackers. I have been a fan of Kame for a while and today opted for the cheddar varietal and was not disappointed. I mean rice crackers tend to be rice crackers but sometimes are overwhelmed by the added flavoring. These crackers had the just the right amount of seasoning to enjoy on their own but also were not overpowered when enjoying with a delicious dip. I served a delectable caramelized onion hummus, a Mexican bean, and smoked artichoke dip that were all well paired with these crackers.
Now rice crackers are not everyone's bag of tea as they are often dull and flavorless but the cheddar flavor in these crackers makes them quite enjoyable. i found them in a local specialty store but have also seen them online.
Now rice crackers are not everyone's bag of tea as they are often dull and flavorless but the cheddar flavor in these crackers makes them quite enjoyable. i found them in a local specialty store but have also seen them online.