Gluten-Free Halloween Candy List & Trick or Treating Tips

It's that time of year again! TRICK OR TREAT! The kids are excitedly, indecisively, going back and forth on what they want to be for Halloween. From an army guy, to a ninja to Hulk, the options are endless! I mark on the calendar a day and I say, "This is the date you have to decide by. Once we buy your costume, there's no turning back, understand?" And they just look at me like, "Huh?" ;)

So, as my children decide on the their Halloween costumes, I take some time and share with you an updated gluten-free candy list, tips to dealing with "gluten" candy and some of Jack's FAVORITE candy that he looks forward to eating the days following Halloween.

Let's get started with 3 tips to get you all ready for Halloween!

2008

3 TIPS FOR A DRAMA-FREE HALLOWEEN:

1. Refer to an (Updated 2020) List of Gluten-Free Candy  a couple weeks before Halloween so you have a good idea of which candies are "SAFE" for your gluten-free child.  

   

   2013 and 2014

2. Before Trick or Treating, tell your children candy will be eaten after they return home and candy is sorted through. "Gluten" candy will go in one pile to trade with siblings. And for any generic candy, with no name, I usually throw it away - Play it safe ALWAYS. If you don't know what it is, DON'T EAT IT.  

   

   2015

Lastly, have a gluten-free stash of candy at home so your child can replace any "gluten" candy from his trick or treat some of his/her gluten-free favorites. Even though he or she will probably be able to trade "gluten" candy with his/her friends, neighbors and/or siblings for gluten-free candy. ;)

2016

2017

Jack's TOP 5 Favorite Gluten-Free Candy:

1) Reese's Pieces (Just like E.T.)

2) Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

3) Hershey's Kisses

4) Snickers

5) Enjoy Life Foods Semi Sweet Mini Chocolate Chips

There you have it friends - a gluten-free Halloween that will be FUN for the WHOLE FAMILY!! Enjoy and eat lots of gluten-free candy!

Gluten-Free Easy Fall Party Dishes, Sides and Treats

(This post was published in 2016, but it's still GREAT for 2021!)

It was Jack's, little brother, Jason's 1st birthday (going on 4 years old now) this past weekend...  

I've ALWAYS wanted to have a child in October, MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE MONTH! And my wish came true. Our sweet 3rd and last child was born on the 11th. We had a beautiful fall day with our family and here's what I made.

1.  Chili Station
For the adults (and kiddos too, but mine aren't big fans), a big slow cooker full of chili! Your family recipe, your Mom's Mom's Grandma's famous recipe! I wish I had one, but I don't...I'm still creating!

Guests can serve up a bowl and top with their favorite gluten-free toppings: 

sour cream, shredded cheese, Fritos, tortilla chips and green onion.

2.  Corndog Mini Muffins These are super easy to make, using Pamela's Cornbread Mix or whatever gluten-free cornbread mix you prefer! Great for kiddos and adults. A finger food that's . Recipe here.

3.  Pumpkin Pizza Cut-Outs
These little pumpkin pizzas are cute and perfect for the kiddos. I used Kinnikinnick pizza crust, it's a little square frozen crust and I was able to make 4 pumpkins per square pizza crust. I make the pizza like normal then let it cool for a couple of minutes then use pumpkin cutter to cut pizzas. BOOM - you gotta yourself some mini pumpkin pizzas!

4.  Veggie Tray
Use your favorite veggies to make your own pumpkin inspired creation. You can do all type of fun creations! Get the kids to help with this one!

5.  Apple Slices and Cheese Cubes
Slice up a variety of colored apples (TIP: soak apples in apple juice then pat dry before serving so they don't turn brown) and serve with a marshmallow dip, maybe sprinkle in a little cinnamon and sugar. I like cheese cubes because they are easy and bite size too.

6.  Pumpkin Salsa - I recently posted about Beanfields Bean & Rice Chips and pairing it with Pumpkin Salsa or your favorite salsa! Find colorful pumpkins to serve salsa in or your favorite dips for your veggies!

7.  Fall Cupcakes - I didn't get too fancy, but I did top the cupcakes with some cinnamon/sugar. I used Pamela's Classic Vanilla Cake Mix and her Chocolate Cake Mix - they were a HIT as usual!

I think overall, our lil' birthday boy had a wonderful 1st birthday party...I know he at least LOVED the cupcakes!

Happy Birthday Jason, Love Mommy xoxo