Gluten-Free Fare at the Fair & Amusement Parks

Ahhhh, summer time. Festivals, state fairs and amusement parks packed full of families enjoying their summer break. Riding roller coasters while screaming and laughing, spinning nauseously on the tea cup ride and playing the ring toss game, over and over, to win that creepy looking stuffed animal. And last but not least, the AWESOME FOOD!

Being prepared is SO IMPORTANT.  How can you be prepared when going to a fair or amusement park? Well, before I get to our "Just in Case" GF Stash bag, check out the list below of some of the gluten-free options that ARE AVAILABLE.  Don't go into the situation negatively. I think you'll be surprised to see that your family can have quite a few options.

GLUTEN-FREE FAIR OPTIONS: (Please use discretion - check out the vendor, be very cautious with cross contamination and ASK QUESTIONS about ingredients before purchasing any items below)

• Sno Cones                              
• Roasted Corn on the Cob 
• Popcorn         
• Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt  
• Pulled Pork and Hamburgers w/out Bun  
• BBQ Chicken (ask about BBQ sauce)   
• Strawberries, Watermelon, Blueberries
• Kettle Corn
• Cotton Candy
• Dippin' Dots (chocolate or vanilla)
• Frozen Lemonade
• Loaded Baked Potatoes
• French Fries (ask if fries are fried in their own fryer and have coating)
• Strawberry Shortcake w/out Shortcake, just vanilla ice cream

See, there's quite a few options!! Not bad, not bad. NOW, to be on the safe side, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND bringing some gluten-free goodies along "just in case". Having a little stash that you can bring along eases the anxiety/stress of that possibly not being anything your child can have.


GF Stash Bag:

• Favorite GF cookies/treat
• Favorite Chips
• Starbursts, Dum Dum suckers
• Apples, Pears or Bananas 
• Bottled Water

Pack something that you know your child will love. I throw fruit in the bag because it's easy and somewhat healthy as I know we will be eating junk food most of the day, which is totally fine with me, but Jack loves pears and apples so it works for us.

Just remember:

• Bring your own "Just in Case" GF stash bag
• Do some research before going to the Amusement Park, you just might be surprised to see that they offer gluten-free options on their menu.
• Don't hesitate asking questions about ingredients and/or preparation of fair food
• And lastly, RULE OF THUMB: IF IT'S QUESTIONABLE, DON'T EAT IT!

Oh, and one last thing, the most important thing, HAVE FUN! Don't let funnel cakes and elephants ears keep you and your family from going to the State Fair or Amusement Park. 

10 EASY Gluten-Free Super Bowl Dishes

Super Bowl parties are all about the FOOD, right? At least for me it is. I'm not a big football fan, but I'm a BIG FOODIE, that's for sure! :

So let's dive into these dishes below to help make your Super Bowl party a gluten-free success.

These are EASY, DELICIOUS AND EVERYONE WILL ENJOY THEM!

10 EASY + DELICIOUS GLUTEN-FREE DISHES

1)  Chili - Main Dish (toppings - Fritos, shredded cheese, sour cream, green onion) - you can have cute football bowls or decorative paper bowls. It's so easy! All in a large slow cooker.

2)  Mini Football Pizza Cut-Outs (Great for the kids) I use the Kinnkinnick Pizza Crusts - as it's a thicker crust.

3)  Taco Dip (see recipe below) - serve with Beanfield's Chips or Tortilla Chips

4)  Corn Dog Muffins (another great one for kids and great with Chili)

5)  7 Layer Salad (see recipe below)

6)  Fruit Kabobs (kids can help you make these)

7)  Deviled Eggs (I made these for the first time ever. Deviled eggs filling: Mayo, a bit of mustard and a splash of Sweet Gherkins pickle juice - BOOM, you got yourself some deviled eggs.

8)  Buffalo Chicken Dip (you know, that dip that tastes like buffalo wild wings - recipe below) - serve with Tortilla Chips, 

9)  Veggie Tray (shaped like a football stadium or football - Pinterest has some great ideas)

10)  Assorted GF Cookies and Brownies (shaped like football helmets or footballs) - there are football cookie cutters - I think brownies would be the easy and a big hit!

BOOM! Wasn't that easy?! A main dish, which is chili, accompanied by corn dog muffins, pizza cut-outs for the kiddos, 7 layer salad, a couple of awesome dips, veggies, deviled eggs, fruit kabobs and brownies/cookies. 

Recipes: 

Taco Dip:

• 1 Package cream cheese, softened
• 1 Tbsp. of GF taco seasoning
• 1 C. Guacamole
• 1 C. Salsa
• 1 C. Shredded lettuce
• 1 C. Shredded cheese
• 1/2 C. Chopped green onions

Mix Cream cheese and taco seasoning, spread on serving platter.

Top with remaining ingredients.

Refrigerate several hours before or until chilled. This dish would be great to make the night before the party.

7 Layered Salad:

(Recipe from Pioneer Woman)

• 2 heads Iceberg Lettuce, Chopped
• 8 ounces, fluid Baby Spinach, Washed And Dried
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 8 whole Hard Boiled Eggs, Chopped
• 16 ounces, weight Bacon, Cooked And Chopped
• 4 whole Tomatoes, Chopped
• 1 bunch Green Onions, Thinly Sliced
• 8 ounces, weight Cheddar Cheese, Grated
• 1 bag (10 Ounce) Frozen Peas, Partially Thawed
• FOR THE DRESSING:
• 1/2 cup (Real) Mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar (more To Taste)
• Fresh Dill, Chopped

Directions:

1. In a clear glass bowl, layer salad ingredients in the order they appear above, concentrating ingredients around the perimeter of the bowl and filling in the center with lettuce, if needed. End with the layer of peas.
2. Combine dressing ingredients in a separate bowl and mix well. Pour over the top of the peas and spread to cover, bringing dressing all the way out to the edges of the bowl. Sprinkle with fresh dill.
3. Cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Toss just before serving.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

(Recipe from Frank's Red Hot Sauce)

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken 
• 1 (8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese, softened 
• 1/2 cup FRANK'S RedHot® Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce or FRANK'S RedHot® Buffalo Wings Sauce 
• 1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing 
• 1/2 cup crumbled bleu cheese or your favorite shredded cheese 

Directions:

1. PREHEAT oven to 350°F.
2. COMBINE all ingredients and spoon into shallow 1-quart baking dish.
3. BAKE 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve with crackers and/or vegetables