27 Secretly Healthy Snack Recipes to Fuel an Epic 2018

The New Year is officially in full swing, and that means it's time to get back to work, back to school and back into your busy everyday routine. Whether you're a grad student and teaching assistant like me or a multi-tasking mother of four, our busy Januarys all have one thing in common: this month can feel a whole lot less stressful when there are plenty of healthy snacks on hand!

That's why I decided to kick off 2018 with a round-up of some of my favorite secretly healthy snacks from around the blogosphere. As always, these healthy snack recipes are all gluten free. However, many of these gluten free snacks are also allergy friendly, vegan, paleo and/or packed with veggies. The best part? These gluten free snacks taste so good, you won't even remember that they're healthy!

So whether you need healthy school snack ideas, healthy snack ideas for adults or healthy snack ideas for work, this gluten free snack roundup has the perfect healthy snack recipe for you. Now, you just have to keep scrolling and see which of these 27 secretly healthy snack recipes you want to whip up first...

1. Taste the Rainbow Bliss Balls (Paleo, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free) - Casey the College Celiac 

If you're looking for healthy snacks that your kids will love, why not tempt them with this rainbow of healthy energy balls? These vegan energy balls are dyed naturally with fruits and superfood powders, plus you can easily personalize the ingredients to your family's preferences or dietary needs. And if you end up eating all of these healthy bliss balls instead...well, just make sure you double the recipe next time!

2. Kombucha Lemon Gummies (Paleo, Refined Sugar Free) - Raia's Recipes

These kombucha lemon gummies are the perfect gluten free snack if you're trying to sneak some extra nutrition into your diet. This healthy snack is not only full of kombucha (AKA, a probiotic powerhouse!) but also local honey and fresh ginger.

3. Homemade Granola with Quinoa Flakes (Vegan, Refined Sugar Free) - Gluten Free with Emily

You know that I'm a big fan of quinoa flakes, so how could I not include this gluten free granola recipe from Emily? This vegan granola uses quinoa flakes instead of oats, and it's loaded with other sweet treats like cocoa butter and fresh ginger.

4. Always Perfect Stovetop Popcorn (Vegan) - Happy Kitchen. Rocks

There might not be any more classic healthy snack than popcorn, especially when you pop your own on the stovetop and can ditch the butter for healthier alternatives like a little coconut oil. Whether you want a healthy sweet snack (like popcorn with maple and pecans) or a savory snack (like popcorn dusted with garlic and herbs), this easy popcorn recipe has you covered.

Like this post? Then tweet me some love by clicking here: "Want to eat a #healthier diet in 2018? Start with these 27 secretly #healthy snacks! All #glutenfree and delicious - plus many #vegan, #paleo, #lowcarb and #sugarfree options. Bring on the snack attacks! http://bit.ly/2lnj5Of"

5. Healthy Coconut Date Truffles (Raw, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free) - Melanie Cooks

Only four ingredients separate you from these healthy energy balls! If your favorite candy is a Mounds bar, you'll love this combination of dates, cacao powder and shredded coconut!

6. BBQ Roasted Chickpeas (Vegan) - Running In a Skirt 

If healthy sweet snacks aren't your thang, then you'll love this savory snack: BBQ roasted chickpeas! As a bonus, all you need for this gluten free recipe are chickpeas, coconut sugar, olive oil and various spices.

7. Fruity No Bake Energy Bars (Vegan) - Happy Foods Tube

Dried apricots, shredded coconut flakes and coconut oil give these homemade energy bars a tropical twist. As usual, be sure to use gluten free oats to make this a celiac-safe gluten free snack!

8. Antipasto Kebobs (Low Carb) - Peace, Love and Low Carb

These kabobs are easy to personalize and are packed with flavor thanks to a hearty mix of veggies (like tomatoes and olives), meats and cheese.

9. Super Clumpy Summer Squash Granola (Vegan, Refined Sugar Free) - Casey the College Celiac 

Craving a healthy sweet snack? Then look no further than my veggie-packed homemade granola recipe! This gluten free granola is super easy to make and even easier to eat. As long as you don't tell anyone about the "secret ingredient," your friends and family may not even realize that there is grated summer squash in this crunchy, chewy treat.

10. Homemade Gluten Free Gold Fish (Grain Free, Vegan, Allergy Friendly) - Strength and Sunshine 

I've shared Rebecca's allergy-friendly goldfish recipe here before, but it was impossible to not include this as a healthy school snack idea! Now, kids with food allergies or celiac disease can enjoy goldfish for an after-school snack just like everyone else.

11. Airfryer Yuca Fries with Creamy Curry Mustard Sauce - This Old Gal

I'll admit that yuca has yet to win me over, but these yuca fries look like the perfect healthy upgrade to french fries. As usual, if you make the creamy curry mustard sauce for dipping, make sure you use gluten free mustard, mayonnaise and spices.

12. Chocolate Date Bites (Vegan) - Food, Pleasure and Health 

If you want a healthy sweet snack with a big hit of chocolate, then these chocolate date energy balls are exactly what your taste buds need. Made with simple ingredients like dates, cocoa powder, almond flour and oats, these chocolate date bites can be whipped up as soon as a chocolate craving strikes.

13. Garlic Dill Baked Cucumber Chips (Vegan, Paleo) - Peace, Love and Low Carb

If you can't keep yourself from finishing a whole bag of garlic chips every Friday night, then these cucumber chips are your snacking soul mate.

14. Kid-Favorite Gluten Free Healthy Breakfast Donuts (Dairy Free) - Fearless Dining

Donuts as a healthy snack? Trust me - it's not as crazy as it sounds! These gluten free donuts are packed with healthy ingredients like almond flour, oats, shredded coconut, flax and chia seeds, and applesauce. Plus, they're baked. All of your donut dreams have finally come true!

Like this post? Then tweet me some love by clicking here: "Want to eat a #healthier diet in 2018? Start with these 27 secretly #healthy snacks! All #glutenfree and delicious - plus many #vegan, #paleo, #lowcarb and #sugarfree options. Bring on the snack attacks! http://bit.ly/2lnj5Of"

15. Healthy Chewy No Bake Granola Bars (Dairy Free) - Happy Kitchen. Rocks

If these gluten free snack bars taste even half as good as they look, addiction is nearly guaranteed...

16. Baked BBQ Zucchini Chips (Vegan) - A Few Shortcuts

Who knew that you could transform zucchini into a BBQ-flavored healthy snack with only a few spices and an oven?!?

17. Keto Low Carb Peanut Butter Protein Balls (Sugar Free) - Wholesome Yum

Love peanut butter? Need a homemade protein bar recipe or an easy protein rich snack? Then use your favorite gluten free protein powder to whip up these peanut butter protein balls.

 

18. Airfryer Chocolate Banana Bread (Paleo) - Recipe This

If an airfryer was one of your Christmas gifts, then this paleo chocolate banana bread recipe needs to land on your to-do list ASAP!

19. Seed Stuffed Pesto (Paleo, Vegan) - Casey the College Celiac

Dip some raw zucchini, squash, or carrots into this nut-free pesto, and you'll be amazed at how good veggies can really taste. This vegan pesto recipe is an easy healthy snack idea for work when packed with crackers or sliced vegetables, and you can use the leftover pesto on sandwiches or pizza.

20. The Best Paleo and Vegan Cookies Ever - Mollie Mason 

I can't confirm if these are indeed the best paleo and vegan cookies ever...but they do make one heck of a tasty snack. These gluten free chocolate chip cookies are also made a bit healthier than the traditional dessert by using almond and coconut flour, cashew butter, coconut oil and maple syrup.

21. Cilantro and Sweet Corn Mini Peppers (Dairy Free) - The Creative Bite

If you need a savory snack that's worthy of being a dinner party appetizer, these stuffed mini peppers are calling your name. To make this a celiac-safe gluten free snack, make sure to use real crab meat or a gluten free imitation crab option (since many imitation crab brands include wheat).

22. Crunchy Caramel Apple Energy Balls (Vegan) - Casey the College Celiac

Not ready to let go of fall flavors just yet? Then why not snack on some of these crunchy caramel apple energy balls? These vegan snacks are super easy to make, only call for a handful of simple ingredients and can be made ahead of time and kept in the freezer until you're ready to dig in.

Like this post? Then tweet me some love by clicking here: "Want to eat a #healthier diet in 2018? Start with these 27 secretly #healthy snacks! All #glutenfree and delicious - plus many #vegan, #paleo, #lowcarb and #sugarfree options. Bring on the snack attacks! http://bit.ly/2lnj5Of"

23. Dairy Free Paleo Inspired Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread - Recipe This 

Serve this paleo cream cheese spread with some gluten free crackers or raw veggies, and you have all the makings of one delicious healthy snack.

24. Out of This World Midnight Snack (Vegan Option) - Green Healthy Cooking

Need a healthy sweet snack that will meet your chocolate craving? Then add this dark chocolate treat to your meal plan for the week. The popped amaranth is my favorite part - gotta love that bit of crunch!

25. Healthy Oven Baked Zucchini Chips (Vegan, Paleo) - Wholesome Yum

You know that this gluten free college celiac is allll about zucchini, so these zucchini chips have to be one of the best healthy snacks out there!

26. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Pie Dip (Vegan, High Protein) - Healthy Helper 

You'll never guess the secret ingredient that makes this vegan snack so high in protein! (Hint: it starts with "t"...).

27. Secretly Healthy Sweet N' Salty Trail Mix (Vegan, Nut Free) - Casey the College Celiac

If you love crunchy healthy snacks as much as I do, my nut free trail mix recipe will become your 2018 addiction! This gluten free trail mix includes turmeric for an antioxidant boost and popcorn for an extra hit of salty, crunchy goodness!

For this college celiac, January marks the start of another semester of grad school and of teaching English 101. For you, January might mean going back to work, getting back into the practice of taking your kids from one extracurricular activity to the next, or maybe just sticking to your New Year's resolution of eating healthier in 2018.

Like this post? Then tweet me some love by clicking here: "Want to eat a #healthier diet in 2018? Start with these 27 secretly #healthy snacks! All #glutenfree and delicious - plus many #vegan, #paleo, #lowcarb and #sugarfree options. Bring on the snack attacks! http://bit.ly/2lnj5Of"

No matter what this month has in store for you, these healthy snack ideas can help fuel you through your best year yet! Now you just have to decide which healthy snack - from gluten free snack bars to vegan energy balls - you want to try first...

What's your favorite healthy snack? Tell me in the comments!