In this Article

1. The reasons to love Halloween

2. You need staples

   • Gooey Sea Salt Mummies

   • Candied popcorn balls

   • Monster mix

3. Halloween Candy for GF(ers)

4. Halloween is for everyone

The reasons to LOVE Halloween

I absolutely LOVE halloween. I love dressing up (still). I love decorating the house and our yard. I love seeing everyone's halloween lawn decor. I love the jovial feel in the air. I love seeing parents, kids and even teens trick or treaters roaming the streets at night, care free. I love that it's the kick off to sweet treats season (my favorite season!). Most of all I LOVE candy.

But being gluten free can be a bit of a halloween bummer (at least it was for me when I first had to make this dietary change). It seemed like I couldn't eat anything out of our halloween bowl for the trick or treaters! But I've learned a lot since then. I'm going to share it with y'all.

You need staples

Whether you're an GF adult, adult with a child who is GF, or a host, a person needs to feel a part of the night. There is nothing worse than seeing all the sweet treats everyone else can eat but you can't. Whether you're throwing a party or prepping for a night out with the kiddos; before the evening festivities begin there needs to be sweets that everyone can eat.

I personally would have my Gooey Sea Salt Mummies on hand. They're fun and available for anyone who loves chocolate and weird candy eyes! Needless to say they are totally gluten free.

But I would also have something else fun like a candied popcorn balls. All you need is popcorn, melted white chocolate (I use Enjoy Life which is dairy free and gluten free); natural "M&Ms" which I usually get from my local co-op; big broken gluten free Oreos; and broken heath bars. Stir together in a big bowl. Form into a balls. Put in the refrigerator to cool and set for about 1 hour.

A monster mix would be great too. Combine Rice Chex, natural "M&Ms, candy corns; small peanut butter cups; and Snyder's gluten free mini pretzels (broken). Either toss with a combination of butter, salt, garlic and onion powder and bake; or mix with a buttery brown sugar or maple glaze and bake. Mix in some gluten free candy eyes after it's cooled a bit.

Halloween candy for GF(ers)

I'm starting off this section by saying I have a severe gluten allergy, but I am still not celiac. So when it comes to purchasing food for myself, I don't have to be as strict as someone with a celiac diagnosis (although depending on the brand or restaurant I am still be very susceptible to reactions). Nonetheless, the Celiac Disease Foundation updated their Halloween Candy List in September and it's worth checking out. Some of the candies listed are my Halloween go to's as well...

1. Almond Joy

2. Dark Chocolate

3. Kisses

4. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

5. York Peppermint Patties

6. Hot Tamales

7. Mike & Ikes

8. Skittles

9. Starburst Chews

10. Smarties Candy Rolls

11. Junior Mints

Nonetheless, you should always still check the ingredients yourself and as well as do additional due diligence.

Once you know the landscape of availability; you, your guest, or your kiddo can feel right in the mix. What's better than having a large bowl of candy that you can say: "Have at it. It's gluten free!!"

Halloween for is everyone

It can really seem overwhelming if you're navigating the gluten free Halloween terrain for the first time or even the second time; or trying to be a gracious host to your gluten free guests. But it needn't be. All it takes is a little creativity and some planning to make sure everyone has the opportunity to eat so much sugar they'll feel sick by the time they go to bed. 🫢

😈 Happy Halloween!!!!