This gluten and dairy-free snack board, also known as a charcuterie board, is perfect for entertaining as an appetizer for dinner or an impromptu get-together. Enjoy this snack board made with all gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients.

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When it comes to hosting gatherings or impromptu dinner get-togethers, what could be more inviting than a snack board?

When you’re eating a gluten and dairy-free diet, snack boards often feel off-limits, because many traditional ones are full of cheese and gluten-filled crackers. 

I set out to make a snack board last Christmas when I was asked to bring an appetizer, and even though I added cheese and normal crackers for others, I realized just how easy it is to make a gluten and dairy-free snack board just by adjusting the ingredients slightly.

Ever since that Christmas dinner, I’ve been making snack boards as dinner when no one in my family is feeling too hungry, but snacks sound great. In the summer, this was one of our go-to meals, even though it’s really meant to be an appetizer tray.

I even make up mini individual snack boards just for myself as lunches once in a while. It’s a fun way to bring a lot of seemingly unrelated ingredients together to make a beautiful spread.

What I love about snack boards – gluten and dairy-free or not – is that there’s something for everyone. You can pick and choose what you eat, and you definitely don’t have to try everything.

Enjoy salami and pepperoni? Don’t love dried fruit or nuts? You can grab little nibbles of what you like – and everyone else can do the same. 

It’s really one of the most versatile appetizer ideas, because it’s truly easy to please everyone! And yeah, if you’re headed to an event and you want to bring a snack board, you could just as easily slap a block of cheddar cheese on it, and appease that one person who can’t live without cheese.

Read on: Is cheese gluten-free?

The components of a gluten-free dairy-free snack board

You can really get as creative or basic as you want with your snack board. These are some of the ingredients that I try to add to many of my own snack boards when I create them.

Gluten-free salami, pepperoni, or other meat

One of my favorite things about a snack board is the meat. Usually on a snack board, you’d find something salty, like salami, pepperoni, or other cured meat.

These are all great options, along with simple deli meat if that’s what you have on hand. Be sure to do some research or look at the ingredients list before buying to ensure they truly are gluten-free. Sometimes gluten hides in processed meat products.

Fresh fruit and veggies

I like my snack boards to be a mix of salty and fresh. That’s where fresh fruits and veggies come in. Grab some celery and carrots, and cut them into sticks.

Toss on some fresh button mushrooms. Cucumbers, radishes, broccoli, and red pepper slices all make great additions to a gluten-free dairy-free snack board too.

Add some fresh fruit like big clumps of grapes, strawberries, blueberries, apple or pear slices, or whatever other fruit is in season when you’re making your snack board.

There’s truly no way to go wrong with fresh fruit or veggies.

Gluten-free crackers

In a traditional cheese board, you’d be likely to find cheese and crackers. Well in this gluten-free dairy-free snack board, we’re omitting the cheese entirely (who really needs cheese?), and swapping the normal crackers for gluten-free ones. 

There are so many gluten-free cracker options available, so just be on the lookout for what’s available near you at the grocery store. Always read ingredient lists and double check there is no hidden gluten or hidden dairy that might surprise you later.

My favorite cracker brands are Mary’s Gone Crackers, Simple Mills crackers, and Edward & Sons rice crackers.

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For a huge list of gluten-free crackers and brands, don’t miss this post: The Best Gluten-free Crackers

Dips

Hummus, olive tapenade, and other bean based dips are great options for your gluten and dairy-free snack board. I even found a red pepper and eggplant spread at Trader Joe’s that was perfect for a snack board one time. 

While most store-bought hummus doesn’t contain gluten, it never hurts to check ingredient lists to do your due diligence. You can easily make both hummus or your your own dips at home with a few ingredients and a food processor.

Read on: Is hummus gluten-free?

Nuts

In smaller quantities, you can add some nuts to your snack board. I like to sprinkle these throughout the snack board as something a little more filling and hearty to offset the fresh fruits and veggies. Choose whatever your favorite nuts are to add to your snack board.

I like adding a few handfuls of cashews, pecans, almonds, or walnuts. Go with roasted, raw, or seasoned, like these pumpkin spiced nuts or smoked almonds.

Or try some of these sweet and savory chocolate almonds for a sweet twist.

Dried fruit

Dried fruit is a fun addition to your snack board if you don’t have much fresh fruit on hand. Whole fruits like dried apricots, figs, and plums are nice, because they’re larger in size.

Smaller dried fruits are nice when you want to fill in smaller spaces on your board, like raisins or dried cranberries. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong!

Olives

I love to add olives to my snack boards, and since I often keep different types of olives on hand in my pantry, I’m always ready for a delicious snack board.

Black, kalamata, and even green olives are a delicious addition to your gluten-free dairy-free snack board, and the salty bite plays nicely against fresh veggies.

Fresh herbs for garnish

A completely optional component to your gluten-free dairy-free snack board are fresh herbs for garnish. In the fall and winter, I like to add some sprigs of rosemary.

In the spring and summer, I like to add some parsley. Whatever you have on hand, you can add!

Really, you’re not going to be eating these herbs on the snack board, but the greenery pops and sure can make everything look a little prettier.

What to serve your gluten-free dairy-free snack board on

When it comes to serving your gluten-free dairy-free snack board, you can go any which way you want. When I’m at home, I often pile these different ingredients up on my cutting board and let everyone come graze as they pass by.

Last year for Christmas when I brought a snack board to a family gathering, I put everything in a roasting pan, because I needed the sides to keep everything in place while I was transporting it there.

The thing about snack boards is that the idea is that it’s casual. Even if things look fancy when all put together, because it looks like everything has a place, you and I both know it’s not about expert precision on where things go.

It’s just about putting things on the board, and filling in the spaces to make it look pretty and complete.

Choose from cutting boards to a plate or platter to a roasting pan if you’re traveling. Pizza stones or pans or baking sheets work just as well. Get as creative or simple as you’d like! 

I also like having a few small dishes and ramekins for some hummus and dips on hand. That way I can place my dips on the board, then fill in around them, since they take up the most space.

For the most part, all the other ingredients can be arranged around these somewhat harder lines.

Bringing your gluten-free dairy-free snack board all together

There’s truly no right or wrong way to build your snack board. You can plop all the ingredients you’ve chosen for your snack board onto a cutting board and call it good.

Or you can be a little more thoughtful when placing things on your gluten-free dairy-free snack board.

Just to give you an idea, here’s how I put my gluten-free dairy-free snack board together:

1. Choose a serving dish. I usually grab a cutting board because it’s quick and easy.
2. Place the ramekins with dips on the board first. Depending on how many I’m using, I try to make them evenly distributed on the board.
3. Fill in the gluten-free meats and crackers around the ramekins.
4. Next, add the fresh fruits and veggies in the open spaces.
5. Finish everything off with a few nuts, dried fruits, or olives.
6. Add a couple fresh herbs as garnish.
7. Enjoy!

Make a charcuterie board for every holiday

You might even decide to make your snack board themed for a special occasion. Here are a few ideas on how to make your snack board super fun and festive:

• Use all red and pink foods for Valentine’s Day: beet hummus, red pepper sticks, strawberries, pepperoni, red candies, etc.
• Use all green food for St. Patrick’s Day: kiwifruit, green grapes, green pepper sticks, pistachios, herbs, celery, etc.
• Use red, white, and blue foods for the 4th of July or Labor Day: berries, bananas, pear slices, gluten-free toast, cashews, blue tortilla chips, etc.
• Use fall colored foods for Thanksgiving: salami, ham, oranges, figs, grapes, pecans, walnuts, apples, etc.
• Use red and green foods for Christmas: pepperoni, apples, cucumbers, grapes, green olives, kiwifruit, tomatoes, dairy-free pesto, fresh herbs mixed into your hummus, etc.

I hope that if you’ve been thinking about what to serve as a gluten-free dairy-free appetizer that this gluten-free dairy-free snack board has been inspiring to you!

Pick a few ingredients, arrange them on a board, and wow your friends! Remember, the key is choosing ingredients that work for your gluten and dairy-free diet! When you do that, you’ll have an amazing and delicious snack board that not only tastes good, but will impress anyone who gets to enjoy it!

Find more gluten -free appetizers that are also dairy-free here.

Love this post? Check out some of my other great Christmas and Holiday posts!

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