Finding snacks for kids with allergies used to be quite the challenge. But these days, there are whole shelves of products that everyone can enjoy. We did our research and found seven nut (and other common allergens)-free goodies you probably haven’t tried yet. From cheddar snacks to sweet-tasting chewy bars, keep reading to see them all.
1. Partake Mini Cookies
These cookies from new company Partake come in three flavors: a yummy (and slightly spiced) carrot oat, sweet potato millet and a wholesome sprouted grain chocolate chip. Thought up by a mom who struggled to find a tasty, allergen-free snack for her own kiddo, each box of cookies is filled with veggies, fruits, and grains, and is free of top allergens, including tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, wheat and more. Gluten free and Non-GMO Project verified, there’s nothing but goodness left in these sweet snacks.
Available at partakefoods.com, $14.97 for three boxes.
2. Enjoy Life Baked Chewy Bars (New Flavors)
Enjoy Life is one of the most trustworthy brands for families with allergies and dietary sensitivities. Good news because their fan-favorite Baked Chewy Bars now come in three new flavors: Carrot Cake, Caramel Blondie and (our fave) Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed. They are milk free, nut free, gluten free and soy free—in fact, all of Enjoy Life’s products are free of wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish and shellfish and are made without casein, potato, sesame, and sulfites. Our editor’s six-year-old son loved the Carrot Cake and the Caramel Blondie, but she insists the Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed are where it’s at. Try them all and you decide.
Available at enjoylifefoods.com/Chewy-Bars, $4.99 per box.
3. Good Health Veggie Pretzels
If you figure all pretzel sticks are created equal, we urge you to try Good Health’s new Veggie Pretzels. Not only are they yummy, they have lots of veggie power including broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets, spinach and more. Our editor road-tested these on a playdate with some seriously picky eaters and swears by these. If that doesn’t impress you, how about these figures? Each serving has 25% of daily Vitamin A, 20% of daily Vitamin B6 (that’s the equivalent of 7 cups of spinach) and 20% of daily Vitamin K—that’s all in just four pretzel sticks. They’re also made in a peanut and tree nut-free facility, with no artificial colors, no hydrogenated oils, and no trans fat!
Available at amazon.com, $13.95 for two 8oz. bags.4. Somersault Seed Bites
Made from seeds instead of nuts (wheat and sesame seeds are included ingredients, so these aren’t for kids with severe allergies), these bites from Somersault pack a crunchy, slightly salty protein punch, and are also a good source of vitamin E and fiber. You can opt to keep snack time simple with sea salt or make it a sweet treat with the cinnamon or Dutch cocoa flavors (each serving has less than three grams of sugar!). And the best part? The tiny bite-sized pieces can easily fit into your kid’s new favorite bento box.
Available at amazon.com, $12.95 for a six-pack.
5. COYO Coconut Yogurt
Made with nature’s superfood—coconut—this non-dairy, gluten-free, egg-free, vegan yogurt is also produced in a custom facility (coconuts are considered a fruit, and are not processed on-site), which means there’s no chance of wheat, nut or dairy cross contamination. It’ got a silky smooth texture, has a rich flavor and comes in yummy flavors like mixed berry, mango, and chocolate—all without any added sugar. COYO coconut yogurt is also filled with gut-healthy probiotics, and we especially love the small containers that you can toss into a lunchbox or bag for a midday sweet treat.
Available at Whole Foods, Sprouts and specialty markets across the country. You can find the nearest location by clicking here. $3.69 for 5.3 oz.
6. Good Health Eat Your Vegetables Sea Salt Chips
Okay, we’re just gonna say it: you are probably going to eat a lot of these yourself so buy two bags. That way, when the kids beg for more in their lunch or afterschool you don’t have to guiltily look away. Not only do they taste insanely good, they have eight veggies, including many your child may otherwise refuse to eat (carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, broccoli, beets, tomatoes and shiitake mushrooms). The company uses “good manufacturing practices to segregate ingredients” but the facility does process soy, wheat and dairy so severe allergies should probably avoid this one. They are non-GMO, and gluten and trans-fat free.
Available at amazon.com, $11.95 for two 4oz. bags.
7. Snikiddy Cheddar Cheese Fries
These little crispers aren’t exactly packed with vitamins, but it’s what they don’t have that might sway you. They are gluten and wheat free, contain no MSG or cholesterol, are vegetarian (contains dairy) and are made with organic corn and sunflower oil. They are also kosher and made in a facility that does not manufacture peanuts or tree nuts. In short, if you are thinking about going for french fries or potato chips, go for these instead. They are better for you, and they taste better, too! We also love Snikiddy’s Grilled Cheese Puffs.
Available at target.com, $2.49.
Will you try any of these nut-free snacks this school year? Share with us in a Comment below.
— Gabby Cullen & Amber Guetebier
