Best Gluten-Free Snacks
August 18, 2021
Everything you need to plan a delicious, stress-free picnic with snacks everyone can enjoy.
There’s something special about packing a picnic on a warm day. Whether you’re heading to a local park, the beach, a country walk or an outdoor concert, sharing good food outdoors is one of the simplest ways to make the most of the British summer.
However, if you’re following a vegan or gluten-free diet or catering for friends and family who are, it can quickly become more complicated. Many supermarket picnic foods contain hidden animal ingredients, wheat or barley, while finding a good variety of tasty snacks often means visiting several different shops.
The good news is that creating a delicious vegan and gluten-free picnic doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little planning and the right selection of snacks, you can enjoy a picnic that’s full of flavour, variety and convenience.
More people across the UK are choosing plant-based foods, reducing gluten or simply looking for healthier snack options than ever before. Whether it’s for medical reasons such as coeliac disease, personal preference or a desire to eat more plant-based meals, picnics are becoming far more inclusive.
According to the NHS, a well-planned vegan diet can provide all the nutrients your body needs when it includes a varied selection of foods.
If you’re avoiding gluten because of coeliac disease, it’s essential to choose foods that are genuinely gluten-free rather than simply lower in gluten.
More information is available from Coeliac UK:
https://www.coeliac.org.uk
The best picnic isn’t about taking lots of food; it’s about taking the right variety.
Aim for a balanced selection that includes:
A mixture of different textures and flavours keeps everyone interested and means there’s something for every appetite.
One of the biggest challenges is finding snacks that genuinely meet both dietary requirements while still tasting great. Fortunately, there are now plenty of excellent UK options.
Some favourites include:
Rare Lightly Sea Salt: A light wholegrain popcorn that’s perfect for sharing and easy to pack.
Eat Real Lentil Chips: Available in several flavours, these provide a satisfying crunch and are a picnic favourite.
Love Corn: Crunchy roasted corn snacks that travel well and don’t melt in warm weather.
Creative Nature Snack Bars: Known for their allergy-friendly recipes and great flavour combinations.
TREK Protein Flapjacks: A filling option when you’re planning a longer day outdoors.
Candy Kittens Vegan Sweets: Great if you’re looking for a sweet treat that’s suitable for vegans.
Moo Free Chocolate: One of the UK’s most popular dairy-free chocolate brands.
Metcalfe’s Popcorn: Light, tasty and available in several flavours.
Many of these brands regularly feature in carefully curated snack selections, saving you the time of searching supermarket shelves individually.
Packaged snacks work brilliantly alongside fresh foods.
Some excellent picnic additions include:
The NHS recommends eating a variety of fruit and vegetables as part of a balanced diet, making these easy additions a great way to add freshness and colour to your picnic.
If you’re planning a long walk or spending the whole afternoon outdoors, protein-rich snacks can help keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Some good options include:
Combining protein with fresh fruit provides steady energy throughout the day.
No one wants warm chocolate or soggy sandwiches.
A few simple tips make all the difference:
Small preparation steps help your picnic stay fresher for longer, especially during warmer weather.
One of the biggest frustrations when planning a picnic is shopping for suitable snacks.
You might visit several supermarkets only to find limited vegan options, separate gluten-free aisles and products that quickly add up in cost.
That’s why many people now prefer choosing a carefully curated snack box instead.
Rather than spending time comparing labels and searching different stores, a professionally selected collection gives you a wide variety of trusted brands delivered directly to your door.
At Snack Packs, our Vegan Snack Boxes and Gluten-Free Snack Boxes are designed to make healthy snacking simple. They’re packed with a mix of sweet and savoury favourites from well-known brands, making them ideal not only for picnics, but also for work, travel, family days out and thoughtful gifts.
Explore our collections:
Instead of spending hours shopping, you can focus on planning your day out knowing the snacks are already taken care of.
Even the best planned picnic can be spoiled by a few simple oversights. Keeping these in mind will help ensure everyone enjoys the day.
Forgetting to Check Labels
Not every product labelled “plant-based” is gluten-free, and not every gluten-free snack is vegan. Ingredients and recipes can also change over time, so always check the packaging before buying, especially if you’re catering for someone with coeliac disease or food allergies.
Packing Too Much Fresh Food
Fresh fruit, salads and dips are delicious, but they have a shorter shelf life outdoors. Balance fresh items with packaged snacks that don’t require refrigeration, such as popcorn, lentil chips, protein bars and roasted corn.
Choosing Snacks That Melt Easily
Chocolate-covered treats can quickly become messy on a hot summer’s day. If the weather is particularly warm, choose snacks like popcorn, pretzels, olives or roasted chickpeas, and keep any chocolate in an insulated cool bag until you’re ready to enjoy it.
Forgetting Drinks
Hydration is just as important as food. Water is always the best option, but sparkling water, sugar-free soft drinks or homemade fruit-infused water can make your picnic feel a little more special.
What are the best vegan snacks for a picnic?
Some of the most popular vegan picnic snacks available in the UK include Propercorn popcorn, Eat Real Lentil Chips, Corn Nuts, TREK Protein Bars, Candy Kittens, Moo Free Chocolate and fresh fruit. Choosing a variety of sweet and savoury snacks ensures there’s something for everyone.
Can a picnic be both vegan and gluten-free?
Yes. There are now plenty of foods that are naturally suitable for both diets, including fresh fruit, vegetables, olives, popcorn, lentil chips, roasted chickpeas and many specially produced snack bars. Always check the packaging if you’re catering for someone with coeliac disease.
What should I avoid if someone has coeliac disease?
Avoid foods containing wheat, barley and rye, along with products that may not be certified gluten-free. Cross-contamination is also important, so keep gluten-free foods separate from foods containing gluten where possible.
For more information, visit:
https://www.coeliac.org.uk
What are some healthy picnic snacks?
Healthy picnic snacks include fresh fruit, vegetable sticks with houmous, popcorn, roasted chickpeas, gluten-free oat biscuits, protein bars, olives and wholegrain-based snacks. A varied selection provides a good balance of fibre, protein and healthy fats.
The NHS also recommends choosing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables as part of a balanced diet:
How do I keep picnic food fresh?
Use an insulated cool bag with ice packs, keep food out of direct sunlight, and avoid leaving perishable foods unrefrigerated for long periods. Packing reusable containers also helps prevent food from becoming crushed.
What’s the easiest way to buy vegan and gluten-free snacks?
Many people find that buying a curated snack box from Snack Packs is the simplest option. Instead of visiting multiple supermarkets and checking dozens of ingredient labels, a carefully selected snack box provides a ready-made variety delivered directly to your home or workplace.
Are vegan and gluten-free snacks suitable for children?
Many are, although it’s always important to check age recommendations and allergy information. Fresh fruit, popcorn (where age appropriate), lentil chips, oat biscuits and dairy-free chocolate are all popular family-friendly choices.
Can I order vegan and gluten-free snacks online in the UK?
Yes. Ordering online is often the most convenient way to discover new snacks and enjoy a greater variety than many supermarkets stock. It also saves time when you’re planning a picnic, holiday or day out.
A great picnic isn’t about preparing complicated recipes or carrying dozens of containers; it’s about spending quality time outdoors with food everyone can enjoy.
By combining fresh fruit and vegetables with a carefully chosen selection of vegan and gluten-free snacks, you can create a picnic that’s colourful, satisfying and suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences.
If you’re short on time or simply want to skip the hassle of visiting multiple shops, a curated snack box can make planning even easier. At Snack Packs, we carefully select a variety of premium vegan and gluten-free snacks from trusted brands, delivering them straight to your door so you’re ready for your next picnic, family day out, road trip or lunch on the go.
Explore our full range of healthy snack boxes at:
Whether you’re planning a picnic in the park, a beach day with friends or a relaxing afternoon in the countryside, having the right snacks on hand means you can spend less time shopping and more time enjoying the moment.
