13 Fresh Snack and Lunch Ideas for the New Year Using Gluten-Free Sourdough Rolls

By Dru Rosales, MS, RD, LD 

 

As we head into the New Year, it’s a good time to revisit our kids’ eating habits and get back on track with meal and snack schedules after the holiday season. If your kids are anything like mine, they struggle with their celiac diagnosis and the need to pack their own lunches and snacks for school and most events. As a dietitian mom, I am also always on the hunt for new ideas that are healthful, too! Since discovering Bread SRSLY’s gluten-free sourdough rolls, I have had a ton of fun coming up with new snack and lunch ideas for the New Year.

My general tip for planning snacks is to always include at least 2 different food groups. When planning with gluten-free sourdough rolls, we have our carbohydrate covered, so I recommend paring them with a protein or a dietary fat to help with satiety. The goal is to curb hunger for about 1-2 hours until the next meal. Serving sizes will vary based on the age and activity level of your child(ren).

Snack Ideas Using Gluten-Free Sourdough Rolls

*Note that I always love to pre-toast my gluten-free sourdough rolls before eating for a crispier texture. Toasting your sourdough makes it easier to spread toppings and also enhances that wonderful sourdough smell!

Banana Nut Butter Bites: Slice gluten-free sourdough rolls in half and spread a dollop of nut butter on each half. Top each with a slice of banana and sprinkle of cinnamon. Pair with a glass of milk for a balanced snack.

Cream Cheese Berry Bites: Slice your rolls in half and spread your favorite cream cheese on each side – my kiddos love a whipped berry cream cheese. Top with sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or blackberries. Pair with a handful of nuts for added protein.

Caprese Bites: Top each slice of your roll with a thick slice of fresh mozzarella, a slice of tomato, and a fresh basil leaf. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the top and enjoy!

Avocado Bites: Simply top your gluten-free sourdough rolls with avocado slices for a filling snack. You can sprinkle a little salt and pepper, or even a dab of sugar if you have a sweet tooth, for added flavor. Pair with a fruit for a balanced snack.

PB&J Bites: Making mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on gluten-free sourdough dinner rolls is so fun! They are perfect for birthday party or tea party snacks! A cold glass of milk makes for a great side.

Cucumber and Cream Cheese Bites: If you want to add a fun, fancy option, you can top your sourdough rolls with a dollop of cream cheese and mini cucumber slices. These also make for great party snacks.

Sourdough Dippers: Slice your gluten-free sourdough rolls into strips after toasting whole. Dip the slices into flavored yogurt or your favorite hazelnut butter spread for a sweet, but nutritious, treat!

When it comes to planning lunches, these should focus on including carbohydrates, protein, dietary fat, and a fruit or vegetable. This combination of foods ensures that your child will be satisfied for 3-4 hours, or until their next meal or snack time. Again, you may need to adjust serving sizes based on the age and/or activity level of your child(ren).

Lunch Ideas Using Gluten-Free Sourdough Rolls

Pizza Rolls: Slice your gluten-free sourdough roll and spread with pizza sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella and your favorite pizza toppings. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 450oF for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Pair with a side salad or fruit to complete the meal.

Turkey and Hummus Sandwich: Slice your roll in half and cover each half with hummus – we love to use roasted red pepper hummus here. Add turkey, and lettuce and tomatoes if you’d like, and complete your sandwich. Pair with cucumber slices and baby carrots, and/or a fruit.

Bento Box Lunch: Throw in a gluten-free sourdough roll, sliced salami, cheddar cheese cubes, and grapes for a colorful lunch. Add a milk box or yogurt to finish your bento box lunch.

Apple Nut Butter Crunch: When your kids tire of PB&J, try this twist on the classic sandwich. Slice your sourdough roll and top with your favorite nut butter. Remove the stem from an apple and slice in half across the diameter. From there, cut a few thin slices to place on top of the nut butter. Sprinkle gluten-free granola, cinnamon, and/or honey on each half, or put the two halves back together to enjoy as a sandwich. Adding yogurt as a side boosts the protein and also adds calcium.

Pesto Turkey Melt: Slice the gluten-free sourdough roll in half and spread a little of your favorite pesto sauce on each. Add a slice of mozzarella cheese and turkey to one side and top with the other half of the roll. Pop in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted. Add some orange slices for a sweet finish to the meal.

BLTA: I have one kiddo that LOVES avocado so I like to find new ways to include it in her meals. The BLT (or bacon, lettuce, and tomato) is a classic, but definitely gets kicked up a notch when you add avocado and make it on delicious gluten-free sourdough rolls. You can sprinkle salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, olive oil, and vinegar if your kids are on the adventurous side. Add yogurt or a milk box for additional protein and calcium. 

Gluten-free sourdough rolls offer such a fun and tasty base to get creative with new lunch and snack ideas. It’s an added bonus that sourdough provides such a dense nutrition profile! Replacing traditional gluten-free bread or crackers with gluten-free sourdough rolls provides probiotics, which are great for a healthy digestive system. Many kids with Celiac Disease struggle with digestive issues, so this is a great way to increase good bacteria in the gut. You can read more about the benefits of gluten-free sourdough here.  

Don’t forget to include your kids in the kitchen as you prep these yummy new foods. They are always more inclined to try new things when they help make them! 

For more gluten-free resources from Dru, visit her website or give her a follow on socials (Instagram / Facebook).