Today I get to share all the entries for this month’s Go Ahead Honey It’s Gluten Free event, When You’re Grain Free and Feeling Like a Nut, But Don’t Eat Tree Nuts or Peanuts, woohoo! That’s right. Grain-free nut-free peanut-free recipes. Ones that deliver all the crunch, chewiness, and even creaminess that we usually get from those ingredients.
Okay, being me, I was going to do “brief” write-ups for every post, and I started out doing that, but quickly abandoned that. They would have taken far too long for me to write and far too long for you to read as well. So today I’m following a much more simplified format with the contributor’s info, recipe title, and recipe photo. Let me just add a couple of quick notes beforehand. (Sorry, I really can’t help myself.)
Go Ahead Honey May–Grain-Free, Tree Nut-Free, and Peanut-Free Recipes
I chose the theme “When You’re Grain Free and Feeling Like a Nut, But Don’t Eat Tree Nuts or Peanuts” because tree nuts, tree nut flours, tree nut butters, as well as peanuts, peanut flour, and peanut butter often become the “go to” substitution ingredients when grain is out of one’s diet.
Those ingredients provide binding, nuttiness, chewiness, crunchiness, and more, but what do you do if you don’t eat those ingredients either? Well, all of this month’s contributors have some great ideas for you.
Sometimes a single ingredient does the job. Other times, several are used in conjunction to take the place of nuts and/or peanuts. I think you will love all these recipes. Some are super simple. Others are super creative. All appear to be very delicious recipes that those who are grain free, tree nut free, and peanut free can and will safely enjoy!
Finally, I want to note that some of these recipes include baking powder as an ingredient. Baking powder is rarely grain free. Gluten-free baking powder usually contains cornstarch. One company in the U.S. that offers a corn-free ready-made baking powder is Hain Pure Foods. Potato starch, versus cornstarch, is used in this formulation. (You can check out your baking powder’s ingredients via this chart graciously compiled by Jeanne of Art of Gluten-Free Baking.) However, many who are grain free also avoid potato. In that case, making your own baking powder substitution is the best option. Please read on.
Using a combination of cream of tartar and baking soda makes a great substitute for baking powder. While I’ve seen recipes using equal parts of each, the one I’ve relied on in the past calls for ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar and ¼ tsp of baking soda for every teaspoon of baking powder. That’s right; it’s not a one-for-one substitute. Less is needed of this mixture than of ready-made baking powder.
Don’t you love those simple ingredients? There are no worries about aluminum or other chemicals that are often added to ready-made baking powders. Not that those added ingredients do allow the baking powder to keep longer, however. Without them, you’ll want to add your substitute ingredients right at the time of mixing and baking, versus making a batch ahead and storing it. Bonus … this substitute is also known to be more frugal than ready-made baking powder! (In fact, I first learned about it in The Tightwad Gazette.)
The Recipes …
~ I (Shirley at gluten free easily) submitted Roasted Black Bean Sweet Potato Cakes.
~ Lillian of Lillian’s Test Kitchen submitted Orange Carrot Spice Muffins with Coconut Orange Buttercream Frosting. Lillian mostly tests others’ recipes on camera. This one actually comes from Ali Segersten and Tom Malterre (Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen and Nourishing Meals) and their Nourishing Meals: Healthy Gluten-Free Recipes for the Whole Family cookbook.
~ Megan of Allergy Free Alaska was up next with Protein Packed Monster Breakfast Cookies.
~ Then came Debi of Hunter’s Lyonesse with Creamy Coriander Dressing.
~ Dawn of Cuter Than Gluten (author of Culinary Creativity: Let Your Restrictions Set You Free) shared Grain-Free, Nut-Free Brownies. (Two presentations shown—one classic, one surprising and delightful!)
~ Vicky of Gluten Free SCD and Veggie created a Crunchy Cereal.
~ Right behind Vicky was Amber of The Tasty Alternative who submitted another cereal recipe, Raw Cinnamon Apple Cereal.
~ Tessa, the Domestic Diva, shared several recipes:
DIY No Peanut Chocolate Chip Lara Bars
Hail Merry Knockoff Raw Strawberry Macaroons
Chocolate Raspberry Crème Smoothie
~ Laurie, My Gluten-Free Girlfriend, shared all kinds of recipes:
Best Coconut Flour Chocolate Mug Cake Ever
Southern Style Buttermilk Biscuit for One
~ Alta of Tasty Eats At Home shared her Potato Biscuits.
~ Sunny of And Love It, Too! created Paleo/Autoimmune Granola.
Wow on all of these recipes, huh? Which one will you choose to make first?
Originally published June 4, 2013; updated October 22, 2022.
Linda says
What a great round up, Shirley. Thanks for hosting this month.
You know, I never thought about corn in baking powder. Well, I did years ago when I was having allergic reactions to corn, but not recently since going grain free. Of course, I’m not strictly grain free and I rarely eat anything that would have baking powder in it anyway, but it’s still something to think about.
Shirley says
Hi Linda–Thank you! And thanks so much for contributing you beautiful Nut-Free Date Bars! 🙂 I love the look and sound of those. 😉
I agree that most folks don’t think about baking powder, but like you say, it could be something to consider.
Shirley
Megan @ Allergy Free Alaska says
There are some wonderful recipes shared here – thank you so much for hosting, Shirley! 😉
xo,
M
Shirley says
Hi Megan–It was my pleasure for sure! 🙂 I so love your amazing Protein-Packed Monster Breakfast Cookies. Any time I can have cookies for breakfast, I am soooo game. 😉
xo,
Shirley
Amber says
Wow, wow, and wow, Shirley! I was really looking forward to seeing all these recipes. They are ALL fabulous. Thank you for all your hard work putting this post together. Love that baking powder tip too. 🙂
Have a great rest of your week.
–Am
Shirley says
Hi Amber–I appreciate your kind words and positive attitude, as well as your fantastic cereal recipe! 🙂 I think everyone has outdone themselves!
xo,
SHirley
[email protected] says
Love this! I have shared it all around, thanks so much for all your effort Shirley…you rock!
Shirley says
Hi Tessa–Thanks so much for contributing so many wonderful recipes and spreading the word on the complete roundup! 🙂 You are appreciated!
Shirley
Victoria says
I’m allergic to nuts AND coconuts! 🙁 This doesn’t help…
Shirley says
Hi Victoria–While I am sure that it must be very frustrating to be allergic to nuts and coconuts, frankly, your comment is very discouraging to all of us who have worked hard to help those who are grain free, tree nut free, and peanut free with this roundup. Did you actually look at every recipe in the roundup? I just took a look at all the recipes to see which ones include no coconut, which ones have a small amount of coconut in some form, and which ones are totally coconut dependent. Of 22 recipes, 5 of them are totally coconut free. That’s five recipes—free to readers as always—that are grain free, nut free, peanut free, and coconut free. Six of the recipes contain small amounts of coconut in various forms, such as “2 tbsp coconut oil, if needed,” “1/2 cup shredded coconut,” etc. In the latter recipes, other ingredients could be easily substituted. In the first example, if oil is needed, another oil or butter/ghee could be used. In the second example, additional seeds, mashed sweet potato, dried fruit, etc. might be a substitution option. I’m sorry, but I don’t buy that this roundup is not helpful.
Best of luck to you,
Shirley
Vicky says
This was such a great idea Shirley! It made me think outside the box and I thank you so much for that 🙂
There are some wonderful recipes here and I know they will be of such help to those who can’t eat nuts or who prefer to limit their intake of nuts while following a grain free or gluten free diet.
Have a great weekend xo
Shirley says
Thanks so much, Vicky! Positive feedback is always welcome! Thank you for being such a fine contributor not only to this roundup with your wonderful Crunchy Cereal recipe, but also for looking out for others with special dietary needs all the time. 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Susan says
wow — a true treasure chest of great recipes to choose from! Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to test and compile recipes and share!
Shirley says
Hi Susan–Thank so much for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment! I know everyone appreciates it. Hope you find some new favorites here! 🙂
Shirley
Kate @ Eat, Recycle, Repeat says
These all look so incredible and mouthwatering! I7m sad I missed the boat on your event. But I’ll be sure to sign up with Sunny! Thanks Shirley for always bring us wonderful recipes.
Shirley says
Kate–It’s hard to fit everything in sometimes, isn’t it? 😉 Glad you appreciate the roundup and will look forward to your recipe in Sunny’s roundup later this month. 🙂
Shirley
Ina Gawne says
Shirley – everything looks sooo delicious! Great round up of wonderful food…yummm!
Shirley says
Thanks, Ina! Coming from a creator of such delicious recipes, that is a great compliment! 🙂
Shirley
Naomi says
Yummy, yummy, yum! So many great ideas here! It’s important for those of us who can eat nuts to learn not to rely on them so much and for those who can’t eat them, what a lot of exciting recipes!
I see mug cakes are in this season – must get some mugs in the oven…
Thank you so much for hosting Shirley – an inspiring theme and fantastic turn out. We would expect nothing less from you x x x
Shirley says
Hey Naomi–Thanks so much for the super lovely comment, dear. I find that when we start thinking outside the box, we really get rolling with new and wonderful recipes! 😉
xoxo,
Shirley
Laurie says
Shirley Thanks for posting so many of our recipes in your roundup. Everyones submissions look amazing. I will be trying them all.
I have been making my own baking powder for so long that I didn’t even think to include Hain baking powder which is grain free or a homemade baking powder recipe in my posts. Thanks for being on top of things with that issue.
Shirley says
Hey Laurie–Thanks. It was a pleasure to include your recipes! They all look so wonderful! 🙂 Have fun trying the rest of the ones shared here. 😉 I love that you already make your own baking powder!
Shirley
Cassidy @ Cassidy's Craveable Creations says
Thanks for putting together such a great round-up and all the work involved! I can’t wait to try some of these recipes 🙂 next time I am hoping to participate!!!
Shirley says
Hi Cassidy–So glad you’ve enjoyed the roundup! Have fun trying these, dear! 🙂 Join in when the timing is right; it always works out. 😉
Shirley
Kim-Cook It Allergy Free says
Holy Moly! This is an awesome collection of recipes, my friend! I love all of the options here – some great ones to choose from for all of my nut-free folks! Great round-up, Shirley.
Totally pinning and sharing this one right now!
XO
k
Shirley says
Hi Kim–I know … everyone overdid themselves with all these recipes! 🙂 I appreciate you pinning and sharing!!!
xo,
Shilrey