11 Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Recipes to Make for Your Friends With Dietary Restrictions
Friends with dietary restrictions can enjoy delicious meals too. This post shares 11 gluten-free and dairy-free recipes. Each dish uses simple ingredients.
You will find clear instructions for every recipe. These meals bring flavor and fun to the table. Everyone can eat happily without worry. Read on for tasty ideas that work for all.

1. Almond Flour Pancakes
About: Almond flour pancakes offer a fluffy, light breakfast. This recipe swaps wheat flour for almond flour. It skips dairy with plant-based milk. Friends love the nutty taste. You can add berries or syrup. It cooks fast and fills you up. Perfect for a cozy morning meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Coconut oil (for cooking)
Instructions:
- Mix almond flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Whisk eggs, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla in another bowl.
- Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients. Stir until smooth.
- Heat coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Pour 1/4 cup batter into the skillet.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form.
- Flip pancake and cook for 1-2 minutes more.
- Repeat with remaining batter.
- Serve warm with toppings like berries or syrup.
2. Coconut Curry Chicken
About: Coconut curry chicken brings bold flavors to dinner. This dish uses coconut milk instead of dairy. It skips gluten with rice as a side. Spices warm up the tender chicken. Friends enjoy the creamy sauce. It cooks in one pot for easy cleanup. A hit for any night.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breast (cubed)
- 1 can coconut milk (13.5 oz)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic, curry powder, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add chicken cubes and cook for 5 minutes until browned.
- Pour in coconut milk. Stir well.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer for 15 minutes until chicken cooks through.
- Serve hot over cooked rice.
3. Quinoa Veggie Stir-Fry
About: Quinoa veggie stir-fry packs nutrition and taste. This recipe uses quinoa instead of grains with gluten. It skips dairy for a light meal. Colorful veggies add crunch. Soy sauce brings savory flavor. Friends love the quick prep. It works for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa (dry)
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 zucchini (sliced)
- 1 carrot (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
Instructions:
- Rinse quinoa under cold water.
- Boil 2 cups water in a pot. Add quinoa.
- Cook quinoa for 15 minutes until water absorbs. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add bell pepper, zucchini, and carrot. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and soy sauce. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add cooked quinoa to the skillet. Mix well.
- Cook for 2 minutes more.
- Serve hot.
4. Chocolate Avocado Mousse
About: Chocolate avocado mousse satisfies sweet cravings. This dessert uses avocado instead of dairy. Cocoa powder adds rich flavor. It skips gluten naturally. Friends enjoy the creamy texture. You need just a blender. Ready in minutes for a fun treat.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Scoop avocado flesh into a blender.
- Add cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust sweetness with more syrup if needed.
- Spoon mousse into bowls.
- Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Serve cold.
5. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
About: Baked sweet potato fries deliver crispy goodness. This recipe uses sweet potatoes for natural sweetness. It skips gluten and dairy. Olive oil keeps them light. Friends love the simple seasoning. You bake them fast. Great as a snack or side.
Ingredients:
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Peel sweet potatoes and cut into thin strips.
- Toss strips with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Spread fries on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
- Flip fries halfway through cooking.
- Serve hot.
6. Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken
About: Lemon garlic roasted chicken bursts with flavor. This dish skips gluten and dairy. Fresh lemon and garlic season the meat. It roasts tender and juicy. Friends enjoy the bright taste. You need one pan. Perfect for a hearty meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon (juiced and zested)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place chicken thighs in a baking dish.
- Mix olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Pour mixture over chicken. Rub it in.
- Roast for 35-40 minutes until chicken cooks through.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve hot with lemon slices.
7. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
About: Zucchini noodles with pesto offer a fresh twist. This recipe uses zucchini instead of wheat pasta. It skips dairy with nut-based pesto. Friends love the light feel. You spiralize and toss. Ready fast for a fun meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 large zucchinis
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions:
- Spiralize zucchinis into noodles. Set aside.
- Blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, and salt in a food processor.
- Add olive oil slowly while blending until smooth.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Toss noodles with pesto in the skillet.
- Cook for 1 minute more.
- Serve warm.
8. Berry Chia Pudding
About: Berry chia pudding makes a sweet, easy snack. This recipe uses chia seeds and coconut milk. It skips gluten and dairy. Berries add juicy flavor. Friends enjoy the chewy texture. You mix and chill. Great for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
Instructions:
- Mix chia seeds, coconut milk, and maple syrup in a bowl.
- Stir well to combine.
- Let mixture sit for 5 minutes. Stir again.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for 2 hours.
- Check pudding thickens.
- Top with berries before serving.
- Serve cold.
9. Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies
About: Gluten-free oatmeal cookies bring chewy joy. This recipe uses oats and almond flour. It skips dairy with coconut oil. Cinnamon adds warmth. Friends love the hearty bite. You bake them quick. Perfect for a sweet treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup gluten-free oats
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix oats, almond flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Stir in melted coconut oil and maple syrup.
- Form dough into small balls.
- Place balls on a baking sheet. Flatten slightly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden.
- Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes.
- Serve warm or store.
10. Spicy Black Bean Soup
About: Spicy black bean soup warms the soul. This recipe uses beans and spices. It skips gluten and dairy. Veggies add depth. Friends enjoy the kick. You simmer it fast. Great for a cozy night in.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans black beans (15 oz each, drained)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add black beans and vegetable broth.
- Bring soup to a boil.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Blend half the soup for thickness. Return to pot.
- Season with salt. Serve hot.
11. Banana Nice Cream
About: Banana nice cream cools you down. This recipe uses frozen bananas. It skips dairy and gluten. You blend it smooth. Friends love the creamy feel. Add nuts or fruit for fun. Ready in minutes for a sweet escape.
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas (peeled, frozen)
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Place frozen bananas in a blender.
- Add almond milk and vanilla.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Stop and scrape sides if needed.
- Check texture. Add more almond milk if too thick.
- Scoop into bowls.
- Serve immediately with toppings like nuts.

Hi, I’m Liza Jensen, your culinary companion here at Recipe by Liza. 🍳🥗Cooking has always been my passion—I find joy in every whisk, every sizzle, and every aromatic spice. As a home cook and recipe developer, I’ve explored flavors from around the world, creating dishes that warm hearts and tantalize taste buds.Join me on this flavorful journey! Let’s swap kitchen stories, share tips, and celebrate the magic of food together.