Food Allergy-Friendly Parties

Food Allergy-Friendly parties that are easy, safe and SO delicious!

Warmer days of Spring and Summer are here. And with that, comes BBQ’s, picnics, Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Day! Because this time of year has so many opportunities to get together with family and friends, it is a really good time to have a Food Allergy-Friendly parties plan on hand. As always, make substitutions based on your specific food allergies.

And these 15 cocktails are perfect for food allergy friendly parties and get-togethers!

Food Allergy Friendly Parties, Get-togethers, Easter

So yummy and easy to make safe, Food Allergy-Friendly party food. For parties or get-togethers, here are a few meal plan ideas:

Easter

Appetizers – Baby Carrots, Cucumber slices, Sliced Red Peppers with Dip, Spinach-Artichoke Dip with GF crackers, Baguette

Main course – Roast Leg of Lamb or Roast Chicken over Fingerling Potatoes and Baby Carrots that are tossed in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, salt, pepper and fresh herbs like Parsley or Mint

Side Dishes – Sauteed Green & Yellow Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes or a fresh Garden Salad with homemade Italian Dressing (EVOO, Balsamic Vinegar, Fresh Herbs, Salt & Pepper)

Dessert – Sorbet, Fresh Fruit Kabobs, @EnjoyLife Cookies, Candies & Desserts

Allergy-Friendly Meal Plans – Parties/BBQ’s/Father’s Day/Labor Day

Ready to have a delicious, fun and Allergy-Friendly Party? Here are some more Menu Plans. Also fantastic for BBQ’s and Father’s Day get-togethers!

Parties

Appetizers – Sliced peppers, carrots, cucumbers in their own cups – can add dip, Fruit Kabobs, GF/Allergy-Friendly Crackers with Cheeses/Dairy-Free Cheese, Melon with Prosciutto ham, Salami & Prosciutto, See: Charcuterie Boards

Main Course – BBQ Chicken, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers or Veggie Kabobs – Definitely FUN foods!

Side Dishes – Baked French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries or Carrot Fries, Homemade Veggie (or Meat) Nachos

Dessert – Ice Cream Pops (we like Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Pops), could make a Fruit Crumble – use any fruits you like and are safe, add a Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-free Crumble, Buy individual cupcakes in their own jars: Mo’Pweeze Cupcakes or Divvies Allergy-Friendly Cookies

Mother’s Day Brunch, Food-Allergy Friendly

Isn’t Brunch just the absolute #yummiest meal?! See cocktail recipes above. I sincerely hope my family is reading this! 🙂

Mothers spend the whole year looking after everyone else. Therefore, Mother’s Day Brunch should be extra wonderful! A heartfelt homemade card especially from the children, is absolutely the best gift ever!

Here is a delicious Brunch option for those with Food-Allergies:

Appetizers – Layer in either a Mason jar or Sundae glass: DF (dairy free) or regular yogurt, Berries, GF/nut-free granola, drizzle of honey. Repeat layers. Refrigerate until serving. Of course, with Coffee Tea, Lemonade or Cocktails.

Main Course – Either a French Toast Bake (can be GF & it’s make ahead!), or use GF waffle mix from Namaste, also make a simple Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken, crumbled Bacon and Dairy-free or regular blue cheese.

Sides – Bacon, Breakfast Sausage or Hashbrowns, GF (gluten free) rolls, jam

Dessert – Any/All of the desserts listed above or some Allergy-Friendly Fondue. Simply melt 1 cup of safe chocolate chips (microwave or over double boiler) with teaspoon of Vanilla (over 21, add 1 TBSP Gran Marnier) and dip fruit into melted chocolate. YUMMY!!!

You are absolutely Mom’s favorite with this delicious Brunch!  Also, this is a good occasion to take a few photos.

Food Allergy-Friendly Party Tips

Whether you have Food Allergies, are preparing meals for a food allergic child(ren), or having a person with food allergies over, preparation is key. Both in planning your meals but also for communicating what foods/things should come into your environment.

For example, our daughter Katie has a life threatening, anaphylactic food allergy to peanut. Therefore, it is well-known in our family and among friends, there is absolutely NO PEANUTS ALLOWED. “Not Processed With” or “May Contain” peanuts. Also, “no, I am not sure…” Because her life is too important to not be 100% sure. From our 20 years of experience managing multiple food allergies, here are some tips to make get-togethers easier:

• Communicate your needs/requirements to family/friends
• Listen to guests but make sure they fully understand your needs
• Stay firm – It takes time and perseverance to educate others
• In advance, discuss with anyone bringing food – Have them take photos of all ingredients prior to them purchasing
• Insist on having new ingredients like flours or any of your specific allergens to mitigate cross contamination if someone is baking
• Review before they prepare foods checklist: sterilized bowls, silverware, counters, even oven (if an issue)
• Label anything that you do not want a food allergic person to eat – in large font and make sure that you show food allergic person what NOT to eat
• Always make/bring safe foods and keep away from other foods, preventing cross-contamination – Use different color board, bowls, silverware
• Consider any activities and potential for allergic incidents/Bring games, coloring items, controllers/outdoor activities can be fun and safe
• Bring disinfecting wipes, extra set of Epi-pens, meds and make sure everyone knows where they are
• Consider putting a sticker or fun pin stating your allergies/Do NOT feed me, etc… (Really good for younger children)
• If going to a party, speak to host ahead of time to understand foods being served/potential for issues and see if you can bring some safe snacks, appetizers, or awesome dessert. Always keep a cooler of safe foods (we liked to keep in our car or away from main food)

FUN Food Allergy-Friendly Parties

See, Food Allergy-Friendly parties/get-togethers plan that is fun, safe and SCRUMPTIOUS!

Of course, these menu plans and food-allergy tips can be used anytime. The most important piece is being able to celebrate together, safely.

Please let us know what you make for your Food Allergy-Friendly parties or any suggestions in the Comments. We LOVE to hear from you!

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