If someone at your table eats gluten free, planning a gluten free christmas dinner can feel stressful at first. You want everything to be safe, but you still want cozy, traditional flavors that everyone will enjoy. The good news is that with the right gluten free christmas eve recipes, your menu can look and taste just as festive as any other.
In this guide I am sharing simple recipes that work together as a full gluten free christmas dinner:
- Gluten free pancakes for breakfast or brunch
- Roasted beef as your main dish
- Rice stuffing as a naturally gluten free side
- Gluten free cookies
- Flourless chocolate cake
You can use the whole menu, or mix these gluten free christmas eve recipes with other dishes on your blog.
Gluten Free Breakfast And Brunch
Starting the day with a safe and delicious breakfast helps everyone relax. These recipes are perfect if you want to keep the whole day gluten free, not just the evening.
Oven-Baked Pancake
A gluten free oven-baked pancake (sometimes called a Dutch baby style pancake) is puffy, golden, and slightly crisp at the edges with a soft middle. With a good gluten free flour blend, you still get that light, airy texture without any fuss at the stove. Serve it warm with maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or a spoon of yogurt.
This is one of the most family friendly gluten free Christmas breakfast recipes, because it feels special, looks impressive, and you can slice and serve it like a big pancake “pizza.”
Why you will love them:
- Easy and hands-off: mix the batter, pour it in a hot pan, and let the oven do the work
- Great for a crowd: one big pancake serves everyone at the same time
- Topping-friendly: go sweet (fruit, syrup, chocolate chips) or cozy (cinnamon apples, nut butter)
👉 Full recipe: Oven-Baked Pancake
Main Dish And Sides For A Gluten Free Christmas Dinner
These recipes make up the center of your gluten free christmas dinner. You get a classic roast, a comforting side dish, and plenty of flavor without any gluten.
Roasted Beef
A roasted beef joint is a beautiful centerpiece for a gluten free christmas dinner. Seasoned well with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs, it roasts until tender inside with a nice crust on the outside. You can slice it thin and serve it with your favorite gluten free sides.
This is one of those gluten free christmas eve recipes that feels very traditional, so nobody will miss the usual non gluten free dishes.
Why you will love it:
- Feels like a special occasion main dish
- Works well with potatoes, vegetables, and rice based sides
- Leftovers are great for sandwiches on gluten free bread the next day
👉 Full recipe: Roasted Beef
Rice Stuffing
Traditional stuffing usually uses bread, which is not suitable for a gluten free christmas dinner. Rice stuffing is a delicious alternative. You can cook rice with onions, celery, herbs, dried fruit, and nuts to create a flavorful side that feels just as festive.
Among gluten free christmas eve recipes, rice stuffing is a clever swap that still gives you that cozy stuffing feeling without any gluten.
Why you will love it:
- Naturally gluten free without needing special bread
- Easy to customize with different herbs, nuts, and dried fruits
- Pairs perfectly with roasted beef and vegetables
👉 Full recipe: Rice Stuffing
Gluten Free Christmas Desserts
No gluten free christmas dinner is complete without dessert. These gluten free christmas eve recipes are sweet, festive, and safe for gluten free guests, but everyone at the table will enjoy them.
Gluten Free Cookies
Gluten free cookies are ideal for snacking all day and serving after dinner. You can shape them as simple rounds, or use Christmas cookie cutters if your dough allows. Add chocolate chips, nuts, or spices to match your holiday theme.
These cookies belong on every list of gluten free christmas eve recipes, because they work for dessert, snack plates, and even edible gifts.
Why you will love them:
- Easy to bake a big batch at once
- Perfect for kids to decorate with icing or sprinkles
- Stay fresh in a tin and travel well if you visit family
👉 Full recipe: Gluten Free Cookies
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Flourless chocolate cake is naturally gluten free and incredibly rich. It has a dense, fudgy texture and deep chocolate flavor, so a small slice goes a long way. Serve it with whipped cream, ice cream, or fresh berries.
If you want gluten free christmas eve recipes that look impressive but are not complicated, this cake is a great choice.
Why you will love it:
- No flour needed, so no worry about gluten
- Simple ingredients like chocolate, eggs, sugar, and butter or dairy free alternatives
- Looks elegant dusted with cocoa powder or powdered sugar
👉 Full recipe: Flourless Chocolate Cake
How To Turn These Into A Full Gluten Free Christmas Dinner Menu
Here is a simple way to use these gluten free christmas eve recipes as a complete menu.
Morning or brunch:
- Gluten free pancakes with fruit and syrup
Gluten free christmas dinner:
- Roasted beef
- Rice stuffing
- Your favorite vegetable sides that are naturally gluten free, such as roasted carrots, potatoes, or green beans
Dessert:
- Flourless chocolate cake
- Gluten free cookies on the side
This structure gives you a full gluten free christmas dinner from morning to night. You have a special breakfast, a classic roast dinner, and two sweet options for dessert.
Safety Tips For A Gluten Free Christmas Dinner
When you are serving a gluten free christmas dinner, cross contamination is just as important as the recipes themselves. A few simple habits help keep your gluten free christmas eve recipes truly safe:
- Use clean utensils, bowls, and baking trays that have not touched gluten
- Check labels on stock, sauces, and spices to be sure they are gluten free
- Keep gluten free dishes separate from any non gluten free food if you are serving both
- Serve gluten free bread, crackers, or rolls on a different plate from regular ones
These details make your gluten free christmas dinner stress free for anyone who needs to avoid gluten.
Timeline For A Smooth Gluten Free Christmas Eve
To make everything easier, you can spread your gluten free christmas eve recipes across a simple timeline.
The day before:
- Bake gluten free cookies
- Make the flourless chocolate cake and store it covered
- Prep vegetables and measure ingredients for rice stuffing
On Christmas Eve:
- Start with the roasted beef, since it takes the longest.
- While it roasts, cook the rice stuffing.
- Warm your cake gently if you want to serve it slightly warm, or keep it at room temperature.
- Cook any extra vegetable sides before serving.
- Reheat pancakes if you made them earlier, or cook them fresh in the morning and keep some batter ready if needed.
This plan keeps your gluten free christmas dinner organized and lets you enjoy the day without rushing.
For more holiday inspiration, see my full Christmas Eve recipes collection, including even more christmas breakfast ideas and menus for the whole day.
👉 Read the full recipe collection here : Christmas Eve Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday
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FAQs :
What has gluten in a Christmas dinner?
Gluten is commonly found in:
Stuffing/dressing (bread-based)
Dinner rolls, biscuits, bread
Gravy (often thickened with flour)
Breaded or battered items (cutlets, fried appetizers)
Casseroles with flour-based sauces or crunchy toppings
Pies, cakes, cookies and many desserts
Some processed meats or sauces (if they include wheat-based fillers or soy sauce)
What are popular gluten-free meals?
Popular gluten-free meals include:
Roast chicken, turkey, ham, or salmon (seasoned simply)
Sheet pan meals with meat/fish and roasted vegetables
Rice, quinoa, polenta, or mashed potatoes
Vegetable sides like roasted carrots, green beans, salads
Soups and stews thickened naturally (potatoes, beans) or with cornstarch
What to serve a gluten-free guest for dinner?
Keep it simple and naturally gluten-free:
Main: herb-roasted chicken, baked salmon, or roast turkey (no breading)
Sides: mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans with almonds, salad
Sauce: gluten-free gravy thickened with cornstarch or a GF flour blend
Dessert: flourless chocolate cake, meringues, or a crustless cheesecake cup
Tip: avoid cross-contamination by using clean utensils, separate serving spoons, and checking labels on broths, sauces, and seasonings.
What is an alternative Christmas dinner?
An alternative Christmas dinner is any non-traditional menu that still feels special. Ideas include:
Christmas brunch for dinner: quiche, baked eggs, smoked salmon bagels, fruit
Seafood night: shrimp cocktail plus baked fish or salmon
Sheet pan holiday meal: sausage and peppers with potatoes, or chicken and veggies
Vegan or gluten-free spread: lentil loaf, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy
Appetizer-only “grazing” dinner: charcuterie, dips, sliders, pastry twists, sweets