I am a fan of quick, easy dishes. The fewer ingredients I have to find and the fewer dishes I have to clean-up, the better. Want to know one of the first things I learned about gluten-free cooking? It can be expensive! Making a cake from scratch? You’ll probably have to blend several types of flour. Making a homemade pie? You’ve got to find gluten-free crust ingredients!
I attended a Gluten-free and Allergen Wellness seminar shortly after our gluten-free journey began and learned some great tips. The best tip was to adapt your recipes by using ingredients that are naturally gluten-free. I experimented and came up with this Gluten-Free 7-Layer Bar recipe.
Gluten-Free 7-layer bars Recipe
All of the ingredients in the traditional 7-layer bars recipe are naturally gluten-free except for the crust. I didn’t have any gluten-free graham crackers at my house and didn’t want to go to the store for just one ingredient. We all know how that works out.
Instead, I remembered tip number two, substitute ingredients you have on hand. I looked in my pantry and discovered I had a package of gluten-free rice flakes. Score! But, what if you don’t have gluten-free rice flakes? You can substitute other cereals.
Gluten-Free Cereals You Can Use:
- Chex Cereals- except for Wheat Chex.
- Kashi Simply Maze Cereal
- Barbara’s Corn Flakes and Brown Rice Crisps
- Nature’s Path Crispy Rice or Fruit Juice Corn Flakes
- Bakery on Main
- Post Cocoa Pebbles (if you want a different type of crust)
Preparation Tips For Easy Cleanup
- Line the pan with parchment or wax paper for easy removal of the bars
- Give it a spritz of non-stick cooking spray
- Use a pizza cutter to cut neat even squares
What you Need for the bars
What I love about these bars is how easily they can be adapted to suit different tastes. Allergic to chocolate chips? Add white chocolate. Don’t like coconut? Leave it out and substitute something you prefer. Because I can never leave recipes the way they are, I added extra goodies, like marshmallows and peanut butter candies. Substitute your favorite blends using some of the suggestions below.
- chocolate chips; semi-sweet, bittersweet, or milk chocolate, your choice
- white chocolate chips OR butterscotch chips
- flaked coconut
- chopped nuts of your choice (peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews are all good choices)
- mini marshmallows
- candy of your choice- good choices include Reese’s pieces or M&Ms, chopped Hershey Bars, or chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- gluten-free cereal of your choice
- sugar
- unsalted butter
- sweetened condensed milk
Printable Recipe
Easy Gluten-Free 7 Layer Bars recipe
30
minutes25
minutesA gluten-free version of the classic 7-layer bar recipe.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups corn or rice flake crumbs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup of chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup chocolate candy (I used Reese’s Pieces)
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Directions
- Make the Crust. In a large bowl, mix together the cereal crumbs, butter, and sugar until blended.
- Line an 8″ by 8″ baking dish with waxed paper and spritz with cooking spray. Spread the cereal mixture evenly over the bottom.
- Top evenly with ingredients in the following order: chocolate chips, flaked coconut, nuts, mini marshmallows, and chocolate candy.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the ingredients. Bake for 20 or 25 minutes or until the mixture is browned and gooey. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting.
I hope these gluten-free 7-layer bars bring back memories of your childhood. They’re also a great recipe to make during cooking with the kids’ time. What is your favorite easy gluten-free dessert? Tell us about it in the comments.
Our New Cookbook:
If you’re new to gluten-free or meal prep or if you just want to make gluten-free meals easily, check out our new book, The Gluten-Free Meal Prep Cookbook. It includes 12 weekly meal plans, bonus recipes, and tips to begin creating your own meal plans, and complete shopping lists with step by step meal plan instructions.
Want more delicious gluten-free recipes? Order our new Gluten-Free Meal Prep Cookbook available now.
I’ve never really understood what gluten is, but I’m guessing it\s healthy based on your delicious looking recipe!
I loved that you had pics for every layer! You made it look so easy! Yum!
These look really delicious and I love their portions because you can enjoy a treat like this without worrying about packing on the pounds. The fact that they are gluten free helps too.
These look incredibly delicious! And gluten free as well – it’s a win/win!
i’m craving a snack and these look really tasty! of course anything with candy pieces is gonna be good!
I could so go for a few of these right now! I can’t believe they are gluten free!
These look so good! They have all my faves in them too. Yum!
Those look like heaven. I think I may try to tackle them this weekend. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Yum! I could make these and even my oldest could eat them.
None of those ingredients have gluten? That’s amazing! I had no idea.
These look really amazing! I would love to make them – and eat them!! 🙂
Brownies are my favorite dessert! You are right about gluten free foods being more expensive most times. I have these muffins I love to make and the recipe is gluten free products only. The flour was so expensive that I was buying for it compared to the whole wheat flour I would normally get. 🙂
Yum they look really great! I will have to try them soon, delicious!
These looking so yummy! Looking forward to making them. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Mmm..those look like a great afternoon snack or breakfast bar. Thanks for the recipe.
That looks so yummy. I didn’t realize that Reeses Pieces were gluten free. I guess I figured one of the thickeners would have gluten in it. Learn something new everyday.
Me too! It was news to me as well 🙂 Apparently, Reese’s Pieces are listed on Hershey’s Official Gluten-Free Food List, so they are gluten-free (but do keep in mind that they are not certified gluten-free). I learned something new today as well! LOL!
I love desserts in general! They’re my favorite food course!
My son is gluten-free. His favorite is probably chocolate chip cookies.
those look like a really delicious treat. And they are also gluten free which is great
Yum looks great. I like the textures you have going on.
oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This looks amazing and super moist!
They look just as good at the real versions. I think it is so nice to find recipes for those who are staying away from Gluten
Looks Amazingly Yummy Must Try The Recipe!!
Those look so tasty. My kids would enjoy these a lot.
Yrs, I’d love to make this recipe! It is one that I know my kids would love!
I can’t wait to try these, yum!
I recently learned more about non GMO foods and I am excited to know that Freedom Foods is a company I can go to for that! I never heard of them before so thank you!! (YUMMY BARS!)
These bars have so much goodness going on. Truly delish!
oh wow that looks very kid friendly for sure!
I love that you can easily switch ingredients out and make it a little different every time. They look so good!
I made the mistake of reading this while I’m hungry for lunch! These look fantastic- I will be making soon!
I love this recipe. All of the layers give contrasting textures and flavors that are perfect together.
My favorite dessert is cheesecake! These look great. I’m always looking for yummy gluten-free recipes. Thanks!
Score is most definitely right! While I’m not FULLY gluten free I do enjoy opting for gluten free foods because frankly I just feel better without it in my diet. This recipe is one I must try!!
Sticky layers of yumminess right there! I will be giving these a try!
These look tasty! I love how versatile they are…you really have a great base to work from and then you can add your favorites. This is a simple recipe that doesn’t discourage me from trying it out!
Oh, YUM!!! Somehow I don’t think this fits into the calorie-counting diet I’m on, but it sure looks amazing!
So yummy! I am trying to watch my sweets but I will save the recipe for a cheat day!
These look absolutely delicious, I’m going to my local grocery store today to pick up the ingredients to make this yummy treat!
These look yummy! I think my whole family would enjoy them…that is, if I was to share! 😉
These look yummy! I am gluten free but the rest of my family isn’t. So I love coming across recipes like this that all of us can enjoy it.
This look sinful and oh so yummy. Anything with chocolate and I’m in.
My mouth is watering! Thanks for the recipe, sharing with a friend of mine too, she’s always looking for gluten free recipes!
Yum, what a delicious treat! I need to make these for my dad who is doing gluten-free right now.
Great recipe, and I love that it is a tasty gluten free recipe so they don’t have to feel deprived! When I was gluten free I felt sad cause I couldn’t have all the things I once could, so a recipe like this would have brighten my day!
7 layer bars are one of my husbands favorite desserts. Changing out the crust to corn flakes just might make them even better!
I am a big fan of easy meals too! These bars look really tasty and simple to make. My favorite dessert? Cupcakes 🙂
Oh these look so good. I have been looking for some tasty snacks that are GF for my daughter.
I can’t wait to make these!
Those look so good, I bet my kids would love them. I will have to see if I can get my youngest to help me make some.
My family would go nuts for this treat. Looks so good.
There is just so much goodness in those 7 layers! It’s great to see such a yummy gluten-free recipe.
I like easy fixin snacks and meals. This looks really good.
These look delicious! Sharing! 🙂 and Pinned
Wow, this look yummy! I’m pinning these for future reference. 🙂
YUM! I haven’t had layer bars in forever!
My mouth is watering just looking at those pictures. I need to go and eat before I come on your blog looking at all the great treats you make.
I love snacking on things like this. Especially on days when I am in a rush and need something quick!