Gluten Free Layered Apple Bars

Do you ever end up with apples that just aren’t good enough to eat as they are? Wondering how to save them from being thrown in the bin? I found myself in this exact situation and decided to adapt my banana bread recipe into an apple loaf.

However, without enough almond flour, I found myself at a crossroads — so I improvised and came up with these instead: apple bars with a coconutty shortbread-style base, topped with a layer of date caramel, peanut butter, and swirls of tart berry chia jam.

They truly have it all: a blend of textures, sweet and salty notes, and layers of flavour that work beautifully together.

These bars are perfect as an easy make-ahead snack or breakfast. They store really well in the freezer, making them ideal for busy mornings or on-the-go moments.

They’re also very allergy-friendly — naturally gluten free and easy to adapt to be vegan, dairy free, or nut free too. Wondering how?

Dietary Adaptations

Vegan

To make this recipe vegan:

• Substitute the yoghurt for a dairy-free option such as coconut or soya yoghurt.

• Replace the egg with a shop-bought egg replacer, applesauce, or a chia or flax egg.

• Use maple syrup or another liquid sweetener (such as date syrup) instead of honey.

  
  

Dairy Free

This one is super simple — just swap the yoghurt for a dairy-free alternative like coconut or soya yoghurt.

Nut Free

A few easy substitutions are needed:

• Replace the ground almonds with additional coconut flour or another flour such as oat or buckwheat flour.

• Swap the almond butter and peanut butter for a seed butter (like sunflower or tahini).

Ways to Switch It Up

If you’re looking to add some variety, here are a few easy ways to change the flavour or texture:

• The berries used for the chia jam can be any you like — frozen or fresh both work well, so have fun experimenting with different combinations.

• Peanut butter adds a salty contrast, but any nut or seed butter works just as well if you prefer something different.

• In the date caramel, almond butter can be replaced with your favourite nut or seed butter.

• Extra add-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, or seeds all make great mix-ins or toppings.

  
  

Ingredients

Apple base

• 2 small apples, grated

• 1½ tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1 large egg

• 70g yoghurt

• 20g ground almonds

• 105g coconut flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp xanthan gum

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

  
  

Date caramel

• 75g Medjool dates, pitted

• 1–2 tbsp boiling water

• 1 tbsp almond butter

• Pinch of salt

  
  

Chia jam

• 75g berries (fresh or frozen)

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

• Optional: 1–2 tsp honey or maple syrup

  
  

Peanut butter layer

• 8 tbsp peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

  
  

Method

Make the chia jam

1. Heat the berries in a small pan until soft and releasing their juices.

2. Mash with a fork, then stir in the chia seeds and optional sweetener.

3. Set aside to cool and thicken for 15–20 minutes.

   
   

Make the date caramel

1. Place the dates in a heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 10 minutes.

2. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the soaking liquid.

3. Blend the dates with almond butter, salt, and most of the reserved water until thick and spreadable. Add more water if needed.

   
   

Prepare the apple base

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (fan). Line a square tin with baking parchment and lightly grease.

2. In a large bowl, mix the grated apples with the honey or syrup.

3. Whisk in the egg and yoghurt until fully combined.

4. Fold in the ground almonds, coconut flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

   
   

Bake

1. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared tin.

2. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

   
   

Layer and swirl

1. Spread the date caramel evenly over the cooled base.

2. Add an even layer of peanut butter.

3. Spoon over dollops of chia jam and swirl gently using a toothpick or spoon.

4. Place in the freezer until fully set, then slice and enjoy.

Store the bars in the freezer for easy snacking whenever you need them.

If you’d like to see what else I’ve been baking recently, check out my Instagram @rubysgfkitchen.

Happy baking

Ruby x

Simple Starts: Gluten-free Breakfasts for Busy Students

Uni breakfasts are super important—they can be just the thing to get you out of bed for those dreaded 9 a.m. lectures. But with the price of gluten-free staples like bread and bagels, plus the cross-contamination nightmare that shared kitchens can be, making quick and easy gluten-free breakfasts on a student budget can be a bit tricky.

Over time, I’ve found a few go-to staples I make on repeat. Many of these include oats—so if you give them a go, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.

If you're looking for breakfast inspiration, I hope you find something in this list that you want to try.

Oat Balls

These are super easy to make with just a few cupboard basics. You can vary the flavour and texture depending on what you have on hand. The base ingredients are:

• Oats

• A liquid sweetener (like honey, maple syrup, or date syrup)

• A nut or seed butter (almond, peanut, tahini, etc.)

• A little oil (coconut or nut oil works well)

• Chia or flax seeds

Apple oat ball example

The base will create a great flavour by itself, but if you want to take it a step further to recreate your favourite flavours, you can stir in some additions. Here are some of my favourite flavour combos, if you are struggling for inspiration:

• Pecan & Cranberry – Chopped pecans, dried cranberries, mixed spice, maple syrup, and almond butter.

• Carrot Cake – Grated carrot, almond butter, raisins, and mixed spice.

• Cherry Bakewell – Dried cherries, date syrup, chopped almonds, almond extract, and almond butter.

• Peanut Butter & Chocolate – Peanut butter, chocolate chips, and cocoa powder.

• Blueberry & Lemon – Dried blueberries, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

• Honeyed Sesame – Honey, tahini, and sesame seeds.

  
  

Just mix everything together in a bowl, shape into balls, and store in an airtight container in the freezer.

Banana oat balls Apple oat balls Choclate and peanut butter

Blended Version (With Dates)

If you’ve got access to a blender, you can make a softer, stickier version using dates instead of a liquid sweetener. Just:

1. Soak pitted dates in boiling water for 10–15 minutes.

2. Blend the soaked dates with your oats, nut/seed butter, oil, and chia/flax seeds.

3. Add ground almonds or protein powder if it is looking sticky.

4. Stir in any extras (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, etc.) after blending.

5. Shape into balls and freeze.

Oat bars

These super-easy oat bars are perfect for using up ingredients like old bananas or fresh berries. They should be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for long-term storage. There are many reasons why I love these bars. They are great for meal prep as they are really quick and easy to make, so they are perfect for when you are short on time, and with so many different variations depending on your ingredients and preferences, you can make so many new flavours. There's always something new to try.

Whether you're packing one as an emergency snack for a long day of lectures, pairing it with yoghurt or milk for breakfast, or serving it with a drizzle of nut butter and a sprinkle of seeds, all you need is a few basic ingredients and your favourite flavours to add in.

• Oats

• Sweetener (ie maple syrup, date syrup or honey)

• Oil (I like to use coconut)

There are also a few additions I recommend as part of the basic ingredients:

• Nut or seed butter

• Seeds, ie flax or chia seeds

There are endless ways to customise these bars. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few flavour combinations you can try:

• Carrot Cake

  Grated carrot, raisins, and cinnamon

• Chocolate Peanut Butter

  Cocoa powder, peanut butter, and chocolate chips

• Cherry Bakewell

  Flaked almonds, dried cherries, almond butter, and almond extract

• Chocolate Almond

  Chopped almonds, cocoa powder, and dark chocolate chunks

• Maple Pecan

  Maple syrup, chopped pecans, and a touch of cinnamon

• Orange Cranberry

  Dried cranberries, orange zest, and a splash of orange juice

  
  

How to Make Them

1. Mix the basic ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Stir in any additional flavours or mix-ins.

3. Press the mixture into a lined brownie tray.

4. Freeze until firm.

5. Store in an airtight container in the freezer.

Banana and chocolate Caramel Berry and caramel

If you want to switch up the texture or flavour, there are a few easy variations that you could try:

If you want to add a deeper flavour, I love mashing old bananas and stirring them through with the other ingredients. Not only does it enhance the flavour, but it's a great way to use up old bananas and add natural sweetness.

This addition will add excess moisture to the dough, so this should be balanced out with extra dry ingredients like:

• Ground almonds

• Oat flour

• Protein powder

  
  

The added banana flavour pairs great with flavours like:

• Pecans or walnuts

• Cinnamon

• Maple syrup

• Dried fruits

  
  

For a richer, caramel-like texture and flavour, try adding dates:

• Chopped dates work well

• Or blend dates soaked in hot water into a paste and mix into the dough

  
  

Like bananas, dates add moisture, so adjust with dry ingredients if needed.

Baked oat bars

As the name suggests, these are a baked version of the oat bars. Depending on your ingredients and what textures and flavours you like, they can turn out like baked porridge to a chewy flapjack. The process is simple: mix a few basic ingredients, stir in your favourite add-ins, press into a tin, and bake. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container — in the cupboard, fridge, or even freezer — depending on how you like the texture.

The Basics:

• Oats

• Nut or seed Butter

• Liquid Sweetener, i.e. honey or maple syrup

• Oil

There are again lots of different additions that will change the texture and flavour. I personally like to add seeds and ground almonds, no matter the flavour of flapjack that I am making. There are again lots of different flavours that you could try, here are some ideas if you are stuck:

• Apple and Cianmon

  Maple syrup, grated apple, cinnamon and chopped pecans

• Chocolate and peanut butter

  Chopped chocolate, cocoa powder and peanut butter

• Berry

  Add fresh or frozen berries

• Chocolate almond

  Add chopped almonds, chocolate chips and cocoa powder

Blueberry and lemon Baked apple and pear Banana and seeds

Extra Additions

For more variety, try adding bananas or dates:

• Mashed banana brings moisture, natural sweetness, and a soft texture.

• Dates (chopped or blended) add chewiness and a rich, caramel-like sweetness.

  
  

And if you’ve got a little more time in the morning, baked porridge uses similar ingredients and makes a comforting, spoon-able alternative that’s perfect for slower starts.

✨ For more inspiration, check out my Instagram — I share new recipes and flavour ideas there regularly.

Topped rice cakes

These are another great option for when you’ve got a bit more time, and they can be a cheaper alternative to some of the pricier gluten-free breads. Both corn cakes and rice cakes work well, with flavoured varieties offering even more choice.

Toppings can depend on what you’ve got in the cupboard, and with so many possibilities, there are endless combinations to try—perfect for keeping things interesting! Here are some classic options you could start with:

• Smashed Avocado – Top with sliced tomatoes, red onions, and a protein like smoked salmon, cooked chicken, or crispy chickpeas.

• Peanut Butter & Banana – Add a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavour.

• Cream Cheese & Smoked Salmon – Finish with a crack of black pepper.

• Apple & Cinnamon – Layer almond butter, apple slices, and a dusting of cinnamon for a naturally sweet option.

• Hummus & Veg – Try sliced cucumber, tomato, or rocket for a fresh, crunchy combo.

  
  

Want more recipe inspiration? Check out my latest recipes and recommendations on Instagram: @rubysgfkitchen.

Ruby x

Gluten-Free Finds: What’s New at Ocado

Ocado is one of my favourite places to discover both fun new snacks and reliable cupboard staples that I come back to time and time again. On a recent “back-to-uni” stock-up order, I couldn’t resist adding a few new products to my basket—some from brands I’d been eyeing for a while, and others that were completely new to me. From price to flavour, this review covers everything you’ll need to know before deciding whether these products are worth your pennies. So, let's just get started, shall we...

🥯 Good grain bakery bagels

Good Grain is actually a brand I first discovered through Ocado, and when it comes to bread, I’ve never looked back. It’s hands down my favourite gluten-free bread brand—I always keep a stash of their pre-sliced loaves in the freezer for quick and easy meals. So, you can imagine my excitement when I spotted that they’ve launched bagels!

Finding decent gluten-free bagels has always felt like an impossible task. Honestly, I’d almost given up the hunt. But Good Grain’s new sourdough bagels exceeded all my expectations.

They have not one, not two, but three different flavours to choose from, all of which are organic and sourdough-poppyseed, cinnamon & raisin and original. I chose to try the poppyseed bagels, which were incredible. I topped mine with smashed avocado, roasted chickpeas, and balsamic tomatoes. The best part? They were the size of a normal bagel. No tiny, sad-looking substitutes here. The texture was dreamy too—soft, chewy, and not at all crumbly.

Another huge plus is that they’re vegan and made with really wholesome ingredients—no oils, gums, additives, or preservatives. I froze mine straight away and toasted them as needed, and they come out perfect every time.

Now, onto the downside: the price. At £5.99 for a pack of four, that’s £1.49 per bagel. For comparison, Fitzgerald’s poppyseed bagels (not gluten-free) are £2.20 for five—that’s just £0.44 each. For many, that’s a significant difference, and it does make these bagels less accessible as an everyday staple.

⭐️ 3.75/5 - Delicious, wholesome, and finally a gluten-free bagel that feels like the real deal, I'm definitely going to be getting my hands on the other flavours. But at this price point, they’re more of a “treat yourself” item than a weekly must-have.

🍚 Clearspring Organic brown rice, black pepper, and tamari crackers

I’m always on the lookout for good-quality, quick and easy snacks like this – something to add to a lunchbox or grab on the go. I first discovered Clearspring a couple of years ago at an Allergy & Free From Festival, where I tried their organic sea veg crisps. Since then, the brand has expanded its range significantly. While not entirely gluten-free, Clearspring offers a large number of gluten-free products with truly unique flavours.

Although places like Ocado don’t stock the full range, they do carry a good selection of gluten-free products. From rice noodles to plant-based proteins like tofu and soya mince, and from teriyaki and tamari sauces to flavour-packed snacks, Clearspring makes it much easier for gluten-free shoppers to enjoy Asian-inspired meals and flavours at home.

From the rice crackers, there are several flavours to choose from, including sesame & tamari, green nori & tamari, and black sesame & tamari. I went for the Black Pepper & Tamari variety. I love bold flavours, so I always hope for something punchy with snacks like this. The black pepper had a nice kick, but I found it was slightly overpowered by a subtle sweetness I wasn’t expecting. That said, I absolutely loved the texture, and I’ll definitely be hunting down the other flavours to try.

My main issue is the price. At £2.40 for a 40g bag, they’re not cheap. To put it into perspective, the brand Mitsuba sells similar rice crackers at £2.00 for 100g – that’s more than half the price of Clearspring’s £6.00 equivalent. While Clearspring does use unique ingredients you won’t find elsewhere, the price difference is noticeable.

⭐️ 4/5 – I love the range of options Clearspring offers, especially as gluten-free shoppers don’t always get this level of variety. It’s introduced me to a brand with lots more to explore, but at this price point, my taste tests will be a slow and steady process.

🍫 Nourish organic cocoa coconut bites

I’m always on the lookout for new snacks to try, so when I spotted some new gluten-free goodies on Ocado, these instantly caught my eye. A bit of digging revealed that the brand has a whole range of products to choose from — including different chocolate bar flavours, macaroons, and various packs of coconut bites.

Although I haven’t seen this brand stocked in other shops yet, my first impression was really positive. I’d love to see them become more widely available, or even try recreating them at home. The bites made the perfect evening sweet treat, and they’d work just as well as a quick grab-and-go snack.

The coconut added a satisfying crunch, while the chocolate brought a deep richness. The coconut kept the overall flavour from feeling too heavy. Alongside the chocolate, they also offer vanilla and strawberry bites, plus a range of bars in flavours like coconut, chocolate orange, nut, and berry.

The main drawback, however, is the price. At £1.29 for a 40g bag and £2.00 per bar, they’re definitely on the expensive side, which makes them a bit harder to justify as a regular buy.

⭐️ 3.5/5 — I love discovering a new brand with exciting products that help keep the gluten-free market fresh, but with prices this steep, it’ll be more of an occasional treat for me rather than a staple.

🍍 Hip pop strawberry and pineapple kombucha

After discovering kombucha — and how much I love it — I’ve been on the hunt for the best supermarket brands to enjoy at home. Recently, I stumbled upon Hip Pop and was impressed by the variety of flavours they offer. Their range includes sodas, kombucha, and even CBD-infused kombuchas. As someone who’s not a huge fan of standard soft drinks but still enjoys a “fun” evening drink, these have been a fantastic alternative for me.

I’m especially drawn to the CBD kombuchas, which I find really help me unwind in the evenings. They come in two flavours — Berries & Cherries and Passionfruit & Guava. My personal favourite is Berries & Cherries; it’s fruity, vibrant, and soothing all at once. These are slightly more expensive than the regular kombucha (£6.00 vs. £5.25), but worth it for the extra benefits.

On the regular side, the Pineapple & Strawberry flavour has become a new favourite. The balance is spot on — the tangy pineapple is lifted by a gentle sweetness from the strawberry, making it refreshing without being too sweet. While the price point is on the higher side, it’s very much in line with other kombucha brands, most of which land around £5.00 for a 4-pack.

⭐️ 4/5 — Bold, refreshing flavours that make for the perfect evening drink.

🍪 Nibble Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

I love an evening sweet treat — there’s nothing better than settling down after a long day with a good book and a delicious snack. I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting options to keep things fresh, and these cookie-dough bites had been catching my eye for a while. I finally took the plunge and gave them a go, going in with no expectations (I didn’t read the reviews beforehand — hindsight says maybe I should have!).

At first, I didn’t mind them. I even started to enjoy them… sort of. But a few things stood out as a bit unusual. The texture was both hard and soft at the same time — slightly grainy, but not dry or crumbly like many gluten-free snacks. The bites were packed with chocolate, which added a deep, rich flavour, but unfortunately, this was overshadowed by an unusually strong salty taste that took away from the otherwise velvety chocolate.

After I tried them, I read some reviews and found that many people had the same experience. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say they were bad, they definitely cater to a very specific taste. I do appreciate their allergen-friendly credentials — they’re both vegan and gluten-free. Other flavours, like the double chocolate or trail mix varieties, seem to be rated more positively, so I’d be interested in trying those next.

One downside is the price: at £2 for a 36g bag, it feels quite steep — especially when you compare it to something like Marks & Spencer’s pack of six 18g snack bags for £1.75.

⭐ 3/5- An innovative concept that I’d like to explore more, but between the price and the polarising flavour, it’s a treat I’ll be saving for days when I’m in the mood to try something new.

Cantina gluten-free yellow corn tacos

I’m always on the hunt for new gluten-free bread brands that actually hold together and taste good, too. Gluten-free tacos and wraps are especially tricky — supermarket versions tend to fall apart, crack when you wrap them, or have that unmistakable cardboard taste.

So when I saw a pack of 15 gluten-free corn wraps on Ocado, I was intrigued. Fifteen seemed like a lot… until they arrived, and I realised why. Compared to regular wraps, these were much smaller — perfect taco size, but definitely more petite than expected.

Despite that, I really enjoyed them — especially the flavour. Because they’re made from corn, they add a lovely, natural flavour to the dish rather than something artificial. They held up impressively well, too: no sogginess when filled, and they crisped up beautifully in the air fryer!

They are a little pricier than regular taco shells — about 20p more per 100g compared to Marks & Spencer’s regular pack — but honestly, for the quality, it doesn't feel like a big stretch.

⭐ 4/5- Delicious flavour, great texture, and a reasonable price point make these a strong contender for regular taco nights!

I hope you enjoyed reading this review — maybe it even inspired you to try a new gluten-free brand. For more gluten-free reviews, bakes, and finds, follow me on Instagram @rubysgfkitchen

Ruby x