Check out this recipe round-up of healthy dairy- and gluten-free recipes to celebrate the 4th of July in style!
Looking for healthy Independence Day recipes to show your spirit? Maybe also wanting to cut out gluten and dairy, too? If so, then you’ll love these “red, white, and blue” holiday recipes I rounded up from some of the best healthy food bloggers and websites around. Many of the recipes are also vegan and paleo friendly.
Also, since I was specifically searching for recipes featuring the colors of the flag, most of the ones I found happened to be desserts featuring seasonal berries, but I did come across a few salads and drinks, too.
Check ’em out and as always, please feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
Have a happy 4th of July everyone! Hope you get to spend it with friends and family. Enjoy the fireworks!
4th of July Watermelon “Cake”
This 4th of July Watermelon “Cake” is such a healthy, light, and festive alternative to regular cake. Photo courtesy of www.ForkandBeans.com.
This “cake” made with fresh fruit and coconut whipped cream by Fork and Beans brings a smile to my face just looking at it. Watermelon was always a staple at my family’s 4th of July gatherings growing up and the patriotic pinwheels bring back carefree childhood memories of warm summer days gone by.
Tip: Don’t forget to add in some extra pinwheels for the taking if you’re hosting a holiday gathering. Young and old alike will love it!
Red, White, and Blue Smoothie Pops
Red, White and Blue Smoothie Pops are a healthy substitute for store-bought artificially flavored popsicles. Photo courtesy of www.TheCookieRookie.com.
I can imagine kids — and hey, even the adults — excitedly running up to a tray of these Red, White, and Blue Smoothie Pops and grabbing one after a dip in the pool on a hot 4th of July day. Made with fruit and yogurt (substitute coconut or soy yogurt to make them dairy-free), these healthy popsicles from The Cookie Rookie are a real treat!
By the way, if you wish to use food coloring in your popsicles, consider these natural food colorings instead of using synthetic ones.
Triple Berry Raw Cheesecake
This Triple Berry Raw Cheesecake from Spa Bettie is cream cheese-free. Photo courtesy of www.SpaBettie.com.
I’m a cheesecake lover, but now that I’m avoiding dairy, what’s a girl to do? Make cheesecake with tempeh and nuts instead of cream cheese like Spa Bettie does! Check out her awesome Triple Berry Raw Cheescake recipe for a healthy and flavorful Independence Day indulgence that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Berry Bliss Rocket Pops
These Berry Bliss Rocket popsicles are 100% natural. Photo courtesy of www.FamilyFreshCooking.com.
The ice cream truck always came around in the summer time and the 4th of July was no exception. Rocket pops were one of my favorites as a kid, but of course, now as an adult, I’m always on the look-out for healthy substitutes. So I was delighted to find that these retro-inspired Berry Bliss Rocket Pops from Family Fresh Cooking contain no artificial dyes, colors, or flavors.
Healthy Fourth of July Cocktail
Cool down with this fruity and fresh Fourth of July cocktail. Photo courtesy of www.LindaWagner.net.
Looking for a healthy, but refreshing festive drink this 4th of July? This recipe from Linda Wagner is a winner. It can be made as a mocktail for the kids and those avoiding alcohol by using just sparkling mineral water and fruit. Or, if you want to make it a cocktail, simply add in a splash of vodka and orange cointreau as Linda suggests.
Star Spangled Salad
Add some pizazz to your July 4th salad by making Star Spangled Salad from Daily Bites. Photo courtesy of www.DailyBites.com.
Need a fresh salad idea for the fourth? Check out this patriotic Star Spangled Salad from Daily Bites. Featuring a variety of greens, veggies, dried fruits, and nuts, it’s topped off with red beet stars, which are easily made using a star-shaped cookie cutter. It’s one beautiful and healthy salad that’s sure to get noticed at any holiday potluck celebration or bar-b-que this summer.
Red, White & Blue Potato Salad
This Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad is egg-free and features a vinegar and oil dressing instead of mayo. Photo courtesy of www.EatingWell.com.
Somehow the 4th of July somehow isn’t a holiday without potato salad, right?. So, instead of a heavy potato salad made traditionally with egg-based mayo, why not try a healthy alternative? Check out Eating Well’s Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad dressed with a tangy lemon-olive oil vinaigrette featuring roasted red peppers and a touch of mint for a little something extra.
Red, White, and Blueberries and Cream
These “Red, White, and Blueberries and Cream” fruit desert cups will make you forget all about angel food cake. Photo courtesy of www.CookEatPaleo.com.
Cherry Blueberry Cloud Pie
Cherry Blueberry Cloud Pie with a gluten-free crust from Boulder Locavore. Photo courtesy of www.BoulderLocavore.com.
Every Fourth of July celebration deserves an awesome pie featuring seasonal fruit — and this great recipe from Boulder Locavore is no exception. It’s loaded with ripe cherries and blueberries sitting atop a cloud of meringue. Try serving it with a nice scoop of non-dairy vanilla ice cream and sit back and relax as you watch the clouds float on by.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
with Cream Cheese Frosting
These gluten-free red velvet cupcakes go red, white, and blue with white cream cheese frosting and colorful berries on top. Photo courtesy of www.HeatherCristo.com.
Note: For cream cheese frosting substitute ideas, check out this Ehow article. Also, if you want to go natural and skip the synthetic red food coloring, try a natural food coloring
4th of July Firework Fruit Kabobs
4th of July Firework Fruit Kabobs are an easy and festive way to celebrate the holiday. Photo courtesy of www.thebabybumpdiaries.com.
If you want to do something simple and really quick, I love this idea of making fruit kabobs for the 4th. It would even be a great activity to do with kids. And I’m sure you could get imaginative by using other fruits, such as strawberries. Check out the recipe and how-to from The Baby Bump Diaries for more info.
Copyright © Karen Peltier and Well Gal, 2013 – 2015. All rights reserved.
I can not stand your cupcake. Really yummy!!! Thank you for sharing these healthy recipes!
Wow! These things are come from childhood which are very testy and mostly like by teenagers – http://livemnc.com/
These are all amazing! My favorite, though is the raw cheesecake. Second is the Fireworks Fruit Kabobs. What fun it is to get in the spirit of the holiday by surprising your guests with food that matches the occasion.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Hello Erica,
I found the cheesecake recipe pretty amazing, too! Spa Bettie always does impressive, healthy recipes. And the Fireworks Fruit Kabobs are a favorite of mine as well. They’re not just great for the 4th, but I’ve found them a nice, easy addition to any summer gathering.
Karen
I want all the items you showed above, I like to eat all of them and i will, Thank you for sharing these kind of incredible sweet information’s.
Hi Amelia.
Thanks for stopping on by.
I know, I’d love them all as well! They’d really be impressive if they were all set out on a buffet, right?
Karen
Thank you for these my wife and Gluten do not play well. I will definitely keep these in mind! 🙂
Hi Jason,
You’re welcome. I hope you and your wife get a chance to try some of them out as they’re all gluten-free!
Karen
Hot dang! Those all look delicious. And easy to make. I’m going to go buy me some blueberries!
Hi Zach,
Blueberries are one of the ingredients in every single desert recipe featured above, so you’d be set!
Karen
I will try these more so that they are gluten free. I believe they can be used even when its not 4th July. I like that they are artistic and would be appetizing to anyone.
Hello Siphosith.
I agree. They really are quite artistic and would be great any time of year!
Karen
I had to pin this post so I can find it again! We can’t have gluten or dairy, so this is EXTREMELY useful for us!
Hello Heather.
Thanks for pinning the post. I do the same when I find a recipe I want to remember! Can’t remember the last time I wrote a recipe down on an index card. 🙂
Karen
What an incredible array of goodies, Karen! You don’t have to be an American to think that. 🙂 I wouldn’t mind making some of them for my own family on any warm summer day.
Hello Willena.
So true. Anyone can really enjoy these healthy recipes. And I agree that they’re especially great for those hot summer days — which we seem to be getting a lot of lately!
Karen
Hello Karen, Oh Yeh I agree with Mark on this one! You did an amazing job with this post! YUM YUM! I am going to put together some Fruit Kabobs the next time I have my grandsons. They will love them!
Thanks for sharing
Chery :))
Hi Chery.
Thanks. Glad you found this recipe round-up delicious! Did you get a chance to make the fruit kabobs with your grandkids? If so, did they have fun doing it?
Karen
What an awesome and incredibly tasty looking round up Karen!
I’d be less than honest, if I didn’t readily admit, I’m leaning way more
aggressively toward the 4th of July desserts!LOL!
And some of them are so incredibly creative!Like Firework Fruit Kabobs!LOL!
I totally love it!
You’ve shared some really tasty choices!And hopefully there’s something here
for practically every body!Thanks!
Hi Mark.
I agree that the desserts are super creative, too, and definitely hard not to consider!
Have a healthy and happy 4th!
Karen