Valentine’s Dinner Date Night at Home: 24 Gluten-Free Recipes to Spice – Pop Zero

Valentine’s Dinner Date Night at Home: 24 Gluten-Free Recipes to Spice Up the Romance (& Tips for a Magical Evening!)

February 10, 2021 By Kay Bell

The only time busy people have the perfect excuse for a romantic date night away:

Valentine’s Day!

That’s right,

it’s not just about heart-shaped pillows and UR CUTE candies.

It’s about enjoying the once-a-year romantic evening with your partner to the fullest–

Or hosting a gorgeous get-together to share the love!

But whether you’re looking to give your partner a special evening or treat your friends,

gluten doesn’t have to get in the way of an appetizing evening.

In fact…

you can create a show-stopping menu for a night full of love-

with all the deliciousness,

and none of the pesky gluten.

Need classy recipes and thoughtful tips for the big night?

Look no further!

Date Night At Home: Setting an Amorous Mood

Setting the mood is all about creating a romantic atmosphere.

And the more personalized you can make it, the better!

For instance:

put on a playlist of artists you’ve seen together live, the band you both love, and meaningful songs from your first date or dance.

Be sure to get a good balance of upbeat and slow songs!

You can also light some romantic candles and dim the lights to set a dreamy tone.

Top it off by making cocktails for each other if you want!

Gluten-free, Valentine’s Day cocktail ideas:

Love Is In the Air With More Valentine’s Day Decor

This is your night too, so have fun with it!

Feel free to grab some love balloons, decorative chocolates, wreaths, streamers, or twinkle lights.

You can also order your partner’s (or your!) favorite flowers.

If you don’t know which ones to choose...

Any of these make lovely picks!

Roses
Orchids
Pink tulips
White daisies
Carnations
Chrysanthemums

You can take the decor up a notch by giving the night a theme, too:

Evening in Paris or Italian wine tasting,

perhaps cheese and chocolate fondue or indoor picnic,

Maybe even re-creating your first date!

As always, go for something you both can enjoy and try to relate it back to you as a couple!

Perhaps your ideal date would be a game night or bake-off.

That’s okay, too...

cause it screams YOU!

Romantic Dinner for Two: How to Set the Table

Here’s the thing:

A Valentine’s Day date night at home should feel special.

And it doesn’t feel much different if sitting at the table still reminds you of where the kids do their homework or a regular ‘ole weeknight meal.

This is where gorgeously setting the table comes in to save the day!

If you can totally transform your kitchen table to an exclusive date night display--

you’re set for an extremely elegant meal.

Here’s an idea to get you started:

Set out a flower centerpiece, placing tea lights in jars around the flowers,

or even using mini candles.

You can also bring out your fancy napkins and champagne glasses.

Create the Menu: Choosing Totally Desirous Meals

If you’re aiming for a special night, you gotta have a special menu.

But try not to overthink it!

Win!

For a true restaurant-style evening:

whip up one or two appetizers, an entree, and a dessert.

If you can, put a personal spin on the food, choosing dishes that you both love or have some significance–

Such as a dish you had together on your first date.

Either way, any of the gluten-free recipes below are bound to be delicious!

24 Gluten-Free Recipes for a Romantic Dinner At Home

A romantic dinner at home doesn’t just make itself!

However...

you definitely don’t have to spend hours slaving away to cook up a perfect meal for you and your boo (or friends!).

These gluten-free recipes are your go-to for date night!

Appetizers to Spark the Evening

Start your evening off right!

Apps are a great way to get in a good food mood–

Try your hand at these ideas!

1. Baked Brie With Bacon Balsamic Blueberries

Ooo la la!

Baked brie is already one of those appetizers that just makes your heart sing–

So sweet and creamy!

This recipe takes those feels to another level with bacon, balsamic vinegar, blueberries, maple syrup, and cinnamon.

Tangy sweetness at its finest!

2. Dairy-Free Spinach Artichoke Dip

It doesn’t matter what holiday or season it is, spinach artichoke will always be a reliable dip.

And this one is dairy-free!

Serve hot or cold with a side of gluten-free chips.

You and your partner won’t be able to keep your hands away from it!

3. Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Bites & Sriracha Lime Glaze

Bacon suddenly turns classy!

These bacon-wrapped pineapple bites are everything you need and more for a sweet, salty, and spicy appetizer.

The juicy pineapple perfectly complements the crunchy bacon.

And the glaze?

Oh, the glaze will leave you begging for more.

P.S. be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce!

4. Gluten-Free Coconut Shrimp

Coconut shrimp is one of those recipes:

It sounds like it should come solely from a restaurant–

Not from your own home!

But this gluten-free coconut shrimp recipe defies the odds.

And, you can either bake or fry these babies up!

Extra points if you have an air fryer.

Feel free to try that, too!

5. Arugula, Beet, Orange, & Goat Cheese Salad

Arugula is basically luxurious lettuce.

Beets are rare in the vegetable community.

Goat cheese is elegant cheese.

And oranges?

Well, oranges are just plain delicious.

And when you combine all of these amazing flavors together, you get an ideal Valentine’s Day salad appetizer!

6. Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Can you believe a cream-less soup could be so darn creamy?

I certainly couldn’t before I whipped up a batch of this roasted cauliflower soup!

It expertly satisfies that craving for warm, rich soup–

On top of being a fantastic appetizer for you and your loved one!

The ingredients will keep you just full enough until dinner time.

Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette from Krista of Joyful Healthy Eats

7. Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad

Sticking to the strawberry theme for Valentine’s Day!

Except here we’re heading into salad territory.

But don’t run yet!

Even if you don’t consider yourself the salad n’ spinach type,

that’s about to change.

You won’t even notice the spinach leaf taste thanks to strawberries, apples, avocado, almonds, and honey mustard vinaigrette.

And the honey mustard is homemade!

*chefs kiss*

8. Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Your partner will totally be like “wait, you made this? By hand? Without a restaurant?”

A smile spreads across your face.

“Of course, I did! And it was so easy, too.”

Say hello to these macaroni and cheese balls.

Yes, they are as mouth watering as they sound.

And yes again!

100% gluten-free.

To-Die-For Entrees You’ll Both Love

Ah, you can’t forget a good main meal!

The entree will be the star of your dinner date night, so it’s important to choose something you both love.

Any of the below gluten-free options are wonderful choices!

9. Gluten-Free Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

This might be the most cost-effective Valentine’s Day dish yet!

All you need is a can of pumpkin, box of gluten-free noodles, cream cheese, broth, parmesan cheese, and seasonings–

And I bet you already have at least 4 of those ingredients sitting in your pantry...

just waiting to be used up for a romantic evening!

10. Classic Shrimp and Grits

Talk about a restaurant-style recipe!

Shrimp and grits is another simple classic–

But it’s definitely not to be underestimated!

This Southern comfort food just exudes tasty flavors like rich, cheesy grits, savory bacon, and spiced shrimp.

Bonus Tip: Put two shrimps together to form the shape of a heart!

Easy Gluten-Free Scalloped Potatoes from Jess of Bless Her Heart Y'all

11. Easy Gluten-Free Scalloped Potatoes

Crisp, golden brown cheese blankets these scalloped potatoes to form a dish of pure deliciousness.

Serve these up next to steak, salmon, or pork chops!

The best part about this side?

It sticks to the basics of creaminess:

Cheese and heavy cream.

You don’t need to add any more processed cream cheese or cream-of this or that soup.

12. Gluten-Free Pad Thai

Light, zesty, quick–

And dare I say...a fantastic alternative to takeout?

It has way less sodium than your typical restaurant pad thai,

but that doesn’t mean you sacrifice any of the taste!

After Valentine’s Day, you won’t be able to resist making it a part of your weeknight meal spread.

13. Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

25-minute date night meal?

Yes, please!

This honey garlic salmon will leave you and your partner totally surprised:

Who knew salmon could be this good?

P.S. If you decide to use coconut aminos instead of tamari, make sure to add a bit more salt! Coconut aminos contain less sodium.

14. Pesto Risotto, Roasted Tomatoes, & Chickpeas

Now we’re talking–

Risotto is all about that fancy elegance.

And while it sounds like a super complicated version of rice, it’s actually just as simple to make.

But way better!

The flavor factor in this dish is popping.

Think pesto, cheese, roasted tomatoes, garlic, lemon, and chickpeas.

Healthy date night FTW!

15. One Pan New York Strip Steak

You can’t avoid a good steak dinner!

It’s always in the running for a quality meal, except–

It can be challenging to pull off.

That perfectly tender, moist, and juicy strip steak needs to be, well...

perfect!

But worry no more.

It’s impossible to mess up this one-pan steak recipe.

16. Molasses Brined Pork Chops

Pro tip:

Start brining your pork chops a day before or earlier in the morning before you start your day.

The longer they sit in those juices, the better!

Before you know it, you’ll have a crazy classy dinner ready on your Valentine’s Day table in under an hour.

Special Sweet Desserts to Share

Valentine’s Day dessert is all about those sweet treats that send arrows flying right to your heart.

And nothing does that better than chocolate…

Or these gluten-free recipes!

17. Gluten-Free Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Chocolate-covered strawberries taken up a notch on the Valentine’s Day creativity scale–

These cupcakes are exactly what you need to finish off an incredible entree.

Make some extra chocolate strawberries to enjoy the entire night!

18. Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

An entire chocolate cake?

For two people and one night?

You betcha!

It’s the only time of year you can get away with chocolate overload.

So why not make the most of it?

19. Gluten-Free Valentine’s Day Cookies

If you and your partner love to bake together,

this recipe is for you!

It’s an amazing post-dinner date idea to sit around listening to music, drinking wine, and decorating your very own Valentine’s Day cookies.

Now, some gluten-free sugar cookies can taste a bit bland.

Not these!

20. Vegan Chocolate Pudding

There’s never been a fancier vegan chocolate pudding.

On a regular weeknight dessert, you might just blend together banana, avocado, maple syrup, and cocoa powder and call it a day.

But this time?

You have an amazing raspberry sauce.

21. New York Style Cheesecake

Cheesecake to share!

Although this gluten-free version is so good...

you both might want your slices to yourselves!

The strawberry glaze wraps this cake up in true Valentine’s Day style.

22. Gluten-Free Chocolate Trifle

Take some gluten-free chocolate cake pieces, strawberries/raspberries, and dairy-free whipped cream.

Stack them in a glass and voila!

Dessert is served.

23. Lemon and Raspberry Loaf Cake

Loaf cakes are great for breakfast or a midday snack.

But you’ll want to consider adding this to your Valentine’s Day dessert list, too!

That lemon raspberry combo makes it hard to pass up.

And there’s nothing wrong with a lil’ sweet bread in the evening on a holiday!

24. Double Chocolate Skillet Brownie

Eating out of the pan feels dangerous and exciting–

The perfect feels for an adventurous at home date night!

Just whip up a batch of these double chocolate skillet brownies, then yep!

Grab a spoon and dig in together.

At-Home Date Night Ideas: Valentine’s Day Edition

You’ve got the mood, decor, and table-setting nailed down–

And the food is going to be amazing!

But what’s next after dinner?

You can plan out a few date night activities to keep the cozy fun going.

Here are some ideas!

Play board games, card games, video games
Cuddle up by a campfire
Have an Intimate concert at home: listen to your favorite music!
Sip wine and paint
Stargaze
Watch a movie
Have a spa night
Take a virtual class
Have a karaoke night

A Night to Remember: Celebrate Taking Time for Each Other!

It’s not every night you get to have a romantic dinner at home or–

Have a fun night off with your friends.

Make it a good one!

And don’t forget to soak every moment and enjoy yourself!

You definitely deserve it.