Allergy-Friendly Rule Breaker Snacks

I’m always on the hunt for ‘better for you’ snacks and as the mother of a daughter with peanut and tree nut allergies, finding sweet treats that are nut-free can be a challenge. Thankfully Rule Breaker Snacks checks off all the boxes of what I need. It’s a healthier snack since the first ingredient is chickpeas and it’s packed with protein and fiber! Plus, the entire product line is nut-free.

Rule Breaker Brownies and Rule Break Blondies come in a variety of flavors and sizes. Choose from a single size to variety packs and also pouches (like the Blondie Bites shown in the photo above).

I prefer moist cookies, not thin crispy ones. I was so happy to discover that not only are these sweet treats chewy and moist, but they are thick! Look at the Chocolate Chunk Blondie that is in my husband’s hand below.

Recently I had the opportunity to interview Nancy Kalish, Founder and CEO of Rule Breaker Snacks. I was intrigued by this woman-owned business that makes certified gluten-free, vegan, Kosher, non-GMO snacks that are also free from the top eleven food allergens. I wanted to know where she got her start and what motivated her to create and bake these types of treats!

How/why did you begin your business.

Nancy: I used to be a health journalist as well as a certified health coach. So I know exactly what I should eat to be healthy. But I’ve always had a MAJOR sweet tooth (we’re talking dessert for breakfast!). I couldn’t find anything at the store that satisfied it and had good clean ingredients, not too much sugar, and that I could feel good about eating. So I got busy in my Brooklyn kitchen. A year and hundreds of dirty pans later, I came up with an awesome brownie recipe that broke all the rules. No eggs! No butter! No flour! In fact, my recipe was based on chickpeas. It was so good, I wanted to bring it to the world (corny, but true). And I actually thought “How hard could it be to start a food business? I’ll try it!” Well, I’ve found out exactly how hard. But I love every minute of it. Now I can have a brownie for breakfast and feel good about it. And so can you.

My daughter is allergic to nuts, so I am thrilled that these are nut-free. What made you decide to ensure that these are allergy-friendly? Do you have a personal experience with nut allergies?

Nancy: While I don’t have a nut allergy, I have family members that do. And as a health journalist, I learned all about food allergies and how more than 25 million Americans have them. I’m passionate about making something that everyone can eat and being a brand that even those with serious allergies can trust So we vet every ingredient to make sure it is free of the top 11 food allergens (NO Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Dairy, Eggs, Soy, Sesame, Coconut, Mustard, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat/Gluten. Plus, unlike many other brands, our products are baked and packaged in a dedicated allergen-free facility. As you can tell, we take allergies very, very seriously.

What is one tip or piece of advice that you would give to other female entrepreneurs?

Nancy: Connect with other female entrepreneurs in your industry–there are lots of organizations, so seek them out. That’s where you’ll get the best advice and a real sense of community. It’s very lonely being an entrepreneur sometimes, and you’ll need all the company and help you can get.

If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?

Nancy: You don’t know what you don’t know. When you’re starting a business for the first time, the things that will trip you up are those you’d never think of. Luckily, I figured this out early. So, I sought out mentors and team members who had the experience that I lacked. They helped me avoid some very big pitfalls, and I am very grateful.

Rule Breaker Snacks are a hit with my teen and hubby. In fact, I’ve been recommending them to all my friends and family. But don’t just take my word for it, try it out for yourself! Visit Rule Breaker Snacks’ website for more information and don’t forget to check out their Facebook page and Instagram for the latest updates!

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I received complimentary products which helped facilitate this review. All images are my own unless otherwise noted. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.