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Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

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These Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies are bursting with delicious mix-ins and are guaranteed to please a crowd.

oatmeal walnut chocolate chip cookies

Hi friends!

I’m adding a classic cookie recipe to your arsenal today. Everyone has a favorite chocolate chip cookie – a tried and true staple that never fails. For me, that’s these Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. But it’s also good to have a few more go-to recipes, usually some with fun mix-ins!

Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

That’s where this recipe comes in! It’s a classic chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe with hints of cinnamon and lots of chopped walnuts, chocolate chips and oats mixed in.

If you, like me, do not actually love walnuts, you could swap in pecans like I often do! You could even use slivered almonds or chopped peanuts.

You could also swap chocolate chips for raisins for a different spin.

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

chocolate chip walnut cookies with oats

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie Recipe

Let’s talk about the ingredients:

  • Butter – softened to room temperature, not melted!
  • Brown sugar – helps make them chewy
  • White sugar
  • Eggs – we use one egg + one egg yolk for a chewier cookie
  • Vanilla and cinnamon- for flavor
  • Flour – I use white whole wheat flour but AP flour is fine. You can also use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend
  • Baking soda
  • Oats – I use rolled oats
  • Walnuts – chopped to the desired size. I chop mine fairly small
  • Chocolate chips

Here are all the details:

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Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

oatmeal walnut chocolate chip cookies
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These Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies are bursting with delicious mix-ins and are guaranteed to please a crowd. 

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Yield: makes 2 dozen cookies 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 Tbsp butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1.5 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. With a mixer, beat softened butter and sugars for one minute until light and fluffy.
  2. Add egg, egg yolk and vanilla and mix well.
  3. Add cinnamon, flour, baking soda and oats and mix until just combined.
  4. Add walnuts and chocolate chips and mix again.
  5. Chill dough at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
  6. Scoop onto greased or lined cookie sheets and flatten lightly with a fork. Add extra walnuts and chocolate chips to the top if desired.
  7. Bake at 350 for 11-12 minutes.

Notes

You can use any kind of nuts you prefer, or leave the nuts out completely.

Be sure to let me know if you try these! I can’t wait to hear what you think!

These oatmeal chocolate chip walnut cookies are sure to please a crowd!

Need more chocolate chip cookie recipes?

chewy gluten-free chocolate chip cookies

Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies are easy to make and you’d never guess they’re gluten-free!

Grab the recipe!
date sweetened chocolate chip cookies

Date Sweetened Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Date Sweetened Chocolate Chip Cookies are naturally sweetened with dates and made with just a few simple ingredients! They’re perfect for dessert or an afternoon snack!

Grab the recipe!
peanut butter hemp seed cookies

Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Cookies

These Peanut Butter Hemp Cookies are made with just six ingredients and make a perfect protein-packed snack or dessert. Plus they’re kid-friendly!

Grab the recipe!
walnut chocolate chip cookies

Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe uses vanilla instant pudding mix as the secret ingredient!

Grab the recipe!
choc chip walnut oatmeal cookies 5

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

These soft and chewy oatmeal cookies are loaded with chocolate chips and walnuts.

Grab the recipe

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Sweet and Spicy Pecans and Almonds

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These Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts with Pecans and Almonds are lightly sweetened, with just the right amount of spice. They make a great party appetizer or holiday gift!

Sweet & Spicy Mixed Nuts Recipe with sweet and spicy almonds and pecans

*This post was originally published 12/2013. Updated 2017 and 2022*

Hi Friends!

When I originally made this recipe I was on a big almond kick so I made them with just almonds. Since then, I’ve tweaked and updated the recipe and found that making them with pecans is actually my favorite, followed by a mix of almonds and pecans, but if you’re a walnut lover you could definitely throw those in as well.

Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts

sweet and spicy mixed nuts on baking sheet - sweet and spicy pecans and almonds

These nuts are actually inspired by the sweet and spicy pecans from Trader Joe’s that I absolutely love. When I first tried to recreate them, I just focused on the sweet and spicy. I tried using sriracha – don’t do that 🙂 Then I tried just cayenne pepper, which worked alright.

But after many attempts, the secret seems to be in the combination of spices. Mixing cinnamon, ginger and cinnamon on the sweet side with chili powder and cayenne pepper on the spicy side gives them a depth of flavor that I love!

Sweet and Spicy Pecans and Almonds

Sweet and Spicy Almonds, Pecans and Walnuts

Here’s the recipe I used:

Sweet and Spicy Nuts Recipe

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Sweet & Spicy Mixed Nuts

Lightly sweetened, with just the right amount of spice, these Sweet & Spicy Mixed Nuts make a great party appetizer or holiday gift!
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★★★★

4 from 1 reviews

A lightened-up, healthier version of your favorite candied nuts- with a kick!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 25 min
  • Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups raw nuts (I usually use almonds, walnuts & pecans or do all pecans)
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2  tsp cayenne pepper (more if you want- I use 2.5 – 3 tsp!)
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Place the nuts in a large bowl.
  2. In a bowl, whisk the egg white and water together until foamy.
  3. Pour over nuts and stir to coat.
  4. Add sugar and spices and stir to coat.
  5. Pour nuts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Bake at 300 degrees F for 15 minutes. Stir and bake 15 minutes more.
  7. Remove from oven, let cool and break apart large clusters.

Notes

I’ve updated this recipe to improve it but here’s the original recipe – 3 cups raw nuts (I used almonds, walnuts & pecans, 1 egg white + 1 Tablespoon water + 1/4 cup sugar + 1.5 tsp cayenne pepper

These are addicting! I’d definitely recommend the parchment paper- makes cleanup a breeze!  Feel free to adjust the sugar and spice to your liking. These are not overly sweet but they’re perfect for me. The sweetness hits you first and the spice kicks in later! You could easily increase the sugar from 1/3 to 1/2 cup.

These make a great gift for the holidays! Make a double batch and split them up into cute holiday bags or mason jars and voila! Need more homemade gift ideas? Check out these Edible Christmas Gift Ideas.

Lightly sweetened, with just the right amount of spice, these Sweet & Spicy Mixed Nuts make a great party appetizer or holiday gift!

Want more recipes using nuts?

nuts5

Chipotle & Rosemary Spiced Nuts

The perfect savory nut blend with just a little bit of heat! Perfect for a party appetizer!

Grab the recipe!
Bursting with citrus flavor, these Lemon Energy balls make the perfect snack. Made with just 5 ingredients, they're gluten-free, paleo-friendly and perfect for stashing in the fridge or freezer!

Lemon Energy Balls

Bursting with citrus flavor, these Lemon Energy balls make the perfect snack. Made with just 5 ingredients, they’re gluten-free, paleo-friendly and perfect for stashing in the fridge or freezer!

Grab the recipe!
These Puppy Chow Almonds are a fun twist on a classic treat. The nuts add an extra boost of protein and healthy fats, making it perfect for a special snack or dessert!

Puppy Chow Almonds

These Puppy Chow Almonds are a fun twist on a classic treat. The nuts add an extra boost of protein and healthy fats, making it perfect for a special snack or dessert!

Grab the recipe!
sweet and spicy party nuts recipe 3

Sweet & Spicy Roasted Party Nuts

A delicious mix of nuts, pepitas, maple syrup and fresh rosemary that are absolutely irresistible.

Grab the recipe!
spiced nuts 005

The Best Crispy Spiced Nuts

This Spiced Nuts Recipe with cinnamon and chili is a delicious fall or holiday snack, appetizer or they make a great gift. The maple and spice coating is made with egg whites which is a great way to give them the best crispy texture!

Grab the recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

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These air fryer salmon bites are quick, easy and delicious. Ready in 5 minutes and an easy way to add protein to salads, bowls and more!

Air fryer salmon bites over greek salad. Delicious salmon chunks in air fryer.

Hi friends!

Allow me to introduce you to my new favorite way to use my air fryer – Air Fryer Salmon Bites! These little nuggets are SO delicious and cook so quickly. You can easily whip up a batch for a quick lunch or dinner. Thanks to a quick marinade, they’re great by themselves, but they’re also a great addition to lots of different salads and bowls.

Easy Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Let’s talk about what you need to make these:

  • Salmon
  • Red wine vinegar – adds flavor
  • Honey or maple syrup – to balance out the acid of the vinegar
  • Spices – I use a mix of garlic powder, paprika and cayenne pepper to add a little spice

This marinade is so quick and easy but you could also change it up. Try adding soy sauce and chili sauce or adding lemon juice and Greek spices.

How long to cook salmon bites in air fryer?

Good news! Salmon is a quick cooking protein to begin with and when you cut it into small pieces like this it cooks super quickly. Most air fryers will cook this salmon in just 4-5 minutes if you add it after preheating.

air fryer salmon bites, air fryer salmon nuggets on bed of lettuce

To make this a complete meal, I like to serve them in a Mediterranean-style bowl. I started with a base of mixed greens and topped with some rice. Then I added a veggie mix with peppers, onion, cucumber, tomato and crumbled feta cheese. You can assemble all that while the salmon is cooking and then add it on top.

For a quick dressing – mix hummus with a squirt of dijon mustard and lemon juice and thin with water to desired consistency.

Here’s the official recipe for the salmon bites:

Crispy Salmon Bites Air Fryer Recipe

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Air Fryer Salmon Bites

salmon bites air fryer
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These air fryer salmon bites are quick, easy and delicious. An easy way to add protein to salads, bowls and more!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound salmon
  • 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1–2 Tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 – 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Cut salmon into 1 inch cubes (I usually cut each fillet into 8 pieces) and place salmon in a bowl.
  2. In a small bowl combine remaining ingredients and mix well.
  3. Pour over salmon and stir to coat.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.
  5. Add salmon and cook 4-5 minutes depending on thickness, until salmon reaches about 140 degrees F.
  6. Serve as desired.

See what I mean about these being super easy?! Looking for more proteins you can cook in the air fryer? Try these:

Or for more salmon recipes try:

Easy Salmon Nuggets Air Fryer

These air fryer salmon bites are quick, easy and delicious. Ready in 5 minutes and an easy way to add protein to salads, bowls and more!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Graham Cracker Toffee Bars

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This Graham Cracker Toffee Bars recipe is a Christmas cookie tray staple! Everyone will love this classic dessert and it’s the perfect quick, easy holiday treat!

Graham cracker toffee bars recipe - also known as graham cracker toffee crack

*Originally published in 2017. Updated 12/2022*

Hi friends!

I’ve been making these Graham Cracker Toffee Squares for as long as I can remember. They are a staple on every tray of Christmas cookie tray I make and I have a tin of them in my fridge for most of the month of December as I can’t resist making a new batch as soon as I run out.

Christmas Crack Graham Cracker Toffee Bars

This dessert is really nothing new. I’m sure a lot of you have made your own versions but over the years I feel like I’ve perfected mine and it seemed like it was worth sharing! While I definitely wouldn’t call this healthy, it does use significantly less butter and sugar than most similar recipes and tastes just as good (in my opinion!

What toffee for graham cracker toffee bars?

I get a lot of questions about what toffee I use in this recipe and here’s what I buy: Heath Bits O’Brickle English Toffee Bits. They have them in the baking aisle at most grocery stores. You can pretty much use the whole bag for this recipe. Use one heaping cup on top of the graham crackers and sprinkle the rest on top once you add the chocolate.

Graham Cracker Toffee Crack

Easy Graham Cracker Toffee Bars topped with christmas m&ms

I love topping mine with Christmas m&ms to make it festive but really you could top it with whatever you want. When my mom used to make it she would top it with slivered almonds and extra chocolate chips.

If my kids had their way, ours would also have Christmas sprinkles on it. Speaking of kids….this recipe is so easy even toddlers can make it! So you’ve got no excuse not to try!

Graham Cracker Toffee Recipe

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Graham Cracker Toffee Bars

This Graham Cracker Toffee Squares recipe is a Christmas cookie tray staple! Everyone will love this classic dessert and it's the perfect quick, easy holiday treat!
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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

This Graham Cracker Toffee Bars recipe is a Christmas cookie tray staple! Everyone will love this classic dessert and it’s the perfect quick, easy holiday treat!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 10
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12–14 squares 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 – 14 graham cracker squares
  • 8 Tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup toffee pieces + extra for topping (I use the Heath Bits O’ Brickle Toffee Pieces in the baking aisle)
  • 2 cups dark chocolate chips
  • m&ms for topping

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Add sugar and mix well.
  3. Line a foil-lined large rimmed baking sheet with squares of graham crackers.
  4. Top with butter & sugar mixture and use a brush to coat all of the crackers.
  5. Sprinkle with toffee piece and bake at 350 degrees F for 8 mins.
  6. Remove from oven, sprinkle chocolate chips all over the top and eturn to oven for 2 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and spread melted chocolate chips into an even layer over top of crackers.
  8. Sprinkle with extra toffee pieces and chopped m&ms.
  9. Let cool completely and break or cut into pieces and store in the fridge.

Notes

Try using different colors of candy to make this a treat for other holidays, too!

See what I mean? So easy!

This Graham Cracker Toffee Bars recipe is a Christmas cookie tray staple! Everyone will love this classic dessert and it's the perfect quick, easy holiday treat!

I hope you guys enjoy these as much as I do. I’ve been doing a lot of baking this week and I sent a lot of the treats into the office with my hubby…But not these. These I kept all for myself 🙂

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Chickpea Buckeyes

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These Chickpea Buckeyes are a healthier buckeye recipe – a twist on a classic dessert! They’re full of flavor with an extra boost of fiber as well. 

These Chickpea Buckeyes are a healthier twist on a classic dessert! They're full of flavor with an extra boost of fiber as well. 

*Originally published 2014. Updated 2017 & 2022*

Hi Friends!

Let’s talk dessert today, shall we? If you’re from Ohio, or even if you’re not, you’ve probably heard of the classic dessert called Buckeyes. They’re basically sweet balls of peanut butter mixed with butter and powdered sugar, dipped in chocolate to resemble the buckeye nut.

A few years ago, I shared a twist on this classic and this year I remade the recipe and decided to give it a little photo upgrade! Have you tried the healthier peanut butter cookie dough dip made with chickpeas? That’s the basic premise of these Buckeyes.

Chickpea Buckeye Recipe

Chickpea Buckeyes

Instead of peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar, we’re replacing the butter with chickpeas! I originally made these using oat flour which is what you see in the photos. I’ve updated and improved the recipe as noted below and it no longer requires oats.

Please note I have nothing against regular Buckeyes. If you’re looking for a treat, go enjoy a few. This recipe is designed for people who are specifically looking for a version with a few more nutrients.

I even gave one to my daughter the other night as part of her dinner! Healthy fats and fiber for the win!

Here’s how you make them:

Easy Chickpea Buckeye Recipe

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Chickpea Buckeyes

These Chickpea Buckeyes are a healthier twist on a classic dessert! They're full of flavor with an extra boost of fiber as well. 
Print Recipe

A healthy twist on traditional Buckeyes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinse
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp milk, if needed
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips, melted

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, blend the chickpeas.
  2. Add peanut butter and vanilla and blend again.
  3. Add powdered sugar and blend. If it looks too dry, you can add 1 Tbsp milk.
  4. Roll into balls. The dough may be a little sticky so using damp hands can help.
  5. Put the balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to overnight. You can also freeze them for 30 minutes.
  6. Place chocolate chips in a bowl and microwave until melted. (If you want you can mix in a little coconut oil for a thinner and harder shell but it also adds some coconut flavor which not everyone likes.
  7. Stick a toothpick into center of balls and dip in chocolate.
  8. Place back onto cookie sheet, remove the toothpick and pat hole closed.
  9. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

This recipe has been updated and improved. The original recipe is as follows in case you’re interested -2 cups chickpeas, 1 cup natural peanut butter, 3 tablespoons agave nectar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract & ⅓ cup oat flour. Mix in a bowl and dip in melted chocolate.

Super simple! Do they taste exactly like the original? No. But they’re a pretty darn good substitute if you’re looking for one!

Chickpea Buckeye Balls Recipe

These Chickpea Buckeyes are a healthier twist on a classic dessert! They're full of flavor with an extra boost of fiber as well. 

Want more ways to eat chickpeas?

And if you want an original buckeye recipe without chickpeas, try:

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Cookies

by 20 Comments

These Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Cookies are made with just six ingredients and make a perfect protein-packed snack or dessert. Plus they’re kid-friendly!

Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies

*Originally published 3/2019. Updated 12/2022*

Hi friends!

These Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Cookies have become a staple in my weekly food prep. They are SO easy to whip up…just one bowl,  one measuring cup and a spoon! And they’re delicious and full of heart-healthy fats.

Over the past few years, I’ve fallen in love with hemp seeds! They pack such a powerful nutrient punch and they’re so easy to mix into just about everything as an easy way to add things like iron, magnesium, omegas and protein.

easy Peanut Butter Hemp Heart Cookies overhead shot

Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies

There are a few ways you can change things up with these cookies. I’ve made them with almond butter and they came out great AND tried them with maple syrup…which changes the texture a bit but they’re still good. These are basically like those peanut butter cookies made with just peanut butter, sugar and eggs….except I upped the protein, reduced the sugar and added some fiber with the oats. I call that a win.

Oatmeal Hemp Seed Breakfast Cookies

Want to make these an even better choice for breakfast? Swap the chocolate chips for dried fruit like raisins or dried blueberries. You could also add some nuts like slivered almonds or chopped walnuts for extra healthy fats

Where to Buy Hemp Hearts

As far as hemp seeds go, they’re also called hemp hearts and Manitoba Harvest is my favorite. I buy them in a giant bag at Costco because we go through them so fast but you can find them in most grocery stores (check the bulk bins if you have them) or grab them online from Amazon. (aff link)

Hemp Heart Cookies Recipe

Watch my 4 year old make them!

Here’s the recipe!

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Peanut Butter Hemp Cookies

Peanut Butter Hemp Cookies with just six ingredients
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★★★★★

5 from 9 reviews

These Peanut Butter Hemp Cookies are made with just six ingredients and make a perfect protein-packed snack or dessert. Plus they’re kid-friendly!

Ingredients

Scale

2/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup hemp seeds
2/3 cup rolled oats
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
Chocolate chips, if desired

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
Scoop onto a cookie sheet. (They stick a little so make sure you use a silpat, parchment paper or grease well)
Flatten with a fork and bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 min.
Let cool at least 5 min before removing from baking sheet.

Notes

You can sub another nut or seed butter for peanut butter.

For a slightly less sweet cookie, use 1/3 cup sugar.

So what do you think?! Will you try these cookies? My kiddos love making them with me!

These Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Cookies are made with just six ingredients and make a perfect protein-packed snack or dessert. Plus they're kid-friendly!

Cookie Recipes with Hemp Hearts

Want some more recipes to check out? Try these options as well:

vegan hemp seed cookies

Hemp Cookies

Chewy vegan hemp seed cookies made with peanut butter and dates.

Grab the recipe!
hemp seed cookies with dates

Hemp Seed Cookies with Dates

A twist on a classic oatmeal raisin cookie the whole family will love!

Grab the recipe!
keto almond hemp seed cookies

Keto Almond Hemp Seed Cookies

One bowl cookies that are keto, gluten-free and vegan.

Grab the recipe!
almond butter hemp seed cookies

Almond Butter Hemp Seed Cookies

Just 4 ingredients with 3 optional add-ins. Easy to customize and delicious!

Grab the recipe!
whole wheat sable cookies with hemp hearts

Whole Wheat Sable Cookies with Hemp Hearts

A classic French cookie that’s perfect for tea time!

Grab the recipe!
5 ingredient no bake breakfast cookies with hemp

5 Ingredient No Bake Breakfast Cookies

Packed with protein, ready in 5 minutes – no baking required.

Grab the recipe!

Want even more cookies? Here are all my cookie recipes! And this is my favorite cookie scoop! (aff link)

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Homemade Edible Christmas Gift Ideas

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These Edible Christmas Gifts make simple and delicious presents. The perfect homemade touch for friends, coworkers, teachers and more this holiday season!

Homemade Edible Christmas Gift Ideas

*Originally published Dec 2017. Updated Dec 2022*

Hi friends!

Let’s talk about homemade edible Christmas gifts! If there’s anything I love more than getting presents, it’s giving presents! Something about it just makes me so happy.

Edible Gifts For Christmas

The past few years I’ve really gotten into homemade gifts, specifically edible ones. Since I always seem to be in my kitchen anyways, I might as well kill two birds with one stone, right? A couple of years ago I revamped a bunch of my old recipes to show you just how perfect they are for edible gifts! 

Tons of these recipes are from my very early blogging years so if you haven’t been reading since 2010/2011 so you might not even KNOW about all this deliciousness.

Hopefully, this roundup will inspire you if you’re looking for some easy homemade edible Christmas gifts this year for friends, coworkers, teachers, neighbors, etc! Most of these recipes could easily be doubled or tripled. And then you can package them up in cute bags or boxes and spread a little edible cheer!

Ready to check them out?!

Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts

This Graham Cracker Toffee Squares recipe is a Christmas cookie tray staple! Everyone will love this classic dessert and it's the perfect quick, easy holiday treat!

Graham Cracker Toffee Squares

This Graham Cracker Toffee Squares recipe is a Christmas cookie tray staple! Everyone will love this classic dessert and it’s the perfect quick, easy holiday treat!

Grab the recipe!
Lightly sweetened, with just the right amount of spice, these Sweet & Spicy Mixed Nuts make a great party appetizer or holiday gift!

Sweet and Spicy Almonds (or Mixed Nuts)

A lightened-up, healthier version of your favorite candied nuts- with a kick!

Grab the recipe!
Almond Flour Butter Cookies gluten-free Christmas

Almond Flour Butter Cookies

These Almond Flour Butter Cookies are made with just five simple ingredients and are so easy to make! The gluten-free recipe makes one dozen cookies – the perfect addition to your holiday cookie trays!

Grab the recipe!
These Puppy Chow Almonds are a fun twist on a classic treat. The nuts add an extra boost of protein and healthy fats, making it perfect for a special snack or dessert!

Puppy Chow Almonds

These Puppy Chow Almonds are a fun twist on a classic treat. The nuts add an extra boost of protein and healthy fats, making it perfect for a special snack or dessert!

Grab the recipe!
This Blizzard Bites recipe is perfect for the holiday season. Make a batch to share with family, friends, teachers, etc as an easy edible Christmas gift. 

Blizzard Bites

An easy-to-assemble gift-in-jar that’s perfect for friends, teachers and coworkers. Who doesn’t like a big bowl of treats smothered in white chocolate?

Grab the recipe!
Sweet & Spicy Popcorn Snack Mix for an edible Christmas gift at the holidays!

Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Snack Mix

The perfect balance of spicy and sweet, this Popcorn Snack Mix is healthier than traditional Chex mix and highly addictive. Make a batch and package into little bags to give to teammates, teachers, bus drivers and more.

Grab the recipe!
no-bake peppermint chocolate bites

No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites

These No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites are simple, healthy and ready in minutes. This gluten-free recipe would make a great addition to your holiday cookie tray!

Grab the recipe!
chickpea buckeyes

Chickpea Buckeyes

A healthy twist on traditional Buckeyes, this recipe adds chickpeas to the peanut butter mixture for lots of fiber!

Grab the recipe!
These No-Bake Protein Bars make a great holiday gift for gym friends

No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars

A homemade, no-bake version of your favorite store-bought peanut butter protein bar, without all the crazy ingredients. If you have a fitness-loving friend, they’d love these.

Grab the recipe!
peanut butter chocolate truffles

Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles are the perfect holiday dessert. Made with just four simple ingredients, they’re easy to make and deliciously rich. Roll them in graham crackers or drizzle with chocolate to make them a little fancier!

Grab the recipe!
Gingerbread Granola

Gingerbread Granola

Just like the holiday cookie you love, this granola is filled with the flavors of molasses, ginger, allspice and cloves and is delicious by itself or sprinkled over plain yogurt with fruit.

Grab the recipe!
gingerbread protein balls

Gingerbread Protein Balls

A taste of the holidays that make the perfect post-workout snack. Feel festive for the whole month of December – and beyond!

Grab the recipe!
toffee peanut butter chocolate chip cookies

Toffee Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Toffee Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies can be enjoyed plain or drizzle with chocolate. They’re the perfect addition to a party or a holiday dessert tray.

Grab the recipe!

See some ideas that caught your eye. Be sure to pin and share this post to inspire others!

Christmas Edible Gifts

Need more ideas? Try:

These Homemade Edible Christmas Gift Ideas are simple and delicious. Great for friends, coworkers, teachers and more this holiday season!

What’s your favorite edible gift to give?? Leave me a link! If you need a few more ideas, try:

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Crunchy Chicken Coleslaw Salad

by 1 Comment

This Crunchy Chicken Coleslaw Salad makes the perfect lunch or dinner. The peanut sauce adds flavor and the coleslaw adds crunch! Great way to use leftover chicken.

crunchy chicken coleslaw salad

Hi friends!

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of lunch recipe requests so I wanted to share this salad with you. It’s not a traditional leafy green salad because it uses coleslaw but it’s just as delicious and a fun way to change things up.

Chicken and Coleslaw Recipe

It’s also a great way to use up leftover chicken. In the recipe, I use shredded chicken, but you could use rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken or whatever you have on hand. You could also make a big batch of shredded chicken to freeze and then pull some out a few weeks down the road to make this quick and easy salad.

And this makes a great lunch. The only thing to consider is that if you’re not eating it right away, I would store the salad and the sauce separately and mix them just before serving so everything doesn’t get soggy. Because you want that crunch, am I right?!

Crunchy Chicken Coleslaw Salad

chicken coleslaw salad

Chicken Coleslaw Sandwich

Another great thing about this mix is that you could easily turn it into a sandwich or wrap. The peanut sauce is a unique twist and will set it apart from most of the sandwiches you’re probably making.

If you wanted to, you could even keep everything separate and add some lettuce as well. Then just assemble your chicken coleslaw sandwich with a layer of lettuce, a layer of chicken, a layer of mixed veggies and top it all off with the sauce and another piece of bread! Or throw it in a wrap and put it on a panini press for a few minutes!

Here’s how you make it:

Coleslaw Chicken Salad recipe

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Crunchy Chicken Coleslaw Salad

cabbage chicken salad
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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

This Crunchy Chicken Coleslaw Salad makes the perfect lunch or dinner. The peanut sauce adds flavor and the coleslaw adds crunch! Great way to use leftover chicken.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound cooked chicken (I use shredded)
1 bag coleslaw
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded carrot (Approx 1 large)
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, minced
2/3 cup sliced green onion
2/3 cup chopped peanuts or cashews
chopped jalapeno, optional
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup tamari (or soy sauce)
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tsp freshly grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 – 2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
Sriracha or other hot sauce, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl combine cooked chicken, coleslaw, bell pepper, shredded carrots, cilantro and green onion and mix well. 
  2. In a separate bowl or jar, combine peanut butter, tamari, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, maple syrup and sriracha. Stir well or shake to combine. Taste and add more sriracha or sweetener if needed. 
  3. Pour sauce over coleslaw mixutre and toss well to coat. Top with peanuts and more green onions if desired and serve.
  4. If not serving immediately, store sauce separately from coleslaw mix and combine just before serving to avoid soggy coleslaw.

If you wanted to prep this for a week of lunches you could divide the sauce among 4 large mason jars, then top with the coleslaw mixture and store in the fridge. When ready to eat, dump into a bowl and stir to coat.

Want more coleslaw recipes? I have several using broccoli slaw but you could easily swap in coleslaw:

Asian Farro White Bean Bowls

Asian Farro White Bean Bowls

This Asian Farro White Bean Bowls recipe is perfect for a quick and easy vegan dinner. Ready in 15 minutes and full of flavor.

Grab the recipe!
Instant Pot Asian Peanut Noodles

Instant Pot Asian Peanut Noodles

These Instant Pot Asian Peanut Noodles are packed with chicken and vegetables for a quick, healthy dinner the whole family will love! Ready in under 20 minutes, they’re perfect for a busy weeknight.

Grab the recipe!
Easy Broccoli Slaw recipes - prep four ingredients, cook for meals

Easy Broccoli Slaw Recipes

These Easy Broccoli Slaw Recipes are made using simple ingredients that can during food prep on the weekend and thrown together during the week for quick, healthy dinners or lunches.

Grab the recipes!
broccoli slaw with ramen 3 copy

Broccoli Slaw with Ramen

This Broccoli Slaw with Ramen recipe is perfect for summer. It’s packed with vegetables and protein and the simple dressing is full of flavor. Perfect for food prep and tastes great as leftovers.

 

Grab the recipe!
This Crunchy Chicken Coleslaw Salad makes the perfect lunch or dinner. The peanut sauce adds flavor and the coleslaw adds crunch! Great way to use leftover chicken.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Almond Flour Butter Cookies

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These Almond Flour Butter Cookies are made with just five simple ingredients and are so easy to make! The gluten-free recipe makes one dozen cookies – the perfect addition to your holiday cookie trays!

Gluten-free Almond Flour Butter Cookies

Originally published 11/18. Updated 11/22.

Hi friends!

I just couldn’t wait any longer to share these almond flour cookies recipe with you. These are egg-free, gluten-free Almond Flour Butter Cookies! Aren’t they just so festive for the holidays? These cookies would be the perfect addition to your holiday cookie trays this season.

They’re so easy to make, require just 5 ingredients….plus some chocolate and sprinkles to make them festive if you want to…and the recipe makes only a dozen, so you can make a batch and still have room to whip up all your other holiday favorites as well.

If you need more ideas for homemade holiday treats to give as gifts, check out this post:

Homemade Edible Christmas Gift Ideas

Almond Flour Cookies

recipe for almond flour cookies

This post was originally sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. I love their Superfine Almond Flour because it is perfect for low-carb baking, which is helpful for my husband who has Type 1 diabetes. These almond flour cookies took a few tests but they turned out great!

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’re looking for a more traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe made with almond flour, this probably isn’t the one for you. These cookies are very tender and trying to mix in chocolate chip cookies might cause them to fall apart.

But you can still get your chocolate fix by melting some chocolate chips and drizzling them on top or even dipping the cookies into the melted chocolate! My go-to chocolate chip cookie that uses almond flour are these Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Looking for another recipe for almond flour cookies? Try these:

almond flour chocolate chip cookies (butter cookies with chocolate chips melted on top)

And these cookies don’t have to be exclusive to the holidays! You can enjoy them year-round with a chocolate drizzle or just plain!

This recipe calls for softened butter and I’ve found in my testing that whatever your definition of softened is will impact how much these cookies spread so yours might come out the same size as mine or a little smaller.

Recipe for Almond Flour Butter Cookies

Print

Almond Flour Butter Cookies

Almond Flour Butter Cookies gluten-free Christmas
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 8 reviews

These Almond Flour Butter Cookies are made with just five simple ingredients and are so easy to make! The gluten-free recipe makes one dozen cookies – the perfect addition to your holiday cookie trays!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Yield: one dozen cookies 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temp
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Superfine Almond Flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • optional: chocolate chips and sprinkles for decorating

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar and vanilla using an electric mixer for one minute.
  3. Add almond flour, baking powder and salt and mix just until a crumbly dough forms.
  4. Press dough firmly into a Tablespoon and place onto a baking tray.
  5. Flatten each cookie using the tines of a fork to make a criss-cross pattern.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 9-10 minutes. Let sit for at least 10 minutes on baking tray before transferring to a cooling rack. These cookies are fragile.
  7. Let cool completely, then drizzle with melted chocolate chips and sprinkles if desired.

Notes

How soft your butter is will impact how much your cookies spread out. I’ve found it works best to let the butter come to soft at room temperature on it’s own versus microwaving to soften.

See what I mean? So so easy and delicious.

Almond Flour Christmas Cookies

These Almond Flour Butter Cookies are made with just five simple ingredients and are so easy to make! The gluten-free recipe makes one dozen cookies - the perfect addition to your holiday cookie trays!

Almond Flour Cookies

Looking for more almond flour cookies to try? Here are a few:

the best almond flour sugar cookies

The Best Almond Flour Sugar Cookies

With soft middles and crispy edges, these are the perfect gluten-free cookie for rolling out to cut with cookie cutters.

Grab the recipe!
almond flour crescent cookies

Almond Flour Crescent Cookies

A healthy, gluten-free twist on a classic crescent cookie!

Grab the recipe!
almond flour cookies

Almond Flour Cookies

Soft, chewy and naturally gluten-free, these cookies are packed with chocolate chips and totally irresistible!

Read more
keto shortbread almond flour cookies

Keto Shortbread Almond Flour Cookies

A low carb shortbread cookie that’s made with just 4 [email protected]!

Grab the recipe!
almond flour peanut butter cookies

3 Ingredient Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies

Naturally vegan and gluten-free, all you need are 3 ingredients to make these cookies!

Grab the recipe!

Be sure to let me know if you try these! I’d love to hear what you think!!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Best Healthy Tortillas {Store-Bought}

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Looking for the best healthy store-bought tortillas? Here are some of my top picks as a Registered Dietitian and some things to keep in mind when choosing a brand for your family.

best healthy store bought tortillas

Hi friends!

We’re continuing our best store-bought options series. So far we’ve covered:

Tortillas have been highly requested for this series and honestly, I’ve been putting it off for a while because for me it’s a little bit trickier than other foods I’ve done. A lot of people look at the ingredient list for store-bought tortillas and don’t like what they see.

In my opinion, the easiest way to get tortillas made with just a few simple ingredients is to make them yourself. You really only need 4 ingredients to make flour tortillas- flour, water, salt and a fat source. In most tortillas, this comes from either shortening or oil. They’re actually super easy to make and if you’re willing to try, definitely try my Homemade Whole Wheat Tortillas. (Or even my homemade corn tortillas)

But I understand that not everyone has the time or inclination to make tortillas at home so here are some things to consider.

Best Healthy Store-Bought Tortillas

When it comes to choosing store-bought tortillas, there are a few things to keep in mind when looking at the nutrition label:

Sodium content

  • Tortillas are a store-bought item that can add a sneakily high amount of sodium to a meal if you’re not paying attention. Most nutrition label info is for one tortilla so if you’re eating multiple tortillas, or a larger burrito or fajita-sized tortilla, that’s something to be aware of.
  • In addition, most taco nights also include things like store-bought taco seasoning or enchilada sauce which can be high in sodium, so definitely keep that in mind.

Portion size

  • Tortillas come in a wide variety of sizes, usually 6-12 inches in diameter.
  • The nutritional value varies by brand. Some offer a few grams of protein or fiber depending on the ingredients. Others don’t offer much beyond some calories, carbohydrates and high sodium content.
  • I tend to encourage people to choose whole wheat varieties over white if they can find them. There are also tons of varieties out there that offer extra protein, lower carbs, or are made with alternative flours to make them gluten-free if you’re looking for one that follows your specific dietary guidelines.

Type of oil

  • Tortillas are made with a wide variety of fat sources, typically shortening or oil. Soybean, cottonseed and palm oil seem to be the most popular, which may impact your choices. For example, some people may be avoiding palm oil for ethical/environmental reasons. Others may be avoiding soybean oil and want to choose palm oil or avocado oil etc.

Are flour tortillas healthy?

So are tortillas healthy? While I wouldn’t consider white flour tortillas a nutritional powerhouse, I think they’re fine for consumption in moderation.

Most white tortillas are basically made with white flour (enriched bleached flour), water and shortening. Plus small amounts of salt, sugar, baking soda and thickeners like guar gum, plus preservatives like mono and diglycerides to prevent sticking and other additives to help make them more shelf stable

Enriched means some vitamins added back in -so that’s words like niacin, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, and folic acid. So while the ingredient list may have a lot of long words, many of them are just vitamins and minerals being added back in after they’re removed from the flour during processing.

Best Healthy Flour Tortillas

So which brands are best? This is a hard question to answer because it depends a lot on what you’re looking for in a tortilla. In this post, I am just covering typical flour tortillas for the most part. If you’re looking for the best high-protein or low-carb tortillas, you’ll have to do more research and make your choices based on the ingredients used.

Also remember that there are a LOT of tortilla brands out there. Some very by region, some are available online so it’s hard to give a comprehensive review of which are best.

For the purpose of this post, I tried to focus on brands that were available in-store near me. Here are some brands that I found readily available at stores near me. Some of these are a little higher in sodium than I’d like but remember that you can also control what you put in the tortillas. For example, if you’re making tacos, learn how to make a basic taco seasoning mix and keep it in your pantry to cut down on the salt compared to store-bought versions.

tortillaland uncooked tortillas

Tortillaland (uncooked tortillas)

  • If you’re looking for a super simple ingredient list without actually making tortillas yourself, this is the answer. They offer uncooked tortillas that simply need to be cooked in a skillet for 60 seconds before eating.
  • Selling them uncooked allows them to be made without preservatives and just 5 simple ingredients- flour, water, canola oil, salt and sugar.
  • Near me, these are sold at Costco and in all the regular grocery stores.
  • Tortillas Fresca is another very similar brand of uncooked tortillas
maria and ricardo's whole wheat tortillas

Maria and Ricardo’s

  • They offer a wide array of tortillas from flour and corn to gluten-free and almond-based. I like that they have a whole wheat version because that can be tough to find. Their flour tortillas are made with sunflower oil and have about 300 mg of sodium which is on the higher end for a taco-sized tortilla.
  • They also have a whole wheat plus version made with avocado oil, gluten-free versions made with quinoa flour and a few almond flour options.
  • Near me, these are found at Fresh Thyme and Whole Foods
angelic bakehouse sprouted grain wraps

Angelic Bakehouse Sprouted Whole Grain Wraps

  • Not all kids will like these but they can be a great option for adults. These are sprouted whole-grain wraps made with sunflower oil. They offer 5g protein, 4g fiber and 250mg sodium. They also have a low-sodium option.
  • Near me these are sold at Fresh Thyme and Giant Eagle
good and gather whole wheat tortillas

Good and Gather Whole Wheat Tortillas

  • This brand, sold at Target has a fairly simple ingredient list and offers a whole wheat version. They are a bit higher in sodium – 390mg per 8-inch tortilla so keep that in mind.
la tortilla factory handmade style tortillas

La Tortilla Factory Handmade Style Tortillas

  • Their Handmade Style Tortillas are a blend of white corn and wheat and made with no oil
  • You could also check out their Simply Better line which is made with palm fruit oil.
mission organics flour tortillas

Mission Organic Flour Tortillas

  • This brand has a lot of varieties that are not high on my list but if I were picking one, I would choose their organic flour tortillas. Made with sunflower oil.

Remember that you can freeze tortillas. So if you find a brand you like, maybe online or at a store you don’t go to often, you can stock up and freeze some for later.

Are corn tortillas healthy?

The ingredients in corn tortillas are fairly simple – usually just corn/masa and water plus a little bit of a thickener like guar gum. They also tend to be much lower in sodium than the flour varieties.

They also tend to be gluten-free. If GMO’s are a concern for you, you can look for brands made with non-GMO corn. If you’re looking for fewer preservatives, hard shell corn tortillas tend to be made with just corn and oil or look for soft corn tortillas with a simple ingredient list. So as you can see, there are many factors to consider.

Corn tortillas are also typically a little less sturdy. They don’t always roll as well as flour tortillas. Some brands are now making blended tortillas that have ingredient lists similar to corn tortillas with some wheat gluten added in and a little more salt. Just keep in mind that adding the wheat gluten means these are not gluten-free if that’s a concern for you.

Best Corn Tortillas

For a lot of people, corn tortillas come down to taste. They’re one of those things you have to try for yourself and figure out which has the flavor you love. For me, if I’m buying them I usually buy La Banderita Yellow Corn Tortillas at my normal grocery store.

I will tell you though that in my research, El Milagro consistently tops a lot of lists for best taste. They are made with no preservatives and are not available near me but you can buy them on Amazon.

Trader Joe’s also has corn tortillas made with just white corn, water and lime.

Best Gluten-free Tortillas

There are way too many gluten-free varieties out there now to cover in this post. They need their own post! But I will tell you that two brands I’ve tried are Siete Foods and Maria Ricardo’s. Some of the better-tasting gluten-free varieties are more expensive so I often choose corn tortillas instead.

Trader Joe’s also has almond flour tortillas with a simple ingredient list: Almond flour, tapioca starch, water, apple cider vinegar, natural flavor, salt and xanthan gum.

Looking for the best healthy store-bought tortillas? Here are some of my top picks as a Registered Dietitian and some things to keep in mind when choosing a brand for your family.

That’s all I’ve got for you today! Do you have a favorite tortilla brand? Leave it in the comments!

–Lindsay–

50+ Small Businesses To Support in 2023

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Hi friends!

This is the one gift guide I published in 2020 so I worked hard to make it a good one. As I continue to make an effort to step away from Amazon and support small businesses and local businesses for my gift-giving, I’ve come up with a list of 50+ amazing small businesses to support that I can’t wait to share with you guys. Some of them are local to Columbus or Ohio, some of them are Black-owned, some I found through word of mouth, some on Etsy and many I’ve purchased from already!

50+ small businesses to support in 2023 and beyond

*Originally published Nov 2020. Updated Oct 2022*

Several people asked me how to find small businesses and local businesses to support. Here are a few ways:

  1. Search Etsy! They’re great for small businesses in general but they also have great filters so you can filter results by a specific state or city, Black-owned shops, etc.
  2. Search local hashtags – Get on Instagram and search some of the local hashtags for your area to find local businesses. Once you find some you like, follow them! They’re often really good about sharing and collaborating with other local businesses so that will help you find more.
  3. Ask in a Facebook group – There are always a few people in every Facebook group who are in the know about all things small businesses and local!
  4. Search your city’s website for a list of shops. You can also check your Chamber of Commerce website.
  5. Use Google! Oftentimes local papers, magazines and bloggers put together shop guides or gift guides that can be a great starting place.
  6. If you’re looking for a certain toy, perhaps one you find on Amazon, seek out a few local toy stores and see if they have it. If they don’t, call them and see if they’d be willing to order it for you! If you have a more general toy like stacking cubes or dolls, search on Etsy and see what options are available!

And now, in no particular order, here are some awesome small businesses to check out. I highly encourage you to spend time clicking through and exploring their websites. I chose one photo from each site for the collages but their sites have so much more worth seeing! Some of these are Etsy shops and are affiliate links. That means I earn a small amount of money if you shop through them at no additional cost to you!

If you need gift ideas, check out my previous gift guides and then search for those ideas on these small business sites:

45 Small Businesses To Support

small business gift guide

Shown above:

  1. Bria Paints – (Black-owned) An amazingly talented artist who paints people, plus some landscapes, plants, fruit and more. I bought ‘Balance’ for my office and ‘Sunflower’ for a Christmas gift
  2. LoreleiVella – Personalized kitchenware, jewelry and more. I got my kids personalized silicone spatulas for Christmas this year! (aff link)
  3. My Sweet Muffin – gifts for babies and kids. So many cute toys, plus room decor, bibs, party supplies and more. I bought Nolan the Play&Go road mat pictured above. It has a drawstring and you can pull it to turn the mat into a storage bag for toys!
  4. Cate and Levi – Handcrafted, eco-friendly toys. They have the cutest puppets, as well as sew-your-own stuffed animal kits. I got the dog for a winter project to do with Chase!
  5. Lovewaves – (OUT OF BUSINESS) Sound waves as art. You send in an audio clip of a short phrase like “I do.” or “I love you Mama” and they turn the soundwaves into art.
  6. Little Nomad – (Black-owned) Kids clothing and toys plus shoes, books and even clothes for women.
  7. Sustainable Home Goods – (Black-owned) A collection of ethical, sustainable and fair-trade items. Kitchen, home decor, jewelry and more.
  8. Flux Imagery – (Black-owned) The most whimsical watercolor art and planners. I bought the fairy pictured above for Lyssie’s room. Erika also offers painting and drawing courses on SkillShare.
  9. Cookie Society – (Black-owned) Giant, delicious cookies delivered straight to your door! So many flavor options. Marissa also has an amazing food blog – First and Full.
small businesses to support

Shown above:

  1. Kido – (Black-owned) Toys, books and clothes for kids.
  2. The Fresh Dolls – (Black-owned) A diverse line of multicultural dolls for all kids.
  3. Fortuna June – A local Columbus company with amazing handwoven beaded earrings. (aff link)
  4. Bravery Magazine – A quarterly magazine that features brave women in each issue. I ordered this for my kids when it first came out 3 years ago but they were too young. Getting ready to start subscribing again!
  5. Goose Grease – A fair trade company that makes handmade wooden peg dolls. They offer painted sets, DIY kits, custom families and cake toppers.
  6. Jamison and Bexley – (Black-owned) A local Columbus kids clothing shop. I connected with Jen the owner, who lives near me! And we bonded over our experience with challenging 3-year-olds 🙂 The clothes in her shop are adorable! (Shopping through my aff link will save you 10%)
  7. Wright Kitchen – My mom got me one of her photo books for Christmas last year. I’m obsessed with all her prints. So bright, colorful and amazing using food. She also makes them into puzzles!
  8. Treasures from Jennifer – Artisan-crafted, all-natural toys, educational tools, and decor. A friend recommended the bow and arrow shown above and said it’s high quality and easy for her boys to use. I immediately bought one for Chase bc he’s been asking for the past two years.
  9. Semicolon Book Store – Black-owned women-owned bookstore in Chicago but you can always shop online! Here’s a list of Black-owned independent bookstores by state if you want to find one local to you!
list of small businesses to support

Shown above:

  1. Tab Knits – Handmade backpacks, purses and pouches. I loved one of her wristlets and asked her if she could turn it into a crossbody for me and she did and it’s wonderful. Perfect for just holding a few cards and cash since I leave the house infrequently and don’t need a big purse. (aff link)
  2. Sarah + Abraham – Personalized kids’ plates, cups, placemats and stationary items.
  3. MKoby Art – (Black-owned) – I just love her art- people and landscapes. Melissa is so talented. I have the print pictured above in my office and have my eye on the Sunset one for my bedroom. (aff link)
  4. Game Day Feels – Bracelets, mask chains, key chains, dog tags and more made from baseball glove lace. I bought a bracelet a few years ago and it broke and I just replaced it last week! You can put your own quote on it or choose one of theirs. Mine says “Life is about moments. Don’t wait for them, create them.”
  5. Molly & Kate Jewels – Personalized jewelry. I get asked all the time about the necklace I wear with my kids names on it. It’s not from this shop but theirs are almost identical to the bar necklace that I love so much. (aff link)
  6. Magic Beans – Based in Boston, they sell all things baby – car seats, strollers, high chairs, bottles, baby monitors but also have a great toy selection!
  7. Dig & Co – Sweet supplies for outdoor adventures, garden and kitchen tools, art supplies and more. I love the acorn matching game pictured above as well as the kangaroo pillows!
  8. Grace Personalized – Their custom name jewelry is beautiful but I’m in love with their actual handwriting and fingerprint jewelry. I asked my parents for a handwriting bracelet last year and it turned out so well (aff link)
  9. More Than Peach Project (Black-owned) Started by a 9-year-old. Multi-cultural crayons. The perfect addition to your art supplies.
small business gift guide

Shown above:

  1. Yaytoonday – (Black-owned) Local to Columbus. Beautiful fabric plant pots, bags, art and more.
  2. Puzzle Huddle – (Black-owned) Childrens puzzles featuring diverse characters. They start at 15 pieces and go up to 200 pieces for several skill levels!
  3. Red Giraffe Designs – Local to Columbus. Handmade jewelry. I have my eye on the long hammered bar earrings pictured above.
  4. One Per Week – (CLOSED) Beautiful stationary and even a monthly subscription box if you’re looking to get into the habit of sending more snail mail.
  5. Native PRINTcess – (Black-owned) Gorgeous handmade catchalls and jewelry dishes. I asked for one for Christmas (aff link)
  6. Lovely Grain Studio – Personalized signs, home decor etc. Or turn your kid’s handwriting into a sign. Did this last year and it was a big hit with both sets of grandparents. (aff link)
  7. Mariya Eleanor Designs – (Black-owned) One-of-a-kind yarn tapestries. So obsessed with these. Mariya is so talented.
  8. LaurelBox – Heartfelt sympathy gifts for those grieving. Choose a curated box or make your own for someone you know grieving a miscarriage, loss of a spouse, battling infertility and more.
  9. Little Lily Shop – Mess-free pretend makeup. I got some for Lyssie last Christmas and it’s held up so well! (aff link)
gift guide

Shown above:

  1. Learning Express Toys and Gifts – Several central Ohio stores. It’s a franchise but my father-in-law knows the owners of the Worthington and New Albany locations. You can shop online or find a branch local to you. Tons of toy options for kids.
  2. EcoVibe Style – (Black-owned) – Recently found this shop and immediately ordered 2 Christmas presents from them. An awesome collection of apparel, home decor, plants, gardening supplies, pillows, kitchenware, furniture and more.
  3. Collisionware – Adorable oven mitts and finger mitts. I bought some for my kids this year. (aff link)
  4. Dope Coffee – (Black-owned) – If you have a coffee lover in your life, the holidays are a great time to help them test out a new brand!
  5. The Crafty Swirl – (CLOSED) (Black-owned) – Gorgeous two-toned hanging shelves. Some even have holes for potted plants. So cute!
  6. ElemenOPillows – If you need pillow covers, Karen is your lady! She’s a family friend and makes great pillow covers in pretty much any fabric you could ever want. (aff link)
  7. Planthropy – Local to Columbus. The coolest living moss wall art.
  8. ARCHd – Homemade decor on wood and marble. I love their wood art.
  9. Wildflower Art Studio – DIY Kits that teach you how to do fun things like watercolor, hand lettering, caligraphy and more! (aff link)

Two others I love that only do very limited runs but still worth checking out Ettavee and Harper Iman Dolls!

small businesses to support on Etsy

And this year I’m linking to a few more Etsy shops I’ve purchased from over the last couple of years:

  •  The Leather Store – I treated myself to a new leather backpack that fits my laptop so I can easily take it along to work at the kids’ sports practices etc and I love it so much. (aff link)
  • Cutting Edge Boston – Last year I got my dad a stemless wineglass with a photo of my youngest engraved on it and it was a huge hit! (aff link)
  • Palmetto Wood Shop LLC – We got my FIL a new pocketknife engraved with GRANDPA and it was beautiful! (aff link)
  • Make It Snappy – We have 3 of these folding card holders. The kids can put their cards in them when we’re playing games and not have to worry about holding them all in their little hands. And then they fold flat when you want to store them! (aff link)
  • Wild Clementine Co – I got my mom one of her reusable bowl covers a couple years ago and it’s so pretty. Great for covering bread dough, pizza dough etc while it rises!
  • Vitrage Art Souvenirs – I got my mom and MIL these stained glass hummingbirds and they are gorgeous. You can stick them in a vase with flowers or in a potted plant. And they have tons of other pretty stained glass. Made in Ukraine and shipped super quickly and were well packed. (aff link)

If you’re buying board games for people, consider searching for a local game store. Guard Tower is one local to Columbus but you can probably find one in your area! If you’re looking for game suggestions for kids at different ages, follow my friend Danielle @boardgamebabies on Instagram or check out her blog.

Here are 45 Small Businesses To Support in 2020! Some are Black-owned, some are local to Ohio, all can be shopped and supported from the comfort of your own home!

Happy shopping!
–Lindsay–

 

No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars

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These No-Bake Protein Bars are a homemade version of your favorite store-bought peanut butter protein bar, without all the crazy ingredients. They’re the perfect snack after a tough workout.

homemade no bake peanut butter protein bars

**Originally published in 2014.**

Hi Friends!

These no-bake peanut butter protein bars have been a favorite in our house for almost 10 years now. I first started making them as holiday gifts for friends at the gym and over the years I’ve continued to make them for friends and family whenever they are requested.

Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars

There are tons of store-bought protein bars out there but they can be expensive and some of them have unnecessary ingredients. These are made with simple ingredients you might already have on hand! Here’s what you’ll need for these bars:

  • Oat flour – you can buy this or make your own by simply grinding oats in a food processor or blender.
  • Protein powder- you can use any flavor. I most commonly use vanilla but have also made them with chocolate. My favorite protein powder is Promix.
  • Rice Chex cereal – this adds some texture. You could also use Rice Krispies or another similar cereal
  • Chia seeds – add a boost of omegas and a little more protein
  • Peanut butter – our favorite is Crazy Richard’s
  • Milk – you can use cow’s milk or plant-based milk
  • Honey – for sweetness and to help them stick together

I love making these because they’re easy to put together and keep well in the fridge so you can easily have them on for a post-workout snack or for days when you’re fighting that afternoon slump.

Want more protein snack ideas? Try these:

No-Bake Protein Bar Recipe

No Bake Protein Bars topped with chocolate

Here’s how you make them:

Print

No-Bake Protein Bars

No Bake Protein Bars 3
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 18 reviews

A homemade, no-bake version of your favorite store-bought peanut butter protein bar, without all the crazy ingredients

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 cups oat flour (simply grind oats in a food processor)
  • 1.5 cups vanilla protein powder
  • 1.5 cups Rice Chex cereal
  • 3 Tbsp chia seeds
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 – 1/2 cup honey, depending on sweetness preference
  • 2–4 Tbsp water, if necessary
  • 3 Tbsp chocolate chips, optional

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, cereal and chia seeds.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, milk and honey.
  3. Microwave wet ingredients if peanut butter is not liquidy.
  4. Add liquid mixture into dry ingredients and stir to combine.
  5. Add water if necessary to make sure all dry ingredients are moistened. (Mixture will be crumbly.)
  6. Use parchment paper to press the mixture into a 9×9 pan.
  7. Freeze for 20 minutes.
  8. Cut into 12 bars. Top with melted chocolate chips if desired.
  9. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Homemade No-Bake Oatmeal Protein Bars

Feel free to customize to your liking:

  • Sub your favorite nut butter for the peanut butter
  • Try Rice Krispies or another crunchy cereal instead of Chex.
  • Eat them plain or just drizzle with chocolate instead of covering the whole top.
  • Use unflavored protein powder instead of vanilla, but you may need to increase the honey and decrease the milk.
No Bake Protein Bars topped with chocolate for a holiday gift for friends

Added bonus? You can wrap a batch of these up in some pretty paper and ribbons and give them to a friend as a present at Christmas, their birthday, etc! Want more food gift ideas? Check out my Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts.

Want more no-bake protein bar and ball recipes? Here are some ideas – some don’t require protein powder – plus another protein bar recipe that does require baking.

Peanut Butter Hemp Energy Balls

Peanut Butter Hemp Energy Balls

These Peanut Butter Hemp Energy Balls are packed with fiber and protein for a healthy, kid-friendly snack made without protein powder

Read more
My easy go-to energy ball recipe made with dates, hemp, peanut butter and flax

My Go-To Energy Ball Recipe

My Go-To Energy Ball Recipe is perfect for kids, nursing moms, athletes and anyone looking for a healthy snack. They’re full of fiber, protein, and healthy fats and easy to prep ahead of time to keep your freezer stocked.

Read more
These gluten-free, grain-free protein bars are the perfect way to refuel after a workout and also make a great afternoon snack! They can be customized with mix-ins and are can easily be made paleo.

Sweet Potato Protein Bars

These gluten-free, grain-free protein bars make the perfect post-workout snack.

Grab the recipe!
These Almond Butter Protein Balls are a gluten-free, no-bake snack recipe that's great to have on hand for a busy afternoon or to help refuel post-workout!

Almond Butter Protein Balls

An easy, no-bake snack idea that’s easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins.

Read more
Looking for a quick, healthy snack made with real food ingredients? Here are 12 kid-friendly energy ball recipes made without protein powder.

15 Kid-Friendly Protein-Rich Energy Balls| No Protein Powder

Read more

Easy No Bake Protein Bars

These No-Bake Protein Bars are a homemade version of your favorite store-bought peanut butter protein bar, without all the crazy ingredients. They're the perfect snack after a tough workout.

Hope you like them! Be sure to store them in the fridge – or the freezer if you like them a little colder!

These protein bars make a great addition to your weekly food prep session so you have healthy snacks readily available during the week. If you liked this post, you’ll love my Mastering Food Prep e-course where I teach you everything you need to know about prepping food for the week ahead to make your life easier.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Crockpot Potato Soup with Hash Browns

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This Crockpot Potato Soup with Hash Browns is so easy to make. Pureeing it at the end helps make it thick and creamy without adding any dairy!

crockpot potato soup with hash browns

Hi friends!

I’ve got a super easy crockpot recipe to share with you guys today and I have been loving it for the past few weeks. About a month ago I got a craving for potato soup. As usual, life is busy and I am always looking for shortcuts and for this recipe, like so many others, this comes in the form of frozen veggies.

I use frozen mixed vegetables all the time in recipes like:

Easy Crockpot Potato Soup with Frozen Hash Browns

The secret to making this recipe super easy is frozen hash browns, specifically diced hash browns. If you’re not a hash brown lover, you might not know that frozen hash brown potatoes are basically just frozen potatoes that have already been cut for you! So all you have to do is dump them in the crockpot. They’re the perfect size for soup and they’re all evenly sized.

Can I use regular potatoes?

You can absolutely use regular potatoes. Just be sure to dice them all the same size and fairly small so they cook nicely in the crockpot. Peel them or leave the skin on. Totally your preference.

Do I have to add carrots?

No, you don’t have to add carrots. I’m just of the opinion that if I’m going to puree something anyways I might as well throw some extra veggies in there since you probably won’t notice anyways. I did test this once with cauliflower rice instead of carrots and it was fine, especially if you like cauliflower. But I prefer carrots. I also add red peppers sometimes.

slow cooker potato soup with chicken sausage

How to make vegetarian crockpot potato soup?

To make this vegetarian just leave out the sausage at the end. You can easily add a can of white beans to the soup along with potatoes and carrots. They’ll blend up nicely. I use that trick in my Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup.

Crockpot Loaded Potato Soup with Hash Browns

Adding corn and chicken sausage to this recipe gives it a little twist on the classic potato soup recipe. I love blending the potatoes to make it creamy but also love adding some additional mix-ins to give the soup some texture. I add chicken sausage for protein but you could also add some beans or some shredded rotisserie chicken. I prefer green onions to white so I mix those in at the end. If you’d like, you can add diced onions at the beginning and just garnish with a few green onions at the end.

How to make classic loaded baked potato crockpot soup?

If you’d prefer to make a more traditional version, you can skip adding the corn and sausage and stir in some heavy cream and cheese and then top with more cheese, bacon and green onions. Or try one of these recipes:

Best Crockpot Potato Soup Recipe

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Crockpot Potato Soup with Hash Browns

crockpot potato soup with hash browns
Print Recipe

This Crockpot Potato Soup with Hash Browns is so easy to make. Pureeing it at the end helps make it thick and creamy without adding any dairy!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: serves 6

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups diced hash brown potatoes
  • 2 cups frozen carrots
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can green chilis
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 – 1 tsp cayenne
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 chicken sausages, sliced
  • 1 can corn
  • 3/4 cup sliced green onions

 

Instructions

  1. Combine the potatoes, carrots, chicken broth, green chilis, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne and salt in a crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  2. Transfer half to three-quarters of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth. 
  3. Pour back into the crockpot and add chicken sausage, corn and green onions. 
  4. Add a little more broth to thin it to your desired consistency if needed and cook an additional hour or two. 
  5. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving if needed. You may want to add more salt or make it spicier with more cayenne pepper.

Notes

Pureeing the soup is optional. If you prefer a chunkier soup you can skip that step but it will be more broth-based vs creamy. You can also use an immersion blender if you have one.

This recipe is so easy but full of flavor as well. Want more potato recipes? Try:

This Crockpot Potato Soup with Hash Browns is so easy to make. Pureeing it at the end helps make it thick and creamy without adding any dairy!

Let me know if you try this soup! If you’re looking for more soup recipes try:

gluten-free chicken ramen

Gluten-Free Chicken Ramen Noodles

These Gluten-Free Chicken Ramen Noodles are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Transform leftover chicken into a flavor-packed soup everyone will love!

Read more
instant pot beef stew

Instant Pot Beef Stew

This healthy Instant Pot Beef Stew recipe is ready in under an hour and tastes like it has been simmering all day. The perfect dinner on a cold winter night.

Read more
easy fish chowder

Easy Fish Chowder

This Easy Fish Chowder tastes better than longer it sits! Make a big pot over the weekend and enjoy for lunch or dinner all week!

Read more
instant pot vegetarian lasagna soup

Instant Pot Vegetarian Lasagna Soup

This Instant Pot Vegetarian Lasagna Soup is a quick and easy comfort food dinner that’s ready in under 30 min and makes enough to have leftovers for lunch!

Read more
white chicken chili

White Chicken Chili

This Easy White Chicken Chili is the perfect lunch or dinner soup and a nice change from traditional tomato-based chili.

Grab the recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

15 Kid-Friendly Protein-Rich Energy Balls| No Protein Powder

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These energy balls for kids are a quick, healthy snack option made with real food ingredients. Here are 15 kid-friendly energy ball recipes made without protein powder. 

energy bites for kids without protein powder

*Published May 2021. Updated Oct 2022*

Hi friends!

Let’s talk about snacks for a minute, shall we? More specifically, snacks for kids. Because lord knows my kids eat a lot of them- pretty much every 2 hours all day long, am I right?!

Protein Snacks for Kids and Toddlers

These aren’t giant snacks by any means, but they do occur multiple times per day, so I do my best to make sure they’re healthy and full of nutrients.  Some of our favorites include:

  • Muffins and Bars
  • String cheese with crackers
  • Hard-boiled eggs with fruit
  • Avocado or peanut butter toast
  • Smoothies or smoothie popsicles
  • Veggies and crackers with hummus
  • Energy balls
  • Frozen yogurt tubes
  • PB&J Waffles

If you need packaged snacks, check out my list of 60+ Healthy Packaged Snacks for Kids and check out my latest resource The Snack Spark for tons more ideas. Or browse my snack archives for several posts with my favorite store-bought snacks.

Protein Balls Recipe without Protein Powder

I try to rotate through snacks to avoid burnout, but one thing I try to always have on hand in the freezer is energy balls. My oldest absolutely loves my Lemon Energy Balls and the younger two are fans of my no-bake mint chocolate version (i make them without the crushed peppermint when it’s not Christmas time!)

When I look for protein balls for kids, I look for recipes without protein powder. Many parents are surprised by how little food it takes to meet the daily protein requirements for kids so there’s usually no need for extra protein powder. I choose nutrient-dense recipes that are full of protein thanks to nuts, seeds etc! Here’s a great post about how much protein your child needs (with visuals).

Protein balls for kids make a great snack. I love that you can prep a big batch ahead of time and store them in the freezer for a quick and easy snack time. I rounded up a few recipes for you to try!

Energy Balls for Kids

I love them because it’s so easy to make a batch ahead of time and pop them in the freezer and just pull them out whenever we need a quick snack. Since we eat them so frequently, it’s always nice to have options for different flavors/ingredients so I put together a list – it’s a mix of oatmeal balls for toddlers, protein balls without peanut butter and more!

Note that while a lot of energy balls are made with protein powder, for this roundup, I chose only recipes that do not include protein powder. I don’t use protein powder a ton although I do add it to my smoothies and to make my No Bake Protein Bars), but I don’t feel it’s something my kids need to be eating at their age.

So here’s the list of energy bites for kids including a few of my favorites from The Bean archives:

Healthy Toddler Protein Energy Balls

My easy go-to energy ball recipe made with dates, hemp, peanut butter and flax

My Go-To Energy Ball Recipe

My Go-To Energy Ball Recipe is perfect for kids, nursing moms, athletes and anyone looking for a healthy snack. They’re full of fiber, protein, and healthy fats and easy to prep ahead of time to keep your freezer stocked.

Grab the recipe!
cherry energy balls

Cherry Energy Balls

Just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes and you can have a batch of these energy balls on hand for quick snacks.

Grab the recipe!
apple cinnamon cookie energy bites

Apple Cinnamon Cookie Energy Bites

Made with oats, almond butter and fresh apples, these will quickly become a Fall favorite.

Grab the recipe!
pb and j swirl energy bites

PB & J Swirl Energy Bites

A fun twist on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, these energy bites swirl two classic flavors together for goodness in every bite

cinnamon raisin peanut butter energy balls

Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter Energy Balls

This recipe uses peanut butter for some protein and healthy fats while also add that classic cinnamon raisin flavor!

Grab the recipe!

No Cook Energy Bites Recipes For Kids

If your kiddos love dessert, energy balls can be a great sweet treat after dinner. There are lots of recipes out there modeled after classic desserts but these no cook versions are super quick and easy!

strawberry cheesecake energy bites

Strawberry Cheesecake Energy Bites

This recipe uses dried strawberries, cashews and nutritional yeast for flavorful dairy-free energy balls.

Grab the recipe!
no bake carrot cake energy bites

No Bake Carrot Cake Energy Bites

These energy bites taste just like your favorite carrot cake. A kid-friendly snack everyone will love!

Grab the recipe!
chocolate brownie no bake energy balls

Chocolate Brownie No Bake Energy Balls

Made with a mix of walnuts and almonds, plus dates and cocoa powder, these will satisfy any chocolate craving!

Grab the recipe!
key lime pie energy bites

Key Lime Pie Energy Bites

If you’re looking for a tropical treat, these energy bites can’t be beat! Lots of key lime juice and zest give these tons of flavor.

Grab the recipe!
no bake cranberry chocolate almond energy bites

No Bake Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites

These taste like cookie dough and are perfect anytime you need a quick burst of energy!

Grab the recipe!

Healthy Kids Protein Ball Recipes

The best part about energy bites is that there are endless flavor combinations out there. If you haven’t found one your kiddos love yet, keep trying!!

no bake peppermint chocolate bites

No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites

These No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites are simple, healthy and ready in minutes. This gluten-free recipe would make a great addition to your holiday cookie tray!

Read more
lemon energy balls

Lemon Energy Balls

Bursting with citrus flavor, these Lemon Energy balls make the perfect snack. Made with just 5 ingredients, they’re gluten-free, paleo-friendly and perfect for stashing in the fridge or freezer!

Grab the recipe!
dark chocolate blueberry energy bites

Dark Chocolate Blueberry Energy Bites

Grab the recipe!
dark chocolate coconut almond butter energy bites

Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Butter Energy Bites

Everyone loves the coconut and dark chocolate combo! Add in some almond butter and you’ve got an irresistible treat!

Grab the recipe!
chocolate coconut pistachio bites

Chocolate Coconut Pistachio Bites

These have a unique twist because they’re rolled in crushed nuts at the end to add some texture, color and flavor to the outside!

Grab the recipe!

So if you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen working my way through this list with my kitchen assistants. Which should we try first?!

Kids Energy Balls

Looking for a quick, healthy snack made with real food ingredients? Here are 12 kid-friendly energy ball recipes made without protein powder.

 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Flank Steak

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This slow cooker flank steak is flavored with ginger and garlic and packed with protein and vegetables. The best part is you don’t need to sear the meat beforehand! Just slice everything up, cover with sauce and let it cook!

flank steak recipes slow cooker - crockpot ginger garlic flank steak

*Thanks to the Ohio Beef Council for sponsoring this post*

Hi friends!

I’m excited to share this crockpot flank steak recipe with you guys. You may remember I’m partnering with the Ohio Beef Council this year and in my last post, I shared these Tater Tot Waffles that many of you have tried and loved!

Today I’m sharing a slow cooker recipe because who doesn’t need a new recipe in their repertoire? When I asked my Instagram followers what kind of recipe they wanted to see, a lot of people asked for a beef and broccoli-type recipe. But the biggest request was that they didn’t want to have to sear the meat ahead of time. They wanted something they could just dump into the crockpot and set without worrying about dirtying another pan.

Flank Steak Recipes Slow Cooker

I took that request to heart and decided to go with this flank steak recipe in the slow cooker. It’s such a great source of protein and I love how tender it gets in the crockpot. I also knew I wanted to add a bunch of vegetables so really all you have to do is add rice and boom! You’ve got a complete dinner ready and waiting when you got home.

ginger garlic flank steak - recipes slow cooker

How To Make Flank Steak in the Slow Cooker

Let’s talk about how to make this recipe. As I said, it just requires a little slicing and chopping, and then you dump everything in. One important thing to note is that for tender beef, you want to be sure to cut against the grain. Luckily with flank steak, it’s easy to see the long lines running across the meat so you just want to make sure you cut across those and not with them.

Another tip is to throw your flank steak in the freezer for an hour or so before slicing. This allows you to cut it thinly, at a slight angle, more easily than if it’s just straight out of the fridge. You’ll easily be able to get the perfect strips to add to the slow cooker.

We toss the strips in cornstarch to help thicken the sauce a little as it cooks. And remember that the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Flank Steak in the Air Fryer

While this recipe is all about the slow cooker, I also wanted to mention that cooking flank steak in the air fryer is another super easy way to cook it! Here are a few recipes if you want to try it that way:

Or try my Air Fryer Steak Bites!

But for today we’re all about the crockpot so let’s get to the recipe:

Crockpot Flank Steak Recipe

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Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Flank Steak

slow cooker ginger garlic flank steak
Print Recipe

This slow cooker ginger garlic flank steak is packed with protein and vegetables. The best part is you don’t need to sear the meat beforehand! Just slice everything up, cover with sauce and let it cook!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 – 2# flank steak
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 cups thinly sliced carrots
  • 1 thinly sliced bell pepper
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • 1 – 2 Tbsp hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup beef broth
  • 1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 package frozen broccoli, steamed
  • green onions

Instructions

  1. Place steak strips in a large bowl. Add cornstarch and toss to coat.

  2. Add thinly sliced carrots and bell peppers to the crockpot and add the steak.

  3. In a bowl, combine beef broth, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, tamari and hot sauce and stir to combine.

  4. Pour the sauce into the crockpot and stir to coat.

  5. Cook on low for 6 hours. 

  6. Prior to serving, stir in a bag of cooked, steamed broccoli. 

  7. Taste and adjust seasonings. You can add salt, add more hot sauce or even sprinkle with garlic powder for a stronger garlic flavor.

  8. Serve over rice and top with green onions.

Notes

  • You can sub chicken broth for beef broth.
  • You can sub soy sauce for tamari
  • If you want to use fresh broccoli, just throw it in for the last hour or so of cooking!

Doesn’t it look just delicious?! I love how many veggies are packed in there and I love that there’s not dirtying another pan by having to sear beforehand. The brown sugar adds sweetness to this but then you can mix in as much hot sauce as you want to give it that sweet and spicy combination flavor!

If you’re looking for more slow cooker recipes you can see all of my crockpot recipes here! And if you’re a beef-lover, Ohio Beef Council has tons of great beef recipes on their site.

Slow Cooked Garlic Flank Steak

Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Flank Steak Recipe

I hope you guys enjoy this recipe! Be sure to let me know if you try it!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

20+ Baked Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

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These baked sweet potato dessert recipes are perfect for any occasion! Learn how to bake a sweet potato and make a dessert everyone will love!

healthy baked sweet potato dessert recipes

*Originally published 11/2021. Updated 10/2022*

Hi friends!

If you’ve been around awhile, you know I have a baked sweet potato recipe or two! I bake a sweet potato (or several) pretty much every week when I food prep and while I sometimes use them in Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes, I most frequently bake with them. Baked sweet potatoes are the perfect addition to muffins and bars, brownies and cakes!

But before we talk about the recipes, we need to talk about preparation. 

How to bake a sweet potato

There is a baked sweet potato recipe for pretty much any small kitchen appliance you might have. When I need one quickly, I use the microwave. If I’m cooking several, I typically use the instant pot or air fryer. Here are several options:

Any of these methods will cook the sweet potatoes and make them soft enough for baking.

Healthy desserts with sweet potato

When I first shared this roundup there was a lot of interest in desserts with sweet potatoes so I’ve updated the roundup to give you even more ideas. However, I’m also sharing some of my favorite muffins and bar recipes at the end because they are recipes I make weekly that my kids love for pretty much any meal of the day!

Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes:

Here are some desserts with sweet potato that you’ll absolutely fall in love with – everything from chocolate cake to cookies to cinnamon rolls!

healthy sweet potato chocolate cake

30-Minute Healthy Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake

You’d never guess this rich chocolate cake is made with both sweet potatoes and avocado!

Grab the recipe!
sweet potato casserole cupcakes

Sweet Potato Casserole Cupcakes

Classic sweet potato casserole is transformed into a hand-held dessert that can be served beyond Thanksgiving.

Grab the recipe!
sweet potato cake - sweet potato dessert recipes

Sweet Potato Cake

Like carrot cake, but with a sweet potato twist! Plus you’ll love the bourbon salted caramel frosting!

Grab the recipe!
sweet potato cookies with cream cheese frosting

Sweet Potato Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

These soft and fluffy cookies are perfectly spiced and topped with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Grab the recipe!
sweet potato cinnamon rolls

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

Add sweet potato to the dough, fill the middle with cinnamon and sugar and top it off with a brown butter cream cheese glaze!

Grab the recipe!
grandbaby southern sweet potato pie

Grandbaby Southern Sweet Potato Pie

If you love pumpkin pie, you’ve gotta add this sweet potato pie to your dessert table this year!

Grab the recipe!

Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Desserts

If you’re looking to bake with sweet potatoes but try something a little bit healthier, try one of these healthy baked sweet potato dessert recipes:

gluten free sweet potato brownies

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you’ll never believe they’re a healthy dessert!

Grab the recipe
dessert baked sweet potato

Dessert Baked Sweet Potato

Which toppings will you add to your sweet potato to turn them into dessert? Think coconut, almond butter, dark chocolate and more!

Grab the recipe!
maple pecan sweet potato crisp

Maple-Pecan Cranberry Sweet Potato Crisp

The perfect mix of apples, cranberries and sweet potatoes with a maple pecan topping!

Grab the recipe!
healthier sweet potato casserole dessert

Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole Dessert

A lightened-up version of a classic Thanksgiving staple everyone will love!

Grab the recipe!

Purple Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

Have you ever seen purple sweet potatoes in your grocery store? Next time grab a few to make one of these stunning dessert! Some of these are baked in the oven and others turn baked sweet potato into a no-bake dessert you’ll love!

Screen Shot 2022 10 12 at 1.22.24 PM

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

A classic sweet potato pie made with purple sweet potatoes for a beautiful color!

Grab the recipe!
purple sweet potato pie bars

Purple Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Vibrant purple vegan pie filling and an almond flour crust make these irresistible!

Grab the recipe!
purple sweet potato ice cream

Purple Sweet Potato Ice Cream

The perfect combination of purple sweet potato, maple syrup and almond milk!

Grab the recipe!
purple sweet potato pudding

Purple Sweet Potato Pudding

All you need are 4 ingredients to make this pudding with a little bit of ginger in every bite!

Grab the recipe
purple sweet potato pie

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

The perfect recipe to introduce you to baking with purple sweet potato!

Grab the recipe!

Vegan Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

For those looking for vegan desserts, here are several options! Several of them are gluten-free as well.

gluten-free vegan sweet potato blondies

Gluten-Free Vegan Sweet Potato Blondies

If you’re not a fan of traditional chocolate brownies, try these sweet potato blondies!

Grab the recipe!
easy vegan sweet potato cake

Easy Vegan Sweet Potato Cake

Fluffy and moist with tons of spices and and a dairy-free frosting!

Grab the recipe!
Sweet potato pie bars

Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Only 9 ingredients required for a delicious healthy dessert with sweet potato!

Grab the recipe!
vegan sweet potato chocolate cake

Vegan Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake

Both the rich chocolate cake AND the frosting are made with sweet potato!

Grab the recipe!
vegan sweet potato cinnamon cheesecake

Vegan Sweet Potato Cinnamon Cheesecake

Thanks to cashews, dates and sweet potato, this cheesecake is both vegan and dairy-free!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Muffins and Bars Recipes

As I mentioned above, while sweet potatoes are great for dessert, they’re also great for baking and I use them weekly in the baked goods I make for myself and my kids. Here are a few of my favorites:

healthy sweet potato cookies

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies

No protein powder required for these Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies! They’re gluten-free, made with real food ingredients and packed with protein and fiber. Enjoy them for breakfast or an afternoon snack!

Grab the recipe!
sweet potato white bean bars

Sweet Potato White Bean Bars

These Sweet Potato White Bean Bars are perfect for breakfast or snack time. They’re kid-friendly, nut-free and full of fiber! 

Grab the recipe!
4 ingredient sweet potato banana muffins

Sweet Potato Banana Muffins

These gluten-free Sweet Potato Banana Bites have just four main ingredients and make a great snack for both kids and adults! 

Grab the recipe!
cranberry sweet potato muffins

Cranberry Sweet Potato Muffins

This recipe for Cranberry Sweet Potato Muffins makes a great breakfast or grab-and-go snack. Use fresh or dried cranberries or swap chocolate chips

Grab the recipe!
sweet potato waffles

Sweet Potato Waffles

These Sweet Potato Waffles are kid-friendly and perfect for breakfast, pre-workout fuel or an afternoon snack. Add some peanut butter in the middle for a fun waffle sandwich!

Grab the recipe!

Did any of these catch your eye? Be sure to pin this post and share with friends!

These baked sweet potato dessert recipes are perfect for any occasion! Learn how to bake a sweet potato and make a dessert everyone will love!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Air Fryer Steak Bites

by 3 Comments

If you’re intimidated by the grill, these air fryer steak bites are the way to go. So easy and they come out perfect every time!

air fryer steak bites with butter

Hi friends!

I’ve been meaning to share these super easy air fryer steak bites for a while now. My daughter is a huge steak fan and she loves these. If you prefer to cut your steak while eating, you can definitely cook full steaks in the air fryer, I just find it easier to do the cutting beforehand and then the bites are ready to serve to my kids right away after cooking.

How long to cook steak in the air fryer?

Since we’re making steak bites, they cook super quickly – think 4-5 minutes tops. I use top sirloin and typically cut the pieces in half lengthwise and then cut into 8 cubes. My top sirloin is typically about an inch thick and cooks to 135 degrees F in 4 minutes. If you’re looking to cook other types of steaks in the air fryer you definitely can, they just might take a few more minutes. Here’s a little summary of cooking times for you when you cook in an air fryer at 400 degrees F:

Air fryer steak cooking chart:

  • Rare: 125 degrees F: 5-7 minutes
  • Medium-rare: 135 degrees F: 7-10 minutes
  • Medium: 145 degrees F: 9-12 minutes
  • Well done: 160 degrees F: 12-15 minutes

*Cooking time will vary depending on your steak thickness. If steaks are about 1 inch thick, time will be on the lower end of the range. If they’re closer to 1.5 inches it’ll be towards the longer end. The great thing about the air fryer is it’s super easy to pull out the basket, take a quick temperature check and add time if needed. Also, remember that the steak will continue to cook a few degrees after you pull it out!

How to cook garlic sirloin steak bites in the air fryer?

Now that we’ve covered cooking temps, let’s talk about how exactly to cook these. It’s super important to preheat your air fryer. You want the basket to be hot when you drop them in to give the outside a little sear. Other than that, all you have to do is cut your steak into bite-size pieces, sprinkle on some seasonings and cook!

When they’re done, I like to toss them in a little melted butter. You can mix in some garlic powder or parsley for flavor, or even some cayenne pepper to give them a little bite!

Want a few more air fryer sirloin steak recipes? Check out:

How to reheat steak in an air fryer?

When it comes to reheating steak, you can also use an air fryer. I like to set the temperature to about 350 degrees F and toss the steak in for 3 minutes or so. If you’re reheating steak bites, they might only take a minute or two since they’re smaller!

air fryer steak bites medium rare

*Make sure you cut your steak across the grain! Not like I did in this photo 🙂 This is called being in a rush, trying to get work done while your kids are home!*

Air Fryer Sirloin Steak Recipe

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Air Fryer Steak Bites

air fryer steak bites
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

If you’re intimidated by the grill, these air fryer steak bites are the way to go. So easy and they come out perfect every time!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 – 1.5 pounds top sirloin steak
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt & pepper
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1–2 Tbsp butter
  • dried parsley

Instructions

  1. Cut top sirloin into bite-sized pieces. I usually cut them in half lengthwise and then 4 times across to make 8 cubes per steak and place into bowl.
  2. In a small bowl mix garlic powder, salt and pepper and brown sugar.
  3. Pour over steak and stir until well coated. 
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
  5. Add steak and cook 4 minutes. Check temperature and remove or cook an additional minute.
  6. Remove from air fryer and place in a bowl. Add 1-2 Tbsp butter and stir to coat steak bites as it melts. Sprinkle with desired seasonings like dried parsley, more salt and garlic powder etc!

Notes

Feel free to customize the seasonings. You can add cayenne pepper for spice, try a steak seasoning blend or increase the garlic powder. 

When adding butter at the end you can sprinkle with salt, parsley or other seasonings.

If you’re worried about overcooking, check at 3 minutes!

So easy and so delicious! These steak bites would also be great on my Steak Cobb Salad! If you prefer to grill, try these Grilled Steak and Potato Kabobs. Want to try different types of steak?

An easy and delicious way to cook steak without the grill- air fryer steak bites!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

One Pot Chicken and Rice

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This easy one pot chicken and rice is perfect for a busy weeknight. Most of the cooking time is hands-off letting you get other things done while it cooks!

one pot chicken and rice recipe

Hi friends!

If you follow along on Instagram, you’ve seen me test one pot chicken and rice recipe several times now. It took a little tweaking to get the cooking times right for me and then I had several people test it and adjusted the recipe more based on their feedback.

Overall, the recipe is simple. Very basic ingredients and the flavor is great. The trickiest part is the rice. You have to use brown rice for this recipe. Otherwise, the cooking time will be off. What I’ve learned is that people prefer their rice to different degrees of doneness. I like brown rice because it’s a bit sturdier than white rice and I like mine to have some texture when I eat it. If you prefer yours a cooked a little more, you’ll just have to adjust the cooking times a bit.

best one pot chicken and rice

This recipe uses a bag of frozen mixed vegetables (i use carrots and peas) and chicken breasts. Let’s cover a few common questions you might have:

Can I make one pot chicken thighs and rice?

Maybe you prefer chicken thighs over chicken breast. If I were going to sub thighs in this recipe, you could dice them up and cook like the breasts or you could try adding them at the beginning and letting them cook along with the rice and veggies and then shredding them up at the end.

How to make one pot Mexican chicken and rice?

If you want to put a Mexican spin on this dish, you could add black beans and corn during the last 10 minutes and change your veggies from peas and carrots to peppers and onions. Stir in shredded Mexican cheese instead of parmesan and top with fresh cilantro.

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Rice and Broccoli

This is another popular spin you could put on it. I would cook the rice by itself at the beginning, then add the chicken and then once you turn the heat off, stir in broccoli and cheddar cheese, cover and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Best One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe

To make this recipe, it’s pretty simple. First, we’re going to get a large Dutch oven and throw in some butter, a bag of frozen vegetables, some uncooked brown rice, spices and some chicken broth. Bring it all to a boil and let it cook with the cover on for a while.

Then we’re going to add diced chicken and let it cook for a while more uncovered. Here’s where you might have to adjust the cooking time. You want to cook it until most of the broth is absorbed, but if you taste it and your rice isn’t quite done, you can add a bit more broth.

Then remove it from the heat, mix in some cheese and put the lid on to let it rest for a few minutes. And voila!

If you’re looking for more recipe ideas, find more chicken recipes here!

Here’s the full recipe:

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One Pot Chicken and Rice

one pot chicken and rice 2
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

This easy one pot chicken and rice is packed with vegetables and full of flavor. Perfect comfort food for a cold night.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 30 min
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 12 oz bag frozen veggies (I use peas and carrots)
  • 1 cup brown rice, uncooked
  • 1 quart (4 cups) chicken broth
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
  • 1 – 1.5 pounds raw chicken breast, diced
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese to taste or 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions

  1. In a large Dutch oven or pot, combine butter, vegetables, rice, broth and spices and bring to a boil
  2. Reduce heat to medium (should still be bubbling), cover and cook 20 minutes.
  3. Add chicken and bring to a boil again. 
  4. Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for another 15-20 minutes. Almost all of the liquid should be absorbed. Taste the rice. If you want it cooked more, add 1/2 cup more broth at a time and continue to let it cook until rice reaches desired tenderness.
  5. REMOVE FROM HEAT, stir in cheese and taste. Adjust seasonings adding more salt and peper if needed. Cover and let sit (with no heat) for 10 minutes before serving!

Sounds pretty simple right?

one pot cheesy chicken and rice recipe

Let me know if you give this one a try! It’s a new favorite around here.

If you’re looking for more one pot chicken recipes, here are 5 more to try:

Chicken and Rice V1

One Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

This dish features several spices that give it tons of flavor without it being too spicy!

Grab the recipe!
One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice 900px

One Pot Greek Lemon Chicken and Rice

This option is packed with Greek flavor and baked in the oven for a hands-off approach to a one pot meal!

Grab the recipe!
broccoli cheese rice one pot 2a

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Rice and Broccoli

An easy one pot meal made with pantry staples. The whole family will love it on a busy night!

Grab the recipe!
chicken and rice instant pot

One Pot Chicken and Rice Instant Pot

Skip the stovetop and try this instant pot version of one pot chicken and rice. Just dump in the ingredients and let the instant pot do the work!

Grab the recipe!
creamy one pot chicken and rice1

Creamy Parmesan One Pot Chicken and Rice

Creamy, cheesy and so delicious, you’ll find yourself making this recipe over and over again!

Grab the recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

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These healthy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes are perfect for quick, easy dinners and you can pack the leftovers for lunch! Added bonus? Many can be made in the slow cooker if you don’t have a pressure cooker. 

Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

*Originally published March 2018. Updated Oct 2022*

Hi friends!

Welcome to this delightful little roundup of Instant Pot Chicken Recipes.

Best Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

We are not full on in the middle of back to school season over here. Fall sports have started, winter sports are looming and if your house is anything like mine, you need dinner on the table quickly most weeknights. Enter the Instant Pot. I bought my instant pot (aff link) 5 years ago and am still using it weekly so that should show you that it has some staying power and that this busy mama finds it useful!

But I know that some people are still intimidated by it as an appliance in general. So I’ve rounded up some healthy instant pot chicken recipes to encourage you to pull yours out of storage and give it a try!

If you want more ideas, check out these healthy instant pot dinner recipes!

So here you go! 15 Instant Pot Chicken Recipes healthy enough for a busy weekday for you to enjoy:

Easy Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes

instant pot cilantro lime chicken - healthy instant pot chicken recipes

Cilantro Lime Chicken

This Cilantro Lime Chicken is the perfect healthy dinner recipe and can be made in the slow cooker or the Instant Pot. Serve it over rice or as a filling for tacos. You can even prep it ahead of time and freeze until you need it.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot chicken marsala

Instant Pot Chicken Marsala

This Instant Pot Chicken Marsala is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a fancy date night in. It’s easy to make, full of flavor and using the pressure cooker makes it even less work than the already simple stovetop version

Grab the recipe!
instant pot asian chicken - healthy instant pot chicken recipes

Instant Pot Asian Chicken

This Instant Pot Asian Chicken is full of flavor and easy to make. A healthy dinner the whole family will love!

Grab the recipe!
instant pot honey sesame chicken breast - instant pot chicken breast recipes healthy

Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Breast

The chicken is great but the honey sesame sauce will steal your heart! Make a side of steamed veggies and rice and drizzle the sauce on those too!

Grab the recipe!
healthy parmesan chicken pasta instant pot

Healthy Parmesan Chicken Pasta Instant Pot

If you haven’t tried pasta in the instant pot yet, this is the perfect place to start. A simple homemade sauce, chicken, noodles and cheese!

Grab the recipe!

Healthy Chicken and Rice Instant Pot

One of the things I like best about the instant pot is how fast it is. It’s hands-off cooking like a slow cooker but ready so much faster! If you haven’t tried pressure cooking yet, it’s worth a try! And so many chicken dishes in the instant pot are great with rice and a side of veggies for a quick and easy dinner!

Instant Pot Chicken Risotto Recipe 1 of 1

Instant Pot Risotta with Chicken and Mushrooms

Skip the stovetop stirring and enjoy a creamy risotto in the instant pot. Don’t like mushrooms? Swap in another veggie!

Grab the recipe!
paleo instant pot chicken and broccoli

Paleo Chicken and Broccoli

Just like the takeout chicken and broccoli you grew up ordering, this simple recipe will quickly become a family favorite! Serve over cauliflower or regular rice.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot chili lime chicken thighs

Pressure Cooker Chili Lime Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are great in the instant pot! The chili lime flavor adds a nice touch and you can serve with rice and veggies for a quick and easy meal.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot orange chicken

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

This recipe is better than takeout and so easy to make. Tender chicken and a flavorful orange sauce – what’s not to love?!

Grab the recipe!
healthy chicken recipe instant pot recipe - honey sesame chicken

Honey Sesame Chicken and Rice Instant Pot

This is a super easy, kid-friendly dish to try in your instant pot. The whole family will love it and it makes great leftovers!

Healthy Chicken Soup Instant Pot Recipes

You can never have too many soup recipes, right? I’m a soup all-year-round kinda girl but even if you don’t touch it until the weather turns cool, there are still plenty of colder months to enjoy it! Here are some ideas:

instant pot chicken and dumplings

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings for Two

One of those healthy instant pot chicken recipes that’s perfect for a sick day or dinner for two! You won’t be able to get enough of this cozy soup and delicious dumplings.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot sweet potato chicken chili

Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

This Sweet Potato Chicken Chili can be made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker for an easy, healthy dinner. And the leftovers make the perfect packable lunch. 

Grab the recipe!
ginger chicken and rice soup instant pot healthy

Instant Pot Ginger Chicken & Rice Soup

Ready in just 20 minutes, this is the perfect addition to your list of healthy instant pot chicken recipes! A fun and flavorful twist on traditional chicken and rice soup.

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instant pot chicken tortilla soup

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Packed with flavor thanks to the fire-roasted tomatoes and tons of spices, this healthy chicken tortilla soup in the instant pot is perfect for a cold Fall night.

Grab the recipe!
healthy white chicken chili instant pot

Healthy White Chicken Chili Instant Pot

This Easy White Chicken Chili is the perfect lunch or dinner soup and a nice change from traditional tomato-based chili.

Read more
healthy chicken and wild lrice soup instant pot

Healthy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Instant Pot

This soup is naturally gluten-free and dairy free and is ready in the instant pot in under 30 minutes!

Grab the recipe!

Healthy Chicken Instant Pot Dinners

Another good thing about pressure cookers like the instant pot is that they can really help to deepen the flavors of a dish in a short amount of time so you can enjoy flavor-packed recipes with minimal effort!

instant pot honey garlic chicken

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a Chinese-style dish bursting with honey-garlic flavor. And because you make it in the Instant Pot, it’s also really quick to make.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot chicken and quinoa bowls

Instant Pot Chicken and Quinoa Bowls

Did you know you can cook chicken and quinoa in the instant pot separately but at the same time?! Find out how in this recipe!

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instant pot chicken pad thai

Instant Pot Chicken Pad Thai

No need for takeout with this recipe! An easy homemade sauce, plenty of veggies and delicious rice noodles pair with chicken for a quick weeknight dinner.

Grab the recipe!
healthy butter chicken instant pot

Healthy Butter Chicken Instant Pot

Just as good as when you order it at the restaurant and ready in 30 minutes at home. This healthy butter chicken in the instant pot has tons of flavor and pairs well with your favorite naan and rice.

Grab the recipe!

Did something catch your eye? Pin this post for later and share with friends!

These Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes are perfect for easy, healthy dinners. Plus you can pack the leftovers for lunch!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes

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These Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. With a mix of vegetarian and meat options, there’s a pressure cooker recipe for everyone!

Hi friends!

I first wrote this post almost 5 years ago (originally published November 2017. Updated October 2022) when instant pots were all the rage and honestly I wasn’t sure how long the trend would last. But here we are about 5 years later and I can still honestly say that I use mine every single week. It’s great for cooking things like rice, hard-boiled eggs and shredded chicken but it’s also great for making full meals!

I know a lot of people are intimidated by their instant pot so I wanted to round up some recipe ideas for you to try!

Instant Pot Chicken Dinner Recipes & Ideas

The list below is a mix of both meat-based and vegetarian options – a list of instant pot dinner recipes healthy and flavorful – and I’m sure there is something for everyone. However, I do get the most requests for instant pot chicken dinner recipes. So i’ve included several in the list below but I also did an entire separate post with just chicken recipes so be sure to check that out as well!

Find it here: Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

And now, here are some easy instant pot dinner recipes you’ll love:

Easy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes

instant pot Asian peanut noodles - healthy instant pot dinner recipes

Instant Pot Asian Peanut Noodles

These Instant Pot Asian Peanut Noodles are packed with chicken and vegetables for a quick, healthy dinner the whole family will love! Ready in under 20 minutes, they’re perfect for a busy weeknight.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot sweet potato chicken soup

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup (with slow cooker option)

This Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup is the perfect dinner for a cold winter night. Made with simple ingredients, it’s easy to throw together and can also be made in the slow cooker.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot asian chicken

Instant Pot Asian Chicken

This Instant Pot Asian Chicken can also be made in a slow cooker. It’s full of flavor and easy to make. A healthy dinner the whole family will love!

Grab the recipe!
instant pot chicken sweet potato curry

Instant Pot Chicken Sweet Potato Curry

Ready in 30 minutes, this is one of those Instant Pot dinner ideas that you’ll just keep coming back to. A little sweet, a little spicy and perfectly comforting on a busy night.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot cheesy cauliflower soup

Cheesy Cauliflower Soup

Your list of instant pot dinner recipes can’t be complete with a soup! This low carb soup is topped with bacon and green chilis making it totally irresistable.

Grab the recipe!

Instant Pot Dinner Ideas

There’s nothing better than a warm and comforting meal on a busy night that requires little, if any, hands on time! Here’s some more Instapot recipes for dinner.

instant pot beef stew

Instant Pot Beef Stew

This healthy Instant Pot Beef Stew recipe is ready in under an hour and tastes like it has been simmering all day. The perfect dinner on a cold winter night.

Grab the recipe!
Instant pot mexican quinoa

Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa

A quick and easy vegan meal idea made with pantry staples that you probably already have on hand!

Grab the recipe!
instant pot lemon pepper salmon

Instant Pot Lemon Pepper Salmon

Who doesn’t love instant pot dinner ideas with just 5 minutes of prep time? This salmon will quickly become your new favorite.

Grab the recipe!
cajun instant pot chili

Cajun Instant Pot Chili

There are tons of instant pot dinner ideas that double as perfect meal prep recipes and this is one of them! It gets better as it sits, making the leftovers delicious!

Grab the recipe!
mexican chicken stuffed sweet potatoes instant pot dinner ideas

Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

These sweet potatoes are the perfect balance of protein, carbs and healthy fats! Make a few for dinner and throw in a few extra for lunches during the week

Grab the recipe!

Instapot Family Dinner Recipes

Don’t let your instant pot intimidate you! There are so many instant pot family dinner recipes to try – both meat-based and vegetarian options that you’re guaranteed to find some your family love!

instant pot pasta with meat sauce

Instant Pot Pasta with Meat Sauce

This Instant Pot Pasta with Meat Sauce is a simple, healthy dinner recipe the whole family will love!

Read more
vegetarian lentil tortilla soup - instant pot dinner recipes

Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup

Easy to make, full of flavor and packed with protein, this soup is perfect for a cool Fall evening.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot egg roll in a bowl

Instant Pot Egg Roll in a Bowl

This veggie-packed meal is quick and easy to make and also high in protein. A simple sauce adds flavor!

Grab the recipe!
instant pot chicken cacciatore

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Pressure cooking the chicken makes it fall-off-the-bone tender. Paired with a flavorful sauce and lots of veggies, this is one of those instant pot dinner ideas everyone will love!

Grab the recipe!

Best Easy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes

Most people think slow cookers are the ultimate fix it and forget it dinner appliance but the instant pot is just as easy to use and can often get your favorite recipes done in less time than a crockpot!

instant pot turkey taco pasta

Instant Pot Turkey Taco Pasta

A fun way to change things up on taco night, this taco pasta is made in the instant pot and will be a hit with the whole family!

Grab the recipe!
instant pot minestrone soup

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

This Italian classic soup is a family favorite. Toss all the ingredients in the instant pot and enjoy for lunch or dinner all week long!

Grab the recipe!
instant pot whole rotisserie chicken

Instant Pot Whole Rotisserie Chicken

Did you know you can make a whole chicken in the instant pot in just 45 minutes! Then use the bones to make chicken broth!

Grab the recipe!
instant pot ginger garlic drumsticks

Instant Pot Ginger Garlic Drumsticks

Tender chicken drumsticks in a sweet and sour sauce that will be a hit at any party!

Grab the recipe!

If something caught your eye, be sure to pin this post for later! And if you’re still looking to buy one, this is similar to the Instant Pot I have (affiliate link)!

These Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. With a mix of vegetarian and meat options, there's a pressure cooker recipe for everyone!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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