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Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars For Kids

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This list of healthy store bought granola bars for kids features top picks for healthy snack bars from a Registered Dietitian. All have seven grams of added sugar or less and include some protein and fiber. 

This list of healthy store bought granola bars for kids features top picks for snack bars from a Registered Dietitian. All have seven grams of added sugar or less and include some protein and fiber. 

*Originally published April 2019. Updated July 2022*

Hi friends!

This list of healthy store bought granola bars for kids comes highly requested as a lot of people are looking for healthy granola bars for kids and quite honestly has really been a labor of love. I spent hours looking at nutrition labels of various granola and snack bars on the market, analyzing the label, reading the ingredients and researching all the options. And believe me, there are A LOT of bar options out there.

While I typically don’t recommend a bar every single day, I recognize that they’re convenient and that there are some nutritious options out there that can fit nicely in a child’s diet. So I did my research and wanted to help cut through the clutter and give you some good options.

Choosing Healthy Granola Bars For Kids

Like anything when it comes to feeding your kids, you are in charge. Do your own research. Read the labels. Check out the ingredients. Then decide what you feel comfortable feeding your kids.

And if you need more store-bought snack ideas, check out:

Snacks from certain stores:

Types of snacks:

These bars would also make great lunch box additions. If you need more packed lunch ideas, check out my guide: A Month of Easy Packed Lunch Ideas For Kids!

*This post was updated July 2022. Several of my choices have been discontinued since I originally published this list in 2019 so if you see bars in the pictures that aren’t on this list, it’s because they’re not being made anymore!

Here’s a quick video to show you a few good options I found recently at my local Meijer & Kroger:

Healthy Snack Bars For Kids

Similar to what I discussed in my Lower Sugar Cereals for Kids guide, for posts like this, there has to be a cutoff. Otherwise, the list would be too large and overwhelming. Similarly, this is not an all-inclusive list. There are just too many options out there to cover them all.

So what are the best granola bars for kids? Here are the criteria I used for my list:

Sugar:
7g or less added 

Previously, companies didn’t have to indicate how much of the sugar on the label was added so it was sometimes hard to tell how much was sugar was naturally occurring from things like fruit versus added sugar. Updated nutrition labels break out the amount of added sugar so that’s what I focus on instead of total sugar. In addition, you can look at the order of ingredients in the ingredient list. If sugar is listed before fruit, you can assume that more of the sugar is added.

Fiber and Protein:
At least 2 grams of each for the main list (except the pressed fruit bars)

Note that fiber can come from oats, fruit, nuts/seeds, but in some bars, it is added in the form of inulin, chicory root etc. Similarly, protein can come from whole ingredients or it can be added in the form of whey protein, egg powder, etc.

Best Store Bought Granola Bars

I did my best to choose bars with ingredients I think are wholesome. Is every single ingredient in each bar on this list perfect? No. But overall, I feel like the ingredient lists are good. If you’re overly concerned with ingredients, you may be better off making your own bars at home!

Many of the bars on the list come in multiple flavors. For this list, I’ve picked one flavor of each. Remember that sometimes other flavors might have differences in ingredients, amount of sugar, etc. You can compare nutrition labels and ingredients between flavors on the websites,

Healthy Granola Bars For Kids

If you like a brand or bar that’s not on my list, it might be because it has more than 7g added sugar per serving. Those bars are fine to eat, I would just recommend treating them a little more like sweet treat due to the amount of added sugar. 

Here are a few where the ingredients are fine for the most part but I don’t really feel like they’re worth eating. They’re quite low in calories and don’t really offer anything in the way of fiber or protein so they won’t be very satisfying or have a lot of staying power unless paired with another protein source:

  • KIND Kids Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
  • Annie’s Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
  • Cascadian Farms Kids Chewy Oatmeal Raisin
taste testing granola and snack bars for kids

If you’re looking for more snack ideas, be sure to check out my 60+ HealthyPackaged Snacks for Kids!

I think that’s it! Remember this isn’t an all-inclusive list and it’s just based on my opinion. You do you! Make choices you’re happy with feeding your family and let others do the same 🙂

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

Avocado Cucumber Salsa with Pineapple

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This Avocado Cucumber Salsa is a fun change from tomato-based salsa. Scoop it with chips or serve it on tacos. Add pineapple or mango for a fresh summer twist!

Avocado cucumber salsa with pineapple

Hi friends!

I’m so excited to share this Avocado Cucumber Salsa with you guys. I recently shared my Easy Cucumber Tomato Salsa and it was a big hit! You guys seem to be big fans of cucumbers which is no surprise because they’re always so abundant in the summer. So I put on my brainstorming hat to come up with another way to use them.

Mango Cucumber Salsa Recipe

I happen to be a big pineapple fan and chose to add some to this recipe. If you’re not a fan, try substituting mango for pineapple! Or you can leave the fruit out all together and add a jalapeno for a little spice! Or if you really want to branch out, try adding some jicama.

pineapple cucumber salsa recipe

Cucumber Salsa Recipe Ingredients

Let’s talk about the ingredients you need:

  • Cucumber – I use English cucumbers but regular are fine. I would suggest slicing lengthwise and scooping out the seeds before dicing.
  • Red onion – White onion would also work.
  • Pineapple – I used canned pineapple but fresh would work great! You could also sub mango.
  • Avocado – Ripe but still stlightly firm is best. Overripe avocados will be too mushy and won’t hold their shape.
  • Cilantro
  • Lime juice – Fresh is best.
  • Rice vinegar – This should be easy to find at most grocery stores.
  • Honey – To sweeten as desired.

Easy Avocado Cucumber Salsa Recipe

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Avocado Cucumber Salsa with Pineapple

avocado cucumber salsa
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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

This Avocado Cucumber Salsa is a fun change from tomato-based salsa. Scoop it with chips or serve it on tacos. Add pineapple or mango for a fresh summer twist!

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups diced cucumber*
3/4 cup diced red onion
8 oz diced pineapple (or 1 cup fresh)
1 large avocado, cubed (ripe but slightly firm)
3 Tbsp minced cilantro
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1/2 tsp honey
pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine cucumber, red onion and pineapple and mix well. 
  2. Add avocado and cilantro.
  3. In a small bowl, combine lime juice, rice vinegar and honey and mix well.
  4. Pour over cucumber mixture, add a pinch of salt and gently stir to combine.
  5. Serve with chips for scooping, on tacos or salad etc.

Notes

*use an English cucumber or slice a regular cucumber lengthwise and scoop out seeds before dicing.

You can sub mango or jicama for pineapple. You can also add jalapeno. 

Can you believe how easy it is?!

What should I serve with cucumber salsa?

Easy Avocado Cumber Salsa with Pineapple or Mango

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Easy Sheet Pan Shrimp Quinoa Bowl

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This Easy Shrimp Quinoa Bowl is made on a sheet pan for easy cleanup and packed with protein and flavor. Perfect for a healthy, gluten-free lunch or dinner.

healthy and easy shrimp and quinoa bowl recipe

Hi friends!

I’ve been working on this recipe for a while now and I’m excited to share it with you. This Easy Sheet Pan Shrimp & Quinoa Protein Bowl is the second in my quinoa series. I recently shared this Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta and mentioned how I’m always looking for flavorful ways to eat quinoa because I don’t like it plain.

What Can I Make With Shrimp and Quinoa?

This shrimp quinoa bowl is a fun twist on fried rice. It uses quinoa instead of rice and adding a quick-cooking protein like shrimp makes it even more satisfying. If you’re looking for other shrimp and quinoa recipes, try these quinoa and shrimp dishes:

Can You Bake Quinoa

This recipe calls for quinoa that’s already cooked. It’s actually best if you make the quinoa a couple of days ahead of time and then we bake the quinoa right along with veggies, shrimp and a flavorful sauce. Most people cook their quinoa on the stovetop but just a quick note that you can also bake it in the oven! Here’s how long to bake quinoa in case you want to try it for your shrimp quinoa bowl!

shrimp and quinoa with veggies recipe

Recipes with Shrimp and Quinoa

Let’s talk about the ingredients in this recipe:

  • Quinoa – cooked according to package directions and best if done at least one day in advance
  • Frozen veggies – I used a bag of peas and carrots but any combination should work
  • Shrimp- look for peeled and deveined and pull the tails off prior to cooking
  • Eggs
  • Sauce ingredients- oil, tamari (or soy sauce), sriracha, fresh ginger, garlic
  • Green onion

That’s it! Nothing fancy but still full of flavor. Here’s how you make it:

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Easy Sheet Pan Shrimp & Quinoa Protein Bowl

shrimp quinoa bowl with vegetables
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★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

This Easy Shrimp Quinoa Bowl is made on a sheet pan for easy cleanup and packed with protein and flavor. Perfect for a healthy, gluten-free lunch or dinner. 

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups cooked quinoa (scant 1 cup dry)
1 pound shrimp, peeled & deveined/tail-off (thawed if frozen)
1 (10 oz) bag frozen mixed vegetables (I used peas & carrots)
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil (i use avocado oil)
1/4 cup tamari (or soy sauce if not gluten-free)
1 Tbsp sriracha – optional, more if desired
2 tsp freshly grated ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup green onion, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahernheit.
  2. Spread quinoa and vegetables on a sheet pan lined with foil for easy cleanup. 
  3. In a bowl, mix oil, tamari, sriracha, ginger and garlic. Taste the sauce and add more ginger or sriracha if desired. 
  4. Pour sauce over quinoa mixture and stir to combine.
  5. Bake for 10 minutes.
  6. In a bowl, whisk 3 eggs.
  7. Remove pan from oven, stir quinoa mixture and add shrimp. Drizzle with eggs and sprinkle with 1/2 cup green onion.
  8. Bake 5 minutes, stir well and bake additional 3-5 minutes or until shrimp are pink and cooked!

Sounds pretty easy right? The best part of this recipe is that it tastes just as good on days 2 and 3 as it does on day 1 which means it’s perfect for meal prep. Make a batch and enjoy it for lunch or dinner all week long. Want to learn more about food prep? I have a whole course available to teach you all my best tips and tricks! Check out my Mastering Food Prep course for details.

sheet pan shrimp and quinoa recipe - healthy and easy meal the whole family will love

Let me know if you try this one!

Easy Cucumber and Tomato Salad

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With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe for an Easy Cucumber and Tomato Salad is the perfect way to enjoy summer produce!

cucumber tomato salad 3

*Originally published July 2015. Updated July 2022*

Hi Friends!

This easy tomato and cucumber salad is super simple, but it’s full of flavor. There’s something so refreshing about a veggie-packed summer salad like this one topped with a fresh, flavorful dressing.

The best time to enjoy this salad is the middle of summer when there’s an overabundance of cucumbers and tomatoes that need to be used up. Since it gets better the longer it sits, you can make a big batch and enjoy it all week long. It’s the perfect addition to your sunday food prep. Want to learn more about meal prep? I have a whole course to teach you. Check out Mastering Food Prep to learn all my best tips and tricks!

Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Italian Dressing

My mother-in-law has been making a similar salad using Italian dressing for years and my husband loves it. To make that version, simply slice up some tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions and then drizzle with Italian dressing.

While I love that version as well, I decided I wanted to put my own spin on it with a homemade dressing. If homemade dressing intimidates you, don’t worry! You probably have all the ingredients you need right in the pantry. Here’s what you need:

Cucumber Tomato and Onion Salad Ingredients

  • Cucumber – I prefer English cucumbers because they’re less watery. You can also use regular cucumbers and scoop out the seeds.
  • Tomato – Any kind works. I typically use cherry tomatoes and quarter them.
  • Red onion – Optional but adds some flavor
  • Oil – Any mild-flavored oil like avocado oil works well.
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Sugar – To add a bit of sweetness.
  • Black pepper – freshly cracked is best!

The dressing adds a light summer flavor while still letting the tomatoes and other produce shine!

Here’s how you make it!

Cucumber and Tomato Salad Recipe

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Easy Tomato and Cucumber Salad

cucumber tomato salad 1
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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe for an Easy Tomato and Cucumber Salad is the perfect way to enjoy summer produce!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 English cucumber, sliced and halved
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar, more if desired
  • freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine tomato, cucumber and red onion in a bowl.
  2. Drizzle with oil, vinegar and sugar and stir. Taste and adjust if needed, adding more vinegar or sugar if desired.
  3. Top with freshly cracked black pepper, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

What to serve with cucumber tomato salad?

While this salad tastes great by itself, you can also use it in other ways:

cucumber tomato salad

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas

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These Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas and quick and healthy, easy to prep ahead of time for busy mornings!

breakfast meal prep ideas

Hi friends!

Let’s talk about how to meal prep for breakfast. I’ve previously given you some Healthy Meal Prep Lunch Ideas as well as these Easy Meal Prep Cold Lunches for Work.

If the thought of meal prepping breakfasts and/or lunches appeals to you, you should definitely check out my Mastering Food Prep course where I teach you everything there is to know about meal prep including finding your focus area, adding variety, flexible meal prep and more!

For a lot of people, meal prep ideas for breakfast is a great place to start when learning how to meal prep, especially if you’re rushing around in the morning trying to get kids ready and everyone out the door. Here are some ideas:

breakfast meal prep ideas oats and quinoa

Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas – Oats & Quinoa

meal prep breakfast ideas smoothies

Meal Prep Breakfast Ideas – Smoothies

  • Frozen Smoothie Packs via Real Food Dietitians – Prep your favorite flavor combos and freeze, then just pour them into the blender, add liquid, and blend.
  • Freezer Smoothies via Good Cheap Eats – Make a batch of smoothies, divide into glass jars and freeze. Microwave or thaw on the counter as needed.
  • Fruit Smoothie Popsicles via Lemon Tree Dwelling – Pour smoothies into popsicle molds and enjoy a treat for breakfasts!
  • 6 Freezer Smoothie Packs via Super Healthy Kids – More flavor combos to try for your smoothies!
meal prep ideas for breakfast - eggs

Meal Prep Ideas For Breakfast – Eggs

how to meal prep for breakfast - vegetables

How To Meal Prep For Breakfast – Vegetables

  • Breakfast Meal Prep Bowls via Paleo Running Mama – Pre-portion sausage and veggies and just cook up a quick egg each morning to add on top.
  • Farmer’s Market Breakfast Bowls via Love & Lemons – Who says you can’t have salad for breakfast?
  • Healthy Breakfast Salad via The Endless Meal – Another salad where you can assemble the base ahead of time and top with your favorite egg in the morning.
  • Breakfast Salad via Fed and Fit – This salad uses hard-boiled eggs and can be made totally ahead of time for a quick meal.
breakfast meal prep - pancakes and waffles

Breakfast Meal Prep – Pancakes & Waffles

  • Gluten-Free Buckwheat Pancakes via The Lean Green Bean – Pancakes keep well in the fridge so you can make a batch ahead of time.
  • Sheet Pan Pancakes via Real Food Dietitians – If you don’t want to flip individual pancakes, try making them in a sheet pan.
  • Protein Waffles via Eating Bird Food – Make a batch and freeze, then just pop them into the toaster!
  • How To Freeze Pancakes via Savor and Savvy – Pancakes also freeze well. Here’s how to do it for easy reheating.
meal prep breakfast ideas - muffins and bars

Meal Prep Breakfast Ideas – Muffins & Bars

Muffins and bars are one of my favorite breakfast additions. Here are a few of our fav recipes, plus a link to a post that shares most of the healthy muffins and bars on the blog!

Did you like any of these ideas? Be sure to pin this post for later and leave your favorites in the comments!

These Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas and quick and healthy, easy to prep ahead of time for busy mornings!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta

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This Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta is made with just a few simple ingredients and packed with flavor! Enjoy this salad alone or pair it with chicken for a full meal.

greek quinoa salad with feta, chicken and chips

Hi friends!

Today I’m going to introduce you to my favorite summer lunch – Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta, plus chicken and chips for scooping. Oh and I top mine with guacamole!

The main reason I love this salad is that it makes quinoa taste good. I’m not a fan of plain quinoa so I’m always looking for ways to jazz it up and it only requires a few simple ingredients to do it.

Greek quinoa salad with feta

Quinoa Salad with Feta Ingredients

Let’s run down the basic ingredients:

  • Quinoa- I used tricolor quinoa but white, red or black is fine!
  • Tomato – I use quartered cherry tomatoes
  • Red pepper – Red, orange or yellow bell peppers will work
  • Green onion – I prefer green onion to red but red onion would probably be more suitable for this salad so feel free to use either.
  • Cucumber – I slice them in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds before chopping.
  • Crumbled feta – I prefer smaller chunks but feel free to leave them large if you prefer.

Quinoa Salad with Feta Dressing

The dressing for this salad is super simple yet full of flavor! I don’t even measure anymore when I make it. Just pour a little of this and that and shake it all up.

  • Oil – I use avocado oil but olive oil would work well too.
  • Red wine vinegar – Most important! Adds the best flavor.
  • Lemon juice – You’ll definitely want fresh lemon juice.
  • Dijon mustard – pairs well with vinegar and lemon.
  • Maple syrup – you could sub honey. This is optional for a little added sweetness. Taste it without and decide if you want to add!

What To Serve with a Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta

As I mentioned, this can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It makes a great vegetarian meal or side dish all on its own. If you want to add more protein, I often add chicken. I use this Simple Chicken Marinade for Meal Prep, cook the chicken in the air fryer and then thinly slice it. I add it to a bowl with some of this quinoa salad, top with guacamole and add chips for scooping.

Looking for other things to pair with this quinoa salad? Try these:

So here’s the quinoa salad recipe:

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Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta

greek quinoa salad with feta and chicken
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This Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta is made with just a few simple ingredients and packed with flavor! Enjoy this salad alone or pair it with chicken for a full meal.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

3/4 cup dry quinoa
1 bell pepper, diced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup sliced green onion (or red onion)
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/3 cup crumbled feta

3 Tbsp avocado oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp oregano
1–2 tsp honey, optional

Instructions

  1. Cook quinoa according to package directions.
  2. Let cool at least 10 minutes, then combine quinoa with pepper, tomato, onion, cucumber and feta.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard and oregano. Stir or shake well to mix. Taste and add honey to sweeten if desired.
  4. Pour over quinoa mixture and stir until well combined.

Notes

Feel free to add garlic to the salad or dressing if you’d like!

This salad is best served cold and the flavors will deepen as it sits which makes it perfect for meal prep! Want to learn more about how to meal prep? Check out my course Mastering Food Prep.

Want more quinoa recipes?

This Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta is made with just a few simple ingredients and packed with flavor! Enjoy this salad alone or pair it with chicken for a full meal.

Enjoy!

–Lindsay–

Best Easy Chicken Finger Recipe

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Looking for the best chicken finger recipe? These Easy Ritz Chicken Fingers will be your new go-to recipe. Kid-friendly and super easy to make.

best easy chicken finger recipe

Hi friends!

If you’re looking for an easy chicken finger recipe, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve tried out several homemade chicken finger recipes on my kids over the past few years and this is the clear winner. And they could not be easier to make.

Easy Chicken Finger Recipe

It’s honestly just chicken tenders (which you can buy already cut), dried off, dipped in egg and toss in crushed crackers and then baked. This is a perfect recipe to get kids helping in the kitchen. They will love putting the crackers in a bag and crushing them – either with their fist or with a meat mallet. And if they don’t love touching raw meat, they can use tongs to dip the chicken fingers in egg and then drop them into the bag of crumbs, seal it up and shake them around.

Chicken Finger Recipe – Air Fryer

Can you make these in the air fryer? Absolutely. Depending on what size your basket is, you may need to do more than one batch at a time that you can lay them in a single layer. I’ve found the time and temperature to be similar to the oven. I set the temp at 400 and check them after 8 minutes or so, depending on the size of the chicken fingers. If they need a few extra minutes to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit just pop them back in!

Best Chicken Finger Recipe

easy baked chicken finger recipe with ritz crackers

Best Baked Chicken Finger Recipe

The best way to cook these in the oven, in my opinion, is to put a cooling rack on top of your baking sheet. This allows some air to circulate underneath while they’re baking so the bottoms don’t get soggy.

Here’s what it looks like:

breading on best backed chicken finger recipe

Also note that this works best when your crackers are really finely crushed. If you don’t want to take the time to do it by hand you can throw them in the food processor.

Here’s the best easy chicken finger recipe:

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Best Easy Chicken Finger Recipe

easy chicken fingers with fruit and carrots
Print Recipe

Looking for the best chicken finger recipe? These Easy Ritz Chicken Fingers will be your new go-to recipe. Kid-friendly and super easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds chicken tenders
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 3 Tbsp flour
  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers

 

Instructions

  1. Remove chicken tenders from package and pat dry. 
  2. Place crackers in a large Ziploc bag and crush until finely ground.
  3. Dip tenders in flour, then egg and then place into the Ziploc bag 2-3 at a time. 
  4. Seal the bag and shake until well coated. 
  5. Place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet and spray with oil. 
  6. Set coated chicken tenders on the cooling rack. 
  7. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes (until they reach 165 degrees F). 

Notes

  • If you don’t have chicken tenders, you can cut chicken breasts into strips or nugget-sized pieces.
  • If you don’t want to crush crackers by hand, stick them in the food processor or blender.
  • These can be made in the air fryer. Cook at 400 for 8-12 minutes.

Do you see what I mean when I say easy?! Hardly even a recipe…but definitely a must-try!

Looking for the best chicken finger recipe? These Easy Ritz Chicken Fingers will be your new go-to recipe. Kid-friendly and super easy to make.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Easy Meal Prep Cold Lunches for Work

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These Easy Meal Prep Cold Lunches for Work mean no more boring lunch boxes! No microwave is required to enjoy these easy, healthy meals.

easy meal prep cold lunches that are great for work

Hi friends!

Yesterday I shared 25 Healthy Meal Prep Lunch Ideas and I hope they were helpful. Today I wanted to focus on work lunches that taste delicious when eaten cold. Not everyone has access to a way to heat their lunch at work so I wanted to pull together some cold ideas if you’re tired of sandwiches and yogurt.

Meal Prep Lunch Box Ideas – Pasta

Pasta is easy to cook in big batches and use throughout the week. As long as you keep it separated from dressings and sauces it won’t get soggy. Plus there are lots of different shapes and types of pasta to add variety.

Cold Sesame Noodle Meal Prep Bowls Vegan e1661188933607

Cold Sesame Noodle Bowls

Spiralized Veggies with chickpeas and noodles served with spicy almond butter sauce. Store the sauce separate so you can prep sevearl ahead of time!

Grab the recipe!
greek orzo in a jar I howsweeteats.com 6 1

Greek Orzo Salad in a Jar

An easy lunch idea! A simple lemon dressing, Greek veggies and whole wheat orzo. Keep the dressing at the bottom and pasta at the top to keep from getting soggy.

Grab the recipe!
mexican pasta salad0122 011

Mexican Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with a Southwestern flair. Bowtie pasta, black beans, corn and more with a creamy Greek yogurt dressing. A fun twist on traditional pasta salad.

Grab the recipe!
Spicy Peanut Chicken Salad Soba 4

Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad

Soba noodles tossed in a spicy peanut noodle sauce and mixed with chicken, cabbage and red peppers. Easy to customize!

Grab the recipe!

Meal Prep Lunch Ideas – Salads

Salads are perfect for lunch but they don’t have to be boring! Prep them ahead of time in jars, vary the protein you add and consider that not all salads have to have lettuce!

mason jar salads three row

Salad in a Jar

Learn how to prep all your salads for the week at once so they stay crisp and fresh in the fridge.

Learn more!
Hummus Bowls 15

Hummus Bowls with Chicken Shawarma

A quinoa bowl topped with hummus, chicken and lots of veggies. The flavor gets better as the week goes on!

Get the recipe!
Thai Quinoa Salad 7

Crunchy Cashew Quinoa Salad

Gluten-free and vegan, this quinoa salad is topped with a cashew-butter and curry sauce you’ll love!

Get the recipe!
Hoisin Salmon Meal Prep 2

Hoison Glazed Salmon

Flavor-packed salmon that tastes great warm or cold on a citrus salad.

Get the recipe!
Edamame Black Bean Salad 2 1020x1536 1

Edamame Black Bean Salad

Packed with protein and vegetables, this salad is great on it’s own or scooped with chips.

Get the recipe!

High Protein Meal Prep Lunch Box Ideas

Lunch is a great time to pack in the protein. It’ll help you fight the afternoon slump by keeping you full and focused until dinner time. Consider vegetarian options along with your favorite meat, eggs and more!

Grilled Chicken Bulgogi Lettuce Cups 17

Chicken Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps

Light, fresh and full of flavor. Perfect for lunch at work. Flavorful chicken topped with pickled veggies plus rice and wrapped in lettuce.

Grab the recipe!
healthy spring roll recipes

Healthy Spring Roll Recipes

5 healthy spring roll recipes plus a dipping sauce for each one.

Grab the recipe!
DIY Starbucks Protein Bistro Box Pin

DIY Starbucks Protein Bistro Box

Perfect for meal prep. You can make several of these boxes and grab one for lunch every day. Well balanced and full of protein and healthy fats.

Grab the recipe!
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Adult Lunch Box Ideas

5 easy healthy lunch box ideas for adults. Prep a different one for lunch each day of the week so you don’t get bored!

Grab the recipes!

Meal Prep Lunch Ideas – Sandwiches and Wraps

Don’t get stuck in a sandwich wrap. They’re quick and easy to make and there are some many different varieties that lunch doesn’t have to be boring!

Egg Wraps 1

Easy Egg Wraps

High protein and low carb you can fill these wraps with whatever you want for a quick and easy lunch.

Grab the recipe!
Turkey Ranch Roll Ups Recipe 4 4

Turkey Ranch Tortilla Rollups

Quick and easy to make and you can customize the meat and add whatever vegetables you want!

Grab the recipe!
buffalo chicken wrap feature image 683x1024 1

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Ready in just 5 minutes this is a great way to repurpose leftover chicken tenders.

Grab the recipe!
Apple Peanut Butter Sandwich Wraps horiz Wrapping wr

Granola Crunch Apple Peanut Butter Wrap

An easy eay to change things up from the usual pb & j. These come together quickly and are the perfect blend of crunchy and sweet!

Grab the recipe!
shrimp tacos chili lime recipe 8

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos

Ready in under 20 minutes, topped with slaw and spicy jalapenos, tacos for lunch sounds like a great idea!

Grab the recipe!

So tell me, which of these ideas will you try first? If you want to learn more about meal prep, I can help! With 10+ years of experience, I share all my best tips and tricks in my Mastering Food Prep course!

And if you need breakfast ideas, here are some Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas.

These Easy Meal Prep Cold Lunches for Work mean no more boring lunch boxes! No microwave is required to enjoy these easy, healthy meals.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

The Food Prep Course You Need

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Want to learn how to meal prep? In this Mastering Food Prep course, developed by a Registered Dietitian and mom of 3, you’ll learn the five steps to meal prep, how to find your food prep focus area, tips for flexible food prep and more.

Food prep course from a Registered Dietitian and mom of 3

Hi friends!

Today I am launching my brand new e-course called Mastering Food Prep. If you’ve been around for any length of time you know I’m a huge fan of food prep. I’ve been doing it myself for the past 10 years. I have written blog posts about it and even an ebook – The Ultimate Guide to Food Prep. But in this course, I take EVERYTHING I’ve learned over the past 10 years, all my best tips and tricks and put them in a course so I can teach you how to food prep.

Buy Mastering Food Prep!

In case you’re not sure whether this course is right for you, let me highlight what we cover in a few of the modules!

First, I want to tell you about one of the most important aspects of food prep – your focus area.

When I hear about food prep sessions that fail, it’s usually because people are too ambitious. They see some food prep on Instagram and they try to dive in headfirst and replicate exactly what someone else did….or they feel like they have to prep every single meal they’re going to eat in order for it to be worth their time.

NOT TRUE.

In my Mastering Food Prep course, I teach you how to find your food prep focus area and really zone in on what time of the day you struggle most with. Wouldn’t it be great to spend your food prep time really focusing on the area that will have the most impact on the week ahead?

Breakfast Meal Prep (or Snack Meal Prep)

breakfast meal prep, snack meal prep options

Food Prep Snacks

Here’s an example:

Say you’re a stay-at-home mom with 3 young kids. They’re not in school yet so you don’t have to rush out the door in the mornings and breakfast isn’t super challenging. The kids still take a nap so in the afternoon you typically have some time to get dinner put together or started so dinner doesn’t really stress you out. But snack time is challenging. You’ve got 3 kids who play hard all morning and then suddenly need a snack IMMEDIATELY. They also wake up from their nap starving and need to eat ASAP to stave off meltdowns. As a result, you’re either trying to prep a snack with 3 kids screaming or maybe you’re turning to store-bought snacks more often while wishing you had a better balance of store-bought and homemade.

What if you took an hour on the weekend to prep with a focus on snacks? You could make some pancakes, a batch of muffins and some bags of trail mix, plus some energy bars, PBJ & smoothies for the freezer?

If I were doing this exact food prep session, here’s how I would do it:

I’d turn the oven on and preheat the griddle. While they were heating up, I would mix up the muffin batter and pancake batter. Stick the muffins in as soon as the oven is hot and then make the pancakes. Once the pancakes are done, pull out the food processor and make a batch of energy bars and stick them in the freezer. Next, make a little assembly line to spread some peanut butter and jelly on several slices of bread and freeze them in a stasher bag. And finally, dump some fruit and milk into the blender to make a big batch of smoothies. Portion into glass jars and freeze. If you still have time, portion some cereal, pumpkin seeds and raisins into baggies for some homemade trail mix.

Healthy Meal Prep Ideas For The Week

healthy meal prep ideas for the week - quick snacks

Now you have several quick snack options that can be ready in just a minute or two.

  • Microwave a few pancakes and serve with a yogurt
  • Grab a muffin and serve with a cheese stick
  • Give them a bag of trail mix plus some fruit
  • Stick a smoothie in the microwave for 1 minute and serve with a handful of goldfish or crackers.
  • Microwave a PBJ for 15 seconds
  • Grab an energy bar they can eat straight from the freezer.

Can you see how this would make your life easier?

In Mastering Food Prep course I give you some tips for finding your food prep focus area and then walk you through 4 more examples just like this one, including an exact breakdown of how I would tackle each food prep session.

Another secret to a successful food prep session is proper planning. In Mastering Food Prep, I share my 5 step process for a successful food prep session. One of those steps includes using my prep planning template.

Meal Prep Ideas

food prep course planning worksheet
caption for image

In my food prep course I’ll teach you exactly how to use this planning template:

  • How to use your focus area to plan what you’re going to prep (Hint- it doesn’t have to be just dinner)
  • How to break down your list into every single thing you’re going to prep
  • Why breaking your list down into areas of the kitchen is important
  • What you can do to help your prep go more smoothly if your list has too many items in one single area.

Imagine heading into your weekend food prep session knowing EXACTLY what you’re going to prep and what order you’re going to do it in. How much more smoothly do you think it would go? Would it be less stressful than just walking into the kitchen and winging it, hoping to get a few things done?

And finally, let’s talk about lunch. Do you struggle with lunch? Are you eating out more than you’d like because the thought of packing lunch after dinner or in the morning is overwhelming? Are you tired of packing the same thing for lunch every day just because it’s quick and easy?

Work Lunch Ideas

healthy easy meal prep

What if you had some basic options prepped in the fridge that you could combine quickly in different ways?

Say you prepped grilled chicken, ground turkey, roasted sweet potatoes and quinoa and used those along with some pre-made sauces like bbq sauce and salsa to make 4 different lunches.

Meal Prep Ideas

work lunch ideas

Quick Lunch Ideas For Work

  • Add grilled chicken and quinoa to a bag of southwest salad mix and top with bbq sauce.
  • Mix ground turkey, quinoa and sweet potatoes with salsa. Pack a separate container of shredded cheese and pack some chips. At lunchtime spread the chips on a plate, top with turkey mix and cheese and microwave for nachos.
  • Toss the chicken in bbq sauce and serve it with a side of roasted sweet potatoes and a bag of steamed broccoli.
  • Mix ground turkey with a bag of coleslaw and a bag of frozen mixed veggies. Saute 5 min and top with soy sauce and sriracha.

Do you see how having a few prepped components can be helpful for throwing together lunches quickly? You don’t have to eat the same lunch every single day!

I give a few more flexible food prep examples in my Mastering Food Prep course and also talk about my 2×2 dinner prep method where you take 2 ingredients and use them in 2 different recipes so dinner doesn’t get boring!

If this information was helpful, you’ll love my Mastering Food Prep Course. For all the details about exactly what’s included, click the button below!

Buy Mastering Food Prep!
Want to learn how to food prep? In this Mastering Food Prep course, developed by a Registered Dietitian and mom of 3, you'll learn the five steps to meal prep, how to find your food prep focus area, tips for flexible food prep and more.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Gluten-Free Buckwheat Pancakes

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This easy gluten-free buckwheat pancakes recipe is perfect for busy mornings. Packed with protein and fiber, they’re kid-friendly and reheat well.

gluten-free buckwheat pancakes

Hi friends!

Today I wanted to share these gluten-free buckwheat pancakes with you. I am a creature of habit when it comes to breakfast and can eat the same thing every day and be completely happy. Lately, my breakfast of choice has been these pancakes. I make a batch, which is enough for breakfast for 4-5 days and eat them topped with peanut butter and jelly. You may not be super familiar with buckwheat flour so let’s talk about it!

Is buckwheat gluten-free?

Yes! Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free. It is actually not wheat at all, it’s a seed, similar to quinoa and amaranth. It’s high in fiber and also contains minerals like magnesium and iron. Buckwheat flour can be found at many grocery stores or purchased online. It is often processed at facilities that also process wheat so if you need to avoid gluten, be sure to look for a certified gluten-free variety. I buy the Arrowhead Mills brand.

Buttermilk buckwheat pancakes

I’ve tested several versions of this buckwheat pancakes recipe and the key to fluffy buckwheat pancakes is buttermilk! No worries if you don’t have any on hand. It’s super easy to make- just pour your milk and add a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes.

Are buckwheat pancakes healthy?

These are! They’re high in fiber thanks to the buckwheat flour and pumpkin, contain protein from the milk, eggs and hemp seeds and are low in added sugar. Perfect for a healthy, filling breakfast.

healthy, gluten-free buckwheat pancakes

Best mix-ins for buckwheat pancakes

Buckwheat has a mild flavor but I did find some batches to be a little bit dry. To fix that, I altered the recipe a bit to make them pumpkin buckwheat pancakes. The pumpkin flavor does not really shine through, it just adds necessary moisture to the recipe. Banana buckwheat pancakes would be another great option.

How to make buckwheat pancakes

You can make these pancakes the same way you make traditional pancakes. Gather your ingredients:

  • buckwheat flour
  • baking soda
  • hemp seeds
  • cinnamon
  • buttermilk
  • eggs
  • pumpkin
  • vanilla

Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a small bowl combine the wet ingredients. Combine and stir until just mixed!

Gluten-free Buckwheat Pancakes Recipe

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Gluten-Free Buckwheat Pancakes

gluten-free buckwheat pancakes with eggs and strawberries
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These gluten-free buckwheat pancakes make a quick, healthy breakfast. They’re packed with protein and fiber, are kid-friendly and reheat well!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

Scale

1.25 cups buckwheat flour, certified gluten-free if needed
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup hemp seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup buttermilk*
1/2 cup pumpkin
2 eggs
3 Tbsp oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine buckwheat flour, sugar, baking soda, hemp seeds and cinnamon. 
  2. Add remaining ingredients and stir until just combined. 
  3. Pour onto a greased griddle or pan and flip when bubbly. 

Notes

*To make your own buttermilk, simply add 2 Tbsp white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and let sit for 5 minutes.

These are so easy to whip up and reheat really well. I make a batch and then enjoy them for breakfast topped with peanut butter and jelly for several days during the week.

This easy gluten-free buckwheat pancakes recipe is perfect for busy mornings. Packed with protein and fiber, they're kid-friendly and reheat well.

Let me know if you try them!

Want more breakfast ideas? Try these:

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Vegan Red Lentil Curry

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This Vegan Red Lentil Curry is the perfect vegetarian dinner recipe. It’s spicy, full of flavor and easy to customize with your favorite vegetables!

two bowls of spicy vegan red lentil curry

Hi friends!

I’ve been making this spicy vegan red lentil curry recipe on repeat lately and I’m excited to share it with you! Curry is definitely one of my go-to quick meals when I don’t feel like cooking, especially vegetarian versions because they come together so quickly. I always have cooked lentils and a bag of frozen vegetables in the freezer for this Lentil Vegetable Curry. I’m also a big fan of these Shrimp Curry Noodle Bowls.

In today’s version, I use red lentils because they cook super quickly and the whole meal comes together in under 20 minutes.

Vegan Red Lentil Curry

vegan red lentil curry spicy

Let’s talk about the ingredients:

  • Garlic, ginger, onion and jalapeno – Saute these aromatics first to add depth and flavor. Minced fresh ginger is best for this recipe. For a less spicy version, leave out the jalapeno or kick it up even more with a serrano pepper instead.
  • Red curry paste, curry powder & turmeric – Adding even more flavor. I use hot curry paste but you could use mild.
  • Vegetables– a bag of frozen vegetables is the easiest option. I usually use a bag of frozen peas and carrots and then add some chopped cauliflower but you can use whatever combination of veggies you like – just make sure to chop them to a similar size.
  • Red lentils – A quick-cooking protein option
  • Broth and coconut milk – to help cook the lentils right in the pot.
  • Spinach and lime juice – to stir in at the end!

Vegan Red Lentil Curry Recipe

Here’s the exact recipe:

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Vegan Red Lentil Curry

spicy vegetarian red lentil curry
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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

This Vegan Red Lentil Curry recipe is the perfect vegetarian dinner. Spicy, flavorful and easy to customize with your favorite vegetables.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

Scale

1 Tbsp oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, minced (optional)
1–2 tsp minced fresh ginger (skin removed)
2 Tbsp red curry paste (i use hot but you can use mild)
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
3–4 cups chopped vegetables, fresh or frozen (i use 2 cups frozen peas and carrots + chopped fresh cauliflower.)
1 cup red lentils, dry
2 cups vegetable broth
1 can coconut milk
2 handfuls fresh baby spinach, optional
juice from half a lime
pinch of salt, optional

Instructions

  1. In a large pot/dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger and jalapeno and saute 1 minute.
  2. Add curry paste, curry powder, turmeric and vegetables and saute 3-5 minutes.
  3. Add red lentils, broth and coconut milk and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat to simmer and simmer, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes.
  5. Stir in fresh spinach and lime juice. Taste and add a pinch of salt if desired.

Notes

Serve with rice!
Feel free to add cooked shrimp or chicken if desired.

This meal comes together quickly and the lentils will cook right in the pot!

This Vegan Red Lentil Curry is the perfect vegetarian dinner recipe. It's spicy, full of flavor and easy to customize with your favorite vegetables!

Let me know if you try this recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Top 25 Best Crockpot Recipes For Dinner

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Here are 25 of the best crockpot recipes to feed your family! Throw these slow cooker recipes together in the morning for an easy dinner on a busy night. Added bonus? Many of them can be made in the Instant Pot as well. 

Top 25 Best Crockpot Recipes

Hi friends!

It’s slow cooker season so let’s talk about some of the best crockpot meals! Although we’ve had a few spring-like days, we’re still deep into winter here in Ohio some I’m always on the hunt for some warm and cozy new recipes that don’t require a whole lot of work. We’re also a busy family of 5 with lots of after-school activities and there are many nights when healthy crockpot recipes come in handy! 

Best Healthy Crockpot Dinner Recipes

I reached out to some of my readers and asked for help gathering up some of their favorite crockpot recipes and I’ve got 25 delicious slow cooker recipes for you to check out today. Pick a few and add them to your upcoming weekly meal plans!

Best Crockpot Chicken Recipes

These are some of the chicken crockpot meals you’ll find! I’m always looking for new recipes to try with my chicken-loving family.

crockpot honey butter chicken

Honey Butter Crockpot Chicken

A simple combination of butter, honey, mustard and seasonings that turns into a magically delicious dinner in the crockpot!

Grab the recipe
slow cooker chicken shawarma

Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

Cook this yogurt-marinated chicken all day and then pair with veggies in a soft pita!

Grab the recipe!
slow cooker chicken enchilada casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Cook the chicken in enchilada sauce, shred it up and layer with corn tortillas and cheese for an easy enchilada option!

Grab the recipe!
crockpot orange chicken

Crockpot Orange Chicken

For a healthy twist on this classic takeout recipe, try making orange chicken at home!

Grab the recipe
best chick thigh crockpot recipe

Best Chicken Thigh Crockpot Recipe

Everyone will love this juicy chicken recipe made with a simple sauce using honey, garlic and soy sauce!

Grab the recipe!

Best Crockpot Chili Recipes

If you’re looking for the best chili crockpot recipes, here are 5 you’ve gotta try, including a vegetarian option, a couple of chicken chilis and some classic award-winning chili recipes.

sweet potato chicken chili crockpot

Sweet Potato Chicken Chili {Instant Pot or Slow Cooker}

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. 

Read more
best chili crockpot recipe

Best Chili Crockpot Recipe

A classic chili recipe that’s full of flavor and packed with protein and fiber.

Grab the recipe!
vegan chili recipe

Slow Cooker Red Lentil Chili

This vegan chili recipe is as easy as dumping everything in the crockpot and letting it cook!

Grab the recipe!
white chicken chili crockpot

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!
best crockpot chili recipe - award winner

Best Crockpot Chili Recipe Winner

This chili has won multiple cook-offs so you know you’ve gotta try this award winner!

Grab the recipe!

Best Crockpot Soup Recipes

Think beyond the best crockpot chicken noodle soup recipes and try a few of these! Everything from chicken pot pie soup to lentil soup to classic potato soup.

slow cooker chicken posole

Slow Cooker Chicken Posole

This soup is packed with warm spices and has tons of flavor! Don’t skip the toppings when serving!

Grab the recipe!
chicken pot pie soup

Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup

All the comfort and familiarity of chicken pot pie in an easy soup version!

Grab the recipe!
crockpot detox lentil soup

Crockpot Lentil Soup

If you’re looking for a crockpot vegetarian soup, this lentil version is a winner. Packed with veggies and plant protein!

Grab the recipe!
slow cooker creamy tortellini soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup

Veggies, Italian sausage and cheesy tortellini equals comfort in a bowl!

Grab the recipe!
best crockpot potato soup recipe

Best Crockpot Potato Soup Recipe

A lightened up version of potato soup that is still full of flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Best Beef Crockpot Recipes

If you’re looking for the best beef crockpot recipes you’ve gotta try these! Everything from beef sandwiches to pot roast, there’s something for everyone!

slow cooker balsamic pot roast

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pot Roast

This Slow Cooker Balsamic Pot Roast is an easy, healthy dinner option for a busy night. Beef, potatoes and carrots cook all day for a balanced meal that’s ready when you walk in the door.

Grab the recipe!
crockpot meatballs

Slow Cooker Meatballs (Or Instant Pot)

These Crockpot meatballs can be made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot for an easy, healthy dinner. Serve them over noodles, on a sub bun or enjoy them plain!

Grab the recipe!
best beef stew crockpot recipe

Best Beef Stew Crockpot Recipe

The ultimate comfort food during a cold winter – tender beef, veggies and a flavorful broth!

Grab the recipe!
crockpot italian beef sandwich

Crockpot Italian Beef

5 ingredients are all you need to make a slow cooker version of this popular sandwich!

Grab the recipe!
best roast beef crockpot recipe

Best Roast Beef Crockpot Recipe

Tender meat and veggies in a delicious gravy that just requires 15 minutes of prep time!

Grab the recipe!

Healthy Crockpot Dinner Recipes

Here are some more of the best healthy crockpot meals ever for you to try. Remember that a lot of slow cooker recipes in this roundup would also make great freezer meals!

crockpot mojo pork for tacos and nachos

Crockpot Mojo Pork with Cuban Black Beans

This pork is perfect for making tacos, nachos or burrito bowls!

Grab the recipe!
crockpot balsamic pork roast

Crockpot Balsamic Pork Roast

Cooked in honey and balsamic vinegar this pork is fall-apart tender when it’s done!

Grab the recipe!
slow cooker ravioli lasagna

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

Shortcut your lasagna making by skipping the long noodles and trying this version with ravioli!

Grab the recipe!
crockpot tuscan chicken breast

Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

Spend 10 minutes prepping this and enjoy a creamy chicken dish when it’s done! Serve over your favorite pasta! One of the best crockpot chicken breast recipes.

Grab the recipe!
best minestrone crockpot recipe

Best Minestrone Crockpot Recipe

Packed with beans and veggies, this soup will keep you full for hours.

Grab the recipe!

So there you go! Which ones will you add to your meal plan this month? You can find all the slow cooker recipes on my site here.

Here are 25 of the best crockpot recipes to feed your family! Throw these slow cooker recipes together in the morning for an easy dinner on a busy night. Added bonus? Many of them can be made in the Instant Pot as well. 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Healthy Black Bean Brownies

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These Healthy Black Bean Brownies are kid-friendly, full of fiber and perfect for a snack or dessert!

healthy black bean brownies

Hi friends!

I’m excited to share the best black bean brownies with you guys today. To be honest, I would actually call these black bean bars since they’re not overly sweet and full of protein and fiber unlike traditional brownies, but people searching for this type of recipe want brownies, so that’s what we’ll call them! If you’re looking for healthy brownies without the beans, my Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are a longtime favorite around here.

If you’re a longtime reader, you know putting beans, lentils and veggies into baked goods is one of my specialties! Looking for some other kid-friendly snacks? Try these:

I’ve been getting requests for a muffin or bar recipe using black beans for several years now and I’ve always worried the bean taste would be stronger and more noticeable than white beans so I’ve avoided them. But I’m here to tell you that the beans are totally hidden in this recipe! If you didn’t know they were in there you would never guess. 

best black bean brownies

Baking with Beans

So what are the benefits of baking with beans? It’s an easy way to add protein and fiber! You can also use pureed beans to replace some of the butter in recipes for cookies and other baked goods. I tend to puree whole beans, lentils etc into my baked goods but you can also by things like chickpea flour and experiment with replacing up to half your wheat flour. You’ll be adding fiber, protein and other nutrient like B6, potassium, zinc and antioxidants.

Vegan Black Bean Brownies

This particular recipe uses 2 eggs. To make them vegan, try replacing the eggs with flax eggs. One flax egg = 1 Tbsp ground flax + 3 Tbsp water. Mix and let sit 5 min before using. Be aware that this may change the texture of the recipe a bit.

Gluten-free Black Bean Brownies

It’s super easy to make these black bean brownies gluten-free. The only thing you need to replace is 1/3 cup flour. I’ve had success using a 1:1 gluten-free blend like King Arthur Measure for Measure (aff link). I’ve also made this recipe by just leaving the flour out. The taste is great, they’re just a little more crumbly. 

healthy black bean brownies

Black Bean Brownies Recipe

Let’s review the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:

  • Black beans – I’d look for no-salt-added or rinse them after draining
  • Eggs
  • Oil – I use avocado oil because of it’s mild flavor
  • Maple syrup- You could probably replace with white sugar but I’ve only tested using maple syrup
  • Vanilla extract – Adds important flavor!
  • Flour – I use white whole wheat flour. I tried making these flourless but think a little bit of flour really helps keep them from being too crumbly. 
  • Baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • Cocoa powder- I use Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder
  • Chocolate chips – either mix throughout or sprinkle on top before baking

Here’s the official recipe:

Print

Healthy Black Bean Brownies

healthy black bean brownies with chocolate chips
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★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

These Healthy Black Bean Brownies are kid-friendly, full of fiber and perfect for a snack or dessert!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 brownies 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained (approx 1.75 cups)
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil (I use avocado oil)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup flour (I use white whole wheat)
1/3 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt

1/3 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, combine black beans, eggs, oil, maple syrup and vanilla and process until smooth.
  2. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and process until just combined.
  3. Pulse in chocolate chips or save to sprinkle on top.
  4. Spoon into a greased or lined 9×9 baking pan.
  5. Bake at 375 for 14-15 minutes.

Notes

If you don’t have a food processor, you should be able to use a high-powered blender!

Thanks to a food processor, these come together super quickly!

These Healthy Black Bean Brownies are kid-friendly, full of fiber and perfect for a snack or dessert!

Have you ever baked with beans? 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

 

Cheesy BBQ Meatballs

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These Cheesy BBQ meatballs are ready in 20 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner that’s full of flavor. They’re kid-friendly and perfect for food prep.

cheesy bbq meatballs

Hi friends!

I’m excited to share this Cheesy BBQ Meatballs recipe with you guys. If you’ve been around awhile, you know we’re big fans of meatballs. Looking for some other options? 

Try these:

Meatballs in BBQ Sauce

These new meatballs with bbq sauce are sure to be a hit, especially with the kiddos! And they’re so easy to make. They even have carrots in them! I’ve found that carrots are the perfect addition to meatballs especially when you shred and then finely chop them. They blend in nicely and aren’t super noticeable especially when there’s a sauce.

These meatballs can also easily be gluten-free if you use gluten-free breadcrumbs. I use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs most recently but you can also use crushed rice chex, crushed GF crackers (Simple Mills works well!) etc. 

As far as which bbq sauce to use, that’s up to you! For a lower sugar option I love Stubb’s, but I’m a KC girl so KC Masterpiece always has my heart. 

cheesy bbq meatballs with oranges and broccoli

Cheesy Barbecue Meatballs Recipe

Let’s talk about the ingredients:

  • Garlic
  • Egg
  • Shredded carrots – I shred mine by hand and then finely chop the shreds
  • Breadcrumbs- I prefer panko-style, regular or gluten-free
  • Bbq sauce- choose your favorite!
  • Shredded cheese- I use colby jack but cheddar would also work
  • Ground turkey- You could also use ground beef or chicken

how to make barbecue meatballs

Once you mix all the ingredients in a bowl, simply use a cookie scoop to form 20-22 equal-sized balls, brush with bbq sauce and bake. I like to flip mine over halfway through and add a little more sauce.

If you’re not a fan of reheated meat, simply form into balls and stick the pan in the fridge so all you have to do is bake them when you get home.

Here are more detailed directions:

Print

Cheesy BBQ Meatballs

meatballs in bbq sauce
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

These Cheesy BBQ meatballs are ready in 20 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner that’s full of flavor. They’re kid-friendly and perfect for food prep.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground turkey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
1/2 cup shredded carrot, finely chopped
2/3 cup shredded cheese (colby jack or cheddar)
1 cup bbq sauce, divided
pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Place turkey, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, carrots, cheese, salt and 1/3 cup bbq sauce in a bowl and mix until well combined.
  3. Use a cookie scoop to form into 20-22 equally sized balls and place on a cookie sheet (I line mine with aluminum foil and spray with oil or use a Silpat.)
  4. Brush lightly with half the remaining bbq sauce and bake 9 minutes. Flip over and brush with remaining bbq sauce.
  5. Bake an additional 7-9 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165 degrees F.
  6. Optional – sprinkle additional cheese on top just before serving.

Notes

To make these gluten-free use GF breadcrumbs and BBQ sauce.

You can sub any ground meat for the turkey.

This recipe can be easily doubled.

So there you go!

Cheesy BBQ Meatballs

These Cheesy BBQ meatballs are ready in 20 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner that's full of flavor. They're kid-friendly and perfect for food prep.

Be sure to let me know if you try these!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Gluten-Free Chicken Ramen Noodles

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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!

gluten-free chicken ramen noodles

Hi friends!

If you’ve been around a while, you know I’m a big fan of food prep. I often prep lots of different components and then mix and match them during the week for easy meals. One of the things I cook almost every weekend is a batch of chicken. I most often use it for quick salads and rice bowls, but now that the weather is getting colder, I’ve started craving soup.

These gluten-free chicken ramen noodles have become my favorite way to repurpose leftover chicken into a new meal. It comes together quickly on the stovetop, has lots of flavor and a lot of the ingredients are pantry staples. The only one I need to make a special effort to buy is baby bok choy. While it’s a veggie I really enjoy, it’s not one I buy every week. So I try to make an effort to toss it in the cart every few weeks just so I can make this. 

Gluten-Free Ramen Noodles with Chicken

Let’s talk about the ingredients:

  • Cooked chicken- I use leftover chicken for this recipe to make it quick but you could also cook the chicken right before making the soup
  • Baby bok choy – you can sub spinach
  • Carrots – in this batch i sliced them thinly but you can also grate or spiralize them into noodles to help them cook more quickly.
  • Ginger – You can either use grated fresh ginger or a ginger paste from Gourmet Gardens (easy to keep in the fridge so you always have it on hand)
  • Garlic- for flavor!
  • Tamari – I use tamari to keep it gluten-free. You may sub soy sauce if you don’t need it to be gluten-free
  • Eggs – these are optional but if you like soft-boiled eggs you can boil them right in the same pot as the noodles.
  • Ramen noodles- my favorite gluten-free option is Lotus Foods Brown Rice ramen
  • Hot sauce – I love the jalapeno condiment from Yellowbird.

gluten-free ramen noodles with chicken

More recipes ideas:

If you like the sounds of this recipe, here are a few more you could try:

How to Make Gluten-Free Ramen

The key things to note about this recipe that make it gluten-free are the tamari and the noodles. Tamari is a gluten-free sub for soy sauce which is commonly used in ramen recipes and not all ramen noodles are gluten-free so just make sure to check if you use a brand besides Lotus foods. Also, check to make sure your broth is gluten-free.

Here’s how you make it:

Print

Gluten-Free Chicken Ramen Noodles

easy weeknight ramen 3
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

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!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 Tbsp oil
  • 1 Tbps grated fresh ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups baby bok choy, chopped (approx 1 bunch)
  • 2 cups thinly sliced carrots (or spiralized)
  • 3 cups cooked chicken, diced
  • 1 quart chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup tamari (sub soy sauce if not gluten-free)
  • 3 blocks Lotus Foods Brown Rice ramen
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • 4 eggs, optional
  • hot sauce and salt to taste

Instructions

  1. In a Dutch oven or pot, heat oil over medium heat.
  2. Add garlic, ginger and carrots and saute 5 minutes.
  3. Add bok choy, chicken, broth and tamari and bring to boil.
  4. Reduce heat to simmer.
  5. Meanwhile, heat water for ramen in a separate pot. Bring to a boil.
  6. Add ramen and eggs if you want soft boiled eggs.
  7. Cook six minutes, then move eggs to ice bath and drain water from ramen.
  8. Taste broth and add hot sauce and salt as needed. Peel eggs.
  9. Put noodles into bowls, add broth mixture. Top with a soft boiled egg and green onions.

Notes

Can sub spinach for bok choy – just don’t add until the very end. You can also throw in some peas if you want.

If you don’t need gluten-free, use regular soy sauce and whatever ramen noodles you want.

This quick and easy meal is definitely a favorite in our weeknight rotation.

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!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Turkey and Cheese Roll-ups

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These Turkey and Cheese Roll-ups are made with crescent roll dough and are a super easy dinner. They’re kid-friendly and the leftovers can be packed for lunch!

warm turkey and cheese roll-ups with grapes and carrots

Hi friends!

Lately, I’ve been making these Turkey and Cheese Roll-ups several times a month for dinner, especially on the nights my oldest has swimming. They’re quick, easy and kid-friendly and I can prep them ahead of time so my husband can just stick them in the oven when I’m on my way home from dance class with my daughter. Then they can be eaten in the 15 minutes we have before it’s off to the next sports practice!

As an added bonus, my oldest doesn’t mind eating these cold, so I can pack the extras in his lunchbox the next day.

An Elevated Turkey and Cheese Sandwich

These roll-ups are basically just a next-level turkey sandwich. Instead of bread, it uses crescent roll dough, which everyone loves! Then you just need your favorite turkey and cheese to go on the inside. They cook quickly, they come out nice and warm with melty cheese and the whole tray disappears without much effort on our part!

They’re also a great size for feeding a crowd – similar to turkey and cheese sliders- so they make a great party appetizer!

What Cheese Goes with Turkey

You really can’t go wrong with any cheese here. My kids usually prefer mozzarella or colby jack. I personally like meunster. Swiss would also be good. You can use shredded cheese or cheese slices, whichever you prefer. 

turkey and cheese roll-ups side view

Variations

There are lots of ways to add variety to these:

  • Swap ham, or even roast beef for turkey.
  • Use pepperoni instead of turkey, brush with garlic butter and dip in marinara.
  • Thinly slice leftover roasted turkey, instead of lunch meat, and add some leftover cranberry sauce after Thanksgiving!

how to make turkey and cheese roll-ups

How To Make Turkey and Cheese Wraps

A few tips for assembly:

  • Buy the plain crescent roll dough. I just find it easier to work with a solid sheet vs the kind that’s already perforated for crescent rolls.
  • I usually cut the sheet in half. 
  • Layer your turkey and cheese slightly to one side and start rolling from that side. I’ve found that having the empty dough at the end of the roll-up helps it stick together!
  • Once you’ve rolled into a log, slice into the desired size and bake!

Print

Turkey and Cheese Roll-ups

turkey rollups 2
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

These Turkey and Cheese Roll-ups are made with crescent roll dough and are a super easy dinner. They’re kid-friendly and the leftovers can be packed for lunch!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–8 slices of turkey
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (or 4 slices)
  • 1 tube crescent roll dough (solid sheet)

Instructions

  1. Unroll dough and cut in half.
  2. Layer turkey and cheese slightly to one side of the dough.
  3. Roll up starting at the side closer to the fillings.
  4. Slice and transfer to baking sheet.
  5. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.

Notes

I sometimes add pepperoni with the turkey or just do pepperoni by itself. Ham would also work!

See what I mean by easy?! Let me know if you try these!

These Turkey and Cheese Roll-ups are made with crescent roll dough and are a super easy dinner. They're kid-friendly and the leftovers can be packed for lunch!

Need more easy kid-friendly dinners?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

35+ Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes

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Need sweet potato dinner recipes? Here are 35+ recipes by category including slow cooker, with chicken or beef, vegetarian and more!

Sweet Potato Dinner Recipe Ideas

Hi friends!

Let’s chat sweet potato dinner recipes. Sweet potatoes are one of the most versatile veggies.

What are the Benefits of Sweet Potatoes?

So what are the health benefits of sweet potatoes? They’re technically a vegetable, but they’re also starchy so they are a source of carbohydrates as well. Sweet potatoes are a great source of Vitamin A and C so they’re great for your visium, immune system and more. They’re also high in antioxidants which help protect your cells!

As for the benefits of sweet potato skins, they’re high in fiber which is great for gut health. Adding fiber to your meals will help you feel full and satisfied for longer periods of time. Sweet potatoes contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.

How to cook sweet potatoes

If you need one quickly, you can just stab it all over with a knife and microwave for 5-6 minutes for a microwave baked potato. Or you can use a counter top appliance:

These can be used as a base for chili, shredded meats and more!

Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes

Sweet potatoes can also be spiralized and used as noodles. They hold their shape well and don’t get quite as mushy as zucchini noodles. But good old fashioned diced sweet potatoes are great in dinner recipes as well. If you’re looking to include them in your meals, here are some easy sweet potato recipes:

slow cooker sweet potato recipes

Crockpot Sweet Potato Recipes (or Instant Pot)

chicken and sweet potato dinner recipes

Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipes

beef and sweet potato recipes

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Recipes (or turkey)

black bean sweet potato dinner recipes

Black Bean Sweet Potato Recipe

lentil sweet potato recipes

Lentil sweet potato recipes (or vegetarian)

easy sweet potato recipes

Easy Sweet Potato Recipes

If you saw anything that caught your eye, be sure to pin this post for later!

Need sweet potato dinner recipes? Here are 35+ recipes by category including slow cooker, with chicken or beef, vegetarian and more!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Sweet Potato Chicken Chili {Instant Pot or Slow Cooker}

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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. 

sweet potato chili real simple

Originally published Jan 2018. Updated Oct 2021.

Hi friends!

Soup season is here! As the weather starts to get colder, I always crave soup and this Sweet Potato Chicken Chili is a forever favorite. I’m not a huge ground beef fan so traditional chili isn’t my favorite but I love this twist because it incorporates some of my favorites. I also love it because like a lot of soups, it gets better as it sits, so making a huge batch on Sunday and eating it for lunch or dinner all week long works out well. If you’re not a fan of red chili, try my White Chicken Chili!

Chicken Chili with Sweet Potato

Here are the ingredients:

  • Onion – White or yellow work best
  • Black beans – Look for a low-sodium can or give them a good rinse after draining
  • Sweet Potato – Leave the peels on! You won’t even notice them. And make sure to dice into evenly-sized chunks.
  • Corn – I usually use frozen corn but fresh or canned would also work
  • Diced canned tomatoes – I prefer the no-salt-added variety so I can salt the whole soup to taste
  • Spice – paprika, chili powder and cayenne can all be adjusted to your taste preferences
  • Chicken – chicken breasts or thighs work for this recipe
  • Broth – Use chicken or vegetable broth
  • Toppings – I top mine with avocado, cheese and tortilla chips

Chicken Sweet Potato Chili Slow Cooker

This is a great soup for pulling out your slow cooker. Just throw everything but the toppings in and give it a good stir. Then cook on low for about 6 hours, shred the chicken and serve with toppings

Chicken Sweet Potato Chili Instant Pot

If you’d prefer to make it in the Instant pot, cook time will depend on the thickness of your chicken. Start with 15 minutes and then check to see if the chicken shreds easily. If not, restart for a few more minutes.

 

Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

chicken sweet potato chili soup

I actually made this soup on a whim. Turns out it was so good that I immediately made a second batch to photograph and share with you guys. I’ve made it both in the Instant Pot and the slow cooker and it turns out great either way. The great thing about chili is that it’s pretty hard to screw up. Like most soups, you basically just throw what you have on hand in a pot, add some seasonings and serve. Plus you can easily adjust this recipe to make it fit your dietary preferences.

Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

In this sweet potato chili turkey or beef (ground) can be substituted for the chicken, however, I would cook the ground meat first before adding to the slow cooker or instant pot and reduce the cooking time in the Instant Pot to about 10 minutes.

No Bean Sweet Potato Chili (Quinoa and Sweet Potato Chili)

Not a fan of beans, no problem! You can still enjoy this chili. Just swap the black beans for cooked quinoa or farro! They’re both a great source of nutrients that will add protein and fiber just like beans do but may reduce the intestinal discomfort beans can cause some people.

Sweet Potato Chili Recipe Vegetarian

Another option would be to leave the beans and swap chicken for cooked quinoa or tempeh for an easy sweet potato chili recipe vegetarians will love.

Chicken Sweet Potato Chili

bean and sweet potato chili with chicken

Recipe for Sweet Potato Chili with Chicken

Print

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. 
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 5 reviews

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. 

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 12 min
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1.5 cups black beans (or one can drained)
  • 2 cups diced sweet potato
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • optional toppings: chips, cheese, avocado

Instructions

Combine all ingredients (except optional toppings) in the instant pot or slow cooker.

Option 1: Use the manual button on the instant pot to cook for 12-15 minutes depending on how thick your chicken breasts are. I usually let the pressure release naturally but if you’re in a hurry you can do manual release. If the chicken doesn’t shred easily, cook a few minutes more.

Option 2: Cook in the slow cooker for about 6 hours on low or until the chicken shreds easily.

Add toppings and serve!

Pretty easy right? Want more soup? Try:

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. 

 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

100+ Chapter Book Series for Kids {Kindergarten/1st Grade}

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Looking for the best chapter books for kids? Here are 100+ chapter book series perfect for preschool, kindergarten and first graders. Perfect for family read alouds or for beginning readers to try on their own.

chapter book series for kids

Hi friends!

I’ve been working so hard to put together the ultimate list of chapter books for kids! In the past year, we’ve started reading more kids chapter books with my older two (starting around the time they were 4 & 6) and I wanted to put together a list with a bunch of suggestions all in one place so we could work our way through all of them.

With the help of my friend Paige at Food 4 Tots, we came up with over 100 series for you to check out. HUGE thank you to Paige for all her help! For this list, we focused on series (at least 3 books) rather than individual books. These lists are more for read-aloud chapter books versus categorizing by reading level. 

I’m always looking for early chapter books to read to my kids so I wanted to put together a list that I could work my way through. If you’re looking for a printable version of this list, scroll all the way to the end!

Kid’s Chapter Books

preschool chapter books for kids

Preschool Kids Chapter Books (Series )

These children’s chapter books have larger print, not a ton of words and still have a fair amount of pictures. They’d be a great next step after picture books but should still hold the attention of a preschooler. They’re also great for beginning readers to read themselves! An asterisk (*) denotes diverse characters.

  • Narwhal and Jelly 
  • The Adventures of Sophie Mouse 
  • Frog and Toad
  • Wallace and Grace 
  • Poppleton 
  • Charlie & Mouse 
  • Sydney & Taylor 
  • Haggis and Tank 
  • Scaredy Squirrel 
  • Diary of a Pug 
  • Owl Diaries 
  • The Last Firehawk 
  • Owly 
  • A Friend For Dragon 
  • Princess in Black 
  • Billie B. Brown 
  • The Kingdom of Wrenly 
  • Yasmin* 
  • Mia Mayhem* 
  • Anna Hibiscus* 
  • Mr. Putter & Tabby 
  • Henry and Mudge 
  • Monster and Boy 
  • Billy and the Mini Monsters 
  • Mercy Watson 
  • The Critter Club 
  • King & Kayla* 
  • Dragon Masters
  • Amelia Bedelia 
  • Kung Pow Chicken 
  • Boris 
  • Little Bear

Beginner Chapter Books for Kids

kindergarten chapter books for kids

Kindergarten Kids Chapter Books (Series)

These kid’s chapter books are a little bit longer, still have some photos and most have bigger text and short chapters.  Great for read alouds and also for maybe 1st/2nd grade readers to read themselves. This is not an all-inclusive list. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some great ones. There also may be some on this list you’re not comfortable with for your kids. As always, do your own research! An asterisk (*) denotes diverse characters.

  • The Bad Guys 
  • Press Start 
  • Dr. Kitty Kat 
  • Isadora Moon 
  • Geronimo Stilton 
  • Ellray Jakes* 
  • Nancy Clancy 
  • Hey Jack 
  • Stink 
  • Ivy + Bean 
  • Zapato Power* 
  • Captain Awesome 
  • Magic School Bus Chapter books 
  • A to Z mysteries
  • Dory Fantasmagory 
  • Eerie Elementary 
  • Magic Tree House 
  • The Questioneers 
  • Zoey and Sassafrass* 
  • Notebook of Doom 
  • The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian* 
  • Ruby and the Booker Boys*  
  • Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol* 
  • Keena Ford* 
  • Alvin Ho* 
  • Tales from Deckawoo Dr 
  • Lighthouse Family 
  • Piper Green and the Fairy Tree 
  • Jasmine Toguchi* 
  • The Infamous Ratsos 
  • Teddy Mars 
  • Jigsaw Jones* 
  • Mindy Kim
  • Cam Jansen 
  • Nate the Great 
  • Heidi Heckelbeck
  • Jada Jones 
  • Kitty
  • Dog Man 
  • Captain Underpants 
  • Junie B. Jones 
  • My Weird School 
  • Flat Stanley 
  • Kitty 
  • Juana and Lucas*
  • Polly Diamond*

Chapter Books for First Graders

longer chapter books for kids

Longer Chapter Books For Kids

These books are a bit longer, have longer chapters and are mostly text. 

  • Hank the Cowdog 
  • Heartwood Hotel 
  • Tanglewood Animal Park 
  • Moomin
  • Judy Moody
  • Ramona Quimby
  • The Carver Chronicles* 
  • The Magnificent Makers *
  • Boxcar Children 
  • Henry Huggins
  • Gooney Bird Greene 
  • Mrs. Piggle Wiggle 
  • Whatever After
  • Pippi Longstocking 
  • Hotel Flamingo 
  • The Last Kids on Earth 
  • Toys Go Out 
  • The Mouse and the Motorcycle 
  • Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys
  • Little House on the Prairie

I hope this list was helpful! A few other notes:

kid's chapter books

I encourage you check your local library to borrow these books or to shop local/independent bookstores if you want to buy them! Check out bookshop.org to find one! If you’d like to find them on Amazon, I’ve put the first book in each series in my Amazon shop. Click the link below to shop my affiliate links!

Kid’s Chapter Books Amazon Shop

chapter books for kids printable list

If you’d like a printable list so you can keep track of the series as you try them, I’ve made one for you! Click the link below:

Chapter Books For Kids Printable List

If you want to see the inside of a book, check out the “look inside” feature on Amazon or search the name on google books for a preview. I’m also starting a chapter book highlight on IG where I do a quick flip-thru of the books on this list as I check them out from the library so you can look there too!

If you found this post helpful, please pin it for later!

Looking for the best chapter books for kids? Here are 100+ chapter book series perfect for preschool, kindergarten and first graders. Perfect for family read alouds or for beginning readers to try on their own.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Kid Gift Ideas
{ages 4-7}

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Need kid gift ideas for ages 4-7? Here are toy ideas for everything from arts and crafts, building and educational toys to pretend play and outdoor toys. 

kid gift ideas ages 4-7

Hi friend!

I’ve been blogging for 10+ years now and have done my share of gift guides. I wasn’t planning to create any more but then I realized that in the kid gift department, I kinda left off at the toddler stage. Now that I have 2/3 of my kids out of toddlerhood, I thought I should put together a new kids gift guide for our current stage of life. So, here are some things my older two (who are about to turn 5 and 7) have been into the past couple of years!

If you need more ideas, check out my past gift guides:

As always, you know who you’re buying for. Some of these could be used by kids younger or older than this age group. This is also kind of a tricky age group because there are often two versions of things and a 4-year-old could do the “junior” version while a 7-year-old could do the regular version so be sure to consider that!

Remember that I’ve tried to provide links but there are often several similar versions of each idea out there so do some research if needed to find the best one for you! I also encourage you to shop from small businesses whenever possible. I’d love to see you take an idea from this post and purchase it from a small or local business! Or check FB Marketplace or your local selling groups and find one secondhand. Kids don’t need all brand new toys all the time!!

Most of the links below are Amazon affiliate links. That means that I make a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Lean Green Bean.

arts and crafts for kids ages 4-7

Arts & Crafts for Kids

Let them express their creativity with all sorts of projects.

art supplies for kids

Art Supplies for Kids

Build a robust art station and let them create with anything that is out and available!

building toys for kids

Building Toys for Kids

These building toys for kids give them a chance to let their creativity shine!

games and puzzles

Games and Puzzles for kids

Games that are easy enough for kids but still fun for adults to play, plus puzzles!

educational for kids

Educational Toys for Kids

Let them research and learn, experiment and build! Plus you can never have too many books.

subscriptions for kids

Subscription Boxes for Kids

Monthly subscription boxes for kids- everything from cooking to magazines to coding and clothes.

active and outdoor toys for kids

Active and Outdoor Toys for Kids

Get them up and moving. There are so many options out there for some of these that you’ll have to do your own research to find a good one. But here are some general ideas, some with links, some without

imagination toys for kids

Imagination Toys for Kids

Look for all this stuff secondhand! I scored a great deal on a dollhouse in perfect condition plus a huge bunch of barbies. Around and after Halloween is a great time to look for dress up clothes.

Whew! There you go. Hope that helps give you some ideas. Would love to hear your favs in the comments.

Need kid gift ideas for ages 4-7? Here are toy ideas for everything from arts and crafts, building and educational toys to pretend play and outdoor toys. 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–