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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.

Why Make Edible Christmas Gifts

The past few years I’ve really gotten into homemade gifts, specifically edible ones. Since I always seem to be in my kitchen anyway, I might as well kill two birds with one stone, right?

Homemade gifts always seem to mean so much more. The giver puts their time and effort into making the gift and the receiver feels honored and touched that someone spent the time to make them something!

Another positive? Cost savings! Gift giving can get expensive, especially when you start to add up gifts for teachers, bus drivers, coaches, etc. Why not make a big batch of something and distribute to everyone on your list?

Holiday Food Gifts

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?!

Best Homemade Food Gifts

chewy gingerbread cookies

Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

A soft and chewy gingerbread cookie recipe that gives you that delicious gingerbread flavor without all the work of cutting out and decorating gingerbread men!

Grab the recipe!
christmas crack with saltine crackers

Easy 5 Ingredient Christmas Crack

This easy 5 ingredient Christmas crack is so easy to make and it’s the perfect addition to any holiday cookie tray!

Grab the recipe!
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!

How To Make Christmas Edible Gifts

The best part about edible gifts is that you can find something for pretty much every skill level! Some recipes are pretty involved and require you to plan ahead of time – like vanilla extract. Others involve nothing more than buying ingredients and layering them in a jar!

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

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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 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 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

Best 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.

Cookies with Almond Flour

There’s no shortage of other recipes for cookies with almond flour. Add some of these to your baking list:

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

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Almond Flour Butter Cookies

Almond Flour Butter Cookies gluten-free Christmas
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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

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 Butter Cookies FAQs

What is blanched almond flour?

Blanched just means the skin has been removed from the almonds. This can change the texture of the almond flour vs leaving the skin on.

Is this an almond flour shortbread cookie?

These are butter cookies, not shortbread cookies. The main difference between the two is that butter cookies typically have more sugar while shortbread cookies typically have a higher fat content.

What is the best almond flour?

This will depend on who you ask but my favorite is Bob’s Red Mill Superfine Almond Flour. I also like Blue Diamond Almond Flour.

What is the secret to baking with almond flour?

A few helpful tips include:

  • Use eggs as the leavening agent to help make almond flour baked goods not so dense.
  • Don’t overmix.
  • Consider lowering the oven temp by 25 degrees F when substituting almond flour.

Why do my almond flour cookies fall apart?

It’s often best to use almond flour in recipes specifically created for almond flour. Almond flour has more fat, protein and moisture than wheat flour and this can lead to baked goods being crumbly and falling apart. In general, some kind of extra binding ingredient is needed. It helps to let the baked goods cool completely before handling.

Can you bake with almond flour just like regular flour?

This depends on the recipe. In many recipes you can substitute in a 1:1 ratio, some you may use 3/4 cup almond flour for every 1 cup flour. However, almond flour is gluten-free and does not bind as well as regular wheat-based flour. You may need to add additional eggs to act as a binder.

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!

Grab the recipe!
keto shortbread almond flour cookies

Keto Shortbread Almond Flour Cookies

A low carb shortbread cookie that’s made with just 4 ingredients@!

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–

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:

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No-Bake Protein Bars

No Bake Protein Bars 3
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

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

Grab the recipe!
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!
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.

Grab the recipe!
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

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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–

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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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healthier sweet potato casserole dessert

Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole Dessert

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

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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!

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purple sweet potato pie bars

Purple Sweet Potato Pie Bars

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

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purple sweet potato ice cream

Purple Sweet Potato Ice Cream

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

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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!

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purple sweet potato pie

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

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

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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!

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easy vegan sweet potato cake

Easy Vegan Sweet Potato Cake

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

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Sweet potato pie bars

Sweet Potato Pie Bars

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

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vegan sweet potato chocolate cake

Vegan Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake

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

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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!

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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!

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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! 

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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! 

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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

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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!

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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–

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

*Originally published 10/2022. Updated 12/2024*

Hi friends!

This one pot chicken and rice is one of my go-to recipes during the cold winter months. It’s all done in one pot, it’s packed with protein and veggies and it’s full of flavor.

Is chicken and rice a healthy meal?

Yes! The main benefit of a one pot meal gives you everything you need in one dish. It includes vegetables, carbohydrates and protein. You’re getting some fiber from the vegetables, especially the peas, but if you wanted to add some extra fiber you could add a can of white beans into the mix!

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:

One Pot Chicken and Rice Variations

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 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. You could definitely add broccoli and use cheddar cheese. If I was making this version I would stir in some cooked and crumbled bacon at the end and top with crushed Ritz crackers!

Healthy Chicken and Quinoa recipes

If you’re interested in using quinoa instead of chicken, you could try this Broccoli Chicken Quinoa Casserole or add chicken to my Quinoa Risotto. Or find all of my quinoa recipes here.

Best One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe Ingredients

To make this recipe, you just need a few simple ingredients:

  • Chicken – I prefer chicken breast but you could use chicken thighs.
  • Frozen veggies – This is one of my favorite shortcuts and truly helps make this recipe so easy. I use a mix of peas and carrots but you could great whatever bag of mixed veggies you prefer.
  • Leeks – I love the mild flavor of leeks and always have some in my freezer but you can easily use diced onions if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Rice- I originally made this recipe using brown rice but cooking time preference seems to vary so I’ve since updated the recipe to use white rice.
  • Broth – feel free to use vegetable or chicken broth

Here’s the full recipe:

Print

One Pot Chicken and Rice

one pot chicken and rice 2
Print Recipe

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5 from 3 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
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup leeks, sliced
  • 12 oz bag frozen veggies (I use peas and carrots)
  • 2 tsp dried parsley (or 2 Tbsp fresh)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1.5 pounds raw chicken breast, diced
  • 1 cup white rice, uncooked
  • 1 quart (4 cups) chicken broth
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese to taste or 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions

  1. In a large Dutch oven or pot, combine butter, leeks, garlic, vegetables and seasonings and sautee for 5 minutes. 
  2. Add chicken, rice and broth and bring to a boil. 
  3. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover but leave the lid cracked and let cook for 20 minutes. 
  4. 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 Chicken and Rice FAQs

Can I make easy chicken and rice in the crockpot?

Yes! But this recipe was specifically designed for the stovetop. Typically brown rice will hold up better in the slow cooker than white rice which may get a bit mushy. If you want to make chicken and rice in the slow cooker, try one of these recipes:

Do you have a one pot chicken and rice instant pot recipe?

The instant pot is another great tool if you want a one pot chicken and rice recipe. Here are a few recipes specifically developed for the instant pot:

How to make easy chicken and rice recipes for dinner with few ingredients?

This recipe doesn’t have that many ingredients to begin with but I would consider it to be an easy dinner with minimal ingredients. You could pick just one spice or leave out the leeks and cheese if you really wanted to cut it down even further.

What if I want to make a one pot chicken and rice bake (ie – easy chicken and rice in the oven)?

If the oven is what you’re looking for, then I would definitely try this recipe for 4 Ingredient Chicken and Rice Casserole. Just layer everything in a 9×13 pan and stick it in the oven!

Could I make chicken, rice and green beans?

Yes! This recipe would be great with green beans. I would use frozen green beans either in a mix or just on their own. If fresh green beans is all you have, those would work too!

Do you have any healthy leftover chicken and rice recipes?

This recipe is actually a great way to use up leftover chicken and transform it into a new dish! You could add leftover cooked chicken at the beginning or just stir it in at the end if you prefer. You could also make this dish using rotisserie chicken if you’re looking to skip the step of cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Can you freeze this healthy chicken and rice meal?

Yes! Let it cool completely and then portion into one or two cup servings and freeze. Defrost in the fridge or microwave when ready to eat. I love Souper Cubes for freezing in individual portions. (affiliate link)

Can I turn this into easy chicken and rice soup?

Yes! Just double the broth and leave out the cheese to turn this into more of a soup than a casserole.

Easy One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe

one pot cheesy chicken and rice recipe

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

one pot chicken and dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings

This Chicken and Dumplings recipe requires just one pot and a few simple ingredients. Easy to make gluten-free and the perfect comfort food on a cold night. 

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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?!

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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–

30 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

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Looking for healthy pumpkin recipes? Here are 30 recipes to try! Everything from baked pumpkin recipes and pumpkin recipes for breakfast to savory pumpkin recipes.

healthy pumpkin recipes

Hi friends!

Prior to the holidays I shared 20+ Pumpkin Dessert Recipes That Are Not Pumpkin Pie to help with your menu planning. But we are huge pumpkin fans around here. In fact, two of my three kids still eat pumpkin straight from the can as their favorite vegetable. So I didn’t want to stop there. I wanted to collect even more pumpkin recipes for you to explore since it’s such a versatile veggie. 

Savory Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin is often thought of for desserts and baked goods, but you can easily use it in both sweet and savory recipes- everything from breakfast to dessert! It has a mild flavor and is an easy way to add nutrients to everything from muffins to soups. 

So I gathered up some canned pumpkin recipes for you guys to try! If you find a new favorite, be sure to let me know!

Recipes Using Canned Pumpkin

Pumpkin is great for baking. It adds a delicious flavor while also adding vitamins, fiber and other nutrients to baked goods. Stock up on canned pumpkin when it’s in season so you can enjoy baking with pumpkin all year long.

easy pumpkin bread recipe with canned pumpkin

Easy Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

An easy pumpkin bread recipe with canned pumpkin that requires just one bowl and a few simple ingredients. It will quickly become your go-to fall recipe.

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healthy canned pumpkin recipe - gluten-free pumpkin yogurt bars

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars

This recipe for Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars makes a quick, healthy breakfast or snack. It’s a healthy canned pumpkin recipe that’s kid-friendly and easy to customize.

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gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe with canned pumpkin and beans

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread

A gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe with canned pumpkin and beans. Packed with fiber and protein and kid-friendly too. The whole family will love it!

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pumpkin gingerbread muffins - healthy pumpkin baking recipes

Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins

These Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins are packed with ginger flavor and full of the nutritional benefits of pumpkin and white whole wheat flour.

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pumpkin apple lentil muffins - can pumpkin recipes healthy

Pumpkin Apple Lentil Muffins

These Pumpkin Apple Lentil Muffins are perfect for Fall. They’re lightly sweetened and full of fiber, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Plus they’re kid-friendly and nut-free, making them perfect for breakfast, snack or school lunch!

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mini baked pumpkin donuts

Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon Glaze

Make these Pumpkin Mini Donuts for a weekend breakfast treat or a fun dessert Enjoy them plain or with an easy cinnamon glaze.

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Pumpkin Recipes Savory

Canned pumpkin is super versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. It also makes a great shortcut for adding fiber and nutrients to recipes in a hurry, no prep time needed.

easy pumpkin soup recipe using canned pumpkin

Easy Pumpkin Soup

Need a pumpkin soup recipe using canned pumpkin? This one is packed with lentils for added nutrients and made using canned pumpkin as a shortcut.

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recipes using canned pumpkin - pumpkin bean dip

Pumpkin Bean Dip

We love recipes using canned pumpkin like this that are full of fiber and nutrients. Serve this dip with veggies, chips or crackers.

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homemade pumpkin spice latte

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Save money and make your favorite Fall latte at home. Make with coffee, espresso or try a caffeine-free version for kids.

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easy canned pumpkin recipes - vegan pumpkin mac and cheese

Vegan Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

If you need easy canned pumpkin recipes, start with this one! Made with just 10 ingredients, this creamy pumpkin pasta is perfect for Fall

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recipes using canned pumpkin - pumpkin yogurt dip

Pumpkin Yogurt Dip

This Pumpkin Yogurt Dip is made with just a few simple ingredients and is the perfect afternoon snack! Try it paired with cinnamon and sugar tortilla chips or graham crackers. One of my kids favorite recipes using canned pumpkin.

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pumpkin energy balls

Pumpkin Energy Balls

These Pumpkin Energy Balls are packed with fiber, protein and healthy fats for energy. The perfect addition to a quick lunch or to serve for an afternoon snack.

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Recipes Using Canned Pumpkin For Breakfast

These healthy canned pumpkin recipes are the perfect way to start the day with a nutrient-packed breakfast? Pumpkin adds fiber to help keep you full, along with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

healthy recipes for canned pumpkin - pumpkin protein pancakes

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

Pancakes that are full of protein and great flavors. The oatmeal and cottage cheese make for a great texture. One of those healthy recipes for canned pumpkin that you need to try!

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pumpkin french toast bake recipe

Pumpkin French Toast Bake

Having people over for brunch? Make this Pumpkin French Toast Bake! Bursting with pumpkin flavor and perfectly spiced, this overnight casserole is sure to be a hit!

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pumpkin pie chia pudding - easy canned pumpkin recipes

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding

This chia pudding makes a great snack. No cooking required and ready in minutes! You can also file this under easy pumpkin dessert recipes!

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healthy recipes for canned pumpkin - pumpkin paleo oatmeal

Pumpkin Paleo Oatmeal

When it comes to canned pumpkin, easy recipes like this are the real MVP. Made with pumpkin, egg whites and almond milk, this oatmeal will keep you full all morning long!

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pumpkin pie smoothie bowl recipe canned pumpkin

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl

With pumpkin, almond butter, dates and spices, this tastes like dessert in a bowl, but it’s healthy enough for breakfast!

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savory pumpkin recipes - slow cooker pumpkin pie oatmeal

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Steel cut oats cooked while you sleep and flavored with pumpkin and spices. The perfect breakfast for when you wake up!

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Breakfast Pumpkin Recipes Gluten-free

There are tons of great pumpkin recipes out there that are gluten-free. Don’t miss out on the Fall flavor of pumpkin just because you can’t have gluten. Here are recipes for everything from bars to muffins to cookies.

pumpkin chocolate chip oat bars

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

These vegan, gluten-free bars are made with oat flour. Healthy enough for breakfast and also perfect for snack time or dessert!

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gluten-free pumpkin waffles - easy canned pumpkin recipes

Gluten-free Pumpkin Waffles

These waffles and light and fluffy and perfect to make a big batch ahead of time and stick them in the freezer for busy mornings.

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pumpkin chocolate chip granola bars

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Easy recipes using canned pumpkin that are perfect for lunch boxes and after-school snacks are always a winner.

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gluten-free pumpkin muffins - healthy recipes for canned pumpkin

Gluten-free Pumpkin Muffins

Everyone needs a classic pumpkin muffin recipe to enjoy all year long. Add chocolate chips to make them treat-worthy.

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pumpkin baked oatmeal

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal

Made with just 7 ingredients, this oatmeal can be made ahead of time and enjoyed for breakfast all week long!

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pumpkin breakfast cookies

Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies

Perfect for a grab and go breakfast on the run. Grab a couple of these nutrient-dense cookies to power you through the morning.

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Savory Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin isn’t just for dessert! These savory pumpkin dishes will prove it to you! Everything from main dishes to sides to appetizers can benefit from the addition of pumpkin!

pumpkin recipes savory - creamy cauliflower pumpkin mash

Creamy Cauliflower Pumpkin Mash

When it comes to pumpkin recipes savory is worth trying! This one combines two nutritious veggies mashed and mixed with cheese and topped with granola!

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chicken pumpkin quinoa chowder - savory recipes with pumpkin

Chicken Pumpkin Quinoa Chowder

Looking for new pumpkin soup recipe with canned pumpkin? This is a hearty creamy soup that’s perfect for those cool Fall nights.

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pumpkin sausage baked gnocchi

Pumpkin Sausage Baked Gnocchi

A great way to use pumpkin in a savory dish. You’ll love this creamy pumpkin pasta bake.

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butter chicken pumpkin curry - recipes to use canned pumpkin

Butter Chicken Pumpkin Curry

Replace the heavy cream in classic butter chicken with pumpkin for a fun Fall twist.

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pumpkin turkey meatballs

Pumpkin Turkey Meatballs

Pumpkin meatballs in a savory, creamy sauce recipe using canned pumpkin. Gluten-free & dairy-free.

Grab the recipe!
pumpkin chipotle queso - savory pumpkin dip recipe

Pumpkin Chipotle Queso

Add this savory pumpkin dip recipe to your menu! Classic queso with a twist. Serve with chips!

Grab the recipe!

So there you have it! 30 ways to use canned pumpkin. I hope you got some great ideas!

Looking for healthy pumpkin recipes? Here are 30 recipes to try! Everything from baked pumpkin recipes and pumpkin recipes for breakfast to savory pumpkin recipes.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

20 Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes {That Are Not Pumpkin Pie}

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Looking for pumpkin puree dessert recipes that are not pumpkin pie? Here are 20+ desserts from pumpkin cake to pumpkin bars to no-bake pumpkin desserts to choose from!

easy pumpkin dessert recipes not pumpkin pie

*Originally published November 2021. Updated Sept 2022*

Hi friends!

When you think of pumpkin recipes easy dessert is probably the first thing that comes to mind, right? Obviously, pumpkin pie is a classic dessert recipe. However, if you’re like me, you may not get all that excited about pumpkin pie. I think it’s just average.

Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

The good news is, there are a lot of other dessert options out there that can give you the pumpkin flavor you love, just not in pumpkin pie form. That’s right- easy pumpkin dessert recipes come in all forms, from cookies to cheesecake to bars to no-bake desserts!

By choosing one of these pumpkin recipes, dessert is taken care of!

Here’s my all-time favorite recipe: Pumpkin Pie Bars. And here are some more ideas:

Canned Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

easy pumpkin dessert recipe with canned pumpkin - dairy-free pumpkin bars

Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bars

An easy pumpkin dessert recipe with canned pumpking, these Dairy-free Pumpkin Bars are so easy to whip up for a snack or dessert! They require just one bowl and one measuring cup! 

Grab the recipe!
pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

These pumpkin cookies are soft and fluffy and topped with an easy cream cheese frosting. One of the best easy pumpkin dessert recipes with canned pumpkin!

Grab the recipe!
canned pumpkin recipes - mini pumpkin cheesecakes

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

If you’re looking for canned pumpkin recipes to make dessert you should try these! Bake them in muffin tins with Biscoff cookies for the crust!

Grab the recipe!
pumpkin skillet cake

Pumpkin Skillet Cake

No mixing bowl is required for this Pumpkin Skillet Cake! You can make the whole thing right in the skillet. Light, fluffy and easy to make, it’s the perfect fall dessert recipe!

Grab the recipe!
pumpkin puree dessert recipes - 3 layer pumpkin brownies

3 Layer Pumpkin Brownies

Add this to your arsenel of pumpkin puree dessert recipes. These 3 layer brownies are sure to impress! A rich chocolate brownie, a layer of pumpkin and topped off with chocolate frosting.

Grab the recipe!
pumpkin dessert recipes easy - pumpkin gingerbread

Pumpkin Gingerbread

Of the pumpkin dessert recipes easy enough for anyone to make, yet still a crowd-pleaser, this pumpkin gingerbread tops the list. Delicious gingerbread topped with maple pecan icing.

Grab the recipe!
pumpkin spice cracker toffee

Pumpkin Spice Cracker Toffee

An easy Fall dessert with a graham cracker base. It comes together quickly and is guaranteed to please a crowd.

Grab the recipe!

No Bake Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

When you need something quick and easy with no oven required, no bake easy pumpkin dessert recipes are the answer! You can whip any of these recipes up in no time and they’re guaranteed to please a crowd!

pumpkin lasagna

Pumpkin Lasagna

With layers of graham crackers, cream cheese, jello pudding and cool whip, this dessert lasagna is hard to resist!

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no bake pumpkin pie ice box cake

No Bake Pumpkin Pie Ice Box Cake

A pumpkin pie dessert recipe that’s easier than pumpkin pie? Try this No Bake Pumpkin Pie Ice Box Cake!

Grab the recipe!
easy pumpkin dessert recipes - pumpkin cheesecake trifle

Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle

When it comes to super easy pumpkin dessert recipes, no bake recipes are a must try! This trifle has a delicious, no-bake pumpkin cheesecake filling, plus layers of a crunchy crumble and is topped with fresh whipped cream!

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Puree Dessert Recipes

Grab a can of 100% pumpkin and get to work making one of these delicious pumpkin puree dessert recipes! They’re great for Fall but honestly, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy them year round.

canned pumpkin dessert recipes - pumpkin pecan bars

Pumpkin Pecan Bars

Canned pumpkin dessert recipes are endless! These Pumpkin Pecan Bars are made with a gingersnap crust, creamy pumpkin filling and a toffee topping!

Grab the recipe!
pumpkin bar dessert recipes - pumpkin pie bars

Pumpkin Pie Bars

One of the pumpkin bar dessert recipes you’ll want to try this year. It starts by using yellow cake mix so you know it’s simple!

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best pumpkin dessert recipes - pumpkin cake with yellow cake mix

Pumpkin Cake with Yellow Cake Mix

Easy pumpkin recipes for dessert can start with cake mix! Bake it in your favorite pan and add some cream cheese icing for a no-fail dessert!

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easy canned pumpkin dessert recipes - Easy Pumpkin Pudding Cake

Easy Pumpkin Pudding Cake

Some easy canned pumpkin dessert recipes take just 10 minutes to put together! This pudding cake makes its own caramel sauce as it cooks and is guaranteed to be a favorite!

Grab the recipe!
best canned pumpkin dessert recipes - pecan magic pumpkin bars

Pecan Magic Pumpkin Bars

One of the best canned pumpkin dessert recipes you’ll find. This one uses pumpkin pie filling with the spices already mixed in a for a quick and easy dessert everyone will love.

Grab the recipe!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

If you’re looking for gluten-free pumpkin dessert recipes, here are a few options! Great for those following a gluten-free diet but tasty enough to be enjoyed by all!

caramel pumpkin cheesecake dip - gluten-free pumpkin dessert recipes

Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

Looking for gluten free pumpkin dessert recipes? This cheesecake dip fits the bill! Serve it with your favorite gluten-free crackers or waffles for a fun treat!

Grab the recipe!
pumpkin pie peanut butter cups

Pumpkin Pie Peanut Butter Cups

These homemade Pumpkin Pie Peanut Butter Cups are better than Reese’s for dessert and have a fun fall flavor twist! Make a batch today and keep them in the freezer to enjoy in the weeks ahead.

Grab the recipe!
gluten-free pumpkin dessert recipes - paleo pumpkin snickerdoodle cookie bars

Paleo Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars

Gluten-free pumpkin dessert recipes are never lacking in flavor! These snickerdoodle cookie bars are grain-free, dairy-free and full of pumpkin flavor!

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Vegan Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

It’s always good to have some vegan pumpkin dessert recipes in your repetoire so that you can provide options to friends and family who may follow a vegan diet. And these recipes are so delicious, they can be enjoyed by anyone!

vegan pumpkin dessert recipes- vegan pumpkin pie crumb bars

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars

Need more vegan pumpkin dessert recipes? Try these Vegan Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars! They have an oatmeal crust, a creamy pumpkin filling and an oat crumble on top!

Grab the recipe!
vegan pumpkin dessert recipes - 20 minutes no bake vegan pumpkin cheesecake

20 Minute No Bake Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

This cheesecake is one of the best vegan pumpkin dessert recipes. Ready in 20 minutes, it doesn’t get much easier!

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vegan layered pumpkin dessert

Vegan Layered Pumpkin Dessert

This vegan pumpkin dessert recipe can easily be made in individual servings or in a large pan!

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If you’re looking to go beyond pumpkin pie this year, I hope this roundup of pumpkin dessert recipes gives you some good options!

Looking for easy dessert pumpkin recipes that are not pumpkin pie? Here are 25+ desserts from pumpkin cake to pumpkin bars to no-bake pumpkin desserts to choose from!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

15 Healthy Apple Dinner Recipes

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Have lots of extra apples? Here are 15 healthy apple dinner recipes. Add them to your meal plan for dinner this week or enjoy leftovers for lunch!

Collage of images of recipes using apples. Healthy Apple dinner Recipes

*Originally published Oct 2014. Updated September 2022*

Hi Friends!

I don’t know about you but I often find myself with a surplus of apples. Whether it’s after going apple-picking in the Fall or simply because they’re on sale at the store, I’m constantly looking for ways to use up this simple fruit.

Healthy Dinner Recipes with Apples

Luckily apples are super versatile and make a good addition to tons of recipes for any meal of the day! I’ve you’re looking specifically for breakfast recipes, try these 10 Healthy Ways to Eat Apples for Breakfast. 

And while a lot of people immediately think of apples for breakfast, snack or dessert, I’ve decided to think beyond breakfast!

These healthy apple dinner recipes will shake up your Fall menu and hopefully provide you with a few new family favorite recipes for years to come!

If you’re looking for a few of my favorite recipes using apples, try:

Vegetarian Apple Dinner Recipes

Most of the recipes highlighted below contain meat but apples are also the perfect addition to vegetarian dinner recipes. They are a great addition to Fall salads as they pair well with roasted squash, sweet potatoes and other Fall vegetables. They also add some sweetness to salsas and can be shredded and added to vegetarian patties or chopped and added to a hash with vegetarian sausage.

Chicken Apple Sausage Dinner Recipes

Fall is also a great time to take advantage of all of the chicken apple sausage variations out there. Most sausage brands now have a sweet apple chicken sausage variety that pairs well with eggs if you’re in the mood for breakfast for dinner or with noodles/tortellini and some cheese for a quick weeknight meal. You can also pair it with diced apples and broccoli or green beans for an easy sheet pan meal.

Dinner Recipes Using Apple Juice

And finally, we can’t talk about apples without also talking about apple juice! There are lots of dinner recipes using apple juice, including a few featured below. Apple juice is a great addition to a marinade or skillet dinner to help make a flavorful pan sauce.

Healthy Apple Dinner Recipes

apple dinner recipes - apple cheddar turkey meatballs

Apple Cheddar Turkey Meatballs

These Apple Cheddar Turkey Meatballs are kid-friendly and perfect for food prep! They’re full of flavor and make a great party appetizer or family dinner.

Grab the recipe!
apple cranberry mason jar salads - healthy apple recipes

Apple Cranberry Mason Jar Salads

Crunchy apples, sweet cranberries and chicken mixed with a homemade Greek Yogurt Poppy Seed Dressing. These would be perfect for dinner on the go as you’re driving kids to various practices and games. Or make a few for the week and enjoy them for lunch.

Grab the recipe!
maple mustard chicken and apple skillet

Maple Mustard Chicken & Apple Skillet

The perfect blend of sweet and savory with a slight tang from the mustard sauce! This skillet is packed with apples, sweet potatoes and chicken and a one-pan meal makes clean-up a breeze!

Grab the recipe!
Brussels Sprout Apple Goat Cheese Salad Image 7 1

Brussels Sprout Apple Goat Cheese Salad

This salad combines apples with shaved brussels sprouts, red onion, walanuts, goat cheese and more…all tossed in a balsamic dressing. Serve it as a side salad, add chicken and pack for lunch or serving at your next gathering.

Grab the recipe!
instant pot butternut squash soup with apples

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

An easy, creamy soup that’s packed with veggies and perfect as a dinner side dish or light meal. Serve it with your favorite grilled cheese & try adding apples to that too! Perfect for a cool Fall night.

Grab the recipe!
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Pecans 4

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Turn your Brussels sprouts into a dish the whole family will love by adding apples and pecans! Throw some chicken sausage into the mix for a complete meal.

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harvest chicken skillet with sweet potato, apple and brussels sprouts

Harvest Chicken Skillet

All your favorite Fall vegetables, plus chicken for protein and apples for sweetness in one big skillet for a comforting, yet healthy Fall meal.

Grab the recipe
dinner recipes with apple s- apple chicken with bacon and potatoes

Apple Chicken with Bacon and Potatoes

A hearty Fall meal you’ll make over and over. Made in one skillet, it’s packed with spinach, bacon, potatoes, apples and chicken in a simple sauce.

Grab the recipe!
roasted squash Fall salad with apples, eggs, sweet potato, avocado and more!

Roasted Squash Fall Salad

This Roasted Squash Fall Salad is perfect for lunch or dinner. Packed with vegetables and protein, it’s full of flavor and easy to customize. A great way to enjoy seasonal produce! Keep it vegetarian or add your favorite meat or fish.

Grab the recipe!
apple cider dinner ecipes - apple cider chicken skillet

Apple Cider Chicken Skillet

Made with apples AND apple cider for that extra delicious Fall flavor. This simple recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

Grab the recipe!
IMG 6927 Custom 1

Copycat Apple Pecan Chicken Salad

This salad is full of flavor and packed with things like apples, blue cheese, pecans and Craisins, all topped with an irresistible dressing.

Grab the recipe!
Apple brie stuffed chicken 5 1

Apple & Brie Stuffed Chicken

An easy skillet chicken recipe full of pelty cheese and tart green apples. Added bonus- you can use the juices to a make a simple sauce to spoon over the chicken.

Grab the recipe!
healthy green apple recipes - apple bacon cheddar quesadillas

Apple Bacon Cheddar Quesadillas

The perfect combination of sweet apple, salty bacon and sharp cheddar cheese. Serve these for a quick and easy dinner or add some leftover chicken for extra protein!

Grab the recipe!
apple cheddar chicken melts

Apple Cheddar Chicken Melts

Make these on a baking sheet for a simple dinner at the end of a busy day. They’re filled with apples, chicken and cheese for an easy but very satisfying dinner – or lunch!

Grab the recipe!
dinner recipes with apple cider - sheet pan chicken and sweet potatoes

Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Everyone loves a sheet pan meal! This one mixes sweet apples with broccoli and sweet potatoes and everything is glazed with apple cider!

Grab the recipe!

What’s your favorite healthy apple dinner recipe?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

25 Best Read Aloud Chapter Books {Ages 5-9}

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Looking for the best read-aloud chapter books to read to your kids? Here are 25 interesting and engaging books your kids will love! Best for ages 5-9.

best read aloud chapter books for kindergarten

Hi friends!

Are you looking for read-alouds that your kids will actually enjoy? Books that feel like a fun adventure every time you crack open the cover? This list features more than two dozen chapter books we’ve read, adored, and that appeal to a wide range of ages and interests. 

You might remember I teamed up with my friend Paige for a previous book post. These are the next step beyond many of the books in our previous list of 100+ Chapter Book Series for Kids and feature longer chapters, fewer pictures, and more complex vocabulary. We’re confident that these books will help young kids grow in their love for reading while creating special memories of experiencing these stories together. 

Even if your child can read, research shows that continuing to read books to them can broaden their vocabulary, strengthen their ability to follow more intricate storylines, as well as boost feelings of empathy and connectedness. 

And if you can’t read with your kids every single day, it’s okay! Listening to audiobooks offers many of the same benefits for kids as being read to by an adult. We recommend using the free apps Libby and Hoopla and have also listed below which of these titles are currently available on Audible, Libro.fm, Scribd, and Yoto. (Those are referral links!)

And if you’re not already following Paige over on Instagram, be sure to do so! She’s a mama to 4 and shares practical and realistic life hacks, cooking tips and more!

If you’d like to see all the books in one place, you can find them in my Amazon shop (aff link). The links to Amazon listed below are also affiliate links. That means if you click them, we make a small amount of money at no additional cost to you! Thanks for supporting us!

Best Read Aloud Chapter Books For Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

Heartwood Hotel: A True home

Heartwood Hotel: A True Home

Heartwood Hotel is a charming series about a woodland hotel where a lovable cast of creatures seek refuge and along the way embark on adventures, face fears, overcome challenges, and discover the true meaning of friendship and home.

*Available from: Audible, Scribd and Yoto

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Stink the incredible shrinking kid chapter book

Stink

Second grader James “Stink” Moody is an energetic, curious, and imaginative second grader. He’ll take you on hilarious adventures from winning a life-time supply of jawbreakers, to riding a bus full of guinea pigs, to spending the night in an aquarium, and always has a valuable lesson to learn.

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm & Scribd

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Fudge-a-mania by Judy blume

Fudge-A-Mania

While we wouldn’t recommend the entire series (due to swear words and other issues), Fudge-a-Mania stands out as a super-fun read aloud. The story follows the Hatcher family on their summer vacation to Maine and has many hysterical moments while also touching on poignant topics such as sibling rivalry, friendship, and family dynamics.

*Available from: Audible & Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Appleblossom the possum - read aloud chapter books for kids

Appleblossom the Possum

Appleblossom is a young possum learning how to make her way in the world when she’s spying on a human family and–whoops!– tumbles down their chimney. A young girl inside discovers the marsupial and decides to make her her pet all while hiding her from her family (and dog!) as Appleblossom’s siblings embark on a mission to rescue their sister.

*Available from: Audible & Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Charlie and the chooclate factory - read aloud chapter books for kindergarten

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The famous tale of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory withstands the test of time and is worth reading with your kids. After finishing the book, make a date for a family viewing of the movie (we recommend the original version) while enjoying some favorite chocolate treats and you’ll create a simple and memorable experience everyone will treasure.

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm & Yoto

Grab a copy on Amazon!
the wild robot - best chapter book read alouds for second grade

The Wild Robot

Roz is a robot who finds herself abandoned on a remote island. She learns to survive by observing and mimicking the animals around her. Just as she’s making a comfortable home for herself and forging friendships (even adopting an orphan gosling), robots come looking to reclaim her. The series is a fascinating–and heartwarming–look at the intersection of technology and nature. Fair warning: there’s some violence toward the end.

*Available from: Audible & Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Pippi Longstocking - chapter book

Pippi Longstocking

Pippi’s hijinks are just as hilarious as you may remember. Young Pippi lives alongside her pet monkey and horse in her ramshackle house. She befriends prim and proper siblings, Tommy and Annika, and invites them into her wild and outrageous–but always endearing–world.

*Available from: Audible & Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Magic Treehouse chapter book series

The Magic Treehouse

Good news: if your kids fall in love with this series, there are approximately 674 books (okay, we’re kidding, but there are A LOT!) Siblings Jack and Annie discover a treehouse in the woods near their home that can transport them to different locations and time periods. Children will learn about history, geography, mythology, science, and more in each unique installment. 

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm & Yoto

Grab a copy on Amazon!
The World According to Humphrey

The World According to Humphrey

Class pet Humphrey spends each weekend with a different classmate’s family. Told from the perspective of the hamster himself, we learn about his observations of each family and the different adventures he encounters in their homes (thanks, in part, to a malfunctioning lock on the critter’s cage).

*Available from: Audible & Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
The Adventures of Nanny Piggins - best chapter books for 2nd grade read alouds

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins

What happens when a dad desperate to find childcare for his three kids hires a former flying circus pig as their nanny? Countless laugh-out-loud misadventures. And yet, Nanny Piggins always manages to return the children home safe, fed, and happy.

*Available from: Audible

Grab copy on Amazon!
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz chapter book

The Wizard of Oz

More than 120 years since it was first published, Dorothy, Toto and the entire cast of captivating characters continue to capture children’s (and adult’s) attention. There’s truly no place like Oz, so snuggle in and enjoy reliving this magical journey with your kids.

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm & Scribd

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Upside Down Magic

Upside Down Magic

Nory Horace is preparing for her entrance exam to a school for kids with magical powers. There’s just one problem: Nory’s magic skills are a bit, well, mixed up. The series follows Nory and other classmates with wonky powers who discover that perhaps being different beats fitting in.

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm & Scribd

Grab a copy on Amazon!
chapter books to read to first graders - sideways stories from wayside school

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Sideways Stories reimagines what school might be like if everything were a little less normal and way more fun. Each chapter is an individual mini-story focused on a specific character and is guaranteed to have everyone in hysterics over the absurd mischief that ensues within the walls of the 30-story school.

*Available from: Audible & Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Hotel Flamingo - best read aloud chapter books for kindergarten

Hotel Flamingo

Anna is the new owner of the once-grand, but now run-down Hotel Flamingo. This isn’t an ordinary hotel, of course–the staff and guests are all animals! Anna undertakes the enormous task of returning the hotel to its former glory and making it a place where every animal feels welcome and at home.

*Available from: Audible & Yoto

Grab a copy on Amazon!
The Mouse and the Motorcycle book

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

This book is a classic for a reason. What kid could resist an adventurous mouse who discovers a young boy’s toy motorcycle and is determined to ride it throughout his Mountain View Inn home, dodging countless obstacles along the way? 

*Available from: Audible & Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
A Boy Called Bat

A Boy Called Bat

Three cheers for this stunning series starring Bixby Alexander Tam (nickname: Bat), a young boy on the autism spectrum who adopts and cares for an abandoned skunk kit. (Luckily, Mom is a veterinarian). The book also adeptly addresses divorce in a thoughtful and compassionate way. 

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm, Scribd

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Toys Go Out book

Toys Go Out

What would happen if toys (and other objects) came alive when people weren’t looking? Well, this creative story imagines just that. The book follows Lumphy, a stuffed buffalo, Plastic, a red bouncy ball, Tuk Tuk, a towel and other loveable objects who face obstacles and learn valuable lessons that closely mirror what kids experience in real life.

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
The Boxcar Children - best first chapter books to read aloud

The Boxcar Children

The four Alden children are orphaned and go to live with their kind and loving grandfather. Each story in this 150-plus book series revolves around a different engaging mystery that the Alden children must solve together. 

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm & Scribd

Grab a copy on Amazon!
The Very Very Far North

The Very Far North

This uplifting story of a young polar bear discovering his place and befriending every arctic animal that he encounters along the way is sure to melt your heart. At times the language may feel sophisticated, but it’s worth sticking with the story and falling in love with the warm and meaningful connections forged in the frigid far north.

*Available from: Audible & Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Beezus and Ramona

Beezus and Ramona

Any kid with a younger sibling will be able to identify with 9-year-old Beezus who’s constantly exasperated by her 4-year-old little sister, Ramona. Meanwhile, Ramona’s antics–like inviting her entire preschool class to a party at her house without telling her family first–will amuse kids of all ages.

*Available from: Audible & Yoto

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Planet Omar - accidental trouble magnet

Planet Omar

Omar has recently moved to a new house and will be the new kid at school. He always tries to do the right thing, but his vivid imagination often lands him in trouble. This wonderful book has the potential to spark conversations on topics including cultural differences (Omar’s family is Muslim), bullying, friendship, and more. 

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm & Yoto.

Grab the recipe!
Skunk and Badger read aloud chapter book

Skunk and Badger

Serious, routine-loving Badger enjoys the peace and quiet of living alone in his brownstone until Skunk, who’s messy, noisy, and always causing a raucous, becomes his unlikely roommate (and, ultimately, his friend). This adorable book cleverly weaves humor and heart throughout its pages.

*Available from: Audible & Libro.fm

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Big Foot and Little Foot

Big Foot and Little Foot

Hugo is a young Sasquatch who dreams of adventure in the Big Wide World instead of remaining hidden in caves. (After all, the most important rule of Sasquatches is that they must never be seen by Humans.) Meanwhile, Hugo is a boy whose biggest wish is to meet–you guessed it—a Sasquatch. So what happens when this duo have an unexpected encounter? They join forces to chase after their curiosity and discover other mythical beasts like Ogopogos and Snoot-Nosed Gints. The adventure awaits! 

Grab a copy on Amazon!
Henry Huggins

Henry Huggins

Henry Huggins is an average kid living on Klickitat Street. He has a tendency to get into ridiculous situations such as buying some guppies at a pet store and ending up with a bedroom filled with jars of baby guppies. There’s nothing magical or extraordinary in these stories, but perhaps it’s Henry’s relatability (as well as his adorable adopted dog Ribsy) that hooks kids’ interest and will keep them asking for more.

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm, Scribd & Yoto

Grab the recipe!
The BFG

The BFG

Roald Dahl is renowned for writing fantastical children’s fiction, but–at least in our opinions–not all are a fit for younger ages (Matilda and The Witches may too be scary for some, for instance). But the BFG, in which a girl named Sophie befriends a dream-making Big Friendly Giant, is a wonderful and memorable place to start. 

*Available from: Audible, Libro.fm & Yoto

Grab the recipe!

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:

Read Aloud Books Printable List

Reminder that if you’re not already listening to audiobooks, you can check out these referral links to get started:

We hope this post gave you some new ideas!

Looking for the best read-aloud chapter books to read to your kids? Here are 25 interesting and engaging books your kids will love! Best for ages 5-8.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes

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These Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes are perfect for getting into the kitchen with your kids. They’re packed with vegetables, legumes, beans and more for healthy snacks the kids will love!

Round-up of 20 Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes

Hi friends!

This round-up of kid-friendly baking recipes is another post that has been on my list for a while now. If you’ve been following for a while, you know I’m a big fan of boosting the nutrient content of your baked goods. I’m constantly adding vegetables, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes and more to my muffins, bars and cookies. And guess what? Kids love them!

Healthy Baking Recipes

I thought it might be handy to put all of my nutrient-packed baked good recipe links in one place so you can browse them! Here are almost 30 healthy baking recipes to get you started. That means you can grab your kids and head to the kitchen to make a new snack each week for the next several months. These recipes are also great for getting in the kitchen with kids! Many are made in a food processor and they can just dump everything in and blend! This Cuisinart 11 cup food processor is probably my favorite kitchen appliance (aff link).

Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes

These Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes are perfect for getting into the kitchen with your kids. They're packed with vegetables, legumes, beans and more for healthy snacks the kids will love!

Here are links to all the recipes:

Healthy Lentil Recipes

Healthy Baking Recipes With Beans

Healthy Zucchini Recipes

  1. Zucchini Carrot Apple Muffins
  2. Zucchini Oat Bars
  3. Zucchini Carrot Brownies

Healthy Carrot Recipes

Healthy Sweet Potato Baking Recipes

  1. Sweet Potato Protein Cookies
  2. Sweet Potato Banana Bites
  3. GF Sweet Potato Brownies

Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

Other Healthy Baking Recipes

There you have it! Work your way through this list with one recipe a week and you’ll be set for the next several months! Oh, and if you’re more of a physical paper copy kinda person, I got you!

Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes free PDF

 I took all the recipes and put them into a PDF that you can grab for free! Just drop your email in the box below and you’ll immediately get a free eight-page PDF with all 28 recipes.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Tater Tot Waffles

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These Tater Tot Waffles are kid-friendly and perfect any time of day! Enjoy them for breakfast, pack them in a lunch box or make them for a quick dinner on a busy night.

tater tot waffles

Thanks to the Ohio Beef Council for sponsoring this post.

Hi friends!

I’m so excited to share these Tater Tot Waffles with you guys today. I tested them a few weeks ago and when I shared a sneak peek on Instagram a lot of you were excited for the recipe.

My kids are headed back to school this week and I’ve already started my list of quick & easy dinners that I can make on busy nights this Fall. I’m also always on the hunt for new foods that pack well in lunc boxes. These tater tot waffles fit the bill on both counts!

Kid-friendly Beef Recipes

Let’s talk a little about why beef can be a great addition to your kid’s diet. As a Registered Dietitian, I’m constantly talking about the benefits of protein. It helps keep you full and focused between meals and beef in particular is packed with protein as well as nutrients like iron and zinc which aid in brain development and cognition. My kids are busy and active and I love that the protein in beef helps them build muscles and provides them with important B vitamins!

So I was super excited to partner with the Ohio Beef Council to develop a couple of kid-friendly, family-friendly recipes featuring beef. There are over 17,000 beef farms here in Ohio. If you’re interested in how your beef gets from pasture to plate, including how the farmers care for their animals and protect the environment, you can find more info here: Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

tater tots in waffle iron

How to Cook Tater Tots In Waffle Iron

If you’ve followed along for a while, you may remember that Egg Waffles are a big hit in my house. We also make Waffle French Toast a lot! But these Tater Tot Waffles just might be the new favorite. All my kids, especially the younger two, liked them! And they’re honestly so easy to make. Just mix a few ingredients together in a bowl, then scoop some of the mixture onto waffle iron and cook until they’re crispy golden brown.

The key to how to cook tater tots in a waffle iron is to defrost them first. They won’t cook well if they’re still frozen! You can defrost them in the fridge or simply microwave them.

Ingredients for Tater Tot Waffles

So here are the ingredients you need:

  • Ground beef -Simply cook and season with a little paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. This can be done a day or two ahead of time.
  • Shredded cheese – I use Colby Jack but cheddar would also be good!
  • Eggs
  • Tater tots – just grab a bag from the freezer section at the grocery store

That’s it!

tater tot waffle in lunch box with ketchup, crackers and fruit

Ground Beef Cooking Tips

When I asked which type of beef you guys were most interested in recipes for, ground beef was overwhelmingly the winner! This is no surprise because ground beef is super versatile. It’s easy to stock up on ground beef when it goes on sale and freeze it for later. You can freeze beef in its original packaging for up to two weeks. For longer storage, wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil or place in plastic freezer bags, removing as much air as possible.

When purchasing, be sure to select ground beef with a bright, red color that is firm to the touch and doesn’t have excess liquid in the package. Store ground beef in your refrigerator for 1-2 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months. 

Are hash browns and tater tots the same?

Since they’re very similar, just slightly different shapes and cooking methods, I think either would work for this recipe, but I have not tried it with hash browns.

Tater Tot Waffles Recipe

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Tater Tot Waffles

tater tot waffles
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These Tater Tot Waffles are kid-friendly and perfect any time of day! Enjoy them for breakfast, pack them in a lunch box or make them for a quick dinner on a busy night.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Yield: 4 waffles 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef (I use 85/15. Approx 2 cups cooked)
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt and pepper
2 cups shredded cheese (I use Colby Jack)
4 servings tater tots (approx 10 tater tots per serving)
4 eggs

Instructions

  1. Thaw tater tots. The quickest way to do this is in the microwave but you can also thaw in the refrigerator. They need to be soft enough smash.
  2. Cook ground beef, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a pan over medium heat. Drain cooked beef onto a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess grease.
  3. Place thawed tater tots in a bowl and smash well with a potato masher.
  4. Add cooked ground beef, shredded cheese and eggs and stir until well combined.
  5. On a greased waffle iron, add approximately 1 cup of the beef mixture. Use a fork to spread out the mixture to cover the bottom of the waffle iron and close the lid.
  6. Cook 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.
  7. Carefully remove with a spatula and serve with ketchup!

Notes

You should be able to substitute hash browns for tater tots but I haven’t tried it myself.

Pretty easy right?! I can’t wait to hear how you like them!

These Tater Tot Waffles are kid-friendly and perfect any time of day! Enjoy them for breakfast, pack them in a lunch box or make them for a quick dinner on a busy night.

Let me know if you try them.

Visit www.OhioBeef.org, and follow the Ohio Beef Council on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for beef nutrition facts, cooking tips, recipes and to meet Ohio’s beef farming families. Use #OhioBeef to share photos of your healthy meals this school year!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Healthy Crackers For Kids | And Adults!

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Looking for healthy crackers for kids? Here are some of the healthiest crackers for both kids and adults! Plus crackers I like as a Registered Dietitian.

Healthy Crackers For Kids and Adults

Hi friends!

All you have to do is walk down the cracker aisle to make it clear that there are endless options out there for this crunchy snack. Today I’m going to share some of my favorites! If you’ve missed any of our “best of store-bought posts” you can find them here:

Types of snacks:

Are Crackers Healthy?

As a Registered Dietitian, I get asked a lot “are crackers healthy?” I’m here to tell you they CAN be! Some of the benefits of crackers can include:

  • They can provide a serving of whole grains
  • They can help kids (and adults) eat other nutritious foods like peanut butter, turkey, chicken salad, bean dip, cheese and more!
  • They can provide carbs that can be used for energy.
  • They can be a source of protein and fiber.

Many cracker options made with nuts, seeds and whole grains can be part of a substantial meal or snack.

What about the less healthy crackers?

But guess what? Along with some of the more substantial crackers, there are also a lot of crackers out there that don’t provide a whole lot of nutritional value. They’re low in protein and fiber, they’re not made with whole grains or nuts and seeds, and yet I believe they can still be part of a balanced diet! There are a lot of factors at play when I comes to picking the best crackers for you and your family. Let’s consider a few:

  • Maybe you’d like to buy a cracker like Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers but the price is too high and you can’t afford them regularly.
  • Maybe there’s a nut allergy or a school nut restriction that you have to work with so you can’t have some of the nut-based crackers that tend to be higher in protein and fiber.
  • Maybe your kids are too young to eat some of the crunchier crackers without them being a choking hazard.
  • Maybe you buy less nutrient-dense options because they’re the ones your kids eat and they help your kids eat other more nutrient-dense foods.
  • And maybe you believe all foods fit and you buy crackers because your kids enjoy eating them. You focus on feeding them a well-balanced diet and recognize that some foods are eaten for enjoyment, not nutrients!

If any of those apply to you, don’t feel bad about the crackers you’re feeding your family! I’m a Registered Dietitian with three kids and if you looked in my pantry on any given day you would see

  • Simple Mills
  • RW Garcia Sweet Potato Crackers
  • Wheat Thins
  • Goldfish
  • Graham crackers

Here’s a video recap of some crackers I like and some crackers I have on hand in my pantry on any given day!

Which are the healthiest crackers for snacks?

If you are looking for a nutrient-dense cracker option to try, here are some guidelines:

  • Look for crackers made with whole grains, oats, brown rice, nuts and seeds.
  • Look for crackers with at least 2-3 grams of fiber.
  • Watch the sodium levels. Lower is better since most people consume a large amount of sodium each day. Aim for 150mg or less per serving.
  • Aim for low added sugar.
  • Don’t be tricked by the words on the box. Often whole wheat or multigrain options are minimally different than the original versions when it comes to crackers. Check the label!

Healthy Crackers For Snacks

Here are some of my favorite options:

healthy crackers - simple mills almond flour crackers

Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers

  • 3 grams protein
  • 2 grams fiber
  • 230 mg sodium (this is a bit high)
  • Available at Costco!
  • Ingredients in the sea salt version: Nut and Seed Flour Blend (Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds), Tapioca, Cassava, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt, Organic Onion, Organic Garlic, Rosemary Extract (For Freshness)
  • They also have a seed flour cracker line.
healthy cracker for snacks - RW Garcia sweet potato crackers

RW Garcia Sweet Potato Crackers

  • 2 grams protein
  • 1 gram fiber
  • 50 mg sodium
  • Ingredients: stone ground yellow corn, sweet potato, sunflower or corn oil, flax seeds, black sesame seeds, chia seeds, sea salt
  • Available at Costco!
  • They have other flavors like beet, lentil turmeric and kale
healthy crackers for kids - triscuit thin crips

Triscuit Thin Crisps (or regular)

  • 3 grams protein
  • 4 grams fiber
  • 170 mg sodium
  • Ingredients: Whole grain wheat, canola oil, sea salt.
  • Regular Triscuits are fine! They’re just thicker and crunchier and can be harder for kids to eat!
best healthy crackers - mary's gone crackers

Mary’s Gone Crackers

  • 4 grams protein
  • 3 grams fiber
  • 180 mg sodium
  • Ingredients: Organic whole grain brown rice, organic whole grain quinoa, organic brown flax seeds, organic brown sesame seeds, filtered water, sea salt, organic wheat-free tamari (water, organic whole soybeans, salt, organic vinegar). Contains soy.
  • They also have a line of Super Seed Crackers

healthy crackers for toddlers - annie's white cheddar bunnies

Annie’s White Cheddar Bunnies

  • 3 grams protein
  • 2 grams fiber (the white cheddar bunnies have more fiber than regular)
  • 150 mg sodium
  • Ingredients: Organic Wheat Flour, Organic Expeller-Pressed Sunflower Oil, Organic Cheddar Cheese (pasteurized organic milk, cheese cultures, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Whey, Salt, Organic Nonfat Dry Milk, Organic Yeast, Leavening (monocalcium phosphate, baking soda), Organic Paprika, Organic Onion Powder, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Celery Seed, Non-Animal Enzymes.
healthiest cracker snacks - Crunchmaster

Crunchmaster

  • 3 grams protein
  • 2 grams fiber
  • 150 mg sodium
  • Ingredients: Brown Rice Flour, Sesame Seeds, Potato Starch, Flax Seeds, Olive Oil, Amaranth Seeds, Quinoa, Salt, Tamari Soy Sauce Powder (Tamari Soy Sauce [Soybeans, Salt], Maltodextrin, Salt).
  • One of the few crackers made with olive oil vs other oils

What’s in the more “kid-friendly” crackers

Let’s take a look at a few of the more popular crackers that kids tend to like, such as Ritz, Wheat Thins and Goldfish. Sometimes we choose crackers for nutrients like protein, fiber, etc. Sometimes we choose crackers as a source of carbs to give us energy because they’re a good vehicle for other nutrient-dense foods or just because they’re fun to eat! A few things to point out.

kids crackers -ritz

Ritz

Don’t be fooled by marketing. Don’t grab the baked with whole wheat ritz option because you think they’re so much better than the original. If you compare the labels, the original on top, you can see they both only have 1 gram of protein and fiber and the same first ingredient (unbleached enriched flour). The baked with whole wheat just adds a little whole grain wheat flour but the effect is negligible. They both also contain high fructose corn syrup.

This is a similar issue in Club crackers – the multigrain Club crackers might sound healthy because of the word multigrain but they have 2g added sugar, no fiber and less than one gram of protein.

healthy whole grain crackers - wheat thins

Wheat Thins

I give my kids wheat thins. I like that they have 2 grams protein and 3 grams fiber and that the first ingredient is whole grain wheat flour. They also help my kids eat things like guacamole, turkey and cheese, etc – things they wouldn’t generally eat plain. Wheat Thins also have 4 grams of added sugar. While that’s not ideal for crackers, it can still fit into a balanced diet, especially if you pair them with more nutrient-dense foods that are low in added sugar.

crackers for kids - goldfish

Goldfish

A good reminder that eating is for both nutrition and enjoyment. Goldfish have a little protein, not a lot of fiber, they’re a little high in sodium but guess what? They’re also fun to eat! And kids love them. While they’re not adding a lot of nutritional value, they’re still fine to eat occasionally for fun!

I hope this was helpful! Your main takeaway should be that crackers can serve a variety of purposes. Sometimes it’s about nutrition and sometimes it’s about fun! Finding a balance is key!

healthy crackers 1

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

20 Ways To Entertain Kids At Sibling Sports

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Looking for ways to entertain kids and siblings while older siblings practice, play sports or have lessons? Here are 20 ideas to keep kids busy!

ways to entertain little siblings at sports games

Hi friends-

This summer I had two kids doing swim team, plus a third doing swim lessons. Several days a week we were spending almost 4 hours a day at the pool, plus another 4 hours every Monday for a swim meet. That’s a lot of hours I had to spend coming up with ways to entertain my 3 & 5 year olds.

I had a very large bag full of all sorts of entertainment and when I shared some photos on Instagram, some people asked me to compile them into a post so they could have a list of ideas all in one place.

Ask and you shall receive. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are 16 ideas for ways to entertain toddlers and kids while their siblings are practicing sports, playing games, having lessons and more!

If you want more toddler and kid activities, check out these posts:

how to entertain kids at sibling sports

How To Entertain Kids at Sibling Sporting Events

  • Matching/memory games and/or playing cards – Spread the cards out and have toddlers find the matches or flip them over and have them play memory to find the matches. Older kids can use playing cards to play games like go fish, crazy 8’s, speed, war and more. Playing cards can also be used for matches/memory games.
  • Puzzles – look for small 24-48 piece puzzles. Store them in small plastic containers with the puzzle picture taped to the cover or in zippered pouches.
  • Plus plus blocks – Store them in a zippered pouch and let them build and create. There are Plus Plus Big blocks for younger kids and also small ones that are more similar in size to legos.
  • Legos – Get a small base plate (check the dollar store!) and fill a pencil box with legos.

*links are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

how to keep siblings busy at sporting events

How To Keep Siblings Busy At Sporting Events

  • Painting – Paint with water books and Water Wow (aff links) are two great options that only require water. Or you could branch out to washable watercolors.
  • Coloring – Sometimes nothing beats a simple notebook and markers (or crayons or colored pencils)
  • Boogie Board – These digital boards can be drawn on with a stylus and instantly erase with the touch of a button for endless fun! My older kids have these boogie boards or they have a toddler version that my youngest loves.
  • Stickers – Toddlers love the circular dot stickers that they can place randomly on page. Give older kids a challenge by asking them to draw a habitat or picture and then place their stickers into the picture. Or try reusable stickers or puffy sticker reusable activity books.

*links are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

ways to entertain toddlers and siblings at games

Ways To Entertain Toddlers and Siblings at Games

  • Books – Pack a few favorites to read with toddlers or an easy chapter book to read to siblings.
  • Frog Tape/painter’s tape – Perfect for entertaining because it sticks but is easily removed and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. Create roads to drive hot wheels cars on!
  • Hidden picture or search and find books – Easy to pack and can keep them busy for a long time!
  • Magnetic doll dress-up – This is the one we have but there are lots of versions available.
ways to entertain siblings

Ways To Entertain Siblings

  • Tablet – I offer a lot of alternatives in this post but let’s be real, sometimes you just need to put on a movie to get them to sit still 🙂
  • Pop-its/Fidget toys – There are lots of options – fidget spinners and cubes, theraputty, etc – anything to keep their hands busy while they sit and watch.
  • Paint with water – If you’ve got a concrete area or sidewalk, give them a cup of water and a paintbrush and let them paint!
  • Hair salon – Great time to practice some fun hairstyles!

Other Ways To Entertain Kids

  • Walks! Bring the stroller. Here are some scavenger hunt ideas for kids!
  • Sports – Bring a ball, baseball glove, frisbee etc
  • Snacks – Trust me when I say you can never have too many snacks!
  • Camera or radio – Buy a cheap digital camera or a small handheld radio (or just give them your phone). Let them go to town jamming to music or taking photos!
Looking for ways to entertain toddlers and other little siblings while older siblings practice, play sports or have lessons? Here are 20 ideas to keep kids busy!

Have any other favorites? Leave them in the comments!
–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 review

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.

A few other recipes to try:

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!

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.

If you’re looking for more quinoa recipes, try one of these:

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–