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30 Minutes or Less

4-Ingredient Healthy Snickers

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overhead image of healthy snickers cut in half with peanut butter inside.

Think snickers can’t be healthy?? Think again! I’ve pretty much made it my life’s work to take unhealthy treats and make them healthy. Like my healthy gluten-free mug cake, and my healthy cookie dough bars (another no-bake dessert in constant rotation around here!). These 4-ingredient healthy snickers fit seamlessly into my healthier treats lineup. My recent nighttime routine has included getting my baby to bed, popping 3 or 4 of these healthy snickers out of the freezer, and cozying up on the couch while I savor every last bite. My husband’s also obsessed, so I’ve been doubling this recipe to make sure there’s plenty to go around!

For this recipe, you’ll want to start with a silicone ice cube tray. I purchased these ones (they come in a 2-pack) and have loved them so far! They’re also great for making ice cubes too, as the silicone helps the cubes slide right out. From there, you’ll need just four simple ingredients – chocolate, coconut oil, dates, and peanut butter. All relatively healthy ingredients, but they come together to create a treat that tastes seriously indulgent, but won’t hurt your stomach… no matter how many you eat! *wink wink*

overhead image of a healthy snicker with flaky sea salt on top.

What You’ll Need To Make These Healthy Snickers

Chocolate Chips: Opt for dairy-free or dark chocolate chips for a healthier option. These provide the rich, chocolatey coating for your snickers bites.

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil helps melt the chocolate chips and creates a smooth, glossy texture for your healthy candy bars.

Medjool Dates: These naturally sweet and chewy dates serve as the caramel-like layer in your snickers, providing natural sweetness and a satisfying texture.

Crunchy Peanut Butter: Choose your favorite brand of crunchy peanut butter to add nutty flavor and crunch to your guilt-free treats!

overhead image of healthy snickers bars with flaky sea salt on top.

Tips and Tricks

  • If your dates are too firm, soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes before using. This will help soften them and make them easier to work with.
  • Using a silicone ice cube tray makes it easier to remove the snickers bites once they’re frozen. If you don’t have one, you can line a regular ice cube tray with plastic wrap for easy removal.
  • To ensure even distribution of ingredients, use a layering technique when assembling your healthy snickers bites. Start with a layer of melted chocolate, followed by a date and a dollop of peanut butter, then top with another layer of melted chocolate.
4-Ingredient Healthy Snickers
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4-Ingredient Healthy Snickers

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy
Servings

15

snickers
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

This healthy snickers recipe is the perfect healthier treat to satisfy your sweet tooth! Made with just 4 wholesome ingredients; chocolate chips, coconut oil, medjool dates, and crunchy peanut butter. They taste just like a snickers, but with a fraction of the sugar!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chocolate chips

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

  • 8 medjool dates, pits removed and cut in half

  • 1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

Directions

  • Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a small bowl in the microwave.
    • healthy-snickers-step-1
  • Take a silicone ice cube tray and fill 15 cavities of the tray with 1/2 tablespoon each of the melted chocolate.
    • healthy-snickers-step-2
  • Place one pitted date half into each cavity on top of the chocolate.
    • healthy-snickers-step-3
  • Then, add about ½ a tablespoon of crunchy peanut butter to each ice cube cavity, on top of each date.
    • healthy-snickers-step-4
  • Pour the remaining melted chocolate into each ice cube cavity, covering the dates and peanut butter completely.
    • healthy-snickers-step-5
  • Place the ice cube tray in the freezer for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate has completely hardened. Remove the tray from the freezer and pop out the healthy snickers. Store snickers in the fridge or freezer for up to 3 months!
    • healthy-snickers-step-6

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Here’s a link to the silicone ice cube trays I used to make my healthy snickers! They worked wonders and were super easy to clean.

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30 Minutes or Less

5-Ingredient Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

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Homemade granola being scooped off a baking sheet with a measuring scoop.

This homemade granola recipe has been a staple in my home for over 3 years! In fact, it’s one of the first recipes I ever developed as a food blogger, along with my vegan pesto and gluten-free blueberry muffins. I also can’t stress enough how incredibly EASY this recipe is to make. I was on TikTok last week and I watched a fellow food blogger make a homemade granola with like 12 ingredients and I was like… NO no, no need for that. So I finally carved out the time to share this 5-ingredient granola recipe with you!

I should also note that this is one of those recipes that is super easy to customize. Need to make it nut-free? Replace the chopped nuts with additional oats and unsalted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds (also, check out the nut-free section on my blog for more nut-free recipes!). Craving something more chocolate-y? Toss in some dark chocolate chunks once the granola has cooled. Or, if you need a sugar-free granola recipe, replace the maple syrup with your favorite sugar-free liquid sweetener – it’s that simple!

Happy homemade granola making, friends! And if you give this recipe a try, I’d really love it if you left a comment and a 5 STAR review on this post. Your support means the world to me!

Homemade granola on a baking sheet with a serving spoon.

What You’ll Need to Make this Homemade Granola Recipe

Peanut Butter: For a personalized touch, opt for almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or any nut or seed butter of your choice. To keep it health-conscious, go for a natural, unsweetened variety.

Melted Coconut Oil: Customize your granola with melted butter, olive oil, or any vegetable oil as alternatives to coconut oil.

Maple Syrup or Honey: Tailor the sweetness to your liking by choosing between agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or a sugar-free syrup for a low-sugar twist. The decision between maple syrup and honey is entirely based on your flavor preference.

Rolled Oats: For a gluten-free recipe, ensure the oats you buy are entirely gluten-free, like these ones from Bob’s Red Mill! Opt for old-fashioned oats to achieve a hearty and satisfying texture in your granola.

Chopped Unsalted Nuts: Make your granola uniquely yours by selecting nuts that align with your taste or dietary preferences. I used almonds and cashews in my granola, but really any unsalted nuts will do! For a nut-free alternative, consider using seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

Homemade granola served with yogurt and fresh raspberries in a bowl.

Is this Homemade Granola Recipe Healthy?

Yes, this homemade granola recipe is relatively healthy. It incorporates nutrient-rich ingredients like oats, nuts, and coconut oil, providing a good balance of essential fats, fiber, and protein. Additionally, the recipe allows for customization, making it adaptable to various dietary preferences and ensuring a wholesome breakfast or snack!

Homemade granola pouring out of a glass jar.

Tips and Tricks

  • Mix It Up: Experiment with different nut and seed combinations to tailor the granola to your taste buds.
  • Watch Closely: Keep a close eye on the granola during the last few minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
  • More Clusters: For delightfully big granola chunks, press the mixture firmly onto the baking sheet before baking.
5-Ingredient Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe
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5-Ingredient Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: Breakfast, SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Total time

25

minutes

Elevate your breakfast with this super easy homemade granola recipe! It comes together with just 5-ingredients, one bowl, and in under 30 minutes. This healthy granola recipe is sweetened with maple syrup, and a delicious addition to yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, or smoothie bowls!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup peanut butter

  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

  • 2 cups rolled oats

  • 1 cup chopped unsalted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, and/or cashews)

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, and maple syrup or honey.
  • Add in the rolled oats and chopped nuts, then mix to combine.
  • Transfer the granola mixture to your prepared baking sheet and spread the granola into an even layer across the baking sheet.
  • Bake the granola for 15 minutes, then remove it from the oven and use a spatula to flip and toss the granola. Put it back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave the granola in the turned-off oven for 30 minutes.
  • Remove granola from the oven and let it cool completely before serving or storing.

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

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close-up image of a nourishing green lactation smoothie with a metal straw.

Looking for a way to boost your milk supply? Try this nourishing green lactation smoothie! Loaded with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and plenty of protein.

lactation smoothie being poured into a glass.

As a first-time breastfeeding mom, I’m always looking for ways to increase my milk supply. And after lots and lots of research, I found the best way to increase my supply was through food. Aside from simply making sure I’m eating enough foods, there are certain foods that can actually boost milk production! So I took as many of those foods as possible (oats, greens, flaxseeds, brewer’s yeast) and added them to this lactation smoothie in a way that actually tastes good.

Nourishing green lactation smoothie with a metal straw.

What You’ll Need to Make a Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

Banana – A whole frozen banana makes this smoothie ultra-creamy, and gives it just a hint of natural sweetness. If you don’t like banana, you can use 1 cup of frozen mango instead!

Spinach – Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, are a great source of iron and calcium, which are essential for boosting your milk supply. Fresh spinach will have the most nutrients, but if you don’t have any, frozen spinach will also do the trick.

Oats – Look up any lactation recipe, and it’ll likely have oats in it. Oats are a go-to ingredient for increasing breast milk production. This is because oats are high in iron, and act as a complex carbohydrate – two vital components to a lactating mama’s diet!

Almond Butter – I add a healthy fat to all my smoothie recipes, which helps slow down the body’s digestion rate of the fruit, allowing us to absorb as many nutrients and hold onto as much protein as possible. Almond butter is a delicious healthy fat option in this lactation smoothie! Though feel free to use any nut butter you’d like – peanut, cashew, pecan, etc.

Brewer’s Yeast – Another lactation essential is brewer’s yeast! Brewer’s yeast is a known glactagogue, and thought by many to help increase milk supply. It’s totally flavorless, and a great addition to this smoothie recipe. Here’s a link to the brewer’s yeast I’ve been using and loving!

Overhead image of a nourishing green lactation smoothie with oats and spinach on the side.

Optional Add-Ins

Give your nourishing green lactation smoothie a boost with any of the following…

  • Chia Seeds – more healthy fats, omega-3s, and fiber.
  • Hemp Seeds – extra protein, healthy fats, omega-3s, and omega-6s.
  • Protein Powder – I love this Aloha Vanilla Protein Powder!
  • Honey – for an extra bit of sweetness.
  • Frozen Cauliflower – because why not?! more veggies!
Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie
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Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: Breakfast, SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

serving
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

Looking for a way to boost your milk supply? Try this nourishing green lactation smoothie! Loaded with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and plenty of protein.

Ingredients

  • 1 frozen banana

  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries

  • small handful fresh spinach

  • 2 tablespoons oats

  • 1 tablespoon almond butter

  • 1 tablespoon brewer’s yeast

  • 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional

  • 1 cup water or milk, I used unsweetened almond milk

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

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30 Minutes or Less

Cookie Dough Date Bites

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Two cookie dough dates bites stacked on top of each other.

Healthy 5-ingredient cookie dough date bites! They’re vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and totally delicious. Whip up a batch of these healthy snacks in just a few minutes!

Cookie dough date bites in a bowl with milk and chocolate chips on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Cookie Dough Date Bites

Medjool Dates – Pitted medjool dates are the base of these bites. I love medjool dates for how naturally sweet and soft they are (compared to other varieties of dates). You can either buy them whole and remove the pits yourself for this recipe, or get them already pitted. I use and recommend Trader Joe’s Pitted Medjool Dates, they’re a great deal!

Rolled Oats – Any kind of rolled oats will work in this recipe! Simply avoid using whole or steel cut oats in your cookie dough date bites. The oats in this recipe are a great source of complex carbohydrates. They help to balance blood sugar levels while enjoying this sweet treat!

Peanut Butter – Creamy, unsweetened peanut butter helps these date bites stick together! However, if you don’t have/don’t like peanut butter, you can use any nut or seed butter you’d like. For a nut-free snack, use unsweetened sunflower seed butter instead.

Chocolate Chips – I use and recommend Enjoy Life’s Mini Chocolate Chips for this recipe, but any chocolate chips or chocolate chunks will do the trick. Or, for a totally sugar-free option, replace the chocolate chips with unsweetened cocoa nibs – even healthier!

One cookie dough date bite with a bite taken out.

Tips and Tricks

  • If the mixture seems too dry and won’t stick together, try adding either 2-3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil or an additional 2-3 tablespoons of peanut butter. Though keep in mind that while the mixture might seem a tad too crumbly to stick, these bites will hold their shape once refrigerated.
  • Store cookie dough date bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or the freezer for up to 3 months! I love stocking my fridge/freezer with these bites for a quick and energizing snack when I need it.

This Recipe is….

  • Gluten-Free
  • Dairy-Free
  • Vegan
  • Plant Based
  • Sugar-Free (use unsweetened chocolate chips)
  • and packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber!
Cookie Dough Date Bites
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Cookie Dough Date Bites

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

bites
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

Healthy 5-ingredient cookie dough date bites! They’re vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and totally delicious. Whip up a batch of these healthy snacks in just a few minutes!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup medjool dates, pitted

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter, unsweetened

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • pinch of salt

  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips (I recommend mini chocolate chips!)

Directions

  • Add all ingredients except chocolate chips to a food processor and pulse until a dough forms. All ingredients should be very finely chopped, and mixture will appear crumbly but should stick together when pressed between your fingers.
  • Add in chocolate chips and give just 2 or 3 pulses to incorporate.
  • Use a cookie scoop to scoop mixture, then roll between your palms into balls. Place on a parchment-lined plate and refrigerate for 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Spinach Artichoke Hummus

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close-up image of spinach artichoke hummus with artichoke hearts on top.

The BEST of both worlds! Super easy and ultra delicious spinach artichoke hummus. One of my all-time favorite healthy snacks or appetizers!

overhead image of spinach artichoke hummus with pita, cucumber, and white wine on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Spinach Artichoke Hummus

Chickpeas – I used canned chickpeas, but feel free to soak and boil your own for this recipe. However, canned chickpeas makes things extra easy on you (which I highly recommend!).

Tahini – Every good hummus recipe has tahini! Never heard of tahini? It’s just ground sesame seeds. It’s also super easy to find at most grocery stores, typically located in the ethnic food aisle. This is the tahini brand I use and love in this spinach artichoke hummus!

Baby Spinach – Use fresh, not frozen spinach in this healthy snack recipe! Lucky for us, fresh spinach is loaded with good-for-you vitamins and minerals.

Canned Artichoke Hearts – Either whole or quartered canned artichoke hearts will work. I used these Cento artichoke hearts, and they were delicious. Also, if you have any leftover artichoke hearts, they make a great addition to salads and charcuterie boards!

pita being dipped into spinach artichoke hummus.

Tips and Tricks

  • Once you add the spinach and artichokes, pulse the hummus only a few times. Too much pulsing will completely puree the spinach and artichokes. Instead, to achieve that finely chopped texture you get in a spinach artichoke dip, give your food processor just a few quick pulses.
  • Taste the hummus after the first step! This is the best time to adjust/add any seasonings you’d like. For an extra tangy hummus, add in a bit more lemon juice. Or, for a super garlicky hummus, add in another clove or two of garlic.
  • This spinach artichoke hummus dip will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Enjoy it all week long with pita, pita chips, fresh veggies, or simply by the spoonful!
overhead image of spinach artichoke hummus with pita on the side.

This Recipe Is…

Spinach Artichoke Hummus
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Spinach Artichoke Hummus

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

cups
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

The BEST of both worlds! Super easy and ultra delicious spinach artichoke hummus. One of my all-time favorite healthy snacks or appetizers!

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

  • 1/4 cup tahini

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • 1 garlic clove, peeled

  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin

  • salt, to taste

  • 1 cup baby spinach

  • 1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained

Directions

  • Add chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt to a food processor. Blend until completely smooth.
  • Add in baby spinach and artichoke heart, pule 5-6 times until spinach and artichokes are finely chopped, then serve.

Recipe Video

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