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30 Minutes or Less

Healthy Apple Pie Protein Smoothie

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Apple pie protein smoothie in a glass with whipped cream and cinnamon on top.

We brought our toddler apple picking last weekend and I currently swimming in apples over here! Just SO many apples. We of course made my healthy gluten-free apple crisp as soon as we got home. I’ve also been making caramelized apples to go over yogurt and oatmeal bowls (so good OMG!). But we still have more apples than we know what to do with! *Enter the apple pie smoothie.*

It’s true what they say… an apple a day keeps the doctor away! This smoothie starts with one whole apple, plain yogurt, and a scoop of protein powder for extra protein. The end results is a creamy and perfectly sweet high protein smoothie that tastes just like apple pie. It’s nutritious, deeply satisfying, and guaranteed to keep you full until your next meal!

apple pie smoothie in a glass with whipped cream.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This healthy apple pie protein smoothie is the perfect blend of flavors for a cozy, yet refreshing treat. It’s packed with protein, naturally sweetened, and full of fall flavors that make you feel like you’re enjoying a slice of apple pie. Plus, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and takes just a few minutes to whip up!

What You Need to Make This Healthy Apple Pie Smoothie

Apple: A fresh apple adds natural sweetness, fiber, and a classic apple pie flavor.

Plain Yogurt (Non-Dairy): This adds creaminess and a boost of protein while keeping the smoothie dairy-free. I recommend Cocojune organic plain unsweetened coconut yogurt, it’s perfectly thick and creamy! Though you can use regular yogurt if preferred.

Milk (Almond Milk): This helps to blend the smoothie and adds a touch of nuttiness from the almond milk. Any milk can work depending on your dietary needs.

Unflavored Protein Powder or Collagen Peptides: Boosts protein content to keep you full longer. Unflavored protein powder blends seamlessly with the apple pie flavors. I use and love the Garden of Live vegan protein powder in most of my protein smoothies!

Rolled Oats or Almond Butter: Adds creaminess and thickness to the smoothie. You can swap with almond butter for extra creaminess or keep it grain-free.

Cinnamon: The spice that gives this smoothie its signature apple pie flavor.

Honey or Maple Syrup (Optional): For a little extra sweetness if needed, especially if your apple isn’t very sweet.

apple pie smoothie with a straw.

Can I Prep This Apple Pie Smoothie Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can prep the ingredients the night before by chopping the apple and measuring out the other ingredients. Store them in the fridge, then blend them together in the morning. If you want to make the smoothie ahead of time, blend it and store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just give it a good shake before drinking!

Tips and Tricks For the Best Smoothie

  • For a thicker, creamier smoothie either use a frozen apple instead of a fresh one, or add half of a frozen banana to the blender along with all of the other ingredients.
  • Blend your smoothie for longer to ensure a smooth texture without any lumps.
  • Add ice cubes if you like your smoothie extra cold, or freeze the almond milk into cubes for added creaminess!

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

  • Make it Vegan: Use non-dairy yogurt and plant-based protein powder to make this smoothie 100% vegan.
  • Grain-Free: Skip the oats and use almond butter for added creaminess and healthy fats.
  • Make it Nut-Free: Substitute almond milk with oat milk, and use oats instead of almond butter. It’s that easy!
Apple pie protein smoothie in a glass with whipped cream and cinnamon on top.
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Apple Pie Protein Smoothie

This healthy apple pie protein smoothie is just what you need for a delicious, protein-packed, fall-inspired treat. It’s made with 7 simple ingredients, is gluten-free, dairy-free, high in protein, and can easily be adapted to fit any dietary needs!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Equipment

  • blender

Ingredients

  • 1 medium apple cored and cut
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used non-dairy coconut yogurt)
  • 1/4 cup milk (I used almond milk)
  • 1 scoop unflavored protein powder or collagen peptides
  • 1 tablespoon rolled oats or 1/2 tablespoon almond butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup optional

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth, then enjoy immediately!

Nutrition

Serving: 1smoothie | Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 22.5g | Fat: 6g | Sugar: 28g
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30 Minutes or Less

High Protein Snack Boxes (4 ways!)

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Back to basics high protein snack box with fresh strawberries, boiled eggs, cheese, and almonds.

I’ve been itching to develop more high protein snack recipes. So when I set out to create these snack boxes, I knew just who to call! My friend Natalia (find her on Instagram as @nutritionbynarlie) is the protein QUEEN. She’s also the most knowledgable person I know when it comes to nutrition. She helped me build the most well-rounded, nutrient dense, and high protein snack boxes possible. Each of these boxes contain a whopping 25 grams of protein! And don’t worry, we personally taste-tested every single box, and can vouch for their deliciousness. I really think you’re going to LOVE these high protein snack boxes that we put together!

overhead image of all four high protein snack boxes, each containing 25 grams of protein.

I purchased these meal prep glass containers on Amazon, linked HERE!

Which High Protein Snack Box is Right For You?

Back to Basics: This classic combination is simple yet effective. Boiled eggs provide a substantial protein boost, while almonds and cheddar cheese add extra protein and healthy fats. The berries offer a refreshing burst of antioxidants and natural sweetness.

Greek: Inspired by Greek cuisine, this box features salami and feta cheese for a savory protein punch. Greek yogurt pairs perfectly with cucumber and dill for a refreshing snack, while pistachios and figs add a delightful mix of crunch and sweetness.

American: This American-themed box combines turkey, Swiss cheese, and a pickle for a flavorful and protein-packed roll-up. The kettle corn popcorn and peanuts bring a nostalgic Crackerjack vibe, while the orange slices add a citrusy zing!

Dairy-Free: For those avoiding dairy, this box offers a delicious mix of hummus with gluten-free crackers, salami, turkey, almonds, and apple slices. It’s a well-rounded option that doesn’t compromise on flavor or nutrition!

back to basics high protein snack box
greek themed high protein snack box
american themed high protein snack box
dairy-free high protein snack box

Tips and Tricks

  • Save time during the week by preparing your high-protein snacks in advance. Boil eggs, slice veggies, and portion out nuts and cheese on the weekend so you can easily assemble your snack boxes each morning.
  • Keep things interesting by rotating different protein sources and accompaniments. This prevents snack fatigue and ensures you’re getting a range of nutrients.
  • Use small containers or silicone muffin cups to portion out your snacks. This helps you keep track of serving sizes and prevents overeating.
hand holding up Greek themed high protein snack box

Additional High Protein Snack Ideas

Looking to switch things up? Here are some other high-protein snacks that can be swapped into your boxes:

Cottage Cheese: A ½ cup serving contains about 14 grams of protein.
Protein Bars: Choose bars with at least 10 grams of protein and minimal added sugars.
Jerky: Beef, turkey, or chicken jerky provides a portable protein punch, with about 10 grams of protein per ounce.
Edamame: One cup of edamame contains about 17 grams of protein, making it a fantastic plant-based option.
Tuna Packs: A single serving tuna pack can offer up to 20 grams of protein, perfect for a quick and easy addition.

overhead image of the dairy-free high protein snack box
5 from 1 vote

High Protein Snack Boxes (4 ways!)

These high-protein snack boxes are perfectly balanced with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs, making them an ideal choice for anyone on the go. Each box contains a whopping 25 grams of protein, ensuring you stay fuller and more satisfied for longer. Whether you’re heading to work, school, or the gym, these snack boxes will keep you energized and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
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Ingredients

Back to Basics Snack Box

  • 2 boiled eggs
  • 1 ounce almonds
  • 1 ounce cheddar cheese, cubed
  • small handful fresh berries

Greek Snack Box

  • 3 slices salami, or Loza
  • 1 ounce feta cheese, cubed
  • 3 ounces Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup sliced cucumber
  • 1 ounce shelled pistachios
  • 2 figs, sliced in half

American Snack Box

  • 1 pickle
  • 1 ounce sliced turkey
  • 1 slice Swiss cheese
  • 1 ounce kettle corn popcorn
  • 1 ounce shelled peanuts
  • 1/2 orange, sliced

Dairy-Free Snack Box

  • 3 ounces hummus
  • 6-8 gluten-free crackers
  • 3 slices salami
  • 1 ounce sliced turkey
  • 1 ounce almonds
  • 1/2 apple, sliced

Instructions

  • Choose which snack box you’d like to make and prepare all ingredients.
  • Then, place ingredients into snack containers.
  • Seal the containers and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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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.
overhead image of healthy snickers cut in half with peanut butter inside.
5 from 2 votes

4-Ingredient Healthy Snickers

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!
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 15 snickers

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 8 medjool dates, pits removed and cut in half
  • 1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

Instructions

  • 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.
  • 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

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

    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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