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Healthy No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars

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two healthy no-bake cookie dough bars stacked on top of each other on a baking sheet.

Seriously delicious healthy no-bake cookie dough bars! These bars are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. Enjoy as a guilt-free dessert or sweet snack!

healthy no bake cookie dough bars on a baking sheet.

What You’ll Need to Make Healthy No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars

Almond Flour – Use blanched almond flour for these dessert bars, not almond meal. Blanched almond flour is ground finer and makes for a smoother cookie dough. Looking for more almond flour recipes? Try these!

Peanut or Cashew Butter – Either peanut or cashew butter will work! I used peanut butter because I love the taste. However, cashew butter yields little flavor and works perfectly to hold these no-bake bars together. But whichever you use, make sure it’s both creamy and unsweetened.

Maple Syrup – We use maple syrup in place of traditional refined sugar to keep these healthy cookie dough bars refined sugar-free. The maple syrup in these bars can easily be replaced with honey, or even your favorite sugar-free liquid sweetener for sugar-free cookie dough bars!

Chocolate Chips – I used the Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips to keep these bars vegan/dairy-free, but really any chocolate chip will work! For refined sugar-free chocolate chips, try these date-sweetened Hu chocolate chips.

three healthy no bake cookie dough bars stacked on top of each other.

Tips and Tricks

  • Chill these healthy no-bake cookie dough bars in the freezer for at least one hour before slicing! Don’t rush this step, otherwise the chocolate won’t be fully set.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Avoiding leaving them at room temperature for too long, because the chocolate may melt.
close-up image of a healthy no bake cookie dough bar.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Nut-Free: For a nut-free version of this recipe, replace the almond flour with oat flour. Also, replace the cashew or peanut butter with unsweetened sunflower seed butter!

Make it Paleo: Make paleo cookie dough bars by using unsweetened creamy almond butter in place of the cashew or peanut butter.

two healthy no-bake cookie dough bars stacked on top of each other on a baking sheet.
4.24 from 59 votes

Healthy No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars

Seriously delicious healthy no-bake cookie dough bars! These bars are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. Enjoy as a guilt-free dessert or sweet snack!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the cookie dough layer:

  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut or cashew butter, unsweetened
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil or butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

For the chocolate layer:

  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut or cashew butter, unsweetened

Instructions

  • Line a 9×5-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Make the cookie dough layer by mixing together the almond flour, peanut or cashew butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl. Add in the chocolate chips and mix until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Transfer dough to prepared baking pan and press into an even layer.
  • Make the chocolate layer by melting the chocolate chips and peanut or cashew butter in the microwave in 30 second increments. Stir together until smooth, then pour and spread into an even layer on top of the cookie dough.
  • Chill in the freezer for one hour, then remove and slice into squares.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
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30 Minutes or Less

Healthy Summer Fruit Crisp

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Overhead image of summer fruit crisp in a baking dish with vanilla ice cream on top.

A healthy fruit crisp loaded with fresh summer fruits! The perfect warm-weather dessert, best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Super easy to make with just one bowl, in 30 minutes.

Close-up overhead image of summer fruit crisp in a baking dish with vanilla ice cream on top.

What You’ll Need to Make Summer Fruit Crisp

Summer Fruit – I used fresh blueberries, strawberries, and peaches in my summer fruit crisp, but any fruit will work! Feel free to use whatever you have on-hand, or whatever’s on sale at the grocery store that week. The only thing to note is, whichever fruit you use, make sure it totals to about 5-6 cups for this recipe.

Maple Syrup – This healthy dessert recipe is sweetened with maple syrup! It’s refined sugar-free and honestly so healthy you could get away with eating it for breakfast.

Rolled Oats – Any type of rolled oats will do – old-fashioned, quick cook, etc. The only type of oats you’ll want to avoid for your fruit crisp topping are whole oats, steel-cut, or Irish oats.

Almond Flour – The almond flour keeps this recipe gluten-free! However, if you don’t have almond flour, or want to make this nut-free, you can replace the almond flour with all purpose flour.

Butter or Coconut Oil – Use whichever you prefer in your crisp! I typically just use whichever I have on-hand. Coconut oil is obviously the healthier option, but butter adds a bit more flavor, which I love.

Overhead image of summer fruit crisp in a baking dish with vanilla ice cream on top.

Tips and Tricks

  • Keep this recipe simple! You’ll only need one bowl, which is used to first mix together the filling, then the crisp. There’s no need to dirty any extra dishes for this healthy dessert recipe.
  • This summer fruit crisp is best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream on top. Though feel free to serve it however you’d like. On its own is delicious, or with a dollop of fresh whipped cream – yum!
  • Store leftover fruit crisp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If enjoying leftovers, I recommend reheating in the microwave for just about 30 seconds before eating.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Dairy-Free: Use either non-dairy butter, or take the coconut oil option in the crisp.

Make it Nut-Free: For a nut-free dessert, replace the almond flour with 1/2 cup of all purpose flour.

Overhead image of summer fruit crisp in a baking dish with vanilla ice cream on top.
5 from 1 vote

Healthy Summer Fruit Crisp

A healthy fruit crisp loaded with fresh summer fruits! The perfect warm-weather dessert, best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Super easy to make with just one bowl, in 30 minutes.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 2 cups blueberries
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries, or raspberries
  • 2-3 peaches, pitted and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the crisp:

  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup butter or coconut oil, solid
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  • Mix together all filling ingredients in a large bowl, then transfer to a 9-inch baking dish.
  • Mix together all crisp ingredients in a large bowl (you can use the same bowl you used to make the filling), then evenly sprinkle crisp over top of the filling.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until fruit is soft, then let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
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30 Minutes or Less

Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

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summer rolls on a serving platter with peanut dipping sauce and a fresh lime on the side.

These summer rolls are loaded with fresh, crunchy vegetables and served with a savory peanut sauce! In just 20 minutes you’ll have a fun and healthy lunch or snack.

overhead image of peanut dipping sauce on a serving platter with sesame seeds on the side.

What are Summer Rolls?

Summer rolls are a traditional Vietnamese side dish. They’re an assortment of vegetables wrapped in rice paper. Think of them like a sushi roll, but instead of rice and seaweed, you just wrap everything up in a thin sheet of rice paper.

Summer rolls are most commonly served (and best served) with a side of savory peanut dipping sauce. The peanut sauce is honestly my favorite part. I could drink that stuff straight up. Creamy peanut putter, soy sauce, and fresh ginger come together in the most incredible, flavorful way possible! Dipping these summer rolls loaded with crisp, fresh veggies into luscious peanut sauce is nothing short of a dream come true. Guys, you gotta give this recipe a try. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free!

summer rolls being dipped into peanut sauce.

What You Need To Make Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Rice Wrappers – You’d be surprised by how easy rice wrappers are to find! I often locate them in the ethnic/asian aisle of my grocery store. And if all else fails, I can always find them at my local asian markets. If you’re not familiar with rice wrappers, they look sort of like a thinner tortilla. When you remove them from their packaging you’ll find that they’re dry and stiff. Though they simply need a bit of water to help rehydrate them for this recipe. Try not to overthink the process, follow the steps in the recipe below to prepare your rice wrappers.

Tofu – Tofu is an incredible source of protein and contains all nine essential amino acids! It also just sort of takes on the taste of whatever else you’re eating it with. In this case, the tofu soaks up the peanut sauce, which is DELICIOUS. Not only is tofu super easy to come by these days, but it’s super cheap too.

Peanut Butter – To me, peanut butter is typically only ever associated with sweet recipes. Though we turn the tables here by adding savory ingredients such as soy sauce and rice vinegar to create this peanut butter-based sauce. I prefer creamy peanut butter for a smoother sauce, though chunky works too. Just please, whatever you do, make sure the peanut butter you use has NO added sugar! Any sugar in the peanut butter would completely throw off the balance of flavors in this delicious sauce.

summer roll sliced in half on a plate, with cucumber, carrots, and tofu inside.

Adjust This Recipe

  • Make it Nut-Free: For a nut-free sauce, replace the peanut butter with tahini.
  • Add Shrimp: Make my shrimp spring rolls recipe instead!
  • The types and amounts of vegetables and herbs are simply suggestions – you can swap or remove anything you like!
summer rolls with peanut dipping sauce on a plate.
5 from 1 vote

Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

These summer rolls are loaded with fresh, crunchy vegetables and served with a savory peanut sauce! In just 20 minutes you’ll have a fun and healthy lunch or snack.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 12 spring roll rice wrappers
  • 14 ounces extra firm tofu, sliced into about 12 sticks
  • 1 cup julienned carrots
  • 2 cups julienned cucumber
  • 1 cup napa cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 cup green onion, sliced

For the peanut sauce:

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, optional
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2-3 tablespoons warm water

Instructions

  • Fill a shallow bowl with warm water, submerge one sheet of rice wrapper in water for about 5 seconds then transfer to a clean, damp dish towel.
  • Place filling in the center of wrapper and fold the end closest to you over the filling, then tuck sides in and towards the center, finish rolling to create a sealed summer roll. Repeat with remaining rice wrappers.
  • Make the sauce by adding all ingredients to a bowl and whisking until completely smooth.
  • Serve summer rolls with peanut dipping sauce and enjoy!

Notes

  • Change up the filling ingredients however you’d like, use up whatever leftover fresh veggies you have on-hand!

    • Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal

    More Healthy Vegan Recipes You’ll Love

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    30 Minutes or Less

    Skinny Strawberry Margarita Recipe

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    close-up image of a skinny strawberry margarita in a glass with fresh strawberries and lime wedges on top.

    A lighter, but just as delicious skinny strawberry margarita! Shake up one of these ice cold cocktails at your next Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, or summer party. Made with fresh-squeezed juice, good quality tequila, and fresh strawberries for an incredibly light and refreshing cocktail!

    skinny strawberry margarita being poured from a cocktail shaker into a glass.

    What You’ll Need To Make A Skinny Strawberry Margarita

    Strawberries – Fresh (not frozen) strawberries are a perfect fruity addition to this classic cocktail! Slice off the tops of your strawberries, then gently muddle them in the bottom of your drink glass. Last, pour your shaken skinny margarita on top and give it a gentle stir to incorporate.

    Lime Juice – Fresh-squeezed lime juice is best in any margarita recipe. However, if you’re short on time, or making a large batch of these, go ahead and use bottled lime juice instead. Though when picking a bottled lime juice, make sure it has just one ingredient – limes – no added sugar, please!

    Orange Juice – Just like the lime juice, fresh-squeezed orange juice is best, and healthiest in this recipe. Most traditional margarita recipes have some sort of orange liquor which packs in extra calories and sugar. So by replacing the liquor with fresh-squeezed orange juice, we effectively turn this into a “skinny” cocktail!

    Agave Nectar – Another key component to this skinny strawberry margarita recipe. The agave nectar replaces simple syrup, with a very similar taste and sweetness! Though if you don’t have agave nectar, you can use honey or simple syrup to sweeten your drink instead.

    skinny strawberry margarita in a glass with fresh strawberries and lime wedges on top.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Craving a frozen strawberry margarita? Place all ingredients (strawberries, tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar) in a blender with a small handful of ice! I love making a whole pitcher of frozen margs for friends and family on hot summer days.
    • If you don’t own a fancy-shmancy muddler, simply use the end of a mixing spoon to muddle your strawberries instead. Preferably one with a wide, flat end – but really anything that allows you to press and crush your strawberries will do!
    • Switch up this summer cocktail recipe however you’d like! Rim the glass with just salt, or just sugar, based on your preferences. You could even muddle in some fresh mint leaves to make it even more refreshing! Or for a skinny blackberry margarita, check out my recipe here.
    overhead image of a skinny strawberry margarita in a glass.

    Make It A Mocktail

    For a virgin strawberry margarita, replace the tequila with 2 ounces of tonic or sparkling water!

    Skinny Strawberry Margarita Recipe
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    Skinny Strawberry Margarita Recipe

    3 from 4 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    1

    serving
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    0

    minutes
    Total time

    5

    minutes

    A lighter, but just as delicious skinny strawberry margarita! Shake up one of these ice cold cocktails at your next Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, or summer party. Made with fresh-squeezed juice, good quality tequila, and fresh strawberries for an incredibly light and refreshing cocktail!

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon sugar

    • 1 teaspoon salt

    • lime wedge

    • 3-5 strawberries, stems removed

    • 2 ounces tequila

    • 3 tablespoons lime juice

    • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

    • 1 1/2 teaspoons agave nectar

    Directions

    • Mix sugar and salt together on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip rim into sugar and salt mixture.
    • Place strawberries at the bottom of the glass and muddle until crushed, then fill the glass with ice.
    • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add in tequila. lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar. Secure lid and shake for 30 seconds, then strain into glass. Gently stir to combine muddle strawberries and shaken margarita.

    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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