No Bake Oat Bran Snack Bites

These little bites are a tasty treat for a quick breakfast or snack, plus they’re no-bake so they won’t heat up your house on hot days! Our Bob’s Red Mill oat bran is also on sale this month for $1.99 a bag, so be sure to pick some up!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup peanut butter, or almond butter

1/3 cup pure maple syrup, or honey

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup almond meal, or almond flour

1/3 cup oat bran

1/4 cup whole flax seeds

1 tablespoon whole wheat flour, or all-purpose flour (optional)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped (or raisins or other dried fruit)

1/2 cup roasted almonds, chopped (optional for coating)

See the entire recipe and directions at Best Recipe Finder.

3 Ingredient No-Bake Granola Bars

These bars are a snap to put together and won’t heat up the kitchen on a hot day. They’re also easily customizable with what ingredients you have on hand.

Ingredients

3 cups rolled oats gluten-free, if necessary

1 cup peanut butter or other nut butter

1/2 cup maple syrup (or can substitute honey)

See the entire recipe and directions at The Big Man’s World.

Quick Nori Rolls with Cucumber and Avocado

Nori wraps are what are used in sushi making, but they can also be used to make delicious rolls with a variety of fillings and ingredients. Rolling nori takes a bit of practice, but it has a wonderful end product. My third grade brownie troop made nori rolls at a girl scout meeting, so it’s certainly do-able!

Ingredients:

4 sheets nori seaweed (available at the health food store)

1 lb. cucumbers, thinly sliced with a mandolin slicer

toasted sesame seeds

ground chili powder (optional)

1 ripe avocado, sliced into thin wedges

3 1/2 ounces tofu, cooked chicken, or fish (raw and super fresh, or cooked), cut into strips

long-stem sprouts or sprouted seeds

soy sauce, for serving

Optional additions:

simple tahini sauce

raw cashew cheese or other spread

pink radishes, thinly sliced with a mandolin slicer

large handful of small salad leaves, such as baby spinach or baby kale

fresh herbs, especially shiso or cilantro

1/2 ripe mango, sliced into strips

1/2 small jicama, peeled and cut into strips

See the entire recipe and directions at the Chocolate & Zucchini recipe blog.

Vanilla Pumpkin Seed Bites (Only 4 Ingredients!)

Pumpkin seeds are a great source of healthy fats as well as iron, magnesium, and zinc. They’re delicious to eat right out of the bag, but this simple recipe is extra delicious, and makes pumpkin seeds into a wonderful, slightly sweet snack! This recipe is vegan, Paleo, and grain free!

Ingredients:

115 g 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp maple syrup

2 tsp coconut sugar

Water, boiled

See the entire recipe and directions at the Wallflower Kitchen!

Healthy Granola Recipe

Granola is a wonderful thing to have on hand for a quick breakfast or snack- it’s also amazing added to yogurt or even just plain. This granola recipe is endlessly customizable to fit your individual tastes!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup whole, raw almonds

1/2 cup pepitas

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

1/2 cup dried unsweetened cranberries

See the entire recipe and directions at Fit Foodie Finds.

Grain Free Seed Crackers

These crackers are delicious and so healthy, while being perfect for special diets, whether you’re gluten free, paleo, low carb, vegan, or just want to have a tasty snack that’s good for you!

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup pumpkin seed (pepitas)

1 cup ground flaxseed

⅓ cup sesame seed

¼ cup chia seed

1 tsp salt

1¼ cup water

Additional Flavorings:

Add up to 2 tablespoons of your favorite herbs and spices. I added ½ tsp granulated garlic, 1 tsp thyme and 1 tsp basil.

See the entire recipe and directions at Downshiftology.

Super Seed Granola Bars

This is a fantastic recipe for a quick breakfast or snack on the go that’s also full of healthy fiber and fats!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten-free for GF eaters)

1/2 cup raw almonds, walnuts, or pecans (roughly chopped)

1 heaping (seriously) packed cup dates (pitted // deglet noor or medjool)*

2 Tbsp chia seeds

2 Tbsp sunflower seeds (roasted or raw)

2 Tbsp flax seeds (ground or whole)

2 Tbsp hemp seeds

1/4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)

1/4 cup creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter

Optional Additions:

Chocolate chips, dried fruit, other nuts, banana chips, etc.

See the full recipe and directions at the Minimalist Baker.

Italian Parmesan Crisps (GF)

This is an amazing, simple recipe that is full of delicious flavor and is a perfect light accompaniment to any holiday gathering!

1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese (use the larger side of the box grater)

1 tablespoon white rice flour

1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon black pepper

See the entire recipe and directions at Gluten Free Living.

Three Ingredient Flourless Banana Bread Cookies

These simple cookies are a delicious and healthy treat or snack on the go- they're great for kids too!

Ingredients:

2 large overripe bananas, mashed
1 cup gluten free oat bran (can sub for rolled or quick oats)
4 T smooth almond butter (can sub for any nut butter of choice)
Add ins of choice- Chocolate chips etc

See the entire recipe and directions at Big Man's World.

Simple Hummus Lettuce Wraps

Disclaimer: This is barely a recipe.  It is delicious, however, and sometimes we need a reminder of simple, delicious foods to eat that really don't take much time at all. 

We have a large selection of hummus on sale at the store (50% off while supplies last!) in different varieties that are perfect for making your own lettuce wraps. They're even good for picky child eaters since they can assemble them entirely on their own.

What You’ll Need:

Butter Lettuce (also called “Living Lettuce”)
Large Carrots
Cucumber
Baby Bell Peppers.
Fresh Basil
Fresh Cilantro
Your choice of Hummus
Kosher salt

See more information at directions at Treats with a Twist.

Hemp Seed Energy Bites

These are the perfect size for a snack on the go or to tuck into lunchboxes, plus these little bites are low in sugar and high in omega-3's!

Ingredients:

1 cup gluten-free oat flour*
½ cup nut butter
⅛ cup hemp hearts, divided
¼ cup maple syrup
⅛ cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract
dash of sea salt

*Oat flour can be easily made by grinding oats in a blender or food processor

See the entire recipe and directions at Skinnyfitalicious.

Easy No Bake Granola Bars

This is a recipe simple enough to make with kids and can be made without even turning on the oven. It's easily customizable as well!

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats
1 1/4 cups natural crunchy peanut butter
1 cup ground flaxseed
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup sliced almonds

See the entire recipe and directions at All Recipes.

Cheezy Kale Chips (dairy free)

These are a fantastic snack and are incredibly healthy! Kale is an amazing superfood, and nutritional yeast is full of B vitamins and gives these kale chips a nice, savory, "cheezy" flavor.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons refined coconut oil or vegetable oil
1/3 cup unsalted, raw cashews
1/2 lemon, juiced
3/4 cup nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 garlic cloves
1 bunch curly kale, stems removed and broken up into 2-inch pieces

See the entire recipe and directions at Pop Sugar.

Protein Packed Peanut Butter Cookies

This is another recipe sent in by one of our wonderful customers, Donna Karp.  She was kind enough to bring some by the store for us to taste, and I thought they were fantastic!

1 c. natural peanut butter
2 eggs, beaten
2/3 c. coconut sugar
2 scoops protein powder*
 
*You can use any protein powder for this recipe though we recommend vanilla.

1. Mix ingredients together.  If the mixture is not thick enough, add more protein powder until the dough reaches the right consistency.
2. Roll into balls with damp hands before placing on cookie sheet.  Flatten the balls with a fork or a bottom of an oiled glass before baking.
3. Bake cookies for 12 minutes at 400 degrees or until lightly browned.

Apple Muffin in a Mug

I love mug cooking- it's an awesome way to make a quick single serving snack, without heating up the house since they're cooked in the microwave.  I'm not going to say this is gourmet cooking, but being able to whip up a fresh apple muffin in two minutes sounds pretty great!

Ingredients: 

Muffin:
1 tablespoon grass fed butter (or coconut oil)
2 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce 
1 egg  
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon maple syrup 
3 tablespoons almond flour or 2 tablespoons coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon baking powder  
Pinch of salt

Streusel Topping:
1 tablespoon apple, finely chopped
pinch of crumbled walnuts
pinch of cold butter

See the entire recipe and directions at Civilized Caveman Cooking.

Soft-Baked Chocolate Chip Almond Breakfast Cookies

These make for a wonderful breakfast or snack that's full of fiber and healthy fats.  As an extra bonus, they're gluten and dairy free!

1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats (do not use quick-cooking)
1 cup almond meal
1/2 cup ground flaxseed meal
1/4 cup mini, non-dairy, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup raw, unsalted almond butter
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (vanilla or plain)
2 tablespoons light agave nectar or your favorite liquid sweetener
1 teaspoon almond extract (may substitute alcohol-free almond flavor)

Read the entire recipe and directions at The Washington Post.

Crunchy Baked Asparagus

Asparagus is in season, and it's delicious!  Asparagus is full of vitamins, antioxidants, and is a great detoxifying vegetable.   This recipe makes a wonderful spring snack!

1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
Pepper to taste

Read the full recipes and directions at To Simply Inspire.

No Bake Energy Bites

These are a delicious and healthy snack for kids (or anyone).  They’re particularly great since they’re “no bake”.

•    ½ cup coconut flakes
•    1 cup old-fashioned oats
•    ½ cup brown rice crisp cereal
•    ½ cup ground flaxseed
•    ¼ tsp. cinnamon
•    ½ cup nut butter (I've used almond butter and peanut butter, as well as a combination of the two)
•    ⅓ cup honey
•    1 tsp. vanilla
•    ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (can substitute dried blueberries or raisins)

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Read the complete recipe and directions at kristineskitchenblog.com

Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

On mornings when you're running out the door, it's great to have some healthy granola bars in the house to take with in the car for a quick breakfast (or snack) on the run.

• 2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces*
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

*For a dairy free version, use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks

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Read the complete recipe and directions at inspiredtaste.net

Baked Kale Chips

These are absolutely delicious.  My toddler loves them too!

1 bunch kale

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

pepper to taste

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Read the complete recipe and directions at allrecipes.com