Tag Archives: snack recipes

January 8, 2018 · 8:58 am

11 Guilt-Free Air Fryer Recipes

New year, new you, right? Another year means another try at eating healthy, working out more, or embracing a lifestyle change once and for all. But don’t feel like you have to give up on all the good stuff!

If you haven’t heard of air fryers, I highly suggest you check one out. Designed to use air, rather than oil, to cook your food, these machines can be used to prepare all your favorite guilty pleasures, including fries, fried chicken, chips, cobbler and more. It also cooks, bakes, and steams…so you can get a lot out of this little machine.

air-fryer-recipes.JPG

If that’s not enough to convince you, here are 11 amazing-looking air fryer recipes that are (mostly) guilt-free!

11 Guilt-Free Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

chicken nuggets

Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

shrimp

Air Fryer Cajun Curly Fries

curly fries

Air Fryer Roasted Almonds with Garlic

roasted almonds

Air Fryer Blueberry Apple Crumble

crumble

Air Fryer Fries

fries

Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu

popcorn tofu

Air Fryer Ravioli

ravioli

Air Fryer Chips

chips

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

brussels sprouts

Air Fryer Fritters

fritters

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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September 25, 2017 · 9:32 am

Honey and Peanut Butter Energy Bars

I always seem to be on the move…and though I often fail, I try to pack my purse with healthy snacks.  Energy bars, fruit, or cheese sticks are my go-to’s…but those energy bars and power bars are often packed with tons of sugar and carbs and may not be as healthy as they seem…

So I’ve decided to start making my own!

energy-bars

Packed with protein and natural sugars for a burst of energy, these Honey and Peanut Butter Energy Bars actually taste delicious and are super filling.  The addition of dates helps give these bars a great chewy texture, and they’ll last a good 2 weeks in the fridge.

One batch will make about 8 large bars or 10-12 smaller bars.  I go smaller with these because they are filling, but they are great for breakfast on the go or a snack before a workout.

Honey and Peanut Butter Energy Bars

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 10 dates, pitted
  • 1 cup peanut butter (the drippy kind works best)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

Prep an 8 in. or 9 in. square pan with parchment paper, letting excess paper hang over edges.  If you don’t have parchment paper, you can also spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Place rolled oats in food processor and process on high for about 1 minute, or until oats have been turned into oat flour.  Remove and set aside.

Combine the dates, peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, protein powder, salt, and walnuts in food processor and pulse a few times to chop up the dates.  Add the oat flour and process until well combined.  Pour into prepared pan and press into cake pan.  Top with chocolate chips, if desired.

Place in freezer for 30 to 60 minutes to set.  Remove and cut into bars.  Store in fridge in plastic bags for up to 2 weeks.

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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June 26, 2017 · 8:11 am

Southwestern Chopped Chicken Nachos

Sometimes there’s really nothing more comforting than marathoning a trashy TV show and indulging in a big ol’ plate of nachos.  I mean, how DELICIOUS do these look?

southwestern-nachos4

I’m a sucker for nachos…I’m a sucker for any chip and dip, really.  I love the classy nachos with the delicious poblano pepper sauce and I love the dirty nachos with the hot Velveeta cheese sauce that’s definitely not real food.  If it’s a chip with meat and cheese and sauce on it, chances are I’ll be on board.

So the other day as I was marathoning New Girl (I’m SO behind), I had a serious craving for some nachos…I had all these ingredients to make a healthy southwestern salad…but who wants salad when you can make nachos in 10 minutes?!

southwestern-nachos3

Filled with amazing flavor and perfect with a pint of beer and a guilty pleasure Netflix show that you only watch when your significant other is at work, these Southwestern Chopped Chicken Nachos are everything you need in your life right now.

Southwestern Chopped Chicken Nachos

Ingredients:

  • 1 bag tortilla chips (I LOVE the El Ranchero chips with salt)
  • 3 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 ½ cups frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • ½ red onion, diced
  • 2 cups (or more!) shredded cheddar cheese (or whatever cheese you like!)
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 avocado, diced

Directions:

Arrange chips on large baking sheet.  Top with chicken, corn, beans, tomatoes, onion, and cheese.  Bake in 450 degree oven until cheese is melted.  Baking time depends on your oven size, but 10 or so minutes is probably good.

Remove from oven and top with avocado and cilantro.

 

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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May 8, 2017 · 8:47 am

11 Healthy(ish) Vending Machine Snacks

The 10 am hunger slump…the 3 pm hunger slump…the daily stress that just makes you want chocolate ERR DA TIME…the fact that food is 100% more interesting than anything you’re doing at work…that hopeful thought you have every time you pass the break room…

party food celebrities reactions jennifer lawrence GIF

Sometimes you just have to feed the craving.

If you work in a corporate job, chances are there’s a vending machine in your break room…probably filled with candy bars and packaged baked goods, these snacks have most likely been sitting in there since before you were hired, just waiting for a despite hungry worker to come buy an old granola bar when no one was looking…just to have a little munchy.

And, if you’re one of the really lucky ones, you might have a vending machine that has a nice assortment of options…filled with chips, granola bars, and a few sweets here and there for those emergency moments.

And for those of us who are trying to be healthier, the vending machine can be a pitfall of despair, offering little to no options to actually help the hunger slump.  However, if an emergency hits, there are better options than others hidden in that vending machine.  So, if you are in dire need of a snack or something to get you through the day, here are 11 Healthy(ish) Vending Machine Snacks that won’t drag you down and make you feel like a slug.

snacks1

11 Healthy(ish) Vending Machine Snacks

Overall nuts, granola, trail mix or anything high in fiber and protein will help tame the hunger beast.  Look out for meal replacement bars that are packed with sugar or fatty snacks masked as healthy options. 

  • Snyder’s of Hanover Mini Pretzels (110 calories)
  • Quaker Chewy Low-Fat Granola Bar, Chocolate Chunk (110 calories)
  • Sun Chips Original (140 calories)
  • Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts (160 calories)
  • Planters Sunflower Kernels (160 calories)
  • Nature Valley Granola Bar, Oats & Honey (180 calories)
  • Fig Newtons (190 calories)
  • Baked! Lays Original (210 calories)
  • Traditional Chex Mix (220 calories)
  • Triscuits (240 calories, but packed with fiber)
  • Peanut M&M’s (250 calories)

…And a Few You Should Avoid

All those muffins, pastries, and candy bars may look tempting, but they’re just gonna drag you down even more.  Plus, most of them carry tons of trans fat, sugar, and empty calories that are just no good!  If you must indulge…because really, sometimes you must, share these with a friend!

  • Austin Cheese Crackers with Cheddar Cheese (210 calories, also high in fat)
  • Doritos (250 calories)
  • Skittles (250 calories, also high in fat)
  • Twix (280 calories, lots of fat and saturated fats)
  • Lay’s Potato Chips (280 calories, packed with BHT)
  • Snickers Bar (280 calories)
  • Pop-Tarts Frosted Strawberry Pastries (420 calories)
  • Drake’s Apple Fruit Pie (440 calories)
  • Entenmann’s Jumbo Iced Honey Bun (660 calories, a serving is half a bun!)

 

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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November 7, 2016 · 8:55 am

15 Late Night Snacks That Are OK to Eat Before Bed

Let’s be real…sometimes life just gets in the way and we can’t even sit down to have dinner until freaking 8 or 9 o’clock.  Or sometimes dinner leaves us unsatisfied and we just need a little somethin’ somethin’ before we head to bed…

But not all snacks are made alike.  Some do more help than hurt, but some can even help you sleep after you eat them!  In short, you want to avoid anything fatty, spicy, super sugary or caffeinated.  Capsaicin, which makes food spicy, can cause indigestion and discomfort, which will naturally affect your sleep.  Foods with a lot of oil or fat takes a while to digest, which can cause acid reflux if you lie down right after eating anything super fatty or deep-fried.  And obviously sugar and caffeine will do nothing for your sleeping schedule.

So here are a few late-night snack ideas that won’t keep you up but will help tame the hunger beast.

snacks-for-bedtime

String Cheese:  One serving of string cheese contains filling protein and fat, so you feel satisfied after eating it.  One cheese stick is only about 80 calories and contains tryptophan, which also may help make you feel drowsy.

Nonfat Greek Yogurt:  Yogurt also contains tryptophan and protein, so it’s a great snack for before bed time.  Yogurt can also help calm your stomach so you’re less likely to wake up with heartburn or indigestion.

Sliced Apple and Peanut Butter:  Slicing an apple helps convince your brain that you’re eating more than you actually are, and the peanut butter also helps fill you up without feeling too heavy.

Chocolate Pudding Cup:  The creamy pudding is sweet and satisfying and doesn’t contain a ton of fat.

Baby Carrots:  The crunch of these carrots is super satisfying, and at only 4 little calories per carrot, this is great for big late night munchies.

Banana:  Like dairy, bananas are also loaded with tryptophan, as well as satiating fiber.

 

Other Snacks to Try:

  • Cherries
  • Almonds
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Hardboiled Eggs
  • Avocado on Toast
  • Turkey Slices
  • Popcorn
  • Pistachios
  • Dark Chocolate

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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September 12, 2016 · 8:00 am

11 Delicious Honeycrisp Apple Recipes

The coming of fall means one of my favorite fruits is in season…HONEYCRISP APPLES.

Tasty on their own but super easy and fun to bake with, Honeycrisp apples have become a favorite apple breed for kids and adults alike. They are super sweet, making them a tasty and healthy treat for kids, and they’re packed with a high water content, helping to fill you up with fewer calories.

Like the Jazz and Jonagold apples, Honeycrisps are great for using in pies and in any recipe where you want to add a little refreshing taste and texture. Celebrate fall and rejoice in the tasty loveliness of these amazing apples with these 11 Honeycrisp Apple Recipes!

honeycrisp-apple-recipes

Honeycrisp Apple Sangria
Damn Delicious
This. Drink. Is. Beautiful. Hello new Christmas spritzer!
https://i0.wp.com/damndelicious.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7252edit.jpg

Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Bars
Imperial Sugar
What goes better with apples than caramel? Look how oooooy goooooy these are!!
https://i0.wp.com/www.sharedsugarfiles.com/admin/ckfinder/userfiles/images/RecipeImages/caramel-apple-bars.jpg

Honeycrisp Apple Hummus
Turnip the Oven
This is the perfect dip for fall football games and blustery movie nights.
Honeycrisp Apple Hummus

Honeycrisp Apple Turnovers
Pepperidge Farm
Packed with cheddar and cranberries (two flavors that LOVE apples), these turnovers would be tasty for breakfast or dessert!

Brussels Sprouts with Honeycrisp Apples
FOOD52
The perfect compliment to pork, this flavorful side dish is packed with bacon, onions, apples and sage. YES PLEASE!
Brussels Sprouts with Honeycrisp Apples

Honeycrisp Apple Tart
The Redhead Baker
Simple and rustic, this tart screams fall!
screen-shot-2016-09-07-at-1-54-12-pm

 

Crock Pot Baked Apples
Peaceful Bend
Another simple and classic treat, these baked apples would go perfectly with vanilla ice cream…and let’s talk about how AMAZING your house is going to smell…
screen-shot-2016-09-07-at-1-55-49-pm

 

Holiday Honeycrisp Salad
Five Heart Home
A delicious salad that will feed a family, this dish also features walnuts, cranberries, and blue cheese (I’d use goat cheese). I’ve made this loads of times and it’s always delicious!
Screen Shot 2016-09-07 at 1.57.16 PM.png

 

Vanilla Bean Honeycrisp Applesauce
Self Proclaimed Foodie
If you’ve never had homemade applesauce, you’re missing out. PLUS Honeycrisps are so sweet that you don’t even need sugar for this recipe!
screen-shot-2016-09-07-at-1-58-23-pm

 

Honeycrisp Apple Quesadillas
Home and Plate
Another recipe featuring cheddar and bacon, these quesadillas are a game-changer.
Honeycrisp Apple Quesadillas with Bacon and Cheddar | www.homeandplate.com | These honeycrisp apple quesadillas with bacon and cheddar are the perfect lunch or snack and they are school and kid friendly. 

 

Chicken Salad with Honeycrisp Apples
The Cozy Apron
Packed with flavor, this is one sandwich that screams fall!
Honeycrisp Chicken Salad | thecozyapron.com

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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May 2, 2016 · 8:16 am

13 DIY Snack Foods from the 90’s

rs_600x796-150430104629-CD20z_PVIAAfh6j OK, I know I’m a little late to the party because it’s already May, but I just couldn’t resist!

If you’re unfamiliar with this meme, here’s a little background: Fellow 90’s kids might remember the 2000 NSYNC hit, “It’s Gonna Be Me” (simultaneously the coolest and creepiest music video ever).

 

Since about 2012, a variety of memes and GIFs with Justin Timberlake singing the lyric with the misheard caption have been circulating all over the web, particularly during the last week of April leading up to May.

To honor the awesomeness that was NSYNC, I’m gonna take you way back to the nifty 90’s with this collection of DIY 90’s snack foods. From Dunkaroos to Sunny D, you can get a taste of your childhood with this snack-attack of after-school goodness.

 

Screen Shot 2016-04-13 at 11.04.04 AM

 

 

Let’s get cookin!

1990s cooking 90s kid katey sagal married with children

 

Homemade Dunkaroos
Credit: Hey Wanderer Blog

IMG_2514

 

Butterfinger BB’s
Credit: Glazed and Confused

Homemade Butterfinger BB's // Glazed & Confused

 

Ecto Cooler
Credit: Food and Wine

 

DIY Pizza Lunchables
Credit: Mommy’s Kitchen

 

Jell-O Pudding Pops
Credit: Delicious as it Looks

Homemade Chocolate Pudding Pops

 

Handi-Snacks Cheese
Credit: Culture Cheese Mag

back to school snack of homemade snack cheese (commercially known as handisnacks) with pretzels and crackers

 

Choco-Tacos
Credit: Wheel n’Deal Mama

https://i0.wp.com/www.wheelndealmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Choco-Taco-prep.jpg

 

Uh-Oh! Oreos
Credit: King Arthur Flour

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Dino Grrrahams (I loved these!)
Credit: Mama Gone Green

 

Dino Nuggets
Credit: New York Family

https://i0.wp.com/www.newyorkfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dino-chicken-nuggets-751x500.jpg

 

SunnyD
Credit: Sweaty Girl

 

Homemade Zebra Cakes
Credit: Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

 

P.B. Crisps
Credit: etcrumbs

 

 

What was your favorite 90’s snack food? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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January 31, 2011 · 9:24 am

Roasted Spiced Chickpeas

One of my favorite salad toppings, believe it or not, is chickpeas.  I love them.  So when I came across this recipe, I just had to try it.  Eat these toasted chickpeas in a salad, in soup, or munch by the handful.

Roasted Spiced Chickpeas

ROASTED SPICED CHICK PEAS

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 TB. vegetable oil

Ground cumin

Ground coriander

Ground ginger

Ground hot paprika

Kosher salt

Parsley

*These are the spices I used.  I almost never measure when using spices…I just toss them in according to flavors.  But if you’re one of those that must have a measurement, add 1/4 teaspoon of all to get a good mix of flavor.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Toss chickpeas with oil and spices (except parsley) until evenly coated.  Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until chickpeas are golden and crunchy, about 30 minutes.  Shake the pan occasionally to allow for even cooking.  Let cool completely.  Sprinkle with parsley when plated.

These can be stored for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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September 23, 2010 · 1:58 pm

5 Clever Uses for Apples

Well, despite this freak 90 degree heat wave that’s plaguing Chicago, we are in the midst of apple picking season.  Fall has arrived and the apples are ripe for the pickin’.

Unfortunately not many places allow you to pick apples anymore.  Many orchards now require that you pick through barrels of apples instead of wandering through the grove of trees.  Lame sauce, in my opinion.

But, apples are in season now and every produce mart is stocking up…so here are some reasons why you should do the same thing…

“You know what they say…”

  1. Quite obviously, apples are very good for you.  They pack an insane amount of vitamin C (more than oranges, in most cases) and are easy to pack for lunch on the go.
  2. Be a sneaky Pete with your pet.  Hide medicine inside apple chunks and feed to your horse, cow, bunny, guinea pig, or bird.  I used to do this with my dog all the time…but we used cheese.
  3. It’s fall harvest time and what better way to decorate than with the fruit of the season?  Core the center of an apple and insert a taper candle inside for a festive autumn themed party.
  4. There are few scents that bring back such wonderful and heartwarming memories for me…and this is one of them:  simmer apples, a cinnamon stick and orange peel on the stove with a bit of water to fill the house with the most wonderful smell.
  5. When life hands you mealy apples, make applesauce!  Or stuffed apples, or a sweet and sensational pork marinade, or muffins, or scones, or cakes, etc.  Browse around for some recipes.

There are also tons of kinds of apples…and not every apple is made equally.  Here’s a few things you should know about some common kinds:

MCINTOSH:

The McIntosh is maybe the most popular apple.  It’s very tender and breaks down quickly when cooked, making it the ideal choice for baking.

GOLDEN DELICIOUS:

The Golden Delicious is great for snacking because it doesn’t brown as easily as many of its cousins (to help prevent browning on apples of all varieties, simply spray with lemon juice and toss to coat).

GALA:

Gala apples are great for sautéing and slow baking.  They are pale yellow inside and are often soft to bite.

HONEYCRISP:

This one is my favorite.  It keeps for a bit longer than other kinds of apples and is packed with juicy flavor.  I love these because they are huge in size, but not in calories.  Honeycrisps are a dieter’s dream because you’re convincing your mind of eating a lot but you’re only taking in about 120 calories!

Knowledge is power!  Learn fun facts, hints and tips, and creative ways to use every day items with “The Buzz” posts on Thursday.

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