Gluten-Free

April 1, 2021 Dairy-Free

Steamed Cauliflower

Steamed cauliflower is an easy way to get perfectly tender cauliflower florets in no time at all. A drizzle of olive oil and a little herbs and lemon zest take it to another level. Low calorie, low carb, and full of fiber and antioxidants.

What Makes This Steamed Cauliflower So Good

A drizzle of olive oil and a little salt, fresh herbs, and lemon zest take this cauliflower from bland to delectable in no time at all.
Cauliflower is naturally low calorie, low in carbs, and high in fiber, which is great if you’re following a specifically low carb or ketogenic way of eating, or if you’re just watching what you eat in general!
It’s super easy to make, which is great for busy nights when you don’t really feel like cooking, or busy meal prep days when you have a lot on your plate (literally!)
Speaking of meal prep, you can refrigerate steamed cauliflower in an airtight container up to 5 days, so it’s a great make-ahead option!

Steamed Cauliflower

Key Ingredients for Steamed Cauliflower

Cauliflower – This not-too-distant cousin of cabbage and broccoli is full of fiber and antioxidants that your body will love. It’s blown up in popularity in the last few years because it’s a great, carb-friendly alternative to starchy foods like potatoes and rice. You’ve probably heard of cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or even cauliflower pizza crust. Does cauliflower taste like rice or potatoes? Not really, no. But for a lot of people, it’s a workable alternative!

Olive Oil – Olive oil compliments the natural flavor of the cauliflower, herbs, and lemon zest without detracting or overpowering. Plus it’s a great source of healthy fats, and it’s got a solid amount of antioxidants, too.

Chef’s Tips

Fresh cauliflower will you give you the best flavor and texture! I definitely recommend it here over frozen!
You can use a metal or silicone steaming basket for this recipe.
What’s the best way to cut a head of cauliflower into florets? Easy! Remove the leaves from the head, then cut around the large stem to remove it. The cauliflower will break apart, and from there you can keep breaking or cutting it into smaller florets. Cut off any large stems from the florets
For a twist, stop after step 4 of this recipe and use your steamed cauliflower to make our Cauliflower Chips.
Looking for a hands-off way to steam cauliflower? Check out our post on Instant Pot Cauliflower.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Our recipes focus on real ingredients and homemade elements. We try to avoid processed flour and sugar, like white flour or white sugar. Our recipes often swap less healthy options (like a commercial, deep-fried tostada) for an easy homemade version.

Our recipes are not necessarily low fat or low calorie, and we aren’t afraid of fat or carbs! Some of our recipes will be “skinny,” low carb, keto, paleo, dairy free, grain free, gluten free, Whole30, or vegan, and they will be labeled when they qualify for any of these diets. All our recipes are easy and family friendly!

Olive oil poured onto a bowl of steamed cauliflower

More Basics You’ll Be Glad You Know

We hope you loved this recipe as much as we did! We’d love for you to give us a star ★ rating below, and follow us on Instagram! For more delicious, healthy recipes, be sure to check out 40 Aprons.

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Steamed Cauliflower

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Basics, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dairy-free, gluten-free, low carb

Servings:

Calories: 198kcal

Equipment

Saucepan
Steamer basket
Fork
Large bowl

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower
½ cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
3-4 tablespoons fresh herbs chopped, optional
1 teaspoon lemon zest optional

Instructions

Chop cauliflower into florets.
Add water to saucepan, then place steamer basket in saucepan and bring water to boil over high heat. Note: The surface of the water should be just under the bottom of your steamer basket.
Once water starts boiling, add cauliflower to steamer basket. Reduce heat to medium.
Steam 10 minutes or until tender and can be easily pierced with fork.
Remove cauliflower from steamer basket and transfer to large bowl. Drizzle olive oil onto cauliflower, then add salt, herbs, and lemon zest. Toss to coat, then serve.

Notes

We used fresh parsley for the herbs this time around, but you can use any herbs you like, or skip them altogether!
Cook times will vary slightly based on the size and thickness of your florets, and how fresh your cauliflower is. The fork method is the best test of tenderness.

Recipe yields approximately 2 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect information for one serving of chicken cordon bleu casserole. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

To determine the size of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed, then weigh the entire recipe when finished. Divide the total weight (not including the weight of the container the sauce is in) by 6. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

March 23, 2021 Appetizer

Vegan Cottage Cheese

This vegan cottage cheese is a convincing, dairy-free alternative to traditional cottage cheese. Made from tofu and cashews, with a little nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.

What Makes This Vegan Cottage Cheese So Good

It’s super quick and easy to make! The most time consuming part of this recipe is soaking the cashews – but you can read some ways to speed things up a little in the “Chef’s Tips” section below!
It’s got that perfect cottage cheese texture – not too smooth, not too chunky.

Key Ingredients for Vegan Cottage Cheese

Silken Tofu – The softest, creamiest member of the tofu family. Silken tofu will give you that crumbly, chunky vegan cottage cheese texture you’re looking for.

Nutritional Yeast – If you make a lot of vegan recipes, you’re probably super familiar with nutritional yeast, or the nooch. We use a little here for extra nuttiness and cheesiness.

Vegan Cottage Cheese

Chef’s Tips

The easiest way to soak cashews is the method on the recipe card below. Fill a bowl with hot water, add in the cashews, and let them hang out for an hour or so. If you’re in a rush, though, you can speed this process up a little! Instead of the bowl, put the raw cashews in a pot with just enough water to cover them completely. Bring the water to a boil, then cover the pot and let the cashews boil for 10 minutes or so. Drain them, rinse them, then whip up some vegan cottage cheese!
It absolutely is possible to over-soak your cashews. The water will get slimy, and the cashews will develop an off smell and taste. If that happens, just throw them out and start over – trust me. You shouldn’t have to worry about over-soaking here, though. It’s usually only a concern if you’re soaking overnight or longer.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

A bowl of vegan cottage cheese with a fork on a white background with a napkin

More Delicious Vegan Recipes

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Vegan Cottage Cheese

This vegan cottage cheese is a convincing, dairy-free alternative to traditional cottage cheese. Made from tofu and cashews, with a little nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time0 mins

Soak Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 10 mins

Course: Basics

Cuisine: Vegan

Keyword: lactose-free, meatless, non-dairy

Servings: servings

Calories: 189kcal

Equipment

Medium bowl
Fork
Food processor or immersion blender

Ingredients

3 tablespoons raw cashews
10 ounces silken tofu
1 ½ tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Soak cashews in hot water for one hour.
In medium bowl, crumble tofu with fork. Set aside.
In food processor, blend soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, almond milk, and vinegar until smooth. Pour cashew mixture into bowl with tofu.
Season with salt and pepper. Mix until combined.
Serve with crackers, bread, or veggies.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Recipe yields approximately 2 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect the information for 1 serving out of 2. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

To determine the size of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed, then weigh the entire finished recipe. Divide the total weight of the recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 2. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

March 16, 2021 Appetizer

Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks

Gluten free mozzarella sticks are the best, easiest way to cook up a classic snack that won’t aggravate a gluten sensitivity. Perfectly crispy outside, perfectly melty inside.

What Makes These Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks So Good

They’re every bit as delicious as traditional mozzarella sticks, but totally gluten free!
Looking for a make-ahead option? These are perfect! Make them as instructed, including freezing them for 2 hours. After 2 hours, take them off the baking sheet and toss them in a sealable freezer bag or another airtight container, then freeze them up to 3 months. When you’re feeling hungry for some hot, cheesy, gluten free goodness, just grab a few from your cheese stick stockpile and fry them up!
Any leftover mozzarella sticks will keep in the refrigerator up to three days if they’re stored in an airtight container. I recommend reheating them in the oven or the air fryer rather than the microwave – that way your breading stays crisp!

Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks

Key Ingredients for Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella – Mozzarella string cheese is the absolute easiest base for gluten free cheese sticks! If you don’t mind a little extra work, you can buy a block of mozzarella and cut it into thick strips. Make sure they’re the same size, though, or they may not cook evenly.

Gluten-Free Flour – The light base coat of flour creates a textured surface for the egg wash and breadcrumb mixture to cling to, so don’t skip this step!

Gluten-Free Panko Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs are crucial for crispy, classic mozzarella sticks. Panko comes out much lighter than a full-flour breading.

Chef’s Tips

If the breadcrumb mixture in the bowl gets too wet from the egg wash, it’ll clump together and won’t stick to the mozzarella sticks well. Try to coat the string cheese as lightly as possible in the egg wash. You might also try starting out with only half the egg wash and half the breadcrumb mixture, then use a little of the remaining mixtures to refresh your dips after every few mozzarella sticks.
It’s important that your oil is the right temperature before you drop in any gluten free mozzarella sticks. Too cool, your food will just soak up the oil. Too hot, the breading will crisp up fast but the cheese won’t melt. 350° Fahrenheit is a good rule of thumb for the oil, but you can also try the flour trick! Sprinkle a little of your gluten-free flour on top of the oil, and if it sizzles, you’re good to go!
If the cheese oozes out of your mozzarella sticks during frying, that means they’re being overcooked. Lower the temperature on your stove a little so the oil cools slightly, then try again.
Dipping the mozzarella sticks in the egg wash and breadcrumb coating twice is super important, so don’t skip this part. If you only do it once, there won’t be enough breading to contain the melted cheese when you’re frying, and you’ll just end up with a mess.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Gluten free mozzarella sticks on a white plate next to a dish of marinara sauce

Enjoy These Other Gluten Free Recipes

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Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks

Gluten free mozzarella sticks are the best, easiest way to cook up a classic snack that won't aggravate a gluten sensitivity. Perfectly crispy outside, perfectly melty inside.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Freeze Time2 hrs

Total Time2 hrs 15 mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: easy snack, fried food, kid friendly

Servings: mozzarella sticks

Calories: 181kcal

Equipment

Baking sheet
Parchment paper
3 medium bowls
Freezer
Tall pot or Dutch oven
Deep fry thermometer

Ingredients

¼ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour
2 eggs
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
oil for frying
chopped parsley optional, for garnish
marinara sauce optional, for serving

Instructions

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place flour in one bowl.
In second bowl, whisk eggs and milk until combined.
In third bowl, thoroughly combine bread crumbs, salt, pepper, parsley, garlic powder, basil, and oregano.
Take one mozzarella stick. Dip in flour and roll until lightly coated. Don't forget to coat ends of cheese stick in all steps.
Immediately dip flour-coated mozzarella stick into egg wash. Roll until coated.
From egg wash, immediately dip mozzarella stick into breadcrumb mixture. Roll until coated. Gently press the panko onto mozzarella stick.
Dip panko-coated mozzarella stick into egg wash again.
After second egg wash, dip mozzarella stick into panko mixture a second time and gently press panko onto mozzarella stick.
Place fully coated mozzarella stick on parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat process for remaining mozzarella sticks. When all 12 are coated, place baking sheet in freezer for 2 hours.
After two hours, heat enough oil for frying (approximately 2 inches deep) in tall pot. When oil reaches 350° Fahrenheit, add 2 to 3 mozzarella sticks.
Fry approximately 2 minutes, until breading is golden brown and crispy. Transfer cooked mozzarella sticks to paper towel to drain oil. Repeat process for remaining mozzarella sticks.
Garnish finished mozzarella sticks with parsley (optional) and serve with marinara (optional).

Notes

Oil: Any oil with a high smoke point will work.
Timing: Fry times can vary depending on how long your cheese sticks are in the freezer. You may need to add an additional minute or two in the oil if your mozzarella sticks have been frozen for a while.
Temperature: The oil will cool slightly with each batch of mozzarella sticks. I recommend leaving your deep fry thermometer in the oil throughout the process or at least rechecking the oil after each batch. You may need to wait for it to come back up to temperature.

Recipe yields 12 gluten free mozzarella sticks. Nutritional values shown reflect information for one fried mozzarella stick. This is a rough estimate as it doesn’t account for the amount of fry oil absorbed by the mozzarella sticks. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition

March 5, 2021 Air Fryer

Sausage in the Air Fryer

Cooking sausage in the air fryer is our favorite way to get Italian sausage or bratwurst on the table! Hands off and super quick, the air fryer cooks sausage beautifully, with a perfect crisp skin.

What Makes Sausages in the Air Fryer So Good

This air fryer method is SO easy. No standing over the stovetop while grease splashes everywhere, turning the sausages constantly to make sure they’re browned (not burnt) outside but still perfectly cooked inside. Here the air fryer does all the work, and it’s virtually hands-free! You just need to flip the sausages once, halfway through the cook time.
Air fryer sausages come out perfectly cooked, every single time. Stovetop sausages can vary every time you make them if the heat is even slightly off, or if you flip them too many times, or not enough, or any number of little factors. Air fryer sausages are always beautifully crisp outside and outrageously juicy inside.
It takes less than 20 minutes to go from fridge to table! Sausages make a great pairing with all sorts of things, too – roasted peppers and onions, potatoes, pasta with a cream sauce… you could even eat the sausages in buns or just on their own!

Key Ingredients for Sausage in the Air Fryer

Sausage – Link sausages are literally the only ingredient you need for air fryer sausages! This method will work for any link sausage, so just pick your favorite (or try something new, it’s entirely up to you!). Smaller links, like breakfast sausages, will cook a little faster than thicker sausages like bratwursts. If you’re Whole30, make sure the sausages you use are Whole30-compliant!

Chef’s Tips

For larger sausages or smaller air fryers, you may not be able to fit 5 link sausages in the basket at once. That’s okay! You can work in batches if you need to. The key is to make sure they’re laying in one even layer, not touching or overlapping, so the air can circulate completely. Any spot the air can’t reach is a spot the sausage won’t cook completely.
Don’t pierce the skin of the sausages before you put them in the air fryer! The skin is there to hold in all the juices, and poking holes in it would just let all those juices run out during cooking.
Air fryer smoking? No worries! Sausages are high in fat, and sometimes the dripping fat causes a little smoke. If you run into this, you can try putting a parchment paper made specifically for air fryers in the bottom of the basket, under the sausages. A little water in the bottom of the basket could help, too.
Air fryers are phenomenal, but like with any appliance, one can be a little different from another. Keep an eye on your sausages in the air fryer the first time or two you make them, so you know exactly what cook time works best for your air fryer! Remember, with pork sausage, you want an internal temperature of at least 160° Fahrenheit.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

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Sausage in the Air Fryer

Cooking sausage in the air fryer is our favorite way to get Italian sausage or bratwurst on the table! Hands off and super quick, the air fryer cooks sausage beautifully, with a perfect crisp skin.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time14 mins

Total Time19 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: carnivore, keto, summer cookout

Servings: servings

Calories: 388kcal

Equipment

Air Fryer
Tongs

Ingredients

5 sausage links like Italian sausage or bratwurst, about 18 ounces

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 370° Fahrenheit. Place sausages in single layer in basket.
Return basket to air fryer. Cook 13 minutes for a softer skin or 14 minutes for a nice browned exterior. Using tongs, flip sausages once midway through cooking.

Notes

Recipe yields 5 cooked sausages. Nutritional values shown reflect information for 1 serving, or 1 cooked sausage. Macros may vary slightly depending on the specific brand and type of sausages used.

Nutrition

February 25, 2021 Appetizer

Irish Potato Soup

Our Irish potato soup recipe takes a few simple ingredients and turns them a dreamy, creamy bowl of classic comfort food. This hearty soup is easy to make and absolutely perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any day you just need something warm and comforting.

What Makes This Irish Potato Soup Recipe So Good

It’s so quick and easy. Sure, it’s a delicious St. Patrick’s Day dish, but you can’t go wrong with this soup on a busy weeknight, especially in the winter!
Thanks to the potatoes and milk, it’s naturally thick and creamy. No added thickeners needed! And, since there’s no flour, this recipe is naturally gluten-free!
It’s hearty and nutritious! Potatoes, celery, and an onion make up most of this Irish potato soup, with a little broth, salt, pepper, and butter to boost the flavor!

Key Ingredients for Irish Potato Soup

Potatoes – I mean, obviously! You can’t have potato soup without them! Not only are they tasty, but they’re also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6. Because we’re eventually pureeing the veggies, starchy potatoes like russets work best.

Milk – This gives your Irish potato soup that iconic creamy texture and flavor. If you prefer a richer soup, you can use heavy cream instead of milk.

Irish Potato Soup

Chef’s Tips

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat them on the stovetop or in the microwave.
In the recipe, I mention cooking the potatoes until “fork-tender”. Fork-tender refers to that perfect potato moment when you can easily pierce them with the tines of a fork with very little effort!
This method uses an immersion blender or traditional blender to get that perfect soup consistency. If you’re using a traditional blender, BE SURE to read the “Notes” section of the recipe card to avoid disaster!
If you want a slow cooker Irish potato soup, you can definitely use this recipe! Toss everything in your Crockpot and let it cook for approximately one hour on high. Once the potatoes are soft, pick up with Step 3 of the instructions below.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Irish potato soup topped with bacon, chives, and shredded cheddar cheese in a white bowl on a table

More Incredible Soup Recipes

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Irish Potato Soup

Our Irish potato soup recipe takes a few simple ingredients and turns them a dreamy, creamy bowl of classic comfort food. This hearty soup is easy to make and absolutely perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any day you just need something warm and comforting.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: comfort food, st. patrick’s day, winter

Servings: servings

Calories: 338kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Medium pot
Immersion blender or traditional blender

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter unsalted
1 medium onion chopped
2 stalks celery sliced
4 russet potatoes peeled, cut into ½-inch cubes
salt to taste
pepper to taste
4 cups low-sodium chicken stock or vegetable broth
½ cup milk or heavy cream
fresh parsley for garnish
bacon optional, crumbled, for topping
chives optional, chopped, for topping
shredded cheddar cheese optional, for topping

Instructions

In a medium pot over medium heat, melt butter, then add onion and celery. Cook approximately 2 minutes.
Add potatoes, salt, pepper, and stock. Bring liquid to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are fork-tender.
Using an immersion blender, blend soup in pot until thick and creamy. Feel free to make the texture completely smooth or leave chunks of potatoes remaining – your choice.
If using a traditional blender, pour liquid into blender. See Notes for tips regarding hot liquids. Blend until mixture achieves desired consistency, then return liquid to pot.
Stir in milk or heavy cream.
Ladle soup into bowls and top with parsley, bacon, chives, and cheddar cheese. Serve hot.

Notes

Tips for Blending Hot Soup

Hot liquids will expand quickly in a blender, which can push the lid off and create a huge mess (not to mention it could burn you!). Fill the blender no more than halfway. You may have to blend your ingredients in 2 batches.
After pouring the liquid into the blender, let it sit a few minutes to cool slightly before blending.
Remove the center cap from the blender lid and cover the hole with a dish towel instead.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect the information for 1 serving out of 4. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

To determine the size of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed, then weigh the entire finished recipe. Divide the total weight of the recipe (not including the weight of the bowl, pot, or plate the food is in) by 4. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

February 2, 2021 Desserts

Gluten Free Mug Cake

Chocolatey gluten free mug cake is so easy to throw together when you’re craving something sweet. This recipe takes a few basic ingredients and turns them into delicious, moist cake. Easy to make dairy-free!

What Makes This Gluten Free Mug Cake So Good

Remember Easy Bake Ovens? This is kind of like a grown-up version of that… only way better. In less than 5 minutes you’ll go from ingredients to gluten free chocolate cake, with minimal effort.
The single-serve portion size is so convenient for anyone living alone or just watching what they eat. You won’t be tempted to eat 2 or 3 cupcakes or a slice of cake as big as your head since you’re only making one mini-cake at a time.
This recipe is egg-free, which means it won’t have a rubbery texture when you microwave the batter. Instead it’ll be moist and light and melt-in-your-mouth good!

Gluten Free Mug Cake Ingredients

Gluten Free Flour – Your results will vary depending on the brand of flour you use. If your attempts at mug cake are a bust, you may need to try a different brand or type of gluten free flour. We used King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour for our mug cake, so we can vouch for it working correctly.

Gluten Free Mug Cake

Chef’s Tips

The cake will rise and expand as it “bakes” in the microwave. If your mug is on the small side, put a paper towel or a dish underneath it in the microwave, to catch any overflow.
You can make this mug cake in the oven if you prefer not to use a microwave, just be sure to use an oven-safe mug. Place the mug on a baking sheet, then bake 15-20 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit.
To cut down on clean-up, you can mix all of the ingredients directly in the coffee mug. I think it’s a little easier to mix them in a bowl and pour them into the mug, but do what works for you!
This recipe makes one single-serve mug cake. For larger quantities of cake, try this recipe for the Best Chocolate Paleo Cupcakes Ever (Gluten Free) from our sister site, 40 Aprons!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Chocolate cake in a white ceramic mug with a scoop of cake on a spoon next to the mug

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Gluten free chocolate cake in a white ceramic mug

Print Recipe

Gluten Free Mug Cake

Chocolatey gluten free mug cake is so easy to throw together when you're craving something sweet. This recipe takes a few basic ingredients and turns them into delicious, moist cake. Easy to make dairy-free!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time1 min

Total Time6 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Gluten Free

Keyword: comfort food, easy to make, less than 10 minutes

Servings: serving

Calories: 523kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Whisk
Microwave
Medium bowl
Microwave-safe mug

Ingredients

2 tablespoons neutral oil (canola, vegetable, avocado, coconut, etc.)
¼ cup milk plus 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ level cup all-purpose gluten free flour see Notes
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
⅛ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chocolate chips for topping

Instructions

In medium bowl, whisk together wet ingredients.
Add in flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Stir batter until no clumps remain.
Pour batter into mug. Top with chocolate chips. Microwave 1 minute, then in subsequent 10-second intervals if needed until "baked".

Notes

We used King Arthur’s Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour which includes xanthan gum. If your all-purpose gluten free flour doesn’t include xanthan gum, be sure to add some in separately. For a recipe this small, you should only need a dash.
Our mug cake was ready after one minute in the microwave, but every microwave is different. You may need to heat your cake batter longer, but don’t go too long or your cake will be super dry. Check the doneness by inserting a knife or toothpick into the center of the cake – if it comes out clean (or with just a few crumbs) then you’re good to go!
Make it Dairy Free: use almond milk or coconut milk, and vegan chocolate chips.

Recipe yields one mug cake. Nutritional values shown reflect information for one mug cake. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition

January 18, 2021 Gluten-Free

Keto Chicken and Dumplings

Keto chicken and dumplings is a delicious low-carb alternative for a classic comfort meal. Flavorful chicken thighs, hearty seasoned broth, and keto dumplings. Only 6g net carbs per bowl!

What Makes This Recipe So Good

It’s warm, rich, and satisfying so it’s perfect for dinner on cold winter nights!
Feeding a variety of dietary needs? This recipe is low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free.
You can make this recipe ahead of time, but you’ll need to store the dumplings separately from the soup mixture. This recipe makes approximately 6 servings, so if you expect to have leftovers, add the dumplings to the portion you’re going to eat immediately, rather than adding them to full pot.

Keto Chicken & Dumplings Ingredients

Chicken Thighs – The dark meat on chicken thighs is more flavorful than the white meat found on chicken breasts. They’re fattier, which also helps them be more moist than other cuts. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs give the most flavor possible, but aren’t the best option to use in a soup. For this recipe, opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

Chicken Broth – Traditional chicken and dumplings recipes call for the chicken to be boiled in water, which creates the broth for the soup. We’re cutting down on the work a little here by using ready-to-go chicken broth. For extra health benefits, though, you can make your own chicken bone broth to use in this recipe! Bone broth is high in protein, collagen, and gut-healing nutrients.

How to Make Keto Chicken & Dumplings

The full recipe & ingredients list are below, but here you’ll find a quick overview for making this recipe perfectly, along with useful tips and info!

Start by sautéing your onion and celery in avocado oil, salt, and pepper until the veggies are translucent, then add garlic, spices, and chicken. Cook your chicken until it’s browned and cooked through, with no pink left. Stir as needed to keep the chicken from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

After 10 minutes or so, pour in your chicken broth, garnish with a bay leaf, then boil and reduce the mixture, letting it simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes.

While that’s simmering, make up your keto dumplings! Mix egg yolks (yolks only!), baking powder, and xanthan gum in one bowl until you’ve got a smooth mixture. In another bowl, microwave mozzarella cheese until it melts, then stir in the egg yolk mixture and coconut flour. Mix that until it forms a thick dough.

Knead the dough with your hands until it’s smooth. If it’s sticky, your kitchen might be too warm. You can chill the dough for a few minutes to see if that helps, or try keeping your hands lightly wet.

Roll the dough out (I like to roll it between two pieces of parchment paper to cut down on the mess) and cut it into strips or pieces. Add the pieces of dough to the soup literally right before you serve it. Garnish with a little thyme (optional) and enjoy!

Chef’s Tips

It’s super important that the keto dumplings are served immediately – if they sit in the soup too long, they’ll fall apart. Believe me, we tried three different recipes, and this is the only way it works!
To cut down on your cook time, you can use precooked, shredded rotisserie chicken. It won’t be quite as flavorful as freshly cooked chicken thighs, but it’ll still be delicious!
For a creamier keto chicken and dumplings, add a little heavy cream toward the end of the simmer time.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

More Delicious Keto Recipes

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Keto Chicken & Dumplings

Keto chicken and dumplings is a delicious low-carb alternative for a classic comfort meal. Flavorful chicken thighs, hearty seasoned broth, and keto dumplings. Only 6g net carbs per bowl!

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time35 mins

Total Time50 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: comfort food, low carb, sugar free

Servings: servings

Calories: 431kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large pot
Microwave-safe bowl
Mixing bowl
Rolling Pin
Parchment paper
Pizza Cutter

Ingredients

1 tablespoon avocado oil
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
½ onion chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
2 cloves garlic
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried thyme plus more for garnish
4-5 chicken thighs boneless, skinless, shredded or cut into chunks
8 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf

For the Dumplings

3 egg yolks
2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
½ cup coconut flour plus more

Instructions

In a large pot over medium heat, warm oil, pepper, and salt. Sauté onion and celery until translucent, approximately 2 minutes.
Add garlic and spices, then add chicken and cook until evenly browned and cooked through, approximately 10 minutes.
Add broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes. While broth simmers, make dumplings.
In a separate bowl, add yolks, baking powder, and xanthan gum. Mix until combined and smooth.
In a microwave safe bowl, warm mozzarella cheese for 20 seconds, then in 10 second intervals, until melted. Stir cheese between each interval.
Stir egg yolk mixture into cheese and add coconut flour, mixing until thick.
Knead dough with your hands until smooth. On nonstick surface or between two greased sheets of parchment paper, roll dough until approximately ¼-inch thick. Be careful not to roll dough too thin.
With a pizza cutter, gently cut dough into pieces. Sprinkle a small amount of coconut flour on dough pieces to prevent them sticking together.
Add dough to soup and serve immediately.

Notes

It’s super important that the dumplings are served immediately – if they sit in the soup too long, they’ll fall apart. Believe me, we tried three different recipes, and this was the only way it works!

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Nutritional information shown reflects values for one serving. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition

January 7, 2021 Gluten-Free

Keto Flour Mix

Our keto flour blend combines the perfect ratios of various flour substitutes, creating an easy and convenient gluten-free all-purpose mix to use in almost any recipe.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

It uses small amounts of a few different ingredients, which makes each individual ingredient go farther and last longer. More bang for your buck!
Almond flour tends to be heavy on its own, and coconut flour soaks up a lot of moisture. By combining the two with a couple of other ingredients, though, you get a perfect all-purpose blend that mimics traditional flour.
Use it for baking! The coconut flour keeps baked goods fluffy without adding a coconut flavor.
For most recipes, this blend can be subbed in at a 1-to-1 ratio. Depending on the recipe, you may find you need more or less of this blend, or you may need to adjust the liquids in your recipe. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Keto Flour Ingredients

Oat Fiber – Oat fiber is a mild-tasting, fine powder made from grinding the hull (or shell) of oats. It’s great for adding fiber, which is super important on a keto diet.

Xanthan Gum – This is the binding and thickening agent in this keto flour blend. Since the other ingredients are gluten-free, xanthan gum is needed to make up for the lack of gluten.

How to Make Keto Flour

The full recipe & ingredients list are below, but here you’ll find a quick overview for making this recipe perfectly, along with useful tips and info!

Combine all of the ingredients until everything is mixed super well, then store the flour at room temperature in an airtight container!

Chef’s Tips

You can totally swap ingredients or adjust the quantities to find the blend that works best for your preferences. Just keep in mind that any adjustments will make your final keto flour mix different from ours.
The macros will vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use. As a general rule, always look for brands with the lowest carb count. That being said, you may find that you love a certain brand that comes out to be a carb or two higher than a brand you hate, so it’s worth it to eat that extra carb.
Coconut flour soaks up a lot of moisture, so if you’re making substitutions, keep your total amount of coconut flour low.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Keto flour mix in a glass jar on a light counter

More Amazing Keto Recipes

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5 from 1 vote

Keto Flour Mix

Our keto flour blend combines the perfect ratios of various flour substitutes, creating an easy and convenient all-purpose gluten-free flour to use in almost any recipe.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time2 mins

Total Time7 mins

Course: Basics

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baking, easy to make, low carb

Servings: quarter-cup servings

Calories: 143kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Ingredients

2 cups almond flour
⅓ cup coconut flour
⅓ cup oat fiber see Notes for gluten free
1 teaspoon xanthan gum

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together until thoroughly combined. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Oat fiber in general is naturally gluten-free, but be careful of potential cross-contamination with certain brands.

Recipe yields approximately 10 quarter-cup servings, but the actual number of “servings” you’ll get from this mix will depend on what you use it for!

Nutritional information shown is calculated based on a quarter-cup serving. Macros will vary slightly based on the brands of your specific ingredients.

Nutrition

December 29, 2020 Dairy-Free

Sweet Potato Rice

Easy-to-make sweet potato rice is a wonderfully versatile side dish or base for a variety of bowl-meals. Paleo, Whole30, gluten- and dairy-free, this recipe is perfect for many dietary needs.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

It’s super versatile. Serve it on its own with chicken, or use it as a replacement for rice in a Mexican dish with black beans. Mix it in with eggs or turn it into fried rice. Anything you might use rice or cauliflower rice for, use sweet potato rice instead!
Uncooked sweet potato rice can be kept in the refrigerator up to 5 days before you intend to cook it, so it’s great to make ahead and keep on hand! You can freeze the uncooked rice, too.
The cooking process slightly caramelizes the sweet potato, making them slightly sweet and crunchy, but at the same time soft. They’re delicious.
It’s perfect for weekly meal prepping. Prepared sweet potato rice will keep in the refrigerator up to 6 days, if stored in an airtight container.

Sweet Potato Rice Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes – These starchy veggies are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They’re thought to have amazing health benefits (like better gut health and enhanced brain function) thanks to the antioxidants they contain. Sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of complex carbohydrates, and they’re naturally gluten- and grain-free.

How to Make Sweet Potato Rice

The full recipe & ingredients list are below, but here you’ll find a quick overview for making this recipe perfectly, along with useful tips and info!

In a food processor, shred peeled sweet potatoes until they form tiny rice-like pieces. Cook the riced sweet potato with olive oil or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally for 20 to 25 minutes until the sweet potato reduces in size and caramelizes lightly. Serve hot and enjoy!

Chef’s Tips

Using a food processor makes this recipe super quick and easy, but if you don’t have one, you can chop the sweet potatoes into rice by hand. Work in batches with a sharp knife, or use a cheese grater.
Fresh sweet potatoes will give you the most flavor and nutrients, but you can use frozen sweet potatoes if you prefer. Let them thaw completely before running them through the food processor.
If your sweet potato rice sticks to the skillet, you can slowly add in a little water to help loosen it up. Don’t add too much as you don’t want the sweet potato to be mushy.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

White bowl of bright orange sweet potato rice

More Sweet Potato Recipes

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Sweet Potato Rice

Easy-to-make sweet potato rice is a wonderfully versatile side dish or base for a variety of bowl-meals. Paleo, Whole30, gluten- and dairy-free, this recipe is perfect for many dietary needs.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: paleo, vegetarian, whole30

Servings: servings

Calories: 113kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Food processor

Ingredients

2 pounds sweet potatoes approximately 4
3 teaspoons olive or avocado oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Peel sweet potatoes. Chop and place in food processor.
Shred sweet potato chunks in food processor until potatoes resemble tiny pieces of rice.
Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add oil, sweet potato rice, salt, and black pepper.
Cook 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes have shrunken considerably and start to caramelize. Add water if necessary to prevent sticking.

Nutrition

December 17, 2020 Desserts

Gluten Free Ginger Snaps

These gluten free ginger snaps are the crispy, spicy drop cookie you’ve been searching for! They’re fun to eat, thanks to their satisfying “snap”, and absolutely full of delicious flavors the whole family will love.

A white plate of 5 gluten free ginger snap cookies

What Makes This Recipe So Good

That rich molasses & brown sugar flavor is enhanced by ginger, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg resulting in an absolutely delicious cookie that’s perfect year-round, but especially in the winter.
In addition to being gluten free, these cookies also have less sugar than other traditional cookies.
It’s a great make-ahead dessert for holiday parties or any time at all! Store the fully-cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. If stored properly, they’ll last 5 to 7 days.
The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Follow the steps below, chill the cookie dough balls in the refrigerator for an hour, then place the chilled dough in an airtight container or zipper bag. When you’re ready to bake them, let the dough sit out for 30 minutes or so, then roll in the cinnamon sugar topping and bake as instructed below.

Gluten Free Ginger Snaps Ingredients

Blackstrap Molasses – Molasses is a thick, dark, natural syrup that results from boiling cane sugar. Blackstrap molasses, specifically, comes from boiling the sugar an additional time, giving it the darkest color and boldest flavor. It has less sugar than light or dark molasses and is a little salty.

Ginger – With a slightly sweet, spicy flavor, ginger root and powdered ginger are common seasonings in Asian and Indian foods. In addition to being tasty, ginger also has a lot of health benefits. Most notably, it’s a natural remedy for stomach ailments like indigestion and nausea.

How to Make Gluten Free Ginger Snaps

The full recipe & ingredients list are below, but here you’ll find a quick overview for making this recipe perfectly, along with useful tips and info!

In one bowl, mix together butter and brown sugar, then add the remaining wet ingredients and mix until combined. In another bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Bring everything together and blend until you have a smooth, gingery dough. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Now for the fun part! Use a cookie scoop with a release handle to portion the dough into balls. Roll the dough balls in a light coating of cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake the ginger snaps at 350° and soak up the spicy, warm aroma that’s filling your kitchen now. YUM! The cookies will crack as they bake, giving them that classic ginger snap appearance.

Take them out of the oven and let them rest on the pan for 3 to 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely, then serve!

Chef’s Tips

When you’re measuring gluten free flour, always spoon the flour in the measuring cup and level it off.
The ginger snaps will puff a little in the oven, but as they cool, they’ll flatten into a crispy cookie. After you take them out of the oven, let them rest on the warm pan for 3 to 5 minutes to finish baking before you transfer them to a cooling rack.
These cookies are very fragrant, so be careful how you store them. Keeping them with other cookies may cause the other cookies to pick up the scent and flavor of the ginger snaps, so it’s best to store them separately.
Be careful not to overbake your gluten free ginger snaps. Because the dough is dark, it’s harder to gauge when they’re ready. Keep in mind they’ll continue baking on the sheet pan after you remove them from the oven, too.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

More Gluten Free Recipes

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Gluten Free Ginger Snaps

These gluten free ginger snaps are the crispy, spicy drop cookie you've been searching for! They're fun to eat, thanks to their satisfying "snap", and absolutely full of delicious flavors the whole family will love.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Cooling Time5 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas party, gingerbread, holiday recipe

Servings: cookies

Calories: 95kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

2 mixing bowls
Hand mixer or stand mixer
Whisk
Cookie scoop (optional)
Parchment paper

Ingredients

For the Ginger Snaps

¾ cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
¼ cup blackstrap molasses
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour level
½ teaspoon xanthan gum see Notes
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
Add egg, molasses, and vanilla. Beat until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, xanthan gum (if using), ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and baking soda until combined.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined and smooth.
Cover bowl and chill dough for at least 1 hour. Once chilled, use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop dough into balls.
Mix sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a separate bowl.
Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar mixture. Place coated dough on parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Space dough balls approximately 2 inches apart, to avoid dough spreading together during baking.
Bake for 15 minutes or until crispy on the edges. Cookies should have a cracked exterior. Let cool for 3 to 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Notes

You only need to use xanthan gum if your gluten free all-purpose flour doesn’t contain it already. Check the label!
Store the baked cookies in an airtight container for 5 to 7 days.
Baked ginger snaps can be frozen in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks.
Unbaked ginger snap dough balls can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 months. When ready to bake, let the dough sit out for 30 minutes, then roll the dough in the cinnamon sugar mixture and bake as instructed.

Nutrition