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Under 30 Minutes

Family Friendly

Keto Grilled Cheese

With buttery homemade keto bread and gooey melted cheese, this delicious keto grilled cheese is a perfect low carb version of a classic childhood comfort food.

Two hands pulling apart slices of keto grilled cheese made with keto bread

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • It’s quick and easy! Go from ingredients to a fully-formed, ready-to-eat, keto-friendly grilled cheese in less than 10 minutes, using less than 10 ingredients.
  • The single-serving recipe makes it very easy to measure and track your nutritional information, since there’s no guessing on portion sizes.
  • Homemade low-carb bread gives this grilled cheese all of the fluffy goodness of a traditional sandwich with a fraction of the carbs found in traditional bread.

Keto Grilled Cheese Ingredients

Coconut Flour – This naturally grain-free and gluten-free flour comes from the meat of a coconut. It has a subtle coconut taste and smell, but it’s barely noticeable when mixed with other ingredients.

How to Make Keto Grilled Cheese

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!

This super easy grilled cheese recipe uses the same bread as our Keto French Toast recipe!

Start by whisking together all the ingredients for the bread, then microwave the bread mixture for 90 seconds and cut it into two slices. Melt butter in a pan and cook the assembled grilled cheese in the butter until the bread is browned and the cheese is melty. Easy peasy! Enjoy your grilled cheese hot on its own or with a side of tomato soup.

Chef’s Tips

  • Use a 4×6 or 5×7 baking dish for your bread, as a larger dish will make the bread too thin.
  • Our recipe calls for American cheese or cheddar cheese, but you can absolutely use any kind of cheese you like!
  • Add a little turkey meat to your sandwich before cooking for a delicious, keto-friendly turkey melt.

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!

Two halves of keto grilled cheese stacked on top of each other

More Amazing Keto Recipes

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.

Keto grilled cheese sliced diagonally
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5 from 2 votes

Keto Grilled Cheese

Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: comfort food, easy to make, low carb
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 640kcal
Author: Megan | Easy Healthy Recipes

Ingredients

For the Bread

  • 2 tablespoons butter melted
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ½ tablespoons coconut flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

For the Grilled Cheese

  • 2 slices cheese American or cheddar
  • butter

Instructions

  • Add ingredients for bread to bowl and whisk together. Place into a greased dish. Microwave for 90 seconds. Let cool, then cut in half to make slices.
    Ingredients for keto bread in a bowl
  • Melt butter in frying pan over medium heat. Assemble cheese between slices of bread and place in pan. Cook until cheese is melted and bread is slightly browned on each side, flipping when necessary.
    Keto grilled cheese on a white plate

Nutrition

Serving: 1grilled cheese | Calories: 640kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 58g | Saturated Fat: 35g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 324mg | Sodium: 631mg | Potassium: 549mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1939IU | Calcium: 537mg | Iron: 2mg | Net Carbs: 6g

Air Fryer

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

These delicious frozen sweet potato fries are a little sweet and a little salty. They crisp to perfection in the air fryer, making them a perfect snack or side when you want something quick, easy, and healthy.

Why Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer Are So Good

  • Because air fryers use air instead of oil to fry food, you save calories but still get that great deep-fried flavor and crunch.
  • Oven-baked fries can be soggy (or worse, burnt), especially if you’re reheating leftovers. Air fryer fries are perfectly crisp every time – plus you can cook them from frozen, no need to thaw!
  • Sweet potato fries specifically are best in the air fryer. Because of their lower starch content, it’s almost impossible to get the perfect fry texture when you cook sweet potatoes in the oven.
  • Air fryers generally cook faster than a conventional oven, and the clean up is usually easier, too!

New to air fryers and trying to decide which one to get? Visit our sister site, 40 Aprons, to read about the 5 Air Fryers We Love.

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes – This root veggie is a traditional Thanksgiving staple, but I love them all year long! When it comes to macros, they’re comparable to white potatoes, but they’re a much better source of antioxidants and vitamins A, B, C, and D.

Cinnamon – Everyone knows cinnamon is a little spicy and a little sweet – but did you know cinnamon is believed to have some wonderful health properties? It has essentially no protein or fat, but it does have small amounts of beta carotene and Vitamin A, which are both great for eye health!

How to Make Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

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!

This recipe honestly could not be any easier! Toss your frozen sweet potatoes in oil, then coat them evenly in salt and cinnamon. Pop them in the air fryer for 7 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, flip them, and fry for another 7 minutes. If you like your fries a little crispier, add another 2-3 minutes in the air fryer.

Serve these hot with your favorite dipping sauce – they’re great with ketchup, honey mustard, spicy sriracha-mayo, or comeback sauce! If you’re Whole30, be sure your condiments are compliant!

Chef’s Tips

  • Bags of frozen sweet potato fries are super quick and easy, but I recommend making your own fries from scratch! Start with a sweet potato and cut it into fries by hand or with a french fry cutter. Plan ahead – you want all of your fries to be roughly the same size so that they cook consistently. Spread the unseasoned fries evenly on a parchment-paper-lined sheet pan and stick them in the freezer. Freeze them for a couple of hours or until they’re hard. Toss them in a baggie or airtight container and keep them in your freezer until you’re ready for them. They’ll keep like this for a few months!
  • Be sure to spread the fries in a flat layer in the air fryer basket, and don’t let them touch or overlap. If the air can’t flow around them easily, they won’t cook evenly!
  • If you have any leftovers, you can totally reheat them in the air fryer! A few minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit will make them nice and crispy again.

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!

Close up of sweet potato fries in a white bowl

More Air Fryer Recipes

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.

Sweet potato fries with salt in a white bowl
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Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

These delicious frozen sweet potato fries are a little sweet and a little salty. They crisp to perfection in the air fryer, making them a perfect snack or side when you want something quick, easy, and healthy.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: comfort food, family friendly, healthy snack
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 218kcal
Author: cherylmalik
Cost: $4

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 15-ounce bag frozen sweet potato fries
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
  • big pinch cinnamon
  • Kosher salt

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, toss frozen sweet potato fries with oil and season evenly with kosher salt and cinnamon. 
  • Working in small batches, spread an even layer of sweet potato fries in the fryer basket. Cook at 375° for 7 minutes. Flip fries, then cook 7 minutes more, adding 2-3 minutes if necessary. Fries are done when crispy and golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 188mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 188IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbs: 28g

Dairy-Free

Keto Green Beans

These easy keto green beans are the perfect low carb dinner veggie, whether you eat them alone or add them to other dishes. Simply, yet perfectly seasoned, they are bright, crisp, and full of green flavor.

Overhead shot of keto green beans in a white bowl

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • This recipe only takes about 12 minutes to make, so it’s great for whipping up for a quick side dish.
  • Made with only 5 ingredients, these keto green beans are perfect for when you want to bulk up your meal without spending a lot of money!
  • Each serving of these green beans is about 6g net carbs, so it’s easy to fit into your low carb or keto diet.
Ingredients for keto green beans in bowls

How To Make Keto Green Beans

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!

Add the green beans to a large skillet and cook until they are bright and shiny.

Add the seasonings and cook while stirring constantly until the garlic is fragrant.

Keto green beans in a skillet being stirred with a wooden spoon


Top Tips For Making

  • You can fancy up this dish by adding a squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest, a little butter (great if you need some more of your daily fat while on keto), fresh parmesan cheese, bacon, or slivered almonds.
Overhead shot of keto green beans in a white bowl

More Veggie Recipes

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.

Overhead shot of keto green beans in a white bowl
Print Recipe

Keto Green Beans

These bright and fresh green beans are the perfect low carb side
Prep Time2 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time12 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: low carb, under 30 minutes, vegetables
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 101kcal
Cost: $2

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces fresh green beans
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add trimmed green beans and cook, stirring often, until beans are shiny, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook while stirring constantly about 3 minutes until garlic is fragrant and beans are bright and tender.

Notes

  • Variations: Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest, a little butter (great if you need some more of your daily fat while on keto), fresh parmesan cheese, bacon, or slivered almonds.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 589mg | Potassium: 248mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 782IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbs: 6g

Dairy-Free

Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers

These Instant Pot sausage and peppers are the perfect family-friendly dinner. Made easily in the pressure cooker with perfectly seasoned Italian sausage and veggies in a flavorful tomato sauce, this recipe is absolutely delicious over mashed potatoes, in sandwiches, or even by itself.

Two sandwiches filled with Instant Pot sausage and peppers

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • This Instant Pot sausage and peppers recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Made with sautéed peppers and onions, flavorful sausage, all mixed into a rich, tomato-y sauce, this meal is sure to please adults and kids alike.
  • This recipe is so easy, thanks to the Instant Pot or pressure cooker! Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s great for an easy and fast weeknight dinner.

How To Make Sausage and Peppers in the Instant Pot

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!

On Sauté mode, heat up the olive oil. Cook the sausages on both sides until browned.

Add the onions and cook until they are slightly soft, then add the garlic. Pour in the wine and bring to a boil until the liquid is reduced by half.

Add the peppers and place the sausages on top. Pour in the tomatoes and spices and secure the lid.

Cook at manual high pressure, then quick release. Cut the peppers into pieces and serve over mashed potatoes or in Italian sandwich rolls.

Instructions for Instant Pot sausage and peppers

Top Tips For Making

  • For lower carbs, eat the sausage and peppers alone, on low carb bread, or over mashed cauliflower.
  • You can use your favorite color of bell peppers with this recipe or a combination of several different kinds. Green in the least ripe bell pepper and has more of a green, sharp taste, while red is the ripest and sweetest. Yellow and orange are right in the middle and a great combination of both.

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!

Two sandwiches filled with Instant Pot sausage and peppers

More Instant Pot Recipes

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.

Two sandwiches filled with Instant Pot sausage and peppers
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Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers

These perfectly seasoned Italian sausages and peppers are made easily in the Instant Pot
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bell peppers, pressure cooker, under 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 517kcal
Cost: $4

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or pressure cooker

Ingredients

  • 6 (4-ounce) links sweet Italian sausage
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup marsala wine or red wine, optional
  • 3 bell peppers sliced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add olive oil. Once heated, add sausages. Cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes.
  • Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until slightly soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or until fragrant. Pour in wine and bring to a boil. Cook about 1 minute or until reduced by half. Add sliced peppers and stir, then place sausage over onion-pepper mixture. Pour in crushed tomatoes, basil, salt, and oregano.
  • Secure lid with valve in sealed position and cook at manual high pressure for 5 minutes. Carefully quick release, stir, and remove to plate and cut into 6-7 pieces per link. Serve over mashed potatoes or on Italian sandwich rolls.

Notes

  • Lower carbs: Serve sausage and peppers plain, on low carb bread, or over mashed cauliflower.
  • Bell peppers: You can use your favorite color of bell peppers with this recipe or a combination of several different kinds.

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 1386mg | Potassium: 841mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2147IU | Vitamin C: 92mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 4mg | Net Carbs: 14g

Condiment

Keto Cream Cheese Frosting

This keto cream cheese frosting is smooth, creamy, and full of fluffy goodness! Made in just a few minutes with only 5 ingredients, it’s the perfect way to top keto cakes, cupcakes, or even brownies.

A chocolate cupcake in a paper wrapped topped with keto cream cheese icing

What Makes This Recipe So Good

Cream cheese – Use full-fat cream cheese for slightly tangy, rich flavor
Powdered erythritol – Unlike other sugar substitutes, erythritol doesn’t have a chemical or artificial taste, helping make this frosting taste like the real thing.
Heavy cream – Helps make the frosting smooth and creamy, perfect for decorating desserts (or eating out of the bowl – no judgment!)

How To Make Keto Cream Cheese Frosting

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!

Mix together the first four ingredients until creamy and fluffy.

Slowly add in the cream until the frosting is pipeable or spreadable enough to your liking. (You may not need all of it.)

Keto cream cheese being mixed in a large bowl

Top Tips For Making

  • Make sure the cream cheese is room temperature before mixing. Cool or cold cream cheese will be way too lumpy! You can either let your cream cheese sit out until it warms up or heat it in the microwave in 5-10 second intervals.

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!

A chocolate cupcake topped with keto cream cheese icing with a bite taken out of it

More Keto Desserts

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.

A chocolate cupcake in a paper wrapped topped with keto cream cheese icing
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Keto Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time7 mins
Total Time7 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: icing, low carb, no added sugar
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 208kcal
Author: cherylmalik
Cost: $2

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 3 cups powdered erythritol
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1-3 tablespoons heavy cream for consistency

Instructions

  • Mix butter, cream cheese, powdered erythritol, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Slowly add cream until desired consistency for piping or spreading.
    Keto cream cheese being mixed in a large bowl

Notes

  • Cream cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is room temperature before mixing. Cool or cold cream cheese will be way too lumpy! You can either let your cream cheese sit out until it warms up or heat it in the microwave in 5-10 second intervals.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 193mg | Potassium: 39mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 763IU | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbs: 5g

Condiment

Buffalo Ranch

This buffalo ranch dressing recipe is creamy and loaded with spicy buffalo flavor. This dressing recipe is quick, easy, and perfect with wings, veggies, or on salads. Vegetarian and easy to make keto or low carb.

A hand pouring buffalo ranch dressing from a jar onto a salad

Why This Recipe Is So Good

  • This easy buffalo ranch dressing is so easy and fast to whip up! Using mostly fridge and pantry staples, it’s an inexpensive way to dress up your food.
  • This recipe has only 6 ingredients and one step.

How To Make Buffalo Ranch

Mix together all of the ingredients. That’s it!

A bowl of the ingredients for buffalo ranch in a bowl

Top Tips For Making

  • After making, pour your dressing into a container like a mason jar or small glass with a spout. Keep it covered, and it will stay good in your fridge for about a week.
  • If you’re on keto or a low carb diet, you can reduce the amount of net carbs in this dressing by using a low carb ranch seasoning.

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!

A piece of zucchini with buffalo ranch on it over a platter of veggies

More Delicious Dressings

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.

A piece of zucchini with buffalo ranch on it over a platter of veggies
Print Recipe

Buffalo Ranch

Full of spicy buffalo flavor, this easy and quick dressing is perfect on salads, veggies, or with wings.
Prep Time3 mins
Total Time3 mins
Course: condiment
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy dressing, keto, under 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 143kcal
Author: cherylmalik
Cost: $1

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/3 cup milk 
  • 2 teaspoons Frank’s Hot Sauce plus more to taste

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix together until smooth.
    A bowl of the ingredients for buffalo ranch in a bowl

Notes

  • Storage: Pour your dressing into a container like a mason jar or small glass with a spout. Cover and keep it in fridge up to 1 week.
  • Keto or low carb: Reduce the amount of net carbs in this dressing by using a low carb ranch seasoning.

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 463mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbs: 4g

Appetizer

Buffalo Chicken Fries

These buffalo chicken fries are spicy, cheesy, and the perfect game day appetizer! Loaded with chicken, ranch, and blue cheese topped with homemade buffalo sauce, they will be a favorite your guests ask for again and again.

Two white plates of buffalo chicken fries next to a baking dish of them

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • These buffalo chicken fries are absolutely packed full of spicy flavor, but they are so easy to make. Whipped up in under 30 minutes, they are perfect for serving for tailgating, game day, as an appetizer, or even on top of a salad!
  • The homemade buffalo sauce tastes like what you would get at your favorite bar or restaurant, but is surprisingly simple. Just mix your ingredients, simmer, and toss with chicken.
  • Made with mostly pantry and freezer staples, these buffalo chicken fries are an uncomplicated, inexpensive appetizer that will absolutely wow your family and guests.

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Fries

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 the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Whisk until the sauce comes to a simmer and the butter is melted.

Let sauce cool, then toss it with the cooked chicken.

Layer cooked French fries, mozzarella cheese, and chicken on a baking sheet. Bake until the cheese melts.

Top with blue cheese and green onions and drizzle with ranch. Eat it as is or top a salad with your fries!

  • A jar of buffalo sauce
  • Buffalo chicken fries on a baking tray

Top Tips For Making

  • You can either cook your own chicken for this recipe or buy precooked chicken.
  • You can absolutely leave out the chicken if you’d like to make this recipe vegetarian. Roasted cauliflower or even cubed tofu are both delicious with buffalo sauce. If you are vegetarian, either leave out the Worcestershire sauce or buy a vegetarian version. (Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies!)
Buffalo chicken fries on top of a bowl of salad

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!

Buffalo chicken fries on a baking tray

More Party Food

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.

Print Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Fries

These fries are loaded with buffalo chicken and tons of flavor.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: buffalo sauce, party food, under 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 447kcal
Cost: $4

Ingredients

Buffalo Chicken

  • 1 pound cooked chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup Louisiana style hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste

Toppings

  • 28 ounces frozen french fries cooked
  • 1/3 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbled
  • 1/3 cup green onions sliced
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Combine the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk until the sauce comes to a simmer and the butter is melted. Taste and add salt and pepper according to your preference. Let sauce cool before tossing with cooked chicken.
  • Preheat oven to 400º F. Layer cooked french fries, mozzarella cheese, and chicken on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  • Top with blue cheese and green onions. Drizzle with ranch dressing before serving. Serve with romaine lettuce if desired.

Notes

  • Chicken: Cook your own chicken for this recipe or buy precooked chicken.
  • Vegetarian: Roasted cauliflower or cubed tofu are both delicious with buffalo sauce. Either leave out the Worcestershire sauce or buy a vegetarian version.

Nutrition

Calories: 447kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 876mg | Potassium: 509mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 394IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 2mg | Net Carbs: 21g

Fall

Pumpkin Bisque

Pumpkin Bisque is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for fall! Made with only a few simple ingredients, this recipe is quick and easy to make but loaded with flavor and elegant enough for company. Easy to make vegetarian.

Overhead shot of two bowls of pumpkin bisque garnished with cream and chives

Fall means soup season in my kitchen, and Pumpkin Bisque is such a quick and easy dinner or side dish. Just a few pantry ingredients are needed for this simple recipe packed with pumpkin, garlic, onions, chicken broth, shredded cheese, and nutmeg. It’s hearty, filling, and the perfect comfort food!

What Makes This Recipe So Good

Butter: Healthy fats are important, and a little bit of grass-fed butter is the perfect way to get those fats! You can always substitute olive oil, avocado oil, or another neutral oil here.
Onion: Onion is in most recipes because it brings amazing flavor with it!
Garlic: Much like onions, garlic has a fantastic flavor that works in almost anything. No fresh garlic? Try garlic powder in a pinch.
Chicken broth: For a vegetarian diet, you can switch this to vegetable broth.
Canned pumpkin: I don’t often use canned ingredients, but pumpkin is perfect from a can! Check your can and get the option with the least additional ingredients. Fresh pumpkin also works here but is a LOT of work.
Salt: A little salt will help bring out the natural flavors of the pumpkin and help the other seasonings stand out!
Nutmeg: I don’t love nutmeg but a pinch can really bring out that fall flavor of the pumpkin in this soup. A little goes a long way here!
Pepper: Pepper brings a little background spice to this recipe, but not so much it overpowers the delicate pumpkin flavor.
Heavy whipping cream: This plus the pumpkin is what makes the soup so extra creamy! You can use an alternative milk or coconut cream for this, but you could also skip the cream completely!
Shredded cheese: I love a little creamy, melted cheese in my bisque, but it’s not required. Use a vegan cheese or no cheese if you’re trying to make this recipe dairy-free!

How to Make Pumpkin Bisque

Start by sautéing the onion in butter and add the garlic when it’s almost translucent.

Then, add the broth, pumpkin, and seasonings and simmer.

Once cooled slightly, transfer your ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Now back to the pan!

Add the heavy cream and heat through before adding the shredded cheese. Mix everything together and serve! It’s that easy!

Garnish with chives, more shredded cheese, or a drizzle of cream!

Close-up shot of pumpkin bisque in white bowls garnished with chives and cream

Top Tips for Making

  • Be sure to add the garlic about 30 seconds to a minute before adding the broth and pumpkin. You want it to get slightly roasted and fragrant but not burnt, which happens in a flash with garlic!
  • Once you add the cream, you only need to heat everything to serving temperature. No rapid boil here! Milk and cream are notorious for boiling over if not watched, and this is no exception. Once the soup is perfect temperature for eating and melting cheese, you’re done!
Two bowls of pumpkin bisque surrounded by spoons, glasses, and bread

More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes

Print Recipe

Pumpkin Bisque

Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 363kcal
Author: cherylmalik

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Blender

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 14-ounce cans solid-pack pumpkin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Pinch ground nutmeg
  • Pinch black pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheese Gouda, white cheddar, or gruyere
  • 2 tablespoons chives chopped, for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • In a dutch oven, sauté the onion in butter until tender and translucent. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
  • Stir in the broth, pumpkin, salt, nutmeg, and pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes. Cool slightly.
  • In a blender, process soup in batches until smooth. Return all soup to the pan. Stir in heavy cream and heat through.
  • Add shredded cheese and stir until melted.
  • Garnish each serving with chives, additional shredded cheese, or a drizzle of heavy cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1185mg | Potassium: 256mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1382IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 201mg | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbs: 5g

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Popcorn

Buttery popcorn made in the air fryer in minutes. Made without oil and no big pot to clean up, air fryer popcorn is a healthy snack made in under 15 minutes from start to finish.

Close-up of air fryer popcorn in a glass bowl

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Popcorn kernels – You can use kernels from a bag or buy a big jar of them!
Butter – For drizzling over after popping to mimic that delicious movie theater flavor.
Salt – For seasoning your healthy snack!

How To Make Popcorn in the Air Fryer

Line the air fryer basket bottom with a piece of foil. Pour in the kernels in single layer.

Turn on the air fryer and preheat to 400º F for 5 minutes before cooking.

Cook the popcorn until the popping stops. While it’s cooking, melt the butter in the microwave.

Let the air fryer basket sit in the air fryer for another minute or so after the cooking finishes (or pieces of popcorn might pop in your face).

Put the popped popcorn into a bowl and pour melted butter over. Add the salt and cover the bowl (we like using a big bowl with a lid). Toss the popcorn to coat it.

Instructions for air fryer popcorn

Top Tips For Making

  • This method for making popcorn is pretty finicky and will probably take some trial and error to get right with your specific air fryer (since they really vary by make and model). The problem is that air fryers are not CLOSED. The fan and vent are right above the cooking basket, and the popcorn shoots all sorts of little bits around. However, our method is the BEST we’ve tried (and we tried many!). It’s easier to pop on the stovetop, but this method can be great, too!
  • It can be hard to get all the kernels to pop at the same time. We like to take the popped corn out and put the unpopped kernels back in the air fryer. If you leave it until they ALL pop, the ones that popped early on will burn.
  • Make sure not to make a bowl out of your tinfoil. You just want a flat piece lining the bottom. If the sides are high, they will block air flow and keep the popcorn from cooking correctly!

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!

Air fryer popcorn in a glass bowl

More Air Fryer Recipes

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.

Air fryer popcorn in a glass bowl
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Popcorn

Buttery, delicious popcorn is made in 15 minutes thanks to the air fryer!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer, easy snack, under 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 59kcal
Author: cherylmalik
Cost: $1

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Line the air fryer basket bottom with a piece of foil. Pour in kernels in single layer. Turn on air fryer and preheat to 400º F for 5 minutes before cooking.
    Unpopped popcorn kernels on a piece of foil inside an air fryer basket
  • Cook kernels for 7 minutes or until popping stops. While popcorn is cooking, melt butter in the microwave. Let basket sit in air fryer a minute or 2 after cooking finishes. The popping of the kernels will stop when they are done. Put into a bowl with a lid and pour melted butter over and add salt. Cover bowl and toss to coat.
    Popped popcorn kernels on a piece of foil inside an air fryer basket

Notes

  • Cooking notes: This method for making popcorn is pretty finicky and will probably take some trial and error to get right with your specific air fryer. It can be hard to get all the kernels to pop at the same time. We like to take the popped corn out and put the unpopped kernels back in the air fryer. If you leave it until they ALL pop, the ones that popped early on will burn.
  • Tinfoil: Make sure not to make a bowl out of your tinfoil. You just want a flat piece lining the bottom.

Nutrition

Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 228mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 117IU | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbs: 4g

Appetizer

Sweet Potato Waffles

These sweet potato waffles are hearty, filling, and so easy to make! With just a few simple ingredients and steps, these waffles are super customizable with a variety of toppings. Paleo, too!

A pile of sweet potato waffles covered in butter and syrup on a white plate

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Sweet potatoes – Raw, then grated and drained.
Eggs
Salt
Cooking spray or olive oil

How To Make Sweet Potato Waffles

Peel and grate the sweet potatoes.

Use a cheesecloth and drain the excess water very, very well. Add the eggs and salt and mix them well with the fork.

Use the batter amount for your size waffle maker (see the top tips). Spray the waffle maker well with the cook spray or grease with the olive oil.

Pour the batter in the waffle maker and close. Each waffle takes about 5 minutes to cook through.

Grated sweet potatoes in a white bowl surrounded by eggs

Top Tips For Making

  • For a mini waffle maker, use about 1/3 cup of batter. For a full-sized waffle maker, use about 1 cup.
  • Make sure to drain the sweet potatoes extremely well. Any water will make the texture of the waffles way too mushy.
  • These waffles are great sweet or savory. For sweet, you can top with butter and syrup or add a dash of cinnamon to the batter. For a more savory waffle, try a dollop of sour cream.

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!

A bite of sweet potato waffle on a fork with a plate of waffles in the background

More Breakfast Recipes

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.

A pile of sweet potato waffles covered in butter and syrup on a white plate
Print Recipe

Sweet Potato Waffles

These easy sweet potato waffles are paleo and absolutely perfect sweet or savory.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: eggs, paleo, sweet potatoes
Servings: 2 waffles
Calories: 323kcal
Cost: $2

Equipment

  • Waffle maker

Ingredients

  • 4 cups sweet potato raw, about 2-3 sweet potatoes
  • 3 eggs
  • salt to taste
  • spray cooking oil or olive oil

Instructions

  • Peel and grate sweet potatoes.
  • Use a cheesecloth and drain the excess water VERY well. Add egg and salt, mix well with the fork.
  • Spray waffle maker with cooking oil or grease with olive oil. Pour the batter into the waffle maker. (See Notes for amount.) Each waffle will take about 5 minutes to cook through. 

Notes

  • Batter amount: For a mini waffle maker, use about 1/3 cup of batter. For a full-sized waffle maker, use about 1 cup.
  • Draining notes: Make sure to drain the sweet potatoes EXTREMELY well or the texture of the batter will be too soft.
  • Topping suggestions: For sweet, you can top with butter and syrup or add a dash of cinnamon to the batter. For a more savory waffle, try a dollop of sour cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 246mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 988mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 38094IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 3mg | Net Carbs: 46g