snack

March 5, 2020 Appetizer

Homemade Pickles

Pickles made from scratch are so much easier than you think! With just a few ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make crunchy, tangy homemade pickles for sandwiches, burgers, and snacks.

Why These Pickles Are So Good

These tart and tangy pickles are just like the pickles you get at your favorite deli — even better than the store-bought variety.
This recipe is so simple! Just combine and boil the ingredients and let sit for a few days. That’s it!
These pickles are the perfect side to a sandwich, but are also delicious when on burgers, tuna salad, or even as a garnish on a spicy Bloody Mary.

How To Make Pickles at Home

Slice cucumbers vertically into four wedges and place in a gallon-sized jar (preferably a glass one with a lid, like a mason jar).
Boil all the liquids and seasonings to dissolve the salt. Let cool and pour over cucumbers.
Let everything sit on the counter for three days, turning them occasionally. After pickling, place in the refrigerator to store.

Top Tips For Making Homemade Pickles

Pickling cucumbers are smaller and don’t have wax on them. I used Kirby cucumbers. It’s important that they do not have wax on the outside, or they won’t pickle!
A “head” of dill is just the feathery “hair” on top of a sprig. Select pieces of dill that are larger with lots of hair for this recipe.
Dried minced onion is also sometimes called “instant” onion.

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-friend tostada) for an easy homemade version.

Two homemade pickles on a plate next to a sandwich

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.

Print Recipe

Homemade Pickles

Delicious and easy, these pickles are perfect for snacking and sandwiches.

Prep Time3 d

Cook Time10 mins

Course: Appetizer, Snack, Vegetables

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cucumber, homemade pickles, pickling

Servings:

Calories: 9kcal

Cost: $0.50

Equipment

1 gallon mason jar

Ingredients

1 gallon pickling cucumbers about 4 pounds
⅓
cup dried minced onion
6 garlic cloves minced
½
tablespoon mustard seed
6 heads fresh dill See notes
1 ½ quart water
2 cups apple cider vinegar
½
cup salt canning or kosher

Instructions

Slice cucumbers vertically into four wedges and place in a 1 gallon jar.
Boil all liquids and seasonings to dissolve salt. Let cool, then pour over cucumbers.
Let jar sit on the counter for three days, turning pickles occasionally. Store in refrigerator after pickled.

Notes

Use pickling cucumbers, which are smaller and don’t have a wax coating.
A “head” of dill is just the feathery “hair” on top of a sprig.

Nutrition

February 27, 2020 Appetizer

Avocado Chips

These crispy, perfectly seasoned avocado chips are out of this world addictive. With tangy lemon juice and fresh parmesan cheese, these crunchy chips are the perfect snack on their own or with your favorite dip.

Why These Chips Are So Good

These avocado chips are incredibly crispy and packed with flavor, making them the perfect alternative to packaged chips.
This quick and easy recipe takes just a few basic ingredients and about 18 minutes in the oven.
These veggie chips are not only vegetarian, but also gluten-free, keto, and low carb.

How To Make This Recipe

Preheat the oven to 325º. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium-sized bowl, mash a peeled, pitted avocado with a spoon until smooth. Add the parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and spices. Stir until everything is completely blended.
Place heaping teaspoons of batter to the baking sheet, spacing each about 3 inches apart. Flatten until about a 1/16 of an inch thick.
Bake the chips until crust is cheese is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Flip chips over using a spatula and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
Repeat steps until all of the avocado mixture has been used.

Top Tips for Making

To flatten the chips, place another piece of parchment paper on top of the avocado dollop once on the baking sheet. Press down on each ball until flattened to desired thickness. Gently peel back the top parchment paper. If any avocado peels off with the paper, just add it back to the chip. You can also flatten the chips with the bottom of an oiled measuring cup.
The lemon juice is absolutely necessary to this recipe! The avocado can become bitter when cooking, which the juice prevents.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

More Healthy Snack Recipes

Print Recipe

Avocado Chips

Flavor-packed and ridiculously crispy, these veggie chips are the perfect healthy snack.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time18 mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: avocado chips, keto, low carb

Servings:

Calories: 312kcal

Author: Jenny Hurley

Cost: 5

Equipment

Baking sheet
Parchment paper

Ingredients

1 avocado large, peeled and pitted
¾ cup Parmesan cheese fresh, grated
1 teaspoon lemon juice fresh
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
salt pinch, to taste
ground black pepper pinch, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325º. Line backing sheet with parchment paper.
Add avocado to medium-sized bowl. Mash with spoon until smooth. Add cheese, lemon juice, and spices. Stir until evenly mixed.
Place heaping teaspoons of batter on baking sheet. Space each about 3 inches apart. Flatten until approximately 1/16 inch thick.
Bake chips about 15 minutes or until cheese is golden brown. Flip chips using thin spatula. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Repeat with the rest of batter.

Nutrition

February 25, 2020 Breakfast

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

These overnight oats are so rich and hearty. With just the right amount of sweetness and your pick of toppings, this easy breakfast is perfect for mornings on the go.

Why These Overnight Oats Are So Good

These oats are the perfect combo of sweet vanilla, rich peanut butter, and filling oats.
Incredibly easy to make, this recipe is perfect for throwing together at night and grabbing on the way to work or school.
These peanut butter overnight oats are naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, and have simple subs to make vegan or dairy-free.

How To Make This Recipe

Combine the peanut butter and almond milk in a small bowl. Warm in the microwave until melted, or about 30 seconds. Whisk together until blended.
Combine the peanut butter mixture you just made and the rest of the ingredients (minus the toppings) in a mason jar.
Let the oats chill in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 8 hours.
Remove from the fridge when ready to serve. Top with sliced bananas, peanut butter drizzle, and cacao chips as desired.

Top Tips For Making Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Instead of peanut butter, you can use almond butter. The consistency and taste will be slightly different but still delicious!
For a vegan or dairy-free version, either replace the greek yogurt with a vegan substitute or an additional 1/4 cup almond milk.
If you don’t have a mason jar, you can use a glass or a small bowl.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

More Breakfast Recipes (and Then Some!)

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Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Thick and rich, these super simple overnight oats are a breakfast treat.

Prep Time8 hrs

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy overnight oats recipe, gluten-free, vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 686kcal

Author: Jenny Hurley/Emily Stallings

Cost: $5

Equipment

12 ounce mason jar
Small bowl

Ingredients

1 cup 1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoon peanut butter with extra to drizzle on top if desired
1 tablespoon maple syrup
¾ cup almond milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ cup greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chia seeds
salt pinch
banana sliced, optional for topping
cacao nibs optional for topping

Instructions

Combine peanut butter and almond milk in a small bowl. Warm in microwave for about 30 seconds until melted and whisk together until blended.
Combine the peanut butter and milk, along with the rest of the ingredients (minus the toppings) in a mason jar.
Chill in the refrigerator overnight or at least 8 hours.
Remove from fridge when ready to eat. Top with sliced bananas, peanut butter drizzle, and cacao chips as desired.

Notes

Instead of peanut butter: Use almond butter.
For vegan or dairy-free: Replace greek yogurt with a vegan substitute or an additional 1/4 cup almond milk.
Use a glass or small bowl if you do not have a mason jar.

Nutrition

February 12, 2020 Appetizer

Crockpot Queso Dip

This slow cooker cheese dip is unbelievably creamy and highly addictive, and is super simple to throw together for get-togethers or just snacking!

chip being dipped into a bowl of white queso

Why This Queso is So Good

Our version of queso is thick, flavorful, and is perfect for scooping with chips, veggies, or even bacon chips.
Unlike some other cheese dips, this recipe uses real cheese and cream cheese.
This queso is so easy to put together — just throw a few ingredients in the Crockpot, and let it cook until it’s reached melty, cheesy perfection.

How To Make This Crockpot Queso Dip

Cut the monterey jack cheese and the cream cheese into cubes. Add both to the slow cooker.
In a bowl, whisk together evaporated milk and cornstarch. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker.
Add the chiles, garlic powder, salt, and jalapeños to the slow cooker. For a milder queso, leave out the jalapeños’ juice.
Cook on low in the slow cooker for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. You want to make sure to check your queso fairly frequently and make sure not to cook it longer than 2 hours, as the cheese will burn and ruin your dip!

Top Tips for Making This Recipe

Be sure to watch your slow cooker! This dip can burn easily (we learned from personal experience), so check your queso and stir fairly frequently!
Use the juice from a jar of jalapeños to kick up the spiciness a notch. You can add as much or as little heat as you’d like!
We love our cheesy Crockpot queso dip with real dairy, but you can swap out the cheese and evaporated milk for plant-based substitutes to fit a vegan diet. Try it and let us know what you think!

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.

More Easy Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Crockpot Queso Dip

A creamy and delicious cheese dip made with real ingredients in a slow cooker.

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: cheese, queso, slowcooker recipe

Servings:

Calories: 379kcal

Author: Jenny Hurley

Cost: $5

Equipment

Slow cooker

Ingredients

1 pound monterey jack cheese
8 ounces cream cheese
12 ounces evaporated milk 1 can
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 ounces green chiles 1 can
4 ounces jalapeños 1 can, including juice

Instructions

Cut monterey jack cheese and cream cheese into cubes and add both to the slow cooker.
Whisk together evaporated milk and cornstarch in a bowl. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker.
Add the chiles, garlic powder, salt, and jalapeños to the slow cooker. Add the jalapenos' juice for a spicier taste.
Cook on low in slow cooker for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Check fairly frequently and do not leave cooking longer as cheese may burn.

Nutrition

November 7, 2019 Appetizer

Glazed Pecans

These Glazed Pecans taste simply amazing, and they are so easy to make! These pecans are covered in delicious flavors such as cinnamon, maple syrup, and brown sugar. This sweet, but healthy recipe is perfect as an appetizer for the holidays or your next party!

Why are these Glazed Pecans so good?

Stress free cooking and ready in less than 10 minutes!
So flavorful all thanks to the amazing profiles of cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar.
These pecans are gluten free!

close up of glazed pecans in white bowl.

Are pecans healthy?

Pecans are super healthy and filled with amazing nutrients. We love pecans because they

Improve digestion.
Boost immunity.
Contain anti-inflammatory properties.
Are filled with monounsaturated fats to help lower the risk of heart disease.
Contain high amounts of plant protein!

How to Make Glazed Pecans – Step by Step

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 17 degrees Celsius.
Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper. In medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and syrup; mix well. Cook until bubbly, stirring constantly.
Add pecans and cook for about 3 minutes while stirring constantly, until coated. Spread mixture cookie sheet lined with parchment-paper.
Bake for about 8 minutes, until fragrant and golden brown. Cool pecans completely.

step by step photos of cooking process for glazed pecans.

What are glazed pecans good for?

Glazed Pecans are great for a lot of different things! We LOVE glazed pecans on top of salads or just by themselves ;). Also, we totally think glazed pecans are great as appetizers for parties or the holidays. Crowd favorite, right?

Can I substitute the sweeteners in this recipe?

We have not tried any substitutions, but the sweeteners in this recipe could totally be replaced! Also, if you are wanting to enjoy this while being VEGAN, you could totally replace the butter with coconut oil.

How do I store these glazed pecans?

If anyone manages to have any of these pecans left over, we definitely recommend storing them in a ziploc bag or airtight container.

Overhead photo of glazed pecans in white bowl with wooden spoon.

Be Sure to Check Out These Other Recipes!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

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!

Be sure to share your photos of your creations on Instagram too!

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5 from 2 votes

Glazed Pecans

These Glazed Pecans are super easy to make, ready in less than 20 minutes, and perfect for the holidays! This recipe makes a great appetizer for your guests in addition to tasting amazing by itself!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time8 mins

Total Time13 mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brown sugar, cinnamon, easy recipe, fall, glazed, healthy, less than 20 minutes, pecans

Servings: people

Calories: 1773kcal

Author: cherylmalik

Cost: $4

Ingredients

2 cups pecans halved
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt or just a pinch

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 17 degrees Celsius. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.
In medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and syrup; mix well. Cook until bubbly, stirring constantly.
Add pecans and cook for about 3 minutes while stirring constantly, until coated. Spread mixture cookie sheet lined with parchment-paper.Bake for about 8 minutes, until fragrant and golden brown. Cool pecans completely.

Notes

If vegan, substitute coconut oil for the butter.

Nutrition

July 16, 2019 Dairy-Free

Grilled Peaches Recipe with Honey

This healthy grilled peaches recipe is crazy easy and quick but oh so good. With only two simple ingredients, you can enjoy this sweet treat all summer. Fire up your grill to make a quick snack or dessert!

I don’t know about you, but when I think of summer fruits, I think of peaches. My favorite way to eat a peach is grilled. Warm, soft, and slightly nutty from the heat of the grill…they really are one of life’s simple pleasures. What sends these peaches over the edge are my all time favorite ingredients: cinnamon and honey with some fresh mint added for good measure. Versatile and oh so decadent, these warm grilled peaches could not be easier to prepare and they made the most glorious ending to your favorite summer meal.

When I was thinking about grilling these peaches, I thought of about a hundred different ways to add a little zing to them. And then it dawned on me. Why not use my all time favorite ingredient? Honey. I am obsessed with honey. It is sticky, it is sweet, and it is absolutely delicious. And what just so happens to pair perfectly with peaches? You guessed it: honey!

Peaches with pits removed before being cooked

Why This Grilled Peaches Recipe Is So Good

Grilled peaches are delicious on their own, but adding that sweet honey mixture sends them over the edge. Really, it sends them careening down the side of a mountain, That’s how good these easy grilled peaches are.

These peaches are so simple to make, but they pack a huge punch in the flavor department. They are sure to impress at your next barbecue!

They are packed with flavor, but only uses very few ingredients.

These easy grilled peaches are a crowdpleaser. Not only are they delicious, they are insanely versatile.

Have I mentioned that they are SO easy to make?

How to make sweet grilled peaches with honey

I love how easy and fuss free it is to make this delicious summer dessert!

Begin by preheating your grill on high for at least 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut your peaches crossways following the natural line on the peach. Separate and remove the pits.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons honey, 1/16 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/16 teaspoon of salt. Be sure to re whisk this mixture just before you coat the peach in it.
Dip each peach half in the honey mixture until it’s completely coated.
At this point your grill should be hot enough. Open the lid and keep the heat on high. Place the peach halves cut side down and grill for 3-4 minutes, or until grill marks are achieved.
At this point your grill should be hot enough. Open the lid and keep the heat on high. Place the peach halves cut side down and grill for 3-4 minutes, or until grill marks are achieved.

Do peaches need to be ripe to grill?

Ideally it’s great to have fresh peaches to grill, they are sweeter and the flavor is much more pronounced. However, it can be really hard to get your hands on perfectly ripe peaches and that’s where the magic of the grill comes in! The heat from the grill will intensify the natural sugars in the peaches to make underripe fruit sweeter and softer.

How do you remove peach pits?

You remove the pits from peaches, in a similar way you would remove a stone from an avocado. Cut the peaches in half along the natural line, then twist each half in opposite directions. Remove the stone with the tip of a knife.

Cook’s Tips

Be sure to choose peaches that are ripe but still firm. That extra firmness will keep your peaches from disintegrating on the grill.
Peaches stick very easily on a hot grill, especially with that honey acting like a glue. Grab a clean, old dish towel and ball up one corner. Soak the corner of the towel in a neutral oil, such as avocado oil. Carefully coat your grill grates until they are covered in the oil. This will prevent your peaches from sticking and pulling apart.
The keys to achieving beautiful grill marks are time and patience. Don’t mess with the peaches once you’ve put them down on the heat. If you try and lift them off too early, they will stick and pull apart. Cook for at least 4 minutes before you flip them.

Serving suggestions and variations for this easy fresh peach recipe

You can eat these grilled peaches as is, or serve them with vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream, or anything cool and creamy that you like.

Variations:

Use maple syrup in place of the honey.
Top them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra sweet treat.
You can also serve them with some plain Greek yogurt, sweetened with a little honey and add a small pinch of cinnamon.

Grilled peaches served on two white plates and drizzled with honey

I would love to hear if you have tried this grilled peaches recipe – do leave me a star rating and comment down below!

Print Recipe

5 from 11 votes

Grilled Peaches with Honey

This grilled peaches recipe is crazy easy and quick but oh so good.

Prep Time22 mins

Cook Time8 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy fresh peach recipe, grilled peaches recipe, grilled peaches with honey

Servings:

Calories: 106kcal

Author: cherylmalik

Ingredients

peaches
3 tbsp honey
1/16 tsp cinnamon
1/16 tsp salt

Instructions

Begin by preheating your grill on high for at least 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut your peaches crossways following the natural line on the peach. Separate and remove the pits.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons honey, 1/16 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/16 teaspoon of salt. Be sure to re whisk this mixture just before you coat the peach in it.
Dip each peach half in the honey mixture until it's completely coated.
At this point your grill should be hot enough. Open the lid and keep the heat on high. Place the peach halves cut side down and grill for 3-4 minutes, or until grill marks are achieved.
Flip and grill another minute or so, just until the rounded side is softened. Remove from the grill with tongs and serve over yogurt or ice cream with extra honey, mint, or chopped pistachios.

Notes

Variations
Use maple syrup in place of the honey.
Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra sweet treat.
You can also serve them with some plain Greek yogurt, sweetened with a little honey and add a small pinch of cinnamon.

Nutrition