Category Archives: Snacks

Chickpea Blondies

These blondies are made with pureed chickpeas and contain no flour. They are vegan, dairy-free, grain-free, and gluten-free, assuming you don’t use honey or chocolate chips with dairy. These blondies are moist and delicious, and no one will know that they are made from chickpeas! They would make an excellent healthier holiday gift.
Chickpea Blondies - healthier, vegan, grain free, gluten free, dairy free. Guesswhoscooking.com

Chickpea Blondies

Serves 9
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 40 minutes
Meal type Dessert, Snack
These chickpea blondies are flour-less, gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be made 100% vegan.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tablespoon virgin coconut oil (for greasing)
  • 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup or agave (or honey, if not vegan)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup mini dark chocolate chips (look for vegan chocolate if you want 100% vegan or dairy-free blondies)
  • coarse sea salt or Himalayan salt (for sprinkling)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 8x8 baking pan with coconut oil.
Step 2
In a food processor, puree all remaining ingredients except for chocolate chips and salt. Blend until completely smooth. Stir in chocolate chips, then spoon batter into prepared baking pan.
Step 3
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until lightly golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool, then cut into squares and sprinkle lightly with salt.

Chickpea Blondies - healthier, vegan, grain free, gluten free, dairy free. Guesswhoscooking.com

Triple Sesame Cookies

These lower-sugar cookies contain 3 types of sesame – white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, and tahini, or ground sesame seeds. They have a strong sesame flavor and are slightly bitter, making them a delightfully unusual cookie! You can use only white sesame seeds if you can’t find black sesame seeds, which are often found in the international section of the grocery store.
Triple Sesame Cookies - lower-sugar, flourless & gluten free. guesswhoscooking.com

Triple Sesame Cookies

These unique lower-sugar cookies use 3 types of sesame and are a delightfully unusual treat! These easy cookies are flourless, gluten-free, dairy-free, and lower-carb.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup tahini
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 egg (whisked)
  • 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 30 drops liquid stevia
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup black sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
Combine tahini, sugar, egg, vanilla, white sesame seeds, and stevia. Stir well to combine.
Step 3
Place the black sesame seeds in a shallow dish. Scoop about 1/2-1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball, then roll in the black sesame seeds, or dip one side of the ball into the seeds. Place onto the cookie sheet and press down to flatten slightly. These cookies won't spread or rise, so they will maintain whatever shape you create now.
Step 4
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until bottom edges are light golden brown. Remove from oven, and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Triple Sesame Cookies - lower-sugar, flourless & gluten free. guesswhoscooking.com

Triple Sesame Cookies - lower-sugar, flourless & gluten free. guesswhoscooking.com

Triple Sesame Cookies - lower-sugar, flourless & gluten free. guesswhoscooking.com

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Chips

 

Brussels Sprouts Chips - Guesswhoscooking.com

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Chips

Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 15 minutes
Total time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1lb Brussels sprouts
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • salt to taste (starting with 1/2 teaspoon)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2
Cut off the stems of the brussels sprouts and peel off the leaves. Cut off a little more of the stem to continue removing the leaves until you get to the tight and light-colored leaves in the center. Reserve these cores for another recipe, or try cutting them in half, tossing with olive oil, and roast after you bake the chips.
Step 3
Toss leaves with olive oil and use your hands to rub the oil into the leaves. Season with salt and spread leaves evenly in a single layer on a baking sheet, using 2 baking sheets if necessary.
Step 4
Bake 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Remove from oven when sprouts reach desired level of caramelization. Serve immediately.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - guesswhoscooking.com. dairy free, gluten free (option), low carb

This recipe for Cauliflower Pizza Crust does not contained refined carbs and dairy. If baked to a nice golden brown, it holds together like conventional pizza crust. Add whatever toppings you’d like. I used buffalo wing sauce instead of pizza sauce and topped it with buffalo chicken and sauteed onions and bell peppers. Use almond meal instead of whole wheat flour to make this recipe wheat-free and gluten-free.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Course Main Course
Keyword dairy-free, pizza
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 1 medium head cauliflower should yield about 3 cups once processed
  • 2 tablespoons almond meal or whole wheat flour
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for brushing parchment paper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • prepared toppings of choice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a baking sheet or pizza stone in the oven. Brush a sheet of parchment paper or silicone baking mat with olive oil and place on top of a cutting board.

  2. Cut the cauliflower into florets, then pulse in a food processor until it is ground but not pureed.

  3. Cook ground cauliflower by steaming or microwaving in a small amount of water and covered for about 4 minutes. Drain cooked cauliflower and allow to cool. When cauliflower is cool, remove as much water as possible. One method is to put it into a colander, then press down on it thoroughly with a flat utensil such as a spatula, which can be done while still hot. You may want to wring out more water once it is cooled. Alternatively, only once cooled, you can put it into a kitchen towel and wring out the water.

  4. In a large bowl, combine cauliflower with remaining ingredients and mix well. Shape into a pizza crust on the oiled parchment paper. Slide the parchment paper or silicone mat and crust onto the preheated cookie sheet or pizza stone in the oven. Bake 12-16 minutes, or until very golden brown on top.

  5. Spread pizza sauce over the crust, or try an alternative sauce such as pesto, barbeque sauce, or buffalo wing sauce. Top with desired toppings and serve, or if using cheese, place under the broiler until cheese is melted (3-5 minutes).

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - guesswhoscooking.com. dairy free, gluten free (option), low carb

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - guesswhoscooking.com. dairy free, gluten free (option), low carb

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - guesswhoscooking.com. dairy free, gluten free (option), low carb

Breakfast Bites (Vegan)

Breakfast Cookies - vegan, no added sugar, healthy. www.guesswhoscooking.com

These breakfast cookies are vegan and are healthier than most other breakfast pastries. Although there is no added sugar, there is still a decent amount of natural sugar from the fruit, so don’t overdo these! Pair a cookie or two for breakfast with a protein source for a quick and balanced breakfast.

Breakfast Cookies

Serves 12-20 cookies
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 35 minutes
Dietary Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal type Bread, Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Misc Child Friendly, Serve Cold, Serve Hot
These breakfast cookies are vegan and are healthier than most other breakfast pastries. Although there is no added sugar, there is still a decent amount of natural sugar from the fruit, so don't overdo these! Pair a cookie or two for breakfast with a protein source for a quick and balanced breakfast.

Ingredients

  • 3 bananas
  • 1 1/2 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned)
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/3 cup raisins or other dried fruit
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon oil (such as virgin coconut oil) (for greasing)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with oil, such as coconut oil.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, mash the bananas (using a potato masher, whisk, or fork).
Step 3
Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine.
Step 4
Drop cookie batter onto cookie sheet. Shape the cookies because they will not expand. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 5
Let cool for a few minutes, then move cookies to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.
Before baking
Before baking

 

Breakfast Cookies - vegan, no added sugar, healthy. www.guesswhoscooking.com

Nutrition Facts:

Serving size – 1 cookie (1/18th recipe)

Calories 61

Total fat 1g (1%)

Saturated fat 0g (1%)

Sodium 1mg (0%)

Total carbohydrate 14g (5%)

Dietary fiber 2g (6%)

Sugar 6g

Protein 1g

 

 

 

Fudgy Flour-less (Black Bean) Brownies

Fudgy Flour-less Brownie Recipe - grain free, gluten free, dairy free, and good source of protein and fiber. Follow GuessWhosCooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin & Pinterest.com/guesswhoscookin

Ingredients

1 can black beans, rinsed well and drained

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup sugar (raw sugar, coconut sugar, etc.)

3 large eggs

3 tablespoons virgin coconut oil, plus about 1 teaspoon for greasing pan

1-1/2 -to 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (or mini chocolate chips)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking powder

20 drops liquid stevia

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8×8 baking pan with coconut oil. In a food processor, puree all ingredients except chocolate, until very smooth. Fold in chocolate pieces or chips. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, until set.

Note – Once baked, I topped the brownies with a light sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt.

Mexican Zucchini Fritters

Mexican Zucchini Fritters - Low carb, gluten free, grain free, dairy free. Follow guesswhoscooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin and on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/guesswhoscookin

Ingredients

1/2 cup onion, diced

1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup poblano pepper, diced

2 cups zucchini, shredded

1/4 cup green onion, sliced

4 eggs, whisked

1/2 cup almond meal

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon cumin

salt and pepper to taste

cooking oil, such as grapeseed, canola, or coconut

 

Directions

Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add about 1 teaspoon oil. When the pan is hot, add onions. Cook 1-2 minutes, then add garlic, and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Add bell peppers and poblano peppers. Cook until vegetables are somewhat tender and onions are somewhat translucent. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine zucchini, green onion, eggs, almond meal, cumin, salt and pepper, then stir in cooked pepper mixture. Preheat a nonstick pan (such as cast iron or ceramic, preferably not Teflon) over medium heat and add about 1/2 teaspoon  oil. Once pan is hot, add about 1/4 of the zucchini mixture. Once the edges are cooked and the underside is golden brown, flip the fritter. Cook until the underside is golden brown.

 

Note: If you don’t have almond meal, you could try coconut flour or whole wheat flour, but I haven’t personally tried it.

Mexican Zucchini Fritters - Low carb, gluten free, grain free, dairy free. Follow guesswhoscooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin and on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/guesswhoscookin

Baked Falafel

Baked Falafel - gluten free, grain free, vegan. Follow guesswhoscooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin

Ingredients

2 15-oz cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 an onion

4 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons almond meal

2 tablespoons fresh parsley

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

Dash black pepper

Baked Falafel - gluten free, grain free, vegan. Follow guesswhoscooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until combined, but it’s ok if there are some small chunks. Grease a large baking sheet. Form chickpea mixture into balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake about 30  minutes.

Baked Falafel - gluten free, grain free, vegan. Follow guesswhoscooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin

Fishy Nuggets

Fishy Nuggets - Low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, healthy, easy. Follow GuessWhosCooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin

 

Ingredients

2 cans tuna*, drained (or canned salmon, or fresh fish, cooked)

1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1-2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil

salt and pepper to taste

Optional: 1/4 – 1/2 cup sautéed onion

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine tuna, egg, coconut, Dijon, and garlic powder. Heat a nonstick** skillet over medium-high heat, then add about 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil. Form tuna mixture into small nuggets, then add to pan. Once brown on one side, flip to the other side. Once nuggets are brown on both sides, place onto a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper) and bake for about 10 minutes, until the inside is fully cooked (contains raw eggs). Add salt and pepper to taste.

Fishy Nuggets - Low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, healthy, easy. Follow GuessWhosCooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin

*Tuna: When it comes to mercury content, it’s better to choose skipjack or tongol tuna over albacore. In terms of the environment, it’s best to choose troll or pole caught fish, or look for the blue Certified Sustainable Seafood label from the Marine Stewardship Council. “Chunk light” tuna may be skipjack tuna, which is good, but it can also be yellowfin tuna, which tends to be higher in mercury. For more information, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch website: http://www.seafoodwatch.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

**Nonstick skillets: I do not recommend Teflon-coating, which is traditionally used in most nonstick pans. I recommend a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a ceramic-coated pan.

Note: You could add other seasonings, or switch out the coconut for another type of filler (oats, almond flour, etc.).

Fishy Nuggets - Low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, healthy, easy. Follow GuessWhosCooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin

 

Savory Roasted Chickpeas Recipe: High-protein, high-fiber, portable snack

Savory Roasted Chickpeas - a healthy, vegan, gluten free snack. Guess Who's Cooking

Ingredients

1 can chickpeas (AKA garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine seasonings and mix well with olive oil. Mix in chickpeas and stir to coat. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 35-45 minutes, stirring once or twice, until crispy and golden brown.

If they are soft in the middle, they will taste good, but will get soggy after a day or so. If you want to snack on them a few days later, cook them until completely crisp and store in an airtight container.

Savory Roasted Chickpeas - vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, healthy. Follow GuessWhosCooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin