Tag Archives: snack

Furikake Snack Mix

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furikake snack mix

There are many variations of this snack mix, and this version is made with whole grains and healthy fats! It’s more savory than some of the sweeter versions. It can also be made dairy-free and/or vegan. Please note that furikake often contains fish, so look for a vegetarian version if necessary. You can also make your own furikake, which is a mix of dried seaweed, sesame seeds, sugar, salt, and sometimes other ingredients (like fish, which you could leave out).

Make up a batch or two for homemade holiday gifts! Save glass jars and remove the labels to package it.

You can swap ingredients as you’d like. For example:
-Omit almonds and replace with 1 cup of cereal
-Replace 1-2 cups of cereal with 1-2 cups of other ingredients like pretzels, crackers, or another type of cereal
-Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar to the syrup mixture if you prefer a sweeter mix

furikake snack mix
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Furikake Snack Mix

Course Snack
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup agave syrup
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • ¼ cup vegan butter
  • 2 teaspoons reduced sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 5 cups whole grain squares cereal about 1 box
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • ½ cup furikake use a vegan/fish-free version if necessary
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 250°F.

  2. Bring syrup, oil, butter, and tamari or soy sauce to a boil in a saucepan.

  3. Put cereal and almonds on a baking sheet, pour sugar mixture over, sprinkle with furikake and sesame seeds, and stir to combine.

  4. Bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. It will look wet when you first remove it from the oven, but it will dry as it cools.

Soft Pretzels

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Soft pretzels are delicious, chewy, and hearty, and hard to resist when you walk by a pretzel shop in the mall. Now you can make your own at home for a fraction of the cost, and without having to spend a lot of time and energy making the dough. Just use store-bought pizza dough!

Making pretzels at home is affordable, allows you more control over the ingredients, and is a fun activity for the holidays, for kids, or for anyone, any time of year! Some stores (Trader Joe’s) sells pizza dough for as little as $1.19 for a pound, enough to make 6 pretzels. That means you can make about 20 pretzels for the price of one mall pretzel!

These will last a day or so, but obviously taste best fresh from the oven. Store in a paper bag at room temperature and reheat in the oven for a few minutes or in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Eat them alone, or dip in mustard or marinara!

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Soft Pretzels

You can make soft pretzels at home without spending the time making the dough - just buy store-bought pizza dough! Feel free to customize with other toppings such as sesame seeds, poppy seeds, "everything bagel" topping, or cinnamon sugar.

Course Snack
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces refrigerated store-bought wheat pizza dough
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 egg optional

Instructions

  1. Unwrap dough, place on a lightly floured surface, and let sit out at room temperature for 20 minutes.

  2. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  3. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll the dough into a long strand about ½ inch thick. Form a U, then cross the two ends over each other and twist, then push the ends down into the top of the U to form a pretzel shape. You can also create other shapes, such as a knot or a nugget. Repeat until all dough is used.

  4. In a large high-walled skillet, bring 4 cups of water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons baking soda. If you don't have a skillet large enough, or if you double this recipe, use a stock pot but double the water (8 cups) and baking soda (1/4 cup). Either way, make sure the water goes no higher than halfway up the pan/pot - the baking soda will foam a lot.

  5. Using a slotted spoon, lower a few pretzels into the simmering baking soda bath. Only add enough to form a single layer in the pot. Simmer for 1 minute, using the spoon to flip them if they float to the top. Remove from bath and drain, then place onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt.

  6. Repeat with all pretzels. Sprinkle with kosher salt before they drain or brush with water, then sprinkle with salt. The other option is to whisk 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush on top of pretzels, then sprinkle with salt, which will make them shiny and brown a little darker.

  7. Bake about 20-30 minutes or until well browned on top.

After boiling, before baking

After baking









Microwave Popcorn

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Make your own healthier microwave popcorn with just popcorn kernels and a paper bag! This allows you to control the ingredients and avoid potentially harmful chemicals in prepackaged microwave popcorn.

Microwave Popcorn | Guess Who's Cooking | Easy, healthy, all natural

Microwave Popcorn

Print recipe
Serves 1-2
Prep time 1 minute
Cook time 3 minutes
Total time 4 minutes
Dietary Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal type Appetizer, Snack
Misc Child Friendly
Making microwave popcorn using just a paper bag and some kernels is fun, affordable, and can be healthier when you control the ingredients. Microwave popcorn bags can be lined with questionable additives, so it's better to play it safe and use a plain bag.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels

Directions

Step 1
Pour about 1/4 cup popcorn kernels into a lunch-bag sized paper bag. It doesn't have to be exact. Fold the bag over 2-3 times to loosely close it.
Step 2
Microwave the bag on high for 3 minutes. Be careful to watch the microwave - don't get distracted and walk away. The chances are slim but since you are heating paper, there is a chance it could burn or catch on fire. Once popping slows to 2-3 seconds between pops, turn the microwave off. Allow to finish popping, then remove from microwave.
Step 3
Top with optional toppings - a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some seasoning salt is divine! You can also use other oils and other seasonings such as chili lime seasoning, or a mixture of nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder.

Microwave Popcorn | Guess Who's Cooking | Easy, healthy, all natural

 

Microwave Popcorn | Guess Who's Cooking | Easy, healthy, all natural
Single layer of popcorn kernels at the bottom of the bag

Microwave Popcorn | Guess Who's Cooking | Easy, healthy, all natural
Finished popping









2-Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

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2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

2-Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

Print recipe
2-Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes
Serves 2
Prep time 20 minutes
Allergy Egg
Dietary Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Meal type Breakfast
Misc Child Friendly, Serve Hot
These pancakes take just two ingredients. They are not exactly the same texture as traditional pancakes, but still tasty considering they only require two ingredients!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sweet potato, cooked
  • 4 large eggs
  • cooking oil such as canola, coconut or grapeseed

Directions

Step 1
Mash sweet potato with a fork. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl, then add to mashed sweet potato.
Step 2
Heat a nonstick skillet such as a cast iron skillet over medium low heat. Add a little oil.
Step 3
Add sweet potato mixture to pan 1 tablespoon at a time. Flip pancakes once edges lighten in color and turn more opaque and small bubbles start to form on top, about 3 minutes. They are done when both sides are golden brown. Repeat until all mixture is used, adding more oil as needed.
Step 4
Serve with toppings of choice - maple syrup, nut butter, butter (or non-dairy butter) or fruit.

2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes









Zucchini Breadsticks

Appetizers, Recipes, Sides, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Zucchini Breadsticks | guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, vegetarian, dairy-free, low carb, cheesy without cheese, and can be made gluten-free

Craving cheesy breadsticks? Although this recipe won’t fool anyone, it is a fun and tasty way to dip something bready and even somewhat cheesy into marinara sauce. It is made with whole, real foods, including vegetables, whole grains or nuts (depending on your choice of flour) and eggs. It is free of refined grains and dairy, and can be made without gluten or grains by using almond meal.

Zucchini Breadsticks

Print recipe
Serves 4
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 27 minutes
Total time 37 minutes
Dietary Diabetic, Vegetarian
Meal type Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish, Snack, Starter
Swap out the flour for summer squash to make cheesy-tasting breadsticks that are much lower in calories and starch. A very tasty way to eat your veggies!

Ingredients

  • 4 yellow crookneck squash or zucchini
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup almond meal or whole wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with olive oil.
Step 2
Cut the squash into 1 inch chunks, which should yield about 6 cups. Place half the squash into a food processor and pulse until it is finely chopped, but not mushy. Transfer to a large bowl and repeat with remaining squash.
Step 3
Squeeze some of the liquid out of the squash. When finished, it should yield about 4 cups of squash. Whisk eggs and add to squash. Add flour, nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder.
Step 4
Spread squash mixture onto prepared baking sheet and form into an even, thin layer, about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with oregano. Bake for 25 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Move pan to top rack and broil for about 2 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Step 5
Place a large cutting board on top of the baking sheet and carefully flip it over to move the breadsticks to the cutting board. Cut in half lengthwise, then cut into 1-inch strips. Serve with warm marinara sauce.

 

Zucchini Breadsticks | guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, vegetarian, dairy-free, low carb, cheesy without cheese, and can be made gluten-free
After pulsing in the food processor, squash should be finely chopped but not too small

Zucchini Breadsticks | guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, vegetarian, dairy-free, low carb, cheesy without cheese, and can be made gluten-free
Form into an even layer before baking

 

Zucchini Breadsticks | guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, vegetarian, dairy-free, low carb, cheesy without cheese, and can be made gluten-free









Holiday Paprika Popcorn

Appetizers, Recipes, Snacks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Holiday popcorn is a festive yet healthy treat made with whole grains, healthy fats, herbs and spices, and not too much added oil. It’s easy to pop your own popcorn on the stove, and healthier than microwave popcorn. Microwave popcorn bags are lined with perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which are potentially dangerous for our health and the environment – so make it yourself, and save money as well!

Holiday Paprika Popcorn | Healthy, plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, easy, great for Christmas | guesswhoscooking.com

Holiday Paprika Popcorn

Print recipe
Serves 8
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 5 minutes
Total time 10 minutes
Holiday popcorn is a festive yet healthy treat made with whole grains, healthy fats, herbs and spices, and not too much added oil. Microwave popcorn bags are lined with perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which are potentially dangerous for our health and the environment - so make it yourself, and save money as well!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil (or other high heat oil)
  • 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions

Step 1
In a large stock pot, heat the oil and 3-4 kernels of popcorn, covered, over
medium heat until all kernels pop.
Step 2
Pour in the remaining kernels, cover pot and shake to distribute. Remove pot from heat for 30 seconds. Return pan to heat, shaking pan continuously, leaving the lid slightly ajar for crisper popcorn, if possible. To do this, you can wear two oven mitts (ones that cover your wrists or beyond are best), hold the lid slightly ajar while holding onto the pot handles and shaking the pan as pictured. If you have a lid with a vent, you could just open the vent, or use any other preferred popcorn popping method.
Step 3
When popping slows to 2-3 seconds between pops, remove from heat. Pour popcorn into a large bowl, removing any unpopped or partially popped kernels.
Step 4
Combine the paprika, garlic powder, and salt. These measurements are general and you may want to add more, but the beauty of this recipe is that the quantities don't have to be exact.
Step 5
Drizzle the olive oil over the popcorn, then sprinkle with the spice mixture. Toss to combine. Add more spices if desired. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Holiday Paprika Popcorn | Healthy, plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, easy, great for Christmas | guesswhoscooking.com









31 Healthy Game Day Recipes

Appetizers, Dessert, Entree, Recipes, Sides, Snacks, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

25 Healthy and Fun Game Day Recipes | Guess Who's Cooking | Recipes are mostly minimally processed, plant-based, and low in added sugar and refined flours. Perfect for the Super Bowl!

This is an updated post from last year. There are a few new recipes that were too good not to include this year, so they are shown below with their photo next to the recipe name. It’s now 25 recipes + 6 bonus recipes to share during the big game. For those with special needs or tastes, many recipes are:

  • Made with whole, real foods
  • Vegan
  • Lower-carb
  • No-sugar-added

Appetizers, Sides, & Snacks

Asian Cole Slaw

Baked Falafel

Bean & Corn Dip

Broiled Green Bean Fries  Broiled Green Beans (like fries!)

Brussels Sprouts Chips

Chex Mix Pumpkin Seeds

Eggplant “Fries”

Guacamole Deviled Eggs Guacamole Deviled Eggs

Layered Mediterranean Dip Layered Mediterranean Dip

Mexican Zucchini Fritters

Pizza Hummus

Rosemary Sesame Pecans

Salt and Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds

Savory Roasted Chickpeas

Vegetarian Baked Beans (lower sugar)

Entrees

Cajun Meatloaf

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa

Fishy Nuggets

Mexican Taco Meatloaf

Personal Portabello Pizzas

Pizza Omelet

Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

White Chicken Chili (dairy-free)

Desserts

Banana Ice Cream | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian, low carb, no sugar added, 2 ingredients 2 Ingredient Banana Ice Cream

Black Bean Brownies

Buckeyes

Chickpea Blondies

Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos - healthy dessert that is gluten free, low in added sugar, and can be made dairy free and vegan. Guess Who's Cooking  Peanut Butter & Chocolate Apple Nachos

Poppy Chow (chocolate peanut butter popcorn) | GuessWhosCooking.com | Less calories, carbohydates, and sugar, gluten free, egg free, can be made vegan and dairy free Poppy Chow









Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthier, vegetarian, low sugar, gluten free, flourless, egg free, paleo, and can be made vegan and dairy free

These cookies are just enough to satisfy a craving for something sweet, without any refined flours, little added sugar (less than 1/2 teaspoon per cookie if you use unsweetened chocolate), and are vegan/dairy-free if you use vegan chocolate. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, they are also gluten-free. If you are low on chocolate, you can replace half of it with chopped nuts (that’s what I did in these pictures).

Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

Print recipe
Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies
Serves 12 cookies
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
Total time 20 minutes
Dietary Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal type Dessert, Snack
These low sugar cookies have a nice almond and coconut flavor and are not overly sweet. If vegan chocolate is used, they are vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free, and considered paleo.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup almond meal
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil (softened but not melted)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 18 drops liquid stevia (or 2 more tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar, and omit almond milk)
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk or coconut beverage
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chip (or dark chocolate bar, chopped)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, combine almond meal, salt, and baking soda. In a small bowl, combine coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and stevia. Stir until well mixed. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.
Step 3
Roll about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough into a ball, and flatten to about 3/4 inch on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
Step 4
Bake 8-10 minutes, or until light brown on the edges. Let cool for two minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.

Don’t forget to vote for Guess Who’s Cooking for Healthline’s Best Health Blog! You can vote daily with both Facebook and Twitter. Thank you for your support!

Healthline Best Blog Nominee

 

Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthier, vegetarian, low sugar, gluten free, flourless, egg free, paleo, and can be made vegan and dairy free









Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup

Dessert, Recipes, Sides, Snacks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This compilation was originally assembled in 2015, but has been updated in 2018. Here are some delicious recipes for Thanksgiving sides, desserts, and ideas for leftovers. Everything is vegetarian and many recipes are completely plant-based. No recipes contain dairy, but if you need it to be dairy-free, be sure to double check the chocolate ingredients! Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup - 5 sides, 5 desserts, and 5 ways to use leftovers

Sides

Green bean casserole photo
Green Bean Casserole from scratch – plant-based

Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Grapes and Balsamic Reduction – plant-based

Vegan broccoli salad
Vegan Bacon-Flavored Broccoli Salad – plant-based

Garlic Cauliflower Mash
Garlic Cauliflower Mash – plant-based

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Dill – plant-based

Desserts

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie (no bake) – plant-based

Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos
Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos – can be plant-based (depending on chocolate)

Chickpea Blondies
Chickpea Blondies – can be plant-based depending on chocolate

"Anyberry" Cobbler with Coconut Milk Ice Cream
“Anyberry” Cobbler with Coconut Milk Ice Cream

Pumpkin Streusel Pie - No Oven Required guesswhoscooking.com
Pumpkin Streusel Pie – No Oven Required

 

Ways to Use Leftovers

If you’re cooking pumpkin or any other kind of winter squash, save the seeds! Clean and dry them, then try one of the two recipes below.

2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes
2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes – vegetarian

Leftover baked sweet potatoes or sweet potato mash? Mix with eggs and super simple pancakes!

Easy Cauliflower Fried “Rice” – plant-based

You can also toss leftover veggies into cauliflower fried “rice.”

Egg Muffins
Egg Muffins or Frittata Muffins – can be vegetarian

Leftover veggies? Chop them up and use them in an omelet, or an omelet muffin!

Salt and Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds
Salt and Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds – plant-based and one of Guess Who’s Cooking’s most popular recipes!

Chex Mix Flavored Pumpkin Seeds
Chex Mix Flavored Pumpkin Seeds – plant-based









2 Ingredient Banana “Ice Cream”

Dessert, Recipes, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Banana Ice Cream | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian, low carb, no sugar added, 2 ingredients

This unbelievably simple ice cream alternative mostly consists of one ingredient – bananas! You can also add a little vanilla extract for even better flavor. It tastes best when whipped up fresh because it will be smooth, creamy, and light.  Feel free to add other flavors as desired – peanut butter, chocolate, etc.

2 Ingredient Banana “Ice Cream”

Print recipe
Meal type Dessert
Make your own no-sugar-added, vegan, dairy-free "ice cream" with just bananas and vanilla extract.

Ingredients

  • 4-6 bananas
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or to taste)

Directions

Step 1
Peel the bananas and slice into 1/2 inch pieces. Freeze on a plate or cookie sheet in a single layer for at least 1 hour. You can also use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2
Allow banana slices to thaw a bit, about 15 minutes at room temperature. Puree in a food processor with vanilla extract, pulsing a few times to start, for several minutes, until smooth and whipped. Serve immediately as "soft serve" or freeze and scoop it out later.
Banana Ice Cream | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian, low carb, no sugar added, 2 ingredients