Healthy, Lazy, Chef 👩‍🍳 Holiday Snacks

t’s the most wonderful time of the year! Most of us are snuggling up at home and trying to find ways to make this holiday season special.

One holiday tradition in my household is to EAT! Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day… all days that are celebrated with loved ones (in person or at a distance) while we get down with some grub and full bellies.

My favorite part of eating? More than the meal itself? The appetizers and snacks that sit around the table that you graze on all day! Om nom nom!

Whether you are physically with or doing a virtual session with loved ones, here are some easy, minimally processed, simple snacks you guys can try out for this holiday season.

Cheddar Popcorn

This recipe is great for an appetizer or even to snuggle up in some blankets and eat out of a big bowl! Since it’s popped in a brown paper bag, much of the oil is absorbed, so this option is a bit lighter.

Ingredients

• Brown paper bag
• 2 tbsp popcorn kernels
• ½ tbsp olive oil
• Cheese powder (for an option without weird chemicals and fillers, try Anthony’s)
• Salt
  

Instructions

1. Measure popcorn kernels and oil into a brown paper bag. 
2. Cut approximately 3” off of the top of the bag (if you don’t, it’s usually too tall for most microwaves!)
3. Fold the very top of the bag over, as high as possible (to allow plenty of room for the popcorn to expand).
4. Put in the microwave and pop on high for 2-2:30 min.
5. Pour into a serving bowl and add cheese/salt as desired!
   

Sharing is Caring: our family usually pops 2-3 bags separately like this and pour it into one, shareable bowl.

Baked Apples

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For a healthier twist on some apple pie dessert vibes, look no further! My mom always made this as a kid and the smell always reminds me of Christmas! This recipe packs whole foods and a wee bit of added sugar, but you’ll be alright. 😉

Ingredients

• Red apples (not sure which apple variety to choose? Check out this guide!)
• Cinnamon
• Brown Sugar
• Butter
• Pecans (optional)
  

Steps

1. Set your oven to 375.
2. Core all of your apples and place in your baking pan.
3. In a separate bowl, crush your pecans and then drizzle with brown sugar and cinnamon on top, then mix again.
4. Take the bowl mixture and put into the core of the apples.
5. Take a small slice of butter (you choose how much) and place on the middle of the core.
6. Drizzle top of apples with a bit more cinnamon and brown sugar.
7. Bake for 30-45 min. or until cooked throughout, but not mushy!
   

Goat Cheese & Pistachio Stuffed Dates

Did you know that goat cheese is high in protein and also delivers minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and copper… to name a few. Not that we’re trying to obsess over calories, BUT goat cheese is also less calorie dense than traditional cow’s cheese, so it’s a great alternative for those looking for some lighter options.

Ingredients

• 1-2 containers of Medjool dates, pitted (depending upon how much you wanna make!)
• Goat cheese (typically sold in 4 oz blocks)
• Handful of pistachios
• Paprika (optional)
  

Steps

1. Fill the pitted center of the date with goat cheese - I’d recommend using a small measuring spoon for the small crevice!
2. Crush pistachios and sprinkle on top of filled dates.
3. Lightly sprinkle paprika on top for some smokiness!

Sour Cream & Onion Dip

Many sour cream and onion dips and packages sold in stores are laden with names we can’t pronounce and icky fillers. This version combines whole foods that you can feel good about! I love eating these with some crackers, veggies, or chips.

Ingredients 

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp dry onion flake
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• Parsley (to top, optional)
  

Steps

1. Super easy… COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND BAM! 

Sourdough Baguette + Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip

Not in the mood to whip something up but looking for an easy appetizer? Try these items from Trader Joe’s, just in case you’re in a bind with time and/or feeling a little lazy.

Baguettes are SO FUN! Plus, the sourdough bread has wonderful pre-biotics to help your gut flora flourish (har har), but it also has lower phytate levels, which may be easier to digest for those with any gut intolerances to regular white bread.

And I mean come on… spinach and kale?! Greek yogurt?! This dip has great veggies in it PLUS can be lower in calorie due to the Greek yogurt displacing a lot of the cream. Wanna make the recipe a bit richer? Add in a couple tablespoons of sour cream.

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