These Caramel Chocolate Bars are perfect for everything from birthday parties to holiday cookie trays. Sweet, chewy and stuffed with delicious caramel and chocolate.

*Originally published 12/2011. Updated 1/2026*

Hi friends!

I’m excited to share these Caramel Chocolate Bars with you guys today! This recipe was originally shared on the blog way back in 2011 and now here we are 15 years later! Thery’re still a favorite so I decided they could use a little refresh!

Why You’ll Love These Caramel Chocolate Bars

An easy, crowd-pleasing recipe, I’m sure they’ll be a hit because:

• They’re made with simple ingredients
• Also known as caramelitas, they are a staple on a lot of holiday cookie trays.

Caramel Chocolate Bars Ingredients

To make these bars, you just need a few simple ingredients including:

• Butter – melted and cooled slightly
• Brown Sugar – works better than white sugar in this recipe
• Vanilla extract – for flavor
• Flour- can sub a 1:1 gluten-free flour if needed
• Oats – I use quick oats instead of rolled oats because I like texture better in cookies
• Baking soda and salt
• Chocolate chips – dark or semi-sweet
• Caramels – the individually wrapped kind, not the the caramel sauce
• Heavy cream – to mix with the caramel

How To Make Caramel Chocolate Bars

These bars are met in a few separate phases:

• Melt the butter and mix it with the brown sugar, vanilla, flour, oats, baking soda and salt until well combined. The mixture will be a bit crumbly.
• Divide the oat mixture in half and press half into a pan.
• Bake the bottom layer.
• Melt the caramels and cream in the microwave to make a sauce.
• Top bottom layer with chocolate chips. Then add caramel sauce.
• Top with the remaining oat mixture and bake again!

Bar Variations

If you’re looking to change things up a little bit, try:

Salted Caramel Chocolate Bars

You can either sprinkle the layer of caramel with flaky sea salt or add a sprinkle of salt over the oat topping before baking.

Pretzel Caramel Chocolate Bars

Another option if you love the sweet and salty combo, would be to chop up some pretzels and add them to the dough. You could reduce the oats my 1/4 cup and replace with 1/4 cup chopped pretzels.

Pecan Caramel Chocolate Bars

These bars are also great with the addition of nuts. Add some chopped pecans on top when you add the chocolate chips and then top with caramel. You could also use walnuts.

Coconut Caramel Chocolate Bars

Try adding some shredded sweetened coconut for a fun twist! You can mix into the crust or sprinkle on top as you add the oat topping over the caramel.

Peanut Butter Caramel Chocolate Bars

Try mixing 1/3 cup peanut butter into the dough mixture when you add the brown sugar and vanilla.

How To Freeze and Store Caramel Chocolate Bars

These bars can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container for a week or two! If you’d like to freeze them, place in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between layers and freeze up to 3 months. To thaw, let sit at room temperature until thawed all the way through.

Cutting Caramel Bars

Perhaps the most important part of this recipe is to let the bars cool completely before trying to cut them. If you try to slice into the bars while they are still warm, you’ll be left with a gooey, sticky mess. The bars will crumble and the caramel will stick to the knife.

Let the bars cool completely and it should be very easy to cut into bars of your desired size.

Cookie Swap & Dessert Bar

These bars are perfect for a holiday cookie swap or dessert bar. They are nut-free which helps to avoid a common allergen and can also be made gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (I like King Arther Gluten-free Measure for Measure) as well as certified gluten-free oats.

Bars are great for swaps because you can cut them into whatever size you want – smaller for a cookie swap where there are going to be a lot of dessert exchanged or larger if they are the star of the show!

Troubleshooting

Can I make in a 9×13 pan?

I would not attempt to make these in a 9×13 pan without doubling the recipe. You won’t have enough dough to split it in half and cover the entire layer of a 9×13 pan with the original recipe.

What if the caramel overflows?

If the caramel overflows around the edges of the bars, you may have used a few too many caramels. But don’t worry! You can just slice of a very thin bit around the entire outside edge to clean them up and make them look pretty again!

Why are my caramel chocolate bars crumbly?

If you follow the recipe as written, your bars should not be crumbly. They should hold together well UNLESS you try to slice them before they are completely cool.

Caramel Chocolate Bars Recipe

Here’s the exact recipe I use:

Caramel Chocolate Bars

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These Caramel Chocolate Bars are perfect for everything from birthday parties to holiday cookie trays. Sweet, chewy and stuffed with delicious caramel and chocolate.

• Author: Lindsay
• Yield: 8×8 pan

Ingredients

• 8 Tbsp butter melted
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup oats
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 8oz caramels (approx 30 caramels)
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• Pecans optional

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Melt butter. Mix in brown sugar and vanilla.
2. Add flour, oats, baking soda and salt and stir to combine. Mixture will be crumbly.
3. Press half of the mixture into 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake 8 minutes at 350 degrees F.
5. Remove caramels from their wrappers and place in a microwave safe bowl with the heavy cream. Microwave 60 – 90 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir continuously while caramels melt and mix with cream. Microwave an additional 30 seconds if needed. 
6. Remove crust from oven after 8 minutes and sprinkle chocolate chips over crust.
7. Pour caramel mixture on top and spread evenly to cover the crust, mixing with the chocolate chips.
8. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over top. Bake 15 – 17 minutes.
   Let cool COMPLETELY before cutting.

Caramel Chocolate Bars FAQs

What are caramel chocolate bars made of?

These bars are a simple mix of butter, sugar, vanilla, oats and flour, with a layer of chocolate and caramel in between the crust and topping.

Are caramel chocolate bars the same as caramelitas?

If you’re a super long-time reader, you may remember these were originally published as Caramelitas. The title has been changed to more accurately reflect the ingredients and make it easier to describe the bars! Both names describe these bars.

Can I make caramel chocolate bars ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, making caramel chocolate bars ahead of time is a must. They need to cool completely before you can cut them so be sure to plan ahead!

Do caramel chocolate bars need to be refrigerated?

No. These bars can be stored at room temperature.

Can I freeze caramel chocolate bars?

Yes! These bars can be frozen in a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment paper between the layers for up to 3 months.

How do I keep caramel chocolate bars from falling apart?

Be sure to let the bars cool completely before cutting. This will help them firm up so they hold together well.

What’s the best caramel to use for caramel chocolate bars?

Any variety of individually wrapped caramels should work. I like Kraft’s caramels.

Can I make salted caramel chocolate bars?

Yes. Feel free to add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to the top of the caramel layer or on top of the oat topping.

Are caramel chocolate bars good for cookie swaps?

Yes. Bars are great for cookie swaps because you can easily cut them into whatever size bars you need, large or small!

–Lindsay–

These easy canned food recipes are perfect for quick, simple meals that are budget-friendly, nutritious and full of flavor!

*Originally published 2/2015. Updated 1/2026*

Hi Friends!

Let’s chat about easy canned food recipes, shall we? Canned foods are often over-looked or get a reputation for not being as good as fresh or frozen food, but in reality they are nutrient-dense and budget-friendly, making them a great option for most people.

How To Use This Guide

This post is meant to be a resource for busy families looking for easy pantry meals that can be cooked on a budget. Be sure to bookmark this blog post so you can easily refer back to it.

Below you will find some general information about the nutritional benefits of a variety of canned foods, as well as lots of recipe suggestions.

The recipes are grouped by type of canned food to make it easier to find what you’re looking for!

Benefits of canned food

While the nutrients in canned fruits and vegetables are locked in at peak freshness soon after they are harvested, fresh fruits and veggies are losing nutrients as they travel across the country and while sitting in the grocery store.

A mix of canned, fresh, frozen and dried foods can help you get all the nutrients you need and canned foods are a great option if, for example, certain produce isn’t in season near you.

Stocking up on canned fruits and vegetables and canned protein sources like tuna and beans is a great way to fill your pantry to help ensure you always have these healthy staples on hand to make quick canned food recipes for healthy weeknight meals!

How To Choose Healthy Canned Foods

When choosing which canned foods to buy, here are a few tips:

• Look for low-sodium or no salt added varieties so that you can control sodium levels.
• If you can’t find low-sodium options, rinse your canned foods with water before using them in a recipe to help remove some of the added salt.
• Look for BPA-free cans so that those chemicals are getting into your food.
• Aim for variety. There are tons of canned food options out there. Challenge yourself to try different types of vegetables, beans etc that you haven’t had before as well as mixing up your intake of fresh, frozen and canned fruits, vegetables and protein.

Common Mistakes When Cooking with Canned Foods

A few things to keep in mind when cooking with canned foods:

• Consider added sodium. Either choose low-sodium, rinse before using or adjust additional added salt to take the sodium in canned foods into consideration.
• Don’t skip the seasoning! Some people complain or think they don’t like canned foods because they are lacking flavor but a lot of canned foods do not come pre-seasoned. So make sure to add your favorite spices and seasonings to help your food taste its best!
• Don’t overcook – Unlike fresh vegetables and protein, canned foods are already cooked. They don’t need long cooking times like some fresh food does. So don’t over-do it on the cooking or you’ll end up with mush. If mixing fresh and canned ingredients, consider adding canned near the end!

Easy Pantry Meals

Canned foods are great for making quick meals. Here are some of my favorite easy Pantry and Freezer Meals. You can use a variety of canned foods to make:

• Budget-Friendly Meals – Canned foods are typically fairly inexpensive and they can be a great way to make nutrient-dense meals as grocery costs continue to rise. Especially in cooked dishes like soups, casseroles etc, canned foods are hard to distinguish from fresh and often contain more nutrients.
• Last-Minute Dinners – Despite ours best planning, sometimes we find ourselves needing a quick dinner with not much left in the fridge. Keeping a well-stocked pantry with a variety of canned foods can help ensure we can still throw together a healthy dinner quickly.
• Emergency or Pantry cooking – In the event of an emergency like a hurricane, power outage, etc, canned foods can sometimes be the only source of available food. Having a stock of canned goods can help you continue to feed your family even when disaster strikes.

Easy Canned Food Recipes

The internet has an endless supply of delicious recipes using canned food. I’ve rounded up some of my favorites in a variety of different categories – everything from lean protein to delicious vegetables!

Canned Protein Recipes

Canned protein is a great option for those looking to meet protein goals and add protein to their meals in a budget-friendly way. There are a wide variety of canned protein options available including chicken, tuna, salmon, sardines and more.

Canned Chicken Recipes

Canned chicken is a fully cooked lean protein that can be packed in water, oil or broth. It’s convenient for quick meals during busy weeks.

What canned you make with canned chicken?

• Dips
• Casseroles
• Chicken salad
• Chicken patties

Here are some ideas for canned chicken recipes:

Buffalo Chicken Dip Crescent Ring

Makes an easy appetizer or a quick weeknight dinner!

Grab the recipe!

White Cheddar Mac and Chicken Bake

Creamy cheesy pasta with chicken and peas

Grab the recipe!

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Comfort food that’s easy enough to pull together on a busy night.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Chicken Salad

An easy, high-protein option that’s great for scooping with veggies or crackers.

Grab the recipe!

Chicken Cakes with Remoulade Sauce

Like crab cakes but easier and cheaper without losing any flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Salmon Recipes

Canned salmon is a convenient way to add more seafood to your diet. It’s rich in omega 3’s, high in protein and lasts for a while in your pantry.

What can you make with canned salmon?

• Salmon cakes with dipping sauce
• Soup or chowder
• Pasta
• Casseroles

Here are some canned salmon recipes:

Salmon Patties

Golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Grab the recipe!

Salmon Chowder

Easy, creamy and delicious!

Grab the recipe!

Easy Salmon Salad

Full of flavor and packed with heart-healthy fats.

Grab the recipe!

Garlic Salmon Linguine

Simple, delicious pasta recipe with added protein.

Grab the recipe!

Salmon Potato Casserole

A one pot dinner that can use leftover salmon or canned salmon.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Tuna Recipes

Canned tuna is a great source of heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids. It can be packed in oil or water and it’s a great, shelf-stable source of protein.

What can you make with canned tuna?

• Tuna cakes
• Rice bowls
• Salad
• Sandwiches
• Avocado melts

Here are some canned tuna recipes:

Easy Tuna Melts

This recipe for Easy Tuna Melts comes together quickly and is great for lunch! Try it to help add more seafood to your diet!

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Tuna Quinoa Cakes

These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are a great way to add some extra protein to your day. Eat them plain, put them on a bun, or use them to top your salad for a healthy lunch or dinner!

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice

Spicy, crunchy and bursting with flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Bright Mediterranean flavors topped with a creamy feta dressing.

Grab the recipe!

Avocado Tuna Melts

Perfect for a quick, easy lunch!

Grab the recipe!

Tuna Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Eat it with crackers, on bread or stuffed in a pita.

Grab the recipe!

Broccoli Avocado Tuna Bowl

Packed with lean protein, healthy fats and broccoli

Grab the recipe!

Canned Sardine Recipes

Canned sardines can be intimidating but they are nutrient dense and versatile, making them a great addition to your weekly meals. They’re full of nutrients like calcium, potassium, magnesium and more and they can be used in a variety of ways.

What can you make with canned sardines?

• Sandwiches
• Fish Cakes
• Tacos
• Pasta
• Salad

Here are some canned sardine recipes like:

Canned Sardine Sandwich

Similar to tuna salad and easy to customize!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Sardine Cakes

Mini fish cakes made with sardines and topped with a spicy yogurt sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Sardine Tacos

Canned sardines topped with a simple slaw and a spicy sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Green Goddess Pita with Sardines

Sardines, avocado, veggies and sardines with a green goddess dressing

Grab the recipe!

Instant Pot Pesto Pasta with Sardines

An easy instant pot dinner that’s ready in 15 minutes.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Vegetables Recipes

Canned vegetables are a great source of nutrition for many families. They are inexpensive and nutritious because the vegetables are picked at their peak ripeness and processed to lock in the nutrients. You can find canned versions of most all fresh vegetables and they can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Canned Green Bean Recipes

Canned green beans are a great option for adding a serving of vegetables to your meals. They contain some fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and potassium as well.

What can you make with canned green beans?

• One pot dishes
• Green bean casserole
• Side dishes
• Salad

Here are some canned green bean recipes to try:

One Pot Shrimp and Orzo

All you need is one pan and 20 minutes to make this quick and easy One Pot Shrimp and Orzo dinner recipe. Sub canned beans for frozen.

5/5 from 1 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Blistered Green Beans

Quick, easy and garlicky!

Grab the recipe!

Firehouse Green Beans

Ready in under 10 minutes!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Green Bean Salad

Perfect side dish for the hot summer months!

Grab the recipe!

Easy Green Beans for Dinner

An easy way to jazz up canned green beans

Grab the recipe!

Crack Green Beans

Mixed with bacon and full of flavor.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Corn Recipes

Canned corn contains several vitamins and minerals. It has a mild flavor and can be added to a variety of dishes.

What can you make with canned corn?

• Salsa
• Dip
• Skillet dishes
• Street corn
• Soups and chowders

Here are some canned corn recipes:

Mexican Street Corn Dip

Spicy, flavorful and easy to make it’s perfect for dipping with chips!

You can sub canned corn for fresh!

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Cowboy Caviar

Learn how to make the best cowboy caviar recipe – a healthy, easy dip that’s perfect for any occasion. Tastes great scooped with chips, added to tacos or served over chicken.

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Honey Butter Skillet Chicken

A simple, flavorful side dish.

Grab the recipe!

Best Canned Corn

Canned corn mixed with fresh herbs, butter and garlic.

Grab the recipe!

Mexican Street Corn

Creamy and delicious!

Grab the recipe!

Easy Corn Chowder

Perfect for a cold winter night!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Sweet Potato Recipes

Canned sweet potatoes are a good source of Vitamin A&C, fiber and potassium. They can be used for dinner or dessert in canned sweet potato recipes.

What can you make with canned sweet potato:

• Sub it for any recipe using pumpkin
• Sub for microwaved fresh sweet potato
• Bars, cookies and muffins
• Soup
• Cake
• Rolls

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies

No protein powder required for these Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies! Sub canned sweet potato for fresh.

4.7/5 from 14 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato White Bean Bars

These Sweet Potato White Bean Bars are perfect for breakfast or snack time. They’re kid-friendly, nut-free and full of fiber! 

5/5 from 47 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Quick, simple and melts in your mouth.

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Warm and comforting, perfect for the holidays!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Sheet Cake

Layers of sweet potato goodness!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

The perfect dinner side dish!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Artichoke Recipes

Canned artichokes are a highly nutritious vegetable option. They’re loaded with fiber and also rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C & K. Their mild flavor makes them easy to add to a variety of recipes.

How to use canned artichokes:

• Side dishes
• Roasting
• Fritattas
• Pasta Dishes
• Dips

Here are some canned artichoke recipes:

Roasted Artichoke Hearts

Simple ingredients, quick to make with a simple dipping sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Artichokes with Breadcrumbs

A cheesy topping with breadcrumbs make these irresistable.

Grab the recipe!

Spinach Artichoke Dip Pasta

Turn your favorite dip into an easy pasta dinner.

Grab the recipe!

Spinach Artichoke Chicken

Delicious chicken in a rich, creamy sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Pumpkin Recipes

Perhaps one of the most popular canned vegetables, especially in the fall/winter, canned pumpkin is super versatile. Not only can it be used in baking, but it can be used in savory dishes as well.

How To Use Canned Pumpkin:

• Cakes and pies
• Muffins
• Pancakes and waffles
• Soups
• Curry

Here are some canned pumpkin recipes:

20 Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes {That Are Not Pumpkin Pie}

Pumpkin puree dessert recipes that are not pumpkin pie.

Grab the recipe!

30 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

Looking for healthy pumpkin recipes? Here are 30 recipes to try!

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Easy Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

This Easy Pumpkin Bread requires just one bowl and a few simple ingredients. It will quickly become your go-to fall recipe.

5/5 from 7 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Pie Bars

These pumpkin pie bars use a box of yellow cake mix plus a few simple ingredients to make the most delicious pumpkin pie bar recipe. Perfect for Thanksgiving dessert or any other occasion.

5/5 from 2 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars with Quinoa

These chocolate chip pumpkin bars pack an extra nutritional punch thanks to the addition of quinoa! Kid-friendly and easy to make, they’ll quickly become a favorite Fall recipe!

5/5 from 1 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Canned Beans & Legumes Recipes

Canned beans are a great source of protein and fiber. One serving of beans can help you meet 20% or more of your daily fiber needs and adequate fiber intake can help guard against heart disease. Use them for dinners, side dishes or baked goods. Try one of these canned beans recipes this week!

What can you make with canned beans?

• Layer dip
• Salsa
• Salad
• Brownies
• Vegetarian recipes

Here are some canned bean recipes to try:

The Ultimate Hot Taco Layer Dip

This easy Hot Taco Layer Dip is perfect for tailgating. This vegetarian appetizer is made with easy homemade refried beans, creamy hummus, corn salsa and cheese. Perfect for scooping with chips!

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Kale and White Bean Salad

This Kale and White Bean Salad is packed with nutrients and the flavor just gets better as it sits in the fridge. The perfect meal prep lunch recipe.

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Healthy Black Bean Brownies

These Healthy Black Bean Brownies are kid-friendly, full of fiber and perfect for a snack or dessert!

4.6/5 from 13 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Marry Me Beans

Creamy beans with tons of flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Garlic Parmesan White Beans

Ready in 15 minutes and bursting with flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Foods Recipes FAQs

Are canned food recipes healthy?

Like all recipes, the nutritional value comes down to the specific recipe and its ingredients. But there are plenty of healthy and nutritious canned food recipes available to help make canned foods a healthy part of your diet!

Are canned vegetables as nutritious as fresh or frozen?

Yes. Canned vegetables are picked at the peak of their ripeness when they contain the most nutrients and then flash-cooked and sealed into cans. This locks in their nutrients, making them a great choice for healthy eating.

Should you rinse canned beans before cooking?

Yes. It’s best to give your beans a quick rinse under cold running water before using.

What are the healthiest canned proteins?

Most canned proteins are heart-healthy lean protein sources. Consider that they can be packed in things besides water like oil, which can add extra fat and calories if that’s a concern of yours and they can also be high in sodium.

What canned foods are best to keep in your pantry?

It’s best to keep a wide variety of canned proteins – tuna, salmon, chicken, etc along with canned fruits – pears, peaches, fruit cocktail, oranges etc and lots of vegetables – green beans, peas, corn, tomatoes, carrots and more! You can also stock other canned goods like soup, pasta sauce and more.

Can you used canned foods for meal prep?

Yes! Canned foods are just like fresh and can be prepared in multiple ways, including in recipes that are great for meal prep like salads, casseroles, salsas and more.

Are canned foods good for budget cooking?

Yes! They are typically some of the most inexpensive foods at the grocery store and they are still packed with nutrients. They are shelf-stable and can last a while in your pantry making them great to save for after you’ve used some of your fresh food.

How do you reduce sodium in canned foods?

The easiest way to reduce sodium in canned foods is to rinse well in a strainer before using.

What are easy dinners you can make with canned foods?

Canned foods are great for pasta dishes, soups and stews, tuna melts, chicken or fish cakes, casseroles and more!

Can canned foods be used in kid-friendly recipes?

Yes! A great place to start is using things like canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes and beans in baked goods. Here are tons of kid-friendly baking recipes.

How long do canned foods last once opened?

Canned foods need to be refrigerated once the seal of the can has been broken. Once in the fridge they are good 3-4 days just like most leftovers.

Are canned foods good for emergency meals?

Yes! Especially if you live in an area prone to natural disasters like floods, tornados and hurricanes, it’s a great idea to have a tub full of canned food that you can use to prepare meals in the event that you find yourself without power for multiple days.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Here are 15+ easy Christmas Breakfast Ideas that are sure to be a hit! Christmas Breakfast Casserole, cinnamon rolls, frittata and more holiday breakfasts to feed a crowd.

*Originally published 12/2013. Updated 12/2025*

Hi Friends!

With the holidays fast approaching, I’m sure many of you are starting to think about meals, especially if you happen to be hosting this year. While a lot of the focus is often on the main holiday dinner, I happen to think breakfast is equally important- especially if you’re hosting overnight guests!

Christmas Breakfast Ideas

There are lots of ways to feed a crowd on a holiday morning. One of the best options is something that can be prepped ahead of time so all you have to do is stick it in the oven in the morning.

You could opt for something hearty like a casserole, or something nice and sweet like cinnamon rolls. Or choose a more traditional option like French toast or pancakes and turn it into a casserole to make your life easier!

Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Morning Breakfast

To make sure your morning goes smoothly, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Do whatever you can the night before! Holiday mornings are always crazy and anything you can prep ahead of time will be helpful.
• Preheat the oven as soon as you get up so you don’t forget! You can stick a casserole in to bake while opening presents or put it in as soon as you’re done.
• To keep dishes warm, cover with foil or place in a oven at a low temperature (like 180 – 200 degrees F). You can also try a warming mat (aff link)

Recipes For Christmas Breakfast Casseroles

Here are some easy Christmas breakfast casseroles that are hearty and filling. These are perfect for a holiday morning because they can be prepped the night before and all you have to do is stick them in the oven to bake while you’re opening presents!

Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Just 5 ingredients required and can be prepped ahead of time.

Grab the recipe!

Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Packed with bacon and cheese for an easy morning breakfast.

Grab the recipe!

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

The perfect mix of hash browns, sausage, egg and cheese cooked in the crockpot.

Grab the recipe!

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

The perfect combination of ham, cheese, eggs and potatoes make a tasty breakfast casserole.

Grab the recipe!

Holiday Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are a classic holiday breakfast. They can be prepped the night before and stored in the fridge and once you pop them in the oven in the morning, the whole house will smell amazing! Here are a few different recieps you could try!

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

Extra fluffy and prepped the night before, served with a cream cheese icing.

Grab the recipe!

Cranberry Orange Breakfast Buns

An easy way to change up the flavor of traditional cinnamon rolls!

Grab the recipe!

Best Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat

Made with bread flour to keep them fluffy, these can be made overnight or ahead of time with an easy vanilla ceam cheese glaze.

Grab the recipe!

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

A twist on traditional cinnamon rolls with a ginger molasses filling!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Christmas Breakfast Recipes

If you’re craving something sweet for your next holiday breakfast, there are lots of options! Everything from French toast to Dutch pancakes to coffee cake can easily be made to feed a crowd. Here are a few ideas:

Overnight French Toast Casserole

The perfect way to use up those leftover dinner rolls!

Grab the recipe!

How To Make German Pancakes (Dutch Baby Pancakes)

Only six ingredients and it puffs up in the oven making it a showstopper for sure!

Grab the recipe!

Coffee Cake

A moist and tender cake with a cinnamon swirl and a butter crumb topping.

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Juicy berries, sweet cream cheese and a delicious vanilla glaze mean this casserole is sure to be a hit!

Grab the recipe!

Easy Christmas Breakfast Dishes with Eggs

Eggs are a breakfast staple for good reason. They’re full of protein and healthy fats and they’re SO versatile. Here are a few ways you could use them!

Breakfast Enchilada Casserole

A delicious mix of sausage, egg and potato with a creamy enchilada sauce.

Grab the recipe!

How To Make the Perfect Frittata

Customize it with your favorite vegetables and serve in slices with toast!

Grab the recipe!

Shakshuka

Easy poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce. Serve with crusty bread for scooping!

Best Easy Quiche Recipe

This quiche comes together quickly thanks to some baking shortcuts but doesn’t sacrifice flavor!

Grab the recipe!

The Best Drinks To Serve on Christmas Morning

Don’t forget about drinks in all the holiday excitement! Here are some fun ideas:

• Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate
• Gingerbread Latte
• Peppermint Mocha
• Christmas Mimosas
• Christmas Punch
• Apple Cider Punch

Christmas Breakfast FAQs

What should I make for Christmas breakfast?

If you’re hosting Christmas breakfast for overnight guests, I would have a quick chat to determine their preferences. Keep it simple with fruit and muffins if they’re not big breakfast eaters. If they have a sweet tooth, try cinnamon rolls. If they wake up ready to eat, try something heartier like a christmas breakfast casserole.

What is the most popular Christmas morning breakfast?

Anything that can be served buffet-style is typically popular. Casseroles that can easily be cut into pieces, individual items like French toast or pancakes, or things like scrambled eggs and bacon that can be spooned onto plates typically go well. In addition, coffee cake, muffins, scones, croissants and other breakfast pastries are popular.

What is a good make-ahead Christmas breakfast?

There are a lot of casserole and egg-based dishes that can be prepped ahead of time. Breakfast casseroles with bread along with eggs and sausage or French toast casseroles often benefit from an overnight soak. Similarly, things with yeast like cinnamon rolls are great for making the night before so they can rise in the fridge overnight.

What’s a quick Christmas breakast I can make last minute?

You can’t go wrong with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage and some fresh fruit! Or grab some fresh bagels and put out toppings like cream cheese, smoked salmon, peanut butter and nutella.

What is a good high-protein Christmas breakfast?

Egg-based dishes like quiche or frittatas can be a good high-protein option. Or try savory cottage cheese bowls, protein pancakes or yogurt parfaits.

What are good gluten-free Christmas breakfast options?

You can choose something that’s naturally gluten-free like an egg and veggie bake with sausage and potatoes instead of bread. Or you can use gluten-free mixes to make things like gluten-free pancakes or muffins. Baked oatmeal is another good gluten-free option.

What can kids eat for Christmas breakfast?

Often kids are so excited for presents that it can be hard to get them to eat anything on Christmas morning. Try a smoothie, or a muffin and a glass of milk that they can eat quickly and get back to their presents. Or choose a make-ahead casserole that can bake while you’re opening presents so it’ll be ready when they come down from the excitement of opening presents.

What can I prep the night before for Christmas morning?

Many breakfast dishes reheat well if you choose to make them ahead of time. Many more can be prepped the night before and baked in the morning with minimal effort. Look into Christmas breakfast casseroles, French toast bakes, baked oatmeal and egg bakes.

What are fun Christmas breakfast ideas for toddlers or young kids?

Something as simple as making green pancakes and calling them Grinch pancakes can be fun at that age! Or try donut snowman or Santa pancakes! Here are 17 Kid-Friendly Christmas Morning Breakfast Ideas.

What’s an easy Christmas brunch idea?

A themed breakfast bar is always a hit! Try a breakfast pastry bar with all your favorite muffins, scones and sweet treats, a yogurt parfait bar, a smoked salmon bagel bar or here are 10 Easy Brunch Bar Ideas.

What’s a festive Christmas breakfast idea using holiday flavors?

There are lots of seasonal flavors to choose from! Try Eggnog French Toast, Gingerbread Waffles, or this Cranberry Orange Buttermilk Breakfast Cake.

What’s an affordable Christmas breakfast that stil feels special?

I love the idea of using Christmas Eve leftovers in breakfast the next day. If you’re having a Christmas ham, it can be repurposed into a ham and cheese egg casserole. You could also add leftover potatoes or throw leftover potatoes on the waffle iron to make potato waffles! If you have leftover dinner rolls, use them to make a french toast bake! Here are 20 Budget Friendly Make Ahead Christmas Brunch recipes.

What breakfast dishes travel well if I’m bringing food to a holiday gathering?

Any breakfast casserole that can be baked in a casserole dish should be fairly easy to transport! You could also prep individual breakfast burritos and wrap them in foil or even cook a batch of pancakes or waffles ahead of time, transport them in tupperware and reheat when you get there.

 Whatever you choose to feed your guests, I hope your holiday morning is full of contentment and love!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

This Chicken Pesto Pasta is an easy and delicious family-friendly dinner recipe that everyone will love! It comes together quickly and is full of flavor!

*Originally published 6/2017. Updated 11/2025*

Hi friends!

I’m excited to share this updated recipe for Chicken Pesto Pasta with you today! It is so easy and flavorful. Truly a dish the whole family can enjoy and I’ve been making it on repeat lately.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Pesto Pasta

Just a few things to love about this recipe:

• It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner but can also be fancy enough for date night.
• It’s easy to customize – you could easily add more veggies! Try dropping some chopped broccoli or green beans in with the pasta for the last few minutes of cooking.
• You can add a seasonal spin – Try adding some fresh sweet corn in the summer or some roasted squash in the Fall.
• High protein – You’ll get protein from the chicken and you can add even more protein by choosing a higher protein pasta. My kids love Barilla Plus!

Chicken Pesto Pasta Ingredients

For this recipe you’ll need:

• Chicken – I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Marinade ingredients – oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, paprika and salt
• Tomatoes – I use grape or cherry tomatoes cut in half
• Garlic and butter – for flavor
• Heavy cream – to thicken the sauce slightly
• Pesto – feel free to use homemade or store-bought
• Parmesan – freshly grated!
• Pasta – pick your favorite shape!

How To Make Chicken Pesto Pasta

Making this recipe requires just a few simple steps:

• Marinate the chicken.
• Pan sear the chicken until cooked through and set aside.
• Cook the pasta according to package directions.
• In the same pan you cooked the chicken in, saute tomatoes, butter and garlic.
• Add the cream, pesto and parmesan.
• Stir in the cooked pasta and add chicken before serving!

Pesto Pasta Protein Options

This recipe works great with any type of chicken. Feel free to skip pan-searing the chicken and just mix in some leftover baked or grilled chicken, or use shredded rotisserie chicken to make it come together even more quickly!

If you don’t want chicken, you could sub shrimp in the same marinade!

Chicken Pesto Pasta Variations

Here are some easy variations to consider:

Vegetable variations

Feel free to change up the vegetables in this recipe. You could add asparagus, broccoli, green beans, zucchini or even a couple of handfuls of baby spinach!

Gluten-Free Chicken Pesto Pasta

To make this recipe gluten-free, just sub in a gluten-free pasta of your choice. I like Jovial or Tinkayada. The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free. Be sure to double-check the pasta if needed.

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

To make this recipe even creamier, try melting in a few ounces of cream cheese when you add the heavy cream and pesto!

Seasonal variations

Try adding peas or asparagus in the spring, roasted squash in the fall and fresh corn, zucchini and/or green beans in the spring.

Healthy Chicken Pesto Pasta

This recipe is already fairly healthy. To add more nutrients, try:

• Swapping in whole wheat pasta or a higher protein pasta option
• Add more veggies. You can easily add several more servings of vegetables to this recipe!
• Cut back on the pesto a little bit and add some fresh basil and cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.

Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta

To make this dish as easy as possible, grab a rotisserie chicken and skip cooking the chicken. And grab some store-bought pesto vs making your own!

What To Serve with Chicken Pesto Pasta

This pasta dish could be a complete meal on its own but if you’re looking for something to serve with it, try:

• Salad! A simple salad would be great. Or try this Loaded Strawberry Spinach Salad or this Mediterranean Chopped Salad.
• Garlic bread – Always goes great with pasta! Try this Homemade Garlic Bread.
• Side of veggies – You can never have too many! Try Crispy Green Bean Fries, Maple Glazed Carrots or Cheesy Broccoli!

Chicken Pesto Pasta vs Caprese Pasta

Caprese Pasta Salad typically has a base of noodles and includes tomatoes and fresh basil as well, but it often comes with a balsamic dressing and the addition of fresh mozzarella. Here’s a recipe for Caprese Pasta Salad. Chicken pesto pasta has a pesto-based dressing/sauce. You could definitely add fresh mozzarella pearls to the chicken pesto pasta!

Meal Prep Chicken Pesto Pasta and Storage

Can chicken pesto pasta be made ahead of time? Yes! It holds up well and can be stored in the fridge. Just reheat in the microwave when ready to eat.

You can even enjoy this pasta dish warm or cold which makes it a great option to pack for lunch.

Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe

Here’s how you make it:

Chicken Pesto Pasta

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This Chicken Pesto Pasta is an easy and delicious family-friendly dinner recipe that everyone will love! It comes together quickly and is full of flavor!

• Author: Lindsay
• Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 1 – 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, pounded thin
• 2 Tbsp oil
• 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt

For the pasta

• 2 cups uncooked pasta (shape of your choice)
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan, plus more for serving
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, optional

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Instructions

1. In a large Ziploc bag, combine chicken, oil, vinegar, garlic powder, paprika and salt. Shake to combine and let marinate at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
2. In a large pan over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp oil and pan sear chicken breasts 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through to a temperature of 165 degrees F.
3. Remove from pan and set aside.
4. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
5. In the same pan you used for the chicken, add butter, garlic and tomatoes and saute over medium heat for 5 minutes.
6. Turn heat to low and add cream, pesto, parmesan, red pepper and reserved pasta water and stir gently for 2-3 minutes.
7. Add drained pasta and stir to coat.
8. Serve with sliced chicken on top or cut up chicken and mix in with the pasta. 
9. Top with fresh parmesan before serving.

So easy, right?!

Chicken Pesto Pasta FAQs

What is the best pasta to use for chicken pesto pasta?

You can use any kind of shape or type of pasta you want for this recipe! Just cook according to package directions! I typically make it with spirals or elbows.

Can I make creamy chicken pesto pasta without heavy cream?

You could try adding in some plain Greek yogurt or cream cheese to add some creaminess to the pasta without heavy cream.

How do I make chicken pesto pasta healthier?

To make this pasta healthier, try using a whole wheat or high protein pasta. You could also try a chickpea-based pasta like Banza. And add some extra vegetables! Green beans, broccoli, asparagus, corn and zucchini would all work well in this recipe. You could saute the corn or zucchini with the tomatoes or toss the green beans, asparagus or broccoli in to cook with the pasta.

Can I use rotisserie chicken in chicken pesto pasta?

Yes! To help this meal come together even more quickly, swap cooking the chicken breasts for just mixing in some rotiserie chicken at the end.

What vegetables go best in chicken pesto pasta?

Lots of vegetables would work well in this recipe. Things that can cook quickly in boiling water like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans or asparagus are great. You could also roast up a tray of your favorite root vegetables like sweet potatoes and mix those in at that end! In the summer, corn and zucchiini are great choices.

Can I make chicken pesto pasta gluten-free?

Yes! To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free pasta and check to make sure your pesto is gluten-free.

How do I store and reheat chicken pesto pasta?

Store your pasta dish in a glass container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply put in the microwave!

Can I serve chicken pesto pasta cold as pasta salad?

Yes! This pasta can be eaten warm or cold. Reheat if you want or pack it in a lunchbox and enjoy it cold!

Is homemade pesto better than store-bought for chicken pesto pasta?

Either homemade or storebought pesto will work well in this recipe! If you want to make your own, try this Basil Pesto recipe.

Can I make chicken pesto pasta ahead of time for meal prep?

Yes! This pasta dish holds up well in the fridge making it perfect for meal prep. Make it ahead of time and enjoy it for lunch or dinner all week long!

Want more recipes like this? Try:

• Broccoli Pesto Pasta
• Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Tortellini
• Instant Pot Pasta with Meat Sauce
• Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

This Shrimp Cobb Salad comes together quickly and is perfect for a fresh, healthy lunch or dinner! Customize the toppings to your liking and top with a light vinaigrette.

*Originally published 5/2011. Updated 10/2025*

Hi friends!
Popping in to share this quick and easy Shrimp Cobb Salad for an easy lunch or dinner. Shrimp is one of my favorite quick-cooking proteins and cobb salads are perfect for packing in a ton of healthy ingredients. If you don’t like shrimp, try my Steak Cobb Salad.

If you’re on a salad kick and need more ideas, try:

• Mediterranean Chopped Salad
• Kale and White Bean Salad
• 25+ Fall Salad Recipes
• Roasted Squash Fall Salad
• Loaded Strawberry Spinach Salad

Or try this Ultimate List of Salad Topping Ideas for some inspiration!

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Shrimp Cobb Salad

This shrimp cobb salad is easy to love for a lot of reasons:

• Fully customizable. Feel free to swap out any toppings you don’t like or add your own.
• Great for meal prep – All the components of this salad can be prepped ahead of time which makes it quick and easy to assemble at meal time.
• Has protein and healthy fats – The shrimp is an easy quick-cooking protein and the avocado and salad dressing, especially homemade, both add healthy fats to help boost satiety.
• It’s heart-healthy, packed with lean protein and veggies and healthy fats.

Shrimp Cobb Salad Ingredients

To make this salad, you’ll need:

• Shrimp – Feel free to use any size you prefer
• Bacon – I prefer to cook the bacon myself and chop it up but you could use bacon bits if you want
• Hard boiled eggs – make your own or buy them pre-bought. Here’s how to make hard-boiled eggs in the instant pot.
• Red onion – feel free to swap green, white, yellow onions etc for a milder flavor
• Tomato – grape or cherry tomatoes halved or quartered work well
• Avocado
• Feta – I use crumbled feta. It does have a stronger flavor so feel free to swap with a different cheese if you prefer
• Dressing – I like a lighter vinaigrette like the one I share below but you could use something creamy like ranch, etc if you want!

How To Cook Shrimp

You can choose to prepare the shrimp for this salad whatever way you prefer. A few ideas:

• Sauteed – This is the method I typically use. Just heat some butter or oil in a skillet, add shrimp and seasonings and cook for 4-6 minutes, until shrimp are pink.
• Grilled – If you have the grill fired up, thread the shrimp onto a few skewers, season and grill 2-3 minutes per side.
• Baked – You can also bake them in the oven. Here’s a recipe for Oven-Baked Shrimp.

How To Make An Easy Shrimp Cobb Salad

To make this salad:

• Cook the bacon, eggs and shrimp via your preferred method. To save time, you can grab pre-cooked shrimp and/or hard-boiled eggs.
• Start with a bed of lettuce. Feel free to grab a bag of packaged salad greens to save time!
• Add toppings. In a traditional cobb salad, ingredients are grouped into sections or rows on top of the lettuce but you can skip this step and combine everything mixed together on top.
• Top with dressing – homemade or store-bought.

Shrimp Cobb Salad Dressing Options

The dressing options for this salad are endless. I typically use a maple mustard vinaigrette to keep it light but a lemon garlic dressing would also be great. If you want something a little more robust, try ranch or blue cheese to add some creaminess to the salad.

Cobb Salad Protein

The great thing about the cobb salad is that it pairs well with almost any protein. If you don’t like shrimp, try:

• Steak – I’ve used leftover flank steak before!
• Chicken – This is a great way to transform leftover grilled chicken.
• Tofu – My Honey Garlic Air Fryer Tofu would work well on this salad. If you want to keep it vegetarian, you could swap the bacon for some beans
• Salmon – If you don’t want shrimp but still want seafood, try adding my Air Fryer Salmon Bites.

Shrimp Cobb Salad Meal Prep & Storage

This salad is PERFECT for meal prep! Prep all of the components ahead of time and store separately until you’re ready to serve. Shrimp can be cooked and stored in a glass container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Same with bacon and hard-boiled eggs. They can be sliced/chopped ahead of time as well.

Save the avocado to slice right before serving so it doesn’t turn brown but the tomatoes and onions could be cut ahead of time and stored as well.

To prep your lettuce ahead of time, chop, wash and spin dry and store in a bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture and squeeze all the air out before sealing the bag.

If you choose to make homemade dressing, that can be prepped and stored in a mason jar in the fridge. Just give it a good shake before serving.

Shrimp Cobb Salad Tips and Tricks

A few tips and tricks:

• Don’t overcook your shrimp! When shrimp take on a pinkish color and form a “C” shape, they’re done. If they curl up tight into an “O” shape, they are overcooked.
• To keep your lettuce crisp, chop, wash and spin dry, then store in a bag. Add a paper towel to soak up the excess moisture and squeeze the air out before sealing the bag shut.
• Vary the veggies – Salad is a great way to utilize veggies that are in season. Try nice ripe tomatoes in the summer. In the Fall, add some roasted squash!

Shrimp Cobb Salad Recipe

Here’s the recipe I use:

Shrimp Cobb Salad

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This Shrimp Cobb Salad comes together quickly and is perfect for a fresh, healthy lunch or dinner! Customize the toppings to your liking and top with a light vinaigrette. 

• Author: Lindsay
• Yield: serve 4

Ingredients

For the shrimp

• 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled, devined and thawed
• 2 Tbsp butter (or oil if you prefer)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt

For the salad:

• 4–6  hard boiled eggs, sliced
• 1 medium avocado, diced
• 8 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
• 1 cup diced red onion
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta
• 8 cups mixed greens or leaf lettuce

Optional dressing:

• 3 T oil (I use avocado oil)
• 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup

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Instructions

1. Melt butter or heat oil in a large pan. Add shrimp and seasonings and saute over medium heat for 4-6 minutes until shrimp are just pink and form a C shape.
2. Place 2 cups of lettuce in each bowl. 
3. Divide toppings evenly among 4 salads and add toppings in rows of shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, bacon, onion and tomatoes.
4. Top with crumbled feta.
5. Combine oil, vinegar, mustard and maple syrup in a jar. Seal and shake to combine. Taste and add salt and/or pepper if desired. You can also double the dressing recipe if you like more dressing!

Shrimp Cobb Salad FAQs

What is the best dressing for shrimp cobb salad

If you’re looking for a lighter option, most vinaigrette dressings would be great. Try honey mustard or balsamic vinaigrette. If you want something creamier, ranch or blue cheese would add great flavor to the salad!

Can I make shrimp cobb salad ahead of time?

Yes! All the components of this salad can be prepped ahead of time, making it quick and easy to assemble when you’re ready to eat.

How do I grill shrimp for cobb salad?

The easiest way to grill shrimp is to thread them onto skewers, season and grill 2-3 minutes per side.

Is shrimp cobb salad healthy?

Yes. This salad is packed with lean protein, vegetables and healthy fats making it a great balanced meal option for lunch or dinner.

Can I use frozen shrimp in cobb salad?

Shrimp cooks best from a thawed state. Feel free to use frozen shrimp, just thaw before cooking either under cold running water or in refrigerator overnight.

How long does shrimp cobb salad last in the fridge?

You can store the components separately for 3-4 days. Once you combine them into a salad, it’s best to eat within a day to avoid things getting brown or soggy.

What toppings go best with shrimp cobb salad?

Traditional cobb salad toppings include, bacon, hard boiled eggs, avocado, onion, tomato and crumbled cheese like blue cheese or feta. You can make it seasonal by adding things like roasted squash, corn, apples or berries depending on the season.

Can I make shrimp cobb salad without eggs?

Yes, feel free to omit the hard boiled eggs from this recipe.

What’s the difference between shrimp cobb salad and a regular cobb salad?

The biggest difference is the protein. The most traditional protein for a cobb salad is chicken breast or turkey, but this recipe uses shrimp and almost any protein source would work well on this salad.

Can I meal prep shrimp cobb salad for lunches?

Yes! This salad is perfect for meal prep because all the components can be cooked and prepped ahead of time!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

These Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies are soft and fluffy! They’re naturally sweetened, made with real food ingredients and absolutely delicious.

*Originally posted 3/2016. Updated 10/2025*

Hi friends!

These Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies have now been a go-to of mine since 2016. I love them for a quick snack and they came in super handy during the newborn phase when I often needed to eat quickly and with one hand.

They’re very forgiving, and you can easily change up the mix-ins to make them more kid-friendly or to suit your tastebuds.

I find myself making these cookies year round, but they’re especially perfect for a Fall snack or dessert. If you’re looking to do some additional Fall baking or whip up a treat over Thanksgiving, here are some ideas:

• Baked Pumpkin Donuts
• Easy Pumpkin Bread
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread
• Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies
• Cranberry Sweet Potato Muffins
• 20+ Baked Sweet Potato Recipes

Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Cookies

These would make a great sweet potato breakfast cookie. They’re low in added sugar and high in protein and fiber—a great way to start your day. They’d also be great for a snack, and if you throw in some chocolate chips, they could even pass as dessert to curb a sweet tooth.

Eating these for breakfast works out well for me because I can eat them quickly while I’m trying to feed three kids. Plus, I can make a batch on Sunday and eat them all week! Food prep for the win.

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Cookies

To make these cookies, you’ll just need a few simple ingredients:

• Sweet potato – I cook mine in the microwave for 5-6 minutes and let cool a few minutes before scooping out of the skin and mashing with a fork
• Nut or seed butter – I use peanut butter but you could use almond butter or sunflower seed butter to make them nut-free
• Eggs
• Cinnamon and vanilla -for flavor
• Maple Syrup – You could sub sugar if you prefer
• Seeds – Chia or hemp seeds work great in this recipe
• Pepitas – An easy way to add a boost of nutrients
• Dried fruit – works well with raisins or Craisins, or you can swap in chocolate chips
• Flour- To make these gluten-free, use oat flour or a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. You can also use AP or white whole wheat flour

How To Make Sweet Potato Cookies (Step-by-Step)

Once you see how easy it is to make these cookies, you’ll be adding them to your weekly meal prep in no time!

• Cook your sweet potato in the microwave, remove the skin and mash.
• Combine the mashed sweet potato, nut butter and eggs and stir until well combined.
• Add the vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, seeds and pepitas and mix well.
• Stir in the flour and baking soda until just mixed, then scoop onto cookie sheets and bake!

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Store these cookies in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the cookies once cooled on a cookie tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag and pull them out as needed to defrost.

In addition, you can make this dough ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to bake, or scoop into balls and freeze until ready to bake.

How To Sweeten Sweet Potato Cookies

I love this recipe because it’s very lightly sweetened compared to most cookies and uses maple syrup. If you don’t want to use maple syrup, you could swap regular sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar or even honey.

Sweet Potato Cookie Baking Tips

My best tip for getting the perfect sweet potato cookies is to not over mix. Mix everything really well before you add the flour so you only need to stir enough to just combine it at the end.

And don’t overbake these cookies! If you want them to spread a little more you can lightly flatten with a fork before baking but these cookies are meant to be light and fluffy!

Sweet Potato Oatmeal Cookies

If you’d like an added boost of fiber, feel free to add some rolled oats into the mix! You could start with 1/2 cup and increase if you like the added texture they provide.

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Cookies

If you make this recipe as written, the cookies will be naturally gluten-free as long as you’re using certified gluten-free oats. Be sure to also check your Craisins to make sure they’re gluten-free as they sometimes have additional ingredients to sweeten them

You can also use a 1:1 Gluten-free flour blend. I like King Arthur Measure for Measure.

Vegan Sweet Potato Cookies

To make these cookies vegan, swap the eggs for flax eggs. Here’s how to make flax eggs.

Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cookies

To make these cookies a little more dessert-like, try swapping the dried fruit for chocolate chips.

Sweet Potato Cookies vs Pumpkin Cookies

In a recipe like this, you can easily swap pumpkin puree for mashed sweet potato and there won’t be much of a difference. In general, both pumpkin and sweet potato cookies will be light and fluffy vs dense and chewy. If you’re looking for a chewy pumpkin cookie recipe try these Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Sweet Potato Cookie Flavor Variations

No added sugar sweet potato cookies

To make these cookies free of added sugar, you could try swapping mashed banana or baby food prunes (pureed) to add some sweetness naturally.

Nut-free sweet potato cookies

I use peanut butter but you can make them nut-free with sunflower seed butter. Just know that they will likely turn green when baked due to a reaction with the baking soda. Perfectly safe to eat!

Other mix-ins

For a Fall twist, try adding chopped pecans and a maple glaze. For a more tropical twist, swap raisins for dried pineapple and add some shredded coconut!

Easy Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

No protein powder required for these Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies! They’re gluten-free, made with real food ingredients and packed with protein and fiber. Enjoy them for breakfast or an afternoon snack!

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 8-12 cookies

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
• 1/2 cup nut butter (i use peanut butter but almond butter or sunflower seed butter would be great)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2–3 Tbsp maple syrup (depending on desired level of sweetness)
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
• 1/4 cup Craisins or raisins
• 1/4 cup oat flour (white whole wheat flour also works)
• 1 tsp baking soda

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Instructions

1. Combine sweet potato, peanut butter and eggs in a large bowl and mix well.
2. Add vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and Craisins and stir to combine.
3. Add oat flour and baking soda and stir.
4. Scoop onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (8-12 cookies).
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

These are fluffy and delicious.  I used white chia seeds, in case you noticed they’re not black in the photos.

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potato puree instead of fresh homemade in this recipe?

Yes! Canned sweet potato puree will work just fine in this recipe.

Can I replace the sweet potato for pumpkin? Can I make pumpkin cookies instead of sweet potato cookies? Can you use canned pumpkin puree?

Yes! I get this question frequently and you can definitely replace the sweet potato with pumpkin if you’d like to! I almost always have a can of pumpkin in the pantry so I do this often.

Can I freeze sweet potato cookies?

Yes, these cookies freeze well! Just let them cool completely and then wrap in plastic wrap and tranfer to a freezer-safe bag. Let them thaw on the counter when ready to eat!

Could I make these with butternut squash?

Yes, canned squash can also be substituted for the sweet potato. I’ve even tried it with homemade roasted squash that I roast and puree until smooth.

And if you’re not craving sweet potato but have bananas to use, try these Banana Lentil Muffins instead!

Can I make gluten-free sweet potato cookies?

These cookies are gluten-free since they use oat flour (be sure to use certified gluten-free if needed). However, you can also make them with regular wheat flour if you have that on hand and don’t need them to be gluten-free.

How to reheat sweet potato cookies?

These cookies are great at room temperature but you can also pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm them back up!

How do I make vegan sweet potato cookies without eggs?

Just replace the two eggs in this recipe with flax eggs.

Can I add oats to make sweet potato oatmeal cookies?

Yes, I would start with 1/2 cup of rolled oats and increase up to 1 cup if you like the texture.

How do I store sweet potato cookies to keep them soft?

Once cooled, store these cookies in an airtight container to help them stay soft and perfectly moist without drying out.

Other Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Delish!

Need more ideas? Try these:

Sweet Potato Waffles

These Sweet Potato Waffles are kid-friendly and perfect for breakfast, pre-workout fuel or an afternoon snack. Add some peanut butter in the middle for a fun waffle sandwich!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato White Bean Bars

These Sweet Potato White Bean Bars are perfect for breakfast or snack time. They’re kid-friendly, nut-free and full of fiber! 

Grab the recipe!

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you’ll never believe they’re a healthy dessert!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Banana Muffins

These gluten-free Sweet Potato Banana Bites have just four main ingredients and make a great snack for both kids and adults! 

Grab the recipe!

20+ Baked Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

If you’re in the mood to bake with sweet potatoes, you’ll definitely find something that catches your eye in this round-up!

Click for recipe ideas!

35+ Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes

Need sweet potato dinner recipes? Here are 35+ recipes by category including slow cooker, with chicken or beef, vegetarian and more!

Grab the recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Make these Baked Pumpkin Donuts for a weekend breakfast treat or a fun dessert. Enjoy them plain or with simple glaze. Ready in 20 minutes!

*Originally published 9/2010. Updated 9/2025*

Hi friends!

I originally shared this recipe for baked pumpkin donuts way back in 2010 and they’re still a household favorite. I just made my first Fall batch this week!

Why You’ll Love These Baked Pumpkin Donuts

I love these donuts because they are quick, easy and they allow me to use my mini donut pan, which is totally adorable.

They have a great flavor and texture but don’t require any frying – just one bowl and an oven!

If you’re looking for more pumpkin recipes, try:

• Easy Pumpkin Bread
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars
• Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins
• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars with Quinoa

Healthy Pumpkin Donuts

While I would still consider these more of a treat than a snack, they are certainly healthier than most store-bought donut options.

How Do I Make Baked Pumpkin Donuts Healthier?

To make them even healthier you could play around with the ingredients – try reducing the sugar to 1/3 cup, using white whole wheat flour, or skipping the glaze.

You could also experiment with swapping the brown sugar for coconut sugar, replacing milk with almond milk, etc.

Can I Freeze Baked Pumpkin Donuts?

Yes! To freeze these donuts, bake and cool completely. Then freeze in a freezer-safe bag until ready to eat. Do not glaze before freezing. Glad is best added just before serving as they don’t store well once they’re glazed.

How Do You Reheat Baked Pumpkin Donuts?

It’s easy to reheat these donuts! Just pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to warm them up and they’ll taste like they’re fresh out of the oven!

Common Mistakes When Making Pumpkin Donuts

A few common mistakes to avoid:

• Over-mixing: Mixing too much will result in dense, not fluffy, donuts. When you add the dry ingredients, use a whisk and mix until just combined. Stop mixing as soon as the flour blends into the batter.
• Over-baking: Don’t bake the donuts too long. Mini donuts typically only require 6-8 minutes. Check them with a toothpick starting on the low end of the time range and take them out as soon as it comes out clean when inserted.
• Glazing too soon: If you want the glaze to stay on the top of the donuts, let them cool completely before glazing. If the donuts are still warm, the glaze will be absorbed into the donuts.

Pumpkin Donut Glaze Options

I use the most basic glaze option for these donuts because it’s the easiest – just mix powdered sugar with a tiny bit of milk until the glaze reaches your desired consistency and then either drizzle on top or dip the tops of the donuts. If you want a little more flavor, try adding some cinnamon to the glaze mixture.

If you’re looking for other glaze options, you could try:

• Maple Glaze for Donuts
• Easy Cream Cheese Glaze
• Cinnamon and Sugar coating – dip the top of each donut in melted butter and then dip in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, or place the donuts in a ziploc bag with cinnamon and sugar while still warm and toss to coat

When To Serve Baked Pumpkin Donuts

While these donuts can definitely be enjoyed all year long, Fall is one of the best times to enjoy them. You could add them to a snack tray with some of these 10+ Easy Halloween Snacks.

They’d also be a great treat for tailgating at your next football game! Or try serving them at Thanksgiving brunch along with my Overnight French Toast Bake or a Breakfast Enchilada Casserole.

Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts Tips

Can I make gluten-free baked pumpkin donuts?

To make these gluten-free, simply swap the wheat flour for an all-purpose gluten-free baking mix. I like King Arthur Measure for Measure.

How To Make Pumpkin Donuts without A Donut Pan

If you don’t have a donut pan, you can make these as mini muffins! Or bake in mini loaf pans and cut into slices.

Are baked pumpkin donuts healthier than fried donuts?

Yes, baking the donuts is a healthier alternative. While frying gives the doughnuts a unique flavor, it can be intimidating and messy to make at home. Baking allows for a hands-off approach and still yields a donut that tastes great!

How Do I Make Vegan Pumpkin Donuts?

To make these donuts vegan, you could try replacing the melted butter with oil, using flax eggs and replacing the milk with almond or soy milk. Keep in mind that alterations to the original recipe may change the texture.

Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Ready to give them a try? Here’s the recipe:

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

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Make these Pumpkin Mini Donuts for a weekend breakfast treat or a fun dessert Enjoy them plain or with an easy cinnamon glaze.

• Author: Lindsay L
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 15 min
• Yield: 18 -24 small donuts

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp melted butter
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.75 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1.5 tsp cinnamon
• Optional glaze – 1/2 cup powdered sugar + 1 Tbsp milk + cinnamon if desired

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Combine the melted butter, pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla extract in a bowl and stir until well combined.
2. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon and stir with a whisk until just mixed. Do not over-mix.
3. Spoon mixture into ziploc bag, cut off the corner and pipe into greased mini donut pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the exterior springs back when touched**

Notes

**Baking time will vary depending on the size of your donuts. For full-sized donuts, cook time may be longer. Mine are medium-sized and I got about 18 donuts from this recipe. If you have a true mini donut pan, you may get more like 2.5 dozen donuts.

For the glaze, mix 1/2 c powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)  in a small bowl. You may need additional milk or powdered sugar to get your desired consistency. Let donuts cool, then drizzle glaze over donuts or dip tops in just prior to serving.

Baked Pumpkin Donuts FAQs

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree in donuts?

I wouldn’t recommend it. Pumpkin pie filling has added sugar and spices and may make the donuts overly sweet.

What glaze goes best with baked pumpkin donuts?

This will depend on your personal preference! I like a simple powdered sugar glaze but a maple glaze or cinnamon cream cheese glaze would also pair well!

Can I make gluten-free baked pumpkin donuts?

Yes! These donuts are super easy to make gluten-free by swapping the flour with an all-purpose gluten-free baking mix.

How long do baked pumpkin donuts last?

You can store these donuts at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days unglazed. Or freeze any extras and pull them out as needed.

What flour works best for pumpkin donuts? Can I make baked pumpkin donuts with whole wheat flour.

I use white whole wheat flour when making these donuts but all purpose wheat flour or a gluten-free baking mix also work great! I wouldn’t recommend regular whole wheat flour as i’ve found it makes baked goods very dense.

What spices are best in pumpkin donuts?

I typically use just cinnamon but you could add any of your favorite Fall spices like ginger, nutmeg, allspice or even pumpkin pie spice.

How do I make pumpkin spice donuts extra moist?

You could try replacing the butter with oil or replacing the milk with sour cream to add extra moisture!

Can I bake pumpkin donuts in an air fryer?

Yes! Most recipes for air fryer donuts will cook at about 350 degrees F. You can look specifically for a recipe with thicker dough that you can need and form into donut shapes, or you can drop the batter with a cookie scoop onto parchment paper on the bottom of the air fryer and they will turn out more like donut holes!

If you’re looking to specifically use your air fryer, here’s a recipe for Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes!

What’s the best topping for baked pumpkin donuts?

I think a simple glaze is best. You can jazz it up by adding sprinkles or change things up and toss in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar instead!

Can I double this recipe to make even more donuts for a crowd?

Yes! This recipe can easily be doubled.

I definitely wouldn’t skip the glaze! It’s the best part!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Here are some ideas for easy homemade snacks to make that are healthy and kid-friendly. Many can be made ahead of time and are great for eating on the go!

Hi Friends!

Today we’re talking about homemade snacks. As a busy mom of three, I’m well aware that sometimes store-bought snacks are not only easier but just plain necessary. However, I’ve also built up a fairly large repertoire of easy, healthy homemade snacks over the past 10 years.

Each week, I try to spend 1-2 hours doing food prep for the week ahead. (Check out my Food Prep Masterclass if you want to learn how to do this too!) I often focus on component meal prep and snacks so that I have things on hand to feed my kids when they’re hungry after school, sports etc.

Are homemade snacks healthier than store-bought?

As a Registered Dietitian, what I like best about homemade snacks is that you control the ingredients. You can control the amount of added sugar, sodium, etc that you put into the snacks as well as the ingredients you use to make them.

You can add extra nutrient boosts like hemp hearts, chia seeds, flax etc. (Learn about the nutritional benefits of seeds here) and you can customize the ingredients to your preferences of your family.

In addition, making homemade snacks is often cheaper than buying something similar at the store.

Tips For Homemade Snack Success

Some of my best tips for success with making homemade snacks:

• Pick 1-2 snacks you know they like that can be made ahead of time and served several times during the week – things like a batch of muffins or bars, some energy bites, homemade trail mix etc. As you get more comfortable with food prep, you can branch out and prep even more!
• Use them for other meals too! Often the things you prep for snack time make a great addition to breakfast or to lunch boxes. Once you see how much it helps you have healthy options on hand, you’re more likely to commit to prepping them every week.
• Keep it simple – Don’t choose elaborate snacks that require tons of prep or assembly time.
• Use your freezer – The freezer can be a great place to stash pre-portioned snacks like smoothies, energy balls, waffles, etc.

Easy Homemade Snacks Recipes

So without further ado, here’s a roundup of some easy homemade snacks for you to try:

No-Bake Homemade Snacks

No-bake snacks are quick and easy, no oven required! Here are some ideas for everything from dips to pudding to energy balls!

• Lemon Energy Balls – Or if you’re not a fan of lemon, try my go-to energy balls. If you’re looking for more flavor ideas, here’s a list of 15 Kid-Friendly Energy Balls.
• Chewy Granola Bars – Made with just a few simple ingredients and sure to be a hit with the kids!
• Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip – Serve with veggies for an easy afternoon snack
• Berry Smoothie – Smoothies are a great way to pack some protein and even veggies into snack time. You can make a big batch and freeze in glass jars, then microwave as needed
• Ham, Cheese & Fruit Kabobs – Keep it simple with just ham, cheese and fruit or jazz up the ham by spreading it with some cream cheese or hummus and chopped veggies and roll it up before slicing into segments
• Chocolate Avocado Pudding – Packed with healthy fats and naturally sweetened with dates

Quick 5-Minute Homemade Snacks

No need to spend forever making healthy homemade snacks! Here are some quick ideas that are ready in 5 minutes or less!

• Buffalo Ranch Popcorn – Popcorn is super easy to make at home. Try it flavored or make plain healthy microwave popcorn. Or turn it into Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix (use store-bought roasted chickpeas to make assembly faster!)
• Microwave Egg Sandwich – Cook the egg in the microwave and then add your favorites like cheese, avocado or other condiments. Or skip the bread and try an egg wrap.
• Avocado Toast – My kids love plain avocado toast with salt but you can also jazz it up with smoked salmon or egg for protein, veggies and your favorite seasonings
• Turkey Cheddar Rollups – Use your favorite deli meat like turkey, ham or roast beef and whatever cheese you like best!
• Yogurt Bowl – Start with a base of plain yogurt or cottage cheese and top with fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, cinnamon and a handful of chocolate chips
• Microwave Nachos – A great way to use up leftover protein for a mid-day snack that’s ready in minutes. Or skip the meat and use some canned beans or lentils!

Make-Ahead Snacks for Busy Weeks

Can I meal prep homemade snacks?

Yes! Food prep is the best way to set yourself up for success. Spending just a little time prepping on the weekends allows you to have healthy snacks to quickly grab as needed. Here are some make-ahead snack ideas that you can prep for busy weeks and grab to quickly feed yourself and the kids.

• Sweet Potato White Bean Bars – I have tons of healthy muffins and bars that are packed with healthy ingredients like beans and lentils that make great snacks for both kids and adults.
• Overnight Oats – They hold up well in the fridge and there are an endless amount of different flavor combinations you can try!
• Snack Mix – Any kind of snack mix or trail mix is great to prep ahead of time and portion into smaller bags for a quick grab-and-go snack. Try this Healthy Whole Wheat Chex Mix or this Sweet & Spicy Popcorn Snack Mix.
• Hard-boiled eggs – Eat them plain, portion them into snack boxes with cheese and crackers, turn them into deviled eggs, add them to avocado toast, etc.
• Homemade Crackers – Try this homemade whole wheat version, or homemade cheez its or even Almond Flour Crackers and pair with meat, cheese etc
• Homemade Protein Bars – If you have a store-bought bar you love, there are likely recipes out there for a homemade version like these copycat RX bars!

Kid-Favorite Snacks

Not every healthy snack is kid-friendly but here are a few recipes my kids love to eat when they get home from school after a long day.

• Pizza Muffins – A fun change from traditional pizza!
• Cream Cheese Fruit Dip – Made with Greek yogurt for extra protein, it’s perfect with their favorite fruits!
• Yogurt Parfaits – If your kids don’t like granola, use their favorite cereal! Or if they prefer frozen treats, try yogurt popsicles or frozen yogurt bark.
• Apple Nachos – Drizzle sliced apples with yogurt, peanut butter or even melted chocolate, then add toppings!
• Mini pancakes – Easy to make some for breakfast and double the batch so you have some for snack time!
• Breakfast cookies – Not just for breakfast! Healthy cookies stuffed with wholesome ingredients make a great snack!

Homemade Snacks for Special Occasions (Parties & Holidays)

Here are some easy snack recipes that are great for feeding a crowd at your next party or holiday gathering!

• Soft Pretzel Bites – These are almost guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. Fun to make and delicious to eat!
• Healthy Fruit Pizza – An oat-based crust topped with fruit is always fun for the kids!
• Air Fryer Buffalo Wings – Easy to make and taste just as good as the restaurant versions
• Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders – A simple way to feed a crowd!
• Cheese Straws – A savory option that makes a fun addition to charcuterie boards
• Charcuterie Board – Make it kid-friendly or more geared towards adults. Easy to customize for the crowd you’re entertaining

Homemade Snacks for Road Trips

Here are some more snacks that would be great for road trips in addition to some of the ones mentioned above like popcorn, energy balls, protein bars, hard-boiled eggs and more!

• Roasted Chickpeas – Crunchy snacks are always great for road trips. Easy to grab a handful while driving. If you don’t want them plain, add them to a trail mix or mix with some roasted nuts.
• Mini Muffins – Mini muffins are perfect for road trips because they’re bite-sized! Easy to eat without getting crumbs everywhere.
• Fruit Leather – Better than store-bought fruit rollups and a great fruit option for the car because it’s low mess!
• Zesty Italian Wrap – Wraps can be great for road trips because they’re easy to hold in one hand and tend to have less crumbs than a traditional sandwich. Or try homemade uncrustables for the kids- you can make a bunch to freeze and let them thaw on the drive.
• Baked Sweet Potato Chips – Skip the chip aisle at the store and make some homemade chips! You can do a mix of root veggies or just sweet potato. Pack your favorite dip for scooping.
• Homemade yogurt tubes – No spoons required! Just blend plain yogurt and fruit and pour into tubes. Freeze and pack in the cooler!

Gluten-free Homemade Snacks

Many of the snacks already mentioned can be made gluten-free as is or with just a few simple ingredient swaps! Here are some more ideas:

• Pumpkin Peanut Butter No Bake Bars – Use certified gluten-free oats if needed and you can easily make almost any no-bake bars, energy balls and/or protein bars gluten-free at home!
• Cottage Cheese Bowl – All these components can be prepped ahead of time and thrown together quickly for a savory mid-day snack. Or use cottage cheese as a base and add berries and granola.
• Baked Oatmeal Cups – All the goodness of oatmeal in a baked snack that’s quick and easy to eat!
• Chicken Salad – You can use canned chicken or tuna or even rotisserie chicken. I’ve found kids tend to prefer chicken salad over tuna salad. Make it creamy with mayo, Greek yogurt or even hummus and keep it basic with just spices or add mix-ins like celery, grapes, chopped apples etc. Serve with gluten-free crackers!

Protein Homemade Snacks

What homemade snacks are high in protein?

If you’re looking to eat more protein, the good news is there are tons of great snack options that are high in protein. And many of them can easily be made at home. Here are 30+ Easy Protein Snacks.

FAQs About Making Snacks At Home

What are the easiest homemade snacks to make?

Most people think that simple snacks that don’t require more than a few ingredients or ones that can be made without an oven are the easiest. However, there are many other snacks, including baked goods, that can easily be made in one bowl with just a few ingredients and require only 5-10 minutes of active prep time before baking.

How long do homemade snacks last?

This depends on the snack but most should be good for about a week. Muffins and bars can be stored in fridge to prevent them from spoiling quickly or you can freeze half and pull them out later in the week. Things like energy balls can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months and snack mix/trail mix can be stored in the pantry in a sealed bag or container for 1-2 weeks.

What homemade snacks are good for kids’ lunch boxes?

Almost all of these snacks would be great additions to a child’s lunch box. Muffins, bars, trail mix, crackers, wraps, popcorn etc can easily be added to lunch box containers with multiple compartments. You can also add things like yogurt, pudding and dips to pair with fruits and veggies!

What are quick, homemade snacks for busy parents?

Easy grab and go protein-based snacks like hard-boiled eggs, tuna salad with crackers, smoothies and homemade trailmix can be great options for busy parents.

How can I make homemade snacks more appealing to picky eaters?

One of the easiest ways to make homemade snacks more appealing is to make them look like their store-bought favorites. Buy some fun goldfish cutters if you’re making homemade cheddar crackers, or use mini chocolate chips and try a copycat granola bar recipe. Even putting a homemade mix of plain yogurt and fruit into reusable yogurt tubes or pouches can be more appealing than just serving it in a bowl.

What are budget-friendly homemade snacks?

Many snacks can be budget-friendly, especially if you’re trying to replicate store-bought snacks. You’re often able to make a larger amount and portion yourself instead of having to buy snacks pre-portioned. Oat-based energy balls, homemade chips, pancakes and crackers can also be inexpensive.

How do I store different types of homemade snacks?

This depends on the type of snack. Many can be frozen and pulled out as needed or store in airtight containers in the pantry!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

This list of easy protein snacks is full of lots of 5-minute options for busy families! Everything from make-ahead protein options to quick protein snacks for busy parents!

Hi friends!

As an RD, I frequently get asked for high-protein snack ideas since getting enough protein is curently all the rage! I recently shared some Cottage Cheese Protein Snacks and now I’m back today to share more high-protein ideas!

Easy Healthy Snacks To Make

So if you’re looking for some high-protein snacks to make that taste good and require minimal time and effort, scroll down! I’ve got lots of ideas for you.

All of these snacks are quick and easy, selected with busy families in mind and many can be prepped ahead of time so they’re easy to grab during a busy week!

5 Minute Protein Snacks (No Cooking Required)

If you have big protein goals, there are lots of quick and easy 5-minute protein snacks out there that don’t require any cooking! Here are a few ideas

• Tuna Salad – Easy to whip up and can easily be customized to include more veggies, your favorite seasonings, etc. If you don’t like mayo, try using hummus or plain yogurt to make it creamy. Enjoy with crackers, put it in a wrap or sandwich, or serve with veggies like mini bell peppers for scooping!
• Protein Energy Bites – Can easily be whipped up with a food processor and just a few ingredients like oats, protein powder and nut butter. Add more nuts and seeds like pepitas, hemp hearts, etc for extra protein!
• Yogurt Parfait – Start with Greek yogurt and add your favorite toppings like fruit, chopped nuts and seeds, protein granola, etc to boost the protein content
• Turkey and Cheese Rollups – Grab some thinly sliced turkey or ham and add to a wrap with sliced veggies and cheese, plus cream cheese, hummus and/or guacamole. Or skip the wrap and wrap the deli meat around the cheese and veggies.
• Protein Smoothie – Endless flavor combination are possible. Use Greek yogurt or milk to add protein, plus a scoop or two of protein powder to increase the protein even more, plus your favorite frozen fruit and some hemp or seeds!

Easy Protein Snack Ideas Kids Will Love

It can be tricky to get enough protein into your kids when all they seem to want are carbs and fruit, but here are a simple, kid-friendly ideas:

• Chocolate milk – Pair a glass of chocolate milk with a high fiber muffin for a quick snack! If they’re not a fan of chocolate milk, swap for a container of lower sugar yogurt like Chobani or Siggis.
• String cheese – String cheese typically has 7g protein per stick. Pair it with a handful of crackers or trail mix!
• Protein pasta – Several different brand options out there- Barilla, Banza, etc and many taste just like regular pasta! Just add sauce if desired and serve!
• Cereal and milk – Choose a low sugar cereal and top with milk. Add some fresh blueberries for sweetness! Here are some Low Sugar Cereals for Kids.
• Frozen waffles – Look for a brand low in added sugar and sodium and high in protein. Top with nut butter! Here are some of the Best Healthy Frozen Waffles. Or make your own and freeze them.

Other ideas include energy bites, Lentil Banana Muffins, ham and cheese pinwheels, and even chicken nuggets! Here’s a great post from my friend and fellow RD Sally on Protein Snacks for Kids.

Simple Make-Ahead Protein Options

The easiest way to make sure you’re eating enough protein during the week is to prep it ahead of time. Lean protein like chicken and steak can be prepped ahead of time in large batches along with pancakes and patties that can be reheated during the week. And things like chia pudding and overnight oats are best made ahead of time as well!

• Chia pudding – Make it with milk, add yogurt for more protein, sweeten with fruit and add fun mix-ins! If you’re not a fan of chia, try overnight oats instead!
• Egg wraps – Eat these warm or cold, by themselves, or filled with your favorites like turkey, avocado and cheese. If you don’t want wraps, you could also make egg muffins or egg waffles.
• Protein Pancakes – Lots of different options out there using oats, almond flour, protein powder, etc so you can find one that fits your needs!
• Air fryer steak bites – quick and easy to cook and have on hand for meals and snacks. Or try meatballs if you don’t like steak.
• Tuna Patties – An easy way to transform canned tuna into a portable snack.
• Greek yogurt bark – Start with Greek yogurt and add whatever mix-ins you like – pepitas, hemp seeds, chopped nuts, fruit, granola, etc. You can also mix in some peanut butter! Spread it on parchment paper to freeze and then break into pieces. If you prefer, you can also spoon the mixture into popsicle molds so kids can eat it that way!

Easy Protein Snacks with 3 Ingredients or Less

Sometimes you just don’t have time for a complicated snack and you need something super simple with minimal ingredients. These ideas can be boiled down to 3 simple ingredients but can also easily be jazzed up with a few simple tweaks!

• Cottage Cheese Bowl – Make them sweet or savory, Keep it simple with something like cottage cheese, fruit, pumpkin seeds or add extra ingredients if you want!
• Homemade Lunchable – Keep it simple with turkey, cheese and crackers or add extra protein with hard boiled eggs and some fruit or veggies! Don’t like turkey? Use thinly sliced chicken breast! Here are some Healthy Crackers for Kids and Adults.
• Avocado toast– Add smoked salmon or egg (or both!) for extra protein and seasonings of your choice!
• Ground turkey taco – All you really need is a tortilla or taco shell, turkey taco meat and cheese. But you can easily take it up a level with a spoonful of guacamole or salsa!
• Roasted chickpea trail mix – Popcorn, roasted chickpeas and peanuts make a great simple combo. Jazz it up a little more by adding plantain chips or dried fruit like raisins!

Quick Protein Snacks for Busy Parents

If you’re a parent, you know how tough it is to find time to eat healthy snacks on a busy day. Here are some quick ideas that will still pack a protein punch!

• Steamed edamame with salt – Cook in a skillet or look for the steamable bag to cook in the microwave!
• Greek yogurt bagel with peanut butter – or skip the peanut butter and add a fried egg with a slice of cheese!
• High protein dip with veggies – Use cottage cheese as the base and pick your favorite flavor combination!
• No-Bake Protein Bars – If you’re not a fan of store-bought protein bars, try making your own!

Grab and Go Easy Protein Ideas

Need more ideas? Here are some Healthy High protein Snack Ideas I recommend. Some of my favorite grab and go options include:

• Greek yogurt cups
• Cottage cheese cups
• Beef Stick
• Protein Bar
• Roasted Edamame or broad beans

FAQs About Easy Protein Snacks

What are the easiest protein snacks to make?

The easiest protein snacks to make require minimal ingredients and can be prepped in large batches. Simply cooking a big batch of chicken that you can throw in a wrap or taco, mixing up a dip made with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese that you can scoop with some high-protein crackers, or blending a smoothie with milk or yogurt, protein powder and fruit are great options.

What easy protein snacks require no cooking? I need quick 5-minute protein snacks?

You can still get your protein in even if you don’t have time to cook. Try simple, high protein snacks like tuna salad, protein energy bites, yogurt parfaits, turkey and cheese rollups or a simple protein smoothie.

What easy protein snacks to do kids actually eat?

There are lots of easy protein options out there that kids will eat! Try things like string cheese with crackers, a glass of chocolate milk and a high fiber muffin, a bowl of cereal and milk, frozen waffles or protein pasta with sauce!

What are simple 3-ingredient protein snacks?

Many snacks can be pared down to just 3 simple ingredients as a starting point if you’re really in a rush, but then can easily be expanded on or jazzed up if you have a couple extra minutes! Try a cottage cheese or yogurt bowl with fruit and nuts, homemade lunchables, avocado toast with smoked salmon or a fried egg, tacos or trail mix with popcorn, chickpeas and nuts.

How do you make protein snacks ahead of time?

Investing even just an hour of your time doing food prep can make a huge difference in your ability to eat well during the week ahead. Take my Food Prep Masterclass to learn everything you need to know to get started!

What easy protein snacks travel well for work?

Grab and go options like protein bars, beef sticks, trail mix and roasted edamame can be great options to throw in a bag for work and don’t need to be refrigerated.

What are the easiest protein snacks for meal prep?

Some of my favorite high-protein meal prep ideas include egg wraps or egg muffins, smoothies to keep in the freezer, energy bites or protein bars, tuna salad and lean protein in the air fryer like chicken and steak.

What easy protein snacks help with hunger during meals?

While protein is great, if you really want to stay full between meals, try to make sure you snacks include protein, fiber and/or healthy fats. Both fiber and fat will help with satiety. Things like whole grain avocado toast with a fried egg, a smoothie with high fiber muffin and anything made with beans, lentils and other legumes will help increase the fiber content of your snacks. I have lots of healthy muffins and bars made with beans and lentils.

What are budget-friendly easy protein snacks?

Beans and lentils are budget-friendly and can be a good source of both protein and fiber. Also canned tuna and chicken, edamame and plain Greek yogurt can be good options!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

These cottage cheese protein snacks are easy to make and taste delicious! Try them for an afternoon snack or add them to your lunchbox or breakfast plate!

Hi friends!

Let’s talk cottage cheese. As I’m sure you’ve seen, cottage cheese is having a moment right now. It’s being used in everything from pudding to smoothies to pancakes!

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is for new and exciting snack ideas because people are tired of eating the same thing over and over. So I rounded up 20+ snack ideas using cottage cheese in a variety of ways so there’s something for everyone!

If you’re looking for more snack ideas, be sure to check out all of my snack roundups here. Some of my favorites include:

• Healthy High Protein Snacks
• At Work & After Work Snacks
• Egg Wraps
• Cottage Cheese Egg Muffins

And here are some easy snack ideas using cottage cheese:

Sweet Cottage Cheese Protein Snacks

These sweet cottage cheese protein snacks are perfect for snack time but they also work well for breakfast or dessert!

Chocolate Cottage Cheese Pudding

With just six ingredients and packed with protein, you can make this pudding ahead of time for breakfast or dessert!

Grab the recipe!

Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough

No oven required for this cookie dough snack!
Grab a spoon an dig in!

Grab the recipe!

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl

A quick and easy breakfast that can be customized for a sweet or savory spin!
Here are 6 ideas.

Grab the recipe!

Cottage Cheese Banana Bread

An easy banana bread recipe that’s gluten-free and packed with protein!
Made with almond flour and it’s freezer-friendly.

Grab the recipe!

Savory Cottage Cheese Protein Snacks

If sweet cottage cheese recipes are not your favorite, there are plenty of savory options out there. Everything from dips to bowls to chips can be made with cottage cheese!

Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip

Easy to whip up and perfect for dipping your favorite veggies, this recipe is a great alternative to storebought ranch dressing.

Grab the recipe!

Cottage Cheese Avocado Toast

Quick, easy and packed with protein, this nutritionally balanced combo is great for breakfast or a snack with some staying power!

Grab the recipe!

Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl

The perfect combination of savory ingredienst like egg, salmon, veggies and seasoning, artfully arranged over cottage cheese.

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High Protein Cottage Cheese Chips

I’ll bet you didn’t know you could bake cottage cheese into some deliciously crispy chips that are perfect on their own or for scooping your favorite dip!

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Cottage Cheese Protein Recipes (Baked)

Cottage cheese isn’t just for snacking on straight out of the fridge. It can be mixed and baked into delicious snack options like cookies, egg bakes and pizza dough!

Cottage Cheese Cookies

Made with just 7 ingredients, these cookies are soft and chewy and make the perfect snack. They pack in 8g of protein per cookie!

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Baked Cottage Cheese

This recipe is perfect for meal prep and can be heated up quickly at any point during the day for a quick snack. You’ll the love the custard-like texture!

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Cottage Cheese Egg Bake

These egg bake is creamy and hearty, packed with veggies and higher in protein than your normal egg bake!

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No Rise Protein Pizza Dough

With each slice containing 20g of protein, this pizza dough is a must-try for your next pizza night! Mix it up, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

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Make-Ahead Cottage Cheese Snacks

We still need snacks even on the busiest of days. These recipes can be made ahead of time for quick, easy snacks when you’re on the run!

Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are creamy and delicious with endless flavor possibilities. Adding cottage cheese for a boost of protein makes them even more satisfying.

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Cottage Cheese Waffles

Make a big batch of these cottage cheese waffles over the weekend and pop them in the toaster for a quick meal or snack during the week!

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Blueberry Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark

Cottage cheese mixed with blueberry jam, fresh berries and granola and then frozen and broken into pieces makes the perfect snack on a hot afternoon!

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Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough Bites

A simple mix of cottage cheese, almond and oat flour and some maple syrup make these a quick, kid-friendly afternoon snack!

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Cottage Cheese Protein Smoothies & Shakes

Adding cottage cheese to your smoothie or shake is an easy way to add some extra protein and make it extra creamy and delicious!

Cottage Cheese Smoothie

No need for protein powder – this smoothie is the perfect blend of cottage cheese, berries, bananas, milk and honey!

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Tropical Cottage Cheese Smoothie

All your favorite tropical flavors like mango and pineapple in a protein-packed shake that makes a great snack!

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Peanut Butter Avocado Chocolate Smoothie

Packed with protein and healthy fats, this creamy chocolate smoothie is healthy enough for a snack and sweet enough for dessert!

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Cheesecake Cottage Cheese Smoothie

Your favorite dessert in smoothie form? Yes please! Protein packed with no need for protein powder, this shake will definitely hit the spot!

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FAQs About Cottage Cheese High Protein Snacks

How much protein is in cottage cheese snacks?

Cottage cheese on its own typically has 11-12g of protein per half cup but the exact amount of protein will vary based on the specific snack recipe. Many snacks that use cottage cheese will also contain other ingredients with protein so the total amount of protein per serving will be higher than cottage cheese alone.

What are the best cottage cheese protein snack combinations?

If you’re looking to increase your protein intake, the best snack combinations are the ones that you will actually eat. Cottage cheese is a fairly versatile ingredient and can be used in sweet, savory, baked goods and no bake recipes as shown above!

Can you meal prep cottage cheese protein snacks?

Yes! Many snacks that contain cottage cheese can be made during meal prep. With the exception of toasts and some bowls, most of the recipes shared above could be prepped ahead of time and enjoyed all week long!

What cottage cheese protein recipes are easiest to make?

Sometimes it’s having the right tools to make recipces easier that’s most important. With many cottage cheese recipes, it’s important to have a high-powered blender to blend the cottage cheese smooth and enhance the texture. We love our Nutribullet (aff link). Most of the snacks shared above are ready in 15 minutes or less.

How do you make cottage cheese protein snacks taste better?

If you dont’ like the taste of cottage cheese, I would skip the bowls and toast where cottage cheese stays in its original state and try recipes like smoothies, puddings, pizza crust etc where the cottage cheese is transformed into something totally different where you likely won’t notice it.

Are cottage cheese protein snacks good for weight management?

Snacks that are high in both protein and fiber can be a great tool for weight management. If you’re looking for an easy protein source to balance out a snack that is higher in carbs, adding cottage cheese can help boost the protein content and make the snack more satisfying to help you stay fuller longer.

What can you mix with cottage cheese for a high protein snack?

On it’s own, cottage cheese doesn’t have a very strong flavor, which makes it a great vehicle for mixing with flavors you do enjoy! Mix with fruit for a smoothie, top with salmon and veggies for a savory bowl or mix into cookie or pizza dough for a high protein snack option.

How long do homemade cottage cheese protein snacks last?

This will depend on the snack. Snacks that need to be refrigerated will typically last 3-4 days. In the freezer, most snacks will keep for 2-3 months.

What cottage cheese snacks are kid-friendly?

Some kid-friendly snack ideas using cottage cheese include:

• Smoothies
• Cheesecake Fruit Dip
• Frozen fruit bark or popsicles
• Muffins or pancakes

Can you use protein powder in cottage cheese snacks?

Many snacks that use cottage cheese to boost the protein content will also use protein powder. Combining the two adds a larger amount of protein and can also add flavor if you’re using a flavored protein powder.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–