Category baking

These Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies are protein-packed but don’t require protein powder! They’re gluten-free, made with real food ingredients and absolutely delicious.

*Originally posted 3/2016. Updated 9/2023*

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.

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Sweet Potato Breakfast Cookie

Back when I first developed this recipe, I used my recipe for Sweet Potato Banana Bites (4-ingredient mini muffins) as a starting point and made some adjustments to make them more like sweet potato oatmeal 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.

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies

Sweet Potato Protein

If you’re looking for a protein cookie recipe, this one is great! Added bonus? You don’t need any protein powder to make these healthy protein cookies. If you’re looking for something similar that uses protein powder, check out my recipe for Sweet Potato Protein Bars!

I rarely check the nutritional information for my recipes, but these had me curious, so I put the recipe into MyFitnessPal. If you make a dozen cookies, each one has 6 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of sugar. If you make them a little bigger and make 8 cookies, each one has 9 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and 7 grams of sugar. That’s pretty good in my book!

Sweet Potato Oat Cookies

Because it calls for oat flour, the original recipe is gluten-free (use certified gluten-free oats if needed). However, I’ve made this recipe many times with white whole wheat flour in place of oat flour and it works perfectly. 

Sweet Potato Cookies Mix-ins

My favorite mix-ins are pepitas (pumpkin seeds), chia seeds and dried cranberries. You could use raisins or swap chocolate chips for dried fruit. To make them free of added sugar, you could try swapping mashed banana or baby food prunes (pureed) to add some sweetness naturally. 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!

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How To Make Easy Sweet Potato Cookies

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Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 13 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 1x

Ingredients

Scale1x2x3x

• 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.

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Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potato puree instead of 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.

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.

Can I use oat flour and skip processing the rolled oats?

Yes! If you have oat flour on hand already, feel free to use it!

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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!

Read more

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

LEARN HOW FOOD AFFECTS YOUR BODY.

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This Easy Pumpkin Bread will become your go-to quick bread recipe for fall. Just one bowl, a handful of ingredients and the perfect loaf every time. Customize with your favorite mix-ins or try baking two mini loaves and giving one for a friend!

*Originally published Oct 2014. Updated in 2018 & 2023*

Hi Friends!

Everyone needs a pumpkin bread recipe easy enough to make quickly in one bowl. I first created this recipe when I was almost 41 weeks pregnant with my son because believe me, if there’s ever a time you need easy recipes, that is it.

How do I make chocolate chip pumpkin bread?

This recipe uses basic ingredients and comes out great every time. You need:

• Melted butter – You can experiment with swapping some of the butter for oil or Greek yogurt.
• Pumpkin puree – Be sure to use 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling
• Eggs
• Brown sugar – White sugar would also work
• Cinnamon and vanilla – for flavor! You can also add some ground ginger if you like the taste.
• White Whole Wheat Flour – you can sub a 1:1 gluten-free blend if needed

Just mix the wet ingredients in a bowl, add the dry ingredients until just mixed and bake!

What size loaf pan is recommended?

A standard loaf pan is typically 9x5x2 inches. Or slightly smaller at 8.5×4.5×2 inches. However, I personally like making mini loaves because they’re just so much more fun to eat. You can also give the second one away to a friend or stick it in the freezer! A standard mini loaf size is 5 x 3 inches. You can also use this bread batter and bake it as muffins for about 17-18 minutes at 375.

Easy Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

Are chocolate chips good in pumpkin bread?

Chocolate chips are always a great mix-in option but if you want to change things up, you could try fresh cranberries! Or if you’re looking for a fall recipe that’s a bit more unique, be sure to try my Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins!

But let’s get back to this bread shall we? Whip up a batch today and enjoy some with your morning coffee all week!

Here’s how you make it:

Best Pumpkin Bread Healthy Recipe

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 7 reviews

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

• Author: Author: Lindsay L
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf or 2 mini loaves 1x

Ingredients

Scale1x2x3x

• 6 Tbsp butter, melted
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup brown sugar (I often use 1/2 cup)
• 1.5 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1.5 cups white whole wheat flour
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger (optional)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

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Instructions

1. Combine butter, pumpkin, eggs and sugar in a large bowl and mix well.
2. Add remaining ingredients and stir until just combined.
3. Pour into greased loaf pan (or two mini pans) and bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. (If using mini loaves, you may want to check on them sooner).

So there you have it, pumpkin bread quick and easy? One bowl, minimal effort, delicious result! Here are a few questions I get:

Easy Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips FAQs

How do you store pumpkin bread?

Let it cool completely before transferring to any sort of storage container. I store mine in a Ziploc bag but you can also wrap it in plastic wrap. Store on the counter for up to 5 days. However, since this bread is moist, I typically move mine to the fridge after about 3 days (if there’s any left!)

Can you freeze pumpkin bread? Is this a pumpkin bread that can be frozen?

Yes! It freezes great. You could easily double the recipe and freeze one for later. Let cool completely before freezing. I like to slice mine before freezing so I can pull out just a couple of slices at a time, but you can also freeze the full loaf intact. Cool, then wrap in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag to freeze.

What spices are in pumpkin bread? Can I use pumpkin pie spice?

I typically just use cinnamon but ginger also pairs really well. Or you could definitely try adding some pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice!

Why did my pumpkin bread fall in the middle after baking?

Typically this is either from filling your pan too full or letting your batter sit too long after mixing before you bake it. Make sure you wait to mix your ingredients until you can put the loaf in the oven right away!

How do you know when pumpkin bread is done?

Use a toothpick! Insert a toothpick into the highest part of the loaf and pull it out. If it comes out clean, the bread is done. If there is wet better or a lot of crumbs on the toothpick, it needs more time to cook.

Can these be pumpkin chocolate chip muffins?

Yes. You can easily use this recipe, make as directed and portion into muffin tins to bake. I would start checking them around 16 minutes and they will likely be done around 18 minutes.

How to store moist pumpkin bread?

I store mine in a Ziploc bag on the counter for a day or two. If you have any left after that, I would move it to the fridge so that it will not spoil as quickly.

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Best Easy Pumpkin Bread Variations

Pumpkin Bread Cream Cheese

The pumpkin bread cream cheese pairing seems to be very popular. While I haven’t tried this myself, I’d imagine this is the perfect recipe to add a cream cheese swirl to! Just take a packaged of room temperature cream cheese and beat until smooth, then add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and beat again. Swirl into loaf before baking. Or try these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins from The Novice Chef.

Pumpkin Bread Vegan

This is likely not the best recipe to try to make vegan. If you really wanted to try, you could swap the butter for oil  or an oil/applesuace combo and use flax eggs but I think it would make it much denser. If you’re looking for a pumpkin bread vegan recipe, I would try this Vegan Pumpkin Bread from Well Plated.

Pumpkin Bread Gluten Free

You could easily make this recipe gluten-free by swapping King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten-Free mix for the white whole wheat flour. I’ve done it myself and it’s great! OR you could try my other favorite pumpkin bread recipe: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread or make these Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars.

Pumpkin Bread Healthy

This may not be the very best pumpkin bread healthy recipe you can find, it’s certainly not the worst. When I make it, I reduce the sugar from 2/3 cup to 1/2 cup. You can also experiment with replacing some of the butter with oil or Greek yogurt. I also always use white whole wheat flour vs regular white flour.

Pumpkin Bread Dairy Free

To make this bread dairy-free just swap the melted butter for 1/3 cup oil. Or try these Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bars!

Recipe for Easy Pumpkin Bread Pudding

I don’t have a recipe for pumpkin bread pudding specifically, but I do have this Instant Pot Gingerbread Bread Pudding (with an oven option) and you could easily add some pumpkin and take away the molasses and ginger!

Need more perfect pumpkin recipes?

Try these:

Pumpkin Energy Balls

These Pumpkin Energy Balls are packed with fiber, protein and healthy fats for energy. The perfect addition to a quick lunch or to serve for an afternoon snack.

Read more

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

Love pumpkin but not pumpkin pie? Here are 20 delicious ways to use pumpkin for dessert!

Read more

30 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

Everything from baked pumpkin recipes to savory recipes and even ideas for adding pumpkin to breakfast!

Read more

Pumpkin Yogurt Dip

This Pumpkin Yogurt Dip recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients and is the perfect afternoon snack! Try it paired with cinnamon and sugar tortilla chips or graham crackers. 

Read more

Now, who wants a slice of this bread?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

LEARN HOW FOOD AFFECTS YOUR BODY.

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

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

*Originally posted 2/22. Updated 6/23*

Hi friends!

I’m excited to share the best black bean brownies with you guys today. To be honest, I would actually call these black bean bars since they’re not overly sweet and full of protein and fiber unlike traditional brownies, but people searching for this type of recipe want brownies, so that’s what we’ll call them! If you’re looking for healthy brownies without the beans, my Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are a longtime favorite around here.

If you’re a longtime reader, you know putting beans, lentils and veggies into baked goods is one of my specialties! Looking for some other kid-friendly snacks? Try these:

• Sweet Potato White Bean Bars
• Lentil Banana Muffins
• Apple Cinnamon Red Lentil Muffins
• Pumpkin Bean Bread
• Sweet Potato Cookies

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Do black bean brownies taste good?

I’ve been getting requests for a muffin or bar recipe using black beans for several years now and I’ve always worried the bean taste would be stronger and more noticeable than white beans so I’ve avoided them. But I’m here to tell you that the beans are totally hidden in this recipe! If you didn’t know they were in there you would never guess. 

Baking with Beans 

What do black beans replace in baking?

I usually think of beans as an addition to baked goods rather than a replacement for something else because I like to think about all the benefits they add. However, beans are known for being a good substitute for some of the butter and/or oil in typical baked goods.

What are the benefits of baking with beans?

So what are the benefits of baking with beans? It’s an easy way to add protein and fiber! You can also use pureed beans to replace some of the butter in recipes for cookies and other baked goods. I tend to puree whole beans, lentils etc into my baked goods but you can also by things like chickpea flour and experiment with replacing up to half your wheat flour. You’ll be adding fiber, protein and other nutrient like B6, potassium, zinc and antioxidants.

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Vegan Black Bean Brownies

This particular recipe uses 2 eggs. To make them vegan, try replacing the eggs with flax eggs. One flax egg = 1 Tbsp ground flax + 3 Tbsp water. Mix and let sit 5 min before using. Be aware that this may change the texture of the recipe a bit.

Gluten-free Black Bean Brownies

Are black bean brownies gluten-free?

Simply adding black beans to these brownies doesn’t make them gluten-free unless you also make changes to the flour. I’ve tried leaving the flour out of this recipe and they taste great, they’re just a bit more crumbly. I’d definitely recommend trying these Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies.

It’s also super easy to make these black bean brownies gluten-free. The only thing you need to replace is 1/3 cup flour. I’ve had success using a 1:1 gluten-free blend like King Arthur Measure for Measure (aff link).

How To Make Healthy Black Bean Brownies

What are black bean brownies made of?

Let’s review the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:

• Black beans – I’d look for no-salt-added or rinse them after draining
• Eggs
• Oil – I use avocado oil because of it’s mild flavor
• Maple syrup- You could probably replace with white sugar but I’ve only tested using maple syrup
• Vanilla extract – Adds important flavor!
• Flour – I use white whole wheat flour. I tried making these flourless but think a little bit of flour really helps keep them from being too crumbly. 
• Baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• Cocoa powder- I use Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder
• Chocolate chips – either mix throughout or sprinkle on top before baking

How To Make Black Bean Brownies Step-by-Step

If you have a food processor, making these brownies is super easy. Just add beans, eggs, oil, maple syrup and vanilla and blend until smooth. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and blend again. Mix in some chocolate chips and pour into a pan.

Can I make these black bean brownies if I don’t have a food processor?

Yes! If you have a high-powered blender you can probably add all your ingredients to the blender and blend. Or, grab your blender and combine the beans, eggs, oil and maple sryup. Blend until smooth then transfer to a bowl and add the remaining ingredients.

How long to bake black bean brownies?

This can depend on your preference. I bake mine for about 14 minutes. These brownies are a more cakey than fudgy but if you want them a bit more fudgy you can underbake them by a minute or two.

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Here’s the official recipe:

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Best Black Bean Brownies Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

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

• Author: Lindsay
• Prep Time: 5 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 brownies 1x

Ingredients

Scale1x2x3x

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained (approx 1.75 cups)
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil (I use avocado oil)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup flour (I use white whole wheat)
1/3 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt

1/3 cup chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine black beans, eggs, oil, maple syrup and vanilla and process until smooth.
2. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and process until just combined.
3. Pulse in chocolate chips or save to sprinkle on top.
4. Spoon into a greased or lined 9×9 baking pan.
5. Bake at 375 for 14-15 minutes.

Notes

If you don’t have a food processor, you should be able to use a high-powered blender!

Thanks to a food processor, these come together super quickly!

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Healthy Black Bean Brownies FAQs

Can I make these brownies in a muffin tin?

Yes! These work great as muffins. You’ll have to play around with the cooking time depending on the size of your muffins but I would start checking them around 15 minutes.

Can black bean brownies be frozen?

Yes! Cool completely and cut into squares. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze up to 3 months. To thaw, simply take them out and let them thaw on the counter.

How to store black bean brownies/Should you refrigerate black bean brownies?

I store mine on the counter for up to 3 days. After that I transfer to the fridge but you can store them in the fridge from the beginning if you want.

Are black beans high in protein?

Black beans have 8g of protein and 7g of fiber per 1/2 cup serving.

Are black bean brownies good for diabetics?

This recipe works well for my husband who is a type one diabetic. While there’s still sugar in the recipe, the beans add some protein and fiber to help reduce the insulin spike. You could also try replacing the maple syrup with a sugar alternative. Read more about sugar alternatives here.

Are black bean brownies healthier?

Just because brownies have black beans doesn’t automatically make them healthy. But this particular recipe is healthier than a lot of brownie recipes. It contains a whole can of black beans and is fairly low in added sugar.

Can I substitute the black beans for white beans?

I have not tried white beans for this particular recipe, but I do have several recipes baking with white beans and they always work great so I think it’s safe to say you could use white beans in this recipe. I typically use great northern beans in baking.

Can I substitute black beans for kidney beans?

Again, I haven’t tried it, but I think kidney beans have a fairly mild flavor that could easily be hidden by the cocoa powder so I think it’s worth a try!

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Have you ever baked with beans? 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

LEARN HOW FOOD AFFECTS YOUR BODY.

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

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Learn all about some of the most popular cooking oils including how they’re made, what to cook with them, smoke points, and more.

What is Cooking Oil?

Cooking oils are typically made from fruits or plants such as olives, coconuts, avocados, soybeans, sunflowers, or peanuts. They are used to transfer heat in the cooking process which allows foods to be prepared in a variety of ways such as sauteing, roasting, grilling, and frying. In addition, oils add both flavor and nutritional value. 

Cooking Oils Are Heart Healthy

Plant oils are often noted for having heart health benefits due to their lower saturated fat content, which can raise LDL “bad” cholesterol.  They are typically high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which are noted for aiding in reducing LDL cholesterol and raising HDL “good” cholesterol.

How Do You Select The Right Cooking Oil?

With so many oil options, here are a few things to consider when choosing an oil:

• Use: Are you sauteing, frying, grilling, roasting or baking? Choose an oil with a higher smoke point for cooking at high temperatures (like avocado oil).
• Flavor: Some oils, like sesame, can have a strong flavor that may not be well suited for your recipe.
• Price: Oils that are less refined, like cold-pressed oils, typically have a higher price point but they also have higher nutrient value.

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How are Cooking Oils Made?

Plant oils are processed in a variety of ways and the method used can affect the nutritional quality. The three most common methods are traditional processing, expeller press processing, and cold press processing. 

Traditional Processing

Traditional processing consists of refining, bleaching, and deodorizing the oils (also known as RBD).

• Refining uses high heat and synthetic chemicals, such as hexane, to extract the oil from the plant.
• Bleaching the oil then happens when it is passed through a filter using natural clay to remove color pigments.
• Deodorizing occurs last when steam distillation is used on the oils.

Though this is a more traditional and popular process, RBD can destroy some of the oils’ beneficial properties like phytochemicals, polyphenols, and antioxidants. You can assume an oil is produced using the RBD method unless specified other on the package. 

Expeller Pressing

Expeller pressing uses a machine to press the oil using friction. This process can heat the oil up to ~200F due to friction but does not use any added chemicals. 

Cold-Pressed Oils

Cold-pressed oils are pressed without the production of high heat (below 122F) or the use of added chemicals. The low temperatures protect nutritional contents from being degraded, however, this does lead to a shorter shelf life.

Here are some frequently asked questions about cooking oil:

How long does cooking oil last?

How do you know if cooking oil has gone bad? Be sure to check the expiration date on the bottle especially if it’s been sitting in your pantry for a while. The USDA Food Keep App is also handy when checking for expiration dates once a product has been opened.

Generally, most vegetable oils are for about 12 months in the pantry from the purchase date and anywhere from 3-8 months in the pantry after opening. However, some oils keep much longer than others.

For example, Avocado oil can be stored for up to two years in the pantry if unopened and coconut oil for 3! But how do you know when you opened it? It’s easy to forget how long you have had an item in your pantry, especially cooking oils. I recommend writing the date of opening somewhere on the bottle.

How do I dispose of cooking oil?

When disposing of cooking oil, DO NOT pour it down the sink. This can clog your pipes or worse, cause damage to the sewage system.

The best practice is to dispose of cooking oil in the garbage with other food waste. However, you want to store the cooking oil in a sealed container before throwing it out or make sure it is solid.

But how can you solidify oil? There are actually quite a few ways, such as freezing, adding baking soda or other solid waste products like flour, and even cat litter!

Just don’t throw it out in a plastic bag! This could cause the oil to leak into your trash can, which can cause more problems when you go to take out your garbage.

Is cooking oil flammable?

Cooking oils are generally not combustible unless they reach very high temperatures called a flash point.  The flash point is the temperature at which an oil creates flammable vapors which can cause a fire.

The flash point varies depending on the type of oil.  But, the best practice to avoid reaching the flash point is by making sure to cook below the smoke point, which is the temperature at which an oil starts to burn.

What is the smoke point of oil?

Plant oils all have different smoke points so the type of cooking you are doing can impact which oil you choose.

When an oil exceeds the smoke point, it begins burning which destroys important nutritional qualities such as phytochemicals and polyphenols. This also means free radicals are released which can be harmful if consumed.

Thankfully, this can be easily avoided by checking the smoke point of the oil before cooking. 

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Types of Cooking Oil

Now that we have the basics down, let’s explore some different plant oils. You can find all the recipes on my site that use various types of oils here.

Avocado Oil

My personal favorite for cooking and is often noted for its sweet and pleasant aroma. I buy Marianne’s Avocado Oil and Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray at Costco.

Avocado oil comes mostly from the flesh rather than the seed or skin like other plant oils. It is commonly produced in New Zealand, Mexico, and the United States. 

It is high in monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fat content (17%).  Avocado oil is well known for its high content of oleic acid (similar to olive oil) which can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Another benefit of this oil is its high smoke point of 500 F, the highest of any cooking oil, which makes it ideal for all types of cooking like baking, sautéing, pan frying, grilling, and roasting!

Extra virgin avocado oil means the oil has only been extracted from edible-grade avocados and cold-pressed. Be sure to check your label next time you’re in the store!

I use avocado oil in almost all of my baking recipes. If you’re looking for a new muffin or bar recipe to try, check out this roundup of Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes.

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Olive Oil

Olive oil is well known for its heart-healthy benefits made popular through the Mediterranean diet. Olive oil comes from the olive fruit grown on olive trees which originated in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) in 1200 BC!

Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats and oleic acid which aid in lowering LDL “bad” cholesterol and increasing HDL “good” cholesterol. It also has a slightly lower saturated fat content (14%) than avocado oil.

Olive oil is high in vitamins A, D, E, and K which provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is associated with improved blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, and lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

However, not all olive oil is created equal. Extra Virgin Olive Oil or EVOO, contains higher contents of antioxidants. This occurs due to olives being cold pressed 24 to 72 hours after picking.

This process does not use heat or chemical solvents to extract the oil, resulting in higher antioxidant content.

Remember that extra virgin olive oil does have a lower smoke point compared to refined olive oils at 350 F which makes it ideal for sauteing, stir-frying, cooking, or adding to homemade salad dressings.

While refined olive oil has a smoke point of 400 F, it is still important to consider your cooking temperatures when enjoying this heart-healthy oil.

There are tons of brands and varieties of olive oil. Here’s an article sharing the Best Olive Oils For Cooking, Dressings and Everything In Between!

Olive oil would be great in this Easy Chicken Marinade or on this Easy Cucumber Salad.

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Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is made from coconut meat. It can be fresh meat which is typically called virgin coconut oil or dried coconut meat called “copra”. However, “virgin” and “extra virgin” are not regulated terms for coconut oil, unlike olive oil.

Coconut oil is unique compared to other plant oils due to its high saturated fat content. Coconut oil is 80-90% saturated fat, which is why it is firm or solid at room temperature.

Coconut oil is also primarily made up of Lauric acid which has been shown to increase LDL “bad” cholesterol. While coconut oil is often marketed for its MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil content, the widely studied MCTs associated with weight loss, are not the same MCTs present in coconut oil.

The bottom line is, coconut oil is very high in saturated fat which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased LDL cholesterol levels. While there is some emerging research on the possible benefits of coconut oil, many recommend it be consumed sparingly.

When cooking with coconut oil, it is best to use for sauteing, pan frying, stir-frying, or other methods that do not require high heat as its smoke point is 350 F.

Thrive Market has a great brand of coconut oil available. And be sure to check out all of the recipes using coconut oil on my site.

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Canola Oil

Canola oil comes from the seeds of the canola plant which is in the same family as vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. It is primarily grown in North America, specifically in Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Canola oil is high in both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with a 7% saturated fat content, the lowest of any plant oil. Canola oil is high in oleic acid, omega-6s (19%), and omega-3s (9%). It also contains plant sterols and tocopherols which have cardio-protective qualities.

Its smoke point is 400 F which makes it ideal for a variety of higher-heat cooking methods. 

However, canola oil is typically highly refined and undergoes the RBD processing method to extract the oil. This process can destroy some of the nutritional qualities such as omega-3s.

It is also important to note that canola oil has a high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Some research suggests that higher consumption of omega-6s can increase inflammation and oxidative stress which is linked to conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease.

However, research does support that replacing animal fats such as butter with canola oil does result in lower LDL cholesterol levels.

While canola oil is lower in saturated fat than its other plant oil counterparts, there is still conflicting research on the risks and benefits.

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Other Cooking Oils

While we have covered some of the most commonly known and debated plant oils there are many options when it comes to plant oils. Just remember to keep in mind the oil’s smoke point before you add it to your recipe.

Vegetable Oil

One of the most commonly used oils in both cooking and baking is vegetable oil. This is a blend of oils typically soybean and sometimes corn oil. It has a high smoke point of 450 F which makes it versatile for cooking and baking.

While this oil is low in saturated fat and high in polyunsaturated fats. It is high in omega 6s which, like canola oil, can increase inflammation and oxidative stress when consumed in excess.

Nut and Seed Oil

Nut and seed oils are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which make them good cooking options. Almond, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Peanut, and Sunflower oil are low in saturated fat and can be used at higher temperatures with a smoke point of 400-450 F.

Other nut and seed oils include flaxseed, walnut, and pumpkin seed which are high in alpha-linolenic acid, a form of omega-3s.

However, these oils have a low smoke point and should be used to drizzle on top of dishes or in homemade salad dressings.

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The bottom line – there are lots of different oils out there and you need to decide what’s best for you and your family. In general, most people recommend using oils with high omega 6 concentrations sparingly and trying to choose oils that are expeller or cold pressed when you can reap the most nutritional benefits.

–Lindsay–

For links to resources used in this post, click here.

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These Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Cookies are made with just six ingredients and make a perfect protein-packed snack or dessert. Plus they’re kid-friendly!

*Originally published 3/2019. Updated 12/2022*

Hi friends!

These Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Cookies have become a staple in my weekly food prep. They are SO easy to whip up…just one bowl,  one measuring cup and a spoon! And they’re delicious and full of heart-healthy fats.

Over the past few years, I’ve fallen in love with hemp seeds! They pack such a powerful nutrient punch and they’re so easy to mix into just about everything as an easy way to add things like iron, magnesium, omegas and protein.

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Peanut Butter Hemp Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies

There are a few ways you can change things up with these cookies. I’ve made them with almond butter and they came out great AND tried them with maple syrup…which changes the texture a bit but they’re still good. These are basically like those peanut butter cookies made with just peanut butter, sugar and eggs….except I upped the protein, reduced the sugar and added some fiber with the oats. I call that a win.

Oatmeal Hemp Seed Breakfast Cookies

Want to make these an even better choice for breakfast? Swap the chocolate chips for dried fruit like raisins or dried blueberries. You could also add some nuts like slivered almonds or chopped walnuts for extra healthy fats

Where to Buy Hemp Hearts

As far as hemp seeds go, they’re also called hemp hearts and Manitoba Harvest is my favorite. I buy them in a giant bag at Costco because we go through them so fast but you can find them in most grocery stores (check the bulk bins if you have them) or grab them online from Amazon. (aff link)

Hemp Heart Cookies Recipe

Watch my 4 year old make them!

Here’s the recipe!

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Print

Peanut Butter Hemp Cookies

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 9 reviews

These Peanut Butter Hemp Cookies are made with just six ingredients and make a perfect protein-packed snack or dessert. Plus they’re kid-friendly!

• Author: Lindsay

Ingredients

Scale1x2x3x

2/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup hemp seeds
2/3 cup rolled oats
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
Chocolate chips, if desired

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
Scoop onto a cookie sheet. (They stick a little so make sure you use a silpat, parchment paper or grease well)
Flatten with a fork and bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 min.
Let cool at least 5 min before removing from baking sheet.

Notes

You can sub another nut or seed butter for peanut butter.

For a slightly less sweet cookie, use 1/3 cup sugar.

So what do you think?! Will you try these cookies? My kiddos love making them with me!

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Cookie Recipes with Hemp Hearts

Want some more recipes to check out? Try these options as well:

Hemp Cookies

Chewy vegan hemp seed cookies made with peanut butter and dates.

Grab the recipe!

Hemp Seed Cookies with Dates

A twist on a classic oatmeal raisin cookie the whole family will love!

Grab the recipe!

Keto Almond Hemp Seed Cookies

One bowl cookies that are keto, gluten-free and vegan.

Grab the recipe!

Almond Butter Hemp Seed Cookies

Just 4 ingredients with 3 optional add-ins. Easy to customize and delicious!

Grab the recipe!

Whole Wheat Sable Cookies with Hemp Hearts

A classic French cookie that’s perfect for tea time!

Grab the recipe!

5 Ingredient No Bake Breakfast Cookies

Packed with protein, ready in 5 minutes – no baking required.

Grab the recipe!

Want even more cookies? Here are all my cookie recipes! And this is my favorite cookie scoop! (aff link)

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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These Edible Christmas Gifts make simple and delicious presents. The perfect homemade touch for friends, coworkers, teachers and more this holiday season!

*Originally published Dec 2017. Updated Dec 2022*

Hi friends!

Let’s talk about homemade edible Christmas gifts! If there’s anything I love more than getting presents, it’s giving presents! Something about it just makes me so happy.

Edible Gifts For Christmas

The past few years I’ve really gotten into homemade gifts, specifically edible ones. Since I always seem to be in my kitchen anyways, I might as well kill two birds with one stone, right? A couple of years ago I revamped a bunch of my old recipes to show you just how perfect they are for edible gifts! 

Tons of these recipes are from my very early blogging years so if you haven’t been reading since 2010/2011 so you might not even KNOW about all this deliciousness.

Hopefully, this roundup will inspire you if you’re looking for some easy homemade edible Christmas gifts this year for friends, coworkers, teachers, neighbors, etc! Most of these recipes could easily be doubled or tripled. And then you can package them up in cute bags or boxes and spread a little edible cheer!

Ready to check them out?!

Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts

Graham Cracker Toffee Squares

This Graham Cracker Toffee Squares recipe is a Christmas cookie tray staple! Everyone will love this classic dessert and it’s the perfect quick, easy holiday treat!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet and Spicy Almonds (or Mixed Nuts)

A lightened-up, healthier version of your favorite candied nuts- with a kick!

Grab the recipe!

Almond Flour Butter Cookies

These Almond Flour Butter Cookies are made with just five simple ingredients and are so easy to make! The gluten-free recipe makes one dozen cookies – the perfect addition to your holiday cookie trays!

Grab the recipe!

Puppy Chow Almonds

These Puppy Chow Almonds are a fun twist on a classic treat. The nuts add an extra boost of protein and healthy fats, making it perfect for a special snack or dessert!

Grab the recipe!

Blizzard Bites

An easy-to-assemble gift-in-jar that’s perfect for friends, teachers and coworkers. Who doesn’t like a big bowl of treats smothered in white chocolate?

Grab the recipe!

Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Snack Mix

The perfect balance of spicy and sweet, this Popcorn Snack Mix is healthier than traditional Chex mix and highly addictive. Make a batch and package into little bags to give to teammates, teachers, bus drivers and more.

Grab the recipe!

No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites

These No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites are simple, healthy and ready in minutes. This gluten-free recipe would make a great addition to your holiday cookie tray!

Grab the recipe!

Chickpea Buckeyes

A healthy twist on traditional Buckeyes, this recipe adds chickpeas to the peanut butter mixture for lots of fiber!

Grab the recipe!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars

A homemade, no-bake version of your favorite store-bought peanut butter protein bar, without all the crazy ingredients. If you have a fitness-loving friend, they’d love these.

Grab the recipe!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles are the perfect holiday dessert. Made with just four simple ingredients, they’re easy to make and deliciously rich. Roll them in graham crackers or drizzle with chocolate to make them a little fancier!

Grab the recipe!

Gingerbread Granola

Just like the holiday cookie you love, this granola is filled with the flavors of molasses, ginger, allspice and cloves and is delicious by itself or sprinkled over plain yogurt with fruit.

Grab the recipe!

Gingerbread Protein Balls

A taste of the holidays that make the perfect post-workout snack. Feel festive for the whole month of December – and beyond!

Grab the recipe!

Toffee Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Toffee Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies can be enjoyed plain or drizzle with chocolate. They’re the perfect addition to a party or a holiday dessert tray.

Grab the recipe!

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See some ideas that caught your eye. Be sure to pin and share this post to inspire others!

Christmas Edible Gifts

Need more ideas? Try:

• Gift in a jar – anything from pancake mix to soup mix to cookie mix with the dry ingredients already assembled.
• Homemade compound butter
• Canned goods\
• Homemade vanilla extract
• Simmer Pot Kit
• Spice Mixes
• Chocolate covered pretzels

What’s your favorite edible gift to give?? Leave me a link! If you need a few more ideas, try:

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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These baked sweet potato dessert recipes are perfect for any occasion! Learn how to bake a sweet potato and make a dessert everyone will love!

*Originally published 11/2021. Updated 10/2022*

Hi friends!

If you’ve been around awhile, you know I have a baked sweet potato recipe or two! I bake a sweet potato (or several) pretty much every week when I food prep and while I sometimes use them in Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes, I most frequently bake with them. Baked sweet potatoes are the perfect addition to muffins and bars, brownies and cakes!

But before we talk about the recipes, we need to talk about preparation. 

How to bake a sweet potato

There is a baked sweet potato recipe for pretty much any small kitchen appliance you might have. When I need one quickly, I use the microwave. If I’m cooking several, I typically use the instant pot or air fryer. Here are several options:

• Baked Sweet Potato In Microwave – stab multiple times with a knife and microwave 5-6 minutes
• Baked Sweet Potato Recipe in Oven: just place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F until soft enough to pierce easily with a knife – 45 min or so.
• Instant Pot Sweet Potato Recipe
• Baked Sweet Potato in Air Fryer
• Crockpot Sweet Potato Recipe

Any of these methods will cook the sweet potatoes and make them soft enough for baking.

Healthy desserts with sweet potato

When I first shared this roundup there was a lot of interest in desserts with sweet potatoes so I’ve updated the roundup to give you even more ideas. However, I’m also sharing some of my favorite muffins and bar recipes at the end because they are recipes I make weekly that my kids love for pretty much any meal of the day!

Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes:

Here are some desserts with sweet potato that you’ll absolutely fall in love with – everything from chocolate cake to cookies to cinnamon rolls!

30-Minute Healthy Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake

You’d never guess this rich chocolate cake is made with both sweet potatoes and avocado!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Casserole Cupcakes

Classic sweet potato casserole is transformed into a hand-held dessert that can be served beyond Thanksgiving.

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Cake

Like carrot cake, but with a sweet potato twist! Plus you’ll love the bourbon salted caramel frosting!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

These soft and fluffy cookies are perfectly spiced and topped with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

Add sweet potato to the dough, fill the middle with cinnamon and sugar and top it off with a brown butter cream cheese glaze!

Grab the recipe!

Grandbaby Southern Sweet Potato Pie

If you love pumpkin pie, you’ve gotta add this sweet potato pie to your dessert table this year!

Grab the recipe!

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Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Desserts

If you’re looking to bake with sweet potatoes but try something a little bit healthier, try one of these healthy baked sweet potato dessert recipes:

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

Dessert Baked Sweet Potato

Which toppings will you add to your sweet potato to turn them into dessert? Think coconut, almond butter, dark chocolate and more!

Grab the recipe!

Maple-Pecan Cranberry Sweet Potato Crisp

The perfect mix of apples, cranberries and sweet potatoes with a maple pecan topping!

Grab the recipe!

Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole Dessert

A lightened-up version of a classic Thanksgiving staple everyone will love!

Grab the recipe!

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Purple Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

Have you ever seen purple sweet potatoes in your grocery store? Next time grab a few to make one of these stunning dessert! Some of these are baked in the oven and others turn baked sweet potato into a no-bake dessert you’ll love!

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

A classic sweet potato pie made with purple sweet potatoes for a beautiful color!

Grab the recipe!

Purple Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Vibrant purple vegan pie filling and an almond flour crust make these irresistible!

Grab the recipe!

Purple Sweet Potato Ice Cream

The perfect combination of purple sweet potato, maple syrup and almond milk!

Grab the recipe!

Purple Sweet Potato Pudding

All you need are 4 ingredients to make this pudding with a little bit of ginger in every bite!

Grab the recipe

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

The perfect recipe to introduce you to baking with purple sweet potato!

Grab the recipe!

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Vegan Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

For those looking for vegan desserts, here are several options! Several of them are gluten-free as well.

Gluten-Free Vegan Sweet Potato Blondies

If you’re not a fan of traditional chocolate brownies, try these sweet potato blondies!

Grab the recipe!

Easy Vegan Sweet Potato Cake

Fluffy and moist with tons of spices and and a dairy-free frosting!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Only 9 ingredients required for a delicious healthy dessert with sweet potato!

Grab the recipe!

Vegan Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake

Both the rich chocolate cake AND the frosting are made with sweet potato!

Grab the recipe!

Vegan Sweet Potato Cinnamon Cheesecake

Thanks to cashews, dates and sweet potato, this cheesecake is both vegan and dairy-free!

Grab the recipe!

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Sweet Potato Muffins and Bars Recipes

As I mentioned above, while sweet potatoes are great for dessert, they’re also great for baking and I use them weekly in the baked goods I make for myself and my kids. Here are a few of my favorites:

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies

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!

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!

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!

Cranberry Sweet Potato Muffins

This recipe for Cranberry Sweet Potato Muffins makes a great breakfast or grab-and-go snack. Use fresh or dried cranberries or swap chocolate chips

Grab the recipe!

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!

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Did any of these catch your eye? Be sure to pin this post and share with friends!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

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Looking for healthy pumpkin recipes? Here are 30 recipes to try! Everything from baked pumpkin recipes and pumpkin recipes for breakfast to savory pumpkin recipes.

Hi friends!

Prior to the holidays I shared 20+ Pumpkin Dessert Recipes That Are Not Pumpkin Pie to help with your menu planning. But we are huge pumpkin fans around here. In fact, two of my three kids still eat pumpkin straight from the can as their favorite vegetable. So I didn’t want to stop there. I wanted to collect even more pumpkin recipes for you to explore since it’s such a versatile veggie. 

Savory Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin is often thought of for desserts and baked goods, but you can easily use it in both sweet and savory recipes- everything from breakfast to dessert! It has a mild flavor and is an easy way to add nutrients to everything from muffins to soups. 

So I gathered up some canned pumpkin recipes for you guys to try! If you find a new favorite, be sure to let me know!

Recipes Using Canned Pumpkin

Pumpkin is great for baking. It adds a delicious flavor while also adding vitamins, fiber and other nutrients to baked goods. Stock up on canned pumpkin when it’s in season so you can enjoy baking with pumpkin all year long.

Easy Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

An easy pumpkin bread recipe with canned pumpkin that requires just one bowl and a few simple ingredients. It will quickly become your go-to fall recipe.

Grab the recipe!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars

This recipe for Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars makes a quick, healthy breakfast or snack. It’s a healthy canned pumpkin recipe that’s kid-friendly and easy to customize.

Grab the recipe!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread

A gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe with canned pumpkin and beans. Packed with fiber and protein and kid-friendly too. The whole family will love it!

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins

These Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins are packed with ginger flavor and full of the nutritional benefits of pumpkin and white whole wheat flour.

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Apple Lentil Muffins

These Pumpkin Apple Lentil Muffins are perfect for Fall. They’re lightly sweetened and full of fiber, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Plus they’re kid-friendly and nut-free, making them perfect for breakfast, snack or school lunch!

Grab the recipe!

Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon Glaze

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

Grab the recipe!

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Pumpkin Recipes Savory

Canned pumpkin is super versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. It also makes a great shortcut for adding fiber and nutrients to recipes in a hurry, no prep time needed.

Easy Pumpkin Soup

Need a pumpkin soup recipe using canned pumpkin? This one is packed with lentils for added nutrients and made using canned pumpkin as a shortcut.

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Bean Dip

We love recipes using canned pumpkin like this that are full of fiber and nutrients. Serve this dip with veggies, chips or crackers.

Grab the recipe!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Save money and make your favorite Fall latte at home. Make with coffee, espresso or try a caffeine-free version for kids.

Grab the recipe!

Vegan Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

If you need easy canned pumpkin recipes, start with this one! Made with just 10 ingredients, this creamy pumpkin pasta is perfect for Fall

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Yogurt Dip

This Pumpkin Yogurt Dip is made with just a few simple ingredients and is the perfect afternoon snack! Try it paired with cinnamon and sugar tortilla chips or graham crackers. One of my kids favorite recipes using canned pumpkin.

Read more

Pumpkin Energy Balls

These Pumpkin Energy Balls are packed with fiber, protein and healthy fats for energy. The perfect addition to a quick lunch or to serve for an afternoon snack.

Read more

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Recipes Using Canned Pumpkin For Breakfast

These healthy canned pumpkin recipes are the perfect way to start the day with a nutrient-packed breakfast? Pumpkin adds fiber to help keep you full, along with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

Pancakes that are full of protein and great flavors. The oatmeal and cottage cheese make for a great texture. One of those healthy recipes for canned pumpkin that you need to try!

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin French Toast Bake

Having people over for brunch? Make this Pumpkin French Toast Bake! Bursting with pumpkin flavor and perfectly spiced, this overnight casserole is sure to be a hit!

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding

This chia pudding makes a great snack. No cooking required and ready in minutes! You can also file this under easy pumpkin dessert recipes!

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Paleo Oatmeal

When it comes to canned pumpkin, easy recipes like this are the real MVP. Made with pumpkin, egg whites and almond milk, this oatmeal will keep you full all morning long!

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl

With pumpkin, almond butter, dates and spices, this tastes like dessert in a bowl, but it’s healthy enough for breakfast!

Grab the recipe!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Steel cut oats cooked while you sleep and flavored with pumpkin and spices. The perfect breakfast for when you wake up!

Grab the recipe!

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Breakfast Pumpkin Recipes Gluten-free

There are tons of great pumpkin recipes out there that are gluten-free. Don’t miss out on the Fall flavor of pumpkin just because you can’t have gluten. Here are recipes for everything from bars to muffins to cookies.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

These vegan, gluten-free bars are made with oat flour. Healthy enough for breakfast and also perfect for snack time or dessert!

Grab the recipe!

Gluten-free Pumpkin Waffles

These waffles and light and fluffy and perfect to make a big batch ahead of time and stick them in the freezer for busy mornings.

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Easy recipes using canned pumpkin that are perfect for lunch boxes and after-school snacks are always a winner.

Grab the recipe!

Gluten-free Pumpkin Muffins

Everyone needs a classic pumpkin muffin recipe to enjoy all year long. Add chocolate chips to make them treat-worthy.

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal

Made with just 7 ingredients, this oatmeal can be made ahead of time and enjoyed for breakfast all week long!

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies

Perfect for a grab and go breakfast on the run. Grab a couple of these nutrient-dense cookies to power you through the morning.

Grab the recipe!

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Savory Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin isn’t just for dessert! These savory pumpkin dishes will prove it to you! Everything from main dishes to sides to appetizers can benefit from the addition of pumpkin!

Creamy Cauliflower Pumpkin Mash

When it comes to pumpkin recipes savory is worth trying! This one combines two nutritious veggies mashed and mixed with cheese and topped with granola!

Grab the recipe!

Chicken Pumpkin Quinoa Chowder

Looking for new pumpkin soup recipe with canned pumpkin? This is a hearty creamy soup that’s perfect for those cool Fall nights.

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Sausage Baked Gnocchi

A great way to use pumpkin in a savory dish. You’ll love this creamy pumpkin pasta bake.

Grab the recipe!

Butter Chicken Pumpkin Curry

Replace the heavy cream in classic butter chicken with pumpkin for a fun Fall twist.

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Turkey Meatballs

Pumpkin meatballs in a savory, creamy sauce recipe using canned pumpkin. Gluten-free & dairy-free.

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Chipotle Queso

Add this savory pumpkin dip recipe to your menu! Classic queso with a twist. Serve with chips!

Grab the recipe!

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So there you have it! 30 ways to use canned pumpkin. I hope you got some great ideas!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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These Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes are perfect for getting into the kitchen with your kids. They’re packed with vegetables, legumes, beans and more for healthy snacks the kids will love!

Hi friends!

This round-up of kid-friendly baking recipes is another post that has been on my list for a while now. If you’ve been following for a while, you know I’m a big fan of boosting the nutrient content of your baked goods. I’m constantly adding vegetables, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes and more to my muffins, bars and cookies. And guess what? Kids love them!

Healthy Baking Recipes

I thought it might be handy to put all of my nutrient-packed baked good recipe links in one place so you can browse them! Here are almost 30 healthy baking recipes to get you started. That means you can grab your kids and head to the kitchen to make a new snack each week for the next several months. These recipes are also great for getting in the kitchen with kids! Many are made in a food processor and they can just dump everything in and blend! This Cuisinart 11 cup food processor is probably my favorite kitchen appliance (aff link).

Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes

Here are links to all the recipes:

Healthy Lentil Recipes

• Lentil Banana Muffins
• Pumpkin Apple Lentil Muffins
• Chocolate Lentil Bars
• Apple Cinnamon Red Lentil Muffins

Healthy Baking Recipes With Beans

• White Bean Muffins
• Sweet Potato White Bean Bars
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread
• Healthy Black Bean Brownies
• Peanut Butter Chickpea Bars

Healthy Zucchini Recipes

1. Zucchini Carrot Apple Muffins
2. Zucchini Oat Bars
3. Zucchini Carrot Brownies

Healthy Carrot Recipes

• Carrot Oat Bars
• Carrot Applesauce Muffins
• Banana Carrot Muffins
• Frosted Carrot Cookies

Healthy Sweet Potato Baking Recipes

1. Sweet Potato Protein Cookies
2. Sweet Potato Banana Bites
3. GF Sweet Potato Brownies

Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

• Pumpkin Yogurt Bars
• Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins
• Easy Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

Other Healthy Baking Recipes

• Chocolate Pea Cookies
• Green Smoothie Snack Bars
• Quinoa Breakfast Bars
• Peanut Butter Hemp Cookies
• Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Flax
• Blueberry Beet Muffins

There you have it! Work your way through this list with one recipe a week and you’ll be set for the next several months! Oh, and if you’re more of a physical paper copy kinda person, I got you!

 I took all the recipes and put them into a PDF that you can grab for free! Just drop your email in the box below and you’ll immediately get a free eight-page PDF with all 28 recipes.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

LEARN HOW FOOD AFFECTS YOUR BODY.

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

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This Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe with flax are lightly sweetened and packed with fiber. They make a great addition to breakfast, lunch or snack time for kids and adults!

Hi friends!

These are the BEST Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Flax. They are my latest muffin creation and they’ve been a big hit around here. You guys know that my Lentil Banana Muffins are my go-to, but I wanted to create an alternative for those times when you don’t have any lentils on hand or just don’t feel like getting out the food processor. In some banana chocolate chip muffins coconut oil adds a nice flavor. I have this Coconut Oil Banana Muffins recipe that made for years but I just rarely have coconut oil on hand anymore.

So here is my latest and greatest version, made with simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand:

• Bananas – I usually use 2 medium-large ones, the riper the better to help sweeten the muffins.
• Milk – Dairy or plant-based milk will work.
• Oil – I use avocado oil because of its mild flavor.
• Sugar – The recipe calls for only 1/4 cup. If your bananas are super ripe, you can easily leave it out.
• Eggs
• Vanilla and cinnamon – For flavor.
• White whole wheat flour – In these banana chocolate chip muffins whole wheat flour (white whole wheat is preferable to regular whole wheat) adds fiber.
• Ground flaxseed – Adds a dose of heart-healthy omegas 3 fatty acids and fiber.
• Baking soda
• Chocolate chips

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins Recipe

Let’s talk about some possible varieties:

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Vegan (Substitutes for eggs in muffins)

We don’t have any egg allergies but if you need to replace the eggs, flax eggs work well. Just combine 1 Tbsp ground flax with 3 Tbsp water, mix well and let sit a few minutes to thicken. You could easily use these in this recipe in addition to the ground flax you mix in. 

Banana Bread Nut Muffins

If you prefer nuts over chocolate, you could easily swap chopped pecans or walnuts for the chocolate chips in these muffins! Added bonus is that they will pair well with the ground flaxseed to add even more heart-healthy omega 3’s!

Recipe for healthy banana muffins

This recipe is great if you’re looking for a recipe for healthy banana muffins. It’s low in added sugar already but if you have bananas that are nice and ripe you could leave the sugar out. You could also swap chocolate chips for dried fruit like raisins to lessen the added sugar, or nuts to less the sugar overall. 

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Gluten-free

Want to make these gluten-free? Use a 1:1 swap like King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten-free baking mix for the flour and make sure to get ground flaxseed that’s designated as gluten-free.

Here’s how you make them:

How To Make Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

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Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Flax

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★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

This Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe with flax are lightly sweetened and packed with fiber. They make a great addition to breakfast, lunch or snack time for kids and adults!

• Author: Lindsay
• Yield: 12 large muffins 1x

Ingredients

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• 1 cup mashed bananas (approx 2 medium large bananas)
• 2/3 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1/3 cup oil (I use avocado oil)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup sugar (can omit if bananas are extra ripe to reduce sugar)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1.5 cups white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl combine mashed bananas, milk, oil, eggs, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon and mix well.
2. Add flour, flax, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips and stir until just combined.
3. Spoon into greased or lined muffin tins. Recipe makes 12 large muffins (or 14-16 smaller muffins)
4. Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes.

Easy right?! Let me know if you try them!

And if you need more banana baking recipes try these:

• Sweet Potato Banana Bites
• Easy Banana Oat Bars
• Banana Carrot Muffins
• Healthy Brownie Bites

Want more variations?

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Applesauce

You can swap applesauce for the oil in this recipe.

Recipe for Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

I haven’t tried it myself, but you should be able to bake this recipe in a regular loaf pan! It will probably take about 40 minutes to bake but I would start checking on it around 30.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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