WHAT IS CINNAMON VANILLA CASHEW BUTTER?

Well, I’m so glad you asked! It’s your regular nut butter with a gorgeous, put-me-in-the-holiday-mood kick! Who doesn’t love warm notes of cinnamon and dreamy vanilla? This nut butter is dressed up and ready for a night on the town. It’s all-natural and all-delicious!

WHY I LIKE THIS CINNAMON VANILLA CASHEW BUTTER

I am someone who is obsessed with nut butters, but ever since groceries have skyrocketed in price, peanut and other nut butters are basically unaffordable. I mean, seven dollars for a jar of peanut butter…are you nuts?! So now, I head to Costco, buy a large bag of cashews for cheap and makes TONS of nut butter with it. It’s much more cost effective, not to mention I can see everything going into it!

THE INGREDIENTS

Another great thing about this recipe is the minimal ingredients. Just three to be exact (not including salt). They are:

• raw cashews
• cinnamon
• vanilla
• pink Himalayan sea salt

HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON VANILLA CASHEW BUTTER

The first, and arguably, the most important step of this recipe is toasting the cashews. With an oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, roast cashews for 5-8 minutes, checking often. Nuts burn easily and quickly, so it’s important that you keep an eye on them. Once they start turning light brown, remove them from the oven.

Now, you just add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth, or until it reaches your desired consistency. Make sure you have a high processed blender, like the Vitamix, or the Ninja, and be patient with it! It takes about 15-20 minutes to become “butter,” so just trust the process.

TIPS

• Use 100% real vanilla – it’s much better than the artificial stuff
• Have a spatula while the nut butter is blending and scrape down the sides often
• Give the engine of your blender a break now and again to preserve it’s life

OTHER HEALTHY SPREADS YOU NEED TO TRY

Vegan Cilantro Lime Dressing (I put this stuff on everything)

Pink Hummus (perfect for date night or Valentine’s Day)

3-Ingredient Strawberry Chia Jam (would go perfectly with this cashew butter)

TOOLS I USED TO MAKE CINNAMON VANILLA CASHEW BUTTER

Click below to access the tools I used for this recipe:

Cinnamon Vanilla Cashew Butter

Servings: Makes approximately 1 cup

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups raw cashews
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 – 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan sea salt (or just regular sea salt)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place cashews on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-8 minutes, or until they begin turning a light golden brown colour. Watch carefully – they burn quickly!
2. Once the cashews are toasted, add them to a food processor with the cinnamon, vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pulse a few times and then blend. Stop the motor every so often and scrap the sides down. It will look very grainy at first, but after about 15 minutes of blending and scraping, it will start to smooth out. The longer you blend, the smoother it becomes.
3. Once the cashews have reached the texture you like, taste it and add more salt if desired. Spoon the butter into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 weeks.

The post Cinnamon Vanilla Cashew Butter Recipe appeared first on Never. Not. Eating..

WHAT ARE FLOURLESS OATMEAL BLUEBERRY COOKIES?

These healthy cookies are a guilt-free, post-dinner or pre-workout snack! They are made in one bowl, with only natural ingredients and no refined sugar. I make them every week because I refuse to allow dinner to be my final meal of the night.

WHY I LIKE THESE COOKIES

I don’t just like these cookies – I am obsessed with them! The blueberries add the juiciest “pop” and a perfect sweetness that is unmatched, in my opinion. I also feel good about eating them (every day), as they only contain natural ingredients, all of which are pantry staples.

THE INGREDIENTS

You only need a few pantry ingredients to make this recipe:

• banana
• peanut butter
• egg
• vanilla
• maple syrup
• cinnamon
• salt
• oats
• blueberries

MAKING FLOURLESS OATMEAL BLUEBERRY COOKIES

You will honestly be amazed with how easy these are to make. Grab a big mixing bowl and add all of the wet ingredients – a mashed banana, peanut butter, egg, vanilla and syrup. Whisk together – that’s right, you don’t even need an electric mixer!

Add in the dry ingredients – the salt, cinnamon and oats. Switch over to a spatula to make sure everything has been mixed fully. Finally, fold in the blueberries and save a few to put on top of the cookies before baking. Scoop the dough onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, using a large cookie scoop and flatten them with the palm of your hand (they will not rise in the oven, so no need to space them too far apart). Bake for 12-14 minutes and enjoy!

TIPS

1. Choose an all-natural nut butter to maintain the healthiness of this recipe (look at the ingredient list on the jar – it should only have one ingredient)!
2. You can use fresh or frozen blueberries for this recipes, either one works beautifully!
3. The cookie dough will be on the wetter side – don’t worry, they will bake up nicely and easily release from the baking sheet when they are fully cooked.

OTHER HEALTHY TREATS YOU NEED TO TRY

Vegan Rice Crispy Chocolate Treats (a fun, bite-sized snack)

No-Measure Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies (skip the measuring with these perfect failproof cookies)

Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (the perfect Fall version of these Flourless Oatmeal Blueberry Cookies)

TOOLS I USED TO MAKE THESE FLOURLESS OATMEAL BLUEBERRY COOKIES

Click on the images below to see what I used for this recipe.

FLOURLESS OATMEAL BLUEBERRY COOKIES

Servings: Makes 8 large cookies

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 13 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 very ripe banana, mashed
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/4 – 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed banana, peanut butter, vanilla and maple syrup. Next, add in the egg and whisk until fully combined.
3. Add the cinnamon, salt and 2 1/4 cups of oats to the bowl. Mix with a spatula. If the dough is very wet, add in the extra 1/4 cup of oats. The mixture should be slightly on the wetter side.
4. Fold in the blueberries and then use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop to form 12 cookies (alternatively, roll into balls using wet hands). Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and use your palm to flatten each cookie. As these will not spread, you don’t need to leave too much space between them.
5. Bake for 13 minutes, remove from oven and let cool for a minute on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Once they have fully cooled, store in an airtight container for up to four days.

The post Flourless Oatmeal Blueberry Cookies appeared first on Never. Not. Eating..

WHAT ARE PUMPKIN OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES?

These cookies are a one-bowl miracle – they are simple to make, healthy and perfect for autumn. Refined-sugar free, these little treats can be eaten without guilt, for breakfast or as a snack in-between meals.

WHY I LIKE THESE PUMPKIN OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Other than for obvious reasons, I love these cookies because they are a fun and healthy way to incorporate pumpkin into a recipe. It has proven to be challenging to find recipes made with pumpkin puree that aren’t packed with processed sugars and unhealthy fats. I also love making my own pumpkin puree (recipe found here) to ensure I know exactly what is going into my baking!

THE INGREDIENTS

A few simple pantry ingredients are all you will need to make these cookies:

• Banana
• Pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling)
• Cashew butter (or any nut butter)
• Vanilla
• Maple syrup
• An egg
• Spices (pumpkin pie and cinnamon)
• Oats
• Dark chocolate chips

MAKING HEALTHY PUMPKIN OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

The first thing you will want to do is whisk together all of your wet ingredients – mash up the banana and add in the puree, nut butter, vanilla, maple syrup and egg.

Add your spices, some salt, the oats and chocolate chips right into the wet ingredients and mix with a spatula. Once combined, use a large cookie scoop to portion your cookies, placing them on a parchment lined baking sheet. These will not spread out, so you don’t need to worry about spacing them out too much. Flatten them with the palm of your hand and bake for 11-14 minutes.

TIPS

1. Choose an all-natural nut butter to maintain the healthiness of this recipe (look at the ingredient list on the jar – it should only have one ingredient)!
2. Don’t use pumpkin pie filling. Make sure you have pure pumpkin puree – click here for a recipe, or find it canned at any grocery store.
3. The cookie dough will be on the wetter side – don’t worry, they will bake up nicely and easily release from the baking sheet when they are fully cooked.

OTHER HEALTHY TREATS YOU NEED TO TRY

No-Measure Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies (skip the measuring with these failproof cookies)

Vegan Rice Crispy Chocolate Treats (a fun, bite-size snack)

Vegan Ice Cream Bars (like a Magnum, but vegan)

TOOLS I USED TO MAKE THESE PUMPKIN OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Click on the images below to see what I used for this recipe.

Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Servings: Makes a dozen cookies

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 13 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 very ripe banana, mashed
• 1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup cashew butter (or any nut butter)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/4 – 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup sugar-free dark chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed banana, pumpkin puree, cashew butter, vanilla and maple syrup. Add in the egg and whisk until fully combined.
3. Add the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, salt and 2 1/4 cups of oats to the bowl. Mix with a spatula. If the dough is very wet, add in the extra 1/4 cup of oats. The mixture should be slightly on the wetter side.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips and then use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop to form 12 cookies (alternatively, roll into balls using wet hands). Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and use your palm to flatten each cookie. As these will not spread, you don’t need to leave too much space between them.
5. Bake for 13 minutes, remove from oven and let cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Once they have fully cooled, store in an airtight container for up to four days.

The post Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies appeared first on Never. Not. Eating..

WHAT ARE VEGAN RICE CRISPY CHOCOLATE TREATS?

I’m telling you, these are such a fun snack – they are basically a peanut butter and rice crispy cereal ball coated in chocolate, and they are so delicious. Not to mention, they are much healthier than the well-known Rice Crispy Treat because they don’t have marshmallows, but stick together with peanut butter and maple syrup instead. They are crispy, light and make for a perfect snack at any time of day!

WHY I LIKE THESE VEGAN RICE CRISPY CHOCOLATE TREATS

I am always trying to reinvent traditional desserts and snacks into healthier versions that I feel good about eating, and this recipe does exactly that. That is why these would be an amazing snack for kids as they are refined sugar-free and have protein and healthy fats from the all-natural peanut butter! I chose to use Lily’s brand sugar-free chocolate to keep these completely refined-sugar free, but you can use any chocolate you would like.

THE INGREDIENTS

To make these snacks, you only need a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, including:

• Gluten-free, sugar-free Rice Crispy Cereal
• Natural peanut butter
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

MAKING VEGAN RICE CRISPY CHOCOLATE TREATS

The first thing you will need to do is create the rice crispy balls. To do this, you will add peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla in a big bowl and mix to combine. Pour in the Rice Crispy Cereal and use a spatula to incorporate the cereal into the peanut butter mixture. When it’s fully combined, roll small portions of the cereal into small spherical balls. Place them on a parchment lined plate and freeze while making the chocolate coating.

Melt the chocolate over a double boiler and then remove the treats from the freezer and dip into the chocolate until fully coated. Return the chocolate covered treat balls to the parchment lined plate and place in the fridge in order for them to set up.

TIPS

1. I like to use a new jar of peanut butter as it has a runnier consistency when first opened, before begin refrigerated – this really helps to easily mix the treat ingredients without making crumbs out of the Rice Crispy Cereal.
2. To portion the balls, I use a small cookie scoop so that they are all the same size.
3. Use a fork to lift the chocolate-coated treats out of the melted chocolate and tap on the side of your bowl to let any excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.
4. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil to the chocolate chips while melting to get a glossier chocolate coating.

OTHER HEALTHY SNACKS YOU NEED TO TRY

No-Measure Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies (my absolute favourite anytime snack)

Vegan Protein Energy Balls (a great pre-gym snack)

Vegan Ice Cream Bars (the perfect summer treat)

TOOLS I USED TO MAKE THESE VEGAN RICE CRISPY CHOCOLATE TREATS

Click on the images below to see what I use for this recipe.

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when purchases are made after clicking the links, at no cost to you – thank you!

Vegan Rice Crispy Chocolate Treats

Servings: Makes 15 small treats

Prep time: 15 minutes

Chill time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup smooth natural peanut butter (see tips above)
• 1/4 cup 100% pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups gluten-free Rice Crispies cereal
• 150 grams dark chocolate
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional)
• flaky sea salt (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla until combined. Pour in the cereal and stir with a spatula until fully incorporated into the peanut butter mixture.
2. When the mixture is incorporated, use a small cookie scoop to portion the mixture into your hands and roll into spherical shapes – it should make around 15 treat balls. Place them on a parchment lined plate or tray and into the freezer while melting your chocolate.
3. Set up a double boiler: Add about an inch of water to a small pot and place it over medium heat. Pour the chocolate into a heat-proof glass bowl and add the coconut oil, if using. Place the bowl on top of the pot to melt the chocolate, stirring regularly, and once the chocolate has melted, remove the bowl from the pot.
4. Finally, remove the Rice Crispy treats from the freezer and dip into the melted chocolate, coating fully. Place them back on the parchment lined plate and repeat for all of the treats. Sprinkle with a little bit of flaky sea salt, if desired, and then refrigerate for about 20 minutes or until set.

Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

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WHAT IS PINK HUMMUS?

I’m a regular hummus lover for sure, but when you jazz it up by making it pink, it’s even better. I mean, you eat with your eyes first…am I right?!

This Pink Hummus is made with the legendary beetroot, meaning it is slightly sweet, yet earthy and aesthetically, it’s super vibrant! A definite show-stopper when brought to any party.

WHY I LOVE THIS HUMMUS

GOOD hummus is a labour of love, I’m not going to lie. However, the amount of time that hummus takes is mostly passive time. You don’t have to be in the kitchen during the entire process. And, it takes so long because this method of making hummus is going to give you the smoothest results, meaning the most delicious hummus.

Other than the smoothest, most velvety texture, I love this hummus because of the colour. It’s so fun and playful – perfect for kids or a crowd!

Also, I add roasted garlic to this recipe for maximum flavour and there’s nothing better than a head of roasted garlic, in my opinion.

THE INGREDIENTS

The ingredients to this recipe are simple, but it’s how you prepare them that really makes a difference. Here is what you will need:

• dry chickpeas
• beets
• tahini
• lemon juice
• garlic
• salt

HOW TO MAKE BEETROOT HUMMUS

The key to the smoothest hummus possible is using dry chickpeas. They take a while to prepare, so aim to make your hummus in the morning or early afternoon. First, you must soak the chickpeas overnight. By doing this, you will notice that they double in size and absorb a lot of that water.

In the morning, drain and rinse the chickpeas and add them to a large pot of water with some baking soda (to help soften them) and some salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a low rolling boil, letting them cook for about an hour and a half, until they are nice and soft.

While the chickpeas are cooking, roast your beet in the oven by wrapping it in a piece of foil and placing it on a baking sheet. If you are adding garlic to the hummus (which I highly recommend), slice the top off the whole head of garlic to expose the top of each clove. Drizzle the cloves in olive oil, wrap the head in tin foil and roast in the oven for 45-55 minutes.

When the chickpeas are cooked, add them to a high-powered food processor, along with the tahini lemon juice, salt, garlic and the roasted beet. Blend for one minute until everything is incorporated, then scrape down the sides. Blend for another minute while drizzling in ice cold water until it is smooth and the texture is perfect.

TIPS WHEN MAKING PINK HUMMUS

1. Even though this recipe only requires one cooked beet, I would roast more to top the hummus with, and to have on hand for a quick snack – I love my beets with a little bit of olive oil, feta cheese and some salt and pepper!
2. Drizzle olive oil over top of the hummus before storing in the fridge to avoid discolouration or a “skin” forming on the top.
3. Use a high-powered food processor to ensure your hummus whips up to the smoothest consistency. I have the Ninja food processor and I love it!

MORE VIBRANT RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

3-Ingredient Strawberry Chia Jam (summertime in a jar)

Strawberry Honey Ginger Galette (a sweet pie with an unexpected bing-bang-boom!)

Simple Beetroot Pasta (more beets, but this time with pasta)

TOOLS I USED TO MAKE THIS PINK HUMMUS

Click on the images below to see what I used for this recipe.

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when purchases are made after clicking the links, at no cost to you – thank you!

PINK HUMMUS (BEETROOT)

Serving size: Makes about 3 cups

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 1.5 hours

Passive time: 6-8 hours (overnight)

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry chickpeas
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• salt
• 1 beet*
• 1 head of garlic (optional)
• juice of half a lemon (2 tbsp)
• 1/2 cup tahini
• olive oil

Instructions

1. Place chickpeas in a bowl and cover with a few inches of water. Soak overnight or for 6-8 hours. When they are done soaking, proceed with the next steps.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
3. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and place them in a medium-sized pot with baking soda and one teaspoon of salt. Cover with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. If you see foam rising to the top, skim it off with a spoon and discard. Turn the heat down and simmer, covered, for an hour and a half, or until chickpeas are soft and tender – you can cook them for as long as two hours.

Preparing the beets

1. In the meantime, get started on roasting your beet – place washed beet on a piece of tin foil and wrap it up like a present, making sure there are no holes in the foil where the steam can escape. Place on a baking tray in the oven for an hour and a half, or until the beet is tender enough to slide a butter knife easily into the centre.

Preparing the roasted garlic

1. If you are adding garlic to the hummus – slice the top quarter of your head of garlic off and drizzle the top of the visible cloves with a tablespoon of olive oil. Wrap in a tin foil package, similar to the one you wrapped the beet in and place on baking tray with the beet and roast in the oven for 45-50 minutes. The cloves will caramelize and be super tender.

Putting it all together

1. Remove and carefully open the tin foil packages. Let the beet sit for one minute and then use a paper towel to hold it in one hand and another paper towel to peel away the skin with your other hand. The skin should remove easily when the beet is fully cooked. Rinse the beet in cold water and slice into quarters.
2. Add a few ice cubes to a small measuring cup filled with cold water and set aside. When the chickpeas are done cooking, drain, transfer to a food processor and add the tahini, lemon juice, half teaspoon of salt and the beet quarters. Squeeze three (or more to taste) of the roasted garlic cloves out and add to the food processor. Blend the ingredients for about one minute and then scrape down the sides of the processor. Remove ice cubes from measuring cup and measure out one-quarter cup of the ice-cold water. Turn the motor back on and slowly drizzle the water into the food processor and blend for another minute. Try the hummus and add more salt or lemon juice, if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with a pinch of flaky sea salt, if desired.

Store the hummus in an airtight container in the fridge with a drizzle of olive oil that covers the surface to avoid discolouration and a “skin” developing.

NOTES:

*I recommend roasting more than one beet to have some for a meal later on.

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WHAT IS STRAWBERRY CHIA JAM

This is the easiest jam you will ever make, I promise you that! This 3-Ingredient Strawberry Chia Jam comes together in about 15 minutes and is made with fresh ingredients and no refined sugar. It is the perfect topping for yogurt, toast, scones…even ice cream!

THE INGREDIENTS

As suggested in the title, this jam requires only three main ingredients. I have included other add-ins that enhance the flavour profile of this jam, but they are totally optional, according to your taste. You will need:

• strawberries
• honey or maple syrup (optional)
• lemon juice
• chia seeds
• cinnamon (optional)

HOW TO MAKE 3-INGREDIENT STRAWBERRY CHIA JAM

You won’t believe how easy this recipe is to make. The first step is to add your strawberries and lemon juice to a pot, along with your sweetener of choice and cinnamon, if using. Let the strawberries cook down for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will notice that they release their juices and begin to break down.

After the strawberries have been cooking for 10 minutes, mash them up with a fork or a potato masher and stir in the chia seeds, cooking for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes before serving right away, or pouring into an airtight container to be stored in the fridge.

RECIPES THAT GO WELL WITH THIS JAM

Easy Chia Pudding Parfait (sub the fresh fruit in this chia pudding for a few dollops of jam)

Blueberry Basil Moscow Mule (swap the blueberries for this jam in this delicious cocktail)

Gluten Free Crepes with an Apple Cinnamon Compote (fill these crepes with jam instead of the apple compote)

TOOLS I USED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Click on the images below to see what I use for this recipe.

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when purchases are made after clicking the links, at no cost to you – thank you!

3-Ingredient Strawberry Chia Jam

Serving size: Makes about 12 ounces of jam

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 12 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb (454g) fresh strawberries, quartered (or cut into smaller chunks if they are larger)
• juice of half a lemon (2 tbsp)
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• pinch of salt
• 1.5 tbsp chia seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place a medium-sized pot over medium heat and add the strawberry pieces, lemon juice, honey, cinnamon and salt. Let the mixture cook for 10 minutes, until the strawberries have broken down and have released their juices. Use a fork or potato masher to crush the strawberries until they are fully broken down.
2. Add the chia seeds to the pot and stir to incorporate. Cook for another two minutes, remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to one week.

The post 3-Ingredient Strawberry Chia Jam appeared first on Never. Not. Eating..

What are No-Measure Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies?

I am always finding ways to “healthify” traditional treats, and I was in the mood for some cookies this time around. I had a few ingredients that I needed to get rid of, so I decided to try my hand at some no-measure Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies, and it turned out to be a success! So much so, I make them all the time with the ingredients that need to get used up in my home.

I just eyeball all of my ingredients into a bowl, mix them up and form them into cookies! They are refined sugar-free, dairy-free and gluten-free.

The Ingredients for No-Measure Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies

This is where it gets fun! You can change the ingredients in any way that suits you and what you have in your kitchen! Generally, I like to use the following staple ingredients in my cookies:

Overripe bananas

I like using bananas as a sugar substitute in my baking. They also bring more moisture into the cookies and help to bind the ingredients together. It is important to use overripe bananas for a sweeter result. I typically only use one banana, unless I am hoping to yield a larger batch of cookies…in that case, I will add another!

Almond butter (or any preferred nut butter)

Nut butters have high fat, fibre and protein and, therefore, can serve a number of purposes when added to baked goods. Firstly, nut butters are a good replacement for oils or butters, due to their fat content. The fibre in nut butters help to balance out the sugars in a recipe. Protein gives these cookies a bit more structure and allows them to hold up well! I like to add a healthy pour of almond butter…say a 1/2 cup or so!

Egg

As in any baking recipe, the job of the egg is to bind everything together and create structure. Think of it as the “glue” that holds everything together. If I’m hoping for eight cookies, I use one egg.

Gluten-free rolled oats

The oats are the main dry ingredient in this recipe and they replace the flour in a normal cookie recipe. Without the oats, your cookies would lack form and be very “goopy.” They are also much healthier than all-purpose flour! This is the ingredient that I truly have no measurements for – just pour in a bit at a time until the batter is not too wet, but not too dry. Eyeball it!

Vanilla

You should not skip this flavour bomb! Always use pure vanilla extract in any baking you do. If you would like to see how you can make your own at home, check out my Instagram reel (@nevernoteatingca). It takes two minutes to make!

Cinnamon

I like adding cinnamon to these cookies to add a little bit of warmth. Plus, I just love cinnamon!

Maple syrup

Along with the bananas, the maple syrup offers sweetness to these cookies. Depending on how much of a sweet tooth you have, pour in a small amount, or add a bit more to amplify that maple flavour!

Sugar-free chocolate

Because I wanted to make these cookies healthy, I decided to use sugar-free chocolate, but you can use whatever chocolate you want! I like a lot of little chocolate pools in my cookies, so I add a LOT of chocolate!

How to bring the ingredients together

Begin by using a hand mixer or a whisk to mix all of the wet ingredients together, just as you would in any normal baking recipe. Mash the banana(s) and pour in some almond butter, add an egg, some vanilla and maple syrup, according to how sweet you would like it.

Next, sprinkle in some cinnamon and pour in a small amount of oats, mixing until everything is combined. Continue to add more oats until the batter comes together and is not too wet, but not too dry. Fold in some chocolate and scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten the cookies with your palm and bake in a 350 degree oven for around 10 minutes, or until cookies are set and release easily from the tray. You will notice the bottoms beginning to brown when they are ready.

Other healthy recipes you NEED to check out:

Vegan Protein Energy Balls (the perfect post-work, pre-workout snack)

Dark Chocolate Protein Nuggets [high protein, high (good) fat…these get you through the day]

Vegan Power Muffins (a morning pick-me-up)

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when purchases are made after clicking the links, at no cost to you. Thank you!

No-Measure Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies

*This recipe is NO-MEASURE. Please read above to get an idea of the purpose and amount of each ingredient.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Bake time: 10-13 minutes

Ingredients:

• banana(s), mashed
• nut butter
• egg(s)
• maple syrup
• vanilla
• salt
• cinnamon
• rolled oats (aim for gluten-free)
• sugar-free chocolate

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to combine the mashed banana(s), nut butter, egg(s), maple syrup and vanilla.
3. Add in a big pinch of salt, a sprinkle of cinnamon and some rolled oats. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Continue to add more oats until the batter is not too wet, but not too dry. It should be slightly sticky. Fold in the chocolate.
4. Using a large cookie scoop, scoop the batter onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Flatten each cookie using the palm of your hand and bake for 10-13 minutes or until the cookies have set up and release easily from the cookie sheet. Let cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.

*Check out my Instagram reel to see a video on how these cookies come together!

The post No-Measure Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies appeared first on Never. Not. Eating..

WHY CHOOSE CHIA SEEDS?

I love chia pudding as my morning meal because these seeds are full of energy-boosting nutrients to start your day. Firstly, FIBRE. Absolutely essential for a healthy lifestyle, fibre enhances gut health and makes you feel full, longer.

Chia seeds are also high in protein. Protein is needed in the body to help rebuild muscle, strengthen hair, skin and nails, and provide energy. Chia seeds are a great way to incorporate protein into your diet, especially as a vegetarian or vegan!

This superfood is also high in iron. As someone with low iron, I’m always searching for more iron-rich foods to add to my diet. Iron helps carry oxygen throughout the body and develop red blood cells.

If that isn’t convincing enough, chia seeds also contain calcium, good fats, antioxidants and have no sugar. Get yourself a bag of seeds and I’ll show you how to use them in this yummy parfait recipe!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MAKING THIS EASY CHIA PUDDING PARFAIT

Chia seeds are like sponges – any liquid added to them gets sucked up and the seeds expand and become almost gel-like. You can add any kind of milk you prefer, but this recipe is fully vegan and therefore calls for plant-based milk.

HOW TO MAKE EASY CHIA PUDDING PARFAIT

When mixing the seeds with your choice of liquid, I like to whisk them together in a bowl to avoid forming clumps. I set the bowl in the fridge for about 10 minutes and then whisk again. After another 10 minutes, the seeds have usually absorbed their capacity of liquid and are ready to be made into a parfait!

Depending on you, many of the extra ingredients in this recipe can be swapped out for others you prefer.

For example, if maple syrup isn’t your favourite choice of sweetener, feel free to switch it up by adding agave or honey (not vegan). Cinnamon can be taken out completely or swapped with a superfood powder, such as beetroot or spirulina. Maybe you would like to get funky with it and use an almond extract or a hazelnut syrup instead of the vanilla. Be crafty! The possibilities are endless.

STORING YOUR EASY CHIA PUDDING PARFAIT

If you are following this recipe to meal prep, it makes four servings. I love using these cute little mason jars to store them in, as they are airtight and keep them fresh in the fridge.

OTHER MEAL PREP IDEAS

Vegan Power Muffins (for a quick energy boost)

Middle Eastern Orzo Pilaf (makes a great side to any meal)

The Fluffiest Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes (perfect for the kiddos – make ahead and pop in the toaster for a quick breakfast)

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Easy Chia Pudding Parfait

Servings: 4

Prep time: 5 minutes

Chill time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1.5 cups plant-based milk
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup coconut yogurt
• fresh fruit, for topping
• granola, for topping

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chia seeds, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes, whisking a few times in between.
2. Divide the mixture between 4 mason jars, or bowls, if serving immediately. Top with 1/4 cup of yogurt and some of the fruit. Sprinkle with granola before serving!

Store jars in the fridge for up to 4 days.

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This has been one of the hottest summers on record, and I’m just a bit mad at myself that I developed these ice cream bars now, instead of at the beginning of summer. Then again, it’s not like I’m going to stop eating them when the weather cools down…I’m an ice-cream-all-year-long kinda gal!

HEALTHIER THAN STORE-BOUGHT

So here are a few reasons why you should make these bars, STAT:

1. The recipe includes natural sugar from pure maple syrup only, and you can omit it entirely if you wish.
2. They are vegan.
3. They are made quickly in a blender.
4. You like delicious treats.

These remind me of the Magnum bars you can buy at the grocery store. The only difference is you know all of the ingredients going into them, and they are way healthier than anything you would get out of a box.

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN ICE CREAM BARS

The recipe for these bars is simple – blend all ingredients together using a high-powered blender. Pour into the cutest popsicle molds. Freeze for a few hours until firm. Dip in chocolate and sprinkle on some crushed peanuts.

When you bite into one of these little babes, you first get the crack of the chocolate, followed by the creaminess of the filling which is made rich by coconut milk and nut butter. It’s beyond good. Ice cream goals!

OTHER VEGAN TREATS TO TRY

Vegan Protein Energy Balls (the perfect pre-workout snack)

Vegan Mocha Buttercream (my favourite cake topping)

Sweet Potato Creme Brulee (a great holiday dessert)

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Vegan Ice Cream Bars

Serving size: Makes 8 bars

Prep time: 10 minutes

Freeze time: 4 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk (refrigerated for at least 24 hours)
• 1/2 cup nut butter (I love using cashew or peanut butter for this)
• 1/2 cup coconut yogurt
• 2-3 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder (optional)
• 85 g dark vegan chocolate (chopped)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped

Instructions:

1. Remove coconut milk from the fridge and carefully open the can. Scoop the solid white part out into a high-powered blender. Reserve the coconut water in the bottom of the can for tomorrow’s smoothie!
2. Add the nut butter, yogurt, syrup, vanilla and cinnamon to the blender and blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and place in the freezer until firm, about four hours.
3. Over a double boiler*, melt the chocolate with the coconut oil, stirring often. Pour into a tall cup wide enough for the popsicles to fit in. Dip each popsicle into the chocolate and lay on a piece of parchment paper. Immediately sprinkle with the chopped peanuts.
4. Store in the freezer for up to 10 days.

NOTES:

*For the double boiler – fill a small pot with an inch or two of water. Bring to a gentle simmer and place a larger bowl on top with a wooden spoon in between to let the steam escape. Place the chocolate and coconut oil in the bowl and stir frequently. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave in short, 20-30 second increments, stirring in between.

Tip – Take the ice cream bar out of the freezer and let sit a few minutes before consuming!

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This is a quick, simple and pretty healthy little breakfast idea. It’s basically a better-for-you version of a mug cake. It’s so delicious.

All of the required ingredients get added to your blender and then poured into oven-safe ramekins (how cute are these ones?!) and baked off. You don’t even need a bowl. I used my single-serve cup blender…didn’t even have to dirty my big blender. Goals.

Here is what you will need:

• Rolled oats
• Chia seeds
• Cinnamon
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Banana
• Almond butter
• Vanilla
• Maple Syrup
• Oat milk
• Raspberries
• Dark Chocolate

It looks like a lot, but you probably have every single one of these items in your house already. Feel free to swap out ingredients as you please – almond butter for peanut butter, maple syrup for agave, oat milk for your favourite plant-based milk…we are flexible here!

I hope you enjoy these baked oats as much as I did. They are changing the breakfast game!

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Chocolate Raspberry Baked Oats

Servings: 2

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp maca powder (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place oats and chia seeds in a single-serve blender and blend to make a flour. Add the rest of the ingredients, other than the raspberries and chocolate, and blend until smooth.
3. Pour into one large, or two small ramekins and top with the fresh raspberries and chocolate.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top begins to brown and form cracks. Carefully remove from oven and cool for a few minutes before enjoying!

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