Kickstart Your New Year with 30+ Healthy Recipes
As we step into the New Year, we all want to kick things off on a positive note, and what better way to do that than with healthy plant-based meals? I understand how challenging it can be to find recipes that are both simple and nutritious. With our busy lives, who has the time to spend hours in the kitchen? That’s why I’ve curated a collection of easy (yet delicious!) plant-based breakfasts, salads, snacks, and lunch & dinner ideas to make healthy eating effortless!
If you enjoy these recipes, check out my latest ebooks with exclusive recipe ideas and tips!
Breakfast
You need to start off your day strong with a healthy plant-based breakfast! I love these options from overnight oats (my cinnamon roll overnight oats are the most popular!) to a healthy smoothie or a warm peanut butter banana oatmeal bar (my husband’s personal favorite).
1
How to Make an Acai Bowl
This homemade acai bowl is lucious and loaded BUT half the price of the local shops. It's a fruity, feel-good bowl that has the perfect balance of sweetness. My bowls use NO lackluster acai powders but instead blend a flavor-packed acai packet (you can find these in the local grocery store!) with the ideal balance of frozen berries, banana and milk. I'll give you all the tips on how to create that luscious soft-serve consistency right at home. You'll be so proud you made this gorgeous, vibrant bowl right in your own kitchen!
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2
Matcha Chia Pudding Recipe
This matcha chia pudding is the perfect creamy, easy, make-ahead breakfast you've been dreaming of. The best chia pudding is made with soy milk for the creamiest texture and highest protein. Follow my tips on which matcha powder is best & gives the perfect sweet (less bitter!) flavor. This recipe is straightforward and yields the creamiest and perfectly sweetened matcha chia pudding – everytime!
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3
Breakfast Cookies
This breakfast cookie recipe uses simple, minimal ingredients to create a warm, soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that can be enjoyed not just for breakfast- but anytime! No fussy flours, lengthy ingredient list, artificial ingredients, or oils – these natural cookies are shockingly delicious with such wholesome ingredients! With the addition of a sweet, natural raspberry preserve, these breakfast cookies taste almost like peanut butter and jelly in a cookie form.
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4
Banana Oatmeal Bars
These soft and chewy peanut butter banana oatmeal bars will be your new favorite breakfast or snack!
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5
Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oatmeal Recipe
These creamy cinnamon roll overnight oats are a delicious breakfast with flavors of warm cinnamon, a hints molasses and caramel and drizzled with a healthy icing to complete this delicious breakfast!
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6
Easy Gut Health Smoothie (Dietician Approved)
Restore your gut health with this creamy, easy gut health smoothie with natural probiotics and prebiotics.
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Salads
Salads do NOT have to suck! These salads are nutritious, filling, AND filled with flavor. My personal favorite is the Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad with a delicious tahini drizzle – YUM!
7
Best Ever Farro Salad Recipe
Whenever someone asks me to bring a side to a summer party, I pretty much always bring a farro salad. This version is my favorite thanks to its bright Mediterranean-inspired flavors and super easy steps. Everyone always asks for the recipe! My farro salad uses easy-to-find ingredients (because who wants to scour the grocery store for a tricky ingredient?). I also love this recipe because it does not require a ton of prep like other recipes that use more cooked ingredients – the only cooking in this recipe is the farro! It's bright & refreshing thanks to the use a two kinds of fresh herbs and fresh lemon juice. This recipe is also perfect for a light, healthy lunch and can be paired with lots of other tasty sides.
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8
Chopped Kale Salad Recipe
Make a show-stopping kale salad that transforms salad skeptics into lovers! After making so many variations of kale salad for years, I've figured out what kale is best for salad and how to remove that bitter, tough texture (we've all had that at one point!) Using the right dressing is key – and this tangy, citrusy vinaigrette will really make your salad POP amongst the rest. You will love that this recipe uses simple yet fresh ingredients like oranges and pomegranate seeds – which makes it not only eye-catching but also bursting with flavor in every bite!
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9
Mediterranean Salad
This gorgeous rainbow Mediterranean salad is filled with showstopping colorful veggies and a vibrant lemony dressing. This salad is one of the best because you can have it ready in less than 20 minutes and it's perfect for parties! You'll feel like a salad pro with my tips to make the best crunchy salad: best healthy protein additions, choosing a quality olive oil (this makes a big difference FYI), and my favorite creamy feta crumbles that take your salad to the next level! This recipe also has the addition of fresh parsley and mint which makes its flavor bright and more refreshing than most salads. Even my salad-skeptic husband came back for seconds on this one!
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10
Lemony Peach Couscous Salad
This vibrant lemony peach couscous salad is a summertime favorite with juicy peaches, fresh herbs, delectable cherry tomatoes, and citrusy lemon. Enjoy for lunch in the sun or bring to a summer party!
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11
Roasted Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Tahini Drizzle
This heavenly salad combines spiced, caramelized sweet potatoes with a crisp creamy dressing-massaged kale. Each bite contains a pop of bursting juicy pomegranate seeds with heavenly creamy feta and crunchy toasted nuts. This salad wow'd my salad-skeptic husband and will be sure to impress your family and friends as well!
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12
Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad
You won't be able to stop eating this incredibly flavorful thai peanut salad that is all about the texture with crisp cabbage & carrots, a hefty sprinkle of crunchy peanuts & cashews and finally tossed in a mouthwatering (literally) peanut sauce.
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Plant-Based Snacks
I’m a huge snacker and I try to always have some yummy, healthier plant-based snack options in my house (or else I go for that bag of chips!). My most recent recipe – my salted caramel protein bars – are honestly one of my favorite snack recipes yet and packed with 15g of protein per bar!
13
Salted Caramel Protein Bars
These Chocolate Salted Caramel Protein Bars were an instant favorite in my house; my mom raved about their deliciousness and begged me for the recipe! Each bar delivers approximately 15g of protein, featuring a luscious chocolate base, a creamy salted caramel layer crafted from dates, and a delightful crisp chocolate coating. Unlike other protein bars, there's no artificial sweeteners like corn syrup (or even maple syrup for that matter!) and they are completely dairy-free and gluten-free. Everyone loves their versatility – a decadent breakfast bar, a hearty afternoon snack, or a satisfying dessert in the evening – enjoy them however you'd like!
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14
Healthy Wild Blueberry Muffins
After taste-testing this recipe over 5x, I am so excited to share these healthy wild blueberry muffins! I found that wild blueberries are the optimal berry for muffins: they are higher in antioxidants compared to other blueberries and carry a bigger burst of flavor with each bite. They also hold their shape better in muffins. You'll actually feel good when you eat these muffins thanks to the healthy ingredients: no refined sugars, a protein boost thanks to yogurt, and rolled oats that add fiber and texture. My neighbor (AKA my certified taste tester) texted me after a muffin delivery: "They were perfectly sweet enough to want more, but not too sweet like a bakery one…10/10 for me!"
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15
Apple Chips
For years I used to shell out (too many) dollars for overpriced store bought apple chips – and annoyingly half the bag was filled with air! Homemade apple chips still get that perfect crunch, with a lower price tag. Not to mention, they're actually super easy to make with only 4 simple ingredients. Many homemade apple chips turn out chewy or soggy, but this recipe comes out light, crunchy, and just the right snap. I'll teach you two methods: baked and air fried. Personally, I recommend air frying (if you have this available): it's quicker and creates a crunchier apple chip! After lots of recipe testing, I also found that drying your apple slices with a little paper towel will create an even crispier chip!
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16
Easy Crispy Chickpeas
I've made over 50 chickpeas recipes and this one is definitely in my top 5! After making crispy chickpeas since I went plant-based 8 years ago, I found that roasting at high heat will yield the best crunchy chickpea (and in only 20-30 minutes!) One of the biggest mistakes I see in other recipes is adding the spices after cooking – this yields chickpeas that are powdery and taste like raw spices! Instead, add the spices at the beginning and your chickpeas will be infused with delicious savory flavors. Follow my other tips for the best oil to use and storage to keep them crispy for days!
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17
Best Homemade Hummus Recipe
Make restaurant-quality hummus right at home! The secret the the creamiest homemade hummus is baking soda (for softening your chickpeas), high quality tahini, and ice water! These techniques create a luscious, velvety hummus that melts in your mouth. No need to spend an hour removing skins – this method is fool-proof and you will never want to buy store-bought hummus again!
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18
Homemade Granola Bars
These chewy and soft homemade granola bars are better than store-bought! They are great for a breakfast, snack, or even a healthier dessert!
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19
Creamy Buffalo Chickpea Dip (Vegan)
Smooth, creamy, tangy, and spicy buffalo chickpea dip will be your new favorite snack or app!
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20
3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Muffins
These healthy 3 ingredient banana oat muffins are the easiest breakfast or snack you can make in just 20 minutes. They're subtly sweet but if you want a sweeter muffin, add in chocolate chips, blueberries, maple syrup, and more! (See tips below!) They're soft and moist – and different from other muffins where they do not have the cakey texture.
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21
Dill Pickle Hummus Recipe
This creamy dill pickle hummus has a tangy twist! It is easy to make and will be your new favorite snack!
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Plant-Based Lunch & Dinner Ideas
Sometimes deciding what to make for lunch and dinner each week can be the hardest choice of the week! I hand-selected some my personal favorites, that also won’t take you hours to make! Many of these make for great leftovers too – so perfect for lunch the next day.
22
Sesame Ginger Chickpea Bowl
For years my Sesame Ginger Chickpea recipe has been the most popular recipe on my social media. I can't even keep track of of how many views it's received (it is far over a million!). What people love most is, first, the incredible flavor—and second, how effortlessly easy it is. I knew this recipe deserved a second moment in the spotlight, so I turned it into a full meal with rice, veggies, and all the perfect toppings. I love this recipe even more now thanks to the addition of crispy wonton strips, creamy avocado, and fresh green onion. It’s unbelievably easy—and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be just as popular as the original.
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23
Easy Vegan Chili
This vegan chili recipe is 10 year old recipe that is a tried-and-true favorite! It uses simple pantry ingredients, three different types of beans (no fake meat!), and flavor-boosting ingredients like fire roasted tomatoes and smoky poblano peppers that make this recipe's flavor incredibly unique compared to other chili recipes. I've been serving this chili at every annual camping trip to meat-eaters and veggies alike…and it's always a huge hit!
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24
Zesty Black Bean Soup
This is not your average black bean soup! This comforting black bean soup packs a punch with flavors of zesty lime, warm spices, bright veggies, hearty black beans, and a little heat from the jalopeño. And don't forget those yummy toppings!
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25
Veggie Lettuce Wraps
Get ready for your new favorite better-than-takeout Asian recipe. These vegan lettuce wraps combine a savory umami sauce simmered with chickpeas and fresh veg all wrapped in a crisp tender lettuce wrap and topped with crunchy peanuts and fresh diced green onion.
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26
Tuscan Stuffed Zucchini Boats
I can almost guarantee these will be the most flavorful zucchini boats you will EVER try! Stuffed with tangy sundried tomatoes, hearty chickpeas and quinoa, and topped with melty mozz and fresh basil…these WILL impress the whole fam!
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27
Chickpea Buffalo Ranch Wrap
This easy chickpea buffalo wrap with creamy ranch is a delicious lunch or dinner with flavorful buffalo marinated chickpeas, crisp romaine and carrots, creamy, avocado, and cooling ranch.
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28
The Best Peanut Tofu Stir Fry
Savory and crisp pan-fried tofu and veggies drizzled with a mouthwatering peanut sauce- yum! This is an easy one pan weeknight dinner that pairs perfectly with rice or noodles.
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29
Winter Harvest Bowl Recipe
This nourishing bowl is packed with hearty grains, vibrant sweet potato and beets, crispy seasoned chickpeas, and flavorful toppings. Drizzle with a maple tahini dressing for a warming winter bowl!
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30
Vegan Mushroom Stew with Lentils
Savory sage mushroom lentil stew is a hearty, cozy dinner, with bold flavors of savory mushrooms and lentils that are complemented by the aromatic essence of sage, creating a comforting and flavorful dish that's great for the chilly months.
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31
Air Fried Tofu Recipe
As a tofu lover for over 7 years, this easy crispy air fryer tofu is seriously one of my faves. It's so convenient with a simple marinade and use of an air fryer to create that perfect crispy texture.
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32
Easy Barley Stuffed Peppers with Basil and Feta (Vegan)
These barley stuffed peppers are a simple weeknight dinner with chewy barley, creamy feta, vibrant tomatoes, and fresh basil.
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