Do you think healthy snacks and desserts that taste amazing aren't possible? Here are more than 19 easy-to-make recipes that will prove you wrong!

This list of healthy snacks and desserts is a part of the Healthy Eating Series, where you can find tips for healthy eating as well as lists of recipes to get you started eating real food that’s easy to make and tastes amazing. Scroll to the bottom to find the list of all the articles in the series.

Have you wondered if there really are such a things as healthy snacks and desserts?

Well, beyond the carrot sticks or peanut-butter-and-apple type snacks, I mean.

Oh, and our family's favorite "dessert" to laugh at: fresh fruit. I'm glad for those who feel satisfied with an orange as dessert but that will never cut it in our household, ha!

And while I think that all food - including snacks and sweets - should be enjoyed in moderation, I do think that we as a culture enjoy those things a bit too often. A sustainable healthy lifestyle includes all the things that make life enjoyable (including especially chocolate!) but not all.the.time.

So limiting snacks to once a day while using portion control (see some portion control tips & tricks here), and keeping desserts to once a week and special occasions (to keep them special) is as important to keeping them healthy as the ingredients are.

What's the point of healthy snacks and desserts, then, if we limit them - can't we eat whatever, then?

Well, to a point, maybe. If desserts really are special, there's nothing wrong with enjoying lava cakes a couple times a year, or serving an amazing lemon-berry cake for Easter.

But if you are wanting them weekly, why not incorporate some good things in there? And if your kids want cookies for lunch, make them the best you can.

As for snacks, let's give our bodies food that will actually fuel it and provide needed nutrients to give us energy. That is, after all, the reason for a snack, right?

Healthy Snacks and Desserts

Healthy Snacks

Healthy Maple Sweetened Chili Pecans

Easy, Healthy Spiced Nuts

Hummus Made with Sesame Seeds (this recipe makes your own tahini- no need to buy a special ingredient!)

The Best Chunky Guacamole

Cashew Cranberry-White Chocolate Granola Bites (or make with any nut butter you have)

Chocolate Chip Almond Granola Bites (with more variations)

Perfectly Salted DIY Roasted Almonds

Perfect, Easy No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars (uses granola as the main ingredient)

Healthy Baked Chewy Granola Bars) (uses whole oats as the main ingredient)

Healthy Blueberry Bars (gluten free, naturally & minimally sweetened, and can be dairy free)

Sourdough Whole Wheat Crackers (surprisingly easy and good way to use new starter)

Whole Wheat Sriracha Cheese Crackers (SO good!)

Healthy Desserts

Dark Chocolate Chip, Nut & Seed Oatmeal Cookies (gluten-free, whole grain)

Healthy No-Bake Fudge Oatmeal Bars (gluten-free, naturally sweetened, egg free, can be dairy free)

Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cookies (grain-free, dairy-free)

Healthy Chocolate-Covered Pecans (coated with a homemade, maple-sweetened chocolate)

Whole Wheat Blackberry Crumb Bars (whole grain)

Whole Grain Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries & Walnuts (whole grain)

Flourless Coconut Almond Bars (grain free, lower sugar, can be dairy free)

Rhubarb-Honey Crumb Bars (whole grain, lower sugar, egg free)

No Bake Blueberry Pie (low sugar)

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (gluten free, dairy free, and naturally sweetened)

What are some of your favorite healthy snacks or healthier desserts?

Be sure the check out all of An Oregon Cottage's snacks and desserts here in the recipe index.