Do you think healthy snacks and desserts that taste amazing aren’t possible? These 19 easy to make recipes will prove you wrong!

Do you wonder if there really are such a things as healthy snacks and desserts? Well, beyond the carrot sticks or peanut-butter-and-apple type snacks. Oh, and our family’s favorite to laugh at: fresh fruit as “dessert.” 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 key to keeping them healthy as are the ingredients.

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’re wanting them weekly, why not incorporate some good things in there? If your kids want cookies for lunch, make them the best you can. And let’s give our bodies snacks that will actually fuel it and provide need nutrients to give us energy. That is, after all, the reason for a snack, right?

Healthy Snacks and Desserts

11 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 oats as the main ingredient)

 

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

 

Whole Wheat Sriracha Cheese Crackers (SO good!)

 

8 Healthy Desserts

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

 

Healthy No-Bake Fudge Oatmeal Bars (gluten-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 Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries & Walnuts

 

Flourless Coconut Almond Bars

 

Rhubarb-Honey Crumb Bars

 

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

PS: I’m adding to a Pinterest board full of healthy snack ideas here, so be sure to follow for more ideas!

 

Read all of the Healthy Eating Series:

What Is Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating Tips: Making Time to Cook

Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips: Shop Smart & Stay On Budget

17 Essential Cooking Tools for Healthy Eating: Cookware & Small Appliances

18 Essential Tools, Knives & Gadgets for Healthy Kitchens {+ 7 Nice-to-Haves}

25 Healthy Family Favorite Main Dishes

19 Healthy Soups, Stews & Slow Cooker Dishes

22 Healthy Bread and Breakfast Recipes

19 Healthy Snacks and Desserts (you are here!)