Snack Smart With These 2 Healthy Alternatives November 3, 2016
Time for a snack! Something delicious, something nutritious… Why does it always feel like these two have to be frenemies? Keep reading to find out how we managed to reunite these longtime rivals, plus get two incredible (and guilt-free) snack recipes!
The dreaded 3pm tummy grumble— It’s a feeling we know all too well. Lunchtime has come and gone, but it’s just too early for an early dinner. You want something savory, you want something sweet, but most importantly you don’t want to feel bad about it afterward. We get it. We’ve been there. So we tinkered and toyed in the test kitchen and came up with these two quick and healthy alternatives that you can reach for instead of the goldfish.
1. Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
First up to the plate (pun intended) is a creative twist on an indulgent classic. Yes, we know that cauliflower and buffalo sauce may seem like an unusual pairing at first, but take one bite and you’ll be transported to your favorite wings joint. Trust us, we’re sitting at the corner booth right now.
Ingredients:
- 1 Head Cauliflower, chopped into buffalo wing-sized pieces
- 1/2 Cup Rice Flour
- 1/2 Cup Water
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Melted Butter
- 2/3 Cup Hot Sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450ºF. In a medium bowl, combine flour, water, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk together until combined.
- Add cauliflower into mixture, tossing to coat all pieces. Then spread cauliflower on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
- While the cauliflower cooks, combine melted butter and hot sauce in a bowl, stirring constantly. When cauliflower is ready, take out of oven and toss into hot sauce mixture. Add cauliflower back to the baking sheet and cook another 25 minutes, until crispy. Remove from oven and let cool 10-15 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
2. Sweet Potato Toasts Two Ways
Next up is a simple treat, which has quickly become a new favorite of ours. This one is perfect as a standalone snack or even for hors d’oeuvres at a house party. And don’t be fooled by the simplicity; these little guys carry a huge flavor. The best part? They come in sweet and savory versions to match your mood!
Sweet Toasts
Ingredients:
- One Large Sweet Potato (the rounder the better)
- Tahini
- Sesame Seeds (or your favorite seed variety)
- Hazelnuts (or your favorite nut variety)
- Honey
Instructions:
- Slice sweet potato into thin rounds.
- Toast or grill until soft all the way through.
- Spread the tahini on each round.
- Crush the hazelnuts and sprinkle on top.
- Drizzle with honey and garnish with sesame seeds.
Savory Toasts
Ingredients:
- One Large Sweet Potato (the rounder the better)
- One Watermelon Radish
- Watercress
- Soft goat cheese
Instructions
- Slice sweet potato into thin rounds.
- Toast or grill until soft all the way through.
- Very thinly slice the radish into rounds.
- Spread goat cheese on each round, then layer radish slices on top.
- Sprinkle watercress and season with black pepper to taste.
There you have it, folks! The feud is over… delicious and nutritious have finally made up, and they’re doing a tasty tango, a snack time pas de deux. Now that you’ve got your go-to snack time healthy alternatives, check out our 5 hacks for healthy eating on a budget!