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4 Tasty and Nutritious Snacks to Impress Your Family at the Next Gathering

Healthy Snack Bites - Avocado Ranch Dip, Spiced Nuts, Marinated Olives and Mozzarella and Polenta Tomato Bites

With these 4 amazingly delicious snacks you can easily prepare at home, there will be no need to reach for the bag of potato chips or cheese balls!


Spiced Almonds 

spiced nuts2

Makes: 12 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Inactive Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes


Ingredients

3 cups raw almonds

1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon maple syrup

¼ cup coconut sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, depending on how much spice you like

1 teaspoon sea salt


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 13 to 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Keep a close eye on the nuts to make sure they don’t burn. Let almonds cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

  2. While the almonds are cooling, melt the coconut oil. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut oil with the water and maple syrup. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the coconut sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and sea salt.

  3. Transfer nuts to the bowl with the coconut oil mixture. Toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle the coconut sugar mixture over the nuts and toss again until evenly coated.

  4. Spread the almonds back out on the baking sheet and cool to room temperature.. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. 


Nutrition

For ¼ cup of nuts


Calories: 192

Fat: 15 grams

Saturated Fat: 2 grams

Cholesterol: 0 milligrams

Sodium: 192 milligrams 

Carbohydrate: 12 grams

Fiber: 4 grams

Sugar: 6 grams

Added Sugar: 5 grams

Protein: 6 grams



Marinated Mozzarella & Olives

olives and mozzarella

Makes: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: N/A

Inactive Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes


Ingredients

8 ounces mozzarella bocconcini

1 cup large green olives 

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1-2 garlic cloves, grated

1 tablespoon each fresh thyme and rosemary leaves, finely chopped

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper


Instructions

  1. Place mozzarella and olives in a 16-ounce mason jar or storage container. Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, thyme, rosemary, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and ground black pepper to the jar. 

  2. Seal the jar and give it a shake to combine. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. (Note: this can be made ahead of time, but the oil will solidify in the refrigerator. Let the jar sit in a bowl of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to return to liquid state.)


Nutrition

For 3 mozzarella balls and 2 olives


Calories: 130

Fat: 11 grams

Saturated Fat: 3 grams

Cholesterol: 15 milligrams

Sodium: 397 milligrams 

Carbohydrate: 0 grams

Fiber: 0 grams

Sugar: 0 grams

Added Sugar: 0 grams

Protein: 6 grams



Avocado Ranch Dip

Healthy Holiday Bites - Avocado Ranch Dip

Makes: About 1.5 cups (12 servings)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: N/A

Total Time: 10 minutes


Ingredients

1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

1 avocado, peel and pit removed

1 tablespoon water

Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 garlic clove

1 teaspoon dried dill

2 teaspoons dried parsley

3 tablespoons fresh chives

¾ teaspoon salt


Instructions

  1. Place yogurt, avocado, water, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, dried herbs, and salt in the bowl of a food processor with a multipurpose blade attached. If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a blender or a hand held mixer and mixing bowl. Process or blend the ingredients until smooth, pausing to scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.

  2. Transfer dip to a serving bowl or store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serve with vegetables and whole grain or grain-free crackers or chips.


Nutrition

For 2 tablespoons of dip


Calories: 50

Fat: 4 grams

Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams

Cholesterol: 6 milligrams

Sodium: 152 milligrams 

Carbohydrate: 3 grams

Fiber: 1 gram

Sugar: Less than 1 gram

Added Sugar: 0 grams

Protein: 1 gram




Polenta Bites with Herbed Whipped Ricotta and Tomatoes 

Healthy Polenta Bites

Makes: 12 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes


Ingredients

2 Roma tomatoes, chopped

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

¼ teaspoon sea salt

⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon dried basil

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon dried parsley

1-pound prepared polenta in a tube

1 cup whole milk ricotta 


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

  2. In a small bowl, toss the tomatoes with the olive oil, sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and dried herbs. Set aside.

  3. Slice tubed polenta into ½-inch rounds. You should get approximately 12 slices. Arrange slices on the baking sheet and lightly mist the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the polenta is golden.

  4. In a mixing bowl, whip ricotta with a handheld mixer or wire whisk until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

  5. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of whipped ricotta on top of each polenta round. Top with a spoonful of tomatoes. Drizzle leftover oil from the tomatoes on top of the polenta rounds. Serve immediately.


Nutrition

For 1 piece


Calories: 87

Fat: 5 grams

Saturated Fat: 2 grams

Cholesterol: 10 milligrams

Sodium: 170 milligrams 

Carbohydrate: 7 grams

Fiber: Less than 1 gram

Sugar: Less than 1 gram

Added Sugar: 0 grams

Protein: 3 grams