The new year is HERE, and I love looking back on recipes from previous years to see what you’ve all been cooking and sharing the most. I’ve always wanted to put this roundup together, and I thought the start of the year was the perfect time to share it.
These are our most popular healthy recipes of ALL TIME. That’s right, these recipes are the most visited ones on my website since I first started it over a decade ago. If you’ve been in the AK community for years, you’ll recognize these as true AK classics! And if you’re newer here, consider this your guide on what you should cook or bake first.
I broke these down into each meal type — breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts — so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for. These healthy recipes are nutrient-dense and great for your weekday meal prep. Get them on your menu this week, and get ready to revisit this list for years to come!
I also labeled each recipe using the key below, but be sure to head to the full recipe to see how to customize it to your dietary needs and taste preferences.
GF = gluten-free
V = vegan
Veg. = vegetarian
Breakfast
Healthy Banana Oatmeal Pancakes (made right in the blender!) GF, Veg.
The easiest banana oatmeal pancakes made right in the blender! These fluffy healthy pancakes are naturally gluten free, dairy free and contain no flour or added sugar. Get ready for a simple yet delicious breakfast!
Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups GF, Veg.
Delicious peanut butter banana baked oatmeal cups made with protein-packed peanut butter and naturally sweetened with bananas and just a touch of pure maple syrup. These easy banana baked oatmeal cups are easily made gluten and dairy free, freezer-friendly and great for both adults & kids!
Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats with Chia GF, Veg.
Thick and creamy pumpkin pie overnight oats with chia make the perfect easy breakfast! These healthy pumpkin overnight oats are protein-packed thanks to greek yogurt and naturally sweetened with a bit of pure maple syrup. Top with whatever your heart desires!
Cottage Cheese Banana Oatmeal Protein Pancakes GF, Veg.
Delicious cottage cheese protein pancakes made right in a blender with ingredients like potassium-rich banana, creamy cottage cheese and hearty rolled oats! These fluffy, easy cottage cheese pancakes pack 20g of protein and make the perfect satisfying breakfast.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie GF, Veg.
Deliciously creamy chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie that seriously tastes like a Wendy’s frosty! This healthy chocolate banana smoothie recipe is made with just five ingredients and is easy to customize with your favorite nutritional boosters. The perfect breakfast, snack or even dessert!
Fluffy Yogurt Pancakes (high protein, gluten free) GF, Veg.
Incredibly fluffy yogurt pancakes made right in the blender with protein-packed greek yogurt and oats. These easy, gluten free oatmeal yogurt pancakes make a wonderful weekday breakfast or delicious weekend brunch! Add your favorite mix-ins and a drizzle of maple syrup for the perfect morning.
Chunky Monkey Banana Baked Oatmeal GF, Veg.
Delicious chunky monkey banana baked oatmeal packed with healthy fats from coconut and walnuts. This easy, healthy banana baked oatmeal recipe is freezer-friendly and naturally sweetened with bananas & pure maple syrup for the perfect breakfast! Add chocolate chips to make it extra special.
The Most Delicious Breakfast Cookies GF, Veg.
The most delicious healthy breakfast cookies made with protein-packed nut butter plus plenty of fiber and omega-3s from flaxseed meal, chia seeds, and hemp hearts. These easy breakfast cookies are naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and a little pure maple syrup for the perfect kid-friendly breakfast or snack. They’re also great for breastfeeding mamas!
Lunch
The Best Chicken Soup You’ll Ever Eat
The BEST chicken soup you’ll ever eat is the perfect recipe to make when you’re feeling sick. Packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger, turmeric, garlic. This is the BEST CHICKEN SOUP RECIPE EVER!
Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup GF, V
The best homemade tomato basil soup recipe made with roasted fresh tomatoes, garlic, caramelized onions and optional add-ins for extra creaminess. This tomato basil soup recipe is full of flavor and the best way to use up fresh tomatoes from your garden! You’ll never want to go back to the canned stuff after you try this.
Scoop It Up Kale Couscous Salad Veg.
Fresh, herby kale couscous salad with feta, chickpeas, and olives that comes together in just 30 minutes for a satisfying lunch or side dish. Scoop up this beautiful salad with tortilla chips or pita chips to get an extra delicious crunch! You’ll love this veggie-packed salad as is or with your favorite grilled proteins.
Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad GF
Fresh and delicious sesame chicken salad packed with bright, crunchy vegetables, juicy chicken, and a flavorful sesame ginger dressing. This flavorful sesame chicken salad is easy to customize with your fav veggies and proteins for the perfect healthy lunch or dinner during the week!
Famous Crunchy Cashew Thai-Inspired Quinoa Salad GF, V
Crunchy, flavorful Thai-inspired quinoa salad filled with rainbow veggies and tossed in a creamy peanut ginger dressing. This easy Thai quinoa salad is delicious as-is and great for customizing with your favorite proteins! Perfect for meal prep lunches, picnics or parties. This salad is a crowd-pleaser!
Roasted Garlic Cheddar Cauliflower Soup GF, Veg.
Creamy roasted cauliflower soup packed with flavor from a whole head of roasted garlic. There’s no cream or flour involved in this easy cauliflower soup recipe, just blended cauliflower and savory melted cheddar cheese! Serve with croutons or toasted sourdough for the most comforting meal.
Dinner
The Best Healthy Turkey Chili GF
Healthy turkey chili made with lean ground turkey, kidney beans and corn. This famous recipe is perfectly spiced, packed with plenty of protein and fiber, and is simply the BEST. Make it on the stovetop or in your slow cooker for an easy, delicious weeknight dinner.
Mom’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew GF
Mom’s best ever slow cooker beef stew cooked to perfection with dry red wine, garlic, fresh herbs and tender potatoes and carrots. This easy beef stew recipe is just like the classic one you grew up with and makes a delicious, protein-packed dinner the whole family will love!
Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew GF
Hearty and delicious slow cooker white wine chicken stew filled with fresh herbs, veggies and plenty of protein. This creamy white wine chicken stew is easily gluten free and dairy free, and is truly a hug-in-a-bowl that’s perfect for colder months! Serve with crackers, cornbread or homemade biscuits for the coziest dinner.
Mama’s Puerto Rican Chicken and Rice (Arroz con Pollo) GF
My mama’s famous Puerto Rican chicken and rice, also known as arroz con pollo, is made in one pan with homemade adobo-seasoned chicken sofrito and savory rice. This comforting dish is easy to make and the perfect nourishing weeknight meal. You’ll make this recipe again and again!
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Orzo & Creamy Feta Yogurt Sauce
Delicious Greek turkey meatballs with lemon orzo, tender veggies, and a creamy feta yogurt sauce. These baked Greek turkey meatballs are filled with tons of wonderful herbs and make the perfect protein-packed weeknight meal!
Baked or Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken (with the best honey mustard marinade!) GF
Delicious and simple grilled honey mustard chicken with the best honey mustard marinade that’s perfect for baked or grilled chicken recipes. The paleo honey mustard chicken marinade is sweet, tangy and an easy way to add moisture and flavor to any cut of chicken!
The Best Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets
These are the BEST crispy baked chicken nuggets you’ll ever make! This delicious, healthy chicken nuggets recipe takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish and uses simple ingredients like panko breadcrumbs, chicken breast and spices. Serve with honey mustard, ketchup or your favorite BBQ sauce. Kid-friendly and adult approved!
30 Minute Healthier Turkey Sloppy Joes with Homemade Sauce
Delicious turkey sloppy joes with an easy homemade sauce and made with simple, wholesome ingredients. This healthy turkey sloppy joe recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd, and can even be made in your slow cooker! The perfect weeknight dinner that kiddos and adults love.
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchilada Skillet GF, Veg.
Flavorful butternut squash and black bean enchilada skillet filled with fiber and protein for a delicious dinner the whole family will love. This easy vegetarian enchilada skillet comes together in 30 minutes and is great for meal prep!
Sheet Pan Moroccan-Spiced Chicken with Sweet Potatoes & Cauliflower GF
Delicious, easy sheet pan Moroccan-spiced chicken and veggies made with sweet potato, carrots, cauliflower and wonderful spices like cumin, turmeric and cinnamon. This protein-packed, healthy Moroccan sheet pan chicken recipe is garnished with juicy dried cherries, crunchy pistachios, fresh herbs and a drizzle of homemade feta yogurt sauce for an incredible dinner the whole family will love!
Sheet Pan Herby Lemon Garlic Chicken and Potatoes GF
Beautiful sheet pan lemon garlic chicken with tender potatoes, fresh herbs, and savory feta. This easy lemon garlic chicken recipe is packed with flavor and protein, and delicious served as is or over a bed of arugula or rice! The perfect weeknight meal everyone will love.
Snacks
5-Minute Protein Peanut Butter Energy Bites GF, V
No bake protein packed peanut butter energy bites that taste like peanut butter cookie dough with an amazing chewy texture. These healthy peanut butter energy bites are loaded with nutritious ingredients like flaxseed, chia and oats for the perfect no bake snack.
Best Ever Healthy Banana Bread Recipe Veg.
Delicious super moist healthy banana bread made with whole wheat flour, protein packed Greek yogurt and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup. Easy to make and perfect for brunch or snacking. Everyone loves this healthy banana bread recipe because it can easily be made into muffins, too!
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars GF, V
No bake chocolate peanut butter protein bars that taste just like a peanut butter cup. These low carb peanut butter protein bars will be your new favorite snack to keep in your fridge and enjoy all week long!
The Best Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins GF, Veg.
The best healthy blueberry muffins you’ll ever make! These blueberry oatmeal muffins are naturally sweetened, dairy free, and made with a mix of almond flour and oat flour to keep them gluten free. A nutritious, kid-friendly breakfast or snack!
Honey Cinnamon Walnut Banana Muffins Veg.
The ultimate healthy banana muffins are incredibly moist, dairy-free, and naturally sweetened just with ripe bananas and honey. This easy, healthy banana muffin recipe comes together in one bowl in just 30 minutes with options to add a delicious crunch from heart-healthy walnuts! The perfect healthy breakfast or snack that’s freezer-friendly, too.
Desserts
Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars GF, V
These healthy peanut butter twix bars are a homemade, better for you take on the candy bar we all know and love. There’s a layer of almond flour shortbread, a peanut butter caramel middle and a dark chocolate topping. Naturally sweetened, vegan and gluten free!
Flourless Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies GF, Veg.
Thick, chewy peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies made with simple ingredients. These flourless healthy peanut butter oatmeal cookies are full of that nostalgic, delicious peanut butter flavor you know and love, but are gluten free and dairy free! The perfect treat for kiddos and adults.
Flourless Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies GF, V
Secretly healthy chickpea blondies made with chickpeas, peanut butter, pure maple syrup and chocolate chips. No one can tell that they’re made with chickpeas instead of flour, because they taste exactly like a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie! The best part is that the chickpea cookie dough is amazing (and vegan so you can eat it with a spoon!).
Grain Free Tahini Brownies (the best brownies I’ve ever eaten!) GF, Veg.
These grain free tahini brownies are the best brownies I’ve ever eaten! They’re decadent, fudgy, easy to make and just so happen to be gluten free and paleo-friendly. You’ll never go back to another brownie recipe again!
Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats GF, V
Healthy rice krispie treats made without marshmallows and with peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and brown rice krispies. These vegan and gluten free peanut butter rice krispie treats are topped with dark chocolate and sea salt for an indulgent treat that tastes just like a crunchy peanut butter cup. Options to add a bit of protein powder to make these a great post-workout treat!
Hope you enjoy these! Let me know if you make any and how you like them. xx Monique
