Healthy Living

Make the holidays easier and less stressful with make-ahead Christmas appetizers. Keep these recipes in mind as you start planning your holiday menus. These festive and flavorful dishes can be prepped a few days in advance so that when Christmas comes around you can spend more time with your loved ones instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

Recipes like our Whipped Feta with Beets, Pistachios & Honey and our Cranberry & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Wreath are healthy, easy and sure to put everyone in a jolly mood.

01 of 20

Spinach-Artichoke Puff Pastry Spirals

Flaky, buttery layers of pastry get wrapped around store-bought dip for an appetizer that feels elegant. Perfect for holiday parties, casual get-togethers or game-day snacking, they’re guaranteed to disappear as soon as they hit the table.

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02 of 20

Whipped Feta with Beets, Pistachios & Honey

This whipped feta is a delicious appetizer that comes together in only 15 minutes. Red beets and green pistachios provide some holiday flair, while a drizzle of honey contributes a sweet note to the savory whipped feta spread. A pinch of Aleppo pepper adds a touch of heat and mild fruitiness that enhances the dish. If you don’t have Aleppo pepper, you can use a mix of sweet paprika and a touch of cayenne or crushed red pepper for a similar flavor profile. Serve with your favorite crackers or veggies.

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03 of 20

Cranberry & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Wreath

This cranberry and goat cheese puff pastry wreath is an easy Christmas appetizer that’s sure to impress. Despite its elegant look, it’s incredibly simple to make, with just a few ingredients and minimal prep time. Whether served as a centerpiece or passed around as bites, this wreath will bring holiday cheer to your next gathering!

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04 of 20

Snickerdoodle Almonds

Tossing almonds in frothy egg whites helps the sweet and savory seasoning adhere to these festive snickerdoodle almonds. They make an excellent appetizer for holiday entertaining.

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05 of 20

Puff Pastry Cheese Straws

Crispy, golden and cheesy, these puff pastry cheese straws with garlic and Parmesan are the perfect holiday party appetizer. They’re easy to prepare ahead, making them ideal for entertaining. Serve warm or at room temperature—they’ll be the most popular three-ingredient appetizer at your gathering.

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06 of 20

High-Protein Caesar Dip

This versatile high-protein dip is the perfect companion for your favorite veggies. Made with strained (Greek-style) yogurt and sour cream and blended with Parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce, it’s reminiscent of the flavors in Caesar salad dressing.

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07 of 20

3-Ingredient Guava & Cream Cheese Bites

These buttery, flaky puff pastry bites draw inspiration from pastelillos, a Puerto Rican pastry. We fill these bites with guava paste and cream cheese for a bite-size appetizer that couldn’t be easier to make. Using frozen puff pastry keeps prep simple while ensuring light, golden layers that bake up beautifully in the oven. These three-ingredient sweet-and-savory bites are ideal for holiday gatherings.

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08 of 20

Whipped Feta with Pomegranate, Pistachios & Honey

This easy, quick appetizer is perfect for any gathering. Drizzling of hot honey over whipped feta adds a pleasant spice and plays well with the salty pistachios, but you could substitute regular honey or date syrup if preferred.

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09 of 20

Everything-Seasoned Almonds

Grinding up the everything bagel seasoning in a spice grinder will help it adhere to the almonds.

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10 of 20

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Dip

These high-protein cottage cheese dips are easy to whip up and pair perfectly with your favorite fruits and veggies. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, these recipes will keep you full and energized while squeezing in an extra serving of veggies.

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11 of 20

Pizza Pistachios

Nutritional yeast mimics the flavor of cheese, lending a pizza-like flavor to these playful spiced pistachios.

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12 of 20

Rosemary-Garlic Pecans

These savory spiced nuts are perfect for snacking, adding to a cheese board or serving as a mini appetizer.

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13 of 20

Sweet and Salty Roasted Nuts

Spicy seasonings add a bit of zing to roasted nuts for a snack that's perfect for any occasion.

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14 of 20

Sesame-Honey Roasted Cashews

These sesame-honey roasted cashews are a sweet-and-savory snack with a toasty crunch and a hint of umami from the sesame seeds. While they’re perfect for snacking straight from the jar, they also make a delicious topping for salads, adding protein and flavor.

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15 of 20

Light & Airy Whipped Cottage Cheese

Give this whipped cottage cheese dip your own spin by making it with your favorite fresh herbs. Serve it with plenty of fresh veggies or a sliced baguette for dipping.

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16 of 20

Spiced Candied Pecans

At home or at Campo, the restaurant he oversees at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm in Albuquerque, chef Jonathan Perno likes to welcome guests with spiced New Mexican pecans. You won't see this in most spiced-nut recipes, but Perno blanches them to reduce some of the bitter tannins in the skin that can sometimes overwhelm the pecans' delicate flavor.

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17 of 20

Spiced Roasted Walnuts

Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, while spices like cinnamon and ginger can further support the anti-inflammatory benefits. These walnuts are not only a flavorful, crunchy snack on their own, but also a great topping for salads.

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18 of 20

Classic Hummus

It's easy to make hummus at home with just a few pantry items. Serve drizzled with your best-quality extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley. Mop it up with warm whole-wheat pita bread or cut-up vegetables.

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19 of 20

Candied Hazelnuts

Use these nuts in both sweet and savory dishes. Top a tart for a cinnamony sweet and crunchy finish, or crack them and sprinkle over chicken salad. They're good on their own, and you can change the flavor to suit many tastes.

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20 of 20

Gut-Friendly Snack Mix

This curried cashew snack mix features toasted edamame—a prebiotic food that sets the stage for a healthy gut. A combination of spices and red curry paste brings flavor and heat to this grab-and-go snack. To keep the spice level on the mild side, you can swap out the red curry paste for yellow.

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Keep your blood sugar levels under control with these satisfying vegetarian lunches. Each recipe is lower in carbs, calories, saturated fat and sodium to align with a diabetes-appropriate eating pattern. From batch-friendly soups and salads to speedy grain bowls and sandwiches, these highly-rated dishes are flavorful and balanced. Options like our Easy Chickpea Salad Lunch Box and our Marry Me White Bean Salad will leave you feeling nourished until dinner time.

01 of 19

High-Fiber Chopped Salad with Italian Vinaigrette

This chopped salad is a crisp, colorful mix of veggies. It’s tossed with a zesty homemade vinaigrette while chickpeas bring on the plant-based protein and fiber. Everything is chopped small for the perfect forkful every time.

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02 of 19

Easy Chickpea Salad Lunch Box

This chickpea salad is a fresh, no-cook lunch that’s perfect for busy weekdays. Chickpeas are tossed with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes and a splash of lemon juice and olive oil for a refreshing bite. It’s easy to prep multiple servings at once, so you can stock your fridge with grab-and-go lunches for the week.

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03 of 19

Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables, depending on your mood.

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04 of 19

Marry Me White Bean Salad

This salad is a bright, flavor-packed dish that’s hard not to fall for. Pulling inspiration from Marry Me Chicken, the tender white beans are tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and a creamy dressing that soaks into every bite. It’s quick to throw together and perfect for meal prep, picnics or pairing with grilled meats.

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05 of 19

Cucumber-Hummus Wrap

This easy wrap is a crisp, refreshing lunch packed with veggies. Shredded green cabbage adds a satisfying crunch, while the creamy dressing (flavored with pickle juice, but no pickles) adds tang without excess sodium. Hummus provides a creamy base that pairs perfectly with the fresh crispy vegetables.

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06 of 19

Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad

This salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish packed with fresh flavors. It brings together crisp raw vegetables and fiber-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty herb dressing that infuses every bite. It’s perfect for warm days, meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something quick.

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07 of 19

High-Protein Blueberry & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding

This healthy dish is loaded with chia seeds that soak up a dreamy blend of almond milk and blueberries as it chills overnight, transforming it into a thick, creamy pudding. A swirl of peanut butter and strained (Greek-style) yogurt add more creaminess along with protein.

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08 of 19

Bean & Pasta Salad

This bean-and-pasta salad is a satisfying dish packed with plant-based protein. It combines tender pasta with fiber-rich beans, crisp vegetables and a zesty vinaigrette for a well-balanced bite. The flavors continue to meld as it sits, making it an ideal recipe for meal prep or gatherings.

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09 of 19

Quinoa, Avocado & Chickpea Salad over Mixed Greens

Protein-rich quinoa and chickpeas add staying power to this zesty and healthy salad recipe.

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10 of 19

White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch. White beans provide plant-based protein while creamy feta cheese adds a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette.

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11 of 19

Roasted Potato Tzatziki Bowls

Crispy, golden roasted potatoes are the centerpiece of these tasty bowls, accompanied by a tangy, herb-packed tzatziki sauce at the base. Loaded with fresh veggies like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and red onion with a side of chickpeas, these bowls deliver big on flavor and nutrition.

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12 of 19

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bowl

This cottage cheese bowl is loaded with capers, dill and a soft-cooked egg for the ultimate high-protein meal. This bowl will keep you going strong, while an egg adds richness and even more staying power.

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13 of 19

High-Protein Veggie Sandwich

From beans to tofu to tempeh bacon, this high-protein veggie sandwich formula can help mitigate blood sugar spikes and keep you feeling full until your next meal.

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14 of 19

Veggie Wraps

These wraps are packed with veggies, including zucchini, bell pepper and spinach. The vegetables cook quickly in a skillet, so you can pull together this easy lunch in no time. Hummus adds plant-based protein and keeps the wrap from getting dry.

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15 of 19

Garlicky White Bean & Kale Stew

This lemony kale and white bean stew offers bright, hearty,and comforting flavors all in one pot. Tender carrots, onion and lacinato kale simmer with creamy cannellini beans, some of which are mashed to thicken the broth. A sprinkle of Parmesan and parsley adds a fresh zesty finish.

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16 of 19

High-Protein Mason Jar Salad

Mason jar salads make for a convenient lunch that can easily be taken on the go or enjoyed at home. With just a few ingredients, you have a well-rounded lunch packed with fiber, protein and micronutrients that won’t spike your blood sugars. This nutritious Mason jar salad allows plenty of room for customization based on your taste preferences.

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17 of 19

Cajun-Spiced Tofu Tostadas with Beet Crema

Crumbled tofu spiced up with Cajun seasoning is layered onto these tostadas with a juicy mango slaw. A dollop of sour cream zhuzhed up with beet and lime adds even more flavor. Look for precooked beets in the produce department of your grocery store.

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18 of 19

Bhel Puri-Inspired Salad

This flavorful salad was inspired by bhel puri, a type of chaat (savory snack) served across India, and features puffed quinoa and lentils for extra protein and fiber.

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19 of 19

Cilantro Bean Burgers with Creamy Avocado-Lime Slaw

Lighten up your burger! Bean patties have less saturated fat and more fiber than beef patties. They're also cheaper and easier to cook indoors--and we promise they're just as satisfying, especially with the mouthwatering creamy slaw on top.

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