If you're looking for the best healthy Christmas recipes and you've been following my Advent Series on social media, here's all the recipes (+ more) in one place for you! From classic side dishes during the holiday season to new favorites, I hope you find one you love!
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As a dietitian, I aim to live a healthy lifestyle, but love to indulge in Christmas food as much as the next person! So for me, having a perfect balance of Christmas goodies and healthier options in between is the sweet spot!
And I actually find that when I bring healthy treats or side dishes to the Christmas meal, there's always a few people who are happy to have healthy alternatives to choose from. So if you're looking for something to bring to a gathering at Christmas time and want to make it easier to stick with healthy eating, here are my top 25 recipes for this time of the year!
To get to the recipe, simply click on the recipe name, or the "grab the recipe" button. ❤️
Healthy Snacks and Appetizers
This Gorgeous Hummus Wreath
This Christmas Hummus Wreath is a great last-minute appetizer for the busy holiday season and one of the most popular recipes out of my appetizers! All you need is hummus, veggies, a round platter, and a small bowl. Hummus is made from chickpeas and provides plant protein and healthy fats. Adding fresh veggies on top is a total bonus and provides even more nutrition, color, and flavor. When it comes to Christmas appetizers, this one is always a favorite!
4 Ingredient Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
These easy Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates are an unexpectedly delicious appetizer or sweet side dish with wholesome ingredients! They have a pecan pie-ish flavor and come together with just 4 ingredients. I love finding ways to use whole food ingredients to make delicious appetizers to bring to parties or have on hand for a healthy snack. These dates are such a crowd pleaser to bring to your next party! Or make a batch and enjoy them as a healthy dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth during the holidays.
Whipped Ricotta Dip with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes
This Whipped Ricotta Dip with bursting roasted tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs is a delicious & easy healthy appetizer! The creamy texture of the ricotta almost melts into the tomatoes and the best part is you can prep the ricotta in advance and just roast the tomatoes to add on top when time comes to serve it. 😊
Hot Honey Feta Dip
This Hot Honey Feta Dip recipe is an easy appetizer ready in just 5 minutes! It has a creamy texture and the perfect combination of spicy, salty, and sweet flavors...it's such a crowd pleaser and sure to be a big hit at your next gathering! Serve with your favorite crackers or crudite.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
This healthy & delicious Creamy Chicken Salad is a unique spin on classic chicken salad. As a dietitian, I love to serve as a dip with crackers or chips at gatherings! It's also great to meal prep for an easy Christmas lunch.
Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Pecan Date Topping
If you're looking for a last minute appetizer, let me introduce you to my new favorite: Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with a pecan date topping! It's easy enough for when you're short on time + fancy enough that people will be asking for the recipe. The creamy texture of the goat cheese is enough on it's own, but adding a sweet & savory topping makes it perfect for your next holiday party!
Chicken Sage Meatballs
These baked Chicken Sage Meatballs are flavorful, tender, and packed with protein! Made with ground chicken, fresh sage leaves, and parmesan cheese. The best part is that these meatballs bake in the oven until they're nice and brown. Serve them with a dipping sauce like yogurt tahini sauce as an appetizer or with spinach & mushroom orzo for the main course.
Sweet Potatoes with Whipped Ricotta and Pecan Date Topping
These Sweet Potato Slices with Whipped Ricotta & a pecan date topping are a unique appetizer or side dish to serve at the holidays! The orange zest and fresh thyme add tons of flavor, and it's an especially great option if you have gluten-free guests. 😊
Healthy Main Meal and Side Dish Recipes
Cozy One-Pot Lasagna Soup
This healthy Lasagna Soup is loaded with all the classic rich flavor of lasagna with the addition of extra veggies for more nutrients and ground turkey as a protein source! It's serious comfort food, definitely a crowd pleaser, and so cozy for Christmas Eve. The best part is it's all made in one pot for easy cleanup. And it's a balanced meal that won't put you in a food coma or crash your blood sugar.
Creamy Cauliflower White Bean Soup
This Roasted Cauliflower White Bean Soup is one of my favorites to keep on heavy rotation during soup season and a delicious way to balance out heavier meat meals! It's so cozy with the caramelized cauliflower and a creamy soup from blended white beans. Plus, it's easy to make in the blender and loaded with nutrition. True comfort food!
Tuscan Chicken Orzo Bake
This creamy Chicken Orzo Bake is such an easy recipe for Christmas dinner with the classic flavors of an Italian pasta! It's serious comfort food that the whole family will love and it's so easy. Just combine everything in an oven-safe dish and bake. 😊
Crockpot White Chicken Chili (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)
This creamy dairy-free White Chicken Chili is a flavorful & cozy meal for colder months and a lighter alternative to traditional chili recipes! The secret is to add blended white beans at the end to make it extra creamy. Such an easy meal for busy weeknights. 😊
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Pomegranate
There’s something magical about a winter salad that's fresh, vibrant, and satisfying all at once and this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is just that! The shredded sprouts and kale soak up the honey lemon dressing and pomegranate seeds add a little sweetness. Top it with goat cheese & pecans for layers of texture in every bite! It’s the perfect standout salad for holiday meals or a nourishing addition to your weekday routine. 😊
Pear and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese
This festive Pear Arugula Salad with a simple maple dressing is a delicious salad for any time of year, but it's especially perfect for the holiday table! The sweetness of the pears coupled with peppery arugula and topped with creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts takes this from a simple salad to unbeatable.
Roasted Butternut Squash Beet Salad with Maple Balsamic
This colorful Beet and Butternut Squash Salad is a beautiful salad that's perfect for the fall and winter months! Roasted butternut squash and beets are mixed with leafy greens + topped with creamy goat cheese & pumpkin seeds. Everything is topped with a delicious maple dijon dressing! Meal prep it for lunch or bring it to a gathering for everyone to enjoy. 😊
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Brown Sugar Topping
This delicious Sweet Potato Casserole (No Marshmallows) has a crunchy pecan & brown sugar topping and is a staple for Thanksgiving dinner with my family! We have been making some version of this for years, and it's always a favorite. The best part is that you can prep it in advance to get a head start on your cooking.
Healthy Dessert Recipes and Healthy Christmas Treats
Date Snickers Bites
These easy 6-ingredient Date Snickers Bars are one of my favorite healthy desserts! Medjool dates with natural peanut butter & melted dark chocolate all topped with roasted peanuts and a pinch of sea salt!
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
These simple Oatmeal Cookies with no butter are sweetened with maple syrup and my favorite for when I want something sweet but don't want a bunch of added refined sugars or saturated fats. They're the perfect treat if you're into chewy cookies!
Chocolate Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats
These Christmas Rice Krispie Treats are an easy treat for the holiday season! This no bake dessert is made with gooey marshmallows, rice krispie cereal, dark chocolate, and crushed peppermint - a great option for a cookie exchange or your Christmas dessert table.
Healthy Christmas Day Breakfast Recipes
Gingerbread Overnight Oatmeal
This Gingerbread Overnight Oats Recipe is a delicious breakfast for the holiday season when you're craving the flavor of classic gingerbread cookies and want a healthy breakfast! With a couple of minutes of meal prep the night before, your easy breakfast will be waiting for you the next day 😊
Cranberry Orange Granola
This crunchy Cranberry Granola with Orange Zest is my favorite homemade granola recipe to make in the winter! Rolled oats are combined with toasty pecans and sliced almonds sweetened with orange zest, vanilla, and maple syrup. All baked in the oven on a sheet pan until golden brown and topped off with dried cranberries!
Broccoli & Cheese Egg Bake
This perfectly fluffy Broccoli Egg Bake with Cottage Cheese, Potatoes and Red Peppers is a delicious & easy breakfast high in protein and great for meal prep! As always, I want to make things as easy as possible for you and this one all comes together in one baking dish in the oven. 😊
Fluffy Gingerbread Oatmeal Pancakes
If you're looking for a special breakfast to make for Christmas morning or a cozy weekend in the winter months, you have to try these fluffy Gingerbread Pancakes! They have all the cozy flavors of gingerbread cookies but are actually healthy using oats as the base of the recipe. The perfect way to start a cold day this time of year!
Healthy Beverages
Immunity Booster Shots
I love making my immune booster shots which have tons of ingredients to help support gut and immune health and turning them into a tea around Christmas! You can freeze them and pour hot water over it and it's warming, nutritious, and so yummy.
Christmas Ice Cubes
These Christmas Ice Cubes are made with just 4 ingredients and are such a festive way to take your holiday cocktail or mocktail to the next level! You can prep them in advance as a fun touch for holiday parties. All you have to do when it comes time to serve is add your beverage of choice on top. The best part is that as the ice melts, the flavors will infuse into your holiday drink!
In Conclusion
While Christmas is an amazing time to try a new recipe or make a family favorite, more importantly it's a time for community. It's easy to get lost in the "busy-ness" and forget to slow down, take a breath, and express gratitude for both big and small moments from this past year. It's something I'm working on.
I hope one of these recipes helps you get your hands (and attention!) off your phone and onto the abundance that God has provided us with and sharing time with the people you get to have in your life. So whether you are spending time with family, friends or home alone with your pet, I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy cooking! 🧑🍳
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