Blueberry Lemon Breakfast Bites

Blueberries and lemon go hand in hand, and these Blueberry Lemon Breakfast Bites are such a fresh and comforting springtime treat.  Warm and fluffy, they work wonderfully as either a convenient breakfast on the go, or for a more leisurely morning at home (paired with an iced coffee on the side). They’re also nice to have on hand when the afternoon sweet tooth arrives!

Whether you’re enjoying them fresh from the oven, or reheated in the microwave, these are definitely best enjoyed at warm temperatures.  This will ensure peak taste and texture!

Be it the sprinkled sugar on top, or the lemon glaze, choosing at least one of these toppings is what will tie these little muffins all together.  The batter is minimally sweet, so the extra sweetness on top in either topping choice is a must.  The sprinkled sugar option is quick and easy, and the glaze option will provide an extra dose of lemon.  My recommendation would be to go with the sprinkled sugar if you want them for breakfast, but the lemon glaze if you’re looking for something a little more “dessert-y”.

Servings: 12 Muffins

Ingredients:

MUFFINS

  • 2/3 Cup Unsalted Butter (melted
  • 3/4 Cup Cane Sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/2 Cup Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp Lemon Zest
  • 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1.5 Cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Tsp Sea Salt
  • 1.5 Cups Fresh Blueberries

TOPPING

Sprinkled Sugar

  • 3 – 4 Tsp Decorative / Demerara Sugar

OR

Lemon Glaze

  • 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
  • 2 Teaspoons Lemon Zest
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice

Directions:

(If opting for the glaze, make this first and set it aside – Simply stir together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl)

Preheat the oven to 350º

Line your muffin tray with muffin liners

Prepare the lemon zest and set aside

Melt the butter in a large bowl in the microwave

Add the sugar to the bowl

Add the egg

Beat the butter, sugar, and egg together until smooth

Add in the greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla, and beat slowly again

In a second smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt with a fork

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and blend until smooth

Gently stir in the blueberries

Spoon the batter into the muffin liners (they will be on the fuller side) 

If the sprinkled sugar is your topping of choice, add it here before baking

Bake for 20 minutes

If the glaze is your topping of choice, add it to taste once the bites have finished baking and cooled slightly, and then let it solidify

Rewarm whenever ready to eat

Enjoy!

[Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge, and warmed in the microwave.]

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Burrito Bowl Party Dip

The perfect companion for a big bag of tortilla chips, this Burrito Bowl Party Dip is such a refreshing snack!  With a warm base of rice, refried beans, and cheese topped with fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, and cilantro, it’s a fun vegetarian-friendly contribution to your next spring or summer gathering!

This recipe fills a 9 x 13 pan, so if you’ll be feeding a smaller group you could easily halve the ingredients and pan size.  It’s also extremely customizable if you want to add in your favorite meat or additional toppings like sour cream or extra cheese.

(If the dip will not all be eaten at once, you can easily leave off the fresh ingredient toppings to be added separately so that you can reheat the warm base at a later time.  Otherwise, I would not recommend serving it as leftovers.  This one is definitely best consumed fresh!)

Servings: Approx. 6

Ingredients:

  • 4 Cups Prepared Brown Rice
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 2 16 oz Cans Seasoned Refried Beans (linked, or equivalent)
  • 6 Slices Pepper Jack Cheese (or shredded equivalent of approx. 1.5 Cups)
  • 1 lb Spicy Guacamole
  • 14 oz Pico De Gallo
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350º

Add salt and pepper to taste to the prepared rice, then spread evenly in a 9 x 13 inch pan

Next, add the layer of beans

Add the layer of cheese

Warm the pan in the oven for about 20 minutes

When ready to serve, add the guacamole layer, the pico de gallo layer, and sprinkle with cilantro

Serve immediately with tortilla chips of choice

Enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!


Love this type of shareable snack?  Check out my Greek Chickpea Salad!

Whole Wheat Apple Carrot Muffins

Super soft, hearty, and a blank slate for breakfast, these Whole Wheat Apple Carrot Muffins are so convenient to have on hand!  They’re not overly sweet, and are best enjoyed either warmed up with some butter on top, with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, combined with yogurt, or with a smear of your favorite nut butter.  Most of the ingredients are likely in your pantry already, plus you get to sneak in some veggies and whole grains…Win-win!

Servings: 12 Muffins

Ingredients:

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350º

Line the muffin pan with muffins liners

Peel and finely grate the carrots, and set aside

Measure out the apple sauce, and set aside

Melt the butter in a large bowl (such as glass in the microwave)

Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the melted butter and stir until combined

Add the brown sugar and stir again until combined

Stir in the applesauce and carrots, then set the wet ingredients aside

In another medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, sea salt, baking powder, and baking soda

Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, and stir together until well combined

Fill the 12 muffin liners to just below the tops

Bake for approximately 23 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean

Dig in while they’re warm from the oven, or store them sealed in the refrigerator or freezer after they’ve cooled

[Reheat in the microwave whenever you’re ready for one, and they’ll taste just as good as they did straight from the oven!]

Enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!


Want more muffins?  Check out my Whole Wheat 2-Banana Muffins!

Crispy Potato Wedges

THESE CRISPY POTATO WEDGES REALLY HIT THE SPOT WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR A THICK-CUT FRY!

These Crispy Potato Wedges are such a quick and easy side to have on hand and always a crowd pleaser.  They pair wonderfully with meaty meals such as steak, chicken, or battered fish, but also happen to be vegan and taste great alongside veggie burgers, veggie sandwiches, or chili too.  You only need 4 basic ingredients!

The extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper really can be eyeballed and added to taste in this instance which makes this side extra easy to whip up during busy mealtimes.

The use of parchment paper dramatically eases the cleanup process, so definitely don’t skip this step!

Main Supplies Needed:

  • A Knife & Cutting Board
  • Baking Sheet/s (depending on how many potatoes!)
  • Parchment Paper

Servings: Approx. 1 Potato Per Person, Or Quantity Of Choice!

Ingredients:

  • Potatoes
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Sea Salt
  • Black Pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°

Line your baking sheet/s with parchment paper

After thoroughly cleaning the potato/s, chop each one into about 8 wedges

Very lightly coat the wedges with extra virgin olive oil and place them on the baking sheet/s

Add on sea salt and black pepper to taste

Bake for 30-40 minutes depending on how crispy you like them

[Optional – You can raise the oven temperature slightly or broil for the last couple minutes for extra crispness if you like!]

Serve the wedges while nice and warm from the oven

Enjoy!


In the mood for flavored fries? Check out the recipes for my Rosemary Parmesan Fries or my Peppered Parmesan Fries!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal

Perfect for the autumn season (or any day really!), this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal is for anyone with a serious morning sweet tooth. The texture is that of a thick and creamy oatmeal, all overflowing with melty chocolate chips in a base of pumpkin and cinnamon fall flavor!

Due to the heavy chocolate presence, you only need the lightest drizzle of maple syrup and pinch of sea salt on top of your serving. It’s already quite sweet, but the flavors really pop with these light toppings!

The best part – All of the ingredients are mixed right in the pan!

Servings: About 5

Ingredients:

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°

Lightly grease a 9×13 pan with the oil

Pour the pumpkin puree directly into the pan

Add the honey and evenly combine the two

Pour in the oats, oat milk, and greek yogurt, and stir everything until evenly combined

Add in the cinnamon and combine again

Add the chocolate chips and gently mix in

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the liquid has absorbed and the top and edges look a bit more solid

Let cool to a safe temperature, and top each serving with maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt to taste

Enjoy!

[Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container, or in the cooking dish itself if well-covered. To freeze, cut into pre-portioned amounts, store in a sealed freezer-safe container, then simply reheat in the microwave once ready to eat.]

Ingredient recommendations linked!


Want more pumpkin and chocolate?  You have to try my Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookie Cake!

Peanut Butter Blueberry Yogurt Bowls

When I’m in need of quick and easy, I love coming back again and again to a combination like these Peanut Butter Blueberry Yogurt Bowls.  The ingredients are likely items that you have in the refrigerator or pantry already, and certain ingredients can absolutely be substituted for what you have on hand!

Peanut Butter Blueberry Yogurt Bowls Components:

The Plain Greek Yogurt – Use whatever variety you love!  I enjoy a nonfat option but a full fat choice would be delicious as well.

The Cereal – This is mostly for texture and crunch, but I do really love the flavor profile of a Wheat Squares or Wheat Waffles option.  A similar cereal of choice or a granola would work here as well!

The Blueberries – I love the Frozen Wild Blueberries for their small size and the way that the juices melt into the mix, but use what’s available to you!

The Peanut Butter – I love a peanut butter that includes the taste of salt.  For me, having that ever so slight sweet and salty combination makes all the difference, which is why in my particular ratios I tend to go pretty heavy on the peanut butter!

I’ve linked all of my personal favorites within the ingredients list, but the point of this easy meal/snack is that it’s customizable to your preferences!

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

Directions:

Combine in a bowl using ratios to your liking

Enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!


In need of more breakfast? Try these Sunbutter Berry Overnight Oats!

Coconut Lime Ice Pops

VEGAN / DAIRY-FREE + ONLY 6 INGREDIENTS!

On hot summer days, nothing hits the spot like a delicious lineup of icy drinks and snacks to keep yourself cool.  These refreshing and creamy Coconut Lime Ice Pops by my husband are the perfect treat to beat the heat!  The ingredients take only moments to whisk together.

Added bonuses – They’re naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free if those are dietary concerns in your home.

You can also use whatever type of ice pop molds you have on hand!

(These ice pops are not overly sweet as a personal preference, but could be very easily adjusted to have more sweetness if desired!)

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

  • 13.5 oz Coconut Milk
  • 1/3 Cup Shredded Coconut
  • 1/2 Cup Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice (approx. 4 medium limes)
  • Zest of 2 Limes
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp Agave Syrup
  • 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Directions: 

Whisk all of the ingredients together and pour the mixture into ice pop molds

(Whisk between each mold pour to prevent settling)

Freeze the pops until solid (about 8 hours)

Enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!


Want more lime desserts? Try my Lime Cupcakes + Vanilla Lime Frosting!

Looking for more easy frozen snacks? Check out The Easiest Chocolate Chip Nicecream!

Fruit & Chocolate Ice Cream Smoothie

Falling in between a lighter milkshake and a decadent smoothie, this sweet treat only requires 4 ingredients and makes for such a satisfying snack on a hot summer day!  It’s thick and creamy while frozen and icy at the same time, all while packing a nutritional punch with lots of vitamins, protein, and fiber. (For additional creaminess, feel free to substitute a higher fat greek yogurt if that’s your preference!)

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

1 Cup (5 oz) Frozen Strawberries

1 Frozen Banana

1/2 Cup Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt

1/2 Cup Cold Water

1 Packet Nibmor Traditional Hot Cocoa (dry)

Directions:

Add all of the ingredients other than the cocoa into the blender and blend until smooth

Add in the cocoa and blend again until well mixed

Serve and enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!

3 Ingredient Cheesy Omelette

This 3 ingredient cheesy omelette is fluffy, filling, and super versatile!  Add it onto your favorite toast, serve with veggies, or even enjoy plain if you like.  It only takes 5 minutes to make!

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

2 Eggs

Lots of Black Pepper

1 Slice Mozzarella Cheese

Directions: 

Warm up a small pan on medium heat

Scramble the eggs in a bowl

Scramble in lots of black pepper

Tear up a slice of mozzarella cheese into small pieces and evenly mix the pieces in

Once the pan is hot pour your mixture in and cook evenly on each side

Enjoy!

[If you don’t use nonstick cookware, use your preferred method to lightly grease your pan!]

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Protein “PB & J” Smoothie

This 4 ingredient smoothie is one of my go-tos for that post-workout time of day! I love how filling, creamy, and satisfying it is, all while packing a big nutrition punch! I’ve tried lots of variations including using different yogurt varieties as well as adding in extra Sunbutter when I’m looking for something more filling, so do a taste test and adjust the ratios to your preferences!

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

2 Cups Frozen Strawberries

3/4 – 1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt (nonfat or full fat both work)

1/2 Cup Apple Juice

2 Tablespoons Sunbutter (or more if you want more of the “nut butter” taste!)

Directions:

Blend half of the frozen strawberries, the yogurt, and the apple juice in a blender

Once blended, add in the Sunbutter and second half of the strawberries and blend again

Taste test, adjust to taste, and enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!