These are my go-to snacks and light meals that make a huge difference on the good ole checkbook, but also are so easy they just take 10 minutes – 30 minutes to make!!!  A huge bonus when you’re juggling too much a la casa.

Snack Balls

Let’s start with the healthy and yummy snack balls!  My daughter makes them every time and let me tell you, they are delicious.

Recipe:

3/4C shredded coconut

3/4C Rolled Oats

1/4 C ground Flaxseed

1/4C chopped cranberries

3/4C peanut butter

1/4C maple syrup

I mix all of this together and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Form balls about 1 1/2″ in size, make sure they are firm and not falling apart.  Place on paper and refrigerate with plastic wrap over them until they are hardened a bit.  Makes for a wonderful bite-size treat all day long!  This is a fabulous activity for your little one, have them stir the ingredients and definitely make the balls.  No problem eating and shaping balls because it’s a no-bake, no egg situation.

Idea from beamingbaker.com

Sweet Potato Pancakes

Next on my long list of easy breezy yet nummy yummy treats is the sweet potato pancake and/or banana pancake with no flour.

Recipe:

2 eggs

1/2 C mashed banana or sweet potato

Couple dashes of cinnamon

That’s it!  Really!  Cook off a couple tablespoons of batter at a time until firm.  Dip in plain yogurt and it is an amazing savory pancake or maybe add a little honey to make it sweet.  I love this because you don’t need very many ingredients and then your child devours sweet potato and eggs like it’s going out of style.  Such a great way to get your child to eat some veggies.  My friend made this for us with banana and it was incredible.  Plain yogurt is so amazing since it has very little sugar.  Be mindful of yogurt sometimes it’s unbelievable how much sugar is in regular brands.

Popcorn

My favorite nighttime treat and great snack for Willow is homemade popcorn.  You wouldn’t think it was a big deal but it can be the easiest one to make that is always overlooked.  It seems most people just buy it for the microwave and I can tell you it’s not nearly as good.  It is too simple to not make from scratch!

Recipe:

2T coconut oil

1/2 C kernels

Crack the salt to taste – Sea salt or Himalayan Pink

Heat oil and add one kernel.  Wait for it to pop.  Put all of the kernels in and agitate regularly.  Voila, you have a really healthy popcorn that sort of tastes like coconut.  Makes double the size of a microwavable popcorn portion and is healthy, plus no waste.

Bean Salad

Now this one works every time with my very picky eater.  It’s healthy and another fast thing to whip-up and is an easy salad idea when you want to stretch your groceries another few days.  I like to keep garbanzo beans in the pantry at all times and I also always have carrots around since it’s a perfect snack.

Recipe:

One can of garbanzo beans

2 carrots

2T of soy sauce low sodium

2T of apple cider vinegar

a few cracks of Himalayan pink salt

Mix all ingredients after you peel and grate the carrots.  I like to add a little more vinegar to get that extra sour bite and have it be the star over the soy sauce.  Let it marinate for awhile to absorb the flavors.  Use a slotted spoon to serve to avoid serving the liquid.  I really just make it to taste but 2T should be about right.  I like to just wing it when I cook.  This could feed 2-3 with light portions for adults and a large portion for a toddler.

Lentil Soup

This is my go-to soup that is so simple it’s almost like eating top ramen.  I actually crave it even though there’s nothing to it.  It’s nice to take a break from fancy food and time-consuming cooking projects.  This is so fast and fulfilling.

 

Recipe:

1 C lentils

4 C water

Soy sauce

21 seasoning salute

So place everything in your pot and darken the water with the soy sauce until it is nice and brown.  Sprinkle in the seasoning until it covers the top.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 min. covered.  Crack some sea salt over it in the end and make sure you can taste the soy sauce in there.  It’s so simple and an amazing way to save money.  I like extra broth so I do 4 C but if you want a thick consistency you can add just 2 C of water.

I hope these ideas help you to reach certain budget goals or help you make simple and healthy treats for your children.  It’s fun to find what works for your family and find ways to make the recipes your own.  Share with me some of your go-to favorites in the comments.  I would love to see what other families are up to with their favorite fast and simple treats!