This holiday season, don’t let seasonal foods and treats stand in the way of your wellness goals. Instead, make the season merry and bright with holiday recipes that are as delicious as they are healthy.

Here is a roundup of sweet treats and savory dishes that would be perfect for a happy, healthy holiday!

Delicious, Festive Recipes for a Happier, Healthier Holiday

Gingerbread Lean Bites

Protein, fiber, and delicious holiday flavor? You get all that and more with these Gingerbread Lean Bites. Featuring almond meal, pitted dates, and Plexus Lean^™ Whey Creamy Vanilla, this is an easy-to-prepare treat that would make the perfect, healthy addition to any dessert table.

Gingerbread Lean Bites

Servings: 20

Ingredients

1/4 cup Plexus Lean Creamy Vanilla protein powder

1/4 cup almond meal

1 cup pitted dates

3/4 cup rolled oats

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp cloves

Coconut sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients, except dates, into a food processor until a fine, flour-like consistency is achieved.

2. Add in 1/2 cup of dates, and continue blending until well combined.  Add remaining dates until a dough-like consistency is achieved.

3. Form dough into 1-inch balls, and lightly dust with coconut sugar.

4. Place bites in fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

Cozy Chocolate Peppermint Mug Cake

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert — they’re all perfect times to enjoy a Cozy Chocolate Peppermint Mug Cake. This recipe is simple, fast, and bursting with holiday flavor. Plus, it only makes a single serving, so it is a great option if you don’t feel like sharing (to be honest, we wouldn’t blame you!).

Cozy Chocolate Peppermint Mug Cake

Servings: 1

Ingredients

2 scoops Chocolate Lean

⅛ tsp baking powder

3 tbsp unsweetened apple sauce

3 tbsp milk

¼ tsp peppermint extract

2 crushed peppermints

Directions

1. In a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug, whisk together Lean and baking powder with a fork. Add applesauce, milk, and peppermint extract, whisking until smooth.

2. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Let cool and garnish with crushed peppermint.

Protein Red Velvet Lean Cookies

The holidays simply aren’t the same without cookies. Luckily, there’s a way to enjoy this holiday treat without throwing off your health goals. Protein Red Velvet Lean Cookies are as festive as they come, with a deep, red color and a rich, delicious flavor. Whether you put these out for Santa, deliver them as neighbor gifts, or simply enjoy them yourself, they’re sure to be a hit.

Protein Red Velvet Lean Cookies

Servings: 20

Ingredients

¾ cup Plexus Lean Whey Creamy Vanilla protein powder

¾ cup spelt flour

¼ cup cocoa powder

¾ cup Swerve sweetener (or other preferred 0-calorie sweetener)

1/4 cup coconut palm sugar

3 tbsp coconut oil

⅓ Cup applesauce

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp beet powder

¼ tsp salt

½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 345*, line two cookie sheets with silicone liners, and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, beet powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a medium bowl, combine egg, applesauce, coconut oil, vanilla, sweetener, and coconut sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat ingredients for 2-3 minutes.

4. Slowly fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until they are very well mixed. Add chocolate chips and mix. The dough should now be sticky. Cover and set in refrigerator for 1 hour.

5. Remove from refrigerator and roll dough into tbsp-sized balls. Place on cookie sheet, and cook for 9-11 minutes.

6. Cookies will rise. Use the back of a spoon to pat down cookies, if desired. Transfer cookies onto a wire cooling rack.

Fudgy Lean Brownies

Got a holiday sweet tooth? These Fudgy Lean Brownies will satisfy it! Whip these up for a dairy-free, healthier option the whole family will love. (Need it nut-free? No problem! ​​Just swap peanut butter for seed butter or extra cocoa powder.)

Fudgy Plexus Lean Brownies

Servings: 8-12

Ingredients

3 tbsp Plexus Lean

1 cup overripe mashed banana or applesauce

⅔ cup all-natural peanut butter (to make it allergy friendly, sub ⅓ cup cocoa powder.)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

¼ tsp salt

¼ cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave, or an additional banana

Crushed walnuts, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.

2. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper. If using all-natural peanut butter, gently warm it until it stirs easily.

3. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stir until completely smooth, and spread into prepared pan.

4. Bake on center rack for 20-25 minutes (20 for super fudgy brownies). They will be undercooked when you take them out.

5. Let cool, loosely cover with a paper towel, and place in the fridge overnight. During that time, they will firm up without losing their fudginess. They’re also much sweeter the next day!

Sweet Greens Donuts

Bring a little green to your holiday table with this healthier version of a favorite treat. Sweet Greens Donuts have all of the color and flavor you want from a holiday dessert, without added sugar. Plus, unlike traditional donuts, they are baked instead of fried for easier prep and cleanup!

Sweet Greens Donuts

Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 ½ cups baby spinach (packed)

1 banana

2 large eggs

3 tbsp rolled oats

1 serving Plexus Greens^®

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Grease a regular-sized donut tin.

3. Add all ingredients into a blender, and process until smooth.

4. Pour batter into the tin and bake for 17 minutes, or until donuts are firm and browning on the edges.

5. Pop out of tray and enjoy!

Greens Goddess Dip

This delicious, crowd-pleasing dip will be a welcome savory addition to your holiday table. Serve it with crackers or a veggie platter, and get ready to share the recipe (because everyone is going to ask!). 

Greens Goddess Dip

Ingredients

½ cup plain Greek yogurt

½ cup chopped fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, dill, basil)

1 tbsp lime juice

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 serving Plexus Greens

¼ tsp salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients into bowl of a food processor, and process until smooth.

2. Serve with fresh veggies or crackers, or use as a healthier alternative to a sandwich condiment.

Keep in refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.

Cinnamon Roll Overnight Quinoa

Looking for a delicious holiday breakfast? Consider this our gift to you! With the warm flavors of a cinnamon roll, the healthy addition of quinoa and protein powder, and the convenience of overnight oats, this is one gluten-free breakfast that will win you over this season. (Note: The recipe is only for 1 serving, so make sure you make enough for everyone!)

Cinnamon Roll Overnight Quinoa

Servings: 1

Ingredients

¼ cup quinoa, cooked

½ cup vanilla almond milk

1 tsp vanilla

½ tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp Plexus Lean Whey Creamy Vanilla

Directions

1. Combine quinoa, cinnamon, and Plexus Lean Whey Creamy Vanilla.

2. Pour in almond milk, and stir gently until combined.

3. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.

4. In the morning, add any desired garnishes, stir, and enjoy.

Turkey Chili

If you need a hearty, warm dinner this holiday season, you can’t beat this Turkey Chili. Packed with filling beans, nourishing veggies, and zesty seasonings, this is a gluten-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free option that will warm up your family on a cold winter’s night.

Turkey Chili

Adapted from Averie Cooks

Servings: 8

Ingredients

4 tbsp olive oil

2 lbs lean ground turkey

1 large sweet Vidalia onion, diced small

1 large bell pepper, small diced

3 to 5 cloves garlic, minced

1 15.5-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

8 ounces water

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth

2 4-ounce cans diced green chilies

1 tbsp cumin

1 tbsp chili powder

2 tsp smoked or regular paprika

2–4 bay leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

Green onions and crushed tortilla chips for garnishing

Instructions

In a slow cooker:

1. Add all ingredients, and let it slow cook for 4-8 hours.

2. Scoop chili into bowls and garnish with green onions, crushed tortilla chips, or whatever you’d like.

In a large pot:

3. Add two tbsp of olive oil and heat on medium-high.

4. Add ground turkey. Brown about 5 minutes.

5. When turkey is cooked through, add diced onions, garlic, bell pepper, and 2 remaining tablespoons of olive oil.

6. Cook, stirring occasionally, until diced veggies are soft.

7. Add salt and pepper to taste.

8. Add kidney beans, green chilies, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and bay leaves.

9. Fill empty kidney beans can with veggie or chicken stock and add to the pot. Stir to combine. Depending on how thick you want the chili to be, you may need to add more.

10. Bring mixture to a boil and let simmer for about 10–15 minutes, or until chili has reduced and thickened.

11. Stir and taste. Add more salt, pepper, or seasonings if you’d like. Remove bay leaves.

12. Scoop chili into bowls, and garnish with green onions, crushed tortilla chips, or whatever you’d like. Enjoy!

From savory dishes to sweet-tasting treats, this list has something to satisfy every craving this season. Enjoy a happy, healthy, tasty holiday!