Keep those New Year’s healthy-eating resolutions in check with these 20 hacks for classic comfort food. From cake to cookies to savory eats of all sorts, we have you covered. Armed with these indulgent yet lightened-up recipes, you won’t feel like you’re missing out at all. Now that sounds like a recipe for making resolutions stick, doesn’t it?
1. Best Ever Vegan Avocado Chocolate Birthday Cake: Adding smooshed, heart-healthy avocado to the mix means you can get away with using just a few spoonfuls of oil for this amazingly moist, rich chocolate cake. The ganache poured over top also gets a healthy makeover by swapping out the usual heavy cream with light coconut milk. (via Ambitious Kitchen)
2. Healthy Mac and Cheese: It’s hard to believe that the ultra-creamy sauce enrobing each noodle contains nary a sprinkle of cheese. All of the credit goes to cashews and nutritional yeast; they’re quite the dairy doppelganger duo. (via Glowing Within)
3. Healthy Brownies: You won’t believe what pantry staple these rich-yet-healthy brownies are made with… black beans! (via Brit + Co)
4. Buckwheat Pancakes: Packed with whole grains, you can enjoy an entire short stack of these five-ingredient ‘cakes guilt free. (via Desserts With Benefits)
5. Dry Roasted Chicken Wings: Crispy “naked” wings made without a dip in the fryer? We’re in. Coated in an outstanding dry seasoning blend, you won’t even miss the usual butter-doused kind. (via Lisa G Cooks)
6. Nutritious Chocolate Fudge Truffles: Satisfy your sweet tooth with these date and dark chocolate truffles. (via Matters of the Belly)
7. Skinny Queso Dip: Nonfat Greek yogurt takes our favorite dip in a healthier direction while still preserving its characteristic creaminess. Pair a bowlful with an assortment of alternative chips for an overall healthier snacking experience. (via The Housewife in Training)
8. Grain-Free Paleo Pizza Crust: A terrific alternative to cauliflower crust pizzas, you can actually pick up slices of this pie and eat them like a true New Yorker. No fork or knife necessary. (via Savory Simple)
9. Oven-Baked Salty Onion Burgers: Sacrifice the bun and swap in a lettuce wrap for a lower carb yet no less crave-worthy meal. With baked fries served alongside, you’ll get the full burger joint experience with just a fraction of the calories. (via Eat More Food Project)
10. Healthy Panko-Crusted Chicken Nuggets: You won’t find any super-processed bites here. Coated with a light, crisp crust these nuggets of lean chicken breast hardly take any time at all to throw together. (via That Oven Feelin’)
11. Chocolate Waffles (Paleo): With a hefty dose of almond flour in the batter, you won’t experience hunger pangs (or a sugar crash) shortly after enjoying these chocolatey waffles. They have some serious staying power. (via Living Healthy With Chocolate)
12. Quinoa Chili: Loaded with protein, whole grains and a ton of tasty toppings, this colorful chili is a total treat. (via Damn Delicious)
13. Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies: Practically too good to be true, these healthy cookies are made with a surprising ingredient — let’s just say you probably have a can or two of these beans in your pantry already. (via Brit + Co)
14. Skinny Fettuccine Alfredo: Dotted with peas and leftover (holiday) ham, this is an easy one-pot meal for busy nights. (via Eat in Eat Out)
15. Quinoa Sushi Rolls: These veggie-packed rolls forgo the usual refined white rice in favor of quinoa to make a more colorful and healthier lunchtime choice. (via Wholesome Cook)
16. Skinny Margarita: Skip the sugar- and additive-loaded marg mixes out for these skinny sips made with tequila, freshly squeezed juice and a spoonful of agave. (via Coordinately Yours)
17. Baked Veggie Spring Rolls: Who needs takeout when you can make equally crisp yet non-greasy spring rolls at home? (via Recipe Geek)
18. Oven-Baked Tostadas: Piled high with toppings, you get a taste of both tacos and nachos in each bite of these terrific tostadas. As an added bonus, they only take about 10 minutes to make. (via Yellow Bliss Road)
19. Skinny Garlic Parmesan Fries: You don’t have to feel badly about not sharing these outstanding garlic fries — they’re baked after all. (via Skinny Taste)
20. Skinny Broccoli Cheddar Soup: Go all out and serve this creamy soup in a homemade pretzel bread bowl or skip it to save those carbs for another time. (via Mom de Cuisine)
Share your strategies for making classic foods skinnier with us below!
