Forgo The Fryer: 17 Baked Recipes That Cut the Calories
You know that guilt you feel after crashing your diet with more than seven helpings of golden French fries? Why must fried food be so delicious?! We’re here to fight back and win the battle of the bulge with 17 tips on how to skip the oil and still eat our favorite, typically fried dishes. Before you read on, better go preheat that oven.
1. Baked French Fries: Behold. Baked French fries, seasoned with salt and garlic. How’s that for a baked substitute of a classic? (via Scarletta Bakes)
2. Baked Chimichangas: These baked chimichangas are filled with beef and spice and everything that Mexican food should be, minus the additional fat. (via Devour)
3. Baked Corn Dogs: Go ahead. Enjoy your State Fair favorite by making these healthy whole wheat baked corn dogs. (via The Skinny Fork)
4. Baked Eggs in a Basket: This delicious breakfast dish is known by many names. No matter what you call it, it’s a slice of bread plus an egg, fried in butter. Now let’s ditch the butter and bake that sucker. (via Chocolate and Chilies)
5. Baked Chocolate Frosted Donuts: While we’re talking about breakfast, let’s take a moment to talk about donuts. This recipe bakes them and covers them in chocolate icing. Hallelujah. (via Sally’s Baking Addiction)
6. Baked Mozzarella Sticks: Baked mozzarella sticks are a perfect alternative to the fried football food and just as cheesy. (via Creme de la Crumb)
7. Baked Tortilla Chips: Tortilla chips in the oven? Now why didn’t we think of that? The best part is that you get to flavor bomb them any way you want. (via Knead To Cook)
8. Baked Spring Rolls: Let’s take these Chinese wrappers out of the oil and stick ’em in the oven. Less calories, less mess! (via Food Network)
9. Baked Sweet Potato Chips: If substituting sweet potatoes chips for regular potato chips wasn’t healthy enough, now we’re going to cut the oil and bake those babies. (via Cupcakes OMG)
10. Baked Scotched Eggs: We wouldn’t always encourage putting State Fair food on your table, but these eggs are too good to pass up — hard boiled eggs, covered in savory sausage and rolled in corn flakes, then baked to crunchy perfection. (via Left Side of the Table)
11. Baked Fish Cakes: Fish is delish and so good for you, so why fry it? These salmon and quinoa cakes are baked so you can still enjoy them without all those extra calories. (via A Touch of Zest)
12. Baked Donut Muffins: Donuts and muffins in one recipe? Genius. Now let’s roll them in cinnamon and sugar for a sweet breakfast treat. (via The Sweets Life)
13. Baked Zucchini Chips: Finally, some baked veggie chips. Just take all that extra zucchini from the garden and have it ready for when you feel the munchies coming on. (via A Healthy Jalapeño)
14. Baked Chicken Nuggets: These little baked nuggets are perfect for you busy moms. With a five minute prep time, there’s no reason not to sub them in place of the chicken nuggets from the freezer section. (via The Endless Meal)
15. Baked Wild Mushroom Samosas: These traditional Indian tarts are usually fried, but we’re baking them. Be prepared for spicy mushroom deliciousness. (via Anecdotes and Apple Cores)
16. Baked Onion Rings: Onion rings ho! Not only are they baked, they’re also gluten-free. Snack away, friends. (via The Lean Clean Eating Machine)
17. Baked Churros: Baked churros are our dream come true — and now our favorite pastry is baked instead of fried. Yum! (via HGTV)
What do you bake instead of fry? We want to know below.
