Nourishing Nibbles: Healthy Snack Ideas for a Merry Christmas!

Step into a world adorned with twinkling lights, fragrant evergreens, and unmistakable warmth as the holiday season is here. 

Heartwarming traditions, sparkling decorations and delectable Christmas treats make Christmas a truly special time to bring friends and family closer. As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of indulgent treats. Tis the season to be jolly so treat yourself without compromising on your health! 

Christmas is a time for indulgence, but who says tasty can’t be healthy? Join us on a scrumptious journey as we unwrap a sleigh full of delicious and healthy Christmas snack ideas that will keep you energized and festive all season long. In this blog, we’re unwrapping five delightful easy and healthy Christmas snack ideas that are sure to be a hit at your holiday gatherings.

Gingerbread Cookies

Embrace the festive spirit with wholesome goodness by baking guilt-free gingerbread Christmas cookies using whole wheat flour. This recipe retains all the classic flavors of traditional gingerbread while incorporating a healthier twist making it a nutritious healthy snack.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Danfe Foods whole wheat atta flour
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet.
• Whisk whole wheat flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• Cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients to form a dough. Refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Using a cookie cutter, cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set. 
• Once cool, decorate the cookies with icing or leave them as is for a more rustic touch.

Your whole-wheat gingerbread cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Share these healthy Christmas treats with loved ones and savor the festive flavors.

This recipe ensures that you can relish the joy of gingerbread cookies while embracing the wholesome benefits of whole wheat flour. 

Homemade Pizza

Savor the deliciousness of a homemade pizza using Danfe Foods maida flour. This quick and easy pizza is a great recipe for Christmas. You can customize the toppings to suit your taste.

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

• 1 cup all-purpose maida flour
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Pizza Toppings:

• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Your favorite toppings

Instructions:

• Combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• In a separate bowl, mix the maida flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
• Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead until it becomes smooth and elastic.
• Place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
• Preheat your oven to 245°C. 
• Punch down the risen dough and roll it out to your desired thickness. 
• Transfer the rolled-out dough to a baking sheet.
• Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
• Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and add your favorite toppings.
• Place the baking sheet directly in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese lightly browned.
• Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a minute, then slice and serve. 

Feel free to get creative with your toppings and make this small homemade pizza for your Christmas Day celebration, that goes beyond the ordinary. 

Choco Chip Cake

Indulge your sweet tooth with a delicious homemade chocolate chip cake, this Christmas. This simple recipe yields a moist and flavorful cake that’s perfect for any time. This low-fat Christmas recipe will surely make your Christmas even more special.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose maida flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated Indian sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 and 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 175°C. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• Mix the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Do not overmix.
• Add the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
• Pour the batter into the cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes.
• Once cooled, slice the chocolate chip cake into wedges and serve. 

Enjoy your homemade chocolate chip cake – a delightful and healthy Christmas treat for chocolate lovers!

Vegetable Puff

Enjoy the flaky goodness of homemade Veg Puffs with this easy and delicious recipe. These savory pastries are filled with a flavorful vegetable mixture, making them a perfect snack or appetizer for your healthy Christmas menu.

Ingredients:

• 1 small pack of puff pastry sheet
• 1 teaspoon milk
• 2 cups roughly chopped broccoli and mushrooms
• ½ cup frozen green peas
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• 1 tsp grated garlic
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp each black and white sesame seeds
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• Salt and red chili flakes as per taste
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ¾ cup grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

• Thaw the puff pastry sheets and keep them aside.
• Heat oil and saute the onions and garlic until the onion becomes translucent.
• Add chopped mushrooms and cook.
• Add green peas and saute, followed by broccoli. Cook the broccoli for about 2-3 minutes.
• Then add red chili flakes, pepper, oregano, and salt. Mix and cook for about 2 minutes.
• Once it reaches room temperature add cheese and mix.
• Sprinkle some dry flour on the puff pastry sheet and roll it.
• Shape the sheets and add some stuffing on one side, leaving some space near the edges. 
• Now close the puffs by sealing the edges with your fingers or a fork.
• Line a baking tray and put the puffs on it. Brush some milk on top of the puffs and sprinkle black and white sesame seeds.
• Bake in a preheated oven for around 25 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. 

Serve with any dip of your choice and enjoy these delicious Christmas treats with your friends and family.

Lentil-icious Soup

Looking for a high-protein snack idea for Christmas?

Celebrate Christmas with warmth and comfort by serving a delicious Lentil Soup. This hearty, flavorful, low-calorie Christmas recipe is perfect for the holiday season. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dry masoor dal
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp cumin and coriander powder
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

• In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
• Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Stir in ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
• Add rinsed and drained lentils, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and bay leaf to the pot and boil.
• Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for about 25-30 minutes.
• Just before serving, squeeze the lemon juice.
• Pour into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve!

This Lentil Soup is not only nourishing and wholesome but also brings a burst of flavors to your Christmas table. 

Conclusion

This Christmas, elevate your snacking game with these five healthy and delectable treats that bring both joy and nutrition to the table. Embrace the festive spirit without compromising on your well-being and share the love by serving these nutritious snacks at your holiday gatherings. 

To learn about some tasty and healthy meal ideas click here.

Merry Christmas!