microwave granola
most store-bought granolas are often full of FAT. and SUGAR. so you want to make your own? but don’t have an oven? well this granola recipe only requires a microwave!
ingredients:
-1/3 cup sliced almonds
-1/3 cup chopped nuts (e.g. pecans)
-2 cups old fashioned oats
-1/3 cup wheat germ
-1/4 cup brown sugar or stevia (feel free to use less)
-1/4 cup honey
-1/3 cup mix-ins (e.g. no sugar added dried fruits, coconut flakes, etc.)
directions:
**best if using a glass baking dish
1. microwave nuts on high for about 2 minutes to lightly toast them
2. add oats, wheat germ and brown sugar and mix well
3. stir in honey (make sure you mix well so everything is coated!!!)
4. microwave on high for about 3 minutes
5. stir well
6. microwave for another minute or two
7. cool slightly and stir in mix-ins
8. enjoy a handful, then store the rest :)
no-oven soft coconut macaroons
i love everything coconut. coconut milk, shredded coconut, coconut ice cream, you get the picture. but since i don’t have an oven, i thought that i should try making macaroons in the microwave.
ingredients:
-1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (reduced-fat is ok too)
-1 T flour (such as whole wheat pastry or coconut flour)
-1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp lite coconut milk (almond milk might work but it might yield a different flavor)
-3 tbsp maple syrup
-1 packet stevia*
-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
*if you don’t have stevia, use 4 tbsp maple syrup
directions:
1. combine all ingredients in a microwavable dish and microwave for about 2 minutes.
2. roll or make them into balls and place on a microwavable plate
3. microwave for a few more minutes (watch the microwave)
4. take it out, let it cool, and eat
these are super soft coconut macaroons. i mean do you expect more from a microwave?
microwave “baked” apple
“fall is coming, fall is coming~” ** doing the happy dance around the room
ingredients:
-1 apple
-2 tsp maple syrup / honey
-cinnamon
-mix ins such as raising, pecans, walnuts, and etc. (optional)
directions:
1. wash an apple and remove 3/4 of the core (leave a little bit at the bottom so your apple doesn’t have a hole)
2. place the apple into a deep microwave-safe bowl
3. sprinkle the inside with a little cinnamon and fill the apple with your mix ins
4. drizzle maple syrup / honey over your mix ins and top with more cinnamon if you want
5. microwave (uncovered) on high for about 3~5 minutes or until apple is tender
6. cool a little bit before eating or be prepared to burn your mouth!
no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bites (vegan)
honestly, living in college is tough. and by tough, i mean i can’t cook or bake like i used to… anyways, since pouting is not going to get an oven or a stove, the next best thing i can do is improvise!
ingredients:
-1/4 cup rolled oats
-4 tsp of your favorite mix-ins (i normally do 2 tsp of unsweetened shredded coconut and 2 tsp of carob chips but you can do chopped peanuts, dried fruits, and etc.)
-1 tbsp all natural peanut butter (or any nut butter)
-a tsp of maple syrup (honey works too)
directions:
1. put all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. divide it into 4 sections.
3. roll them into 4 balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (i hope you guys all have a fridge in your dorm rooms!).
4. take it out of the fridge anytime to enjoy a cold, peanut-buttery treat!
each ball will be about 50~70 calories depending on what you put in it. 1 or 2 balls for a snack will satisfy you!
feel free to double or triple the recipe…because you know. it’s that good :D
3 ingredient peanut butter cookies
i think this is a recipe that most people know about because it’s so easy. but for those of you who don’t know, here you go!
ingredients:
-1 cup all natural nut butter
-1 cup stevia (recipe calls for sugar but there’s no way i’m gonna use sugar)
-1 egg
directions:
1. preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. combine ingredients and drop with a spoon on cookie sheet.
3. make that criss cross pattern with a fork. but it’s totally optional.
4. bake for 8 minutes.
5. let cool.
6. enjoy with a icy cold glass of almond milk!
even though it’s healthy, it’s not low in calories, so enjoy in moderation!
no-carb brownie
this brownie is full of protein and [technically] have no carbs. it’s not the ooey-gooey brownie that you’re used to but it’s chocolatey and good for you!
ingredients:
-1 scoop of protein powder
-2 tbsp egg whites (1 egg white)
-a little bit of water
-stevia to taste
-2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
**if you’re using chocolate protein powder, feel free to omit cocoa powder
directions:
1. combine ingredients, adding just enough water to make the “batter” moist.
2. microwave on high for one minute.
3. enjoy while still warm!
mini protein breakfast cake
if you have an oven, unlike me (dorm life. whats new), you have the privilege of making these babies!
ingredients:
-1 cup oats
-6 egg whites
-1/2 cup almond milk
-6 tbsp stevia
-1 tbsp vanilla extract
-cinnamon (optional)
-unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
directions:
1. preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. mix all ingredients and bake in a muffin pan for 20~25 minutes.
3. done!
i haven’t tried this but maybe you can freeze them for when you don’t have time for breakfast!
creamy fruit crisp
comforting dessert in a cup that’s ready in about 3 minutes. does it get any better than that?
ingredients:
-2 tbsp fat-free cream cheese
-1/8 tsp vanilla extract
-2/3 cup diced fresh fruit (e.g. peaches, berries, apples)
-stevia to taste
-100% whole grain, low sugar cereals or granola (how much you want)
-plain nonfat yogurt (optional)
-dash of cinnamon (optional)
directions:
1. mix cream cheese, stevia, and vanilla extract in a microwavable mug.
2. spread evenly on bottom of the mug, then top with fruit.
3. Sprinkle some cinnamon over the top of your fruit.
4. microwave for about 2 minutes or until the fruit is warm and soft.
5. top with cereal / granola, and plain nonfat yogurt, and enjoy!
chocolate chip…um…
one day during this summer, i was expecting crunchy cookies out of the oven but instead i got a bready-soft chocolate chip things instead… i think it was because i didn’t add any oil. i didn’t know if i should call it bread or muffin or a cookie so i titled it um… because that’s what i said when i saw the results.
ingredients:
-1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
-1/8 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp baking soda
-1/4 cup stevia
-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-1 tbsp apple sauce
-2 ~ 4 tbsp of almond milk
-amount of carb chips / chocolate chips that you want!
directions:
1. preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. mix your dry ingredients, then add in wet.
3. form cookies and bake 7~10 minutes until done.
4. admire wonder about what you just baked but still eat with a tall glass of almond milk anyways.
healthy nutella? nutty chocolate sauce (vegan)
drizzled over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or even toast? the best!
ingredients:
-1 tbsp all natural nut butter
-1 tbsp almond milk (more or less depending on your desired consistency)
-1~2 tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder
directions:
1. mix nut buter and almond butter in a small microwavable bowl.
2. microwave for 20~30 seconds.
3. take out, then stir with a fork.
4. put in cocoa powder, stir, and microwave for another 10 seconds.
5. drizzle away!
nut butter sauce
one of the best. ideas ever.
packed with healthy fats + protein + yumminess!
ingredients:
-2 tbsp of your favorite nut butter
-2 tbsp of almond milk
-sweetener (optional)
directions:
1. put nut butter, almond milk, and sweetener in a tiny microwavable bowl.
2. microwave for about 20 seconds.
3. take it out and mix with a fork.
4. microwave for another 10 seconds.
drizzle it on waffles. pancakes. on banana “ice cream”. on top of oatmeal. on toast. this is good on… um… well basically everything! well.. probably not on something like tuna.. but you know what i mean!
cookie dough “ice cream” (vegan)
the title says it all. i’m warning you. this is SUPER good and you might get addicted.
ingredients:
-frozen banana
-carob chips (chocolate chips or chunks will work too)
-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-food processor
directions:
1. add frozen chunks of banana to the food processor.
2. process until you get a smooth, velvety texture (you have to process a lot! it takes quite a bit of patience).
3. add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and process just to distribute the vanilla.
4. add carob chips, mix with a spoon, then enjoy all of the scrumptiousness!
addicted? i told you so.
mixed-berry cobbler bar (vegan)
this is one of my favorite snack / dessert of all time. nutty, crunchy with a hint of sweetness. i made this numerous times during the summer and i already miss it!
adapted from chocolate covered katie
ingredients:
-1.5 cups oat flour (see notes below)
-1/2 tsp baking powder
-1/4 tsp salt
-1/2 cup applesauce
-1 and 1/2 tsp cinnamon
-1/3 cup stevia (you can use brown sugar if you want)
-2 cups (8oz) fresh or frozen berries (see notes below)
-2 tsp cornstarch
-1 tsp pure vanilla extract
* for oat flour, i grind steel cut oatmeal but don’t grind it until it’s a flour consistency. i leave bits of the steel cut oatmeal because it gives a chewy and crunchy texture when it’s baked!
*when using frozen berries, you should add more corn starch or let it thaw and drain off the juice. when you just use frozen berries, the berries melt and the juice makes the bars very runny.
directions:
1. in a bowl, mix oat flour, baking powder, salt, applesauce, cinnamon, and stevia.
2. oil a glass dish / small pan.
3. put half of the dough into the dish / pan and spread it out.
4. in a separate bowl, stir together the other ingredients.
5. layer them into the pan, then top with the rest of the dough.
6. bake for about 30~40 minutes at 350F. (i found that time varies sometimes)
7. mmmmmmm “yum!” mmmmmmmmm
chocolate mug-cake
honestly one of the easiest way to satisfy your chocolate tooth! you’ll have a chocolate cake in a matter of minutes.
ingredients:
-4 tbsp whole wheat flour
-2~3 tsp stevia / sweetener
-1/2 tsp baking powder
-3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
-3~4 tbsp almond milk (or skim)
-1 tsp vanilla extract
directions:
1. mix all dry ingredients in a big mug.
2. stir in milk and the vanilla extract.
3. mix very well.
4. microwave for about 60~90 seconds (time may vary depending on the microwave).
5. savor every heavenly bite!
muffin in a minute!
i was hoping for a cookie but it came out as a muffin. oh well. nothing wrong with that!
Ingredients:
-2 tbsp of your favorite nut butter (no fake stuff please)
-1 tbsp of whole wheat pastry flour (can omit if you want)
-1 tbsp stevia (can omit or substitue)
-1 tbsp liquid egg whites (if you want a more cakey texture, add a little bit more. remember. i said a little bit.)
-1/4 tsp baking powder
Directions:
1. combine everything in a microwavable bowl.
2. mix ingredients REALLY WELL.
3. microwave for about 60 seconds. (time may depend on microwave)
5. allow it to cool, remove from the bowl, then enjoy!…. of if you’re like me, just grab a spoon and dig in!
