It’s that time of year again! Crisp air, falling leaves, bonfires. You can’t deny that there’s a little magic in the air.
And I bet you see it everywhere now. Pumpkin and spice everything. But the bummer is — most of our favorite fall treats are filled with additives and sugars.
Ummm… excuse me. I would like to fit into my yoga pants please.
Don’t worry! Here are some snacks you can whip up if you’re wanting some fall flavor that won’t mess with your diet.
Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
I have to start with the big staple of Fall — Pumpkin!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Pumpkin Puree
- 3 tbsp Pure Maple Syrup
- 2 cups Oats
- 3 tbsp Coconut sugar
- ¾ tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ cup Pecans
- 2 cups Milk or Milk alternative
The nice thing is this is as easy as pie (har har) to make, too! Just mix all of the ingredients in a jar or bowl, cover overnight, and enjoy the next day!
According to Amazin’ Graze — “Overnight oats offer a range of health benefits, due to their rich fiber and protein content. They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut, as well as for overall health and well-being.”
So enjoy a little spice in your life with this dish!
(Keep reading — More fall flavors down below ⬇)
Cinnamon Apple Energy Balls
On the go? Need a little burst of energy for your nature hike to see the fall colors?
These are soooo good, and good for you!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1 tbsp Ground Flaxseed
- 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Ground Allspice
- ⅛ tsp Sea Salt
- ½ cup Almond or Peanut Butter
- ¼ cup Honey
- ½ tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- ¾ cup Chopped Dried Apples
Chia seeds, flaxseed, oats, and apples are the stars of the health show with this little recipe.
Mix the ingredients up, roll up some balls, and chill for one hour. Boom. You’ve got yourself a fall packed snack.
Spiced Pear Chia Pudding
Let’s talk about Pears! You won’t regret making this one. Full of flavor and healthier alternative to traditional pudding. You’ll want to make this every fall.
Ingredients:
● 1 cup milk or milk alternative
- 4-5 tbsps Chia Seeds
- 1 small Sliced Pear
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Maple syrup
- Grated Ginger
- ¼ tsp Cardamom Powder
How to make it:
- Combine the chia seeds and milk in a dish, seal, and place in the fridge for two hours.
- Once the pudding is ready, slice the pears. Melt the butter in a pan, and on a low heat add the pear slices. Drizzle with the maple syrup and the ginger. Fry for 7-8 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through until softened and slightly brown.
- Spoon the chia pudding into your bowl and top with the pears. Drizzle on more maple and a sprinkle of cardamom. Enjoy!
Fun fact from Eating Well — “Pears deliver a hefty amount of fiber, which helps keep you full and keeps your heart and gut healthy. Pears are also relatively low in calories and have no added sugar.”
So — go out and eat your pears my friends! In healthy moderation of course.
Maple Roasted Chickpeas
What!?
That’s right. Chickpeas! And honestly — maple is one forgotten fall flavor that needs more praise.
Ingredients:
- 15 oz Chickpeas
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
- ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon
Steps to deliciousness:
- Rinse/Drain/Pat Dry Chickpeas.
- Spread Chickpeas on a sheet pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.
- Combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl.
- Toss the Chickpeas in the mixture.
- Bake for another 15 minutes.
But this comes with a word of caution — just take a small handful or you might accidentally over-indulge. They’re seriously that good.
Healthy Snacks
These are just a few of the many healthy alternatives to fall flavored goodies. The best thing to keep in mind while looking for new seasonal snacks is — what benefits am I receiving from this? And, as always, make sure to balance your diet and watch portion sizes. A little can go a long way!
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