Cozy Comfort Food Makeovers
I don’t know about you, but in the colder months I love to make (and EAT) cozy comfort foods that are warm, crispy or gooey, and good for my body and my soul!
These apps and finger foods are perfect for your lazy Saturday night at home or Super Bowl Sunday, and they’re easy enough for weekday meals. By the way, I’m not sure what teams are in the Super Bowl, but I do know what I’m having and what you should, too! ;)
Creating healthier versions of these comfort foods is so exciting for me, especially when they’re even better than their original highly processed, sugary, or non-nutritious versions! These things light me up and I absolutely love when you try them and share them, too. Be sure to tag me @Nursingyourwaytowellness so I can share all of your creations. Now, let’s get cooking with this mini recipe round-up!
Fan-Favorite Buffalo Chicken Fingers
🌶Gluten free, grain free...but most importantly *delicious*! These are easy, tasty and fun crowd-pleasing finger food!
INGREDIENTS
* 2 lbs. chicken tenders (or boneless, skinless chicken cutlets cut into tenders)
* 4 eggs
* 1 c almond meal from "unblanched" almonds (Use code NWW for 10% off) * 1/4 cup coconut flour
* 1/2 tsp paprika
* Ghee oil spray, coconut oil spray, or avocado oil spray (Use code NWW for 10% off ). * 1/2 c your favorite Hot Sauce (Use code NWW for 10% off)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Place chicken fingers in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
3. Whisk eggs in bowl
4. Place the almond meal, coconut flour, paprika in a bowl and also season with a little salt and pepper. Toss to combine evenly.
5. Place each tender into the egg mixture then the breading mixture (can repeat this twice for extra crispy breading).
6. Place breaded tenders on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
7. Continue until all of the tenders are breaded. Spray tops of the chicken tenders lightly with cooking spray of choice.
8. Bake in oven until cooked through and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
9. Drizzle hot sauce on top and brush to evenly coat. Enjoy! 🤤
Crispy Cauliflower Fritters
Vegetarian patties that get your veggies in with perfectly crisp edges are pure comfort food. They’re very versatile too, if you want to add in other additions or toppings!
INGREDIENTS
*12 oz cooked cauliflower rice (I use the super convenient steam in a bag kind)
*2 eggs beaten
*1 c cheddar cheese
*3 TBS almond flour (Use code NWW for 10% off)
*1 tsp dry onion flakes or onion powder
*1 tsp garlic powder
*1 tsp sea salt (My favorite is Redmond’s Real Salt, unrefined and naturally loaded with minerals out bodies need! + Use Code NWW for 15% off your order!)
*1/2 black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine all ingredients in large bowl
2. Heat about 1 TBS olive oil in large pan over medium heat
3. Drop in small heaps of about 1/5 c of the mixture, and gently flatten into pancake shape
4. Cook for about 4 minutes per side until brown and crispy
5. Garnish with sliced green onion or chopped parsley and drizzle with greek yogurt, ranch dressing or aoli. Enjoy!
🍅 Italian Meatball Poppers
These irresistible family-friendly little bites make a fun appetizer, or lunch or dinner when served with a veggie!
INGREDIENTS
*Cooked Meatballs (about 20) (feel free to use a plant-based meatball here for a vegan/vegetarian option)
*2 c Marinara sauce (look for no sugar added, I love Raos)
*5 Provolone cheese slices
*1/4 c parmesan cheese
* 2 TBS fresh chopped parsley or basil
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Bake meatballs as you normally would.
2. Then add 1 TBS of marinara sauce (I love Raos) and a quarter of a piece of provolone cheese
3. Broil in oven until brown and bubbly (about 3 minutes)! 🤤
4. Sprinkle with a little Parmesan and fresh chopped parsley and serve with extra marinara to dip! Enjoy!
-I put a skewer in each to make the even more fun!
TIP: These make perfect leftovers and meal prep too:
Add to pasta (duh🤣) or farro
Add to steamed broccoli
Add to sautéed eggplant or zucchini noodles
Add to top of a caesar salad
Make into a meatball sub/wrap/lettuce wrap
>>> Let me know in the comments below which recipe you’ll make first or what you think if you already made them👇🏽!