loaded apple nachos ~vegan, gluten free~

It’s back-to-school snack week!!!  

All week long I will be bringing you scrumptious snacks that will satisfy the whole family!  

Here is a recipe for Loaded Apple Nachos to start if off!  

Loaded Apple Nachos ~vegan, gluten free~ An after-school-snack the whole family will enjoy!

This recipe is far from creative since just about every food blogger out there has made them, but they sure are irresistible!  (My keyboard is covered with melty peanut butter as we speak!)

Loaded Apple Nachos ~vegan, gluten free~ An after-school-snack the whole family will enjoy!

Years ago, when completing my community nutrition rotation in school I remember learning this little bit of advice from my mentor Kim (who is now one of my best friends!)

“Use 2 food groups to make a healthy snack and 3 food groups to make a balanced meal”

I keep this in mind every time I prepare a snack or meal for Noah…or myself!

These loaded apple nachos consist of foods from the fruit group (apple & raisins) and protein group (nut butter)…two food groups, score!

Loaded Apple Nachos ~vegan, gluten free~ An after-school-snack the whole family will enjoy!

Loaded Apple Nachos
 
Author:
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 2-4
Ingredients
  • 2 apples, sliced
  • ¼ cup of nut butter, melted (I used all-natural peanut butter)
  • 3 tablespoons raisins
  • 3 tablespoons mini-chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life chips)
  • 2 tablespoons shredded coconut, toasted
Instructions
  1. Arrange apple slices on a plate. Drizzle with melted nut butter and top with raisins, chocolate chips and toasted shredded coconut. Enjoy!
Loaded Apple Nachos ~vegan, gluten free~ An after-school-snack the whole family will enjoy!

husband approved too…

crispy bbq chickpeas

crispy bbq chickpeas

Yesterday while driving home from Western Mass I got a little hungry and happened to stumble upon a Whole Foods Market or as my brother calls it, “Whole Paycheck.”  Ok, I’m lying…I planned out my route to drive by one but that’s what I told Shaye because he knows I will spend our entire savings there!  I know a lot of people hate Whole Foods Market for various reasons, but for a “nutrition nerd” like myself its pretty much heaven!  I can spend HOURS and way too much money in there!  I restrained myself this time and left with these two goodies…

snacks

The chickpeas were so good and at only a couple hundred calories and a TON of fiber I didn’t feel bad about finishing the whole bag!

Chickpeas contain a lot of soluble fiber, the type of fiber that naturally lowers cholesterol.  They have a low glycemic index and are loaded with protein.  The combination of fiber and protein keeps you full longer which can aid in weight loss.

Today, I tried to recreate this delicious snack, I think I came close!  I used canned garbanzo beans but if you want to make your own, more power to you!  Read the label on the BBQ sauce because certain brands use high fructose corn syrup.  Try to find one that doesn’t!

crispy bbq chickpeas

Crispy BBQ Chickpeas

2 cans garbanzo beans

1/3 cup BBQ sauce

a few glugs of olive oil

a pinch salt & pepper

crispy bbq chickpeas

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Line a baking pan with parchment paper, this makes for easy clean up!

Drain, rinse and lightly blot chickpeas with a paper towel.

In a large bowl, drizzle olive oil and mix in BBQ sauce.  Add salt & pepper to taste.

Transfer to baking pan and place in the oven.

Bake for one hour, stirring every 20 minutes.

crispy bbq chickpeas

Everyone’s oven is slightly different so keep an eye on them. Be careful they don’t burn!  I didn’t think it would take a whole hour for them to get crispy, but they were well worth the wait!

this guy thought so too!

this guy thought so too!