These simple healthy recipes are the answer to the typical cooking setback: finding a tempting recipe, only to discover it needs more ingredients, preparation time, and effort than you can handle. That’s because, with only three ingredients, preparing is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Next time you’re on the verge of calling for takeout, check out these quick and easy yet wholesome recipes first!
Must-Try Simple Healthy Recipes
In this article:
- Simple Healthy Recipes For Breakfast
- Simple Healthy Recipes For Lunch
- Simple Healthy Recipes For Dinner
- 3-Ingredient Sides, Snacks, Sweets, And Smoothie
Simple Healthy Recipes for Breakfast
For the most important meal of the day, no need to scramble. Fix up a healthy one fast with ingredients you already have.
1. Vegan Waffles
Check your pantry for these three ingredients: almond or coconut milk, oats, and vanilla extract. Blend together a cup of milk, oats, and a teaspoon of vanilla and cook in a waffle iron as directed.
This super easy vegan waffle recipe will fire up your weekday mornings. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
2. Breakfast Cookies
Have a dozen healthy cookies in no time. Whip up 2 cups rolled oats, 2 large mashed bananas, and 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Shape as desired and bake for only 12 minutes.
These healthy treats also store in the fridge for a month. Double a batch and always have some on hand for late-night snacking.
3. Vegan Pancakes
This isn’t your ordinary flapjack pancake recipe but cooks just as quickly and easily. Take 3 cups of gluten-free rolled oats or oat flour, 2 cups of almond milk, and 2 bananas. Mix the ingredients and cook as directed.
Have fun and throw in some healthy nuts and fruit toppings. This vegan pancake is a perfect reason to ditch pre-made options for quick and healthy recipes.
4. Bacon and Egg Breakfast Cups
If you’re egg-challenged, you’ll love these bacon and egg cups for breakfast. Take note it isn’t fried, it’s baked!
Take some Hawaiian sweet rolls, bacon tidbits, and eggs. Simply place flattened bread in a muffin tray, crack an egg over each one, top with bacon tidbits, season and bake. It doesn’t get any healthier and quicker than that!
5. Three-Ingredient Breakfast Skillet
Ground turkey, eggs, and salsa are all you need to whip up this healthy breakfast meal. If you want it even healthier, include your favorite veggies — spinach, sweet potato, and the like. But, it’ll still be delicious without the fixings and sides. This recipe is good for 3 servings and takes only 20 minutes to make.
6. Healthy Sweet Potato Spinach Hash
With only 250 calories, this is a great source of iron for vitality and beta-carotene for healthier eyesight. Roast potatoes instead to make this healthy hash. Here’s even more reason to love it: you can prepare it in advance, so you can have a delicious and satisfying breakfast whenever you’re about to take on a long day. What’s more, it’s gluten-free.
7. Chia Pudding
If you like your breakfast light, have some super healthy chia pudding. Mix it with coconut milk and honey for a healthier kick. Put the mixture in a mason jar then keep it overnight in the fridge. Come morning, all you have to do is grab a spoon to give your morning a boost.
8. Tofu Scramble
In just 15 minutes, you’ll have this easy and delicious tofu scramble. All you need are these three: a block of tofu, bruschetta, and baby spinach. You’ll love this low-fat, high-protein, healthy, vegetarian breakfast.
Simple Healthy Recipes for Lunch
For all you busy foodies out there, no more excuses for eating healthy or skipping lunch. These recipes are super simple and easy. This time, you’ll actually spend more time savoring your food instead of prepping it!
9. BBQ Chicken-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
With only 103 calories per sweet potato, more potassium than a banana, and 4 grams of fiber, sweet potatoes are a great option. Plus, it pairs perfectly with a zesty BBQ sauce. What’s not to love about this mouth-watering weekday meal with only three ingredients and 30 minutes to prepare?
10. Avocado Kale Salad
Vegan and gluten-free, what’s not to love? Massaged kale salad can be very scrumptious and simple to throw together. Just break down the fibrous, leafy kale, add some lemon and avocado, and you have a nutritious meal to start your day or bring to work for lunch. Talk about a simple salad recipe.
11. Tuna-Avocado Salad
Fresh foods are always the best but if you can’t help it and turn to canned food, choose wisely. Avoid the high-sodium soup. All you need for this quick, easy, and satisfying tuna-avocado salad is tuna, lemon, and avocado. How’s that for a healthy meal?
12. 6-Minute Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks
Ahi tuna is not only available in fancy restaurants. These Ahi tuna steaks only take 6 minutes to make! Simply throw tuna steaks in with soy sauce, olive oil, and some spices, and you’re all done. Crispy and seared on the outside; medium-rare on the inside. Healthy, fast, and easy!
Simple Healthy Recipes for Dinner
Dinner need not be time-consuming. Ditch the ceremonious labor and opt for simple and healthy dinner recipes with less preparation time. Have a sumptuous meal without the hassle.
13. Baked Greek Portobello
Ever have that recipe you can eat all day, any day? This baked mushroom is one of them. Who needs greasy steak when I can have mushrooms any time of the day?
For this healthy dinner recipe, you’ll need portobello mushroom caps, shredded zucchini (or you can also use spinach), and crumbled feta cheese. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Dip a brush in olive oil and brush the portobello caps. Mix zucchini and feta cheese and fill each portobello cap with the mixture. Cook for about 15 minutes and voila! A delicious meal in no time.
14. Black Bean Soup
Black beans are packed with fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, and B6. That’s enough reason to try this 3-ingredient black bean soup recipe. It’s healthy and can be thrown together quickly! What makes it an ideal meal? It’s gluten-free.
15. Honey and Lemon Glazed Salmon
Isn’t it frustrating to cook a meal you will be too tired to enjoy after it’s done? These 3-ingredient recipes are lifesavers, indeed. Give this baked salmon a try.
For this recipe, you will need about 14 ounces of salmon steak, a tablespoon of honey, and a half slice of lemon. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Season salmon with salt and pepper. In a bowl, pour honey, a teaspoon of canola oil, squeeze lemon over, then mix.
Prepare a baking dish and line with foil, then place the salmon steak. Brush salmon all over with honey and lemon glaze then bake until cooked for 8 minutes. You can sprinkle with chopped parsley to serve!
3-Ingredient Sides, Snacks, Sweets, And Smoothies
We can’t set our guilty pleasures aside. We can make them healthier and simpler, though. Keep an eye out for the one you’ll indulge in today!
16. Avocado Smoothie
Want a post-run snack or a quick refreshment? Try this nutrient-filled avocado smoothie. This luscious drink gets nice and thick with banana and avocado. You can improvise to achieve your desired consistency. Use more milk if you want to enjoy it with a straw or less milk to savor it with a spoon a la ice cream.
17. Cheddar Broccoli Egg Muffin
You can eat this super easy recipe perfect for your morning meal with your hands. This recipe uses eggs, steamed or frozen broccoli, and cheddar. It takes about 12-15 minutes to bake. You can even prep it in advance and when morning comes, just heat up and enjoy!
18. Peanut Butter Energy Bars
It’s easy to pick up all sorts of ready-made energy bars from the store. But it’s healthier to make one of your own. What’s the kicker? You know what goes into it.
Mix a cup and a half cup of dates, half cup each of natural peanut butter and oats, and prepare as directed. You’ll make eight delicious bars for a healthy snack on the go!
19. Banana, Kiwi, And Kale Smoothie
Green-light your day with this nutrient-packed and energy-boosting smoothie! Greens in a smoothie can take some getting used to but with kiwi and bananas, you won’t notice them at all. Except that your body will love the nutrients from the super healthy kale.
20. Healthy Pumpkin Fudge
A sweet tooth can really hurt your diet. But, try this less guilty dessert in healthy pumpkin fudge. Ever had the time when mom lets you eat something healthy and she goes, “It tastes just like the real thing?” Well, this one does!
It’s surprising when only three ingredients make this delicious snack/dessert. Pumpkin puree, coconut flour, and coconut palm sugar are what makes it less sinfully delicious.
21. Peanut Butter Muffins
These chewy muffins are made flourless. Only dates, bananas, and peanut butter. A pure vegan recipe perfect for a quick snack.
Want them Paleo? Use almond or sunflower butter instead. If you decide to double your batch, that’s perfectly fine. Store them in an airtight container, cool, and they’ll be good for about four days.
Want more 3-ingredient simple healthy recipes? Check out this video from Tasty:
Now, aren’t these simple healthy recipes just what you need? Next time you need something quick and easy yet healthy to whip up, you know your go-to recipes. Before you dial up pizza delivery for a quick fix, check your pantry first. All you need are right there for yummy yet simple healthy meals!
Which of these 3-ingredient simple healthy recipes will you try first? We’re excited to know! Let us know in the comments section below.
Up Next: 15 Simple Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on August 21, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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