16 No-Bake Recipes for an Easy, Breezy Summer
Article posted in: NutritionSometimes, it’s just too hot to fire up that oven in the summer. The kitchen gets overwhelmingly warm, and you get agitated before you can even enjoy the goodness you’ve whipped up. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of our low-carb recipes that don’t require any baking (or much cooking at all)! From sweet treats to savory salads, these no-bake ideas are perfect for your seasonal summer menu.
Here are eight no-bake desserts to satisfy your summertime sweet tooth:
1. No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bliss Balls >
Dairy-free and vegan, these bite-sized treats totally pass for the creamy flavor of cheesecake. With just a food processor, raw cashews, coconut oil, vanilla extract, your favorite low-carb sweetener, a dash of salt and freeze-dried strawberries, you’ll be snacking on these delicious low-cal snacks in no time!
2. No-Bake Key Lime and Avocado Cheesecake >
This chilled, no-bake dessert satisfies your craving for the decadence and smooth texture of classic cheesecake. Zesty lime flavors mixed with matcha and the richness of avocado come together to create this filling, yet low carb dessert.
3. Peanut Butter Cups >
Yes, you read that correctly: peanut butter cups! Although this recipe requires melting some coconut oil in the microwave or stovetop, it totally makes up for it once you pop one of these classic homemade candies into your mouth. With just a muffin tin and paper cupcake liners, you can recreate these popular sweet treats at home for a low-carb indulgent snack!
4. No-Bake Overnight Chia Pudding >
Think overnight oats, but lower in carbs and more nutritious! Using kefir in this recipe, protein and chia seeds combine to really keep you fueled all morning. Plus, making these the night before allows you to still fit in a hearty and healthy breakfast in the morning without the time crunch.
5. 5-Ingredient Chocolate Avocado Pudding >
It sounds a little off-putting at first but think about the decadently rich texture of an avocado! This healthy recipe takes the healthy, monounsaturated fats in our favorite green fruit and combines it with the lightly sweet flavors of chocolaty goodness.
6. Chocolate Tahini and Mixed Seed Protein Bars >
Packed with healthy fats and protein, these no-bake tahini bars are the perfect grab-and-go snack or breakfast. Another plus? These are super easy to make! With some pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds and chia seeds, these filling bars will keep you moving throughout the day.
7. Matcha Smoothie Bowl >
According to Healthline, matcha has been shown to increase brain function, promote heart health, support weight loss and safeguard the liver. That’s why it is an excellent base for this protein and antioxidant dream bowl. In a blender, simply combine plain Greek yogurt, matcha powder, spinach, pure vanilla extract and a touch of your favorite keto sweetener. Blend until smooth to create this green goddess breakfast.
8. 1-Minute Chocolate Ricotta Mousse >
Craving another creamy, dreamy chocolate dessert? This one-minute mousse comes together in seconds! Ricotta cheese and vanilla almond milk add creaminess, while cocoa powder, stevia and cacao nibs add rich, chocolaty flavor.
Now check out these eight savory meals and sides for a refreshing and hydrating menu:
9. 3-Step Avocado Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps >
Egg salad is a great meal to make when you just simply can’t turn on the oven. This new take on an age-old recipe is filled with healthy fats, as well as protein. With avocado, eggs, red onion, Dijon mustard and some seasonings, these lettuce wraps contain 183 calories and one gram of net carbs per serving.
10. Cucumber Feta Salad >
Nothing says cool and refreshing like crunchy, hydrating cucumbers! Creamy feta cheese perfectly complements the crunchy goodness of these green warm-weather veggies. Tossed in a homemade Greek-inspired vinaigrette, this side salad embodies the lightness of summer!
11. South Beach Coleslaw >
This classic summer side is filled with flavor and crispy goodness and completely guilt-free! With only three grams of net carbs, you can’t help but feel good about yourself while eating this refreshingly simple, savory, South Beach Diet-approved side dish!
12. Healthy Greek Salad >
Full of healthy fats and vibrant veggies, this recipe is chock-full of vitamins and minerals. Black olives, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette come together to create this super easy, yet scrumptious dish!
13. 2-Step Creamy Avocado Pesto Zucchini Noodles >
Zucchini noodles are the perfect weapon to curb that pasta craving on your low carb diet! Mix them with our homemade creamy avocado pesto for a savory and filling dish that takes only two steps to make.
14. Avocado Crab Salad >
With delicious avocado and lump crab meat on top of fresh green lettuce, this seemingly light meal is packed with protein and healthy fats. Feel free to mix the avocado with your crab salad or serve it separately on the side. You can also add any non-starchy veggies that you like to reach your three required daily servings.
15. Easy Layered Salad >
The name of this recipe says it all! Easy to make, this dish is layered with crunchy veggies, crisp bacon and creamy dressing. Rather than a large serving bowl for a conventional salad, you will need a large casserole dish in order to assemble and layer all of the yummy goodness inside.
16. Creamy Salmon Cucumber Cups >
Again, nothing says summer like the refreshingly hydrating crunch of a cucumber! Whether you serve it as an appetizer or side dish, these bite-sized goodies might just appease your sushi craving. With some garlic powder, chives, cucumbers, salmon and cream cheese, these little cups have all the flavors you want in summer.