What if I told you that these easy healthy, holiday appetizers are full of veggies AND delicious? Most often when we think of appetizers, we think of chips, dips, cheese and meats. Not that those things aren’t delicious, but what if your guests could have great tasting appetizers that are also healthy?
A few weeks ago, we were asked by Midday Madison to do a few segments and they wanted one to be on healthy holiday appetizers. So we got to work brainstorming some ideas for you all that were delicious and also healthy. We love finding ways to sneak in extra veggies.
Three delicious appetizers
We came up with three delicious recipes to share. Sweet potato guac bites (which are my favorite), prosciutto wrapped asparagus, and our pomegranate chicken salad. All of these recipes are easy to make and taste great.
First up is my favorite recipe. These sweet potato guac bites are so good. I wanted to create a recipe that was colorful and healthy, so I decided to use roasted sweet potato rounds instead of chips. You can serve this guacamole recipe alone as well if you aren’t into the sweet potato rounds. But you should give it a chance as is, first. 🙂
Sweet Potato Guac Bites
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato (sliced into thin rounds)
- 1 Tbsp. avocado oil (you can use the spray or brush it on)
- 3 avocados
- 1 clove/tsp. garlic (minced)
- 1/3 cup red onion (diced finely)
- 1 tsp. salt (divided in half)
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- 2 Tbsp. lime juice (or juice of 1/2 lime)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lay out the sweet potato rounds.
- Spray or brush them with the oil (both sides) and then sprinkle on half the salt.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and slightly crispy. (You could also make the sweet potato rounds in an air fryer if you have one.)
- While they are baking, prepare the guacamole by mashing the avocados in a small bowl.
- Mix in the garlic, onion, salt, cumin, lime and cilantro.
- Once the rounds come out of the oven, top with a spoonful of guacamole and serve!
Next, this prosciutto wrapped asparagus is so simple and delicious. Three ingredients? What’s not to love. If you don’t like prosciutto or can’t find it in the store, you could also use bacon.
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus (rinse and cut off the ends)
- 1 Tbsp. avocado oil
- 2 pkg. prosciutto
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wrap the (rinsed) asparagus with one piece of prosiutto, starting at the bottom and gradually wrapping upward.
- Set on the tray and repeat.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the prosciutto is crispy.
- Serve immediately.
The final appetizer recipe is a recipe that we have already shared. The pomegranate chicken salad is one of our favorites. We think it makes a great appetizer as well. You could still serve it in lettuce cups, or you could serve it with a tray of vegetables and crackers. Either way, your guests won’t be disappointed! The sweet and salty combination with the crunch of the pomegranate and pumpkin seeds make it perfect.
Pomegranate Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded (rotisserie) chicken
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup celery (peeled and chopped)
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients except for a few pomegranate and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl.
- Serve in lettuce cups, on crackers, or toast.
- Garnish with remaining pomegranate seeds and pumpkin seeds.
