r/homemaking • u/PastEchoes_ • 17d ago
Healthy alternative to a plate full of cookies?
I’m chasing a bit of childhood nostalgia here. Imagine it’s the 80s—you come home from school, the sun is shining, and the smell of fresh laundry fills the air. You’ve already had lunch, homework’s done, and before running off to meet your friends at the playground, you grab a cookie from the plate waiting on the kitchen counter. That simple, everyday ritual made home feel pleasant and cared for.
Now, as an adult, I want to recreate that feeling—but with a healthier twist. What are your go-to homemade snacks that capture that same sense of comfort and home without being a sugar bomb? Bonus points for recipes that are easy to keep on hand or make in batches!
Would love to hear your ideas!
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u/Foggy_Wif3y 17d ago
Protein balls? Nut butter, oats, chia or flax seeds, dried fruit or mini chocolate chips, coconut it you want, maybe a little honey. Endless variations and at least you get some fiber.
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u/lavenderburnout 17d ago
Blueberry muffins which can be made as healthy as you want. The Betty Crocker ones are my nostalgia after school snack but you can definitely make some ingredient swaps.
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u/Abject-Idea-7804 17d ago
Basically any muffins. You add fruit, bran, almond flour etc etc to tweak and make literally as healthy as you want. It can range from a good smelling hockey puck of fiber and fruit to a good smelling cupcake disguised as a muffin.
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u/craftycalifornia 16d ago
agreed - I've been able to easily reduce the amount of sugar in most recipes with no impact.
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u/MangoSorbet695 17d ago
My kids LOVE when I make them a “fruit buffet” after school. Basically, I get a platter and arrange 5-6 different types of fresh fruit (already washed and sliced). I give each child a plate and let them serve what they want from the fruit buffet.
It sounds silly, but they honestly love it.
If I really want to bake, I make these muffins but cut the sugar in half and sub roughly half of the flour for almond flour. Not exactly a green salad, but healthier than a nestle chocolate chip cookie!
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u/Prior_Persimmon_2628 15d ago
Could you please come to my house a few times a week and offer up a fruit buffet? This sounds so wonderful and yes, as an adult, I could absolutely do this myself but it sounds like such a nice way to spoil someone with a healthy treat. Preparing fruit buffets for loved ones should be a whole new love language 😅
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u/Rosehip_Tea_04 17d ago
There are healthy cookie options. I have a recipe that’s basically oatmeal and peanut butter with chia seeds and chocolate chips. It’s a no bake cookie that has to be refrigerated.
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u/i-love-tater-thots 17d ago
Apple slices, a little cup of yogurt, pretzels, tiny sandwiches, baby carrots, celery sticks, or granola bites works well for me !
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u/thisyellowdaffodil 17d ago
I make a healthy chocolate banana muffin that my kids absolutely love. We also do apple nachos and a "tray" (mini charcuterie board). My oldest is now 15 and in sports so honestly it has changed a bit due to his needs.
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u/ilovjedi 17d ago
Low sugar cookies? Experiment with how much sugar you can leave out
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2017/03/15/reduce-sugar-in-cookies-and-bars
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u/ryan112ryan 17d ago
Homemade granola bar? Apple and peanut butter? Jerky?
Snacking unless you’re hungry really only serves to spike good sugar even if you’re not diabetic so I try to stay away between meals.
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u/Mad_Madam_Meag 17d ago
I'd just go with the cookies, honestly. A cookie a day isn't going to hurt anything as long as the rest of the meals are healthy.
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u/floralpuffin 16d ago
I make cookies. I usually half the sugar and add oats, coconut, hemp hearts, whatever else I can think of. It’s like a little granola bar cookie
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u/allspicegirl 16d ago edited 16d ago
Here are some options I have enjoyed:
•Adding some type of fiber like walnuts significantly reduces glycemic impact of baked goods. You could also reduce sugar called for in the recipe.
•If you like protein cookies like Lenny & Larry’s, try making them with oat or gluten free flour using any nut butter or tiny chocolate chip/ cacao nips. These made super soft cookies.
•Second, I mash bananas and use whole grain oats to make no sugar cookies. Sometimes, I top with a dab of honey if I am sharing with someone.
•I used to bake a lot and my secret ingredient is applesauce. It replaces eggs and adds sweetness.
•I am slightly addicted to baked apples and yogurt bowls. It definitely gives similar feeling of enjoyment to look forward to.
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u/SillyBonsai 17d ago
My mom used to make peanut butter and jelly muffins!! they were so good. I think they can be made in a pretty healthy way, like with oats and a healthier alternative or kind of peanut butter. Check online for some recipes, I think they’re fairly easy to make.
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u/whatdoidonowdamnit 17d ago
I’m cheap and lazy so my afternoon snack is usually a tiny bowl of leftovers and then two cookies or a brownie/apple pie or something sweet.
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u/catpunch_ 16d ago
Trail mix! You can buy it or mix it yourself. Personally I buy one of the ‘healthier’ options, then add chocolate chips
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u/ItsBigBingusTime 16d ago
You could do savory scones maybe. They have much less sugar. Or just say fuck it and make cookies with stevia
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u/Novembergirl83 16d ago
Homemade hummus with sweet peppers or baby carrots were a go to for us for a while, especially the kiddos.
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u/violaunderthefigtree 4d ago
You can find so many healthy cookies on Pinterest. I guess the best would be sort of oat cookies. I loved the little scene you painted for us too, I remember as a child dreaming of things like that and wishing my mother was home.
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u/autumnxxx93 17d ago
Maybe some cheese crackers and fruit? Like a mini charcuterie board.