Eggnog Protein Waffles (Cottage Cheese, High-Protein & Meal Prep Friendly)

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Jennifer FIsher

Eggnog Protein Waffles are a festive, high-protein twist on my reader-favorite cottage cheese protein waffles. By swapping traditional milk for eggnog and layering in warm cinnamon and nutmeg, these waffles deliver classic holiday flavor with balanced macros that actually fuel your day. Made with cottage cheese and protein powder, they’re fluffy, satisfying, and perfect for meal prep — whether you’re feeding a family or stocking your freezer for busy mornings, workouts, or brinner nights.

Why You’ll Love These Eggnog Protein Waffles

Seasonal flavor, everyday fuel: All the cozy eggnog vibes without a sugar crash
High-protein & filling: ~20g protein per serving helps support muscle and satiety
Meal-prep friendly: Make once, eat all week — breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Crispy when reheated: Even better after a quick air-fryer or toaster reheat
Flexible & customizable: Works with different waffle irons and protein powders

Tips for Perfect Protein Waffles

Reheating Tip: For best texture, reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes — they come out extra crispy and may be even better than fresh.

Waffle Iron Options: You can use a single-serve waffle iron (this batter makes about 12 mini waffles) or a standard 4-square waffle maker, which yields 3 large waffles that can be easily broken into 12 smaller squares.

Protein Powder Choice: Use your favorite protein powder — this recipe works well with both plant-based and whey protein. Texture and macros may vary slightly, but both deliver great results.

Keeping It Gluten-Free: To stay gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. 👉 Do not use almond flour or coconut flour — they’re too dense and will weigh the waffles down.

Eggnog Protein Waffles

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

25 mins

Eggnog Protein Waffles made with cottage cheese and protein powder. A festive, high-protein waffle perfect for meal prep, brinner, and busy mornings.

Course: Breakfast, brinner, brunch

Keyword: eggnog, holiday, waffles

Servings: 4 servings (3 waffles each)

Ingredients

3 eggs
1/2 cup light egg nog
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp olive oil or oil of choice
½ cup 2% cottage cheese
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup vanilla protein powder or powder of choice 60 grams
½ cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free baking flour like bob’s red mill gluten free baking blend

Instructions

n small blender, blend eggs with eggnog, vanilla and cottage cheese.
Add protein powder flour and baking powder. Mix into egg mixture a little bit at a time, or until incorporated You can also pulse wet and dry mixtures together in the blender until smooth.
Add baking powder, nutmeg and cinnamon to blender, pulse in.
Next blend in protein powder, then flour – scraping down sides as needed.
Heat waffle iron (either a mini waffle iron or larger 4-square iron).
Pour in batter and cook for several minutes, until indicator light goes off.
Repeat for remaining batter.
Should make 12 single waffles (or three 4-square waffles).

Treat Yourself to Top Sugar-Free & Lower-Sugar Chocolate Candy Recipes

Posted on December 14, 2025 by Jennifer FIsher

If you’re a chocolate lover trying to be mindful of sugar and carbs—but not ready to swear them off completely—this holiday round-up is for you. These treats deliver all the fudgey, bark-y, bite-sized joy of the season, with smart swaps like sugar-free chocolate chips, lower-sugar ingredients, and even a little protein boost when you want it.

From bark to bites, truffles to fudge, these goodies check all the boxes: easy, festive, giftable, and a little bit better-for-you. Many are no-bake, several use protein powder, and others sneak in nutritious ingredients like chickpeas, nuts, or fruit (fresh and dried). Perfect for holiday entertaining, packing into cute containers for neighbor gifts, or just snacking at home with a mug of something cozy.

Dig into this delicious list and find your new go-to holiday chocolate treat:

Sugar-Free & Lower-Sugar Chocolate Candies for the Holiday Season

Dried Fruit & Nut Chocolate Candy (Mendiants): Classic French-style chocolate disks topped with dried fruit and nuts—simple, elegant, and customizable.

Quick and easy, these yummy chocolate candies just need a bag of chocolate chips and a couple tablespoons each of dried fruit, nuts, seeds or whatever other ingredients you like paired with chocolate. Use sugar-free chocolate chips for a low-carb, keto-friendly treat.

Crunchy Chocolate Peanut Butter Chickpea Bark: A high-fiber, low-sugar bark that’s crunchy, sweet, and totally addictive.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chickpea Bark on tray, holding up a broken piece to show roasted chickpeas coated in melted sugar-free chocolate and peanut butter.

High-Protein Peanut Butter Fudge (Easy, Low-Carb, No-Bake Dessert):
A creamy peanuty buttery-chocolate mixture boosted protein powder—plus a quick video how-to.

Lower Carb Pomegranate Pistachio Chocolate Bark: A festive, antioxidant-packed bark with fresh pops of pomegranate and crunchy pistachios. Includes a video tutorial.

Lower Carb Pomegranate Pistachio Chocolate - sugar free dark chocolate is bejeweled with pomegranate and pistachios. This low-carb chocolate bark is the perfect sweet treat—crunchy, juicy, and oh-so-chocolaty – tastes so indulgent but no added sugar and only 70 cal and 10g carb per serving

Low-Carb Chocolate Gingerbread Protein Truffles: Rich, spiced truffles that feel indulgent but keep carbs in check. Keto, paleo, and vegan friendly.

Low Carb Chocolate Gingerbread Protein Truffles - suitable for vegan, paleo, keto, and gluten free diets.

Chocolate Mint Protein Powder Fat Bombs: A low-carb candy option that tastes like a peppermint patty but fuels like a workout snack thanks to mint chocolate protein powder.

Protein Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cups: A better-for-you twist on a classic candy—with a little fall flair.

These easy protein pumpkin peanut butter cups are the perfect nearly sugar-free swap for Reese’s Cups, one of America’s favorite candies. Rich chocolate envelops a creamy center filled with protein and seasonal flavors. No bake, no guilt and a favorite homemade swap for Halloween candy.

Pin this for later!!!

A delicious round-up of sugar-free and lower-sugar chocolate candy recipes—barks, bites, truffles, fudge and more—made with healthier ingredients like sugar-free chocolate chips, protein powder, nuts, fruit, and even chickpeas. Perfect for holiday gifting, snacking, or entertaining.

Easy Gingerbread Granola for Holiday Snacking and Gifting

Posted on December 11, 2025 by Jennifer FIsher

If you’re craving something crunchy, cozy, and full of festive energy, this Gingerbread Glow Granola is your new holiday hero. It’s packed with seasonal yumminess—think chewy dried cranberries and chopped dates, sustaining nuts and seeds, and those warm holiday spices that make gingerbread so irresistible. Best of all, it’s unbelievably easy to make, totally economical, and doubles as the perfect homemade food gift for friends, neighbors, teachers… or anyone who deserves a little edible holiday cheer.

This whole-grain granola starts with wholesome oats and layers in whatever mix-ins make your season bright. I used pistachios, almonds, sunflower seeds, and festive dried fruit, but you can make it your own with options like pumpkin seeds, walnuts, chia seeds, dried apricots, golden raisins, or even toasted coconut flakes. If it tastes good in a winter trail mix, it’ll taste amazing in this granola. Pro tip: use raw, unroasted, unsalted nuts and seeds for the best result.

Once everything gets coated in a warm, buttery, gingerbread-style syrup, the magic happens in the oven. Pro tip: when the granola first comes out, it will still be slightly soft and damp—that’s exactly what you want. Let it cool completely on the baking sheet and it’ll firm up into those irresistible, snacky clusters everyone loves. Bake on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for super easy clean-up.

This recipe also scores high on practicality. It stays fresh for a couple of weeks in an airtight container on the counter. Or, stash a batch in the freezer in a zip-top bag and enjoy it for up to six months. This recipe makes a BIG batch, but if you’d like less then simply halve the recipe and bake on one pan instead of two! Whether you’re fueling up for holiday hiking, powering through the season’s high-energy errand running, or just snacking by the handful while wrapping gifts, this granola does it all.

Add it to yogurt, sprinkle it on smoothie bowls, pack it in lunchboxes, or bundle it into cute jars with ribbon for a heartfelt handmade gift. Festive, functional, and full of flavor—holiday snacking doesn’t get better than this.

Gingerbread Glow Granola

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

40 mins

Total Time

50 mins

Celebrate the season with this easy, cozy Gingerbread Glow Granola—packed with whole grains, festive dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and warm holiday spices. Easy to customize and perfect for snacking or gifting.

Course: Breakfast, gift, Snack

Keyword: cereal, gifts, gingerbread, granola, homemade

Servings: 32 1/2- up servings

Calories: 224 kcal

Ingredients

8 cups rolled old-fashioned oats
2 ½ cups raw nuts and/or seeds used here: pistachios, sunflower seeds, almond slivers
2 cups dried fruit used here: dried cranberries, chopped dates
½ cup butter
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
1 cup maple syrup
4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground covers
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325F.
Add oats, nuts/seeds and dried fruit to a large bowl.
In sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar, molasses, maple syrup and spices, stir untll combined.
Lower heat to simmer and let cook another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Pour syrup mixture over oat mixture and stir well to combine.
Cover two large cookie sheets in parchment or Silpat silicone baking sheet. Divide mixture among pans.
Bake for 25-45* minutes; stirring up once halfway through. Will be ready to remove from oven when turning lightly golden brown but still a little damp.
Remove from oven, stir up one more time and allow to cool completely on pan.
Store in airtight container for up to a couple weeks. Can also place in air-tight bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
*exact cooking time will vary based on how high you have granola in pan and exact ingredients.

Recipe Notes

*This recipes makes a BIG batch, but it’s easy to scale down – just cut all ingredients in half amount and bake on a single baking sheet.

Easy Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Meatballs (Perfect for Parties or Weeknight Dinners)

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Jennifer FIsher

When it comes to party snacks, I’m all about recipes that deliver big flavor without demanding much time. These Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Meatballs are exactly that — a simple, spicy-sweet crowd-pleaser made with just a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker doing most of the work. Whether you’re hosting a holiday open house, a game-day gathering, or a casual potluck, this dish checks all the boxes: easy, delicious, hands-off, and guaranteed to disappear fast.

One of the things I love most about this dish is how effortless the prep is. Frozen meatballs go straight into the slow cooker. A scoop of sugar-free raspberry jam (I used Good Good’s Raspberry Jam to keep the carb count in check), a pour of your favorite lower-sugar barbecue sauce, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce get stirred together to create a glossy, tangy, spicy-sweet glaze. Flip the switch, walk away, and let the heat work its magic. In a few hours, you’ve got party-ready meatballs that taste like you spent all afternoon fussing over them.

Because they stay warm directly in the slow cooker, these meatballs are ideal for entertaining. You can set out a spoon or toothpicks and let guests help themselves as they mingle—no need to worry about reheating or the dish drying out. The slow cooker keeps everything warm, saucy, and irresistible for the entire gathering.

And don’t think of these meatballs as just an appetizer. They make an amazing main dish, too. Spoon them over rice, quinoa, mashed or baked sweet potatoes, or even cauliflower rice for a sweet-heat dinner that feels comforting but still aligns with your nutrition goals. The raspberry chipotle flavor profile is surprisingly versatile and works with chicken, pork, or beef meatballs. That means you can customize based on whatever you have on hand or what your family prefers.

Pro Tips for Slow Cooker Meatball Success

Choose your meatball: The raspberry-chipotle combo pairs beautifully with chicken, pork, or beef—use what you love!
Lower-carb swaps: Using sugar-free raspberry jam and a lower-sugar barbecue sauce keeps the carb and added sugar count in check without sacrificing flavor.
Minimal ingredients, maximum payoff: With just a few pantry staples (like canned chipotle in adobo) and a slow cooker, anyone can make this dish and instantly become the hero of the party.

Effortless prep, incredible flavor, and a recipe flexible enough to serve as both a snack and a full dinner — this one deserves a spot in your party-season rotation.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases made through links. Proceeds help offset operating expenses for The Fit Fork. Thank you!

Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Meatballs – Lower Carb

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

4 mins

Total Time

4 hrs 5 mins

This easy, spicy-sweet Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Meatballs recipe is made in the slow cooker (with oven option). Perfect for parties or weeknight dinners, with low-carb tips and effortless prep. Plus, lower-carb options to moderate carb intake.

Course: Appetizer, dinner, entree

Keyword: chicken, low carb, meatballs, raspberry

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

20 ounces frozen meatballs chicken, beef or turkey meatballs
6 ounces Good Good Sugar Free Raspberry Jam
10 ounces BBQ sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 chopped chipotle pepper in adobo + 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from can

Instructions

Add all ingredients to 4-quart slow cooker.
Stir to combine sauce and coat meatballs.
Cook on high heat for 2 to 3 hours or on low heat for 4 hours.
Alternatively, make recipe in 9×9 baking dish, cover with foil or lid, and place in oven cook for 40 minutes.
Garnish as desired (I did green onions). Serve as appetizer with toothpicks or as a main dish over rice, sweet potato, etc.

Recipe Notes

Macros per 7 meatball serving*: 128 cal, 13.6g carb, 3.5g fat, 14.1g protein

The No-Cook Cranberry Relish Everyone Loves

Posted on December 6, 2025 by Jennifer FIsher

For as long as I can remember, this raw cranberry relish has been a non-negotiable part of our Thanksgiving and Christmas table. My grandmother made it, my mother made it, and now—of course—I make it too. It’s one of those simple, old-school recipes that has stood the test of time, and every year my kids start asking about it the moment cranberries show up in the grocery store. Honestly, it’s so good (and so ridiculously easy) that I should be making it far more often than just the holidays.

Unlike the classic jellied cranberry sauce or slow-simmered compote, this version is fresh, bright, and uncooked, letting all the natural flavors shine. The tart cranberries, sweet citrus, and touch of sugar come together in a punchy, vibrant relish that pairs beautifully with everything—not just turkey. Try it with roasted chicken, ham, grilled fish, cedar-plank salmon, beef tenderloin, brisket, or even spooned over yogurt or oatmeal.

Tips for Perfect Raw Cranberry Relish

Rinse the cranberries and wash the whole orange. Since the peel is included, make sure it’s cleaned well.
Adjust the sweetness to taste. Add more or less sugar depending on your preference. A 1:1 sugar substitute works great if you want to keep the recipe lower-carb.
Add a warm spice note (optional). A ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and/or ground ginger gives the relish a cozy holiday vibe.
Let it rest. Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to deepen and mascerate—this step makes all the difference.
Don’t over-process. Pulse just until chunky. You want texture, not a purée.
Garnish if you’d like. Fresh mint on top adds a pop of color and freshness.
Store leftovers. Keep refrigerated for up to four days.

Why Cranberries Are Worth Celebrating

Cranberries aren’t just a holiday tradition—they’re a nutritional powerhouse:

Rich in antioxidants: Cranberries are loaded with polyphenols that help combat oxidative stress.
High in vitamin C: Great for immune support and glowing skin.
Fiber-friendly: A little goes a long way in supporting digestion.
Naturally low in sugar: Their tartness is a sign of their nutrient density.
May support urinary tract health: Cranberries contain unique compounds that help keep the urinary system healthy.

Easy No-Cook Cranberry Relish

Celebrate holidays or just brighten up a weeknight meal with this easy, no-cook cranberry. Bright, tangy, and easy to prepare, this raw side dish pairs beautifully with poultry, seafood, and beef—plus it’s packed with antioxidant benefits.

Course: Fruit, holiday, side

Keyword: cranberry, fruit, no cook, relish, side dish, strawberries

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

Add orange quarters with peel on to bowl of food process. Pulse for 30 seconds or so to start breaking them up.
Next add cranberries to the orange mixture and pulse for another 60-90 seconds or until coarsely chopped. Take care not to over process to avoid mushy relish.
Use spatula to scrape cranberry mixture into serving bowl.
Mix in sugar and cinnamon.
Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving to macerate – to become juicy and slightly softened.
Serve cold. Leftovers may be stored covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days.