snacks & dips – FoodWatcher

Homemade Applesauce

This homemade applesauce recipe is a staple in our house year-round, but especially during apple season. It’s an easy way to use up a surplus of too-soft or overripe apples, and as it cooks, it fills your house with the aroma of fresh apples and cinnamon. That smell is SO cozy on a crisp fall day. On its own, it’d be enough to make anyone a homemade applesauce convert. But this homemade applesauce recipe gets better. It doesn’t just smell good—it tastes good too! It’s tangy, lightly sweet, and full of spiced apple flavor. You can make it chunky if […]

BEST Hummus

Is there anything better than creamy, nutty, velvety homemade hummus? I don’t think so, which is why I make this hummus recipe nearly every week. I’ve shared many hummus variations over the years (including 4 in my first cookbook!), but this recipe is the one I make most often. It’s a classic version of the Middle Eastern chickpea dip, with garbanzo beans and tahini as the key ingredients. The recipe is super simple to make. With just 5 minutes of prep, 7 basic ingredients transform into delicious homemade hummus. It’s lusciously smooth, with a bright lemon flavor and a little […]

Blueberry Muffins

I’d take these homemade blueberry muffins over ones from a bakery any day. They’re moist and tender in the middle and have a crisp cinnamon-sugar streusel on top. But best of all, they’re loaded with juicy blueberries. You get a hit of sweet-tart berry flavor in every bite. We’ve been lucky enough to go blueberry picking a few times this summer, and I’ve made this easy blueberry muffin recipe after every trip. The muffins disappear quickly around here—paired with a cup of coffee, they’re one of my favorite breakfast treats. Our kiddo loves them too (without the coffee, of course). I’m hoping to […]

Corn Fritters

These corn fritters are the latest addition to my summer recipe rotation. Fresh sweet corn made its first appearance at our farmers market this week. I was so excited to see it that I bought as many ears of corn as I could carry. After making my favorite corn salad and corn on the cob, I tested out these corn fritters, and they immediately had me hooked. I’ll be making them on repeat for the rest of the summer! These corn fritters are seriously delicious. They’re crisp on the outside, tender in the middle, and dotted with fresh, whole corn kernels for […]

Baba Ganoush

Have you tried baba ganoush? If you like hummus, I have a feeling you’ll love this Mediterranean eggplant dip too. Made with grilled or roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon, it’s creamy, smoky, nutty, and bright. I’m sharing my easy baba ganoush recipe below. It pairs perfectly with crisp veggies and pita bread, but I love it so much that I’ve also been known to eat it straight off a spoon. I hope you enjoy it too! How to Make Baba Ganoush This baba ganoush recipe is simple to make. It starts with 6 basic ingredients: Baba Ganoush Ingredients Eggplant […]

Antipasto Platter

Let’s make an antipasto platter! This Italian appetizer spread is one of my favorite things to serve when I’m hosting family and friends. Everyone (kids included!) loves trying the different snacks and bites on the board—cheeses, veggies, olives, nuts, and more. Often, folks enjoy grazing so much that there’s no need to serve a larger meal. As a host, I think an antipasto platter is the ideal party food. I can use a mix of store-bought and homemade components, and I can prep all the homemade ones in advance. When guests arrive, I just assemble the platter and serve. I’m sharing my […]

Marinated Mozzarella Balls

These marinated mozzarella balls are quickly becoming a family favorite snack. I love them because they’re the perfect last-minute appetizer for gatherings—flavorful, elegant, and SO easy to throw together. Jack and Ollie love them…well…because they love anything with cheese. The recipe is super simple. I marinate mini fresh mozzarella balls in olive oil with herbs, garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. The bright, savory flavor of the fresh garlic, lemon, and herbs saturates the oil, which in turn soaks into the chewy balls of cheese. I hope these marinated mozzarella balls become your go-to appetizer for parties and gatherings, […]

Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy caviar is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! This zesty dip is made with black-eyed peas, beans, sweet corn, and other veggies. It’s fresh, tangy, and perfect for scooping up with tortilla chips. This cowboy caviar recipe is super easy to make, and it tastes better if you make it ahead. If you don’t already have a signature dish that you bring to potlucks, cookouts, and other get-togethers, you might have found it. Cowboy Caviar Recipe Ingredients You only need a few simple ingredients to make this cowboy caviar recipe: Black beans and black-eyed peas – They make up the bulk of this […]

Air Fryer Chickpeas

Air fryer chickpeas! If you love oven roasted chickpeas, get ready: these air fryer chickpeas are even better. I’ve been making them on repeat lately. Here’s why: They’re ready in 15 minutes. Roasting chickpeas in the air fryer is about twice as fast as making roasted chickpeas in the oven. Bonus: the air fryer preheats in no time! They’re INSANELY crunchy. Expect to eat a few (erm…half) straight from the air fryer basket. They’re irresistible! I love sprinkling these crispy chickpeas over salads and grain bowls. Filled with fiber and plant-based protein, they’re also a delicious healthy snack! Season them simply with […]

Pico De Gallo

Learn how to make pico de gallo! I’m sharing my classic pico de gallo recipe below, plus tips to give it the best flavor. If you’re new to making salsa, pico de gallo is a great place to start. It gives you a lot of bang for your buck, because even though it’s zesty and flavorful, it’s SO easy. You don’t need any special equipment—just a cutting board and a good knife—and the ingredient list is short and sweet. Try this fresh salsa once, and I think it’ll become a staple in your kitchen. How to Make Pico de Gallo […]