5 Ways to Make Your Favorite Baked Goods Healthier
‘Tis the season for baking! Traditionally, baked goods are packed full of sugar, saturated fat, and calories. But what if I told you that baked goods could be a bit healthier and still taste good? Read on to learn my simple tricks for improving the nutrition of some of my favorite baked goods, as well as for some recipes you can try during your next holiday baking session.
Lower the fat
Reduce the fat by swapping out the butter for mashed banana, unsweetened applesauce, or pureed pumpkin. Or you could try using mashed avocado as a plant-based and heart-healthy fat substitution. You can even use mashed black beans in place of the fat in brownies!
Looking for a way to avoid baking with eggs? Try making chia or flax “eggs”, which not only will make the baked goods vegan, but also will add heart-healthy fats to your treats.
Increase the protein
Did you know you can also use plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese in place of some or all of the butter in many recipes as well? Either option can be a higher-protein and lower-calorie substitute for sour cream in cakes or other baked goods. Adding more protein to your baked goods can make them more filling, which will help you be less inclined to go back for seconds.
Sub out the flour
Using whole grain flour or a gluten-free alternative can be a great way to increase the fiber in your baked goods. Check out my Flour Power Series to learn more about baking with various flours, such as almond, teff, or coconut flours.
You can even make some baked goods without any flour at all! Try these delicious peanut butter cookies that are made with only three ingredients and are naturally gluten-free. Or try mashed chickpeas instead of flour in these tasty chocolate chip blondies.
Reduce the sugar
Most baked goods call for a lot more sugar than is actually necessary. I’ve found I can usually reduce the sugar by one-quarter to one-third (sometimes even by half!). This especially applies to baked goods made with applesauce or bananas because the fruit often provides enough sweetness to allow for less added sugar. Using less sugar in your baked goods can make you feel a little better about going back for seconds!
Add extras
Adding nuts or seeds to muffins, cookies, or brownies is a great way to add protein and fiber to make it a more satisfying treat. Sometimes I’ll even replace some of the flour with ground flaxseed, like in my banana walnut muffins. Dark chocolate chips are another great addition because dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants and is lower in sugar than milk chocolate.
It’s okay to enjoy baked goods during the holidays, or any time of year for that matter! I challenge you to try one or more of these simple swaps next time you’re baking. What are your favorite ways to make baked goods healthier?
