Presenting the Winners from Our Healthy Your Way Contest

Updated: Apr. 12, 2021

Our readers sent in their very best recipes that meet their special diet needs. From gluten-free and vegan to low-carb and light, you’d never know these healthy your way contest winners anything but delicious.

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Gluten-Free Brownie Bars

I can’t eat dairy or gluten, but these gluten-free brownie bars are a satisfying substitute. The brownies will still seem soft when you pull them from the oven. They are done when the edges look very lightly browned. —Linda Speranza, Buckeye, Arizona
Get more contest-winning recipes.

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1st Place: Sheet-Pan Jambalaya with Cauliflower Rice

Sheet-pan dinners are a busy cook's dream with quick prep and easy cleanup. This sheet-pan jambalaya is a healthy twist on a classic that uses cauliflower rice for a lower-carb supper. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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2nd Place:Breakfast BLT Waffles

I'm not a big fan of sweets for breakfast, but I love a crisp waffle. My son and I tried these BLT waffles, and they were a huge success! We used gluten-free, dairy-free waffles with fantastic results. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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3rd Place: Garlic Mozzarella Bread Bites

These garlic bread bites are ridiculously easy to make and insanely tasty! To make them extra cheesy, sprinkle the tops with more mozzarella cheese after taking them out of the oven the second time, and then return them to the oven until the cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. —Anna Bowden, Littleton, Colorado
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Runner-Up: Red Lentil Hummus with Brussels Sprout Hash

Instead of chickpeas, this red lentil hummus uses lentils to create a hearty, healthful appetizer. The Brussels sprout topping makes this feel more special than plain hummus, but you can serve it without the topping too. —Carolyn Manning, Seattle, Washington
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Runner-Up: Mean Green Smoothie Bowls

This delicious bright green smoothie bowl recipe contains powerful antioxidants. Top with cucumber slices and fresh parsley sprigs for a pretty presentation. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California
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Runner-Up: Chocolate Date Energy Balls

Eating just one of these healthy treats satisfies my sweet tooth without added refined sugar. My recipe is a spinoff of an energy ball my daughter made for me when I was testing for my tae kwon do black belt. —Barbara Estabrook, Appleton, Wisconsin
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Runner-Up: Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

These strawberry overnight oats will be ready and waiting for you in the morning. ThePB&J-inspired breakfast is both gluten-free and dairy-free. Use more or less sugar depending on the sweetness of the strawberries. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire
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Runner-Up: Best Ever Cashew Cheese Sauce

This is a versatile cashew cheese sauce that's totally plant-based. I use it as a pasta sauce, as a pizza topping, over roasted veggies, on tacos and for grilled cheese. Because it doesn't reheat well, I don't suggest making a double batch. —Max Gregor, Santa Fe, New Mexico
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Runner-Up: Pear Quinoa Breakfast Bake

My husband and I enjoy quinoa, so I created this pear breakfast bake for our Sunday brunch. The quinoa is a nice change of pace from oatmeal. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Runner-Up: Gluten-Free Spiced Sweet Potato Muffins

I have a family member with special dietary needs, so I came up with these gluten-free sweet potato muffins that we could all enjoy. These are just as good as any traditional recipe, maybe better! If you don't have sweet potato on hand, canned pumpkin may be used instead. —Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
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Most Innovative: Vegan Chocolate Mousse

My son is allergic to dairy and eggs, so I created this silky vegan chocolate mousse recipe that he could enjoy. It's also gluten-free and grain-free. If you're having company over, it can be prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator. —Sarah Meuser, New Milford, Connecticut