35 Satisfying Foods for When You Gave up Sweets for Lent

Berry Smoothie Bowl

We turned one of our favorite smoothies into a smoothie bowl and topped with even more fresh fruit and a few toasted almonds for a little crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Gluten- and Dairy-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread

After learning of gluten and dairy sensitivities in our family, I knew I had to re-create our favorite sweet bread. This gluten-free bread can be made using a premixed gluten-free flour or your own homemade blend. We use coconut milk to make it dairy-free, but any type of milk works! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Breakfast Banana Splits

I can’t brag enough about this recipe. It’s elegant enough for a formal brunch, yet simple and nutritious. With different fruits and cereals, there are endless potential variations. Renee Lloyd, Pearl, Mississippi

Peanutty Strawberry Banana Smoothies

I like that this strawberry banana smoothie recipe is fairly light, but the peanut butter gives it some protein to help keep me full. It's great for busy mornings when I need breakfast on the run. —Maria Hamre, Cincinnati, Ohio

Grain-Free Apple Pie Granola

Because of food allergies, I’ve learned to swap ingredients. There are no grains in this granola but loads of nuts and apples. Try it with yogurt or milk. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Bee My Honey Fruit Dip

Orange, cinnamon and nutmeg round out this creamy spiced dip. I serve it with apples, pineapple and strawberries. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

Applesauce Cinnamon Bread

This whole wheat apple cinnamon bread recipe contains quite a bit of applesauce, which provides natural sweetness so you use less sugar. As a bonus, it also allows for a minimal amount of oil to be used. —Sherry Craw, Mattoon, Illinois

Glazed Fruit Medley

The homemade orange dressing on this salad complements the fresh fruit flavors beautifully. It’s perfect for a spring or summer brunch. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta

Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

This yummy breakfast bowl gives everyone's favorite sandwich a healthy twist. Switch to crunchy peanut butter and sprinkle chopped peanuts over the top if you like the extra crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lemon and Coriander Greek Yogurt

You'll be surprised how easy it is to make homemade Greek yogurt. Flavored with lemon and coriander, it's amazing on top of gyros or spread on a sandwich. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Peanut Butter, Apple and Raisin Sandwich

Tart, sweet and crunchy, these open-faced sammies are a perfect after-school (or after-work) snack. —James Schend, Dairy Freed

Fruity Orange Dream

I learned this recipe from a fellow teacher when I was living in West Virginia. It's a standout for a morning party, since it's even better when made the night before, so the flavors have time to mix. Plus, kids love it—it tastes like a Creamsicle in a bowl! —Georgeanna Wellings, Dacula, Georgia

Poppy Seed Mini Muffins

These moist muffins may be small, but they're always a big hit on a brunch buffet, as a quick snack or as part of a bread basket assortment. The combination of poppy seeds and a hint of lemon makes them irresistible. —Kathryn Anderson, Casper, Wyoming

Peanut Butter Granola Pinwheels

I came across this easy and tasty snack while searching online for healthy munchies for kids. Great for after school, it's really quick to make and filling enough to hold the kids until dinner. To satisfy heftier appetites or to serve as a power lunch, cut each tortilla into fewer pieces or provide one per child. The recipe is easy to increase as needed. —Mary Haluch, Ludlow, Massachusetts

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Quinoa has been around for a while, but I’m just now jumping on the quinoa breakfast bowl bandwagon. I’ve made it several times as a savory side or salad but never as a warm breakfast cereal. I finally did it last weekend and loved it! —Erica Schmidt, Kansas City, Kansas

Apple Yogurt Parfaits

Get the morning started right with this super simple four-ingredient parfait. Try chunky or flavored applesauce for an easy variation. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Fruit & Almond Bites

With big handfuls of dried apricots and cherries, almonds and pistachios, we make dozens of no-bake treats you can take anywhere. —Donna Pochoday-Stelmach, Morristown, New Jersey

Fruit Salad Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Salsa with strawberries, blueberries and nectarines makes a refreshing side dish. We scoop it up using tortilla chips sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Mocha Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted pumpkin seeds are a classic fall snack. Kick them up a notch with instant coffee and cocoa powder for a mix that’s mocha genius at any time of year. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas

Sparkling Fruit Salad

Pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, strawberries and grapes are treated to a dressing of wine and sparkling club soda in this delightful salad. Serve in dessert dishes or set the whole bowl on the table for a fetching presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Crunchy Apple Side Salad

With fiber-rich fruit, light dressing and crunchy walnuts, this is a great side dish or snack. Try it with low-fat granola. —Kathy Armstrong, Post Falls, Idaho

Rhubarb Compote with Yogurt & Almonds

My Grandma Dot used to make rhubarb compote and always had some in the freezer when I came to visit. This breakfast is a tribute to her. No two stalks of rhubarb are exactly alike, so make sure to taste the compote before you chill it. It should be tart, but sometimes it needs a little extra sugar. —Michael Hoffman, Brooklyn, New York

Chewy Honey Granola Bars

There's sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. To save a few for later, wrap individual bars and place in a resealable freezer container. When you want a satisfying treat on short notice, just grab one and let it thaw for a few minutes. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont

Peach Smoothie

Whip up this creamy peach smoothie as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast. Because you can use frozen fruit, you don't have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. —Martha Polasek, Markham, Texas

Easy Homemade Chunky Applesauce

Here's a comforting, home-style treat that never loses its appeal. Dish up big bowlfuls and wait for the smiles! —Marilee Cardinal, Burlington, New Jersey

Fruit and Cheese Kabobs

We came up with this fresh and fruity summer snack idea. It's easy to make ahead and carry to the ballpark, beach or playground, and the cinnamon-spiced yogurt dip adds a fun touch kids love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Rise and Shine Parfait

Start your day with a smile. This fruit, yogurt and granola parfait is so easy to make. If you like, use whatever favorite fresh fruits are in season and are looking best at the supermarket. —Diana Laskaris, Chicago, Illinois

Pineapple-Coconut Smoothie

Use fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile. —Gunjan Dudani, Bellevue, Washington

Sparkling Oranges

We were living in Texas when I found the recipe for this simple yet elegant salad. I was thrilled— we had a surplus of fresh oranges! All you do at the last minute is garnish and serve. —Janie Bush, Weskan, Kansas

Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix

A filling blend of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried fruit keeps you healthy by the handful. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington

Gran's Granola Parfaits

When my mother-in-law (Gran to our kids) had us over for brunch, I especially enjoyed her yogurt parfaits. They were refreshing, light and wholesome. I made a few changes to her recipe and came up with this sweet, crunchy and nutty variation. Yum! —Angela Keller, Newburgh, Indiana

Sugar-and-Spice Candied Nuts

Here’s a wonderful snack to have on hand for entertaining, gift-giving or just munching anytime. With a sweet-spicy coating, the crunchy mixed nuts are hard to resist.—Tonya Burkhard, David, Illinois

Frozen Citrus Fruit Cups

Add some sparkle to your next get-together or church supper with these sunny citrus treats. The refreshing cups burst with color and flavor, plus they look so cute served in shiny foil containers. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona

Raspberry Peach Puff Pancake

Here's a simple, satisfying treat that's perfect when you have company for brunch. It's elegant enough that you can even serve it for dessert at other meals.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.