No-Bake Jam Oat Cups – Lower Carb Snack Idea

No-Bake Jam Oat Cups are a smart way to satisfy your sweet tooth! Customizable to your mood of the moment, by using any flavor sugar-free jam, jelly, preserves or even smashed fresh fruit like berries or banana.

We all have those times when we need something sweet, and these jam-filled oat cups are easy-to-make, require no baking — it’s really just a few simple steps.

Go ahead ad cave to the craving for something without guilt. Just a little natural sugar from banana, and the rest of this no-bake dessert recipe is put together with smart swaps.

Here are some of the better-for-me ingredients I like to use in this healthy snack recipes and lower carb treats:

.Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate Chips (if you need dairy-free, make that swap, too!) https://amzn.to/48kozhq

Sugar-Free Jam (or you can even just use mashed fresh berries)

Eat Garnish Oat & Seed Butter is a great seed-allergy option, but ANY nut or seed butter will work. Use code FITFORK975 to save 10%.

Plant-Based Protein Powder in the crust mixture gives these treats a little more oomph. Clean Lean Protein from Nuzest is my go-to. Save 15% with code FITFORK.

TIPS TO MAKE OAT JAM CUPS

Banana Guidance: “Half of a medium banana” called for in this recipe can be subjective, but it’s about 60g of banana without peel. Or, if you’re eyeballing it, about 3 1/2 to 4-inches in length. However, if you think the mixture looks too sticky (like you used too much banana), just add a few more oats to the mixture, you really can’t mess this up.

Filling Ideas: Sugar-free jam with chia seeds mixed in is what my recipe calls for, but you can test around with other fillings — like smashed banana, smashed berries, tangerine slices, a dollop of nut or seed butter — really whatever floats your boat.

What to Make In: I really recommend silicone muffin cups, this makes them easy to pop out when frozen. Also, bonus, they are reusable. I wouldn’t use paper liners, they get soggy and/or stuck to the treat. You can skip liners all together and freeze in the actual muffin tins, just let soften for a few minutes on counter before trying to remove.

Freezing Step: Don’t skip it! These oat jam cuts need to set up in the freezer for about 30 minutes, otherwise it will just be a big sticky mess. Afterward you can store in the fridge OR freezer, depending on your preference on how to heat them (softer vs harder).

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission for any sales generated through the link. This helps me offset overhead for The Fit Fork, thank you!

5 from 5 votes
No-Bake Jam Oat Cups – Lower Sugar and Gluten-Free
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

Enjoy a sweet treat with none of the guilt – or baking! For the filling, use the sugar-free jam of your choice or even smashed fruit!

Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 180 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1/2 medium banana, sliced about 60g, after peeling
  • 30 g vanilla protein powder or can substitute a flour
  • ¼ cup nut butter
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • ¼ cup sugar free jam
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/3 cup sugar-free chocolate chips
  • 1 ½ tbs coconut oil
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, mash together banana, protein powder and rolled oats Press into 6 cavities of a regular sized muffin pan lined with silicone liners. Pushing oat mixture up the sides a bit to form an indention for the jam.
  2. Stir together the jam and chia seeds. Place a skosh under 1 tablespoon of jam mixture into indention of oat cup.
  3. Melt chocolate and coconut oil in 30 sec increments in the microwave, stirring between until all chocolate is melted. Pour on the cups, dividing equally. Freeze 25 minutes to set.
  4. Enjoy your treats! Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or frozen up to 3 months.
Recipe Notes

Nutrition per serving: 180 calories, 12g fat, 11g carb (2g fiber, 2g sugar), 7g protein

Turmeric Deviled Eggs that Look Like Autumn Pumpkins

It’s going to be an egg-celent Halloween! Tea & Turmeric Spiced Deviled Eggs bring healthy balance to the season’s sugary treats. Plus, the center yolk filling looks like a little pumpkin thanks to the vibrant hue of turmeric and a tiny piece of sage sticking out of the top for a stem. Of course, you can eat these ANY time of year!

These clever deviled eggs look like little autumn pumpkins, but contain no squash – only eggs, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and turmeric for the signature orange hue of the season.  Low in calories, high in protein – a smart snack for Halloween, Thanksgiving or any fall festival.  

These pumpkin deviled eggs (no actual pumpkin in the recipe) are ridiculously easy to make. After eggs are hard boiled, they soak in a black tea- soy sauce mixture. That dark mixture “stains” the cracks and crevices. When peeled, they will look crazed and delightfully rotten. The longer you leave chilled in the tea soak (2-24 hours), the better the markings will come out. I got a little impatient on this batch, lol!

These clever deviled eggs look like little autumn pumpkins, but contain no squash – only eggs, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and turmeric for the signature orange hue of the season.  Low in calories, high in protein – a smart snack for Halloween, Thanksgiving or any fall festival.  
These clever deviled eggs look like little autumn pumpkins, but contain no squash – only eggs, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and turmeric for the signature orange hue of the season.  Low in calories, high in protein – a smart snack for Halloween, Thanksgiving or any fall festival.  

Ground turmeric is the secret ingredient that makes the filling orange and perfect Halloween deviled eggs and Thanksgiving deviled eggs. Bonus, it’s an anti-inflammatory superfood. The health benefits of turmeric are bountiful, and very helpful for an athlete or person pursing an active lifestyle.

Turmeric, which contains the plant compound curcumin has been shown to have analgesic properties and anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is a natural response to exercise and can lead to muscle soreness and fatigue, and incorporating turmeric into your diet may help expedite workout recovery.  P.S. My Turmeric Mashed Potatoes are another favorite turmeric recipe I use to fuel workouts.

After mashing up the yolks with mayo of choice, it’s time to fill the egg white centers. I’ve NEVER been good with a piping bag to make it look pretty – but the best hack ever is to use a spring-loaded melon-baller (or cookie scoop) to gather up the filling and plop nicely on the of the eggs. Another tip to slicing the eggs in half cleanly and nicely is to use a drafted blade knife. Little bits of fresh sage make “stems” for these fall deviled eggs – you could also substitute another herb. This is a fun and festive Halloween snack that comes out cute ever time without having to be a professional food stylist (trust me, I don’t have the patience!).

These clever deviled eggs look like little autumn pumpkins, but contain no squash – only eggs, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and turmeric for the signature orange hue of the season.  Low in calories, high in protein – a smart snack for Halloween, Thanksgiving or any fall festival.  
5 from 5 votes
These clever deviled eggs look like little autumn pumpkins, but contain no squash – only eggs, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and turmeric for the signature orange hue of the season. Low in calories, high in protein – a smart snack for Halloween, Thanksgiving or any fall festival.
Tea & Turmeric Spiced Deviled Eggs for Halloween and Thanksgiving
Prep Time
8 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 20 mins
 

These clever deviled eggs look like little autumn pumpkins, but contain no squash – only eggs, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and turmeric for the signature orange hue of the season.  Low in calories, high in protein – a smart snack for Halloween, Thanksgiving or any fall festival.  

Course: Appetizer, Snack
Keyword: autumn, eggs, halloween, thanksgiving, tumeric
Servings: 12 pieces
Ingredients
  • 6 hard-boiled eggs unpeeled
  • 4 black tea bags
  • 2 cups water possible more
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise of choice
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp. yellow mustard
  • Salt and ground pepper to taste
  • Fresh sage snipped into little “stems”
Instructions
  1. Heat about 2 to 2.5 cups water in large, microwave-safe dish and add 4 black tea bags. Add soy sauce and let all steep for 10 minutes or so while you prepare the eggs.
  2. Prepare hard-boiled eggs per your preferred method. I cover eggs just barely with cold water and bring to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Then I cover and turn off the heat for 12 minutes, followed by removing from pot and into a bowl of cold ice-water.
  3. Crack the shells of the hard-boiled eggs gently with a spoon. Do not remove the shell.
  4. Put the cracked eggs in the tea mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  5. Remove eggs from the refrigerator, peel carefully, and cut eggs in half lengthwise.
  6. Scoop out the egg yolks and transfer to a bowl.
  7. Set the whites aside.
  8. Mash the yolks with the mayonnaise, turmeric, mustard, and salt/pepper. Use a melon-baller to scoop the mixture into the egg white cavities.
  9. Garnish with snipped fresh sage.

Recipe Notes

Homemade Banana Bread Protein Granola

If you always loved grandma’s banana bread, you’ll love this homemade granola recipe that tastes like a hug from her oven. My Banana Bread Protein Granola is a great way to start the day or kick back with as a wholesome snack – or to use as an topping for yogurt parfaits, baked fruit desserts or smoothie bowls.

Banana Bread Protein Granola is an easy homemade breakfast or snack you can make in about 30 minutes. It's much more economical than store bought and you have control over the ingredients -- I've used a protein powder to give this healthy treat 13g protein per serving.

Banana Bread Granola with Protein Powder is is easy to make, economical, and features lots of wholesome ingredients including oats, protein powder + nuts, seeds and oats. Offering almost 14g protein per serving, lots of whole grain energy, and dietary fiber – it’s definitely a winner!

Ingredients for Banana Bread PRotein Granola from thefitfork.com - Oatsome oats help boost the protein and fiber.

Whip up the batter that starts with a mixture of protein powder whisked into water, egg white and melted butter. That’s used to coat the oats, nuts and seeds before baking in the oven. While baking, this homemade banana granola recipe fills the house with a delicious, comforting aroma that tastes as yummy as it smells. After cooling and breaking into clusters, this banana protein granola has a crunchy texture with the larger pieces remaining slightly soft int the center – it’s delightful!

Note: I like to  Protein Oats (thick cut rolled oats) from Oatsome– the only ingredient is oats, but thanks to the way they are cut thicker, you get 40% more protein than traditional oats  — plus14% DV for dietary fiber.  

Banana Bread Protein Granola is an easy homemade breakfast or snack you can make in about 30 minutes. It's much more economical than store bought and you have control over the ingredients -- I've used a protein powder to give this healthy treat 13g protein per serving. Get more recipes at thefitfork.com

Tips for Making Banana Bread Protein Granola

Oats: While I used thicker-cut rolled oats, traditional rolled oats (aka: old-fashioned oats) will work just the same. Just do NOT substitute instant oats or steel-cut oats, the texture will be off with both those.

Protein Powder: I use a cake batter whey protein for this recipe. I like the cake batter flavor because it lends a buttery vanilla vibe that reminds me of all sorts of nostalgic homemade baked goods. A vanilla protein powder would work well also – and you can even add a ½ teaspoon of cake batter extract (optional).

Nuts: I’ve used chopped pecans in this banana bread granola, because traditionally that’s an ingredient that my grandmother used in her banana bread loaves (and, as a kid living in the South, I was often assigned to gather the pecans falling of the trees). But, you can swap for almond slivers or another nut – or a combination of nuts — if you prefer.

Extra Mix-Ins: I’ve left this banana pecan granola recipe pretty simple, but if you’d like to add some extra mix-ins (up to 1/4 to ½ cup total), please do! Extra seeds, nuts and shredded coconut can be added to the mixture before baking, BUT mix in items like dried fruit, chocolate chips and such AFTER the granola has baked and cooled to room temperature.

Baking Gear: I suggest baking the banana granola on a rimmed baking sheet (so nothing slides off!) that has been lined with a silicon baking sheet or parchment paper to prevent sticking (I personally love the convenience of the this pre-cut sheet pan parchment paper).

Storage: Store prepared and cooled granola at room temperature in an air-tight container (like a large, hinged canning glass jar) or zip-top plastic bag. Because this granola has a crunch outside but slightly soft center in cluster pieces, it won’t last as long as those super dry granolas from the store. Use up within the week (that’s not hard to do!) or transfer to the freezer for use later.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission from any sales generated. Those proceeds are used to offset operating expenses for The Fit Fork. Thank you!

Jennifer Fisher, thefitfork.com -- banana bread protein granola, an easy homemade snack or breakfast with 13g protein.
5 from 5 votes
Banana Bread Protein Granola is an easy homemade breakfast or snack you can make in about 30 minutes. It's much more economical than store bought and you have control over the ingredients -- I've used a protein powder to give this healthy treat 13g protein per serving. Visit thefitfork.com for more recipes to fuel your active lifestyle
Banana Bread Protein Granola
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

Banana Bread Protein Granola is an easy homemade breakfastor snack you can make in about 30 minutes. It's much more economical than storebought and you have control over the ingredients — I've used a protein powderto give this healthy treat 13g protein per serving.

Course: Breakfast, Snack
Keyword: banana, banana bread, granola, protein powder
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ cup birthday cake cake batter or vanilla flavored protein powder
  • 1 egg white or 2 tbsp from a carton
  • ¼ cup butter melted
  • ½ large ripe banana mashed
  • ¼ cup stevia baking blend or similar 1:1 measure equivalent sweetener
  • 2 tbs chia seeds
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2.5 cups old fashioned rolled oats like Oatsome thick-cut rolled protein oats
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • Optional Mix ins See Note
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325F.

  2. Whisk together water and protein powder in mixing bowl.
  3. Whisk in egg white, then melted butter.
  4. Add ripe banana and mash in well to mixture with fork or spatula.
  5. Stir in sweetener, chia seeds, ground cinnamon and salt until well combined. Finally, stir in oats and pecans and stir until evenly coated.
  6. Pour out onto rimmed baking sheet (lined with silicone baking sheet or parchment paper) and pat down into an even layer, about 1/3 to ½” thick.
  7. Bake for 24 to 26 minutes, using spatula to gently flip hallway through – keeping large clumps intact.

  8. Remove from oven when turning deep golden brown, let cook on sheet for at least 10 minutes before breaking up into desired-size clusters.
Recipe Notes

Optional Mix Ins: May mix in another ¼ to ½ cup nuts, seeds or shredded coconut into wet batter before baking. Or you can add a similar amount of dried fruit or chocolate chips after the granola has baked and cooled to room temperature.

Pumped Up Protein Popcorn

Pump up snack time with Protein Popcorn! Adding protein powder to air-popped popcorn is a clever (and crunchy) way to boost your daily protein intake!

Looking for a healthy snack that will sustain you? Try adding protein powder to popcorn for a tasty, low-cal, high-protein snack with lots of fiber. Get the recipe at thefitfork.com

Popcorn is a whole grain and can be a great snack option when prepared yourself in a healthy way (meaning without the fat, excess salt and additives found in most store-bought options). Whole grains like popcorn contain important nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial for our health.

Here’s the honey cinnamon version I made with collagen protein powder!

I personally like the “bang for budget” popcorn offers both your food expenses (it’s a very low-cost snack) and your calorie budget (3 cups of popped plain popcorn looks like a big serving, but has under 100 calories). This recipe makes two 3-cup servings. Nutrition per 1 serving is 120 calories, 8g protein 2g fat 16g net carb (based on the protein powder, cooking spray, and spices I used — may vary slightly for your products).

Looking for a healthy snack that will sustain you? Try adding protein powder to popcorn for a tasty, low-cal, high-protein snack with lots of fiber. Get the recipe at thefitfork.com

Turning plain air-popped or plain microwave popped popcorn into “Pumped Up Popcorn” is quick and easy.

Pick out your protein powder of choice. You can use any type of protein powder, meaning protein source (whey, casein, collagen, pea protein, other plant-based proteins, and blends. You can also experiment with unflavored or protein powder or a flavor. For each batch, you’ll use 2 tablespoons of powder – for this batch I used an honey cinnamon collagen protein powder from Great Lakes Wellness.

Looking for a healthy snack that will sustain you? Try adding protein powder to popcorn for a tasty, low-cal, high-protein snack with lots of fiber. Get the recipe at thefitfork.com
save 10% Great Lakes Wellness collagen and products with code THEFITFORK10off

Save 10% on Great Lakes Wellness with code THEFITFORK10OFF

Extras Tip: Get the basic recipe for protein popcorn recipe (shared at end of post) and upgrade with your special touch by mixing in a pinch, dash, teaspoon, or tablespoon (depending on the ingredient) of EXTRAS. These extras could include (but are not limited to):

  • Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
  • Cookie Spices like Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, even Cacao Powder
  • Savory & Spicy Spices like Chili Powder, Cumin, Italian Seasoning, Turmeric, Garlic Powder
  • Granulated Sugar Substitutes

Popcorn Making Tip: You can make this protein popcorn recipe in a counter-top air-popper, a microwave-popper, or even a brown paper bag in the microwave (yes! Add the ¼ cup kernels to a larger lunch-sized brown bag, fold down top, and microwave for 3 minutes or until popping becomes infrequent and sporadic).

Fun Fact: Popcorn has a volume expansion of over 25 times, so 1 tablespoon of kernels yields 1.5 cups of popped corn. 

Looking for a healthy snack that will sustain you? Try adding protein powder to popcorn for a tasty, low-cal, high-protein snack with lots of fiber. Get the recipe at thefitfork.com
PUMPED UP PROTEIN POPCORN
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 

Make a quick and easy snack that will keep you filled up thanks to protein and fiber! Easy to customize with flavors and mix-ins of your choice!

Course: Snack
Keyword: popcorn, protein powder
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels (4 tablespoons) yield 6 cups
  • Cooking spray of preference two 3-second dispenses
  • 2 tablespoons protein powder or collagen powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Optional Extra Mix-Ins of Choice, see notes
Instructions
  1. Prepare no-oil-added popcorn via the method of your choice: air popper, microwave popper, or even brown paper bag (see recipes notes).
  2. After popcorn has popped, work quickly and divide into two batches while still hot.
  3. Spritz each bowl with a 3-second spritz of cooking spray of choice, tossing the bowl to coat evenly as you do so.
  4. Quickly sprinkle half the protein powder, salt and any other mix-ins on each batch. Toss well for maximum sticking. If needed, do another quick spritz of cooking spray to encourage fall-off powder to stick on.
  5. Ready to serve in the two bowls, or toss together in one big bowl for sharing-style.
Recipe Notes

Nutrition: 120 calories, 8g protein 2g fat 16g net carb per serving (makes about 2 servings, 3 cups each)

Popcorn making tip: make microwave popcorn in a brown lunch bag, simply add the ¼ cup kernels to a larger lunch-sized brown bag, fold down top, and microwave for 3 minutes or until popping becomes infrequent and sporadic

Optional Mix-In Ideas:

    • Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast

    • Cookie Spices like Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, even Cacao Powder

    • Savory & Spicy Spices like Chili Powder, Cumin, Italian Seasoning, Turmeric, Garlic Powder

    • Granulated Sugar Substitutes

Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas (for One)

Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas make snack time a happy time and a healthy experience, especially when that craving for something salty-crunchy hits but are trying to stay away from chips.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to eat theses roasted chickpeas warm, right off the air-fryer and pop the lightly-seasoned, crispy delights into your mouth, one after one! Definitely one of my favorite single-serve snack ideas!

The good news is that unlike typical crunchy snack foods, you control the fats, the sodium, and the flavor. Nothing is processed or yucky, it’s just the goodness of garbanzo beans (the other common name for this legume) simply dressed up with a hint of flavor.  

This quick snack recipe for one makes a single serving (as hinted, lol) and uses ¾ cup of chickpeas (also called garbanzo), about half a can. To use up the other half of the can, check out this Small Batch Hummus recipe (or just easily double the ingredient list for the Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas below).

PRO TIPS:

Remove skins from chickpeas to help oil & spices adhere.

Remove Skins:  Often canned chickpeas still loosely have their “skins” on. Most fall off during rinsing but any remaining can be removed by patting dry on a paper towel and loosely rubbing around until removed. You CAN eat chickpeas with the skins still hanging on, there is no harm! But removing helps the oil and spices cling onto the legume better in this recipe and for hummus recipes, it creates a smoother outcome.

Oven Option: If you don’t have an air fryer (I LOVE my Omni Pro Plus 18L), the general rule of thumb for crisping up garbanzo beans in the regular oven is to use the same temperature, but double the cooking time (shaking pan around every 10 minutes to promote even cooking).

Seasonings: Instead of smoked paprika, try curry powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, Everything Bagel spice, or any other spice or blend you can dream up. Even homemade gingerbread spice with a pinch of stevia would make a delicious, unique chickpea snack.

How to Serve: Of course, eating warm off the pan is the obvious way to serve roasted chickpeas! They are also delightful tossed on a salad for extra nutrition and texture. Also try soups (instead of croutons) and as a garnish atop dips (like hummus) or your main entrée (like so yummy with salmon and greens)

How to Store: To maintain crunch, store roasted chickpeas covered at room temperature, for up to a couple days. If desired, pop back into a pre-heated 350F air fyer for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and re-crunch.

This post contains affiliate links.

5 from 5 votes
Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas for One is a quick, easy and healthy snack with lots of dietary fiber plus protein, iron, and folate. A mindful way to satisfy that salty-crunchy craving when trying to stay away from chips and processed foods.
Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas for One
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

Crunchy, crispy and addictive! This fun and easy-to-make snack offers lots of dietary fiber and also is a good source of plant protein, iron, folate and other essential nutrients. Note: If you want to use up the entire can 15-ish ounce can of chickpeas, just double the recipe!

Course: Snack
Cuisine: healthy, Indian, Mediterranean
Keyword: air fryer, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, legumes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup canned chickpeas about half a 15.5-ounce can
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat air fryer to 390 F degrees.
  2. Drain and rinse chickpeas.
  3. Pour out on paper towel and dry, gently rubbing to release any skins; discard skins.
  4. Add chickpeas to small bowl and drizzle on olive oil and lemon juice, stirring to coat evenly.
  5. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika and stir around to adhere to chickpeas.
  6. Pour chickpeas out on rimmed baking sheet that fits in air fryer.
  7. Stick in preheated air fryer for about 15 minutes, stopping to shake around once halfway through. Chickpeas should be toasted and crunchy when finished. IF needed (because air fryer models vary in heating), cook for another 2 to 4 minutes.

  8. Remove and let cook a couple minutes before eating. Store leftovers in air-tight container at room temperature, for up to 3 days. If desired, you can warm up in air fryer preheated to 350 for 1 to 2 minutes.

  9. Note: For a conventional oven, cook at 390-400F degrees for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, stirring up every 10 minutes.

Recipe Notes