As seasons change, so do our food cravings. When temperatures rise, we tend to keep the oven off and reach for easy-to-make snacks that are fruit-forward, healthy, and nothing short of delicious. Here are four of our go-to summer recipes to keep you, and your family, fueled for all of life’s adventures.
Made In Nature’s organic, unsulfured super snacks are here to help you fuel up for your various summer adventures, from hiking to hanging by the pool. Whip up any of our plant-based, fruit-powered recipes to wow your tastebuds and with real food, real taste, and real nutrition. Happy snacking!
Homemade Trail Mix
Let’s face it: many of the trail mixes you find at the grocery store are packed with added sugars and unnecessary ingredients. Making your own trail mix is a great way to make a snack that is of the utmost quality (and you can fill it with whatever your heart desires!)Dried fruit makes a great addition to trail mix as it has natural sugars – this is a great way to boost your blood sugar after a workout, a hike, or even when you need a mid-day pick-me-up during the workday.Here is our go to trail mix:Ingredients:
- ½ Cup Cashews (toasted or raw)
- ½ cup almonds (toasted or raw)
- ¼ cup pepita seeds
- ¼ cup organic Made In Nature Maple Vanilla Coconut Chips
- ¼ cup organic Made In Nature Raisins
- ¼ cup organic Made In Nature Cranberries
- ¼ tsp pink Himalayan salt
- 1 tbsp maple syrup *optional
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spread your cashews and almonds on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Add maple syrup if you prefer your trail mix sweet.
- Toast the cashews and almonds for 10 minutes and let cool.
- Combine your pepita seeds, coconut chips, raisins, cranberries, salt, and nuts in a large bowl and mix.
- Store for up to one month in a covered container & enjoy!
Fruity Yogurt Bark
Yogurt bark is one of our favorite ice cream substitutes for those hot summer days. Plus, it’s a great way to use up that dried fruit that we know you have sitting in the cupboard! Here is our favorite recipe for Fruity Yogurt Bark:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups yogurt (Greek or non-dairy yogurt will work. Choose the full-fat option when possible.)
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup organic Made In Nature Dried Apples (diced)
- ¼ cup organic Made In Nature Dried Cranberries
- ½ cup organic Made In Nature Maple Vanilla Coconut Chips
- ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
Directions:
- Combine the yogurt, vanilla extract, and honey in a bowl.
- On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, spread the yogurt mixture evenly. Add the coconut chips, cranberries, and apples and gently press them into the yogurt.
Put the baking sheet in the freezer for 2 – 4 hours (until the yogurt is fully frozen.) Cut into 10 – 15 pieces and enjoy! Store leftovers in the freezer.
Overnight Oats
Oatmeal is an everyday staple for many (including us), but in the summer, we cannot be bothered to make a hot bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. Instead, we find ourselves reaching for overnight oats since they are a cool and refreshing way to start the day. Here is our go-to oats recipe for those warm summer mornings:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup milk of choice (we prefer oat milk)
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or honey)
- 3-4 organic Made In Nature Dried Figs, sliced into quarters
- 2-3 organic Made In Nature Medjool Dates, sliced into quarters
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- Pinch of salt
Directions:
In a mason jar (or small bowl), combine the oats, milk, vanilla extract, salt, and maple syrup. Stir well.
- Once the mixture is combined, top with the figs, dates, and chia seeds. Cover the jar (or bowl) tightly.
- Place in the fridge for at least three hours and enjoy!
Banana and Date Smoothie
As summer comes around, there is nothing more refreshing than a thick, creamy smoothie. At Made in Nature, we let the natural flavors of our dried fruit assist in creating the prefect summer smoothie. This is our go-to decadent, plant-based smoothie:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- 4-5 pitted organic Made In Nature Medjool Dates
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 – 4 ice cubes
- 1 tbsp organic Made In Nature Toasted Cinnamon Coconut Chips
Directions:
- Combine your milk, dates, banana, vanilla, cinnamon, and ice in a blender.
- Blend on high speed until the mixture appears smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a glass or bowl. Top your smoothie with the coconut chips. Enjoy!
