My air fryer is an absolute essential in my kitchen! I love using it for a ton of my favorite recipes, like Asian-glazed boneless chicken thighs and butternut squash. And if you’ve gone this long with using an air fryer for easy lunches and dinners, I have amazing news: the Amazon Spring Prime Day Sale is currently going on, and you can snag some great air fryer deals (including some of my favorites!).

Since the sale is only from March 20 to March 25, I’ve already compiled a list of the best air fryer deals to shop from beloved brands like Instant, Cosori, and Ninja. I’ve even included great discounts from other retailers (like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy) so you’re able to find the best one for your cooking needs! 

Below, find great air fryer deals to shop at the Amazon Big Spring Sale and beyond.

My 5 Favorite Amazon Big Spring Sale Air Fryer Deals 

Other Great Air Fryer Deals

Prices were accurate at time of publishing.

Perched in the northernmost fringes of the US, Montana is an incredible state to explore. It’s the kind of state that’s got a little something for every traveller, especially if you love the great outdoors. Not only that, there are so many of the best places to see in Montana that are perched all over the state.

This makes it one of the best US states to visit on a road trip, especially if you’re already in the wider northerly area of the US. After all, you can include a trip to Montana as part of a visit to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and even following the Rockies towards Alberta in Canada. 

Though, don’t think you need to be a pro skier or hiker to enjoy Montana. There’s also a heap of smaller cities that are well worth a visit whilst you’re driving around the state. 

Take a look, below, at the best places to see in Montana when you visit. After all, you don’t want to travel all that way and miss some of the top places. Have fun! 

1.) Big Sky Resort

Big Sky is one of the most famous and largest winter resorts in all the United States. Not just that, it’s situated within the southwesterly fringes of Montana and around 50 miles from Yellowstone International Airport (Bozeman).

With almost 6,000 acres of skiable terrain and the most beautiful pistes, it’s the kind of place that’s well worth visiting if you’re an avid skier. Though, don’t fret if you’re not a pro! There are a range of slopes at Big Sky that are suited to all abilities. Honestly, it’s huge and you can easily spend 2-3 days and not even come close to ‘completing’ it. 

Now, daily lift passes (that you can grab here) can be a little on the pricier side, so make sure to plan your days well to maximise your time on the slopes before booking any tickets. 

Also, don’t forget that Big Sky is not just a resort for winter activities. In the warmer summer months, you can head out on activities like horseback riding, swimming, and zip-lining which are so much fun. 

Read more: Best things to do in Yellowstone

2.) Bozeman

Yes, Bozeman might be relatively small in comparison to other cities in the US, but it’s well worth a visit when you’re in the area. 

Around a 1 hour drive from Big Sky, Bozeman is a great city to visit for an overnight stay after skiing. You see, it’s got a heap of restaurants and museums that make it really fun; especially if you’re visiting with the family.

Once here, make sure to check out the Museum of the Rockies. Now, don’t be fooled, the museum does not just showcase prehistoric artefacts and paleontological collections, but it also comes with a variety of sections that are so incredible to see. The Japanese woodblock prints exhibit is fairly popular as well as the numerous Native American exhibits.

Afterwards, head to downtown Bozeman and explore the Gallatin History Museum. It’s a little smaller than the Museum of the Rockies, but well worth visiting if you’re interested in the history of battles in Montana. 

Finally, head over to Jam! for their epic brunches. Their eggs benedict and biscuits are so tasty. Though, just be aware, it does get busy on weekends, so be prepared for a wait. 

Read more: Best things to do in Yellowstone

3.) Earthquake Lake

Popularly known as the Quake Lake, Earthquake Lake was created after a massive earthquake struck back in 1959. Perched just west of Yellowstone National Park, it’s well worth making a visit whilst exploring the wider area, especially when driving Jackson Road (Highway 287).

It’s easily one of the best places to see in Montana and well worth taking a drive through this area. 

That being said, if you fancy stretching your legs, then join the Refuge Point hiking trail. It’s a totally gorgeous way to explore more of the area around Boat Mountain and Quake Lake itself. 

Read more: Best things to do in Yellowstone

4.) Glacier National Park

For me, Glacier National Park is a must-see when visiting Montana.

In fact, I’d go as far as saying that it’s one of the best national parks in the US to visit. The whole landscape is absolutely incredible to see.

Surrounded by ancient forests, glacial valleys and carved mountains and lakes, it’s the kind of place that acts as a ‘timestamp’ of geological processes in the region.

You see, you can easily head between valleys that were carved by vast glaciers, or head around the lakes that were formed over thousands of years of glacial melt. 

Now, a heads up, Glacier National Park is huge! This means you’ll never really see it all, but you can certainly make a good attempt. 

As you drive around the park, make sure to stop off at Grinnell Glacier which is incredible to see. You can drive lots of the area around Glacier Route 1 road; but be aware, that it’s closed in winter.

If it’s a hike you’re after, make sure you prep and you’re a keen and advanced hiker. You see, the hike to Grinnell Glacier is challenging to say the least. If you are considering this hike, the Garden Wall Trail will be best.

This will get you right to the top, overlooking Grinnell Glacier itself. 

Alternatively, join the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead which will take you past Lake Josephine, too. 

Staying for a few days? Make sure to also visit Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier National Park. It’s easily reached by road and the views from here are stunning. 

Read more: Best things to do in Grand Tetons

5.) Little Bighorn Battlefield

If you’re interested in the battles that happened in Montana, then make sure to visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

It is a memorial ground for the United States Army’s 7^th Cavalry and the Native Americans. Here, you’ll get to learn more about the history that led to this infamous battle at this very site. It’s one of the country’s most well-known battles and it’s well worth learning more on a visit here. 

From an international perspective, I can’t say I knew much about Little Bighorn Battlefield; but it’s well worth a visit when driving through Montana. 

Read more: Best things to do in Wyoming

6.) West Yellowstone

Not too far from Yellowstone Airport, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is one of the best places to see in Montana when visiting West Yellowstone itself. 

Open all year round, Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a perfect stop to just stretch your legs and explore this not-for-profit centre. It’s incredible and you’ll get to see grizzly bears, wolves and otters that can no longer be released into the wild or are temporarily housed while they heal or orphans. 

Their work is invaluable in the area and is such a lovely place to visit. Just be sure to give yourself around 90 minutes to fully enjoy the experience. 

Afterwards, head on over to Running Bear Pancake House for some of the world-class pancakes. Also, make sure to try one of their homemade cinnamon rolls. They’re incredible. 

Read more: Best things to do in Wyoming

7.) Lewis and Clark State Park

Lewis and Clark State Park is the oldest in all of  Montana and is located outside Three Forks. This makes it one of the best places in Montana to visit whilst driving west from Boseman towards Glacier National Park. 

Once here, make sure to explore the incredible caverns on a guided tour and follow some of the gorgeous hiking trails from the cavern’s visitor centre. 

The Middle View Trail is a great one to stroll, but the Greer Gulch Loop Trail can be a little more accessible if you’re short on time. 

Read more: Best things to do in Chicago

8.) Great Falls

Located at the centre of Montana, Great Falls is a city that’s well worth stopping for an overnight stay.

Known locally as Electric City, Great Falls (due to the energy it produces) has heaps of restaurants, bars and a downtown area that are well worth a gander.

Once here, make sure to check out the Children’s Museum of Montana. It’s so cute and the exhibitions are a throwback that is lovely to see. Oh, and stop by Tracy’s for the best chicken and waffles in town. 

If you’ve got time, also head over to Malmstrom Museum and Air Park. This is a great place to stop if you’re interested in military history and well worth a visit for a few hours whilst in Great Falls. 

Read more: Best things to do in Chicago

9.) Billings

If you want to slow down a little on your trip to Montana, then make sure to head over to Billings. You see, it’s got heaps to do and a great stopping point if you’re heading east to North Dakota. 

Once here, head over to Moss Mansion Museum to take a tour inside the home that’s over 100 years old. It’s really incredible to see and the historical artefacts inside are priceless. Just be sure to check opening times; Moss Mansion Museum does close during some of the colder months.

Also, don’t forget to visit the Yellowstone Art Museum, too. It’s a great place to explore both contemporary and historic exhibits. We loved it and it’s well worth visiting for a 45-minute trip. Though, a heads up, if you’re not an overly keen art fan, then you might want to give this one a miss. 

Read more: Best places in Utah to visit

10.) Helena

Being the capital of the state, Helena is one of the best places in Montana you have to visit.

Now, it’s not as big as other US cities like New York but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth staying a night or two. There are heaps of things to do when you arrive in the city.

Once here, make sure to explore the area around the Montana State Capitol which is stunning. 

Fancy a hike from the city? Then head around the trails of Mount Helena. These are pretty accessible in the summer months and you can get some great views from up here. 

Oh, and don’t forget to pop into Steve’s Cafe for their hearty breakfasts. It’s an unfussy place that’s all about the food. Just be sure to try their ‘big bird’ sandwich. It’s huge and delicious. 

11.) Hamilton

Not too far from the border with Idaho, Hamilton is one of the best places in Montana to visit as you travel via Highway 93 to Idaho. 

Now, this is the kind of town you can visit for a few hours (you don’t need to spend any longer). That being said, you can use it as a base to explore some of the nearby peaks that mark the state border. 

Once here, be sure to check out the Daly Mansion. It was once the home of Copper King Marcus Daly who founded Hamilton. Inside, you’ll get to explore the building and learn more about the establishment of Hamilton. 

Oh, and for one of the best brews in Montana, head to Big Creek Coffee Roasters. Their coffee is some of the best in the state. 

Read more: Best places in Utah to visit

12 Best Places In Utah To Visit

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A free 7-day, flexible weight loss meal plan including breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas and a shopping list. All recipes include macros and Weight Watchers points.

Free 7 Day Healthy Meal Plan (March 25-31)

Spring and Easter! Sounds perfect to me! I know winter is refusing to leave some areas- but warmer weather is on the horizon! Hosting the family this year? This Veggie, Ham and Cheese Breakfast Egg Casserole is the perfect way to start the day. Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs, this vibrant Pea Salad, Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with Apricot-Dijon Glaze, Roasted Asparagus and these adorable Easter Egg Cakes Balls are sure to please every palate!

With grocery prices soaring, many of us are having to adjust, scale back and/or get more creative with our meals. One of the absolute BEST ways to stay within a budget and maintain healthy eating habits is to MEAL PLAN. You can get more 5-day Budget Friendly Meal Plans by signing up for Relish+ (get a 14-day free trial here!

Buy the Skinnytaste meal planner here:

About The Meal Plan

If you’re new to my meal plans, I’ve been sharing these free, 7-day flexible healthy meal plans (you can see my previous meal plans here) that are meant as a guide, with plenty of wiggle room for you to add more food, coffee, beverages, fruits, snacks, dessert, wine, etc. or swap recipes out for meals you prefer, you can search for recipes by course in the index. Depending on your goals, you should aim for at least 1500 calories* per day. There’s no one size fits all, this will range by your goals, your age, weight, etc.

There’s also a precise, organized grocery list that will make grocery shopping so much easier and much less stressful. Save you money and time. You’ll dine out less often, waste less food and you’ll have everything you need on hand to help keep you on track.

Lastly, if you’re on Facebook join my Skinnytaste Facebook Community where everyone’s sharing photos of recipes they are making, you can join here. I’m loving all the ideas everyone’s sharing! If you wish to get on the email list, you can subscribe here so you never miss a meal plan!

Meal Plan:

Breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday, are designed to serve 1 while dinners and all meals on Saturday and Sunday are designed to serve a family of 4. Some recipes make enough leftovers for two nights or lunch the next day. The grocery list is comprehensive and includes everything you need to make all meals on the plan.

MONDAY (3/25)
B: Cottage Cheese Egg and Sausage Frittata with 1 cup mixed berries
L: Turkey Club with an apple
D: Balsamic Roasted Veggies and White Bean Pasta

Total Calories: 1,116*

TUESDAY (3/26)
B: Cottage Cheese Egg and Sausage Frittata with 1 cup mixed berries
L: LEFTOVER Balsamic Roasted Veggies and White Bean Pasta
D: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Total Calories: 1,144*

WEDNESDAY (3/27)
B: Cottage Cheese Egg and Sausage Frittata with 1 cup mixed berries
L: LEFTOVER Balsamic Roasted Veggies and White Bean Pasta
D: Instant Pot Turkey Meatball and Ditalini Soup and 2 Easy Garlic Knots
Total Calories: 1,162*

THURSDAY (3/28)
B: Cottage Cheese Egg and Sausage Frittata with 1 cup mixed berries
L: LEFTOVER Instant Pot Turkey Meatball and Ditalini Soup
D: Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry with ¾ cup brown rice
Total Calories: 1,099*

FRIDAY (3/29)
B: Hummus Avocado Toast
L: Soba Noodle Veggie Stir-Fry
D: Fish Florentine with Mashed Cauliflower

Total Calories: 1,150*

SATURDAY (3/30)
B: Greek Cottage Cheese Bowl (recipe x 4)
L: Turkey Club (recipe x 4) with an apple
D: DINNER OUT

Total Calories: 632*

SUNDAY (3/31)
B: Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs and Strawberry Scones
L: Artichoke Pie and Navel Orange Salad with Avocado
D: Honey Baked Spiral Ham, Pea Salad, Roasted Carrots and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Total Calories: 1,352*

‘*This is just a guide, women should aim for around 1500 calories per day. Here’s a helpful calculator to estimate your calorie needs. I’ve left plenty of wiggle room for you to add more food such as coffee, beverages, fruits, snacks, dessert, wine, etc.

*Google doc

This low-carb Crustless Quiche is light and delicious, perfect for breakfast or brunch (or even a light dinner)! Made with leftover ham or ham steak, broccoli and cheese.

Crustless Quiche

For those looking to lighten their meal or simply save on preparation time, this crustless quiche is a wonderful alternative. This version retains all the creamy, indulgent essence of a classic quiche while being quicker to prepare and lower in carbohydrates. I love to serve it with a large bowl of fruit salad. If you want a quiche with crust, you may also like this Spinach and Ricotta Quiche or this Chicken Quiche which are so popular on my site.

I created this crustless quiche recipe with leftover Easter ham in mind. Since it’s low-carb and uses no crust, I’ve added a little light cream to give the eggs more of a creamier custard texture, as most quiches have rather than a spongier baked egg texture like a frittata.

Basic Quiche Ingredients:

The beauty of quiche lies in its versatility, and the crustless variant is no exception. You can tailor the dish to your taste preferences or dietary needs by choosing from a wide range of fillings. See full recipe with exact measurements below in the recipe card.

• egg mixture: eggs, milk and half & half
• grated cheese (choose from options like Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella, goat cheese, gruyere cheese, parmesan cheese, or feta)
• your choice of protein: diced ham, cooked bacon, chicken sausage, vegan sausage, chorizo, etc)
• your choice of vegetables: (broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, onions, red onion, bell peppers)
• salt and black pepper
• Optional fresh or dry herbs and spices (e.g., chives, parsley, thyme, basil)

How To Make Crustless Quiche

1. Preheat the to 350F degrees. Spray a 9-inch pie pan or quiche dish with oil.
2. Evenly spread the veggies in the dish and top it evenly with the ham.
3. To make the custard whisk together the milk, half and half, eggs, salt, black pepper, and the nutmeg.
4. Pour the egg custard into the pie plate or quiche dish and top with cheese.
5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until the center is set.
6. Cut the quiche into 6 pieces and serve.

Crustless Quiche Variations:

• Swap the ham for bacon, sausage or vegan sausage.
• Cheese: Any cheese would work great here. Try this with mozzarella cheese, Gruyere, cheddar or Swiss.
• Milk: You can swap more milk in place of the half & half cream, but the texture won’t be as creamy, it will have a spongier texture.
• Individual Ramekins: Make them in individual ramekins in place of one large pie dish.
• Crust: If you wish to use a crust, follow the directions for this recipe using a deeper pie dish, and use less broccoli.

Storage

To refrigerate, cover with plastic wrap. This should last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

Crustless Quiche Recipes:

Photo credit: Jess Larson

This Risotto Primavera recipe showcases the freshness and variety of spring in a bowl loaded with asparagus, peas, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes.

Risotto Primavera

Risotto, a classic Italian favorite known for its creamy texture, is made even more delightful with the addition of crisp, fresh spring vegetables. It’s a perfect blend of the comforting arborio rice with the fresh, vibrant flavors of the season’s produce. Here I served this easy Risotto Primavera as a vegetarian main dish but you can also halve the recipe and portion to serve as a side dish with fish, chicken breast, seafood, and more. For more simple risotto recipes, try my Instant Pot Risotto with Prosciutto and Peas and Spring Asparagus Risotto.

What is risotto primavera made of?

Ingredients: (See exact amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

• Broth: Use homemade or store-bought chicken or vegetable broth. I have this homemade chicken broth recipe if you want to make your own.
• Olive Oil to sauté the onion and garlic in
• Rice: Risotto is typically made from arborio rice, a short-grain Italian rice.
• Wine: Use a good-quality dry white wine, like pinot grigio or chardonnay.
• Vegetables: Primavera risotto wouldn’t be complete without a mix of spring veggies. I use zucchini, thawed, frozen peas, asparagus, and cherry or grape tomatoes.
• Salt seasons the vegetables
• Basil adds freshness and color.
• Butter: Stir in a little butter at the end for extra creaminess.
• Cheese: Mix in grated Pecorino Romano and sprinkle some on top before serving.
• Pepper: Top the risotto primavera with freshly ground black pepper.

How to Make Risotto Primavera

1. Warm the broth in a saucepan before cooking the risotto.
2. Sauté the onion and garlic in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat for a few minutes until soft.
3. Add the rice and cook until the grains are translucent. Pour in the white wine and cook until it’s absorbed.
4. Slowly add the broth: Pour a ladle of broth into the pot and cook until it’s absorbed, stirring the rice. Continue to mix in the broth, cooking until the broth is absorbed and the rice is al dente.
5. Spring Vegetables: Add the zucchini, peas, tomatoes, asparagus, and salt about five minutes before the rice is done. The entire process should take 20 to 25 minutes, and the risotto should be loose and creamy but not runny. You can overcook risotto, so once you hit 20 minutes, taste the risotto to see if it’s ready.
6. Final Touches: Turn off the heat, stir in the butter and cheese, sprinkle with chopped, fresh basil, and season with freshly ground pepper.

Variations

• For extra flavor, add diced pancetta with the onions.
• Liquid: Use water instead of broth.
• Wine: If you don’t drink wine, omit it and use more broth.
• Onion: Sub red onion or shallots.
• Zucchini: Swap zucchini with yellow squash.
• Herbs: Substitute dill or tarragon.
• Cheese: Replace Pecorino with Parmigiano Reggiano.
• For more protein, add chicken to this risotto primavera.

What to Serve with Risotto Primavera

This healthy risotto primavera recipe is a beautiful spring side dish or vegetarian main entrée. If you want to serve this as a side dish, it would go great with:

Storage

Since the vegetarian risotto primavera contains no meat, leftovers will keep in the fridge for 5 days. Microwave it for about a minute until warm or heat it on the stove. If the rice has dried out, you may need to add a splash of broth or water.

More Risotto Recipes You’ll Love

Baked spiral ham with a simple homemade glaze made with fresh orange juice, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and a touch of brown sugar is the perfect holiday dish!

Honey Baked Ham

Spiral hams are great for serving at large parties because they are precooked and sliced, which makes for easy serving when it comes out of the oven. The glaze for this honey baked ham only takes a few minutes, and most of the cooking time for the ham is hands- off. Plus, glazing your own ham is more affordable than buying one already glazed. A few other spiral ham recipes I love are this  Apricot-Rum Glazed Spiral Ham, Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with Apricot-Dijon Glaze, and Honey- Mustard Ham.

Ingredients

• Ham: Buy a fully-cooked spiral bone-in ham that weighs 6 to 8 pounds.
• Juice: Use pineapple juice and fresh-squeezed orange juice.
• Dijon Mustard adds tanginess to balance the sweetness.
• Sweetener: Honey thickens the glaze, and brown sugar adds a little crunch.

How to Cook a Pre-Cooked Ham

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 275°F. Place the ham in a large roasting pan, cut side down, and cover it tightly with foil, or place it in a baking bag.
2. How Long to Cook a Pre-Cooked Ham: Bake the spiral ham for 12 to 15 minutes per pound, depending on the size.
3. Ham Glaze: Whisk the honey-ham glaze ingredients in a small saucepan. Simmer it on low for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often until it reduces down and thickens into a glaze.
4. Glaze the Ham: Remove the ham from the oven 15 minutes before it’s done, and brush the glaze onto it. Finish cooking the ham uncovered for the last 15 minutes.

What to Serve with Honey Baked Ham

This honey baked spiral ham recipe is excellent for Easter or any holiday where you’re serving a crowd. If the ham is the star of the show, below are some spring side dish ideas to go with it.

Baked Ham FAQs

What to Do with Leftover Honey Baked Ham

Below are some of my favorite leftover spiral ham recipes.

More Ham Recipes You’ll Love

These secretly healthy carrot cake cupcakes are moist, fluffy, and topped with thick vegan cream cheese frosting!

The best healthy carrot cake cupcakes

Who doesn’t love carrot cake?

But while carrot cake may seem healthy because it is made with a vegetable, traditional carrot cake is actually full of so much added sugar that you might as well be eating a Snickers bar.

With a soft texture and sweet carrot cake flavor, these low calorie carrot cake cupcakes offer you the best of both worlds.

They taste decadent enough for dessert yet are so healthy that you can even eat them for breakfast if you so desire.

And absolutely no one can ever tell they aren’t full of fat and calories!

Readers also love these Oreo Cupcakes

The recipe can be oil free, egg free, dairy free, vegan, gluten free, high fiber, and added sugar free.

And each cupcake packs in close to 75% of the RDA for vitamin A.

Superfood carrots are a good source of beta carotene, promote healthy vision, and boost immunity from their high vitamin C content.

I like to add half a cup of raisins, or sometimes a handful of mini chocolate chips. These additions are optional.

The fancy 24 carrot cake cupcakes are great for brunch parties or served as a healthy Easter dessert or lunch box snack.

You may also like Sweet Potato Brownies

Step by step recipe video

Watch the video how to make healthy carrot cake cupcakes, above

Vegan healthy carrot cake cupcake ingredients

Here’s what you will need to make your own carrot cake cupcakes.

Add carrots, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, sugar of choice, applesauce or banana, optional oil, white or apple cider vinegar, and pure vanilla extract to the grocery list.

I like to use whole grain spelt flour for these healthy cupcakes. White flour, oat flour, and some brands of all purpose gluten free flour also work.

We have never tried the recipe with whole wheat flour or coconut flour. If you prefer to use almond flour, make these Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes.

For a fun flavor variation, swap out the applesauce for an equal amount of mashed banana, canned pumpkin puree, roasted sweet potato puree, or crushed pineapple. Or increase the protein by substituting regular or Greek yogurt.

The recipe works with regular sugar or unrefined coconut sugar or date sugar. Or go with granulated erythritol or xylitol for added sugar free carrot cake cupcakes.

While you can technically substitute a liquid sweetener, such as honey or pure maple syrup, the texture will be best with a granulated sweetener.

Vegetable oil or sunflower oil work well. If using coconut oil, melt it first and make sure none of the other ingredients are cold. For oil free cupcakes, sub an equal amount of additional applesauce, mashed bananas, or yogurt.

As for the carrots? You may use purple, yellow, or traditional orange carrots. Baby carrots and large carrots both work equally well.

Want more healthy cupcakes? Make Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

How to make the recipe

Line a cupcake tin with liners, and set the pan aside.

Peel and shred the carrots. The easiest way to shred carrots is in a food processor. You can also use a box grater.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit while you measure the ingredients.

In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the shredded carrot, applesauce or banana, water, optional oil, vinegar, and pure vanilla extract.

Combine the flour, cinnamon, sugar, baking soda, salt, and optional raisins in a large mixing bowl. Stir the dry carrot cake cupcake ingredients very well.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and stir until just evenly mixed. Do not overmix.

Divide the cupcake batter among the lined cupcake or muffin tins. The recipe should yield enough batter to fill a dozen standard size cups.

Or if you wish to make mini carrot cake cupcakes instead, portion the batter into lined or greased mini muffin tins.

Bake the pan on the center rack of the oven for twenty minutes if making large cupcakes or ten minutes for mini ones.

When time is up, a toothpick inserted into a domed cupcake’s center should come out mostly clean.

Enjoy plain or topped with any of the frosting options included below.

The cupcakes are even sweeter and fluffier the next day, and the liners should be easy to peel off after sitting overnight.

Store leftover cupcakes loosely covered on the counter for one or two days. If you still have leftovers after two days, it is best to cover and refrigerate for up to a week or freeze in an airtight covered container for up to three months.

The recipe was adapted from my Carrot Bread and Carrot Cake Muffins

Healthy cream cheese frosting recipe

Feel free to eat the cupcakes unfrosted or topped with Coconut Butter.

This time, I chose to top them with a homemade cream cheese frosting. It can easily be both vegan and keto friendly, depending on the specific ingredients you choose. For a healthy option, choose unrefined coconut sugar and cashew butter over the butter.

Here is the recipe:

Bring eight ounces of cream cheese or vegan cream cheese to room temperature.

Use hand beaters or a stand mixer to whip the cream cheese with four ounces of butter or cashew butter an optional teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and two cups of powdered sugar or coconut sugar.

You can also whip in a half teaspoon of ground cinnamon, a pinch of cardamom, the seeds of a vanilla bean, or the zest of one lemon if desired.

If the homemade cream cheese icing is too thick, slowly beat in a teaspoon of milk or water at a time, until it achieves your preferred thickness and texture.

Store any leftover frosting covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.

You can also turn the recipe into a Healthy Carrot Cake.

More Healthy Dessert Ideas

Carrot Cake Banana Bread

Protein Cookie Dough

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Strawberry Mousse

Vegan Lemon Bread

My New Cookbook

Amazon is known for its big Prime Day sale in the summer, but when it announced its Big Spring Sale, I knew it was a great chance to shop for Spring cleaning and organizing essentials at a great price. The spring Prime Day sale runs from Wednesday, March 20 to Monday, March 25, which gives you five whole days to shop. This massive, site-wide sale even has some deals on my favorite kitchen products, including air fryers, meat thermometers, cookware, and so much more.

I’ve already sifted through the deals and have picked out a few of my favorites that I think are worth getting while they’re on sale. This included top brands like Our Place, Breville, and Vitamix. I’ve even found my new cookbook, Skinnytaste Simple, on sale for its lowest price yet! Below are my top picks, but I’ll continue to update this post and add more deals as I find them. Happy shopping!

My 10 Favorite Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals at a Glance

1. Skinnytaste Simple – $19.99 at Amazon (Originally $24.99)
2. Our Place 10.5-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Skillet – $110 (Originally $150)
3. Rubbermaid 28-Piece Food Storage Containers – $39.99 at Amazon (Originally $49.99)
4. Instant Vortex 6-Quart Digital Air Fryer  – $79.99 (Originally $119.99)
5. ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer – $14.99 at Amazon (Originally $24.99)
6. Vitamix 5200 Blender – $415.97 at Amazon (Originally $479.95)
7. Copco 3-Tier Cabinet Organizer – $9.99 at Amazon (Originally $17)
8. OXO Good Grips Chef’s Mandoline Slicer – $56.56 at Amazon (Originally $99.95)
9. DASH Rapid Egg Cooker – $16.49 at Amazon (Originally $18.99)
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Spanish Tortilla is a layered potato, onion and egg open-faced omelet. Serve it as an appetizer, or main for breakfast/brunch or a light dinner.

Spanish Tortilla

I love this Spanish omelette so much with, made with tender potatoes and onions suspended in a bed of eggs. It’s amazing how good a dish with so few ingredients can be! My mom has been making Spanish Tortilla my whole life. It’s usually something she’ll bring to a brunch, or for Easter or to serve as an appetizer. Her recipe uses a lot more olive oil than mine, but the great news is that you don’t miss it here! The pimenton aioli takes this tortilla to a whole new level, so don’t skip it (you may want to double it if serving guests). For more classic Spanish recipes, try my Mom’s Spanish Chicken and Rice, Gazpacho and Seafood Paella.

Ingredients

The main ingredients in this Spanish tortilla omelette recipe, also known as tortilla española, are eggs and potatoes. The dish is flavored with extra virgin olive oil, onions, salt, pepper, and chicken broth.

How To Make Spanish Tortilla

1. Cut the potatoes into 1/8-inch thick slices.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, when the water boils add and the potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart, about 10 to 14 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes and let as much of the water drip off as possible.
4. Meanwhile, put the broth and onions into an 8- or 9-inch non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
5. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally and turning down the heat if they start to brown, until they are very tender and the broth has all cooked off, 15 to 18 minutes adding more broth if needed.
6. Remove onions (can put with potatoes). Wipe out the pan.
7. Crack the eggs into a large bowl and beat. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Add the potatoes and onions and gently combine.
8. Put the clean nonstick skillet over medium heat and coat the bottom with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
9. Pour the egg mixture and use a rubber spatula to press down the mixture and smooth out the top. Cook until the edges are set, then turn the heat down to medium-low. Continue cooking until the top is mostly set, 12 to 15 minutes total.
10. Carefully run your spatula around and under the egg-potato mixture to make sure it’s not stuck anywhere, then flip the tortilla: Turn off the heat and cover the skillet with a larger plate. Protect your hands with towels or oven mitts, then grab the pan and the plate on two sides and flip.
11. Remove the pan and your tortilla will now be on the plate! Don’t worry if there were a few spots that did stick, this will be the underside when you serve it anyway.
12. Scrape any stuck parts off the pan and coat the bottom with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
13. Slide the tortilla back in and tuck any pieces of potato that may have fallen out in the sides.
14. Return the burner to medium-low, and cook until the center is no longer runny, 4 to 6 minutes.
15. Transfer the tortilla to a plate and let cool for at least 20 minutes, if you can (it’s best at room temperature)!
16. Make the aioli while you wait: Use a microplane grater to grate the garlic into a small bowl (or use a garlic press). Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use.
17. Slice into 6 servings and serve with a dollop of the aioli.

How to Make a Quick Aioli from Scratch

I love the flavor from this smoked pimenton Aioli, just mix together these aioli ingredients:

• Grated garlic
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Smoked paprika
• Kosher salt

What to Serve with Spanish Tortilla

To eat as a main dish for dinner, simply serve the Spanish tortilla with a baguette and a green leafy salad on the side. Roasted veggies would also be a great side.

What is another name for Spanish Tortilla?

Known in English as Spanish omelet, this popular potato egg dish is also called tortilla española or tortilla de patata (potato omelet) in Spanish, because of its origin and its main ingredient.

Make Ahead

Spanish tortilla takes some time to cook, so make it when you have some extra time. It’s best eaten cold or at room temperature, so it’s perfect for making ahead or bringing to a potluck. You can refrigerate the Spanish egg dish for up to 4 days. To do so, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. If you want to heat it up, you can microwave a few minutes or heat in the oven.

More Egg Dishes You’ll Love:

This spring, double Pea Salad recipe, made with blanched peas, minced shallot, feta cheese, and a creamy dressing made of more peas, yogurt, mint, and dill is super fresh and very easy!

Pea Salad

I never liked green peas as a kid. But as my adult taste buds matured, I learned to enjoy if they are packed with lots of bright lemon and fresh herbs, like dill and mint. It’s worth dragging out the blender to make the delicious creamy pea dressing, but what really makes this vegetarian Pea Salad is the feta cheese, so don’t leave it out! Bonus, peas are high in protein! One half cup serving of this side dish has 5 grams protein! For more pea recipes, try this Spring Pea Soup recipe. It’s so good!

What is pea salad made of?

• Peas: Frozen petite peas or fresh, shelled peas will work.
• Salt and Black Pepper season the salad dressing.
• Herbs: Dill and mint add freshness and enhance the flavors of this side dish.
• Greek Yogurt: This healthy pea salad with no mayo uses nonfat Greek yogurt as a more nutritious alternative.
• Lemon adds brightness and acidity to the salad. You’ll need the zest and juice.
• Shallot: Mince half of a shallot for a mild onion flavor.
• Olive Oil balances out the acidity and tanginess of the dressing.
• Feta: Sprinkle this green pea salad with crumbled feta cheese, which elevates the salad.
• Radish: Add thinly sliced radish on top for garnish and pretty color.

How to Make Pea Salad

1. Prep: Bring a pot of water to a boil and lightly salt it. Also, fill a large bowl with ice water so it’s ready to go once the peas are cooked.
2. Blanch the Peas: Blanching is when you boil vegetables, drain them, and then immediately immerse them in ice-cold water. When the water boils, add the green peas and cook frozen ones for 1 minute and fresh ones for 2 to 3. Drain the peas and put them in the ice water. After a couple of minutes, drain them again.
3. Green Pea Salad Dressing: Put 1/2 cup of peas into a blender or mini food processor with the herbs, yogurt, oil, salt, and black pepper. Zest the entire lemon into the blender. Then, cut it in half and squeeze the juice from one half. Blend until smooth. Taste and add more lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed.
4. Serve: Transfer the shallot and remaining peas to a bowl and drizzle with dressing, stir to coat. Garnish with feta, radishes, and more herbs.

Variations

• Herbs: Try this healthy pea salad with basil or tarragon.
• Yogurt: Substitute Greek yogurt with mayonnaise if you are dairy-free.
• Peas: Use frozen or fresh peas. Canned peas are not recommended.
• Shallots: Swap for red onion or green onions
• Make it a pasta salad, just add macaroni!

What to Serve with Pea Salad

I love this recipe for pea salad, it’s the perfect side dish for a spring dinner party or Easter lunch. Below are some main dish ideas to serve with it.

How long is pea salad good for in the fridge?

Store leftovers up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

More Pea Recipes You’ll Love