Healthy Snacks for Grand Final Day

While most of us around Australia may not be able to host our usual AFL Grand final BBQ/party, that doesn’t mean we can’t put together some delicious snacks for our housemates, family and SO’s! So here is our list of healthy, low carb, high protein grand final snacks.

Zesty Paprika Guacamole 
Make a batch of this healthy dip and enjoy it with sliced vegetables, corn chips, or your favourite crackers (we love the Paleo Pure Keto Crackers).

Ingredients:

• 2 large avocados, halved and pits removed
• The juice of 1 lime
• 1 tsp paprika or 1 tsp of Mingle Spicy Mexican seasoning
• 1 small red onion, finely diced
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. Place the avocado flesh into a mixing bowl and use a fork or vegetable masher to mash the flesh.
2. Add the lime juice, paprika, and red onion and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. ENJOY!

Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
Wings are a classic snack for Grand Final parties. Check out this healthy version to keep you satisfied and feeling great!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or your favourite non dairy milk)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• Pinch of sea salt and pepper
• Optional: 1 tsp Mingle Smokey Seasoning
• 1 head of cauliflower cut into florets
• 1 cup plain flour (can be gluten free)
• ¾ cup of your favourite hot sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• Healthy creamy dipping sauce for serving like Walden Farms Caesar Dressing

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Add water, milk, and all spices to a large bowl and whisk to combine.
3. Add the cauliflower to the bowl with the sauce and toss or gently stir to evenly coat.
4. Transfer the cauliflower to the baking tray and bake for 10 minutes. Flip florets and bake for a further 10 minutes or until they start to brown and crisp.
5. While cauliflower is cooking, combine hot sauce, honey, and melted coconut oil and mix well.
6. Take the cauliflower out of the oven and add to the hot sauce bowl and toss or stir well to coat. Put the cauliflower back on the tray and in the oven for 10 minutes.
7. Serve with your creamy dipping sauce and celery sticks on the side!

Homemade Loaded Greek Hummus 
Just when you thought hummus couldn’t get any better.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ⅓ cup tahini
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (plus extra for drizzling)
• 2 tbsp dill
• 1 clove garlic crushed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 diced lebanese cucumber
• 8 diced cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup pitted and roughly chopped kalamata olives
• Pita bread, pita chips or crackers for serving

Directions:

1. Make the hummus by combining chickpeas, tahini, ½ of the feta, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, garlic, salt & pepper, and 3 tbsp of water in a food processor or Nutribullet. If consistency is too thick, add extra olive oil until desired consistency is reached.
2. Transfer hummus into a shallow serving bowl and top with cucumber, tomatoes, olives and the rest of the feta. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
3. Serve with pita chips, pita bread, or crackers of your choice and enjoy!

Oven Baked Bloomin’ Onion 
This baked version of the cult classic is sure to satisfy your savoury cravings. Make sure you get the biggest onions you can find!

Ingredients: 

• 1 large brown onion – the bigger the better!
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup bread crumbs (or PBCo Low Carb Crumb)
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt

For the secret sauce:

• ⅔ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp horseradish
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp dried oregano
• Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
2. Prepare the onion by slicing off the onion stem and set the onion on the flat side. Cut a few centimeters from the root downwards, cutting the onion into 12-16 sections but be careful not to cut all the way through. Flip the onion and gently pull apart the sections you just cut by pulling them downwards to “open” the onion.
3. In a shallow bowl combine the eggs and 1 tbsp of water. In another shallow bowl mix the bread crumbs, spices and salt.
4. Crumb the onion by dipping it into your egg mixture and then the bread crumb mixture using a spoon to make sure the onion is fully coated.
5. Set onion on your baking tray and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden and tender.
6. While that is baking, prepare your secret sauce by whisking all the ingredients in a bowl. Season to taste with salt.
7. Serve beautiful bloomin onion with secret sauce on the side!

Cheesy Portobello Mushroom Fries
The perfect healthy snack for vegetarians and non vegetarians alike!

Ingredients:

• 2 large portobello mushroom, sliced into 1cm thick slices
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup of bread crumbs (or PBCo Low Carb Crumb)
• ½ cup shredded parmesan, but extra for serving
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ⅔ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar for a sharper flavour
• 2 tbsp roughly chopped fresh parsley
• Tomato based dipping sauce of your choice for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 210 degrees celsius and line 2 large baking trays with baking paper.
2. Remove the stems and gills from the mushrooms and slice.
3. Whisk eggs in a shallow bowl. Combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and oregano in another shallow bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Dip slices of mushroom into the egg mix, then dredge through the breadcrumbs and place in an even layer on the baking trays.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until crispy and golden. Transfer to a baking and serving dish and top with mozzarella cheese/cheddar cheese and put back in the oven until the cheese is melted (about 2 minutes).
6. Garnish with parsley, extra parmesan cheese and serve with your favourite tomato based sauce on the side for dipping. Yum!