Hosting a gathering for your book club or exercise group tonight? With the help of a few of our favorite foodies, we’ve rounded up 17 healthy potluck dish ideas for your next group get-together.
Making healthy food choices can take a concerted effort. No one understands this more than a registered dietitian or nutritionist. Advocates of healthy eating, they’re skilled at translating complex nutritional science into practical eating plans for a wide range of individuals, including those with dietary restrictions, cancer, diabetes and weight-related difficulties.
If you’re on the hunt for healthy appetizer, breakfast or dessert potluck options, look through the shortlist of ideas shared below. We’ve also included six inexpensive potluck ideas because eating well doesn’t have to be expensive. Enjoy!
3 Healthy Breakfast Potluck Ideas
Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl from Love & Lemons
Chosen by Lorie Eber, Certified Nutritionist. Get the recipe →
Quinoa is one of the few grains that contains all nine essential amino acids that make up a complete protein. Here, the quinoa is lightly sweetened by cooking it in almond milk together with a few cinnamon sticks. Top it with almonds, berries or stone fruits for added texture and flavor.
Better Baked Apple Qi’a Crunch
Chosen by Ashley Koff, Registered Dietitian. Get the recipe →
Happily, apples are one of those delicious foods that also happen to be very good for us, especially as we get older. They’re rich in dietary fiber, especially when unpeeled.
Overnight Spiced Oats with Figs and Walnuts (Vegan and Gluten-Free)
Chosen by Sharon Palmer, Registered Dietician. Get the recipe →
Chock-full of soluble fiber and other top-notch nutrients like iron (a 3/4 cup of oatmeal provides 5-7 grams of iron), eating oats in the morning is a very good idea.
4 Healthy Potluck Appetizer Ideas
Greek Yogurt Onion Dip from the Food Network Kitchen
Chosen by Lorie Eber, Certified Nutritionist. Get the recipe →
An excellent source of calcium, protein and probiotics, regular consumption of yogurt is also associated with better immune system function, weight management and reduced inflammation.
“Curryflower” Roasted Curried Cauliflower
Chosen by Ashley Koff, Registered Dietitian. Get the recipe →
Cauliflower is rich in vitamins K and folate which support heart health, bone health, and it’s also an excellent source of antioxidants. Adding curry helps promote a healthy inflammatory response.
Picante Black Bean Dip on Corn Tortilla Chips
Chosen by Cara Rosenbloom, Registered Dietitian. Get the recipe →
Crunchy and savory, these are a healthy appetizer because of the filling fiber from the black beans. You can adjust the spice level to your liking.
Cranberry Jalapeno Hummus (Vegan and Gluten-Free)
Chosen by Sharon Palmer, Registered Dietician. Get the recipe →
Pairing the tart-sweetness of cranberries with the spiciness of jalapeno and the bright flavor of cilantro, this hummus can be both a dip or a spread.
4 Healthy Potluck Dessert Ideas
Apricot-Pine Nut Granola Bars from Health
Chosen by Lorie Eber, Certified Nutritionist. Get the recipe →
The combination of pine nuts, oats and dried apricots, make these granola bars a sweet but smart choice. Pine nuts are high in beneficial monounsaturated fats, magnesium and vitamin E, which all work together to protect the heart. Pine nuts also naturally contain plant sterols, a compound that can help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
Choco Peanut Butter Hemp Bars
Chosen by Ashley Koff, Registered Dietitian. Get the recipe →
A healthy twist on the brownie, these dessert bars contain essential fatty acids — omega-3 and omega-6s — and quality protein from the hemp hearts and peanut butter.
Vegan Cowboy Cookies
Chosen by Sharon Palmer, Registered Dietician. Get the recipe →
Walnuts, chia seeds, oats and nut butter are the key ingredients in these cookies. You can make these crunchy cookies as healthy as you like by playing with how much whole grain flour you use.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Balls
Chosen by Jill Weisenberger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Get the recipe →
Weisenberger advises using cocoa powder that hasn’t been processed with alkali to reap the beneficial effects of cocoa flavanols. Studies show that the regular consumption of cocoa products containing flavanols help reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases.
6 Healthy and Inexpensive Potluck Ideas
Lighter Cabbage Ramen Noodle Salad
Chosen by Serena Ball, Registered Dietician. Get the recipe →
A healthy twist on the classic ramen noodle salad. This recipe contains much less oil and sugar than a lot of ramen noodle salad recipes found online. Versatile, affordable and super healthy.
Cucumber, Wakame, and Red Pepper Salad Recipe
Chosen by Donna Gates, Founder of the Body Ecology Diet. Get the recipe →
A cup of sliced cucumber has just 16 calories, making it a low-calorie snack food to crunch on. And there’s value in those calories. Cucumbers contain the phytonutrients known as lignans, which are said to be protective against cardiovascular disease. Some of the phytonutrients in cucumbers also work as antioxidants, scavenging for free radicals that damage DNA and contribute to the aging process.
Socca Pancakes
Chosen by Ashley Koff, Registered Dietitian. Get the recipe →
If you’re looking for a gluten-free, high fiber replacement for bread, try Socca. The chickpea flatbread is easy to make, delicious and nutrient dense.
Veggie-Packed Potato Salad
Chosen by Jill Weisenberger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Get the recipe →
A lot people shun the delicious, nutritious potato, but there’s no reason to. Potatoes are one of the cheapest sources of potassium, which is necessary for healthy blood pressure, healthy bones and the prevention of kidney stones. This recipe uses the potatoes as a base, but includes lower calorie non-starchy vegetables to bulk up the portion for fewer calories and more nutrition.
Thai Peanut Noodle Salad
Chosen by Cara Rosenbloom, Registered Dietitian. Get the recipe →
Loaded with protein, veggies and flavor, this recipe checks all of the boxes. The key ingredients are affordable items you likely have in your pantry already: boxed pasta and peanut butter. It tastes like take-out but it’s easy to make at home.
Smoky Chili with Sweet Potatoes (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Chosen by Sharon Palmer, Registered Dietician. Get the recipe →
Looking for an easy way to put economical, plant-powered meals on the table? Invest in a slow cooker to simmer a number of dishes — all you’ve got to do is throw in the ingredients, set the dial and walk away. The smoky, golden notes in this chili make it a group favorite, perfect for a potluck.
