When you are trying to eat healthier, one of the first things you’re supposed to cut out is sugar. Many people simply eliminate dessert and candy from their diet, which is admirable. However, I believe in moderation when it comes to eating, and having dessert is part of that. Fortunately, there are ways to cut back on your calories and sugar while still enjoying a tasty treat from time to time. I’ve got a really great recipe for “dessert nachos” that can satisfy your cravings and keep you from overindulging!
Sweet inspiration
I actually cobbled this together from a few different recipes. The first one was for homemade cinnamon “chips”, created from flour tortillas. The other part is so simple, it doesn’t really even qualify as a “recipe”. Just mix Greek yogurt and sugar free/fat free Jello pudding powder to make a tasty dip!
The recipe
First the recipe for the cinnamon chips:
- flour tortillas
- sugar (or a sugar substitute that is good for baking)
- butter (or another oil that is good for baking)
- cinnamon
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix equal parts cinnamon and sugar (the original recipe uses a different ratio – adjust to your preferences). Brush melted butter (or the oil of your choice) onto each side of your tortilla and season with the cinnamon mixture. Use a pizza cutter to cut the tortillas into wedge shapes, or whatever shape you like. Place tortillas on a baking sheet lined with apartment paper and bake 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
Now, for the dip:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar free/fat free cheesecake-flavored Jello pudding mix
Combine both ingredients. Adjust amounts of either ingredient to your flavor preference.
What’s not to love?
The best part about this recipe is that you can customize it based on your nutrition goals. I used whole-wheat tortillas because they’re a bit lower in calories and whole wheat won’t spike your blood sugar as high as regular tortillas. I also used stevia instead of sugar, and a spray olive oil simply because I was too lazy to melt butter and brush it onto the tortillas. You can substitute in a different flavor of Jello, or use Vanilla Greek Yogurt if you prefer. Just know that the cheesecake-flavored Greek yogurt in this recipe is a GREAT substitute for cheesecake! Not as many calories or sugar and more protein! How about reduced fat Greek yogurt versus one with whole milk? And you can top the dip with diced fruit, crushed Oreos, chocolate candies…basically anything you’d find on cheesecake. Depending on your exact ingredients, this dessert can come in under 250 calories, easily.
So, what are you waiting for? Give dessert nachos the chance to satisfy your cravings! If you come up with a fun variation, be sure to let me know in the comments. Life is short – have dessert!
