5 Healthy Snacks and Sides to Bring to Your Next BBQ

Summer was made for backyard barbecues, spending long lazy days with friends, and enjoying delicious foods. But that doesn’t mean you have to kick your health goals to the curb. There are plenty of wonderful snack and side options that taste amazing and are packed with healthy ingredients. And, when you provide the healthy side at a get-together, you know you’ve got an option that is just as good as it is good for you.

To give you a little summertime inspo for what to bring to your next potluck or BBQ, we’ve gathered a list of our top 5 summer-centric snacks and sides.

Watermelon Salad

Watermelon is a staple at many barbecues, but this watermelon salad recipe from Eating Well takes the summertime fruit to the next level.

It’s a perfect blending of sweet watermelon with salty and briny feta cheese and a tangy dressing made from red wine vinegar. Packed full of nutrient-dense ingredients, this unique Mediterranean side dish is sure to be a hit this summer.

Red Lentil Hummus

Potato chips and onion dip are all the rage at most barbecues…so, why not bring something that’s a bit more nutrient-dense while tasting delicious?

This red lentil hummus from the goodness gurus over at Love and Lemons is a decadent, dippable spread that is packed full of fiber and aromatic spices. Bring plenty of crunch veggies or whole-grain crackers for dipping.

Roasted Chickpeas

Since your hummus is made of lentils, take the cans of chickpeas you have lying around and throw them in the oven to roast. As the moisture is extracted, the chickpeas become crunchy little kernels of goodness that are insanely addictive.

Try these cool ranch roasted chickpeas if you’re going to a barbecue with kids in attendance. You won’t believe how quickly they’ll devour these…and their parents won’t believe that chickpeas were the hit of the ‘cue.

Better For You Buckeye Balls

Everyone wants a sweet treat at a gathering, and these leveled-up buckeye balls put a healthy spin on the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate.

Here, peanut flour and stevia are combined with a secret ingredient (protein powder!) and almond milk to create delicious, peanut buttery balls of goodness that are bathed in dark chocolate…be still my heart. The result is a decadent sweet bite that’s full of good fats and protein.

Fruit Popsicles

What’s a summer barbecue without a popsicle or two to help you beat the heat? This recipe from Jessica Gavin offers four different and delicious options for fruit-based popsicles naturally sweetened with fruit and honey. We’re not saying one version is our favorite…but the orange mango coconut option is over-the-top delicious and makes us feel like we’re off on some tropical getaway.

Whip up a couple of flavors, pack them in an ice chest, and you’re sure to be the favorite guest of adults and kids alike!

We hope these recipes inspire you to think outside the box when it comes to snacks or sides for your next barbecue. With a little creativity, you can enjoy delicious summertime foods that taste great while keeping your body happy.