Since I was a kid, I’ve always been “big” into celebrating: big and small holidays, feast days, and of course, birthdays. That trait has been passed down to my son, a major party animal. St. Valentine’s Day is one of my favorites, most likely because my mom made such an effort, long before the more romantic side of fancy dinners and flowers entered the chat. One of the things we started doing a couple of years ago was hosting a small pre-Valentine’s Day party for a few friends. The challenge for me with this particular holiday is striking a balance between providing nutritious, festive, options that are kid-friendly. Fortunately, we’ve found some favorites! Here are 7 healthy-ish Valentine’s Day party recipes to incorporate into the day, whether you have a party or just want to make it a little extra special for your family!
1. Valentine sheet pan pancake
This couldn’t be any easier and is perfect for a brunchtime gathering or Valentine’s Day morning!
- Whip up your favorite homemade or boxed pancake mix Bob’s Red Mill or Kodiak Cakes mixes work in a pinch).
- Stir in natural food coloring (2 tsp strawberry powder combined with 2 TBSP water, or Watson’s natural food coloring.
- Pour into a greased sheet pan.
- Add sliced strawberries, and Valentine’s sprinkles (here are some all-natural sprinkles – no Red40 or other artificial flavors and colors!)
- Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
- Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out pancakes, stack, and serve!
2. Sweetheart personal pizzas
Mini pitas or naan work great for this lunchtime treat, sure to be a hit.
- Use a large heart cutter to cut hearts out of the pitas or naan.
- Brush each with your favorite tomato sauce, and add your favorite toppings such as mini mozzarella balls or shredded provolone. Bonus for heart-shaped tomatoes!
- Bake at 400°F until the crust is gold and the cheese is slightly bubbly.
3. Cranberry almond energy balls
Maybe the kids won’t need extra energy, but you probably will!
- In a food processor, blend: one cup of sliced almonds, 2 oz pitted dates, 1/2 cup oats, 1/4 cup almond butter, 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Form the mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and store in between parchment paper in an airtight container.
4. Rainbow Veggie Tray
My little guy thankfully loves snacking on fresh veggies; I always make sure to serve at least some fresh vegetables and fruits at our gatherings.
- Arrange sliced tomatoes, carrots, yellow bell peppers, cucumbers, and radishes in a rainbow-patterned heart shape, or something similar to the example below.
5. Chocolate-dipped strawberries
A Valentine’s Day staple, and an easy way to occupy little helpers!
- Cut strawberries into hearts, dip into melted chocolate, sprinkles optional!
- Let the chocolate harden before moving to a server, add some cute fruit picks, or stick them on paper straws and arrange them in a “bouquet.”
6. “Olive You” Pasta Salad
An easy way to make an old standby on-theme: heart-shaped pasta!
- Boil heart-shaped pasta just to al dente and immediately strain and run under cold water to stop the cooking (you don’t want them to lose their shape)!
- Add: 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 pint sliced grape tomatoes, 1 cup sliced kalamata olives, 8 oz nitrate and nitrite free salami, 8 oz pearl mozzarella cheese or 1 cup cubed white cheddar, 1 1/4 Italian dressing
- Gently toss together and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours before serving.
7. Nutritious Brownies
For me, it’s just not Valentine’s Day without some decadent brownies. I love this recipe, which is a lot more nutrient-dense than a boxed brownie mix, and yet so easy. They happen to be gluten, dairy and egg-free for anyone who may have allergies to those ingredients.
- Combine 1 cup of softened pitted dates, 1 cup cacao powder, 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1/2 cup nut or seed butter (I like to use cashew), 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey, 2 flax eggs, 1 small zucchini, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional). Blend until smooth.
- Spoon the sticky batter into a parchment paper-lined square baking pan and smooth evenly.
- Bake for about 25 minutes at 350°F. Let them cool for at least a half hour before cutting and serving. I love topping a slice with some fresh berries for a sweet fix!
These 7 Healthy-ish Valentine’s Day party recipes have become some of my go-to’s – enjoy! For more great ideas, check out these lunchbox-friendly Valentine’s Day treats, and more sweet ways to make the day special for your kids. Happy Valentine’s Day!
