Healthy Christmas recipes for a delicious and lighter festive season. Includes Christmas dinner side dishes, sauces, desserts, and easy ideas for using up leftovers. All recipes are low in added sugar and most are gluten free.
Why not try some healthy mince pies, chocolate nut clusters or baked apples with mincemeat? Or switch to a sugar-free cranberry sauce and serve some roasted swede and braised red cabbage with your Christmas dinner.
What makes these recipes healthier?
At Cinnamon and Kale, I focus on simple everyday ingredients and recipes that are low in added sugar. Many of these recipes are also gluten-free, with plenty of fruit, vegetables, nuts and wholegrain ingredients. The aim isn't to make Christmas feel restrictive - it's to make it easier to enjoy delicious festive food alongside a balanced diet.
A healthy Christmas doesn't have to mean giving up traditional festive food. Small changes to ingredients and cooking methods can make it easier to enjoy the foods you love.
Healthy Christmas DINNER Side Dishes
Make Christmas dinner a little lighter with these delicious homemade side dishes and accompaniments. From crispy roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables to gluten-free stuffing, Yorkshire pudding and homemade sauces, these recipes are perfect for creating a Christmas feast for everyone.
- Dairy Free Yorkshire Puddings (with Oat Milk)
- Gluten Free Yorkshire Puddings
- Gluten Free Sage and Onion Stuffing
- Slow Cooker Braised Red Cabbage
- Gluten Free Cauliflower Cheese without Flour
- Roasted Swede
- Carrot and Swede Mash
- Low Fat Dauphinoise Potatoes
- Roasted Potatoes Sweet Potatoes and Carrots
- Healthy Mashed Potatoes without Butter
Healthy Christmas Sauces
Complete your Christmas dinner with homemade sauces, and festive accompaniments. You'll find easy recipes including a healthier twist on cranberry sauce, gravy and bread sauce, as well as ideas that are delicious served alongside dessert.
Healthy Christmas Desserts
Finish your meal with a delicious homemade dessert. There's a healthier version of a traditional Christmas pudding, plus lighter alternative desserts. All are made with simple ingredients and are lower in added sugar and saturated fats than traditional alternatives.
There are also lots more healthy desserts that you might like to serve over the festive period.
Healthy Christmas cakes, bakes and Treats
Enjoy some Christmas baking with these festive cakes, biscuits and sweet treats. You'll find healthier versions of Christmas favourites including mince pies, Christmas cake, biscotti and other easy bakes that are perfect for sharing.
There are also more healthy cake recipes with traditional Christmas ingredients such as dates.
Healthy Christmas Chocolate Treats
If you love chocolate at Christmas, you'll find plenty of healthier homemade treats here, made with either cocoa or rich dark chocolate to make them lower in added sugar. From chocolate truffles to Florentines and rocky road, these simple recipes are perfect for sharing, gifting or enjoying with a cup of coffee.
See here for more healthy chocolate recipes and treats.
Christmas starters and nibbles
Start your Christmas celebrations with these homemade starters and nibbles. These ideas are perfect for serving before Christmas dinner or putting out when friends and family come together over the holiday season.
Healthy Christmas cheeseboard Accompaniments
Put together a delicious cheeseboard with homemade chutney, crisp oatcakes and fruit-based accompaniments. These easy, healthy recipes are perfect with your favourite cheese and make a lovely addition to a festive table. They are also ideal for gifting.
Healthy Christmas Leftover Recipes
Make the most of your Christmas leftovers with these easy recipes for leftover turkey and mincemeat. There are ideas for both meals and leftover Christmas treats, so less food goes to waste.
Christmas Roundups
Just focused on healthy Christmas sweet treats? All these recipes are made without refined sugar.