The Most Popular Recipes of 2015

It was a big year on the blog for me! I did a lot more lifestyle posts (which I really, really enjoyed), but still did quite a bit of recipe development. I tried some new things, re-vamped some old things, and really just kept the healthy food vibe going. From healthy dinner solutions to sweet treats, these were the most popular recipes of 2015! (plus, keep scrolling to see 5 more recipes that are still going strong).

1. Lava Flow Popsicles. I declared it at the beginning of the summer, but this was the year of smoothie popsicles. We had so many delicious ones all gluten and dairy free and most were 100% plants with a few that had a little bit of honey in for sweetener. These were so, so good. A creamy pineapple smoothie layer swirled with a fresh strawberry layer. Divine. And made on repeat all summer.

2. Strawberry Watermelon Popsicles. These are Michael’s favorite. Super easy (3 ingredients!) and they taste super fresh and light. They ARE super fresh and light–less than 50 calories each and made from 100% fruit.

3. Coconut Chicken & Rice. One pot dinners reign supreme. I keep hearing that you’d like more of these next year, and I hear you! I’ve got a few one pot dinners in development for next year. Stay tuned!

(Note: this one was posted in December of last year, so *technically* it’s not a 2015 favorite, but many of you didn’t find it till this year, so I’m letting it slide) 

4. Apricot Cherry Snack Bars. I love snack bars and making homemade ones has proved more cost effective for us than buying Larabars. These are incredible, fast, and easy. Perfect for a quick snack or packing in lunches.

5. Lime in the Coconut Popsicles. Yes, another popsicle recipe. This one is maybe my favorite. It tastes SO rich and creamy and it only contains coconut milk, lime, and honey. Something magic happens in the freezer and these become close-your-eyes delicious. I made over a dozen batches of these this summer. I regret nothing.

6. Paleo Ranch Dressing. I never knew how easy homemade ranch is until I finally gave it a try. It comes together in just a few minutes, and tastes great on salads, veggies, or as a dip for chicken or even pizza if that’s your jam.

7. Our Favorite Fresh Salsa. I’ve made a few batches of this every month since May. We love it with chips, of course, but it’s also awesome on taco salad, stirred into quinoa for a quickie salad, or scooped over chicken or fish. It’s not spicy at all, so it’s a great beginner salsa for little ones. Sophie hates everything and she loves this.

8. Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. These are our go-to cookie. They’re fudgy and rich and it surprises a lot of people that they’re Paleo-friendly (dairy free, grain free, and made with natural sweeteners).

9. Chocolate Cherry Hazelnut Bars. Another amazing snack bar, these ones have a Nutella vibe without any of the dairy or sugar. We. Love. Them.

10. Tomato Basil Soup. A favorite for years, we re-made our creamy tomato soup to be dairy free. It’s still luscious and silky and gorgeous. I love to make this when someone has a sore throat, but it’s awesome any time and freezes like a dream. Make a double batch and save some for a quick dinner later!

OLDIES THAT ARE GOING STRONG

These recipes are the most popular recipes on my blog of all time and still get the most page views monthly:

1. Chicken Zucchini Poppers. (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo, Whole30) This is the single most popular recipe on my blog and is responsible for about 30% of my total blog traffic. It’s been featured by Diane Sanfilippo (author of Practical Paleo and 21 Day Sugar Detox), the Whole30 team, Huffington Post, and many, many more blogs and websites. It’s a keeper.

2. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken. (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo, Whole30) I make this recipe a LOT. Like, a lot lot. It’s so easy and the leftovers are incredible. I’ve started making a double batch and freeze some for a speedy dinner on crazy nights. In the time it takes me to cook up some rice or veggies, I can have the leftovers thawed and ready to go.

3. Chicken Lettuce Wraps. (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo, Whole30) This is a quick 30 minute meal (including prep time) and tastes fresh and delicious. Whether you serve it as an appetizer for a party or take an extra helping and call it a meal (which we usually do), it’s a good one to have in your arsenal.

3. Slow Cooker Beef Stew. (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo, Whole30) This was tied with the Chicken Lettuce Wraps and, so… just go with it. I love that this is a mouthwatering recipe that doesn’t require any seasoning packets or cream of anything soup. The end result is SO savory and delicious. Every part of it tastes amazing. You’ll never regret trying it.

4. Mexican Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans. (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan) This recipe is from 2012 and it’s still constantly one of the highest-viewed recipes on my site. It’s simple, gluten free, vegetarian, and can easily be vegan. The homemade enchilada sauce really puts things over the top, in my opinion.

5. Honey Lime Tilapia. (Dairy Free) This one’s even older (2011), and I get comments every week from readers who have tried and love it. It stands on its own really well, or makes the best fish tacos.

What was the best recipe YOU tried this year?