There’s something about the days after a holiday—when the kitchen finally feels calm again, the fridge has a bit more breathing room, and you’re just craving simple. After all the planning, prepping and indulging, it’s refreshing to return to the comfort of quick, wholesome meals that don’t take much effort but still feel satisfying and nourishing.

That’s exactly what these three 25-minute recipes are all about. They’re easy, they’re packed with feel-good ingredients, and they don’t leave you with a sink full of dishes. Whether you’re easing back into weeknight cooking, looking for new go-to staples, or just trying to figure out what to make with what’s already in your kitchen, these recipes are here to help.

Each one is a little different—sweet, savory, and everything in between—but all of them have two things in common: They come together fast and they’re made with ingredients you can feel good about. No fancy techniques or hard-to-find items. Just real, flavorful food that works with your routine—not against it.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

Skillet Apple Crisp—A warm, comforting dessert (or snack, or even breakfast—we won’t judge) made right in your skillet. It’s lightly sweet, loaded with fresh apples, and topped with a crunchy oat topping that comes together in minutes.

Dirty Nachos—These are not your average nachos. They’re loaded up with hearty toppings like beans, veggies, melty cheese, and a few optional extras to take them over the top. They’re quick, satisfying, and perfect for a weeknight dinner, movie night, or even a no-fork-needed kind of lunch.

Vegetable Pancakes—Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with colorful shredded veggies. These savory pancakes are a smart (and tasty) way to use up whatever you’ve got in the crisper. Serve them with a dollop of Greek yogurt or your favorite dipping sauce for a light meal that hits the spot.

Whether you make one, two, or all three this week, these recipes are proof that healthy and easy can live happily on the same plate.

Let’s start with dessert, which is the delicious apple crisp made in the skillet. It’s a great way to make use of those extra apples that you have lying around—and feel free to swap the apples for a different fruit.

Easy Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

Caramelized apples:

• 4 red apples
• ¼ cup butter
• 3-4 tablespoons coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

Crumble:

• 1 cup oats
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Dash of salt

Instructions:

1. Start by heating your pan on a medium heat.
2. Melt your butter, coconut sugar/brown sugar until it caramelizes.
3. Chop your apples and place in the pan.
4. Stir around until every apple is caramelized.
5. Cover and let it continue caramelizing for 3-4 minutes.
6. In the meantime, make your crumble by mixing your oats, maple syrup, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt.
7. Once the apples are done caramelizing, pour them into a frying pan.
8. Top the apples with the crumble.
9. Bake at 350 F for 15 minutes.
10. Let it cool. Enjoy!

Dirty Nachos are one of those magical dishes that feel like a treat but can secretly be packed with all kinds of good-for-you ingredients. They’re quick, colorful, and endlessly customizable—perfect for using up veggies or trying out new toppings. What makes them extra great? Kids love them. It’s a low-pressure, hands-on way to introduce different ingredients to picky eaters without the usual dinner table standoff. Let them build their own plate, and suddenly mushrooms, peppers or black beans become part of the fun. Whether you’re serving them up for lunch, dinner, or while watching the game, these nachos bring all the flavor and none of the fuss. Total win. And take it up a notch by using pretzels as the base for some extra crunch.

Dirty Nachos

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chips/pretzels
• 1 pound ground beef/vegan Beyond Beef
• 1 onion
• 1 avocado
• 1 tomato
• 1.5 cups shredded cheese. (Use dairy-free if you’re using real meat.)
• Dressing/sauce of choice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook your ground beef with oil and onion in a pan until done.
2. Lay out your chips/pretzels on a baking sheet.
3. Top it evenly with the ground meat.
4. Top it with beans.
5. Top it with cheese.
6. Bake at 425 F for 15 minutes.
7. Top it off with chopped tomato and avocado.
8. Drizzle your favorite dressing or sauce on top.
9. Dig in and enjoy!

Vegetable Pancakes: A Tasty, No-Waste Way to Eat More Veggies

Let’s be honest—getting enough vegetables into your daily routine can be a challenge. Whether it’s picky eaters at the table or just running out of creative ideas, it’s easy to fall short. That’s where these Vegetable Pancakes (aka fritters) come in. They’re quick, crispy, and packed with flavor—and they happen to be an easy, crowd-pleasing way to sneak more veggies into your day.

Even better? This recipe is perfect for using up odds and ends in your fridge. That half zucchini, the lonely carrot, a handful of spinach—chop, mix, and turn them into golden little pancakes that take just 25 minutes from start to finish. Serve them with a dollop of Greek yogurt or your favorite dip, and you’ve got a simple, satisfying meal or snack that helps cut down on waste and boost your veggie intake.

Veggie Fritters

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh spinach/greens of choice
• 1 cup broccoli
• 1 cup frozen/canned corn
• 1 carrot
• 3 green onions
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Cut up your broccoli and green onions.
2. Shred your carrot.
3. Mix together greens, broccoli, corn, carrot and green onions.
4. Mix in the eggs, flour and spices.
5. Spray a pan with cooking oil.
6. Scoop into pancakes on a heated pan and let them cook for 3-5 minutes on each side.
7. Enjoy!

Tali is a recipe developer who loves creating recipes that take minimal effort, yet taste delicious. She started her Instagram account @behindthesnack back in 2019 and has grown it to 130,000-plus fans who all share the same love of easy and delicious recipes.