Low Effort, Big Flavor: 5-Ingredient Recipes You’ll Make Again and Again

Cooking doesn’t have to be a juggling act. If your pantry is bare and your energy low, these 5-ingredient recipes are here to save the day. Whether you're short on time, energy, or patience, these recipes come together quickly and still taste like you tried. They’re perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you just want something good with minimal fuss.

Creamy Protein Cookie Butter

Protein cookie butter in a steel bowl with a spoon on it and chocolate cookies around it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Rich and creamy, this protein cookie butter is an easy-to-make spread that adds 15 grams of protein to any dessert. Sweetened with maple syrup, it’s a delicious add on to any cookie, brownie, or smoothie bowl!To learn more: High Protein Cookie Butter

Peanut Butter Protein Bark

aAplate of protein peanut butter on top of a kitchen towel. — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Made with only 5 ingredients and with 7+ grams of protein this peanut butter protein bark is the ultimate treat. If you have a sweet tooth, this crunchy peanut butter bark swirled with chocolate is a tasty way to curb it.

Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bark

High-Protein Espresso Overnight Oats

Mason jar with espresso overnight oats topped with almond butter and a spoon in it on a wooden coaster with another jar of oats and a bowl of coffee behind it. — Photo Credits: Fit as a Mama Bear

Indulge in your favorite coffee blend while fueling up with these espresso overnight oats! Decadent, creamy, and made with just five ingredients, this make-ahead recipe is also high in protein!

Get the recipe: Espresso Overnight Oats

Crockpot Green Chili Chicken

Three chicken tacos topped with cilantro, avocado and red onions on a wooden cutting board. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Deliciously simple this crockpot green chili chicken is the ultimate meal prep recipe. Tender, juicy shredded chicken in a strong, spicy seasoning. This gluten-free weeknight dinner comes together with only 5 main ingredients. To learn more: Green Chili Chicken

Dry Rub Juicy Chicken Legs

White plate with dry rub chicken drumsticks on it and green onions on and around the plate and text on top of the image. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A delicious and simple meal that requires minimal effort on your part. These slow cooker chicken legs are made with just a few ingredients and come out with juicy, tender chicken that falls off the bone. Seasoned in a simple dry rub, these chicken drumsticks are the perfect easy weeknight dinner! To learn more: Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Easy Maple Candied Brussels Sprouts

Glass bowl with roasted brussels sprouts and more sprouts on a baking tray behind it — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Made without bacon but candied with a salted maple flavor. These candied Brussels sprouts are made with only 5 ingredients and the perfect side dish for any dinner table. To learn more: Maple Candied Brussels Sprouts

Creamy Coffee Chia Pudding

Mason jar with coffee chia pudding topped with dairy-free whipped cream and a spoon in the jar — Photo Credits: Fit as a Mama Bear

Indulge in this creamy, coffee chia pudding first thing in the morning or for an afternoon energy boost. This dairy-free chia pudding recipe is easy, make-ahead meal that can satisfy a sweet tooth just as well as it can fuel you up!

Get the recipe: Dairy-Free Coffee Chia Pudding

Sweet Teriyaki Steak Bites

Teriyaki steak bites in a cast iron pan with leeks on top on a blue linen.. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Tender juicy steak and a savory, slightly sweet teriyaki sauce. These garlic teriyaki steak bites are a tasty way to enjoy steak. Serve them as an appetizer or whip them up as part of your weekly meal prep, these steak bites (that are made in just 20 minutes!) are always a hit. Plus, they’re made in just one skillet! To learn more: Teriyaki Steak Bites

No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream

hand using a black and steel ice cream scoop t scoop out vanilla protein ice cream with sprinkles from a baking tin with ice cream cones and sprinkles around it — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Smooth, creamy, and no churning required! This vanilla protein ice cream is a delicious way to indulge while still boosting your daily protein intake. Made with just five ingredients this protein ice cream can be eaten in a bowl or scooped into an ice cream cone to cool down on a hot day.

Get the recipe: Vanilla Protein Ice Cream

Peanut Butter Freezer Fudge

Peanut butter protein fudge squares lined up with more heart shaped fudge on a blue linen behind them. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Soft, salted, and the perfect protein dessert. This peanut butter protein fudge will be hard to put down. A freezer fudge recipe that requires no tempering but makes the perfect midday treat. Dairy-free, paleo, and high-protein to give you some fuel at the same time.

Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Protein Fudge