As 2021 winds to a close, I wanted to take a look back at the most popular new posts and recipes on the blog over the past year.
I know I said I wasn’t going to publish any more new blog posts this year, but I changed my mind; one last blog post to wrap up 2021!
It has been a big year for our family (see also: Introducing Baby Wes – and finally 6 months later, his birth story). If you’d like to take a more personal trip down 2021 memory lane, see the end of this post for my most viewed lifestyle/personal posts from the year.
But first up: here are the recipe blog posts published this year that got the most views.
fANNEtastic food’s Top Posts/Recipes of 2021
Of all the new 2021 posts on the blog, the posts below had the highest views! And I can see why – who doesn’t love a simple, delicious meal?
(Psst: If you want to go back and look at some other popular recipes from the blog, check out this list of the Most Loved fANNEtastic food Recipes and my 15 Most Popular Posts of 2020.)
1. Lacto-Fermentation: How to Ferment Vegetables
Fermenting vegetables is very in these days, and for good reason!
It’s a lot easier than you might think, and adds delicious flavor to your meals. Plus, this lacto-fermentation guide includes some tasty recipes/flavor combinations to try!
2. Crockpot Mexican Chicken
Cooking chicken in the crockpot is one of my favorite ways to prepare it. It’s so easy, and comes out juicy and flavorful – especially with this recipe!
You can make endless meals with this slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken: tacos, nachos, salads, grain bowls, and more.
3. Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
This cozy, versatile soup is perfect for chilly winter days, and super quick to whip up in an Instant Pot!
Toss in your favorite veggies and beans (or whatever you have on hand!), turn it on, and pretty soon you’ll have meatless meal perfection.
4. Peanut Sauce Shrimp Stir Fry
Is there anything more comforting than peanut sauce and noodles?!
This shrimp stir fry brings together flavor, comfort food, and nutritious veggies for the most crave-worthy weeknight meal. Plus, there’s a delicious crunch from the peanuts.
It’s no wonder this recipe has been a hit!
5. Instant Pot Mexican Chicken
This is the Instant Pot version of the crockpot Mexican chicken recipe above.
It’s just as juicy and delicious, but made super quickly in a pressure cooker!
Perfect for meal prepping burrito bowls, tacos, and lots more.
6. Healthy Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
This healthier version of the popular takeout dish is just as delicious, but with some extra veggies in the mix.
With an easy homemade sauce, sauteed veggies, and served over rice, this will become a weeknight staple!
7. Healthy Toddler Snack Ideas
Earlier this year, I shared some of Riese’s favorite healthy, nut-free snacks to take to preschool, to help inspire anyone who needed toddler-friendly packed snack ideas.
Her school is peanut and tree nut free, so all the ideas are, too!
Also – we love this stainless steel snack box – you’ll find it linked in the post, along with a link to our favorite lunch box.
8. Coconut Banana Chia Pudding
This is one of the easiest make-ahead recipes out there, and it can be a breakfast, snack, or dessert!
Add any toppings you like – I love it with bananas, raspberries or blueberries, and coconut flakes. Coconut milk makes it creamy (and vegan), and adds a lovely hint of coconut flavor.
9. Easy Picnic Food Ideas
Apparently picnics were a pretty popular activity this spring/summer, because this list of picnic food ideas has gotten a lot of love!
From pasta salad to finger foods and beyond, there’s something here for everyone.
10. Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas
This is a pretty new post, but I can see why it’s so popular – there’s nothing better than waking up to a yummy breakfast ready and waiting for you!
I put together a list of some of my favorite meal prep breakfast ideas, so you can enjoy them too. 🙂
11. Turkey Bacon Wrap
I love how simple this wrap is – perfect for make ahead lunches!
The only actual cooking involved is making the bacon, and then you just wrap everything up in a tortilla. Easy peasy!
12. Tomato Garlic Pasta with Ground Turkey
Easy and tasty pasta dishes are always a win around here and it seems you all love them too.
This ground turkey penne with veggies and homemade tomato garlic sauce is packed with flavor and nutrients. It’s the perfect recipe to whip up for your next pasta night.
Popular Lifestyle Posts
Aside from food and recipes, here are the lifestyle/time-sensitive posts that made it into the top 20 in terms of views this year!
- 34 Week Pregnancy Update (Baby #2)
- Introducing Baby Wes
- Outer Banks Babymoon Weekend
- Fun Survey About Us (Matt and I!)
- I’m Back Here’s What We’ve Been Up To (my first blog post after summer maternity leave)
- 9 Weeks of You (an ode to newborn Wes)
- Wes’ VBAC Birth Story
Thank you, as always, for taking time out of your busy days to visit with me here on the blog.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year!
