Most years for the holidays, my whole family gets together from various corners of the States, so I've spent the last couple of weeks coming up with lots of low histamine holiday dishes to choose from.
We have the classic squash & apples, of course, but also candied pecans, cardamom cookies, and ginger milk, along with mains like a spatchcock chicken or a dramatic whole roasted cauliflower. Whether you're new to low histamine eating or have adopted it as a lifestyle, there's a delicious low histamine holiday dish here for you.
Medical Disclaimer: as with everything on this site, this article is provided for information only. I strongly urge you to speak with your doctor or a licensed medical professional in order to assess whether or not you have histamine issues, and/or which foods cause a histamine release for you personally. Every body is different, and some people will tolerate different foods than you do. Please keep comments respectful.
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🍗 Holiday Main Dishes
This section is relatively meat-heavy, but for those avoiding animal products, there are still a couple of options for you to choose from, as well as some flavor inspiration for your own home-cooked creations.
Spatchcock Chicken
This is a very classic way to roast a whole chicken. Each section of the bird is basted with rich garlic butter (or oil of choice), and can be made in a single pan for simple clean-up.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
With a very impressive presentation, this whole-roasted head of cauliflower can easily take the place of a turkey or ham as the vegan low histamine main.
Butternut Squash & Apples Chicken
Tangy and flavorful with a sweet twist, this squash & apples chicken dish is seasoned to perfection and perfect for Christmas or Hannukkah. Coming together in less than half an hour, this is the perfect weeknight or freezer meal.
Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
If you're used to having Chinese food on Christmas, these gluten-free honey garlic chicken wings are going to be an easy pick.
As simple to make in the air fryer as in the oven, and they’re dairy-free and lower histamine, to boot. With a simple sweet, savory & sticky sauce, these wings will put your local Korean fried chicken spot to shame.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
These gluten-free air fryer chicken wings are made with just 3 ingredients and pull together in under twenty minutes. These are the easiest air fryer wings you'll ever make, and they pair perfectly with any sauce, in addition to being low histamine, as well.
Hearty Low Histamine Lentil Stew
A protein-rich stew that's loaded with low histamine veggies and Italian-Indian spices, which form the base of this flavorful dish.
Rosemary Garlic Lamb Skillet
Made with fresh-frozen ground lamb and a few local veggies, plus some high quality olive oil, rosemary, and caramelized onions, this entrée is both filling and indulgent.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Crispy and juicy chicken legs are incredibly easy to make in the air fryer, tender and juicy on the inside but still extra crispy on the outside. It takes just 20 minutes to make these bone-in, skin-on chicken legs (and put your local chicken spot to shame!).
Honey Turmeric Chicken Thighs
This simple baked honey turmeric chicken comes together in one pan in just half an hour. These thighs pair beautifully with any vegetable under the sun, and are a great way to add more antioxidants & antihistamine spices to your diet.
Hummus Baked Chicken
A flavorful baked chicken dish that's creamy, herbaceous, and calls for just 5 ingredients, coming together in under 20 minutes. I like to use my lemon dill hummus for this, but you can use any type you tolerate.
🥔 Holiday Potatoes & Nightshade-Free Swaps
From sweet potatoes both purple and orange to regular potatoes in every hue, here are my favorite potato recipes (and nightshade-free alternatives) to enjoy for the holidays now and for years to come.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Crispy but creamy sweet potatoes that make for a great base for low oxalate crostinis or a simple low histamine side dish for holidays.
Garlic Rosemary Fries
Comforting, simple low histamine french fries that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with optional rosemary garlic seasoning.
Mashed Potatoes With Almond Milk
Creamy garlic potatoes that are vegan and Whole30-approved, ready in less than 30 minutes. These fluffy mashed potatoes taste buttery despite being dairy-free.
Vegan Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes
Creamy mashed purple sweet potatoes, vegan-friendly and Whole30-approved. Savory and delicious, these are the perfect low histamine side dish for the holidays, for even the pickiest palate.
Mashed Radish
This creamy radish mash is a keto-friendly, nightshade-free alternative to the typical mashed potatoes, in addition to being even easier to make (no gluey taters here!). Ready in just half an hour with fresh spring radishes, these lightly mashed radishes are a healthy pink twist on the holiday staple.
Turmeric Potatoes
These flavorful spiced potatoes are simple to roast in the oven or crisp up in the air fryer, but however you pull them together they'll go from pantry to table in just half an hour. Not only are they crispy, but they hold their own in flavor and pair well with nearly anything.
Vegan Stewed Potatoes
Enjoy the comforting flavors of these gluten-free stewed potatoes, a hearty stovetop potato dish that pairs perfectly with any meal. This easy-to-make recipe combines tender potatoes with rich, savory broth, offering a satisfying and delicious experience for everyone.
Parmentier Potatoes
These crispy parmentier potatoes are fluffy, savory, and satisfying, the perfect side dish for even the pickiest of eaters. Whether made vegan with olive oil or classically with butter, you need just 4 ingredients to make this delicious French side dish!
Blooming Potatoes in Air Fryer
These air fryer potato blossoms are a favorite in our household, as you can make them with regular potatoes or baby potatoes, and they're so easy that even the kids can help with prep. All you need is a bit of oil and salt, then a sprinkle of your favorite potato toppings.
Maple Garlic Potatoes and Carrots
These crispy air fryer potatoes and carrots are super simple and way faster than baking them in the oven. With my simple trick (more in the recipe!), they go from chopping board to table in 30 minutes, with a savory-sweet 5-ingredient glaze you won't wanna miss.
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Make these air fryer smashed potatoes with regular potatoes or baby potatoes, and save both time and calories without compromising on flavor. All you need is a bit of oil and garlic, then salt to taste!
🥕 Holiday Side Dishes
What's Christmas dinner without a few other dishes to play off of the roasted meat? Whether you're on the animal protein or following a plant-based lifestyle, all of the picks below are histamine-friendly and holiday-ready.
Maple Ginger Acorn Squash
Sweet & mildly-spiced acorn squash that caramelizes into a fantastic low histamine dessert while it bakes!
Simple Blistered Carrots
These baked carrots are tender and soft, with added dimension from a sprinkle of salt & sumac, making them the perfect holiday side dish.
Crispy Garlic Asparagus
A sweet & crispy asparagus recipe with bit of roasted garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of camu camu, all histamine-friendly.
Asparagus and Brussels Sprouts
With just thirty minutes and one sheet pan you can pull together these crispy, sweet, and tangy roasted asparagus and brussels sprouts without vinegar or lemon juice! They're flavored with a few simple spices and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds for an extra pop of fresh flavor.
Baked Brussels Sprouts with Garlic
Crunchy, nearly-caramelized brussels sprouts flavored with garlic and a squeeze of tangy lemon juice.
Spiced Squash & Apples
This autumn recipe from my childhood is a sweet & sometimes savory addition to any table, whether you're serving it all up now or freezing it in single portions for after the holidays.
Sauteed Butternut Squash
This easy sauteed butternut squash is ready in under 20 minutes, and makes a great addition to any spread. You can even make it a bit of the sweeter side with one extra ingredient and a dash or salt. Either way, you can have a nutritious holiday squash dish that even the kids will love!
Crispy Butternut Squash Fries
Take less than 30 minutes to prep and cook this healthy swap for french fries, with a rich and nutty flavor that even picky eaters will reach for more of.
🍲 Festive Soups and Salads
There are so many different types of low histamine salad ingredients that it can be hard to know what to put on your daily dose of greens. So below I've listed some of my favorite options for when you can't tolerate dried fruit, and the salad dressing alone just isn't cutting it.
3 Ingredient Butternut Squash Soup
A super simple butternut squash soup that takes less than an hour to go from gourd to bowl. All you need is an allium, a liquid, and a couple pounds of squash.
Coconut Ginger Carrot Soup
This vegan-friendly coconut ginger carrot soup with turmeric is creamy and filling, yet comforting with a soothing bite of ginger and a crunch from pumpkin seeds. It's so easy that it comes together in one pot with minimal prep.
Squash & Sweet Potato Soup
This vegan butternut squash & sweet potato soup is hearty and filling, yet comforting with an antioxidant punch of spices and the optional crunch of toasted seeds. It's so easy that it comes together in one pot in about 30 minutes!
Sweet Potato Carrot Soup
This vegan sweet potato carrot soup is hearty and filling with an antioxidant punch of ginger and the *optional* crunch of your favorite seeds. It's so easy that it comes together in one pot in about 30 minutes!
Maple Rosemary Carrots
These sweet & savory rosemary carrots have just a touch of tang from ground sumac, and a crisp sweetness from the maple syrup, perfect for tossing onto a salad.
Candied Pecans
This is a general sweet 'n' salty candied nut recipe which you can use & customize with any low histamine other Nuts & Seeds you tolerate. I recommend storing them in a bag near your fridge, and chopping them fresh before sprinkling them over your salad.
Lentil Crackers
These legume-based crackers add a delectable crunch to your favorite salad. A store-bought alternative is Simple Mills Crackers in your favorite flavor, from either Whole Foods or Thrive Market.
Low Histamine Fruits
Sliced or whole, adding your favorite fruits to your holiday salad is a great way to add tang, acid, and sweetness. Halved cherries, blueberries, and pomegranate arils are my personal faves.
Spiced Chicken Breast
I've linked a favorite flavorful chicken dish for your convenience, but you can opt for any simple option baked with your favorite herbs & spices.
Fresh Herbs
Chopped fresh herbs are a wonderful way to complement your meat or grain-free crackers, and your favorite salad dressing.
🫓 Holiday Desserts
It was incredibly difficult to narrow this list down to a limited number of low histamine desserts, but here are my picks for the best low histamine holiday treats, no matter your limitations.
Honey Cardamom Cookies
Honeyed gluten-free sugar cookies with complex notes of floral cardamom and powdered vanilla bean rather than extract.
White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
Chewy gluten-free white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, dairy-free with rice white chocolate & just a touch of sweetness.
Simple Vanilla Almond Cookies
A slightly sweet, sturdy paleo cookie, teeming with vanilla flavor and a strong almond base.
Simple Vanilla Almond Cookies
A slightly sweet, sturdy paleo cookie, teeming with vanilla flavor and a strong almond base.
Whole Baked Pears
Whole baked pears are a simple yet elegant dessert, highlighting the natural sweetness of pears with a light blend of spices. Infused with honey, ginger, and cardamom, these tender baked pears are brightened by an optional splash of lemon, creating an aromatic treat perfect for cozy evenings or special occasions.
Vanilla Coconut Flax Seed Pudding
A quick flax pudding that's creamy and smooth, rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3s, fiber, and plant proteins. With just 5 ingredients, it's the perfect low histamine dessert, breakfast, or snack, no matter how you flavor it.
Easy Chia & Flax Seed Pudding (3 Variations)
This easy chia and flaxseed pudding is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3s, fiber, and plant protein. With just 5 ingredients and one pot, it's ready to enjoy in around 30 minutes.
Apple Fritters with Vanilla Glaze
These low-sugar, gluten-free apple fritters are mildly sweet and full of flavor, the perfect low histamine dessert for fall or winter.
Caramelized Apples
These delicious caramelized apples are an easy fall dessert you can make on the stovetop in under 20 minutes. They're a great way to use up extra apples, and make for a great addition to a variety of dishes, from caramelized apple topping for cakes and crepes to serving alongside roast pork.
Spiced Baked Apples
These sweet baked apples are full of fall spices and a crunch of pecans, without any cinnamon in sight— and vegan-friendly, to boot.
Caramelized Ginger Hazelnut Clusters
These crunchy clusters of roasted hazelnuts feature a bite of homemade candied ginger & a touch of maple sweetness.
Easy Candied Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
These oil-free candied pumpkin seeds are sweet without much sugar, salty enough for balance, and rich in both healthy fats & protein. Whether you're looking for a sweet topping for your ice cream, a crumble for your oatmeal, or just a tasty snack in the afternoon, this is a great pick.
Simple Spiced Apple Crisp
A sweet, spiced apple crisp with enough crunch to be the perfect low histamine dessert for wintertime.
Sweet Chestnut Flour Crepes
A mildly nutty, sweet gluten-free crepe filled with ricotta & berries or whatever your heart desires.
🧇 Seasonal Low Histamine Snacks
When you can't wait for the next meal time, or just can't handle a whole plate of food, here are some seasonally-themed low histamine snacks to indulge in. All of the options below are relatively healthy, and each of them can be tweaked for your own individual diet.
Spiced Low Histamine Granola
This low histamine snack is oat-free and free of refined sugars, sprinkled with just a few tolerated spices & a touch of sweetness. It’s perfect for eating with milk or topping cut-up fruits, or even just enjoying by the handful between meals.
Crispy Honey Garlic Kale Chips
Sweet, savory, salty and crispy kale chips that make for the most satisfying low histamine snack, no matter the season.
No-Bake Ginger Tahini Protein Balls
Black-tinted tahini protein balls with a toasty, savory flavor and a sweet undertone, each packing 8-10g of complete proteins to keep you full between meals.
Sweet Potato Latkes
These tender potato pancakes are a sweeter, gluten-free twist on the classic Jewish dish, with shreds of sweet potato, scallions, and onions pulled together with eggs & tapioca flour holding them together.
Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
Stovetop low histamine popcorn that's sweet, salty, and comes together in less than 10 minutes!
☕️ Seasonal Drinks
All of these low histamine drink recipes are warm and delicious, low in sugar, and will remind you what time of year it is, no matter how late in the holiday season.
Spiced Ginger Milk
A comforting and sweetly complex warm milk, with the mild bite of fresh ginger.
Ginger Beer Without Yeast
Combine selzer water with this 3-ingredient ginger gyrup. It's very forgiving and comes together with just a bit of good timing, perfect for sweetening your favorite hot or cold teas, smoothies, mocktails, coffee, and fruit salads.
Sweet Cardamom Tea
Just boil some water, then after just three ingredients and 30 minutes, pour in a nip of this easy cardamom syrup and stir well. Use it to sweeten your coffee, tea, ice cream, mocktails, and anything else you decide to drizzle it on.
Black Sesame Latte
A honey-sweetened & mildly savory low histamine drink with the nutty undertone of ground black sesame seeds.
Homemade Nut Milk
A simple low histamine milk alternative made with the nut or seed of your choice, sweetened to your liking. This particular recipe utilized soaked, raw hazelnuts, but you can use any nut or seed you tolerate.
Vegan Bubble Tea
With complete control to customize the milk, sweetener, and tea used, this vegan-friendly, gluten-free boba recipe is a snap to make and enjoy this season.
Low Histamine Café Latte
This coconut-based latte is customizable to your own tolerances, making it perfect as a morning treat or an afternoon pick-me-up.
"Pumpkin Spice" Drink
With just four ingredients and a hearty kick of low histamine spices, this faux PSL is an actively antihistamine beverage for any time of year.
