Happy (nearly) new year — I hope you had a wonderful and magical holiday season!
2023 has been an incredible year full of very high-highs, and some lows as well. We really hunkered down in 2020 and much of 2021, so this felt like our first year of getting back into the swing of things travel-wise, which was a real highlight. As a family we visited San Diego, Vail, Denver, Albuquerque, Minneapolis, and the Gulf Shores (take me back!) Professionally, I was lucky enough to travel to Austin, Washington DC, Nashville, and the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
This was the first year we’ve been able to travel without a lot of extra “stuff” that comes with having babies and toddlers (pack ‘n’ plays, diapers, bottles, etc.) which felt very strange (“why do we have so much extra trunk space?!” — me after packing the car up for a road trip, lol) and freeing.
That said, to my Mamas of itty bitty ones — time FLIES and before you know it you’ll be trading 2am feedings with 2pm coastal-mountain hikes. Hang in there! <3
In 2023 we said goodbye to beloved family members, and are getting ready to meet new family members in 2024. We all got Covid for the first time this past spring (10/10 do not recommend) and I worked through some debilitating health issues this fall that are thankfully, finally, resolving. I enter 2024 determined to never take good health for granted.
As a friend recently said, health is wealth!
All that said, I am so excited to enter a new year and see how my kids learn and grow, where life takes us, and of course dish up another delicious year of easy gluten free recipes using everyday ingredients here on Iowa Girl Eats!
Which brings me to my favorite post of the year — a recap of YOUR favorite new recipes as determined by clicks, views and shares! These include healthy spins on heavier recipes, my boys’ favorite breakfast, my personal favorite recipe from 2023, and this viral recipe.
As we head into 2024, I want to hear from you: what kinds of recipes are you looking for? How can I help?
Lastly, are you signed up for my free email list? If not, sign up! It’s an easy way to stay in touch. :)
Top Recipes from Previous Years
- Top 10 in 2022
- Top 10 in 2021
- Top 10 in 2020
- Top 10 in 2019
- Top 10 in 2018
- Top 10 in 2017
- Top 10 in 2016
- Top 10 in 2015
Top 10 Reader Favorite Recipes in 2023
#1 Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
This existing recipe got a much needed professional photo upgrade in 2023, and it exploded in popularity afterwards — proof that we eat with our eyes first! Equal parts spicy, cheesy, and creamy, this incredibly easy dip is addictingly delicious.
#2 Baked Chicken Thighs
There’s always a recipe that goes viral on IGE each year, and in 2023 it was Baked Chicken Thighs. (In 2022 it was the Jennifer Aniston Salad, in 2021 it was Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie, and in 2020 it was Cheeseburger Quesadillas, ICYWW!) I make this recipe almost weekly because its insanely easy and my family demolishes the entire pan with rave reviews each and every time.
#3 Perfect Gluten Free Pancakes
Any time I get a new review on my Perfect Gluten Free Pancakes I do a little dance. It’s uncommon that a non-savory recipe cracks the top 10 most popular recipes each year, which is a testament to how fantastic these pancakes are.
#4 High Protein Overnight Oats
2023 was the year of protein. Everywhere I turned — whether it be social media, magazines, or the news — the benefits of protein-packed meals were being touted. High Protein Overnight Oats kind of feels like cheating because they’re packed with protein yet taste like cake and require zero protein powder or uncommon ingredients. Truly the most perfect breakfast or snack idea.
#5 Mini Egg Bites
Mini Egg Bites were another crazy popular, high-protein breakfast / snack recipe in 2023. This recipe also contains an ingredient that had itself an entire MOMENT in 2023. Can you guess what it is?
#6 Chickpea Chicken Salad
Inexpensive, full of plant-based-protein, healthy, crunchy, and fresh are all words I’d use to describe the sixth most popular recipe in 2023. Chickpea “Chicken” Salad tastes like regular chicken salad except it’s completely vegan. My Dad — who I’m not sure had ever looked at a chickpea before this recipe — makes it every single week for lunch, if that tells you how tasty it is!
#7 Gluten Free Pizza Crust
The comments I routinely get on my Gluten Free Pizza Crust recipe are why I do what I do. Reading: “Thank you for saving pizza night!!” or “My husband looked at me and said, “This tastes just like real pizza!””, and “I am in tears … these little wins mean the world” thrill me to hear. Food is so emotional and to be able to help my fellow g-free-ers with a pizza crust recipe that tastes like “regular” hand tossed pizza was definitely a highlight of 2023.
#8 Gluten Free Cornbread
I grew up eating Jiffy cornbread mix and this homemade Gluten Free Cornbread recipe is a dead ringer — I’m so glad it cracked the top 10 in 2023 despite being shared just a month or two ago! The perfect thing to pair with chili, soups, and BBQ.
#9 Gluten Free Focaccia
Gluten Free Focaccia is your 9th favorite recipe from 2023, and my personal favorite recipe from 2023. Words cannot describe how meaningful it is to have a recipe for soft and fluffy gluten free bread that calls for a handful of everyday ingredients. If there’s one recipe I urge you to make from this list, it’s Gluten Free Focaccia!
#10 Gluten Free Strawberry Muffins
I’m not a huge sweets girl so trust me when I tell you that the recipe for Gluten Free Strawberry Muffins is utter perfection. Just the right amount of sweetness, soft and fluffy — I lost track of how many batches I made this summer during peak strawberry season. Feel free to swap in other berries, as the base muffin recipe is just fantastic!
Wishing you a happy, safe, and healthy 2024 — thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting me here at Iowa Girl Eats, and cooking my recipes!
Happy New Year, Kristin! Love seeing pictures of your beautiful family. I’ve followed you for years and your blog is my go-to recommendation for family favourite meals, especially those needing recipes to accommodate gluten and dairy allergies and sensitivities. Your GF/DF fudgy brownies were such a hit at our Christmas festivities this year, and your homemade condensed cream of mushroom soup is a staple at our family gatherings too. Can’t wait to try out some of these recipes too! Best wishes for 2024.
I love hearing this, Stefanie!! Thank you so much for being a long time reader, and cooking my recipes. I appreciate it so very much and look forward to cooking together in 2024! :)
Thank you so much for the update. I genuinely miss hearing how you and your family are doing as I’ve followed your blog for many years. I wish you and yours a happy and healthy 2024!
I totally understand!! Blogging has changed SO much over the past 14 years — people don’t really care too much about the creator’s family/life when they come to a recipe website now (which I completely understand — they just want the recipe!) As my kids get older we are careful about what and how much we share about them, not just here but on our personal socials as well. All that to say, I would love to write and share like I used to — I miss “the old days” too! All *that* to say, I tend to share more personal stories and updates in my emails if you would like me to add you to my email list!!
Happy New Year! I love your blog. Every recipe I’ve tried thus far has at least been worth the trouble of making, and often much more than just that. I don’t know exactly what I would want to see more of in 2024. Somehow I’d love to see more healthy, plant-based recipes like the chickpea salad, but also more all-American, midwest comfort foods made GF. I suppose what I would like to see most of all, is more dedicated dairy-free savory recipes like casseroles. Cheese is delicious and as such finds it’s way everywhere, but savory dips and casseroles and such without it would be welcome and super appreciated. Whatever comes on IGE in 24′ I know I’ll love.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kylah – I am so grateful that you have been cooking my recipes! I have recipes in the pipeline over the next couple of months that fit the categories you mentioned, so I’m glad we’re aligning there! I feel your dairy-free comfort food pain. I have a child whose #1 favorite food is cheese, and another child who is allergic to dairy, and so the struggle to cook comforting, dairy free, family favorite food is very real. I will keep working at it! Thank you so much for your feedback, and happy 2024!
Kristin, one typo in the paragraph beginning, All that said…close to the end
Should be easy gluten FREE recipes in the coming year.
And I’m Thankful that your health issues are improving
Oh dear, that definitely changes the tone of the website, doesn’t it?! Ack!! Thanks for pointing that out, Nancy, and for your kind words. Wishing you and your family all the very best in the new year!
You’re very welcome! I happily make your recipes a lot, share and recommend them too.
You and your blog have been a part of my life for a long time. I just wanted to send a note to let you know how much we appreciate you and your craft!
I am so grateful to have you along for the ride, Molly! Thank you so much — I appreciate YOU!