Spring is in the air. The skies are bluer, the temperature is warmer, and everything is getting ready to bloom again. Once our bodies register the change in the season, we have more energy, and the last thing we want is to be weighed down by heavy foods. The farmer’s markets are opening again and the produce is overflowing. Spring is the perfect time to add more fresh, raw foods to our meals.

Raw dishes are not only lighter but healthier. If you’ve been thinking about adding more raw foods to your diet, now is the time and we can help. Eating raw doesn’t mean nothing but salads and smoothies, though those are delicious. There are so many types of raw dishes that will leave you happy and satisfied. See how to Lighten Up Your Meals With These Spring Recipes and try these 11 Fresh and Light Raw Soups for Spring. Even desserts can be raw – look at these 50 Fabulous Raw Desserts You Need in Your Life…Now! So if you’re ready to lighten things up, here are 15 more amazing raw food ideas that will put a spring in your step.

1. Beets with Dill Cheese

The next time you need a party appetizer, skip the fried stuff and serve these Beets with Dill Cheese instead. Soft cashew cheese flavored with fresh dill sits on crisp beet slices in this unique hors d’oeuvres. This refreshing snack is like a raw take on cheese and crackers. It’s easy enough to make as a quick snack, but when garnished, it’s fancy enough to serve at even the ritziest parties.

2. Raw Breaded Eggplant Meatballs With Marinara Sauce

If you’re trying to eat more raw foods, but you still need your pasta fix, then these Raw Breaded Eggplant Meatballs are a must-try. Eggplants are blended with fresh basil and other ingredients, then coated in crunchy almond “breading,” and finally, dehydrated until they reach a meaty texture. These raw eggplant meatballs pair perfectly with the accompanying marinara sauce when served on a bed of zucchini noodles.

3. No-Bake Raspberry Coconut Caves

These No-Bake Raspberry Coconut Caves are not only adorable, they are also delicious! Shredded coconut is blended with dates and raw almonds to form a sweet, no-bake cookie. A dollop of raspberry cream is then added to each cookie, complementing the nutty coconut flavor. These bite-sized desserts are so easy to make, that this recipe may become your new go-to for anytime you need to bring sweets to a party.

4. Raspberry Macadamia Coconut Chia Pudding

This Raspberry Macadamia Coconut Chia Pudding is so beautiful and so yummy, you won’t even think about how healthy it is. Coconut chia pudding is layered with creamy macadamia butter, raspberry purée, and fresh berries. This decadent breakfast is sweet, a little tangy, creamy, and refreshing. This may be ideal for breakfast, but it also makes a great afternoon or midnight snack for when you’re craving something sweet.

5. Sweet and Sour Cucumber Carrot Noodles

This vibrant Sweet and Sour Cucumber Carrot Noodle Bowl looks gorgeous and tastes even better. The noodle base is filling, with great crunch and texture and the chickpeas add a meaty texture. A drizzle of homemade sweet and sour dressing adds another layer of flavor. This refreshing dish is perfect for the transition from cool weather to warmer days.

6. Raw White Chocolate Cheesecake

Cacao butter is the star ingredient of this decadent Raw White Chocolate Cheesecake. The melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate filling of this raw cheesecake sits atop a nutty vanilla crust. A garnish of defrosted raspberries pairs beautifully with the rich flavors, but cacao nibs, shredded coconut, and lemon zest are other wonderful options for toppings.

7. Raw Carob Coconut and Pear Cake

The crust of this amazing Raw Carob Coconut and Pear Cake is made of almonds, carob, dates, and coconut oil, with a pinch of sea salt and cinnamon. The top layer is a blend of creamed coconut, coconut oil, desiccated coconut, and fresh pears. It’s all finished off with some tahini drizzle to make it even more amazing. Each bite of this cake offers a mixture of different taste and textures that will have you happy and amazed.

8. Raw Zucchini Pad Thai

Spiralized carrots and zucchinis make the perfect noodles in this Raw Zucchini Pad Thai. The zucchini is soft, the carrots have just a little bit of bite to them, and it’s all topped with a creamy, spicy sauce that you’ll want to put on everything. This is a light, flavorful meal that’s great for lunch or a light dinner.

9. Black-Eyed Pea Collard Wraps with Pickled Vegetables and Ginger Peanut Sauce

These Black-Eyed Pea Collard Wraps with Pickled Vegetables and Ginger Peanut Sauce are perfect for lunch or a light dinner. Colorful pickled vegetables and black-eyed peas are wrapped in dark green collard leaves for a meal that will catch everyone’s eye. Pickling the vegetables adds tanginess, but it’s not necessary — the wraps are amazing as they are, too.

10. Raw Sprouted Hummus Veggie Burger with Sunflower Bread

If you think eating raw means no burgers on buns, think again. This Raw Sprouted Hummus Veggie Burger with Sunflower Bread comes in two versions: raw and cooked. Chickpeas and sweet potatoes make the burger dense and flavorful and the sunflower seed bread is unlike anything you’ve ever tried. Top your burger with carrots, avocado, and plenty of greens.

11. Cauliflower Popcorn with Two Out of This World Dipping Sauces

Eating raw doesn’t mean you can’t have crunchy, battered food. This Cauliflower Popcorn is made crunchy with a simple buckwheat batter and dehydrated until it’s crispy and satisfying. The popcorn is served with two seriously awesome sauces you’ll want to put on everything. The raw BBQ sauce also happens to be fantastic on burgers and fries. The avocado Buffalo sauce is something you’ll return to, time and time again. You definitely need to have this ready for your next big event.

12. Herbed Macadamia Nut Cheese

The next time you make cheese, put down the cashews and try macadamia nuts for a change. Macadamia nuts are perfect for plant-based cheese making – they’re soft, buttery, and they taste mild enough where you can add a bunch of your favorite flavorings! Enjoy this sophisticated Herbed Macadamia Nut Cheese with your favorite crackers, as part of a vegan cheese board.

13. Beet Gazpacho with Avocado Quenelle

This Beet Gazpacho with Avocado Quenelle is a lovely new way to use beets. Raw beets have a surprisingly sweet, earthy taste that’s complemented by the fresh cucumber and tangy tomato. Top it all off with a dollop of creamy avocado purée and you’ve got a perfectly refreshing soup that’s delicious almost all-year round.

14. Fruity Dessert Sushi with Cinnamon Vanilla Rice

Sushi for dessert? Yes! Instead of rice, this raw Fruity Dessert Sushi starts with a sweet mixture of blended banana, Brazil nuts, and coconut. The cinnamon vanilla “sushi rice” bases are then wrapped in nori and topped with fresh fruit to create an adorably creative dessert. Serve these on a platter with a drizzle of fruit syrup, plus a little extra on the side for dipping.

15. Four Layer Raw Rainbow Ice Cream Cake

Get ready for not one, not two, not three, but four layers of bliss. Raspberries, avocados, blueberries, and saffron lend their colors and flavors to this show-stopping Four Layer Raw Rainbow Ice Cream Cake. The pastels make it look like something out of a fairytale! As if this cake wasn’t amazing enough, it’s topped with coconut-crusted vanilla bliss balls – mega yum!

Spring is the perfect time to add more raw foods to your diet. Light and healthy, these recipes will put a spring in your step just in time for the beautiful spring weather.

Lead image source: Raw Sprouted Hummus Veggie Burger with Sunflower Bread