10 Best Healthy Cookbooks 2026 in the United States

The cookbook 'What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking' is tailor-made for those who want to prepare healthy meals without a lot of fuss. One of its standout features is its focus on simple, nutritious recipes that cater to busy lifestyles. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals or families looking to maintain a healthy diet without spending hours in the kitchen.

In terms of recipe complexity, the book emphasizes quick and easy instructions, which is great for novice cooks or anyone feeling overwhelmed. You won’t need to have advanced culinary skills or specialized equipment to whip up the meals. The accessibility of ingredients is another plus; many recipes use common items that are easy to find in local grocery stores, making meal prep more convenient.

When it comes to meal variety, the cookbook does a commendable job offering different types of meals, from breakfast to dinner, ensuring that there's something for everyone, regardless of their taste preferences. The nutritional information provided with each recipe is a great asset, allowing health-conscious individuals to keep track of their dietary intake.

The 'Easy Air Fryer Recipe Book' offers a wide range of over 150 recipes, making it a versatile option for those looking to explore air frying. The cookbook promises a variety of meal options from breakfast to dessert, which is great for anyone wanting to make the most out of their air fryer. The recipes are designed to be easy to follow, with a focus on getting food on the table quickly, making it particularly appealing for busy families or individuals new to cooking.

Cathy Yoder, the author, has a practical approach, supported by her audience-tested recipes shared through her YouTube channel, which lends credibility to the effectiveness of the recipes. This ensures that the recipes are not just theoretical, but have been tried and tested by many others. The book is spiral-bound and includes pictures, which should help in following the recipes, but if you prefer a digital format for convenience, this might not be the best fit.

This cookbook is a great starting point for anyone looking to make delicious and healthy meals with an air fryer, especially beginners. It offers a broad range of recipes and caters to a family-oriented cooking style.

The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook by America’s Test Kitchen offers a comprehensive collection of 500 recipes centered on the Mediterranean diet, known for its heart-healthy benefits. The dietary focus is clear, highlighting fresh vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, which suits anyone looking to eat more nutritiously. Nutritional details are thoughtfully integrated into the recipes, helping you understand what you’re consuming without overwhelming technical jargon. Recipe complexity varies from simple to moderately challenging, making this book accessible to both beginners and those with some cooking experience. Ingredient accessibility is generally good, although some Mediterranean staples like specialty cheeses, certain herbs, or seafood might require a visit to a well-stocked grocery or specialty store. The meal variety is impressive, covering everything from breakfasts and snacks to main courses and desserts, so it keeps daily meals interesting and balanced.

The book’s strength also lies in its author credentials; America’s Test Kitchen is known for rigorous recipe testing and reliable results, which means you can trust these recipes to work well in your kitchen. At just over 400 pages, it’s a hefty book but well-organized, making it a useful resource for anyone wanting to adopt or enjoy Mediterranean-style eating. One minor downside might be the book's weight and size, which could feel a bit bulky for casual referencing or small kitchens. This cookbook is a solid pick for health-conscious home cooks seeking a wide range of flavorful, nutritious Mediterranean dishes with clear guidance and dependable recipes.