BANTING HOLIDAY HACKS THAT SAVE TIME AND MONEY
Banting Holiday Hacks That Save Money and Time
Homemade Mayonnaise, Homemade Butter & Homemade Pizza Crusts
The holidays have a funny way of sneaking up on me every
single year. One minute my kitchen feels calm and organised, and the next it’s
the centre of everything—people popping in, kids opening the fridge every five
minutes, laughter, noise, and an endless parade of food. I love that part. What
I don’t love is the stress that comes with it, especially when prices skyrocket
and time feels like it’s slipping through my fingers.
Sticking to Banting during the holidays can feel
intimidating at first. Shops are packed with festive treats, convenience foods,
and “special” items that cost a fortune and don’t always fit the lifestyle.
Over time, though, I’ve realised that the easiest way to stay on track—and stay
sane—is to keep a few homemade staples ready at all times.
For me, it always comes down to three things: homemade mayonnaise, homemade butter, and homemade pizza crusts. These are my non-negotiables during the festive season. They save money, save time, and make holiday meals feel effortless instead of overwhelming. And honestly? They taste far better than anything I’ve ever bought off a shelf.
1. Homemade Banting Mayonnaise (Ready in Two Minutes)
Once you start making your own mayonnaise, it’s almost
impossible to go back to store-bought. I remember the first time I made it—I
stood there watching it thicken and thought, That’s it? No
preservatives, no added sugar, no weird oils. Just real ingredients and real
flavour.
During the holidays, mayo gets used constantly in my
kitchen. Salad dressings, dips for veggies, devilled eggs, marinades, quick
sauces—you name it. Having a jar ready in the fridge saves me multiple trips to
the shop and a lot of unnecessary spending.
Why I Always Make My Own
- No
hidden sugars or inflammatory oils
- Cheaper
than “Banting-approved” brands
- Faster
than driving to the store
- Easy
to customise for festive flavours
My Go-To Recipe
- 1
whole egg (room temperature works best)
- 1
cup avocado oil
- 1
tsp Dijon mustard
- 1
tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- Salt
to taste
- 1
garlic clove, crushed (optional but highly recommended)
I place everything into a tall jar, pop my stick blender
right at the bottom, and blend. Once the bottom thickens, I slowly move the
blender up. Within seconds, it turns into thick, creamy mayo. It still feels a
bit magical every time.
Holiday Shortcut:
I almost always double the recipe in December. Mayo disappears quickly when
guests are around, and it keeps well in the fridge for several days. I’ll often
make one plain batch and one flavoured batch—think garlic, lemon zest, or even
a pinch of smoked paprika for something festive.
🎥
2. Homemade Butter (So Easy, It Feels Like Cheating)
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be making my own
butter, I would have laughed. It sounded like something only homesteaders did.
Turns out, it’s one of the easiest things I make all year—and during the
holidays, it’s a total game-changer.
Butter prices tend to climb around December, especially the
“good” stuff. A single tub of fresh cream, however, goes a long way and costs
far less than fancy Banting-friendly butter.
Why It Saves Money
Fresh cream is often cheaper than high-quality butter, and you get better
flavour and texture. Plus, you control the salt and know exactly what’s in it.
How I Make It
- Pour
500 ml fresh cream into a stand mixer or bowl.
- Whip
it past the whipped cream stage—don’t stop too early.
- Suddenly,
the butter separates from the buttermilk.
- Strain
out the liquid and rinse the butter under cold water.
- Add
salt if you like, then shape or store.
That’s it. No special skills required.
This butter melts beautifully, spreads like a dream, and tastes rich and fresh. I use it for cooking, baking, melting over veggies, and—if I’m being honest—sometimes straight off the spoon.
Extra Holiday Tip:
I freeze butter in small portions. That way, I always have some on hand for
unexpected guests, quick meals, or when the shops are closed.
🎥
3. Bulk Banting Pizza Crusts (My Ultimate Time-Saver)
Pizza is one of those foods that just works during the
holidays. It’s casual, comforting, and perfect for feeding a group. The problem
is that store-bought pizza bases are usually packed with carbs and ingredients
I avoid. So I make my own—and I make a lot of them.
This is probably my biggest holiday hack. One afternoon of
prep gives me weeks of easy meals.
My Banting Pizza Base Recipe
- 1
cup almond flour
- 1
cup grated mozzarella
- 1
tbsp cream cheese
- 1
egg
- 1
tsp baking powder
- Pinch
of salt
I melt the mozzarella and cream cheese together, then mix in
the rest of the ingredients. Once combined, I press the dough out into a thin
base and bake it for about 10 minutes until just set.
How I Save Time
I don’t stop at one or two bases. I make six, eight, sometimes even ten at
once. Once cooled, I layer them between baking paper and freeze them flat. When
I need one, I simply add toppings and bake.
These bases are perfect for:
- Quick
lunches
- Casual
holiday dinners
- Feeding
kids and guests
- Late-night
“I don’t feel like cooking” moments
Having them ready means I’m never tempted by takeaways or carb-heavy options when things get busy.
🎥
Final Thoughts: Less Stress, More Holiday Joy
The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not spent stressing
over food, budgets, and last-minute shopping trips. These three simple
staples—mayonnaise, butter, and pizza crusts—have completely changed how I
approach this time of year.
I spend less money, waste less food, and feel confident
about what I’m serving. Most importantly, I get to be present. Instead of
rushing around the kitchen, I can actually sit down, laugh, and enjoy the
people I’m cooking for.
If your holiday kitchen feels overwhelming, start small. Try
making just one of these staples at home. Once you see how easy it is—and how
much better it tastes—you might find yourself wondering why you didn’t do it
sooner.
A calm, prepared kitchen makes all the difference. And
during the holidays, that’s a gift I happily give myself.
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