Easy snacks are in high demand at my house. A quick, homemade snack in the afternoon helps me keep my energy up until the end of the work day. I also have two teen boys that are constantly looking for something to satisfy their hunger until the next meal.
Often the snacks that get eaten are the ones that are the easiest to eat on the go and require zero effort when hunger strikes. I do my best to have homemade options available for these moments. They taste better, use up ingredients that I already have, and tend to be more satisfying than store-bought options.
Luckily, making snacks is easy! The recipes below can all be made ahead of time. Some of them need to be refrigerated. A lot of my family’s snacking happens at home so this works well for us. But don’t let a little refrigeration stop you from making these snacks. Stock up on storage containers and bring along an ice pack. You’ll be glad you did.
Sweet and Salty Three-Seed Granola
Whenever I have big cluster granola in my house, I find my hand inexplicably reaching for just one more. This sweet and salty version uses sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame seeds but you could use poppy, flax, or hemp seeds instead.
Plantain Chips
Crispy baked plantain chips are the snack hero we all need. Cut firm green plantains ultra thin and bake the chips directly on a baking sheet until crispy. These will last up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Pea Pesto
For the times when I’m out of fresh ingredients and still want a vegetable snack, I turn to pea pesto. It uses a bag of frozen peas and is ready in less than an hour. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.
Perfect Popcorn
When I’m short on time but need an irresistible snack, I turn to popcorn. It takes all of 5 minutes to make a mountain of popcorn that can be seasoned simply with a little salt or bolder with curry powder.
Homemade Veggie Dip
Adding a creamy, herby dip to a platter of veggies is an easy way to get everyone eating their veggies. Plus, it can be made ahead of time. This recipe makes 2 cups of dip and will last 3 days in an airtight container.
Homemade Granola Bars
Granola bars fly off my pantry shelves. This recipe makes a 9×9-inch pan, which gives you the flexibility to cut them into smaller squares or larger rectangles. The combination of dried fruit and nuts is as satisfying as it is adaptable to your preferences.
Soy Sauce Eggs
Hard boiled eggs are an easy, versatile snack but if you’re looking for a more flavorful version, try these soy sauce-marinated steamed eggs. Allow 4 to 24 hours to marinate and then store up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Muhammara (Red Pepper and Walnut Dip)
This striking dip is made with jarred roasted red bell peppers and walnuts. It takes a total of 10 minutes to pull together and you can use leftovers as a sandwich spread for tomorrow’s lunch.
Fermented Pickles
I love snacking on pickles. They are so satisfying and flavorful, especially briny pickles that I made myself. I’ll let the professionals can their pickles, but I’ll stick to this refrigerator version.
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Energy Balls
You had me at chocolate chip. These tasty little balls are whirled in a food processor, rolled into balls, and then coated in a combination of chopped almonds and powdered sugar. You can substitute the peanut butter for your favorite nut or seed butter if you’d like.
Broccoli Cheddar Egg Bites
Broccoli and cheddar is a winning combination but not the easiest to have ready for a snack. Cue these broccoli cheddar egg bites. Save a little time by steaming the broccoli in the microwave and feel free to skip the lemon zest if lemon isn’t your favorite flavor.
Almond Butter Date Balls
These almond butter date balls fall into the more decadent category of snacks, which is exactly what I need when I’m in a hurry and need a snack before heading out the door. Coat the no-bake balls in cocoa powder or shredded coconut to keep them from sticking together.
Berries and Banana Fruit Salad
Juicy and sweet, fresh fruit makes a great snack. This fruit salad is delicious right after mixing it together or it can be refrigerated before eating. Scoop it into a bowl along with yogurt for a satisfying snack.
Edamame Avocado Dip
Avocados can do more than guacamole. Pair it with fresh or frozen edamame for a hearty dip. Spread it on rice crackers or dip toasted pita bread into it.
Chipotle-Lime Mixed Nuts
Pack a bag of mixed nuts to nibble on when your energy wanes in the afternoon. These are coated with lime zest, chipotle powder, and brown sugar. Egg white holds the seasoning in place and then they are baked until lightly brown.
Candy Bar Dates
These luscious date confections have no added sugar (outside of what’s in the dark chocolate you dip them in). We have three candy bar-inspired variations so you can make Snickers, Almond Joy, or or other takes on this treat that’ll scratch your sweet tooth itch.
Easy Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)
Make the batter for this gluten-free Brazilian staple in a blender and bake in mini-muffin pans. You can freeze them for up to 1 month and warm in the microwave quickly for easy snacking.
Sheet Pan Granola Bark
If you go for the clusters in your granola, this granola bark recipe is exactly what you want. It’s a hybrid of granola bars and free-form granola, and somehow easier to make than either.