It can be time consuming to check and decipher every ingredient. Many processed snacks promise low fat but are packed with sugar! The best way to ensure fresh and fully in-tact nutrition is by preparing simple snacks at home. Each of these healthy snack recipes are simple, delicious and provide nutrients you just can’t get from a vending machine.
1. Mini Burrito Bowl
Burrito bowls make great snacks or small lunches. There’s endless combinations to mix and match meats with rice and grains, veggies and cheeses or salsas. They can be altered to be allergen-friendly, vegetarian and vegan. ~ Get the recipe!
2. Paleo Sweet & Spicy Meatballs
For those who want a little extra protein, these paleo meatballs are sure to please. They are also packed with iron and Vitamin C which means you’ve got a snack that’s working for you, not against you! ~ Get the recipe!
3. Southwestern Sweet Potato & Lentil “Jar Salad”
Jar salads are quick to prepare and easy to store. They make fresh salads easy to take anywhere! ~ Get the recipe!
4. Moroccan Chickpea & Quinoa Power Salad
This winner uses minimal ingredients and a short prep time for a fast and easy snack or side dish. The recipe also gives you homemade honey-lemon dressing which you can save in the fridge for other on-the-go meals! ~ Get the recipe!
5. Grain-Free Tahini Granola
Making your own granola ensures that you are not consuming excess sugar and preservatives in many store-bought brands. Natural Granola is packed with healthy nutrients and can be enjoyed by itself or with your favorite flavor of yogurt. This knockout recipe can be made with oats or dried fruits too! ~ Get the recipe!
6. Nut-Free Granola
This recipe will keep your energy high whenever you need a little boost at work![1] Ingredients
9 cups rolled oats (or combination of oats, rye, barley, etc.) 1 cup unsalted, roasted hulled sunflower seeds ½ cup flaxseed meal ½ cup pure maple syrup ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce ½ cup honey 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon sea salt
How to prepare:
7. Copy-Cat Bistro Boxes
Look no further for a quick snack with almost no prep work or cooking needed. You just need boiled eggs, apple slices, celery, grapes, and a side of peanut or almond butter. You could mix it up with different berries, cherry tomatoes, multigrain cracks, and humus instead of peanut butter. Swap the cheese for an extra egg to make it dairy-free. In case you need it, here’s the recipe!
8. Chicken Pita Pockets
Another filling snack for those who may have to skip breakfast every now and then. These pitas will keep you satisfied and focused. Swap the chicken with tofu for a meat-free option. ~ Get the recipe!
9. Sweet Potato Quesadillas
This dairy-free option is best prepped the night before for one or two servings. You can use coconut oil to crisp the tortillas and mix in other veggies for more flavor. ~ Get the recipe! Sometimes we just need a little extra something to satisfy mid-morning or afternoon hunger pains. Each of the following twists on favorite snacks can be stored in bulk to get more out of your prep time.
10. Cinnamon-Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding
Ingredients:
1 cup almond or coconut milk 3 tablespoons chia seeds 1-2 packets stevia 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 small pinch sea salt
How to prepare:
11. Chocolate & Avocado Pudding
Ingredients:[2]
1 medium ripe avocado ½ cup coconut or almond milk ¼ cup creamy unsweetened peanut butter or almond butter (optional: use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter to keep it paleo) 4-6 tablespoons pure maple syrup 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 pinches sea salt 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
How to prepare:
12. No-Bake Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Bites
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups old fashioned oats ½ cup unsweetened coconut 1/3 cup sunflower seeds 2 tablespoon ground flax seed 1 teaspoon salt ¾ cup peanut butter or almond butter ¾ cup honey 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
How to prepare:
13. Dark Chocolate, Cranberry & Pumpkin Granola Bites
Ingredients:[3]
5 cups old fashioned oats 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 cup brown sugar (or ¾ cup stevia) ¾ cup almond slivers 1 cup dried cranberries ½ cup toasted sunflower seeds 1½ cups pumpkin puree 1 cup applesauce ½ cup honey 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ½ cup dark chocolate chips 1 teaspoon salt
How to prepare:
14. Parmesan Kale Crisps
Ingredients:
1 head of Kale 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
How to prepare: *This recipe will make 4-6 servings. The chips can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3 days. (You could also try this with seaweed if you really want to show off your new snack skills.)
15. Curried Beet Chips
Ingredients:
12 small beets, red or golden 1/2 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon curry powder 1.5 teaspoons sea salt
How to prepare: See the original recipe.
16. Apple-Cinnamon Chips (Vegan, dairy free)
This recipe only takes 3 ingredients and you can alter the amount of sugar to your preference. The thicker the chips the softer they will be and the thinner, the more crispy. Ingredients:
4 Apples 1-2 teaspoons ground Cinnamon 1-2 teaspoons brown sugar Cooking spray
How to prepare:
17. Roasted Green Bean Fries
Ingredients:[4]
1 pound fresh green beans 1 teaspoon of olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper
How to prepare: *Mix honey with fresh garlic and chilis for a sweet and spicy dipping sauce!
18. Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash
A hearty and simple dish that is prefect for upcoming fall. You can also swap the squash for sweet potatoes, zucchini, or a mixed vegetable medley. ~ Get the recipe!
19. Edamame and Chickpea Salad with Lime Dressing
Ingredients:[5] Dressing
1 large avocado, flesh removed 1/2 inch slice of ginger root (1/2″ – 1″ piece) 1 shallot 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar ½ tablespoon pure maple syrup 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Salad
1 can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and patted dry ½ tablespoon olive oil ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground cumin ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger ½ cup cashews 10 oz. shelled edamame, cooked 1½ cup chopped apples (about 2 small apples) Salt & pepper to taste 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (optional)
How to prepare:
20. Kale, Clementine and Feta Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing (Vegan option)
Ingredients: Salad
1 head of kale 1 avocado, diced 1 medium pomegranate 4 clementines, peeled and sliced into rounds or small strips 4 small radishes, sliced into thin rounds and then into skinny strips 1 handful of fresh cilantro, chopped ⅓ cup crumbled feta (skip for vegan) ¼ cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds
Dressing
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium jalapeño, membranes and seeds removed, finely chopped 2 teaspoons honey (or agave nectar) 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ¼ teaspoon chili powder ⅛ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
How to prepare: See original recipe. More adventurous snackers will enjoy using a dehydrator. Dehydrator recipes include endless varieties of homemade granolas, dried fruit mixes, veggies, and jerky. These snacks from Dried and True will take longer to prepare but can be made in bulk and last for a couple weeks when stored properly.
21. Dried Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients:
3 cups fresh cherry or grape tomatoes 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar 2 sprigs Thyme 1 sprig rosemary 1 cup olive oil (more as needed)
How to prepare:
22. Dried Shrimp
Ingredients:
1 pound of peeled and cooked bay shrimp 1 teaspoon olive oil for coating trays Optional topping ideas: sea salt, cayenne pepper
How to prepare:
23. Yogurt Covered Raisins
Ingredients:
1 pound seedless black grapes 1/4 cup Greek yogurt 3/4 cup white chocolate chips 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon coconut oil
How to prepare:
24. Ginger & Soy Green Bean Crisps
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh green beans 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 garlic clove 1 teaspoon fresh ginger 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
How to prepare:
25. Garlic & Sage Turkey Jerky
Ingredients:
2.5 pounds turkey breast 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced 8 sage leaves 2 tablespoons molasses 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2.5 teaspoons sea salt
How to prepare: One of the best places for snacking inspiration is a local farmer’s market. Shopping for what’s in season will inspire simple, creative dishes that are easy to include in your schedule. Here are some other ways to achieve lasting effects in your workplace. Featured photo credit: Pexels via pexels.com
