It’s 3:00 PM on a Tuesday afternoon and lunch is a long lost memory. Your Sunny Under Desk Treadmill has kept you energized for most of the day, but your growling stomach is getting increasingly difficult to ignore. The only snack to be found in your apartment is a Costco-sized bag of Doritos that you purchased in a moment of weakness 2 months ago. Luckily, you read the Sunny blog article about healthy snacks and know exactly what to do.
Nutrition can be one of the trickier aspects of health and fitness, especially if you have a busy schedule. Grabbing a bag of chips is quicker and easier than spending hours of your precious free time in the kitchen making healthy snacks. The good news is you don’t have to choose between the two! There are plenty of quick, homemade snack options that both you and your tastebuds can feel good about.
With savory and sweet options to choose from, try our 3 homemade snacks that will help keep you healthy on the go.
Energy Bars
No baking is required in this easy Larabar-inspired recipe. The best thing about this snack is that you can choose from a variety of add-ins to change up the flavor of your bar. Below you will find the base recipe followed by some of our favorite flavors. But don’t be afraid to have fun with it and get creative! Test out some of your own favorite add-ins to customize your energy bar for maximum deliciousness.
Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup dates
- 1 cup nuts of your choice
- Dash of salt
Making The Bars:
- Place the nuts in a food processor and blitz until it becomes a coarse, grainy texture.
- Add in dates and salt, and process until the mixture becomes a wet, sticky dough.
- If you are using any add-ins (see below), add to the dough and stir until combined.
- Line a baking dish with parchment paper, and press the dough into the dish until it is compact and evenly dispersed.
- Cover and place the dish in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours and allow the bars to set.
- Remove from fridge and cut into bar-sized rectangles. Enjoy!
*Note: best stored in the refrigerator.
Add-in Options:
- Chocolate-chip Brownie: 1 tbsp cocoa powder and ½ cup chocolate chips
- Apple Pie: Cinnamon and dried apple (substitute ½ a cup of dates for ½ a cup of dried apple). You can also mix in whole pieces of dried apple for a varied texture.
- Chocolate Peppermint: ½ tsp peppermint extract and 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- Lemon Bar: 2 tsp lemon juice and 2 tsp lemon zest
Hummus & Baked Pita Chips
This healthy chip alternative is satisfyingly crunchy, dippable, and easy to make. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Ingredients:
- 12 pita bread rounds, cut into triangles
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
- Garlic Powder
- Any other seasoning of your choice
Making The Chips:
- Preheat the oven to 425* and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the pita triangles in a single layer on the baking sheet and brush evenly with olive oil.
- Sprinkle sea salt, garlic powder, and any other seasoning of your choice, to taste.
- Bake at 425* for about 10 minutes, periodically checking the chips until they become crispy and golden brown. Enjoy with some hummus to create a complete protein snack!
Trail Mix
This is a classic snack favorite for good reason! Packed with protein, antioxidants, and energy-boosting carbohydrates, you can fight that midday slump with a healthy treat. Just like the energy bars and pita chips, you can customize the flavors of this mix to suit your own preferences.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups mixed nuts (Almonds, walnuts, cashews, and peanuts are all great options)
- 1 cup seeds (Pumpkin and sunflower)
- 1 cup of dried fruit (Raisins, cranberries, chopped apricot, chopped cherries)
- ½ cup chopped dark chocolate
Optional Ingredients:
- Dried Coconut Flakes
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
- Granola
- Spices (Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder)
Making the Trail Mix:
- Throw all your ingredients in a covered container and shake to mix.
- Enjoy your snack!
The Last Bite
These homemade snacks are a simple way to keep you prepared when hunger strikes. Make the conscious, intentional choice to fuel your body with low-maintenance but high-quality nutrition. Feel proud of yourself for taking the time to nourish your body and contributing to your long-term health. Bon Appétit!
