20+ Easy Snacks You Can Make in Less Than an Hour
Here's our comprehensive guide to successful snacking.
Fred Hardy
We’re big believers in snacking over here; a snack can help you stay energized and focused between meals, as well as add more deliciousness to your day. While it’s easy to stick with the same old rotation of snacks, there are so many options out there to keep your diet exciting. Keep reading for easy snack suggestions from our recipe archive, from a herby white bean dip to a mango-turmeric smoothie and beyond.
Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches With Chutney
Upgrade the classic grilled cheese by adding a sweet, tangy fruit chutney and slicing it into little squares for a bite-sized snack. To make one serving, use only two slices of bread, 2 ounces of cheese, a swipe of your favorite chutney, and a little bit of butter on the pan.
Pomegranate-Almond Toast
This delicious toast is sweet and tart, yet has an ideal contrast of nutty flavor. It makes for a filling snack that is full of nutrients. If you're looking for a little extra sweetness, drizzle some maple syrup on top.
Nutty Superfood Breakfast Bites
These homemade energy bars are packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit to keep you going on the run. Brown rice syrup not only helps to sweeten the bars but also gives them a glossy finish. Feel free to drizzle these bars with decadent dark chocolate before indulging.
Refried Bean and Cheese Melts
These refried bean and cheese melts are also known as molletes, a popular Mexican snack. Pair them with salsa, fresh guacamole, avocado slices, and pico de gallo. Best part? They're ready in just 15 minutes.
Beet and Goat Cheese Dip
Fred Hardy
Once you’ve boiled the beets and let them cool, this recipe comes together in no time at all. The vibrant magenta hue comes from beets, with a punch of protein from cannellini beans and goat cheese. Plus, it gets big flavor from lemon juice, garlic, and honey.
Tropical Creamsicle Smoothie
Mango and carrot may seem like an unexpected combination, but they’re actually a perfect pair thanks to their innate sweetness. Coconut milk gives this smoothie a creamy, rich texture with no dairy involved. Drizzle with coconut milk before serving for a pretty swirled effect.
Honey-Paprika Walnuts
Walnuts are a great option for a healthy, portable snack, and this recipe brings them to another level with honey and paprika for a sweet, smoky twist. You'll only need 10 minutes of hands-on time before baking and cooling. If walnuts aren't your favorite, swap them out for pecans or almonds.
Hot Honey Lamb Meatballs
These meatballs work just as well for a snack as they do for a main course. The best part of the recipe might be the honey-sriracha glaze, which gives the meatballs a sticky, saucy finish and a sweet, spicy flavor profile. This recipe makes 50 meatballs, so you might want to half or fourth the recipe if you're not serving a crowd.
Kale Flatbread Bites
Store-bought pizza dough makes this appetizer a breeze. All you have to do is stretch the dough onto a baking sheet, top it with a cheesy sour cream mixture and kale, and bake! Slice it into small squares to feed a crowd.
Rosemary Pecans
These seasoned pecans will be gone before you know it. Best served warm, they hit every note: sweet, salty, and spicy. This versatile snack can be eaten on the go, set out at an elegant cocktail party, or something in between.
Glorious Green Dip
This bright green dip includes spinach, scallions, and chives, and tastes just as delicious with crudités as it does with potato chips. It's a fast and easy 15-minute dip that feeds up to six people. If you're not feeding that many, don't fear: Store it in the fridge and munch on it for the next two days.
Manchego and Fig Jam Crostini
You may be thinking, "These look too fancy for a Tuesday afternoon snack." Put those thoughts to rest: These loaded crostinis are so simple they can be made anytime. They only require a few ingredients but taste complex and elevated thanks to the winning combination of nutty manchego and sweet figs.
Deeply Caramelized Onion Dip
It takes a while to caramelize onions to perfection, but it’s worth it, and the process will make your home smell incredible. Once the onions are caramelized, this dip comes together with a quick stir. Serve it with potato chips, and it will disappear before you know it.
Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
These stuffed dates are best served warm, which highlights the crispy bacon coating, tangy goat cheese center, and of course the caramelly dates themselves. Easy to assemble in advance, this three-ingredient snack just requires five minutes of hands-on time. The perfect combination of savory and sweet, these dates will be devoured in no time.
Spinach Alfredo French Bread Pizza
Greg DuPree
If you need a comforting snack, look no further than this French bread recipe. Store-bought Alfredo sauce, baby spinach, red onion, garlic, and fontina cheese along with a little fresh thyme and crushed red pepper top each half of the bread. You'll prep for just 10 minutes before allowing the oven to take over.
Crispy Homemade Baked Potato Chips
Next time you want to reach for a bag of store-bought potato chips, consider making this homemade healthier option. It tastes so much better than the ones from the store, plus, it's vegan and you'll only need four ingredients to make a bowl of them—all of which you'll most likely already have in your pantry. Slice the potatoes as thin as possible for the crispiest outcome.
Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Wings
Grilled, tossed with Parmesan, and drizzled with lemony, herby oil, these chicken wings are simple to prepare and might be the best you’ve ever had. If you don't have a grill, you can simply broil these wings for the same result. Place the oven rack five inches away from the heating elements and broil the wings on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.
Mango-Turmeric Smoothie
Switch up your smoothie routine with this creamy, tropical rendition, which includes a touch of turmeric for an anti-inflammatory boost. Plus, this 5-minute smoothie is good for your gut health, using a cup of probiotic kefir. If you don't have turmeric on hand, swap it out for ginger.
Herby Yogurt Dip
Victor Protasio
Here, Greek yogurt gets the royal treatment with lemon, garlic, and herbs. You'll top with the garlicky oil mixture and additional scallions just before serving. Sop it up with plenty of crunchy veggies and warm pita for a healthy, satisfying snack.
Quesadillas Poblano
These filling vegetarian quesadillas include pinto beans and poblanos and can be topped with all kinds of fresh ingredients like cilantro, radishes, and avocado. This quesadilla is the perfect snack if you're looking for a flavor boost midday that takes just half an hour to whip up. Plus, it's packed with protein thanks to the pinto beans, which will help you stay full till your next meal.
PB&J Overnight Oats
If you love a PB&J sandwich, you’ll love these overnight oats, which boast the same flavors of peanut butter and jelly with added nutrients. The Greek yogurt delivers plenty of protein, while the oats and chia seeds bring the fiber. Plus you can make it up to three days in advance, so you can have some for tomorrow and a few days from now.
Related: 30 Tasty, Healthy Snacks to Help You Bid Farewell to Hanger for Good
For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Real Simple.
