Healthy Snack Ideas
As college students, we’re always on the go. Sometimes, you may not have enough time to make a full meal, or you need a quick pick-me-up snack between classes. Below are eight easy and healthy snack ideas to satisfy your sweet or savory cravings.
1. Samoa Apple Slices
Samoas are hands down one of the best Girl Scout Cookies. These healthy Samoa apple slices are a fun spin on the classic treat.
Ingredients:
2 Granny Smith apples
1 cup coconut flakes
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Peanut butter
Honey
Step one:
Slice apples into 1/4"-thick slices. Use a small biscuit cutter or melon baller to remove the core from the apples, then set aside.
Step two:
In a medium-sized bowl, add caramel and coconut flakes, stirring to combine. Spoon caramel-coconut mixture onto each apple slice.
Step three:
In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until fully melted. Drizzle melted chocolate on apple slices and serve.
2. Peanut Butter Energy Balls
These energy bites are no-bake, super easy to make and take less than 10 minutes to assemble. They are loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you full and loaded with energy throughout the day.
Ingredients:
Creamy peanut butter
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Old fashioned oats
Honey
Step one:
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir to combine.
Step two:
Place in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes so they are easier to roll. Roll into 12 bites and store in the fridge for up to a week.
3. Shrimp Spring Rolls
Ingredients:
7 frozen shrimp
Vermicelli rice noodles
1 bunch of butter lettuce
1 carrot
1 cucumber
Rice paper
Step one:
Fill a large shallow dish with an inch or so of water. Remove one rice paper wrapper from the package, and place it in the water to soak. Allow it to soak for about 10 to 15 seconds, and then remove it and place it on a cutting board or countertop.
Step two:
Add filling. Layer everything on the ⅓ of the spring roll that is closest to you. Add 1-2 of each ingredient and a small pinch of noodles.
Step three:
Pick up the sides of the spring roll and fold them in over the toppings. Then pick up the edge closest to you and pull it up snugly over the toppings. Continue rolling all the way up like a burrito. Practice will make perfect, but just try to keep all of the ingredients in tightly together as you roll everything up.
Peanut Dipping Sauce
Soy sauce
Peanut butter
Rice vinegar
Lime juice
Step one:
In a bowl, combine soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar and lime juice, and mix. Drizzle onto the spring roll and enjoy.
4. Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup milk (almond milk, oat milk, etc.)
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon agave or honey
Step one:
Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor, and process until blended through. Scoop and enjoy!
5. Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Fries
These zucchini fries are super flavorful, crunchy and perfect for mid-afternoon snacking.
Ingredients:
1 zucchini
Sea salt
1 egg
Parmesan grated cheese
Onion powder
Ground mustard
Step one:
Cut the ends off the zucchini, and then cut them in half. Cut each half into eighths. We cut them in half, then each half in half, then each quarter in half.
Step two:
Place the wedges in a metal strainer in the sink. Sprinkle them with salt, and let them sit for a few minutes.
Step three:
In one bowl, whisk the egg. In another bowl, stir together the Italian seasoning, onion powder, ground mustard and grated Parmesan cheese. Set half of the cheesy seasoning aside, and add it to the bowl as needed.
Step four:
Pat the zucchini wedges dry, then dip them in the egg and coat them in the cheesy seasoning. Use another hand to coat it in the cheesy topping and place it on a lined baking sheet.
Step five:
Bake in the oven or air fryer for 20 minutes. Serve hot with a side of marinara sauce or ranch!
6. Asian Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
Salt
Rice vinegar
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
Garlic
Step one:
Slice the cucumbers and place them in a large bowl.
Step two:
Mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic in a bowl.
Step three:
Stir the dressing, toss in cucumbers and enjoy. Sprinkle crushed peanuts for crunch or red pepper flakes for spice.
7. Crunchy Kale Chips
Kale chips make a perfect savory snack to satisfy that chip craving. They’re quick and easy to make and a great way to find some use for a bunch of kale.
Ingredients:
2 bunches of kale
2 tablespoons of avocado or olive oil
Salt
Step one:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, pull the leaves off of your kale stems and thoroughly rinse.
Step two:
Toss kale leaves in olive or avocado oil. Spread out on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until crispy. Sprinkle them with salt and enjoy!
8. Greek Yogurt and Chocolate Covered Berries
Ingredients:
Raspberries
Semi-sweet or dark chocolate
Coconut oil
Greek yogurt
Step one:
Dip each raspberry in Greek yogurt and place on parchment paper. Freeze for about 10 minutes or until the Greek yogurt is hard.
Step two:
Melt your dark chocolate chips either in the microwave or over the stove. Add a scoop of coconut oil for a chocolate shell.
Step three:
Dip each raspberry in the melted chocolate. Place in the freezer for another 10 to 15 minutes to harden the chocolate and enjoy!
We hope you can enjoy one or all of these recipes next time you’re in a snacky mood!