CookingLight diet CookingLight diet

100 Healthy Snack Recipes

July 16, 2013
Photo: Grant Cornett; Styling: Alistair Turnbull
Satisfy after-school and after-work munchies with one of these healthy snacks. From sweet to salty to savory, we've got all your cravings covered.
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Healthy Ways to Snack Smarter

Photo: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine
View Recipe: Popcorn Balls

Eating healthier doesn't mean you have to give up snacking. In fact, snacking can be an excellent way to curb cravings and keep you satisfied between meals, as long as you snack smart. These lighter, healthier options are the perfect way to enjoy your favorite types of treats without blowing your calorie budget.

First up, Popcorn Balls!

This sweet and salty sphere is sure to please every age in your house. You can easily leave the peanuts out if allergies demand.

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Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

Photo: Rebecca Longshore
View Recipe: Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

Frozen blueberries are absolutely delicious, and when dipped in creamy Greek yogurt and frozen again, they make for a delightful snack or slightly sweet dessert.

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Sweet Potato Tots

Sara Tane
View Recipe: Sweet Potato Tots

Take a break from sweet potato fries and try out tots instead. Oven-baked until they're brown and crispy, these tots will satisfy your wildest savory cravings without overloading you with calories and fat. Served with a zippy jalapeño ranch dipping sauce that's loaded with protein and fresh herbs, these cute sweet potato tots make for the perfect appetizer or mid-afternoon snack that your kids will devour.

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Happy-Hour Hummus

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Happy-Hour Hummus

It's a quick snack to make before dinner. Throw all the ingredients into a food processor, give it a whirl, and presto–you've bought yourself an hour to make a meal. Healthy dippers include baby carrots, radishes, jicama, and sugar snap peas.

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Crispy and Spicy Snack Mix

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner, Text: Serena Ball, RD
View Recipe: Crisp and Spicy Snack Mix

When shopping for ingredients for this zippy snack mix, choose crunchy crackers and cereals made with whole grains. This irresistible snack mix satisfies all the savory cravings, without the added fat and calories of a greasy bag of potato chips. Go ahead and add dried fruits for a sweet, chewy counterpart. This kid-friendly mix makes for a great party appetizer for guests to snack on, or the perfect road trip snack.

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Avocado Sushi Snack

Photo: Rachel Johnson
View Recipe: Avocado Sushi Snack

Such an easy and nutritious snack. Truly the simplest roll and once you master this one, feel free to add any additional ingredients you think would pair well such as crunchy cucumber and cooked shrimp. 

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Apple Pie Energy Bites

Photo: Katherine Flynn
View Recipe: Apple Pie Energy Bites
Packed with fresh apples, dried cranberries, nuts, and warm spices, these bite-sized snacks are full of protein and boost your energy to get you through the day. Energy bites are so easy to make at home because there is no cooking involved and you can add any ingredients you like. Skip the hassle and calories of an apple pie and keep these as a quick snack in your fridge for up to four days. If you want to take these bites on the go, use dried apples instead of fresh but to make up for the lost moisture you may need to add more nut butter and/or honey.

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Sesame Seaweed Snacks

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Sesame Seaweed Snacks

Prized for its oceany umami flavor in sushi and miso soup—and now a popular packaged snack item—nori is dried Japanese seaweed that offers new possibilities for cooks. Its papery texture makes it easy to crisp in the oven and crumble over veggie sides, noodle bowls, and stir-fries for a little briny kick. These are easy, portable snacks that kids and adults will love. If you need a salty fix, replace potato chips with these briny, crispy nori sheets toasted in the oven. They can last up to four days in an airtight container so they are a great road trip snack.

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Chipotle Black Bean Dip with Corn Chips

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chipotle Black Bean Dip with Corn Chips

A common craving among CookingLight.com users is chips; our homemade tortilla chips keep fat and sodium in check. This snack quells an oft-cited yearn for Mexican fare and has protein, complex carbs, and fiber.

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No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

These bars are a perfectly portable snack you can prep on Sunday and enjoy throughout the week. Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. The bars will continue to firm up as they chill.

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Cheesy Cauliflower Tots

Photo: Rebecca Longshore
View Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Tots

Achieve the same crunchy crisp edges and soft inside of the tater tot with a much more nutritious profile. These healthier tots are so delicious, you may never go back to the traditional.

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Thai Sesame Edamame

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Thai Sesame Edamame

Enjoy a favorite bar snack at home in a matter of minutes. Salty and satisfying, edamame is a nutrient-dense, between-meals bite you can feel good about. Look for whole edamame pods in the freezer section of your grocery store.

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Sea Salt and Vinegar Zucchini Chips

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sea Salt and Vinegar Zucchini Chips

Crunchy and salty, while being slightly addictive, these chip recipes can curb you off the store-bought stuff while exploring the various veggies and seasonings that make the perfect chip. Light, crisp, and just as good as their junk-food counterparts, these zucchini chips are a revelation. Malt vinegar is made from fermented ale and is mildly sweet. If you prefer a sharper flavor, substitute cider vinegar or white vinegar. The best way to get uniform slices? Use a mandoline.

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Almond Butter- and Yogurt-Dipped Fruit

Photo: Katherine Flynn

Sweet strawberries and chewy dried apricots benefit from the tasty addition of creamy Greek yogurt and almond butter. Optional toppings: shredded coconut and chopped nuts. You can enjoy the fruit immediately, by using the Greek yogurt as a dip, or you can freeze the fruit to create a shell similar to dark chocolate covered strawberries. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 pint fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup unsweetened, dried apricots
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 cups 2% Greek Yogurt 
  • 1/3 cup unsalted, creamy almond butter warmed in the microwave

Directions:

Mix honey with yogurt. If not freezing, mix in the almond butter straight into the yogurt and eat. If freezing, dip the fruit into the honey-yogurt mixture then add another layer by dipping the fruit into the warm almond butter. Add toppings or freeze for 20 minutes. 

SERVES 8

CALORIES 161; FAT 7.2g (sat 1.46g); PROTEIN 7.8g; FIBER 3g; SUGARS 15.5g; SODIUM 45mg; 

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Nutty Parmesan Herb Scones

Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Nutty Parmesan Herb Scones

Our portable protein-packed pastries won't send you into midmorning nap mode. Store scones in an airtight container for three to five days, or freeze up to one month.

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Ramen Cups with Cabbage and Pork Slaw

Photo: Teresa Sabga
View Recipe: Ramen Cups with Cabbage and Pork Slaw

Sometimes, you just need your ramen in a handy handheld package. For those occasions, try our muffin-tin ramen cups bursting with sesame-flavored slaw and savory roast pork tenderloin.

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Zesty Green Goddess Dip

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Zesty Green Goddess Dip

Because fresh herbs are increasingly available, you can make this tangy, peppery dip year-round. So skip the baked, greasy dips and replace them with a dip that highlights fresh veggies. The best part: you'll never have to turn on your oven.

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Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites

Katherine Flynn
View Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites

These bite-sized snacks pack in everything you love about pumpkin spice with natural warm flavors and fresh pumpkin puree. Don't stress making a pumpkin pie and save on the calories with these energy bites. Enjoy these as a grab-and-go breakfast or snack all throughout fall.

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Coconut Frushi

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Coconut Frushi

Creativity is endless with frushi - any fresh fruit will do and add a little honey to make sure the fruit sticks to the coconut rice. Make it at home for breakfast, a snack or dessert served with some vanilla yogurt.  

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Spiced Apple Chips

Photo: Grace Elkus
View Recipe: Spiced Apple Chips

These delicious apple chips really satisfy your sweet tooth at snack time. Stick to cinnamon, or enjoy them alone. Feeling more adventurous? Try our pumpkin and chai spice variations.

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Berry Swirl Pops

Illustration: Christina Harrison
View Recipe: Berry Swirl Pops

Layers of color and flavor collide in this refreshingly fruity pop. Two types of berries swirl into vanilla yogurt for a dreamy treat that is reminiscent of a parfait, but satisfying enough to be dessert. Best part? At only 48 calories per pop, you can get away with getting seconds.

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Honey-Glazed Almonds

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Honey-Glazed Almonds

Spiced nuts are usually baked; this stovetop version speeds up the process. The smoky-spicy snack will store well in an airtight container for several days.

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Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

This is a salty, sweet pick-up dessert that works as well for a snack as it does for a party.

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Chewy Caramel Apple Cookies

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chewy Caramel Apple Cookies

These chewy cookies are actually gluten-free, but you can't even taste the difference!

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Hot-Pink Smoothies

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Hot-Pink Smoothies

Smoothies are a great opportunity for kids to add their own personality and get creative. The yogurt adds a dose of calcium. Be sure to use frozen fruit—it eliminates the need for ice.

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Orange-Hazelnut Snack Muffins

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Orange-Hazelnut Snack Muffins

Hazelnut flour (often called meal) is full of heart-healthy fats, fiber, and protein.

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Roasted Sweet Onion Dip

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Roasted Sweet Onion Dip

Serve this dip with gluten-free rice crackers or mixed fresh vegetables. Making the recipe a day ahead allows the flavors to meld.

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Toasted Barley and Berry Granola

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Toasted Barley and Berry Granola

Though rolled barley flakes look nearly identical to rolled oats, they pack more fiber. Look for them in whole-foods shops or supermarket bulk food bins. Serve over plain low-fat yogurt.

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Chocolate-Almond Pretzels

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chocolate-Almond Pretzels

This recipe calls for gluten-free ingredients, but you can just as easily use other pretzels or chocolate if gluten isn't a concern.

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Baked Mozzarella Bites

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Baked Mozzarella Bites

Serve this quick after-school snack to your kids as an alternative to traditional fried cheesesticks.

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Baked Pita Chips

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Baked Pita Chips

These crispy chips are a great choice for after-school tummy satisfaction.

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Easy Guacamole

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Easy Guacamole

The food processor makes quick work of this easy guacamole that's rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. We like the heat from the jalapeño seeds, but you can seed the pepper for a milder guac. Serve with tortilla chips or crudités.

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Butterscotch Pudding

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Butterscotch Pudding

Treat yourself to a snack with this rich, super creamy butterscotch pudding.

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PB, Banana, and Oat Cookies

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: PB, Banana, and Oat Cookies

With omega-3 rich flaxseed meal, fiber from oats in two forms, potassium-packed banana, and anti-oxidant-rich chocolate, these bite-sized cookies show that gluten-free baking can invite the an opportunity for nutrient-packed ingredients.

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Peach-Mango Smoothie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Peach-Mango Smoothie

You're only 2 minutes and 5 ingredients away from enjoying this fruit-packed, energy-boosting smoothie.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Photo: Karry Hosford
View Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Peanut butter is the star in this recipe, supported by banana, yogurt, and, for crunch, wheat germ.

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Coconut-Date Truffle Bites

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Coconut-Date Truffle Bites

Pop a couple of these chocolatey bites in your mouth for a sweet and satisfying afternoon pick-me-up.

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Piña Colada Pops

Illustration: Christina Harrison
View Recipe: Piña Colada Pops

Ultra creamy and tangy, with a faint hint of vanilla, these tropical-inspired pops taste like summer. Indulgent enough to be dessert, but light enough in calories to be a small snack, Piña Colada Pops are worth the freezer space. To make a more adult version, and to stay more true to the name, feel free to add a dash of rum when whisking.