Let's face it; dieting and changing your lifestyle is hard. Knowing how hard it is for most people to get from breakfast to lunch and then from lunch to dinner without snacking, we have collected some simple, quick, and easy to make healthy snacks recipes that are not packed with weight gaining calories that also taste delicious.
Snacking has got a bad rap in the world of healthy eating. Snacks, if chosen wisely; can in fact, help you refrain from overeating or giving in to your cravings. Adding healthy snacks to your diet target the hunger sensation without ruining your healthy eating and lifestyle changes. Snacking could be just what you've needed to get over the humps when changing to a healthier lifestyle.
6 Flavorful and Healthy Snacks Recipes
Do not ruin your healthy lifestyle by munching on those calorie-packed store-bought snacks between meals. Try out these low-calorie snack recipes instead and we bet that you’ll love them!
1. No-Bake Energy Balls
No healthy recipe list is ever completed without a nutritious energy ball that can give you an instant pick-me-up during the day. So, here we have one for you!
These oats energy balls are easy and quick to make, can be made in large batches and freeze, and not to mention, utterly delicious.
Bonus point – you can also have these for a quick on-the-go breakfast when you are in a rush.
Yields – About 18 small balls
Serving Size – 2 balls
Ingredients
- Quick-cooking oats: 1 cup
- Coconut flakes: 1 cup
- Crunchy peanut butter (natural): ½ cup
- Honey: 1/3 cup
- Flaxseed meal: ¼ cup
- Mini chocolate chips (preferably dark and
unsweetened): ¼ cup - Wheat germ (toasted): ¼ cup
- Vanilla: 1 teaspoon
Directions
Mix together all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
Make small, about an-inch sized, balls of the mixture using your hands.
Viola! Your homemade healthy oats energy balls are ready!
Storage Directions
Store the energy balls in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
2. Frozen Fruit and Yogurt Bites
Made with just three simple ingredients, this recipe can be said to be a healthier version of frozen yogurt. Ideal for both children and adults alike, this snack not only tastes good, but
is also light, refreshing, and healthy.
Yields – 12 pieces
Ingredients
- Yogurt (preferably natural): 200 grams
- Fresh raspberries: a handful
- Fresh blueberries: a handful
Note: You can also use other fruits of your choice, such as strawberries or blackberries.
Directions
In a cupcake tray or silicone muffin cups, add yogurt at the base, using a spoon.
Now add a few berries into each cup, pressing them down a bit with your fingers and you are done.
Simply pop the tray or cups into the freezer for a couple of hours or until they are properly set and there you have it – a quick, tasty, and healthy snack to munch on.
3. Roasted Chickpeas
An incredibly easy to make and delicious snack to munch on with evening tea or coffee, roasted chickpeas are packed with flavors, but not calories.
Yields – 2 cups
Ingredients
- Cooked chickpeas: 2 cups or 1-15 ounce can
- Black pepper: ¼ teaspoon
- Paprika powder: ¼ teaspoon
- Garlic powder: ¼ teaspoon
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon
- Chili powder: ¾ teaspoon
- Cayenne pepper: a dash
- Olive oil spray or Olive oil: 1½ teaspoons
Note: You can omit chili powder from the recipe if you can’t eat or do not like spicy food.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Drain the chickpeas and then place them in between two paper towels to absorb moisture. Transfer the dried chickpeas to a large bow and spray or drizzle with olive oil. Toss them to make sure they get properly coated with the oil.
In a separate bowl, mix together all other ingredients and then add them to the chickpeas. Toss to make sure chickpeas are properly coated with the seasoning.
Transfer the chickpeas to the baking sheet and spread them in a single layer. Bake for about 15 minutes, toss them well and then bake for another 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let them cool to room temperature.
Your mouth-watering roasted chickpeas are ready to be devoured!
Storage
Roasted chickpeas can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
4. Broccoli Tots
Do you love tater tots (who doesn’t, huh?), but can’t have them because of all the calories they are packed with?
Don’t worry; have these broccoli tots instead, for guilt-free snacking.
Yields – Around 15 to 15 tots
Serving Size – 4 to 6 tots
Ingredients
- Broccoli florets: 250 grams (you will need a 350grams head for this)
- Egg: 1, lightly whisked
- Spring onions: 2, finely chopped
- Cheddar cheese (shredded): ¾ cup
- Panko breadcrumbs: ¾ cup
- Parsley (or cilantro): 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
- Black pepper: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon or to taste
- Butter: 20 grams, melted
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
Fill a large pot with water, add some salt to it, and bring it to boil. Cook the broccoli florets in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes or until it is tender. Drain and transfer to a tray lined with paper towel.
Let the broccoli cool down and then chop it finely.
In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli along with all other ingredients and mix well.
Place the prepared mixture in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
Now roll the broccoli mixture into small cylindrical-shaped tots using your hands and place them on the prepared baking tray.
Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes or until they become golden from the downsides. Flip and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes.
There you go – your healthier version of tater tots is ready! Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce for a guilt-free snack.
5. Sweet Potato Falafel with Yogurt Dip
These flavorful sweet potato bites can be eaten as a snack or converted into a full healthy meal by pairing them up with a salad.
Yields – 24 Falafels
Ingredients
For Falafel
- Sweet potato: 750 grams, cut into large chunks
- Plain flour (you can also use chickpea flour as a healthier alternative): ¼ cup
- Garlic clove: 1, chopped
- Ground coriander: 2 teaspoons
- Ground cumin: 2 teaspoons
- Mixed spice: ½ teaspoon
- Fresh coriander: 1/3cup chopped plus extra to serve
- Sesame seeds: 1 tablespoon
- Extra virgin olive oil: 1 to 1 ½ teaspoon
For the Sauce
- Greek yogurt (plain): 1 cup
- Fresh mint: 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
- Sweet paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Salt and pepper: for seasoning
- Extra virgin olive oil (optional): 1 tablespoon
Directions
Falafel
Preheat the oven to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a baking tray with olive oil and set aside.
Microwave the sweet potato on high for about 8 to 10 minutes or until they are soft. Let them cool and then peel and mash them coarsely.
Add all the remaining ingredients into the mashed sweet potatoes and mix well. Let the mixture cool in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes and then roll them into small (about one inch sized) balls.
Lightly coat the falafel balls with sesame seeds and then place them on the prepared baking tray, leaving little space between them.
Bake the falafel balls in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they get hard from the edges.
Take out from the oven, let them cool slightly and then enjoy with the homemade yogurt sauce!
Sauce
Mix together all the ingredients in a small bowl and your homemade healthy sauce is ready!
Storage Directions
Falafel balls can be stored in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.
6. Healthy Chips
Wait, is there anything like healthy chips? To many’s surprise, yes! Your favorite snack can be made healthy by replacing potatoes with radishes.
This may sound weird, but take out word for it – they taste simply delicious and will also satisfy your craving for potato chips without ruining your healthy diet. What more do you want?
Yields – 4 servings
Ingredients
- Radishes: 1 bunch (containing about 7 medium radishes)
- Vegetable oil: 1 tablespoon
- Garlic powder:½ teaspoon
- Salt: to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper: to taste
Directions
Using a vegetable peeler remove the skin from radishes. This step is optional – you can leave the skin if you like the peppery flavor of radish.
Thinly slice the radishes using a mandolin. Transfer them to a large bowl and add all the ingredients for seasoning. Toss well.
Now, there are two ways to cook these chips
In the Oven
Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spread the radish slices, in a single layer, on baking sheets and bake until they are crisp and light golden – it can take about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let the chips cool for bout 5 to 10 minutes and then dig in!
In the Air Fryer
If using an air fryer, omit oil from the seasoning and cook the chips, in batches, at 350 degrees for about 6 to 7 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Enjoy your homemade healthy chips without ruining your healthy diet!
There you have it – some healthy snacks ideas that do not make you gain weight and also taste great. Try them out and you’ll never feel the urge to go back to those store-bought snacks that are packed with empty calories.