There are times when we just need a little something to tide us over to the next meal or to top up after dinner. The easiest options are things like sweet biscuits, chocolate or crisps, but, much as we like them, they’re not our best choice.
Generally, the healthiest snack options are also the easiest such as:
- fresh fruit or dried fruit and nuts
- snack carrots, baby cucumbers or celery sticks
- crisp breads or rice cakes with some cream cheese or peanut butter
These very simple recipes are for those times we feel like something a little more elaborate, though just as healthy.
As well as the following, you could also try Quick and Healthy Snacks: High Protein Biscuits.
Recipes
Popcorn for One
- 1 tbsp. popping corn
- Place corn in a brown paper lunch bag and fold top over twice to seal
- Microwave on high for 3½ minutes
Mashed Potato Bowl
- 2–3 tbsp instant mashed potatoes
- ½ tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ tbsp. skim milk powder
- Parsley and garlic granules
- Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well
- Add enough boiling water to reconstitute and stir
Cheesy Rice Cakes
- 2 rice cakes
- 1 cheese slice
- Break cheese slice into four and stack two pieces on each rice cake
- Microwave (covered) on high for 30 seconds
Rice Cake Pizza
- 2 rice cakes (preferably thick)
- 1 tbsp. (approx.) good quality tomato sauce or passata
- 2 tbsp. (approx.) shredded mozzarella
- Oregano and garlic granules
- Spread tomato sauce on rice cakes
- Top with shredded mozzarella
- Sprinkle with oregano and garlic
- Microwave (covered) on high for 30 seconds
Pita Bread Crisps
- 1 round of pita bread
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Garlic granules and oregano
- Oil spray
- Carefully open up the round of pita bread
- Sprinkle the interior with shredded Parmesan cheese
- Close over and cut into quarters
- Sprinkle with garlic granules and oregano
- Spray lightly with oil
- Bake in a moderate (175°C) toaster oven for 10 minutes.
Pita Bread Pizza
- 1 round of pita bread (15cm circumference)
- 2–3 cherry tomatoes, halved (or 2 tbsp. diced tomatoes, drained)
- 1–2 mushrooms, sliced
- 1–2 tbsp. diced bacon
- Oregano
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese
- Distribute tomatoes, mushrooms and bacon on pita round
- Sprinkle with oregano
- Cover with mozzarella and sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese
- Bake in a moderate (175°C) toaster oven for 10 minutes
Garlic Toast
- 1 slice wholegrain bread
- 1 tbsp. (approx.) shredded Parmesan cheese
- Butter or margarine
- Garlic granules and parsley
- Spread bread with butter and cut into two or four pieces
- Place on an oven tray lined with baking paper
- Sprinkle with garlic, Parmesan cheese and parsley
- Bake in a moderate (175°C) toaster oven for 10 minutes or grill for 2 minutes
Pizza Toast
- 1 slice wholegrain bread
- 2 cherry tomatoes, chopped (or 1 tbsp. diced tomatoes, drained)
- 1 mushroom, sliced or 1 tbsp. diced bacon
- 2 tbsp. shredded mozzarella
- Shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Butter or margarine
- Lightly toast and butter the bread
- Place toast on an oven tray (lined with baking paper)
- Sprinkle bread with Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Distribute tomatoes, mushrooms or bacon across the bread
- Top with mozzarella
- Bake in a pre-heated, moderate (175°C) toaster oven for 10 minutes (or grill for 5 minutes)
Roasted Chickpeas
- 1 x 125gm can chickpeas
- Oil spray
- Paprika or mild curry powder
- Drain and rinse chickpeas
- Pat dry with a cloth or paper towel and/or air dry until quite dry
- Preheat toaster oven to 200°C
- Place chickpeas on an oven tray, spray with oil and stir until evenly coated
- Spread evenly on tray
- Roast chickpeas for 10–15 minutes
- Sprinkle with spices and serve warm
Carrot Chips
- ½ cup carrot
- 2 tsp. olive or canola oil
- Cinnamon and/or ginger
- Slice carrot diagonally into paper thin slices
- Place in a bowl with oil and spices and toss to coat evenly
- Spread on an oven tray lined with baking paper
- Roast in a pre-heated hot (200°C) toaster oven for 20 minutes, turning once