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  5. 29 Snacks You Should Be Making, Not Buying

29 Snacks You Should Be Making, Not Buying

A portrait of Alex Loh
Alex Loh Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD May 30, 2020
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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Once you make these snack recipes, you won't want to buy the store version again. These homemade versions are much healthier options and you can customize flavors depending on your tastes. Since these snacks aren't processed, the sodium levels are much lower than store-bought ones. Recipes like Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Granola Bars and Air-Fryer Crispy Chickpeas are tasty, nutritious and the perfect afternoon bite.

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Peanut Butter Energy Balls

peanut butter energy balls
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These healthy peanut butter and chocolate energy balls deliver a mixture of simple and complex carbohydrates to help fuel you up whenever you need a little boost. They're no-bake and easy to make with ingredients you probably have on hand, like oats and nut butter. Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins--for example, dried fruit or chopped nuts--in place of the chocolate chips and coconut. Source: Eatingwell.com, August 2019

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Cinnamon-Sugar Roasted Chickpeas

roasted chickpeas
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Roasting canned chickpeas until crispy makes a simple and healthy snack. In this riff on candied nuts, chickpeas are coated with cinnamon sugar to make them irresistible! This snack is best enjoyed the day it is made. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2018

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Lemon-Parm Popcorn

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Perk up your popcorn with a bit of lemon pepper and Parmesan cheese. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2011

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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

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These easy-to-make homemade granola bars are inspired by the flavors of a classic oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. But feel free to vary the mix-ins to your preference. We tested several sticky sweeteners, including maple syrup and honey, but found brown rice syrup held the bars together the best. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2017

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Microwave Potato Chips

Microwave Potato Chips
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You don't need a deep fryer to make crispy potato chips. We toss thinly sliced potatoes with just a touch of olive oil, pop them in the microwave and voilà! Crispy, crunchy homemade potato chips with 8 grams less fat per serving than regular chips. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2009

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Homemade Trail Mix

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Try this with portable mix with any combination of dried fruits and nuts. Source: EatingWell Magazine, Fall 2002

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Pumpkin Seeds with Everything Bagel Seasoning

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Everything bagel spices give these roasted pumpkin seeds an extra hit of flavor that's delicious any time of day. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2017

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Mango-Date Energy Bites

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Sweet, sticky dates act as the glue for these no-cook energy balls. Perfect for hikes or during sports, this healthy snack travels well.

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Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars

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These bars, packed with the sweet flavors of raisins and cinnamon, are inspired by oatmeal raisin cookies--but they're completely nut-free so they're school-friendly. We tested several sticky sweeteners, including maple syrup and honey, but found brown rice syrup held the bars together the best. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2017

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Sweet Potato Chips

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Make perfectly crunchy veggie chips at home with this healthy recipe. Use a mandoline to slice the sweet potatoes extra-thin for the optimum crunch! Source: EatingWell.com, December 2016

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Air-Fryer Crispy Chickpeas

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Air-fried chickpea snacks are intensely flavored and incredibly crunchy. Drying the chickpeas is essential to a good crunch, so don't skip this step. If you have time, leave them out on the counter to dry for an hour or two before frying. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Chili-Lime Brussels Sprout Chips

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If you like kale chips, you'll love these veggie chips too! The outer leaves of large Brussels sprouts make the best "chips." Plus, they're easier to remove than the tightly furled-together inner ones. Roast what's left over for dinner later in the week. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2019

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Chile-Lime Peanuts

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These spicy nuts were inspired by ones sold by street vendors across Mexico. If you can only find salted peanuts, omit the added salt. Add the maximum amount of cayenne pepper if you want an extra hit of spice. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2010

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Popcorn Crunch Mix

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This sweet and savory popcorn mix is ready in just 10 minutes and is a bit of a magic trick--it's so good it disappears right before your eyes! Honey-nut cereal squares, lightly-salted popcorn, and chocolaty peanuts are drizzled with melted chocolate and provide amazing taste in each bite. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Homemade Multi-Seed Crackers

Homemade Multi-Seed Crackers
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Turn leftover brown rice and quinoa from dinner or meal-prepping into these delicious crispy crackers that are loaded with three good-for-you seeds--and create an everything-bagel flavor, without the bagel. The whole grains that make up this copycat cracker recipe add lots of fiber for a healthy snack that pairs perfectly with hummus or cheese. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2018

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Apricot-Sunflower Granola Bars

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Easy to make at home, these nut-free granola bars can be adjusted to your taste preferences. Simply vary the add-ins to your taste, swapping 2 cups of any combination of small (or chopped) dried fruit, seeds and/or chocolate chips for the apricots and seeds in this version. We tested several sticky sweeteners, including maple syrup and honey, but found brown rice syrup held the bars together the best. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2017

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Fruit Energy Balls

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Make a big batch of these no-bake energy balls to keep on hand when hunger strikes or you need a healthy pick-me-up. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2019

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Oven-Baked Garlic-Herb Potato Chips

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Thin slices of russet and sweet potatoes are brushed with herb-infused olive oil and baked until golden brown and crispy. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Fruit & Nuts Snack Mix

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Whip up a big batch of this sweet and salty mix for on-the-go fuel or to have on hand for after-school snacks. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2017

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Kale Chips with Lemon-Pepper Seasoning

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Green leafy veggies get addictively crispy in this simple snack recipe. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Roasted Buffalo Chickpeas

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Soaking chickpeas in vinegary hot sauce gives them a mouthwatering tang before they crisp up in the oven. The result? An addictively crunchy snack that's actually good for you. Source: EatingWell.com, November 2017

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Ranch Pumpkin Seeds

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Making your own ranch dressing mix is easy to do and cuts down on sodium and eliminates additives. We replicate the distinctive flavor of ranch with buttermilk powder in this easy roasted pumpkin seed recipe. It's a convenient staple to have on hand for muffins and baked goods, too. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2018

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Everything Bagel Microwave Popcorn

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Full of umami-rich flavors inspired by the classic bagel, this easy popcorn snack is sure to make your mouth water. Source: EatingWell.com, November 2018

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Sweet and Salty Roasted Nuts

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Spicy seasonings add a bit of zing to roasted nuts for an appetizer that's perfect for any occasion. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Salsa Snack Mix

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This homemade snack mix is easy to prepare--crunchy crackers, cereal squares, and miniature pretzels are flavored with a zesty salsa-inspired seasoning mix that takes just minutes to throw together. Bake until crisp and then set it out at a party or offer it to your kids for a fun after-school snack. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Healthy Dark Chocolate "Puppy Chow"

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Crunchy, sweet, salty ... healthy?! Yes, indeed. We gave this classic sweet treat, also called muddy buddies, a grown-up makeover using whole-grain cereal and dark chocolate. Dig in! Source: EatingWell.com, October 2017

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Coconut Fruit & Nut Bars

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With just five ingredients, these simple, no-bake energy bars are tastier than any bars you can buy! Dates, cashews, almonds and coconut whir up in the food processor for an easy homemade version of a Larabar. Pack one up for a healthy snack for work, or send some off with your kids for an energizing snack before soccer practice. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2018

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Spiced Crackers

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Give plain crackers a flavorful boost when you roast them with paprika and oregano. For a touch of smokiness, try smoked paprika instead of regular. Serve with hummus, cheese or your favorite dip. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2018

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Gorp

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Try customizing this basic recipe with your favorite dried fruits and nuts. Source: EatingWell Magazine, Spring 2004

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    1 of 29 Peanut Butter Energy Balls
    2 of 29 Cinnamon-Sugar Roasted Chickpeas
    3 of 29 Lemon-Parm Popcorn
    4 of 29 Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
    5 of 29 Microwave Potato Chips
    6 of 29 Homemade Trail Mix
    7 of 29 Pumpkin Seeds with Everything Bagel Seasoning
    8 of 29 Mango-Date Energy Bites
    9 of 29 Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars
    10 of 29 Sweet Potato Chips
    11 of 29 Air-Fryer Crispy Chickpeas
    12 of 29 Chili-Lime Brussels Sprout Chips
    13 of 29 Chile-Lime Peanuts
    14 of 29 Popcorn Crunch Mix
    15 of 29 Homemade Multi-Seed Crackers
    16 of 29 Apricot-Sunflower Granola Bars
    17 of 29 Fruit Energy Balls
    18 of 29 Oven-Baked Garlic-Herb Potato Chips
    19 of 29 Fruit & Nuts Snack Mix
    20 of 29 Kale Chips with Lemon-Pepper Seasoning
    21 of 29 Roasted Buffalo Chickpeas
    22 of 29 Ranch Pumpkin Seeds
    23 of 29 Everything Bagel Microwave Popcorn
    24 of 29 Sweet and Salty Roasted Nuts
    25 of 29 Salsa Snack Mix
    26 of 29 Healthy Dark Chocolate "Puppy Chow"
    27 of 29 Coconut Fruit & Nut Bars
    28 of 29 Spiced Crackers
    29 of 29 Gorp

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