You come home from a long day at school and feel utterly exhausted. With more homework and tasks to cross off your list waiting for you, you need something energizing to get you through the remainder of the day. A quick and nourishing snack is exactly what you need. These snacks are perfect to enjoy while getting started on homework, and best of all, these recipes can be made in just a few minutes with ingredients that you most likely have.
Homemade Trail Mix
Combining some peanuts, cashews, almonds, raisins, and M&M's is one of the simplest snacks you can make in just a matter of minutes. You can easily customize this snack by adding other kinds of nuts and dried fruit. You can double the recipe or just make enough for one serving.
Homemade trail mix is also a great snack to take on the go. Simply pack in an air-tight bag or container to enjoy after school immediately.
A Twist on Apples and Peanut Butter
There's no denying that apples and peanut butter are a delicious and satisfying snack. But, it can also get boring fast. Add a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, a spoonful or two of creamy peanut butter, and a dash of cinnamon before finally mixing. Along with incorporating peanut butter into the snack, the simple inclusion of yogurt, honey, and cinnamon will make for a much more satiating snack.
Peanut Butter And Chocolate Dates
The combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and dates is the perfect sweet and filling snack that only requires a few ingredients. After removing the pits from the dates, add a slit in each of them to hold the peanut butter or the nut butter of your choice. Add a few chocolate chips in between, and you'll have yourself a snack that will not only cure your sweet tooth but hold you over until your next meal. Sprinkle a bit of salt on top to balance the sweet and salty flavors.
Popcorn Mix
To a bowl of popcorn, add handfuls of your favorite pantry snacks, which can include roasted peanuts, pretzels, chocolate, and more. Make in bulk and enjoy throughout the week. This snack is perfect to munch on as you complete homework.
Protein Balls
When you're in dire need of energy after hours at school, protein balls are an easy and satiating snack. Mix oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and a sweetener of your choice together to form the protein balls. Feel free to add other mix-ins, including shredded coconut and chia seeds. Store in the fridge or freezer for up to a week and grab for an easy snack.
Pizza Toast
Feeling like a slice of pizza but want a snack right away? To make pizza toast, take a slice of bread of your choosing. Toast the bread for a minute or two before adding some red sauce and shredded cheese.
Feel free to add other ingredients and toppings include pepperoni, mushrooms, black olives, and more. Place the bread in your toaster oven for a few more minutes before taking it out to enjoy.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Apple Chips
Thinly slice an apple before sprinkling it with some cinnamon. Set your air fryer to 300°F. Tossing the apple slices every 5 minutes, air fry for a total of 15 minutes.
If you do not have access to an air fryer, you can easily bake the apple chips in an oven. Let the apple chips cool before digging in. Pair with an optional dip of honey and Greek yogurt.
Homemade Granola
Making homemade granola is super easy and a great snack for meal prep to enjoy throughout the week. Add two cups of oats to a baking sheet (with parchment paper), along with any seeds, nuts, and toppings of your choice, and bake for about 20 minutes at 300°F. Enjoy with some yogurt or by itself for a quick snack.
Snack Plate
When you can't make up your mind about what you're craving for a snack, a snack plate is the way to go. Simply take a handful of your favorite snacks that go together. For example, you may crave a combination of pretzels, crackers, cheese, and grapes.
Or, you may want a plate full of refreshing and sliced fruit. This is definitely one of the easiest snacks you can make and is perfect for when can't decide on just one snack.
Frozen Yogurt Bark
This is a snack perfect for a hot day. Spread Greek yogurt over a linked baking sheet, creating a smooth layer. Top with strawberries, blueberries, and granola.
Freeze until firm and then dig in! To add some sweetness, feel free to mix honey into the yogurt before spreading it onto the sheet. Store throughout the week for a quick snack.
Caprese Salad Skewers
Sick of vegetables but want a light and energizing snack? Caprese salad skewers are the snack for you. On a toothpick, add one mozzarella pearl, a cherry tomato, and a basil leaf.
Make as many skewers as you desire. Drizzle some balsamic glaze and olive oil to finish. Best of all, these delicious Caprese salad skewers only take a few minutes to prepare.
Chia Seed Pudding
The texture and taste of chia seed pudding is not for everyone. But, for chia seed pudding lovers, it is the perfect creamy and high protein snack to prepare in advance. Mix 3 to 4 tablespoons of chia seeds with about 1 cup of milk of your choice.
Add maple syrup or honey for sweetness. To add a twist to the otherwise fairly plain pudding, include a tablespoon of cocoa powder and/or peanut butter for extra flavor. Store in the fridge for a few hours or, if possible, overnight.
Whether you're craving something savory or sweet, there's a quick and easy after-school snack for everyone. After hours of studying and completing work at school, you may find yourself needing an extra push at the end of the day to complete the day's remaining tasks. Although a snack may seem awfully simple, it can provide you with a much-needed boost of energy.
