20 Healthy Homemade Snacks for an Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

By Melanie Fincher
lutzflcat

When afternoon hunger strikes, curb your cravings with these healthy homemade snacks that you'll actually look forward to eating. These nutrient-dense snacks can all be made at home, saving you money and a trip to the grocery store. From dips to chips to granola, there's a little something on this list for every hungry snacker in your household. So before you reach for the cookie jar again, give one of these 20 healthy homemade snacks a try.

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No-Bake Energy Bites

KGora
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The protein-packed bites can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer for easy, guilt-free snacking. "To help keep the mix from sticking to my hands, I refrigerate it for about 30 minutes before making them into balls," says reviewer Hiedi Heaton. 

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Baked Kale Chips

sanzoe
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Kale chips make a great alternative to traditional potato chips, and they're ready to eat in just 20 minutes. "Kale is one of the most nutritious veggies there is and this recipe makes the most of it," says reviewer NKashinsky. 

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Playgroup Granola Bars

Molly
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Recipe creator PREGOCOOK says, "My girlfriend brought these granola bars over for a playgroup one morning and ever since they've been a staple! My son requests them almost daily so I usually triple the recipe and make 2 trays so we have plenty on hand." While these bars will certainly be a hit with the kids at playgroups, adults will enjoy them just as much. 

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D's Famous Salsa

Rock_lobster
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This quick and easy salsa uses canned tomatoes so you’ll always have the ingredients on hand. "I was skeptical that it could really taste fresh with canned tomatoes, but it truly does," says reviewer HEIDI. "I didn’t change a thing and it was mild and flavorful."

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Spiced Sweet Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

larkspur
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"I liked it because of the easiness and quickness - everything goes into the blender," says reviewer MNEMOSYNE. "I also liked the flavor that the roasted red peppers gave."

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Extra Easy Hummus

larkspur
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Can’t find tahini in the grocery store? This recipe doesn't use it and takes just minutes to make. "Who would've thought a little can of garbanzo beans could transform into something so delicious," says reviewer Jillian. "It doesn't get easier or much simpler than this!"

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Baked Tortilla Chips

Melissa Goff
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"Tasty baked tortilla chips you make at home that are much better than store bought chips," says recipe creator Michele O'Sullivan. Lime juice, cumin, and chili powder give these chips a zesty bite. 

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Mango Salsa

Heydoudou
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"This is an easy recipe to make that is healthy and colorful at the table," says reviewer recipesnc. Use the leftovers of this salsa to top blackened fish for dinner. 

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Granola Bars III

lutzflcat
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"Love this recipe," says reviewer BENSTON36. "I make variations on it constantly - never the same twice. I often use up whatever open packages are left after other baking, our favorites are chocolate chips, raisins, slivered almonds, craisins, coconut, and M&Ms."

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Texas Caviar I

Rock_lobster
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"Here's a spicy Texas favorite. Black-eyed peas and black beans are marinated in a fiery, flavorful mixture," says recipe creator ELKINSMEG. "This is great with tortilla chips or bread -- and plenty of cold iced tea!"

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Thai Chicken Balls

MomTo6
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Enjoy these meatballs as a stand alone snack or pair them with noodles for a meal like reviewer LKFITNESS: "Loved these! I put them with Thai noodles and they were delicious."

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Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

RLMcKay3
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Crispy and delicious tortilla chips are paired with a fresh serving of fruit. "This was a beautiful combination of colors and flavors," says reviewer Jillian. "And no matter what assortment of fresh fruit you use it’s bound to be good so use your favorites and use the recipe as a guide."

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Curried Hummus


Kitchen Kitty
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"By far the best tasting hummus I have made," says reviewer ZIBD. "The curry gives a new twist on this dish." Full of flavor and nutrients, this snack is as filling as it is delicious. 

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Cranberry Nut Granola Bars

SeattleFarmersMarketGirl
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Another granola bar makes the list, this time with cranberries, nuts, pumpkin seeds, and oats. But you can always change the recipe to fit your taste. Recipe creator SeattleFarmersMarketGirl says, "This is one fast and totally addicting recipe. It's easy to adjust to your tastes or what's in your cupboard - try adding chocolate chips, coconut, raisins, cherries or a spoonful of peanut butter. You'll be making this every week."

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Spicy Sweet Potato Chips


Seattle25Sydney
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"Yummy and easy, even the kids like it and they usually won't touch sweet potatoes," says reviewer chrislala. These easy sweet potato chips are a little sweet and a little spicy, thanks to the maple syrup and cayenne pepper. 

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Puerto Rican Tostones (Fried Plantains)

Melissa Goff
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"As a Puerto Rican I know and love platanos well," says reviewer Alexis Santos-Vimos. "They're an easy side dish and can take the place of other sides like rice or potatoes."

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Granola Bars

lutzflcat
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"My kids loved it," says reviewer rosie. "Simple and way healthier than store bought." Some reviewers suggest lowering the cook time so the bars don't dry out. 

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Apple Chips

NERDBOX
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This is for those of you who prefer your fruit in chip form. "These yummy cinnamon apple chips will disappear almost as quickly as you make them! They're perfect for healthy snacks and easy to take on the road. The secret is baking at a very low temperature for a long time, which dehydrates the apples," says recipe creator walkerkr.

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Green Onion Cakes

CC<3's2bake
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Use ingredients you have on hand to turn leftover green onions into a savory snack. "This was such an easy and delicious recipe," says reviewer cruisergirl21. "I have never made green onion cakes myself but my parents and grandma always did growing up. This really brought back good memories!"

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Okra Patties

Seattle2Sydney
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"These fried okra patties are made from fresh okra and onion in a cornmeal batter. A delightful southern-style snack," says recipe creator REDIRG.

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