Snacks

Snacks are like the quick pit stops in a road trip—they keep you going between meals! They’re smaller bites you grab when you’re hungry but not ready for a full meal. Snacks give you energy, keep cravings in check, and help you stay focused throughout the day.

Flavored Popcorns

Caramel Popcorn

Serving Size: Makes approximately 8 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: Approximately 200 calories per cup

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
8 cups popped popcorn

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C).
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup; bring to a boil. Let it boil for 4-5 minutes without stirring.
Remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract and baking soda.
Pour the caramel over popped popcorn in a large bowl, tossing to coat evenly.
Spread the coated popcorn onto a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Allow to cool before serving.

Cheese Popcorn

Serving Size: Makes approximately 8 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: Approximately 150 calories per cup

Ingredients:

8 cups popped popcorn
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt to taste

Instructions:

Place popped popcorn in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, mix together Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the popcorn, tossing to ensure even coverage.
Serve immediately.

Chocolate Drizzle Popcorn

Serving Size: Makes approximately 8 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: Approximately 180 calories per cup

Ingredients:

8 cups popped popcorn
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions:

Place popped popcorn in a large bowl.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips with vegetable oil in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn, tossing to coat.
Sprinkle with sprinkles if desired.
Allow the chocolate to set before serving.

Spicy Popcorn

Serving Size: Makes approximately 8 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: Approximately 130 calories per cup

Ingredients:

8 cups popped popcorn
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt to taste

Instructions:

Place popped popcorn in a large bowl.
Drizzle melted butter over the popcorn, tossing to coat.
In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
Sprinkle the spice mixture over the buttered popcorn, tossing to ensure even coverage.
Serve immediately.

Caramel and Nut Popcorn

Serving Size: Makes approximately 8 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: Approximately 220 calories per cup

Ingredients:

8 cups popped popcorn
1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C).
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup; bring to a boil. Let it boil for 4-5 minutes without stirring.
Remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract and baking soda.
In a large bowl, combine popped popcorn and mixed nuts.

MomJunction. “Popcorn Recipes for Kids.” MomJunction, 3 Feb. 2023, www.momjunction.com/articles/popcorn-recipes-for-kids_00355037/.

Apple Nachos

Serves 1 – 2 1x

Prep Time: 5 min

Total Time: 5 min

Ingredients

2 apples of choice
1/4 – 1/3 cup natural nut butter (peanut, almond, sunflower, etc.)
small handful chocolate chips
small handful shredded coconut
small handful slivered almonds, optional
sprinkle of cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Optional toppings:

hemp hearts
cacao nibs
raisins or currants
ground cardamom
pure maple syrup

Instructions

Apples: Wash, core and cut your apples into 1/4 inch slices. I like to cut mine into quarters, take a small paring knife and carefully remove the core and upper and lower end where dirt may still be collected (even after washing). Lay apple quarters on a flat surface with the inside of the apple facing up, carefully slice your apple into 1/4 inch slices, even 1/2 inch slices is good too. Whatever thickness you prefer, no rules here! Place apple slices in a small bowl with the lemon juice, toss to coat.

Nut butter: Heat your nut butter just until warmed and somewhat runny. I like to heat mine by using a small silicon bowl placed in a small pot with just enough water to reach half way up the side of the silicon bowl, heat water on low and gently heat the nut butter until warm and drizzable. Alternatively, warm in the microwave for 20 – 30 seconds.

Assemble: On a serving plate, lay your apple slices in a single layer around the outside edge, then layer another small layer over those but towards the inside center of the plate (like shown in the picture above). Drizzle the nut butter in a circular motion, from the middle of the plate to the outside edge. You can also just zig zag the almond butter from one side to the other if you like. Again, no rules – just do what you feel is best! Top with chocolate chips, coconut flakes, almonds and sprinkle of cinnamon (or whatever you’ve chosen to use as your toppings).

Serves one generously, or two as a small plate.

Notes

Use red or green apples, you may even consider using one of each for a combination of sweet & tart.

Make this 100% raw by using raw nut butters, raw cacao chips, and unsweetened shredded coconut.

Veganista, Julie. “Healthy Apple Nachos.” The Simple Veganista, 13 July 2021, https://simple-veganista.com/apple-nachos/.