Make it easier to feed yourself throughout the day with these easy snack ideas for adults. With make-ahead options that are nutritious, easy, and seriously yummy, these homemade snacks are here to nourish and fuel you all day long.
I know it can be hard to feed ourselves through our busy days with work, kids, and life, so these snack ideas are here to help make it a little easier on you.
You’ll find ideas with lower added sugar, higher protein, and nutritious ingredients. Options include yogurts, smoothies, shakes, snack bars, protein muffins, and more.
Each is a balanced snack in its own right or it can be combined with other foods as you like. So use these as snacks or mini meals to keep yourself energized on even the busiest days.
(You may also like Mom Lunch Ideas, Postpartum Snack Ideas, healthy Pregnancy Snacks, and Protein Snacks for Kids for more related ideas.)
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Fruit and Nut Bars
Larabars have forever been one of my go-to snacks, but since they stopped making the mini ones (and because they can be expensive), I started making this recipe.
With just 5 simple and nutritious ingredients and no baking, these Fruit and Nut Bars taste like store-bought Larabars but for less cost. You can customize the flavors and store them in the fridge or freezer for weeks.
Fruit and Nut Bars (Copycat Larabar)
No Bake Chocolate Balls
I love an easy recipe that doesn’t require turning on the oven, and this one is seriously satisfying. These are so easy to make and basically taste like a brownie bite.
Keep a batch of these SO-yummy Chocolate Balls on hand for when the next chocolate craving strikes—or simply when you want to share a yummy snack or dessert with the kids. They have only 5 ingredients and store ridiculously well in the fridge for weeks.
Favorite Chocolate Balls (No-Bake)
Bliss Balls
I am a huge fan of no-bake snacks, including all manner of Energy Bites and energy balls, and these Bliss Balls are 100% my newest favorite. The berry flavor in these is seriously the best—it kind of reminds me of the intense berry flavor of a strawberry milkshake.
These no-bake Bliss Balls have bright berry flavor, are packed with protein and beneficial fats, have only 5 ingredients, and store ridiculously well in the fridge for weeks. They are a satisfying snack to share with the kids.
Favorite Bliss Balls
Peanut Butter Yogurt
This is so delicious and simple and also packs extra nutrients including protein and beneficial fats.
With a super creamy consistency and a flavor that is reminiscent of a peanut butter cookie, this Peanut Butter Yogurt is delicious. Plus, you can make it ahead of time, adjust the sweetness, and top it with fruit or granola as you like!
Favorite Peanut Butter Yogurt
Lemon Yogurt
The beauty of this lemon yogurt is you can make it with any yogurt you like, including plain whole-milk regular yogurt or plain whole milk Greek yogurt, low-fat or nonfat yogurt, if that’s what you have on hand, or even vanilla yogurt or a nondairy yogurt.
Learn the easiest way to make homemade Lemon Yogurt with the exact sweetness, tartness, and flavor your family prefers. This is ready in less than 5 minutes and is a perfect snack or breakfast component.
Favorite Lemon Yogurt
Chocolate Protein Shake
I am always looking for easy, filling breakfast ideas that I can make ahead of time for both myself and the kids, and this protein shake has been on repeat in recent months. I love it as a less-expensive option to the store-bought protein shakes (from brands like Orgain) and because I can make it using ingredients I usually have on hand.
With an easy method and nutritious ingredient list, this shake is a great on-the-go breakfast or snack for any age—toddler to adult. It stores in the fridge for up to 3 days, too.
Quick Chocolate Protein Shake
No Bake Chocolate Granola Bars
With just a handful of flavorful ingredients (including chocolate and peanut butter), these crispy no-bake Chocolate Granola Bars are delish as a snack or dessert.
With about 10 minutes of prep time, you can make the most delicious homemade granola bars to last for many snack times to come. These bars are easiest to slice after chilling a bit, so plan to let them firm up in the fridge before you cut them.
No-Bake Chocolate Granola Bars
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
They taste like a cookie bar with fresh, sweet berries in the middle. So yummy!
Bake a batch of these simple, yet delicious Strawberry Oatmeal Bars to share with the kids. They’re easy to make in advance, are packed with strawberry flavor, and are great for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Homemade Hummus
Making hummus at home can seem daunting, but it’s actually really quick and easy to make. This creamy hummus tastes like the real thing and is a great vegetarian protein option for lunches and snacks.
With just 5 minutes and basic pantry ingredients, you can make the yummiest Homemade Hummus without tahini. This means that it’s nut-free, so it’s an option for school and allergy families, and it’s just perfect for dunking crackers or spreading on bread.
Homemade Hummus (Without Tahini)
Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie
This Strawberry Smoothie recipe with yogurt has just 3 ingredients and can even be made ahead.
You can use fresh or frozen berries in this simple Strawberry Smoothie and the results will have a texture that is similar to drinkable yogurt. To make it thicker and to try different flavor options, see the Notes at the end of the recipe.
Strawberry Smoothie with Yogurt
Banana Protein Muffins
This recipe gets its sweetness from ripe bananas and protein from eggs, yogurt, and peanut butter (though there are lots of allergy swaps!), so it’s both delicious and so satisfying.
Make quick work of breakfast or snack time with this satisfying (and so yummy) Protein Banana Muffins recipe. It’s a delicious mix of nutrients and perfect to make ahead and share with the kids.
Protein Banana Muffins
Pumpkin Protein Muffins
With cozy flavors and the most tender interior, these protein muffins are delicious in the fall and the rest of the year, too.
Make quick work of breakfast or snack time with these perfect-for-fall Pumpkin Protein Muffins. They have a yummy mix of nutrients and are perfect to share with the kids.
Pumpkin Protein Muffins
Chocolate Protein Muffins
These flourless Chocolate Protein Muffins pack in the nutrients but taste like a brownie. They are quickly mixed up in a blender and have so many nutrients tucked inside.
These simple blender muffins pack a serious nutrition punch and are dairy-free, with a nut-free option. I prefer the flavor of these once they are fully cooled and chilled in the fridge.
Chocolate Protein Muffins (With Veggies!)
How to Store
In general, these snacks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, though check each recipe for the specifics to be sure you have the correct information. Many of the recipes can be frozen, too.
Best Tips for Success
- Pair any snack with fresh fruit, milk, a handful of nuts, iced coffee, or other nutrient-rich food to round out the mini meal.
- Eat according to your own unique hunger, using portion sizes as a guide, not a rule.
- Add protein powder to smoothies and shakes to make them more filling as needed.