51 Easy Snacks to Make at Home (That Aren’t Cheese and Crackers for the Millionth Time)

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2

I said no cheese and crackers...but this over-the-top version of the last-minute snack is fair game. And because I designed it specifically for midnight snacking, there are no stand mixers or fancy appliances required—just a little elbow grease (although, you can easily mix the cheese and fry the bacon ahead of time). Bonus points for candying the bacon in maple syrup and brown sugar.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2

This salty, savory gem with a glass of wine? Swoon. I decided to mash the seasonings into the butter before pouring it, so each piece of popcorn is dripping with garlicky, cheesy splendor. Ideally, you should use plain kernels and pop them on the stove or in an air popper, but I won’t tell if you spruce up a bag of the microwave variety instead. Layer in crushed red pepper flakes for added kick.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

This beauty is practically no-cook, since all the recipe calls for is toasting the pita in a skillet. The rest is all store-bought ingredients, like hummus, marinated artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers. Assemble the spread across four plates and wash it all down with a glass of white.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

The timeless party appetizer was overdue for an umami-rich makeover. "They sort of taste like if you took gyerang bap, or egg rice, and turned it into a single party bite," recipe creator Eric Kim writes. "Salty from soy sauce, nutty from sesame oil and full of deep savoriness from the roasted seaweed." The best part? You can prep the filling two days ahead.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, vegan
• Serves: 6

High heat and a mandoline are all you need to make these crispy baked chips. Using a variety of root vegetables offers a beautiful range of colors, flavors and textures—but if you only have one or two of the suggested ingredients, that’s OK too. Feel free to riff on the herbs as well, though I'm partial to sage, rosemary, and thyme.

• Time Commitment: 48 hours (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: vegan, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4

Pickling vegetables is a great way to preserve produce and transform it into a more tantalizing, easy snack. These Kirby cucumbers turn mouth-puckering and zingy after two days in a vinegary brine. They'll also keep for up to two weeks.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegan, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Consider this your challenge to do better than baby carrots straight out of the bag, drenched in ranch dressing. A gorgeous presentation gives you the easy snack break you deserve. Recipe creator Sarah Copeland recommends preparing an extra batch of the romesco to spread on future sandwiches.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

After thinly slicing the sweet spuds, all you need to do is oil them up, toss them in herbs and seasoning and bake to crispy perfection. Serve them with ketchup, or get creative—a curry sauce or spicy aioli would take things up a notch.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 8

Sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning come together to emulate pizza in this zesty snack mix. And if you're making it ahead for a road trip, hiking excursion or another event, you're in luck: It'll keep for up to a week, unlike actual pizza. "Most trail mixes are packed with dried fruit and tend to have a lot of sugar, but this one has only 3 grams per serving," recipe creator Brittany Mullins adds.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 4

So much better than the version from the freezer aisle, these poppers are super easy to make—and even easier to eat. No game day is complete without 'em, whether you're partial to cream cheese (as seen here) or nacho cheese filling. Keep them vegetarian by leaving out the bacon...or don't.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, one pot, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

Sometimes, an impeccably cooked egg just...hits the spot. This high-protein, easy snack idea takes mere minutes to make—and seconds to scarf down. Serve them with rice, savory oatmeal, ramen or with nothing at all. (I'd have them solo with a few dashes of hot sauce.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, low sugar, air fryer recipe
• Serves: 4

Slice your vegetables (I like sweet potatoes, carrots and beets) on a mandoline to ensure thin, even rounds. When frying, it’s recommended to give the basket or pan a shake every five minutes or so to ensure even cooking. Make a triple batch, and your midnight snack is set for the week. Ta-da.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free
• Serves: 4

This low-effort, high-nutrient snack idea is everything. Get creative with the spices you use (the recipe suggests a shawarma seasoning mix or curry powder, for starters), and make sure to toast them for the full 30 minutes. This ensures a shatteringly delicious crunch.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten-free, Paleo-friendly, Whole30-approved
• Serves: 30

Although it's difficult not to eat all of the components before they come together, the assembled bites are certainly a drool-worthy sight to behold. Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning if necessary, and if cilantro is a point of contention, go ahead and leave it out.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It:  <30 minutes, no cook, gluten free, vegan, low sugar
• Serves: 6

I'm always in the mood for the sweet and spicy flavors of this summer starter. "This is a medium-hot salsa, but it all depends on how spicy your peppers are," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen explains. "Feel free to adjust the heat to taste, using more or less jalapeño—and omitting the cayenne—for a milder or hotter flavor."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6

No tent or campfire necessary—these s'mores are sofa-friendly and just as good as the real thing. "The 'mallows will be toasty and the chocolate melted just enough without all the fuss," former PureWow food editor Heath Goldman writes. Because the broiler works quickly, keep an eye on the marshmallows while they're toasting.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6

This granola hits that sweet spot between snack and dessert, thanks to a hearty mix of brown sugar oats, chocolate chunks and almonds. Eat it by the handful or with milk. Just make sure it cools before adding the chocolate, so the individual chunks don't melt.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 12

You'll never buy granola bars again once you see how easy it is to make your own. These are pretty nutritious, but that shouldn't stop you from finishing them with a drizzle of chocolate. Since there are 12 bars per batch, you can share them with your coworkers...or eat them all yourself in a week or two.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

You deserve a fancy toast. In fact, you deserve many fancy toasts. Start your snacking on the right foot with this one, which is pretty enough to serve at brunch yet easy enough to tackle on a random weekday. Sprinkle it with extra lemon zest for an Insta-worthy finishing touch.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 20

Greek yogurt makes up most of the filling for these sweet cuties, so yes, they’re a healthy-ish snack. (In my book, that means I'm going for seconds. And thirds.) Let them sit in the refrigerator to firm up before serving.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Have a watermelon on your hands? Make this frozen dessert that is 100 percent fruit and lasts for weeks in your freezer (if you don’t eat it all in one sitting, that is). "I think seeded watermelons have better flavor, but if you can't be bothered with seeds, pick one that's seedless," recipe developer Erin McDowell suggests.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan
• Serves: 1

No bananas, no problem. Adding cauliflower to boost this smoothie’s creaminess in lieu of the popular fruit might just be the best thing GP’s ever done. Mix the recipe up with whatever berries or greens you have on hand; let your overstuffed crisper drawer be your guide.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, high protein, dairy free
• Serves: 1

Replace your candy bar cravings with this smoothie that mimics everything that’s great about a peanut butter cup, from the chocolatey cocoa powder to the flaky sea salt. The vanilla almond milk adds another layer of dessert-inspired flavor to the sipper that you'll adore.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8

This cake-inspired snack idea is dippable and oh-so decadent. Those concerned about consuming raw flour in the cake mix can microwave it on high in 30-second intervals, until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165°F. This effectively cooks the flour and will keep you from getting sick.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, one bowl, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

Sometimes, you just need a brownie break in the middle of the day. These easy handhelds (which are loaded with crumbled Oreos for good measure, BTW) are here for you. And don't worry: The brownies are nut-free—although you can add some if you'd prefer. They pair beautifully with fresh berries and vanilla ice cream too...but you already knew that.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, gluten free, vegan
• Serves: 12

Cashew butter is the base for these creamy, sweet, turmeric-filled bites. Melted coconut butter can double as frosting, if you're feeling decadent. But I'm partial to rolling them in toasted coconut flakes for texture and a pretty aesthetic. They're worth making an extra batch, trust me.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, vegan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

These cookies have everything: tahini, maple syrup, oatmeal, my heart. While it's an easy snack recipe, the creator stresses that small changes make a big difference, so measuring carefully is crucial. Prepare a second batch of dough for the freezer, so you have some on hand to bake whenever a craving strikes.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12

If you have 20 minutes and a bounty of fresh peaches, you'll want to whip up a batch of these simple bars. The recipe takes 20 minutes to pull together and comes out of the oven in less than 40. Dig in while they're warm, but know that they keep marvelously in the fridge for a few days, so you'll have a midnight snack at the ready.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, <30 minutes
• Serves: 20

Cinnamon and sugar are a great pairing, especially in a gluten- and dairy-free package. These bites are loaded with almond butter, maple syrup and vegan chocolate (add dried cranberries, if you're feeling creative). They're the perfect pick-me-up to combat the afternoon slump.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free
• Serves: 2

This sweet yet all-natural snack idea is easy to make, and it's great for on-the-go munching and kids' lunches. Once the bananas are finished, feel free to slather on your nut butter of choice (or fine, melted chocolate) before digging in.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 2

This is a timeless, easy snack idea that soothes my inner child. It's even simple enough for kids to make on their own (hint, hint). Crunchy peanut butter is definitely ideal for texture, but creamy is fine for your picky eater. "You can also swap almond butter or another nut—or nutless—butter, and dried cranberries or cherries can replace the raisins…or go wild with carrot sticks, hummus and pine nuts for an entirely new take," Gillen suggests.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 3

These Cheez-Its replicas are extremely easy to make, and you can customize the type of cheese you use to suit your palate (although I'm sold on a mix of freshly grated cheddar and aged Parmesan). When you're done making them, store them in an airtight container for up to a week.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, no cook, no bake
• Serves: 10

Don't let the prep time deter you: It's almost entirely hands-off. Even better, this treat is naturally colored instead of infused with artificial dyes. Once you've obtained your fruit juices and molds, the work is halfway done. You can just chill until the ice pops are...well, chilled.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

I relish sipping this cozy bev from my favorite mug every chance I get, but this version is so rich that you'll need a utensil to enjoy it. Swap in semisweet or milk chocolate for bittersweet to make it sweeter and more kid-friendly, or omit the cornstarch to keep it drinkable. 

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, vegan, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Your Taco Tuesday spread just got a million times more impressive. Serve these chips with plenty of guacamole and salsa. (Might I suggest this grilled mango variety?) Regardless, eat them ASAP; while they stay good for up to two days, they're best served hot.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

Congrats on adulthood: You can finally eat as many fruit roll-ups as you want—and from scratch! The recipe is for mango-peach or strawberry-blackberry varieties, but it also provides instructions for making the basic roll-ups, so you can choose your own fruits and customize to your picky eaters' liking.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

Who remembers downing an entire pack of Milano cookies as an afternoon snack? (No? Just me?) Good news: This recipe makes a few bags’ worth, and the whole process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. For a fresh spin on the chocolate filling, add mint extract to the mix.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 9

A hot slice of cornbread is a wonder in and of itself, but the addition of sweet potatoes makes it straight-up magical. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have fresh sweet potato, feel free to swap in canned purée. Serve it warm with butter, maple syrup or honey (or heck, all three).

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 6

This tray of loaded tots is serving big snack energy. "Tortilla chips are great and all, but crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside potatoes just so happen to be an ideal base for nacho toppings, like spicy chorizo and melty cheese," Gillen asserts. "Add your favorite salsa, a drizzle of sour cream, some scallions, pickled onions and cilantro."

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, vegan, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <30 minutes
• Serves: 8

Part guacamole and part hummus, this party dip is a fabulous collaboration for the indecisive. (And yes, you can dip both pita and tortilla chips into this photogenic chickpea snack.) Consider adding extra cayenne or a drizzle of hot sauce if you have a hankering for spice.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

These two-bite cuties are the best easy snack idea for when you’re contemplating your next meal. Brie and bread make it filling, while fresh mint and balsamic strawberries fancy it up just a touch. Additionally, you can totally mix up the toppings if you're feeling a different fruit or condiment (peaches and honey, perhaps?).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegan, make ahead
• Serves: 6

If standard potato chips are more your thing, I've got you covered. Broiling thinly sliced spuds coated in oil creates crispy chips that are even better than their store-bought counterparts. And even though the Old Bay seasoning is technically optional, I can't imagine why you'd skip it.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 12

You know that nuts are a healthy, easy snack, but they can also be...kinda boring. Zhuzh them up with flaky salt, dry seasonings and fresh herbs, then eat them warm to take them out of womp-womp territory. McDowell suggests using a mix of whole almonds, pecan halves, walnut halves, cashews and pistachios, but the options are endless.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegan
• Serves: 6

If you have a bag of edamame in your freezer, you essentially have everything you need to prepare this vitamin-packed finger food. The recipe makes four to six servings (although I wouldn't blame you for not sharing). Smoked paprika and lemon zest will bring every bite to life.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10

Soft pretzels stuffed with cheese are the epitome of self-care—even if you do end up scorching your mouth on that hot, melty Brie. Go the extra mile by finishing the bites with everything bagel seasoning instead of coarse salt.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Everyone likes mozzarella sticks, so this one is kind of a no-brainer. But these are bite-size, meaning they're extra snackable. Pick your favorite marinara sauce or pesto—just try your best to wait for them to cool before devouring. They're well worth the patience.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 6

A healthy alternative to grains, chickpeas crisp up nicely and are snackable by the handful. Get creative with the spices—the ones in the recipe (sumac! smoked paprika! garlic!) are only a suggestion, so feel free to riff to your heart's content.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, vegan
• Serves: 12

Walnuts and sweet bananas add so much texture to this snackable bread. It's bound by a flax egg, which is likely not as complicated a vegan egg substitute as you may think. Once it's cooled, slather some slices with plant-based butter, cream cheese or Nutella.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

Dress up a regular pack of saltines with this easy snack recipe that makes the plain crackers equal parts sweet, spicy and crispy. Be sure to butter them generously, but not too much—there's nothing worse than a soggy snack that's supposed to be crunchy.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, crowd pleaser
• Serves: 6

Imagine noshing on a crispy, hot chicken flauta while curled up with the latest Netflix drop and your bev of choice. Yeah—it's totally doable. You only need three ingredients: rotisserie chicken, flour tortillas and cheese. (Oh, and lots of sour cream and salsa for dipping, of course.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour (including chill time)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 24

Sweet-and-salty snack fans will love these ridiculously easy candies, which are prime for noshing and gifting alike. With just four ingredients and about ten minutes of work, you’ll have a pile of them to store for whenever you need a sweet treat.