It must be snacking season because I’ve had a lot of emails lately asking for some healthy vegan snack ideas and I thought it was a great idea for a post. Many of the recipes below are also some of the most popular snack recipes of 2011, so I will also add this post to my Top Recipes of 2011 page for easy reference.
Ready to get your vegan snack attack on?
1. Endurance Crackers
My all-time favourite cracker and quite possibly one of the top 3 recipes so far in 2012. Endurance Crackers are extremely light and crispy while providing long-lasting energy. They are also vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, sugar-free, and oil-free to boot. Feel free to change up the seasonings and spices as you wish (see the comments in the original post for some ideas) and serve with protein-packed hummus for a snack that will fuel you for the long haul. Man, I wish I had some right now!
![IMG_7224 IMG_7224](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_7224.jpg)
2. Flu Buster Creamsicle Smoothie
Enjoy this ultra-creamy, thick, and energizing smoothie, with a hint of orange that will help keep those cold bugs at bay!
![IMG_7994-2 IMG_7994-2](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_7994-2.jpg)
3. Chocolate Cake Batter Smoothie
Love dipping your finger into a bowl of cake batter? I hear ya. Now the cake batter flavour we know and love is in smoothie form so you can slurp away to your hearts content.
![IMG_0913 IMG_0913](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_0913.jpg)
3. Salt & Vinegar Chickpeas
Just like my favourite salt and vinegar chips, but better. Enjoy these protein-packed, crispy chickpeas without any processed ingredients and a fraction of the fat.
![IMG_5225 IMG_5225](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_5225.jpg)
4. Easy Homemade Wheat Thins
Incredibly easy to make. Minimal ingredients. Best of all, they’re even better than the store bought version.
![IMG_1159 IMG_1159](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_1159.jpg)
5. Healthy Strawberry Oat Squares
Growing up, I always loved strawberry nutri-grain bars. These are similar in taste, but with all natural ingredients and much less sugar.
![20101018IMG_7581_thumb 20101018IMG_7581_thumb](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/20101018IMG_7581_thumb.jpg)
6. Half the Calories, Double the Fun Almond Butter
Adapted from the lovely Heather, this almond butter is the best thing to pair with a juicy apple or drizzled over fruit. Or just spoon it straight from the jar…you’ll see what I mean.
![IMG_5479 IMG_5479](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_5479.jpg)
7. The Hummus that Changed Everything
This is the homemade hummus that convinced me I can make a hummus as good as my favourite brands in the grocery store.
![IMG_4667 IMG_4667](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_4667.jpg)
8. Lightened Up Granola
I’ve always loved granola, but I rarely buy it because it tends to have as much sugar in it as many decadent desserts. This is my lightened-up version with the least amount of sweetener necessary while still tasting like granola should.
![IMG_6944 IMG_6944](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_6944.jpg)
9. Tropical Lemon Cranberry Coconut Chia Bars
Packed with chia seeds, dried cranberries, pistachios, and lemon, these bars are chewy, light, and tropical. I like to think of them as a tropical macaroon bar. They also make a perfect breakfast when you are running out the door!
![IMG_9416 IMG_9416](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9416.jpg)
10. Almond Butter Rice Crisp Treats
These Almond Butter Rice Crisp Treats are a gourmet version (read: no bake) of my beloved childhood rice crispy squares. Unlike the original, this recipe is made without marshmallows, but I promise you won’t miss them!
![IMG_7922 IMG_7922](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_7922.jpg)
for the rest click the link to continue…
11. No Bake Protein Energy Bars
Simple. Delicious. Addictive. 8 grams of protein per bar. Meet the protein bars that carried us through miles and miles of walking throughout NYC! I added protein powder to rev up the protein in these bars, making sure they would give me lasting energy when out and about. I wasn’t really sure what they would taste like with 1/2 cup of protein powder, but I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome! Just make sure you use a pleasant tasting protein powder and you’ll be fine. I used an unsweetened rice protein powder (Garden of Life) which worked great as it doesn’t have a strong flavour.
![IMG_4796 IMG_4796](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_4796.jpg)
12. Carrot Raisin Spice Muffins
Like carrot cake, but healthier. My favourite way to enjoy these muffins is slathered with Earth Balance or crumbled on top of a bowl of vegan overnight oats. Perfecto!
![IMG_4257-2 IMG_4257-2](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_4257-2.jpg)
13. Cheezy Hummus
This is what you get when you combine my cashew cheeze dip and my favourite hummus. Pure bliss in a bowl.
![IMG_8895 IMG_8895](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_8895.jpg)
14. Oil-Free Zucchini Walnut Raisin Loaf
A dense loaf, but not in a bad way. Whole grain spelt flour tends to make dense breads, but I just love the nutty flavour of spelt so I don’t mind. The walnuts, streusel, and raisins add just the right amount of sweetness and crunch and the zucchini gives moisture without needing any oil. You also can’t taste the zucchini at all, but you can see the pretty green flecks!
![IMG_7463 IMG_7463](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_7463.jpg)
15. Rustic Chocolate Chip Banana Oat Cake
Two pictures…just because I love it that much.
![IMG_06341 IMG_06341](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_06341.jpg)
Thanks to the ripe bananas, there is minimal sweetener and oil required in this snack cake.
![IMG_0583 IMG_0583](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_0583.jpg)
16. Frosty No Bake Glo Cakes
Prep time is just 3 minutes for these healthy frozen treats. It doesn’t get much quicker than that!
![IMG_1820_thumb IMG_1820_thumb](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_1820_thumb.jpg)
17. My Favourite Guacamole
Amazing with corn chips, spread on a wrap, spooned on a salad, or enjoyed with a fork…
![IMG_6160_thumb IMG_6160_thumb](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_6160_thumb.jpg)
18. 5 Minute & 5-Ingredient Almond Butter Chews
These Almond Butter Chews couldn’t be easier and they make a light pre-workout snack for about 100 calories each. They take 5 minutes to whip up, use just 1 bowl, and do not require an oven. You could even make them gluten-free. I use the Nature’s Path Rice Crisp cereal that is Gluten-Free.
![IMG_8364 IMG_8364](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_8364.jpg)
19. Healthy Chocolate Chia Pudding
I make this pudding when I want something indulgent tasting, but don’t feel like eating a ton of sugar. I love mixing carob powder and cocoa powder for a more complex chocolate flavour. The carob powder also adds a natural sweetness as an added bonus. If you don’t have carob, I suggest using a bit more cocoa powder and sweetener since it will be less sweet without the carob. Serve cold or heated up!
![IMG_6188 IMG_6188](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_6188.jpg)
20. Banana Split Vegan Overnight Oats
A rich and indulgent banana split…now made healthier.
![IMG_48572 IMG_48572](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_48572.jpg)
21. Blueberry Pie Chia Pudding
Last but not least, this is a recipe that I made over the weekend. It reminds me of blueberry pie, in chia seed pudding form.
![IMG_7648 IMG_7648](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_7648.jpg)
Pretty isn’t it? You can enjoy this warm or chilled depending on your mood.
The crumbled Basic Oatmeal Square really took it over the top. It’s like an upside down blueberry pie.
![IMG_7652 IMG_7652](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_7652.jpg)
22. On The Glow Basic Oatmeal Square
Think of this oatmeal square as basic baked oatmeal that can be dressed up any way you like. Each large square contains a tablespoon of flax and a teaspoon of chia seeds as well as 7 grams of fibre and 6 grams of protein. Feel free to add in nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, and other mix-ins as you desire.
![IMG_6373 IMG_6373](/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_6373.jpg)
Don’t forget to check out my Top Recipes of 2011 round up, filled with the blog’s most popular entrees, salads, breakfasts, and soups of last year!