As Bon Appétit’s resident snackers (conveniently seated across from each other in the office), we spend a lot of time passing snacks over our monitors between writing sessions and meetings. At this point we know a thing or two about healthy snacks—as nebulous as the term “healthy” may be. We’re constantly on the lookout for little treats between meals that also feel satiating and nutrient-rich, but are more exciting than an apple or a handful of nuts.
Of course, we also want snacks that taste really good—the kind of snacks that tempt us to eat the entire bag in one sitting. Sometimes that means nut-butter-filled dates, while other times, what we really want is a bag of sweet potato chips. In general, we reach for healthy snacks with protein (from nuts, beans, or meat), healthy fats, and fiber.
Could you make your own healthy snacks, like these nut butter granola bars? Yes. But sometimes you just want a quick bite that requires absolutely no effort. Everything on this list is store-bought, and since the market for healthy snacks is constantly growing, we’ll be trying all the newest ones and updating this list on a seasonal basis. Read on to see our favorite healthy snacks for spring, or scroll down to see our all-time favorites.
Fall Favorites
Seven Sundays Pumpkin Spice Oat Cereal
I discovered Seven Sundays while testing protein cereals and quickly became obsessed. I loved every variety, from the Super Fruity to the Cocoa Pebbles-like Cocoa Crunch, but recently I’ve been all in on the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Oat Protein Cereal. Like the rest of the protein cereal lineup, this autumnal offering has a short ingredient list full of foods you’ve actually heard of—corn, oats, maple syrup, coconut oil, and the like. The “pumpkin spice” flavor in question comes from real pumpkin puree and a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. I like to sprinkle it over yogurt or eat it with milk in the morning, or snack on it by the handful when I’m in need of a mid-workday pick-me-up. —Alaina Chou
Siggi’s Pumpkin Spice
I am not one to run for the hills as soon as pumpkin spice hits coffee shop menus and grocery shelves, but I can’t deny that I love a treat with pumpkin purée and warming spices as the weather cools. I was tempted to pick up Siggi’s pumpkin spice yogurt (along with MALK’s fall almond milk) thanks to the orange-hued, pumpkin-themed refrigerated display. I already love Siggi’s creamy, thick, protein-packed yogurt. I usually opt for the plain, but lately the pumpkin spice with a generous handful of granola and toasted pecans has really been scratching that autumnal itch. —Kate Kassin
Bjornqorn
Life is full of important lessons, like that popcorn is better solar-popped and lightly coated with nutritional yeast—Bjornqorn taught me this. The Upstate New York-based brand uses reflective mirrors that focus the sun’s rays on its kettles to pop its corn. The result is delightfully airy popcorn that, with just the right dose of salt and nutritional yeast, becomes addictively tasty despite its simplicity. I love the classic, but the spicy, which has added jalapeño pepper, has become my latest vice. —K.K.
Bjornqorn Savory 12-Pack Mix
Wilde Chips
Meat snacks can be hit or miss for me, but these chips from Wilde are a definite hit. They’re made from chicken breast, egg whites, and bone broth, which may sound unusual, but the result is a deeply savory, ultra-crunchy chip that’s got ten grams of protein per serving and is infinitely more satisfying than a bag of Lays. The Nashville Hot is my current favorite, but the brand also makes Sea Salt and Vinegar, Barbecue, and Himalayan Sea Salt if you’re looking for a more classic flavor option. —A.C.
Wilde Chips Protein Chips Variety Pack
Spirit Almonds
These almonds are so good that my father, who is not typically a snacker (I got that trait from my mother), subscribed to the variety pack after trying them. They aren’t just your run-of-the-mill salty almonds. They’re Japanese-flavored, dry-roasted almonds with umami-packed options like miso, curry, seaweed, and koji salt. There’s a nice balance of flavor with just enough seasoning that the flavor builds as you eat them. Plus, each single-serving pack has seven grams of protein and three grams of fiber, making them an extra great travel snack. —K.K.
Spirit Almonds Trial Sampler 6-pack
Elavi Protein Brownies
As someone who constantly needs a little sweet treat but also likes to prioritize protein, Elavi’s protein brownies feel like they were made for me. I’m always skeptical of “healthy” baked goods (I’ve had one too many inedible protein cookies in my day), but these brownies somehow manage to taste great despite being vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and chock full of protein (11 grams, to be exact). I like to keep a stash in my desk drawer for when I need a little post-lunch dessert to power me through an afternoon of writing. —A.C.
All-Time Favorites
Hu Kitchen
No nighttime routine is complete without a few squares of dark chocolate, and Hu’s fair-trade organic dark chocolate bars are among the best you can get. We love their dark chocolate bars that come in flavors like almond butter with puffed quinoa and crunchy mint. The hazelnut butter-filled dark chocolate bites are one of our favorites for a quick midday pick-me-up. And don’t miss the hunks, a.k.a. almonds and cashews dipped in dark chocolate, and gems, gumdrop-shaped chocolate chunks that are, well, gems.—K.K.
Nufs
I grew up on mostly Ritz and Saltines, but these days I tend to gravitate towards crackers with some oomph like nuts, seeds, or fun flavor combinations. Nufs makes crackers free of gluten, dairy, and seed oils, and they are just as good eaten on their own straight out of the bag as with cheese or a dip. The crackers, which come in sea salt, hot honey, and everything bagel varieties, pack just enough subtle flavor without being overpowering and are the perfect size for snacking (they also make “plank crackers” for a wider canvas). They nail the texture— just the right amount of crispy and boast a nice heft from the combination of almond, rice, and cassava flours. —K.K.
Chia Smash Bites
I aspire to make my own nut butter protein bites at home, but Chia Smash has made it impossibly easy to just buy their superfood bites instead. The jammy, nut butter bites, which taste and look homemade (in a good way), come in bags of five each and pack in seven to nine grams of protein. The best part is that the ingredients are ones you could find in your own kitchen. The bites star their chia-studded fruit jams, which get their sweetness from date syrup and lemon juice, and your preferred nut butter—there’s peanut butter with grape jam, sunflower butter with strawberry, cashew butter with blueberry, and my personal favorite, the chocolate peanut butter with raspberry. They scratch the itch for a PB&J craving and also have enough protein to hold you over until your next meal.—K.K.
Chia Smash Bites Variety Pack
Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips
I brought these to a barbecue, mostly and selfishly so I could grab a bag for myself and eat them while I grilled all night long. The chips are kettle-cooked in avocado oil and come in flavors like spicy jalapeño, farmhouse ranch, and habanero nacho—my personal favorite of the bunch because they actually have a kick to them. For Ruffle’s fans like myself, there are also wavy varieties in cheddar and sour cream or sea salt (which has only three ingredients!). The chips aren’t greasy and have a nice thicker heft for dipping while still maintaining that optimal crunch for eating them by the handful. The only downside is that I wish the bag were fuller.—K.K.
Jackson’s Sweet Potato Kettle Chips Variety Pack
Stellar Eats
The mug cake trend has had a few resurgences and for good reason—who wouldn’t want dessert for one whipped up in a few short minutes at the drop of a hat? Naturally, I was thrilled to see the latest release of Instant Treats from Stellar Eats, my go-to brand for gluten-free baking mixes. They’re single-serve portions of their mixes like banana bread, carrot cake, and fudge brownie (my personal go-to) and are ready to eat in less than two minutes—all you need to do is pour the contents into a mug, add an ingredient or two like water or oil as instructed, and patiently wait a few minutes for your cake to cook and cool.—K.K.
Stellar Eats Instant Treat: Fudge Brownie In A Cup
Ella’s Flats
Ella’s Flats are, without a doubt, in our cracker hall of fame. The small family-owned brand makes savory crisps just from seeds, from sunflower to pumpkin to flax, and spices like cumin and caraway. Ella’s Flats are sturdy enough to dip into hummus or work as a bread substitute for avocado toast, yet they’re light enough to eat on their own for a protein-and-fiber-packed snack. We also love the Everything or Spicy varieties crumbled into a salad or the Sesame or Hemp ones into a yogurt bowl for an added crunch.—K.K.
Chomps
If you told us a few years ago that everyone would be walking around eating beef jerky sticks, we’d might not have believed you. But the desire for high-protein, low-sugar, and keto- and paleo-friendly foods has led to an influx of packaged snacks in this category. Chomps offers our current favorite meat sticks in beef, turkey, and venison. These sticks contain no sugar and no fillers, and they also come in a half-size option that can fit in your pocket. This is a satisfyingly savory snack that’s great for when you need to each something filling on the go.—K.K.
Amazi Dried Fruit
Amazi makes dried fruit that isn’t just your run-of-the-mill dried mango or apples. The brand makes craveable flavors like ginger turmeric or chili lime jackfruit, moringa hibiscus pineapple, and salted olive oil plantain chips. All the flavors are free from added sugar and boast just three ingredients in every bag. I can’t stop reaching for the ginger lime jackfruit—it’s sticky, chewy, and lightly tangy. Plus, what sets Amazi apart is the brand’s commitment to both sourcing and producing the snacks in Uganda right at the source. —K.K.
