When your kids are home during a college break, it seems like they can't get enough of two things: sleep and home cooking. Let them nap and keep them full and happy between meals with these hearty, healthy snacks.
Three Dozen Mom-Approved Snacks for Your Hungry College Student
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Garbanzo-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Mini peppers are so colorful and are the perfect size for a two-bite appetizer. They have all the crunch of pita chips but without the extra calories. —Christine Hanover, Lewiston, California
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Oatmeal Muffin
Bake up this wholesome oatmeal muffin recipe in no time! Filled with hearty oats and sweet brown sugar, they're perfect for a quick breakfast or a tasty snack.
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Avocado Salsa
This avocado salsa is smooth, cool and downright refreshing. Scoop it with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak—or just eat it on its own!
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Caprese Skewers
Light, satisfying and healthful in one impossibly easy-to-make dish? Yes, please! Enjoy these Caprese skewers as an app, side dish—truly perfect paired with grilled meat or poultry—or a convenient snack. Every bite is a little taste of summer.
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Crispy Baked Wontons
These quick, versatile wontons are great for a savory snack or paired with a bowl of soothing soup on a cold day. I usually make a large batch, freeze half on a floured baking sheet, then store in an airtight container. —Brianna Shade, Beaverton, Oregon
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Yogurt Cornbread
My husband doesn't like traditional Texas cornbread, so I came up with this recipe. This is the only kind he'll eat. Yogurt makes this variation different from most. —Amanda Andrews of Mansfield, Texas
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Indian Spiced Chickpea Wraps
Raita, an Indian condiment made with yogurt, elevates this vegetarian dish to a satisfying gourmet wrap. If you're in the mood to experiment, try diced mango or cucumber for the pineapple and add fresh herbs like cilantro or mint. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia
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Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
These warm, gooey, indulgent banana chocolate chip cookies can be made in just 35 minutes. Bake a batch of three dozen to nosh on all week long.
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White Bean Hummus
All it takes is a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to pull together this creamy white bean hummus recipe.
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Presto Pizza Patties
Craving both beef and pizza? These patties feature both in an open-faced sandwich. And they're lighter than you'd think! —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio
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Four-Tomato Salsa
The variety of tomatoes, onions and peppers makes this chunky salsa so good. Whenever I try to take a batch to a get-together, it's hard to keep my family from finishing it off first! It's a super snack with tortilla chips or as a relish with meat. —Connie Siese, Wayne, Michigan
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Greek Veggie Tartlets
The mixture in this recipe was originally a salad I made after a trip to Greece. When my husband suggested I serve it in phyllo cups, it became my most-requested appetizer!—Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida
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Peanut Caramel Corn
A sweet, crunchy, lighter alternative to traditional caramel corn, this can’t-stop-eatin’-it treat won’t stick to fingers or teeth! It’s wonderful for gifts, too. —Lois Ward, Puslinch, Ontario
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Peanut Butter Dip
Upgrade the typical snack with this delicious cheesecake-like peanut butter dip. Serve it with any dipper, from apples to pretzels to veggie sticks.
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Yogurt & Honey Fruit Cups
A tasty combo of fresh fruit and creamy orange-kissed yogurt, this is guaranteed to disappear fast from your breakfast table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Chewy Honey Granola Bars
There's sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. To save a few for later, wrap individual bars and place in a resealable freezer container. When you want a satisfying treat on short notice, just grab one and let it thaw for a few minutes. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont
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Strawberry-Rosemary Yogurt Pops
We planted strawberries a few years ago and these tangy-sweet frozen yogurt pops are my very favorite treats to make with them! The options are endless. Try using other yogurt flavors like lemon, raspberry or blueberry. —Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah
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Caribbean Chipotle Pork Sliders
Our favorite pulled pork sliders combine the heat of chipotle peppers with a cool tropical coleslaw. The robust flavors make these a big hit with guests. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida
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Party Pretzels
Not only are these a perfect mid-morning or afternoon snack at work, they're perfect for hungry kids just home from school. Plus, they make for fantastic party food! —Carrie Shaub, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
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Grilled Garden Veggie Flatbreads
Grilled flatbread is a tasty way to put fresh garden vegetables to use. It's so versatile: Simply change the vegetables and cheese to suit your family's taste. It also works well cooked indoors, on a grill pan with a lid. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland
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Sweet Potato & Bean Quesadillas
Sweet potatoes and black beans roll up together for a quesadilla that’s easy, fast, fun and delicious. —Brittany Hubbard, St. Paul, Minnesota
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Roasted Eggplant Spread
Black pepper and garlic perk up this out-of-the-ordinary spread that hits the spot on a crisp cracker or toasted bread slice. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania.
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Turkey & Apricot Wraps
For these wraps, I combined the traditional Southern appetizer of jam and cream cheese with the turkey, apple and Brie sandwiches we ate at my bridal luncheon. I like to sneak fresh spinach into recipes because it has such a mild flavor. —Kim Beavers, North August, South Carolina
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Southwest Egg Rolls
Moderately crispy with a rich and creamy filling, these semi-spicy appetizers taste like they’ve been fried. —Danielle Booth, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Asparagus with Fresh Basil Sauce
Add zip to your party with this easy appetizer. The dip that can also double as a flavorful sandwich spread. — Janie Colle Hutchinson, Kansas
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Tomato & Avocado Sandwiches
I'm a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey
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Best Deviled Eggs
Herbs lend amazing flavor to these deviled eggs, which truly are the best you can make! The recipe includes tasty variations that feature bacon, chipotle peppers and crab.—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
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Coconut Macaroons
These crunchy, golden and chewy coconut macaroons are ideal for their simplicity and texture, and you can have this treat on the table in 30 minutes or less.
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Rosemary Walnuts
My Aunt Mary started making this recipe years ago. Each time we visited, she would have a batch ready for us. The use of cayenne adds an unexpected zing to the savory combo of rosemary and walnuts. When you need a good housewarming or hostess gift, double the batch and save half for yourself. —Renee Ciancio, New Bern, North Carolina
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Mango Rice Pudding
Mangoes are my son's favorite fruit, so I was ecstatic to incorporate them into a healthy dessert. You can also use ripe bananas instead of mango, almond extract instead of vanilla or regular milk in place of soy. —Melissa McCabe, Victor, New York
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Tex-Mex Popcorn
Spicy Southwest seasoning makes this snackin'-good popcorn ideal for any fiesta. —Katie Rose, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
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Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins
The title says it all! I use whole wheat flour and applesauce to make the muffins lighter without sacrificing any flavor. We make these chocolate chocolate chip muffins for breakfast at the school where I work. —Theresa Harrington, Sheridan, Wyoming
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