Make homemade versions of your favorite snacks with these fun (and tasty!) ideas.
18 Homemade Snack Recipes
Traditional Popcorn Balls
Kids of all ages enjoy this popcorn ball recipe as an old-fashioned holiday treat. One batch goes a long way. —Cathy Karges, Hazen, North Dakota
1/18
2/18
Rosemary Walnuts
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 166 calories, 17g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 118mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat.
3/18
Homemade Guacamole
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 90 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat.
4/18
Cheese Crispies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
For years I’ve taken these crispy, crunchy snacks to work. They get high marks from everybody in the teachers lounge. —Eileen Ball, Cornelius, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cracker: 87 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 92mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
5/18
Chewy Honey Granola Bars
Total Time
25 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 178 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
6/18
Mustard Pretzel Nuggets
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick and fun snack is similar to the mustard pretzels you can buy at the store, but you can make it for a fraction of the price. It's a killer recipe for all kinds of parties and football gatherings. —Sarah Mathews, Ava Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 204 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 411mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
7/18
Homemade Honey Grahams
Total Time
25 min
Servings
32 crackers
From the Recipe Creator:
The way my boys eat them, I would spend a fortune on honey graham crackers at the grocery store. So I decided to make a homemade version that is less processed—and less expensive. These are wonderful, although they still don't last long. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 cracker: 60 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 89mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
8/18
Soft Giant Pretzels
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 pretzels
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 pretzel: 193 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 380mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
9/18
Caramel Corn
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
about 5-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
My guests say they can't stop eating my caramel corn! For our basketball party I fix enough to fill a big red tin with our team's logo. The delectable syrup coats the popcorn well but isn't sticky. —Sharon Landeen, Tucson, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 230 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 343mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
10/18
Rosemary-Parmesan Popcorn
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh herbs and real cheese make this popcorn a homemade favorite that will make you forget about store-bought seasoning mixes. —Dan Kelmenson, West Bloomfield, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 113 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
11/18
Snack Crackers
Total Time
5 min
Servings
12 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Our 13-year-old daughter, Dana, loves to make this crunchy and flavorful snack for us. Her four older brothers finish off a batch in no time. —Sue Manel, Milladore, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1/3 cup: 237 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 780mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
12/18
Old Bay Crispy Kale Chips
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here in East Hampton, NY, harvest time means big bunches of kale from local growers. These crunchy kale chips are delicious, super healthy and easy to make. I make them with seasoning to take the flavor up a notch. For extra zip, add a dash of cayenne pepper. —Luanne Asta, East Hampton, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 101 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 202mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
13/18
Garlic & Onion Cashews
Total Time
15 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll be set for either a quick snack or an easy hostess gift when you use this recipe. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 237 calories, 20g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 754mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
14/18
Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix
Total Time
5 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
A filling blend of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried fruit keeps you healthy by the handful. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1/3 cup: 336 calories, 25g fat (6g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein.
15/18
Mango Avocado Salsa
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
When serving a crowd, double or quadruple this guacamole. The onion, tomato and mango can be chopped in advance. Add avocado just before serving. —Diana Nienberg, McComb, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup (calculated without chips and vegetables): 67 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 151mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
16/18
Thyme-Sea Salt Crackers
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 7 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These homemade crackers are decidedly light and crispy. An addictive snack on their own, they also pair well with a sharp white cheddar. —Jessica Wirth, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cracker: 23 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 45mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
17/18
Candied Pecans
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 1 pound
From the Recipe Creator:
I pack these easy candied pecans in jars tied with pretty ribbon for family and friends. My granddaughter gave some to a doctor at the hospital where she works, and he said they were too good to be true! —Opal Turner, Hughes Springs, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
2 ounces: 380 calories, 30g fat (4g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 177mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein.
18/18
Party Pretzels
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 89 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
