Step away from the candy dish! When your tummy rumbles between meals, reach for one of these protein snack recipes. We're talking mini pizzas, spicy veggie dip, healthy cookies and more. With at least 5 grams of protein per serving, these homemade snacks give a whole new meaning to feel-good food.
32 Protein Powerhouse Snacks
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Fruit Skewers
We came up with this fresh and fruity summer snack idea. It's easy to make ahead and carry to the ballpark, beach or playground, and the cinnamon-spiced yogurt dip adds a fun touch kids love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Chimichurri Monkey Bread
The herby goodness of my favorite sauce shines in this nostalgic bread recipe that comes together quickly thanks to refrigerated biscuits. Serve warm as an appetizer with marinara for dipping, or as a side to an Italian entree. —Eden Dranger, Los Angeles
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Roasted Chickpeas
Crispy chickpeas will become a favorite when you need something crunchy on your salads and bowls. An added bonus? They're vegan!
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Nut Butter Cups
My indulgent, nutty treat is simple to make and looks fabulous. At our house, we use all-natural ingredients for them. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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Soft Giant Pretzels
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
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Marinated Cheese
This special appetizer always makes it to our neighborhood parties and is the first to disappear from the buffet table. It's attractive, delicious—and so easy! —Laurie Casper, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
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Strawberry-Carrot Smoothies
My children resist veggies, but they love this carrot smoothie. It packs in lots of good-for-you fruits and veggies—but to my kids, it's just a super delicious breakfast. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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Garlic & Onion Cashews
You'll be set for either a quick snack or an easy hostess gift when you use this recipe. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
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Italian Snack Bread
I've served this snack bread alongside spaghetti, as an appetizer and as a main dish. Because it stays so tender, I often bake it a day before. —Joan Nowacki, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
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Cold Chicken-Cheese Kabobs
These appealing kabobs will add pizazz to any party—and you don't even have to get out the grill! —Sherine Gilmour, Brooklyn, New York
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Walnut Zucchini Muffins
Shredded zucchini adds makes these walnutty muffins extra tender. If you have lots of zucchini in summer as many of us do, this is a good way to use some of it. —Harriet Stichter, Milford, Indiana
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Nutty Berry Trail Mix
This recipe, my son’s favorite, earned me an A in my early childhood nutrition course. It lets you take control of what your children snack on! —Cheri Majors, Claremont, California
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Garlic Toast Pizzas
Between working full-time, going to school and raising three children, finding time-saving recipes that my family likes is one of my biggest challenges. These quick pizzas pack a huge amount of flavor. —Amy Grim, Chillicothe, Ohio
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Mocha Pumpkin Seeds
Roasted pumpkin seeds are a classic fall snack. Kick them up a notch with instant coffee and cocoa powder for a mix that’s mocha genius at any time of year. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
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Thai Veggie Dip
This delicious dip is full of flavor, color and crunch, but not full of calories. There's mild sweetness from the honey with a bit of heat at the end from the pepper flakes. If spicy food is your thing, feel free to add an extra dash of pepper. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
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Mango-Peach Smoothies
This is my toddler son's favorite breakfast—he'll take one of these over pancakes any day! Get creative when mixing fruits and fruit-flavored yogurts; we love peach yogurt with mango, strawberry yogurt with blueberries or pina colada yogurt with mango and banana. —Dana Herra, DeKalb, Illinois
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BLT Muffins
These muffins prove that the classic combo of bacon, lettuce and tomato is good for so much more than a sandwich. They're winners at both breakfast and dinner. —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota
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Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls
I enjoy these frozen yogurt pops because they double as a healthy snack and a cool, creamy sweet treat. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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Caramel Apple and Brie Skewers
I'm a caterer, and this is one of my best-selling appetizers. The shortcut of using prepared caramel makes these little apple skewers a snap to assemble. —Camille Ellis, Tampa, Florida
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Pigs in a Pool
My kids love sausages and pancakes but making them during the week was out of the question. I bought the frozen variety on a stick but wasn't keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs-in-a-blanket is a tasty, thrifty alternative. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina
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Bacon-Cheddar Deviled Eggs
I created this recipe a few years ago when I was craving something different to do with hard-boiled eggs. Three of my favorite foods—bacon, eggs and cheese—come together in these deviled eggs. They're my go-to party snack. —Laura LeMay, Deerfield Beach, Florida
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Breakfast Cookies
I like to give my family a hearty start in the morning, especially when they have to eat in a hurry. These easy-to-make "cookies" are perfect for a breakfast on the run and really appeal to the kid in all of us. —Wanda Cox, Roscommon, Michigan
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Chive Mascarpone Dip with Herbed Pita Chips
I have a massive herb garden in the summer, with an abundance of chives. This cream-cheesy dip helps use them up. Make it a few days in advance for best flavor. —Sarah Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire
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Spicy Almonds
We like to venture out into the mountain range that surrounds our family cabin. These nuts never taste better than when we enjoy them together at the peak of an amazing hike. Almonds are extremely nutritious, and when dressed up with a wonderful blend of spices, they go from ordinary to awesome! —Gina Myers, Spokane, Washington
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Grapes with Lemon-Honey Yogurt
We like to sweeten up Greek yogurt with honey, cinnamon and vanilla. The tasty dressing is a delightful counterpoint to plump grapes and crunchy nuts. —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
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Microwave Egg Sandwich
If you're looking for a grab-and-go breakfast for busy days, this high-protein sandwich is low in fat and keeps me full all morning. Plus, it's only about 200 calories! —Brenda Otto, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
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Mini Spinach Frittatas
People can't get enough of these pop-in-your-mouth mini frittatas. They're a cinch to make, freeze well and the recipe easily doubles for a crowd. —Nancy Statkevicus, Tucson, Arizona
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Slow Cooker Party Mix
This mildly seasoned snack mix is always a party favorite. Served warm from a slow cooker, the munchable mixture is very satisfying. —Dana Hughes, Gresham, Oregon
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Ham and Cheese Muffins
Serve these savory biscuitlike muffins for breakfast, at snack time or along with a hearty bowl of soup. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
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Granola Cereal Bars
These sweet peanut butter bars are perfect for breakfast, dessert or anytime as a quick snack. You can add raisins instead of chocolate chips if you prefer. —Helen Velichko, Kansas City, Missouri
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Fruity Red Smoothies
This thick, tangy drink combines the refreshing flavors of cranberries, raspberries and strawberries. Once you start sipping it, it disappears in a flash. —Beverly Coyde, Gasport, New York
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