Turn These Delicious Dinner Snack Ideas Into A Satisfying Meal
Maybe you just don’t have the appetite for a big plate of something, or maybe you want to dazzle your palate with a tapas-style dinner. Then again, it could be that you’re simply short on time that’s got you reaching for the carrot sticks and salami slices before heading out the door. Whatever your motivation, we think snacking for dinner is a great idea. Snacks aren’t just deviations from the regularly scheduled meal-time program with these great snack dinner ideas.
With the right planning and a dash of creativity, a full-on snack dinner can be quick, delicious and just as healthy as the typical sit-down affair. Here’s how to make your next snack time mealtime.
Your Guide To Great Snack Dinner Ideas
You dip, I dip, We dip (Check it out Here)
If you’ve got a good dip on hand, your meal options are literally endless. Smear it on a toast point, swirl it with a bowl of steamed greens, let your roasted and raw veggies take a dive. You can snack without a good dip, but why would you want to? Mixing and matching flavors is where the fun is. Who knew those roasted carrots would be so delectable with that eggplant caponata? When it comes to dip, it pays to plan ahead and make your own using the healthy ingredients your body loves. Perfect snack dinner ideas abound!
Some of our go-to’s:
Avocado and Cranberry Hummus
Silky Sweet and Sour Eggplant Caponata
Roasted Beet Dip
Prep Your Veg
This is a good tip for snack prep, and, well, any meal prep. Ever come home from the farmer’s market with a basket of produce and a deep commitment that this time you will eat your bounty. You won’t forget about these fruits and veggies and then discover them days, weeks, months later looking anything but appetizing. If you’re like us, when you’re hungry, you’d rather eat sooner than later. Who has the to prepare a bunch of greens or roots or whatever is in your fridge? You’ll get to them during the next meal, right?
Instead, why not set aside some time to meal prep for the week? Wash your greens. Rinse and chop your cucumbers, carrots, celery and whatever else needs a little TLC before show time. Keep these ready-to-go veggies in your fridge and feel delighted every time you grab a handful. This is winning.
Get Your Nibbles
This is the fun part. Nibbles are, in our humble opinion, the key to successful snacking. These are the little crunchy, fruity, salty things that can be mixed and matched for endless flavor discoveries. Here are a few that regularly make our shopping list:
Crunchy Snacks
Toasted Cinnamon Coconut Chips
Snacklins Vegan Cracklins
SeaSnax Seaweed Chips
Rosemary Harissa Nut Fusions
Fruity Snacks
Smyrna Figs
Dried Mangoes
Banana Slices
Apricots
Deglet Noor Dates
Mangoberry Figgy Pops
Salty Snacks
Rosemary Truffle Kale Chips
Salt & Apple Cider Vinegar Potato Chips
Hippeas Siracha Sunshine Chickpea Puffs
Cheeses: Goat Cheese, Feta, Brie, Gouda
Don’t Forget Protein
To make snack time into mealtime, it’s important to include protein. This is what will keep your blood sugar and mood stable. Look for nibbles and snack dinner ideas that naturally offer protein and supplement with protein-rich ready-to-go foods like hard-boiled eggs, sliced meats and nut butters.
Complex Carbs Are Your Friends
That’s right, round out that snack with a side of quinoa or brown rice. Go ahead and just say yes to sweet potato chips. While it’s easy to overdo it on carbs, when complex carbs are paired with protein and fiber-dense foods, they help you stay full longer. Plus, you’re less likely to eat too many. Think, sprouted wheat bread, quinoa, sweet potatoes, yams and rice.
Follow our Lead
While creating your own snack menu is half the fun, sometimes you just want someone to do it for you. If that’s you, here are our favorite go-to dinner snacks:
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
Apricot and Yogurt Hard-Boiled Eggs
Fig and Goat Cheese Appetizer
Seafood Ceviche Banana Chip
Sweet Potato Rounds
Crisps with Smyrna Figs and Brie
