tasty hot snacks
December 11, 2009 2:16 PM Subscribe
What are some good, WARM snacks that don't take too much prep?
Now that the landscape outside my window is ice and snow, I find myself only wanting to eat heated food. This is fine at dinnertime, and even at lunch (apparently, you can grill any type of sandwich...) but for snacks I find myself wishing I could heat up that apple, or warm up those crackers and hummus. Any WARM snacks that y'all enjoy? I don't mind a bit of prep work, especially if it's something that will keep a little while and can be heated up later.
Now that the landscape outside my window is ice and snow, I find myself only wanting to eat heated food. This is fine at dinnertime, and even at lunch (apparently, you can grill any type of sandwich...) but for snacks I find myself wishing I could heat up that apple, or warm up those crackers and hummus. Any WARM snacks that y'all enjoy? I don't mind a bit of prep work, especially if it's something that will keep a little while and can be heated up later.
Warm brie and toasted baguette!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 2:20 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 2:20 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Microwave s'mores?
I like getting jars of queso dip (like Tostitos brand), doling it out a little bowl at a time, heating it up in the microwave, and eating that with tortilla chips.
posted by scarykarrey at 2:21 PM on December 11, 2009
I like getting jars of queso dip (like Tostitos brand), doling it out a little bowl at a time, heating it up in the microwave, and eating that with tortilla chips.
posted by scarykarrey at 2:21 PM on December 11, 2009
If you have a Trader Joe's nearby, there are aisles of the stuff. Spanakopita triangles, chocolate volcano cakes, the works.
posted by Madamina at 2:25 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by Madamina at 2:25 PM on December 11, 2009
Thanks for reminding me! I've been meaning to try roasted chickpeas.
posted by cestmoi15 at 2:27 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by cestmoi15 at 2:27 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Chili...It's not just for dinner anymore!
posted by nickjadlowe at 2:27 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by nickjadlowe at 2:27 PM on December 11, 2009
but for snacks I find myself wishing I could heat up that apple, or warm up those crackers and hummus.
Why don't you try these? Warm hummus is awesome. Top it with a little balsamic vinaigrette and dig in. Even better with heated pita or flatbread. I sometimes blanch some broccoli or other green vegetable to dip in it.
A baked apple is nice, too, and you can do it in the microwave if speed is an issue. Core the apple, and if you like, stuff the cored-out center with raisins or brown sugar and butter and cinnamon. Microwaves vary so much (and mine is a big ancient dinosaur), so you'll need to experiment to get it the way you like it.
I like a jacket potato topped with steamed vegetables and some cheese as a snack. I use the little ones that got rejected at dinnertime; they cook through quickly and are just the right size for a few bites. If you have leftover potatoes, you can also split them, top with good salsa and a sprinkle of cheese, and broil them. Very delicious, very simple, pretty wholesome.
A frequent midnight snack of mine: whole grain bread spread thinly with peanut butter (we use the hippy-dippy all-natural kind, but the sweetened kind would probably work just as well) topped with a few dark chocolate chips and toasted under the broiler just until the chocolate gets shiny and melty.
I keep a container of cooked rice in the fridge or freezer. (Again, I use the long-cooking brown rice, but you can use what you like.) When I get peckish, I put a bowl of rice in the microwave, then top it with toasted salted almonds. (Just toss chopped almonds in a hot pan with a little salt and keep tossing until they smell nutty and brown.)
posted by Elsa at 2:28 PM on December 11, 2009 [3 favorites]
Why don't you try these? Warm hummus is awesome. Top it with a little balsamic vinaigrette and dig in. Even better with heated pita or flatbread. I sometimes blanch some broccoli or other green vegetable to dip in it.
A baked apple is nice, too, and you can do it in the microwave if speed is an issue. Core the apple, and if you like, stuff the cored-out center with raisins or brown sugar and butter and cinnamon. Microwaves vary so much (and mine is a big ancient dinosaur), so you'll need to experiment to get it the way you like it.
I like a jacket potato topped with steamed vegetables and some cheese as a snack. I use the little ones that got rejected at dinnertime; they cook through quickly and are just the right size for a few bites. If you have leftover potatoes, you can also split them, top with good salsa and a sprinkle of cheese, and broil them. Very delicious, very simple, pretty wholesome.
A frequent midnight snack of mine: whole grain bread spread thinly with peanut butter (we use the hippy-dippy all-natural kind, but the sweetened kind would probably work just as well) topped with a few dark chocolate chips and toasted under the broiler just until the chocolate gets shiny and melty.
I keep a container of cooked rice in the fridge or freezer. (Again, I use the long-cooking brown rice, but you can use what you like.) When I get peckish, I put a bowl of rice in the microwave, then top it with toasted salted almonds. (Just toss chopped almonds in a hot pan with a little salt and keep tossing until they smell nutty and brown.)
posted by Elsa at 2:28 PM on December 11, 2009 [3 favorites]
I love a corn tortilla heated up in some butter on the stove, and then crack an egg right on top and fry it right on the tortilla (best to cover the pan) - wrap it up, bam, lovely little warm delicious snack.
posted by ORthey at 2:31 PM on December 11, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by ORthey at 2:31 PM on December 11, 2009 [3 favorites]
Buy a pack of little smokies , wrap them in bacon, sprinkle some brown sugar on them and bake them at 350-400 degrees until the bacon is crispy and delicious.
posted by Science! at 2:32 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by Science! at 2:32 PM on December 11, 2009
Oh! Another autumn staple of mine, which riffs off your idea of a heated-up apple: baked fruit.
I peel a few pears or apples, split or quarter them and put them in a lightly buttered pan (not aluminum --- I like stoneware or Pyrex because it gets them nice and caramelized on the bottom). You can sprinkle them with a little bit of brandy or kirsch or whatever, or squeeze on a little lemon juice, or sprinkle them with brown sugar and butter, or whatever. Bake them in a medium-high oven (anywhere from 350F to 425F seems to be fine) until they're getting soft but not slumped.
I keep these in the fridge and heat up a piece of fruit (again, I do this reheating in the microwave) whenever I feel like a little something sweet. They're a very elegant dessert with whipped cream and a fancy little cookie, a homey dessert with ice cream, or a wholesome breakfast with some oatmeal or a muffin on the side.
posted by Elsa at 2:36 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
I peel a few pears or apples, split or quarter them and put them in a lightly buttered pan (not aluminum --- I like stoneware or Pyrex because it gets them nice and caramelized on the bottom). You can sprinkle them with a little bit of brandy or kirsch or whatever, or squeeze on a little lemon juice, or sprinkle them with brown sugar and butter, or whatever. Bake them in a medium-high oven (anywhere from 350F to 425F seems to be fine) until they're getting soft but not slumped.
I keep these in the fridge and heat up a piece of fruit (again, I do this reheating in the microwave) whenever I feel like a little something sweet. They're a very elegant dessert with whipped cream and a fancy little cookie, a homey dessert with ice cream, or a wholesome breakfast with some oatmeal or a muffin on the side.
posted by Elsa at 2:36 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
missmary6: "...wishing I could heat up that apple..."
It sounds bizarre, but microwaving an apple actually turns out pretty well. If you just want to warm it, start at 30 seconds and titrate up to a minute or so; Google also has recipes for baking apples in a microwave. Note that all microwave instructions are pretty much blind guesses (including mine) unless you've somehow got the exact same microwave.
Also, hot cocoa, toast with butter and marmite, vegetables and toast dipped in hot runny peanut butter, and the ancient Chinese standby, cooked rice microwaved in water (think cereal in milk for proportions) and topped with preserved eggs mashed in olive oil and soy sauce, or furikake, or pickles.
posted by d. z. wang at 2:38 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
It sounds bizarre, but microwaving an apple actually turns out pretty well. If you just want to warm it, start at 30 seconds and titrate up to a minute or so; Google also has recipes for baking apples in a microwave. Note that all microwave instructions are pretty much blind guesses (including mine) unless you've somehow got the exact same microwave.
Also, hot cocoa, toast with butter and marmite, vegetables and toast dipped in hot runny peanut butter, and the ancient Chinese standby, cooked rice microwaved in water (think cereal in milk for proportions) and topped with preserved eggs mashed in olive oil and soy sauce, or furikake, or pickles.
posted by d. z. wang at 2:38 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
I have a hard time beating soup. Well fried perogies come close.
posted by mce at 2:40 PM on December 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by mce at 2:40 PM on December 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
Yeah, just substitute pita or flatbread for those crackers and you have your wish. I typically just toast the bread and spread hummus on it, but you could heat up the hummus too if you really want a totally warm snack.
For dessert if you're feeling really self-indulgent, you can put nutella on those same heated flatbreads...not that I've done this or anything ;)
posted by crinklebat at 2:40 PM on December 11, 2009
For dessert if you're feeling really self-indulgent, you can put nutella on those same heated flatbreads...not that I've done this or anything ;)
posted by crinklebat at 2:40 PM on December 11, 2009
I guess I should specify that my ancient Chinese ancestors would have mashed their eggs in sesame oil and soy sauce, but I find olive oil infused with garlic gives a rich, warm creamy taste sesame can't match.
posted by d. z. wang at 2:41 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by d. z. wang at 2:41 PM on December 11, 2009
I've taken to microwaving my granola with a little milk in the mornings, just for 30 seconds to a minute. Gets a litle soft (but I like that), warms the insides.
posted by stray at 2:41 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by stray at 2:41 PM on December 11, 2009
Hot cocoa. If you use whole milk, it's filling enough to count as a snack, imho.
posted by timepiece at 2:48 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by timepiece at 2:48 PM on December 11, 2009
I just had a nice piece of toast with almond butter.
posted by redfoxtail at 3:01 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by redfoxtail at 3:01 PM on December 11, 2009
You can buy frozen potstickers and toss a few into boiling water whenever you get hungry. Enjoy with soy sauce & vinegar.
posted by cranberryskies at 3:13 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by cranberryskies at 3:13 PM on December 11, 2009
* Keep a loaf of zucchini bread in the fridge. When it's snack time, slice off a slab and microwave it. Zucchini bread is easy to make, and if you make several loaves you can keep them in the freezer.
* Savory oatmeal is fantastic. Add a tablespoon of soy sauce and finely chopped green onions to a bowl of instant oatmeal, microwave, and add a few more chopped green onions on the top.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 3:34 PM on December 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
* Savory oatmeal is fantastic. Add a tablespoon of soy sauce and finely chopped green onions to a bowl of instant oatmeal, microwave, and add a few more chopped green onions on the top.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 3:34 PM on December 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
I love shelled shelled edamame. Throw a couple handfuls on a paper plate, nuke for 45 seconds, and you have a tasty and healthy legume snack.
posted by yoyoceramic at 3:47 PM on December 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by yoyoceramic at 3:47 PM on December 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
Toast toast toast! Of different types. Blueberry toast! Cheesey toast! Bread that you put cheese on top and then stuck in the broiler so that the cheese gets all crispy! Toast with exclamation points!
posted by NoraReed at 3:52 PM on December 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by NoraReed at 3:52 PM on December 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
Popcorn with garlic butter and parmesan cheese.
And crostini -- if when you have half a loaf of french bread left over, you cut it into small slices and freeze it, you can mix and match with whatever cheese or vegetables or olives or meats are in your refrigerator. Quickly toast the bread, then assemble and run under the broiler.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:54 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
And crostini -- if when you have half a loaf of french bread left over, you cut it into small slices and freeze it, you can mix and match with whatever cheese or vegetables or olives or meats are in your refrigerator. Quickly toast the bread, then assemble and run under the broiler.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:54 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Like Elsa, I tend to eat small baked potatoes as a snack. They "bake" in the microwave in usually less than seven minutes. I usually just add a bit of butter and a ton of coarse salt and pepper. It's warm and filling, and if you eat the fiber and don't go crazy with the butter, it's not bad for you and has a lot of fiber.
posted by mostlymartha at 4:43 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by mostlymartha at 4:43 PM on December 11, 2009
Another tasty, warming thing to do with leftover cooked rice is to make ochazuke. I confess that I use the topping packets that have freeze-dried tea granules in, and just pour boiling water over top. Astonishingly enough, you can even get these from Amazon Grocery.
posted by redfoxtail at 5:02 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by redfoxtail at 5:02 PM on December 11, 2009
Chocolate Soymilk, heated in the microwave or on the stove, with a tiny teaspoon of vanilla extract added. Tastes way better than any powdered concoction, and has more nutrients.
posted by invisible ink at 6:03 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by invisible ink at 6:03 PM on December 11, 2009
Quick simple nachos. Spread refried beans or bean dip onto tortilla chips, arrange in a flat layer on a plate, top with grated cheese (I like the mexican 4-cheese blend for this), and nuke until the cheese melts.
posted by lilywing13 at 6:47 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by lilywing13 at 6:47 PM on December 11, 2009
Put some applesauce in the microwave! Top with some cinnamon, mmmmmmm.
Sometimes I just drink tea or even just hot water with my snack if it's something that doesn't warm up itself very well, like a granola bar and string cheese.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 7:25 PM on December 11, 2009
Sometimes I just drink tea or even just hot water with my snack if it's something that doesn't warm up itself very well, like a granola bar and string cheese.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 7:25 PM on December 11, 2009
Edamame! Buy frozen, boil for 5 minutes, salt liberally, done. You can also microwave it in a pinch, though I think it comes out better on the stove.
posted by decathecting at 7:28 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by decathecting at 7:28 PM on December 11, 2009
My roommate the other day either microwaved grapes or rinsed them in hot water: warm grapes. Delicious. who knew? Hot spiced orange juice is also amazing.
posted by jschu at 7:56 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by jschu at 7:56 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Fried pierogi are a runner-up to soup? Pierogi are definitely not a runner-up. Delicious.
I make ginger tea--slice ginger, stick in pot with water, boil until it smells absolutely delicious. Drink.
I also like cinnamon rolls. I would get the pillsbury type that come in the popping tube, and just heat up one at a time in a corelle ware bowl in the oven, putting the rest into a tupperware container in the fridge or something similar. You have to eat them all relatively quickly, but it's not too much of a rush. Someone will probably tell me that this is horrible and going to kill me.
posted by that girl at 8:03 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
I make ginger tea--slice ginger, stick in pot with water, boil until it smells absolutely delicious. Drink.
I also like cinnamon rolls. I would get the pillsbury type that come in the popping tube, and just heat up one at a time in a corelle ware bowl in the oven, putting the rest into a tupperware container in the fridge or something similar. You have to eat them all relatively quickly, but it's not too much of a rush. Someone will probably tell me that this is horrible and going to kill me.
posted by that girl at 8:03 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Maybe more simplistic than what you were looking for, but...
I like mini bagels, like Pepperidge Farm. They're a good snacking size. If you're hungrier you can have two. Feeling sweet? Put some jam (or pumpkin butter!), cream cheese (pumpkin cream cheese!), or nut butter. Feeling savory? Melt some cheese on 'em.. maybe add some tomato slices.
Also, oatmeal (or Cream of Wheat, grits, or any other hot cereal you can think of)! Like a hearty bowl of soup, that warms up your insides and your outsides! Similarly, according to frosted mini wheat commercials, that cereal is good served with hot milk. I haven't tried it. I haven't tried 'Ovaltine Hot,' either.
posted by Mael Oui at 9:13 PM on December 11, 2009
I like mini bagels, like Pepperidge Farm. They're a good snacking size. If you're hungrier you can have two. Feeling sweet? Put some jam (or pumpkin butter!), cream cheese (pumpkin cream cheese!), or nut butter. Feeling savory? Melt some cheese on 'em.. maybe add some tomato slices.
Also, oatmeal (or Cream of Wheat, grits, or any other hot cereal you can think of)! Like a hearty bowl of soup, that warms up your insides and your outsides! Similarly, according to frosted mini wheat commercials, that cereal is good served with hot milk. I haven't tried it. I haven't tried 'Ovaltine Hot,' either.
posted by Mael Oui at 9:13 PM on December 11, 2009
Homemade muffins, reheated for 30 seconds or so in the microwave. Yum.
posted by crazycanuck at 9:17 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by crazycanuck at 9:17 PM on December 11, 2009
Dark chocolate pudding (low fat if made with low-fat milk). You make it in the microwave so it doesn't burn. After you've made it a couple times, it's pretty fast. I'm sure you can halve the recipe. It makes 4 small bowls or two big bowls.
Some people insist on chilling their pudding, but those people are misguided.
posted by wintersweet at 9:48 PM on December 11, 2009
Some people insist on chilling their pudding, but those people are misguided.
posted by wintersweet at 9:48 PM on December 11, 2009
I love the little packets of miso soup you can get at the Asian import store or in the imports aisle of a good grocery store. (Maybe any grocery store? That's true in Seattle but I don't know if non-Pacific Northwest stores would have it.) Some of the brands are all dehydrated ingredients, and some have dried stuff as well as a little pouch of wet miso. They all are suitable to make in a glass or a coffee cup using the hot water from the office water filter, the electric kettle, or the microwave. I find it excellent for a midmorning or midafternoon cozy snack.
posted by librarina at 11:11 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by librarina at 11:11 PM on December 11, 2009
Toast an english muffin, put some cheese on top while still super hot to get it gooey, and fan out some sliced apple (adding a bit more cheese on top of that if you dig it). Super hearty, more like a quick lunch really, but mmmm. Ditto toast with peanut butter added right away to get it all melty.
Toast up some nuts--pecans and cashews work well--in either the oven or a small pan on the stovetop--shouldn't take more than 5 minutes--and toss with spices and herbs etc.--rosemary, cayenne, and brown sugar are my favorite. Hot and spicy and sweet, yum.
This sounds gross but gets raves whenever I make it this time of year--it's hot, crispy on the outside but gooey too, and rich tasting but also tangy: take melba toast, spread individually with a mixture of 1 cup mayo-1 cup shredded cheddar-2 tsp. horseradish-1 Tbsp wine-6-7 slices crumbled cooked bacon, and broil on a baking sheet until bubbly. You can make the spread ahead of time (obviously not too far in advance, but honestly, a day should be ok) and stick it in the fridge. It's nice because when it comes time to spread n' broil, you can make as many or as little as you like, and the broiling takes less than 5 minutes. It's an excellent "whip up on the spur when unexpected guests drop by" thing, and not highfalutin at all.
Toast up a bit of granola to go with your cold fruit or yogurt. Add honey or maple syrup. Yum.
If it's an indulgent, late-in-the-evening snack, you might consider taking dried fruit (sultanas and apricots works best I think, and fresh pears can sometimes work too) and plumping/stewing it in hot spiced liquor--port, rum, and brandy all work pretty well. Serve over ice cream if you wanna get heavy.
I absolutely agree about muffins and biscuits. This time of year I just get into the habit of having a stack on hand on the counter at all times; people walk by and just grab one and heat it up. Easy.
Indirect non-answer to boot: hot drinks work well too, if you kind of want to "cheat" and get that warm feeling you're craving but really only want to eat that cold apple still. I find having a really great piping hot pot of tea or warm mug of cocoa automatically elevates even the most uninspiring cold snack this time of year. There have been tons of threads about winter-time drinks on AskMe, so that's taken care of...
posted by ifjuly at 8:54 AM on December 12, 2009
Toast up some nuts--pecans and cashews work well--in either the oven or a small pan on the stovetop--shouldn't take more than 5 minutes--and toss with spices and herbs etc.--rosemary, cayenne, and brown sugar are my favorite. Hot and spicy and sweet, yum.
This sounds gross but gets raves whenever I make it this time of year--it's hot, crispy on the outside but gooey too, and rich tasting but also tangy: take melba toast, spread individually with a mixture of 1 cup mayo-1 cup shredded cheddar-2 tsp. horseradish-1 Tbsp wine-6-7 slices crumbled cooked bacon, and broil on a baking sheet until bubbly. You can make the spread ahead of time (obviously not too far in advance, but honestly, a day should be ok) and stick it in the fridge. It's nice because when it comes time to spread n' broil, you can make as many or as little as you like, and the broiling takes less than 5 minutes. It's an excellent "whip up on the spur when unexpected guests drop by" thing, and not highfalutin at all.
Toast up a bit of granola to go with your cold fruit or yogurt. Add honey or maple syrup. Yum.
If it's an indulgent, late-in-the-evening snack, you might consider taking dried fruit (sultanas and apricots works best I think, and fresh pears can sometimes work too) and plumping/stewing it in hot spiced liquor--port, rum, and brandy all work pretty well. Serve over ice cream if you wanna get heavy.
I absolutely agree about muffins and biscuits. This time of year I just get into the habit of having a stack on hand on the counter at all times; people walk by and just grab one and heat it up. Easy.
Indirect non-answer to boot: hot drinks work well too, if you kind of want to "cheat" and get that warm feeling you're craving but really only want to eat that cold apple still. I find having a really great piping hot pot of tea or warm mug of cocoa automatically elevates even the most uninspiring cold snack this time of year. There have been tons of threads about winter-time drinks on AskMe, so that's taken care of...
posted by ifjuly at 8:54 AM on December 12, 2009
I recently got hooked on veggie/vegan brown & serve sausage links. I'm not even a vegetarian and I like them. A couple minutes in the microwave and they come out rather nicely. I hear Boca is the best, but I just had Morningstar and they're no slouch either.
posted by Doctor Suarez at 10:53 AM on December 12, 2009
posted by Doctor Suarez at 10:53 AM on December 12, 2009
A hot soft pretzel (with some nice spicy mustard) would be great at chasing away the chills. Michael Ruhlman has a good recipe, although this may cross the "a bit of prep work" line into "quite a bit of prep work".
posted by Remy at 11:52 AM on December 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Remy at 11:52 AM on December 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
Throw the brie on a baking dish and top it with a thick layer of brown sugar and chopped garlic. Then bake till bubbly. slice up a baguette, toast it, dip in brie and enter heaven.
posted by special-k at 4:06 PM on December 12, 2009
posted by special-k at 4:06 PM on December 12, 2009
My daughters love to make pudding and buttered toast. Make a box of pudding according to directions. Make sure it's the cook type not instant. You could also make homemade from a recipe. Then make a piece of toast and butter it. Slice the toast into several long sections like dipping sticks. Dip toast into pudding and eat it. Heaven.
I like to cook apples, but I like them with diced ham and shredded cheddar cheese. Dice 1 or 2 apples, mix with an ounce or two of diced ham in an oven-save dish. In a separate bowl mix a half tablespoon of flour and a tablespoon of brown sugar and a big shake of cinnamon. Stir that into the ham and apples. Top with shredded cheese. Broil until browned.
posted by CathyG at 9:38 PM on December 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
I like to cook apples, but I like them with diced ham and shredded cheddar cheese. Dice 1 or 2 apples, mix with an ounce or two of diced ham in an oven-save dish. In a separate bowl mix a half tablespoon of flour and a tablespoon of brown sugar and a big shake of cinnamon. Stir that into the ham and apples. Top with shredded cheese. Broil until browned.
posted by CathyG at 9:38 PM on December 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by markblasco at 2:18 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]