Healthy (but not too healthy) party snacks?
January 26, 2018 10:18 AM Subscribe
My family has started to host social events that are interfering with my attempts to eat a more healthy, whole-foods diet. I want to serve snacks, but avoid the chips and cookies habit. On the other hand, I'm not trying to go too far in the veggie-tray direction...just more looking for anything easy to make and fun to eat that's nutritionally more like a meal than a pile of refined carbs. FWIW I'm mostly gluten-free, but can probably work around that. Thanks!
Pumpkin seeds
Dried fruit - try some and figure out what you eat like it has crack in it
Vegetable chips
Hummus with chips or veggies
Edamame
Fresh fruit
Nuts
posted by bile and syntax at 10:22 AM on January 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Dried fruit - try some and figure out what you eat like it has crack in it
Vegetable chips
Hummus with chips or veggies
Edamame
Fresh fruit
Nuts
posted by bile and syntax at 10:22 AM on January 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Kale chips? (Toss kale pieces with olive oil and salt/seasonings; spread in a thin layer and bake until crispy.)
They're salty and crispy without feeling very veggie-ish.
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 10:36 AM on January 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
They're salty and crispy without feeling very veggie-ish.
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 10:36 AM on January 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
If sodium/salt is an issue ... well, most of these may not be for you. (I tend to go more salty than sweet with my entertaining snacks.)
-Baked tortilla chips (or regular if you're feeling indulgent) with salsa (homemade if you'd like) or guacamole.
-Pickles (of all kinds) are great.
-Cheese plate! Always fun to put together a simple selection of cheese. Gluten-free crackers are fine vehicle for the cheese here. I also like to include a selection of mustards.
-I've made goat cheese stuffed peppadews before (that recipe is just an example) and they've been a hit. You could use cream cheese if you don't like goat.
-Do deviled eggs skew too far away from "healthy"? There are a lot of tasty variations out there and they're making a comeback.
-Make your own popcorn in unusual flavors!
-Roasted olives!
-This list is one I go back to often. Lots more good ideas there.
posted by darksong at 10:47 AM on January 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
-Baked tortilla chips (or regular if you're feeling indulgent) with salsa (homemade if you'd like) or guacamole.
-Pickles (of all kinds) are great.
-Cheese plate! Always fun to put together a simple selection of cheese. Gluten-free crackers are fine vehicle for the cheese here. I also like to include a selection of mustards.
-I've made goat cheese stuffed peppadews before (that recipe is just an example) and they've been a hit. You could use cream cheese if you don't like goat.
-Do deviled eggs skew too far away from "healthy"? There are a lot of tasty variations out there and they're making a comeback.
-Make your own popcorn in unusual flavors!
-Roasted olives!
-This list is one I go back to often. Lots more good ideas there.
posted by darksong at 10:47 AM on January 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Seconding roasted chickpeas. I made some last night and they’re just as easy and delicious as everyone says. Use different spices each time for variety - chili powder, garam masala, ranch, whatever! Addictive!
posted by valeries at 10:50 AM on January 26, 2018
posted by valeries at 10:50 AM on January 26, 2018
smoked salmon spread on cucumber rounds! feels fancy, is kinda healthy, and is both easy and filling! sprinkle a few capers on top, if you like, or a bit of fresh dill.
rice cracker mix is a nice substitute for chips, when you want something nibbly and carb-y
i'll often have a cheese and veggie plate as a light meal: sliced bell peppers, carrots and celery, a handful of olives, a handful of nuts, some fresh berries or cherries or apple slices, some cheese. a little salami or charucterie, if you enjoy meats. a great advantage of these, for entertaining, is that everyone can snack on whatever best pleases them. it's substantial enough to serve as a meal, but easy enough to just nibble if you're only feeling snackish. or, meat-and-cheese rollups, or lettuce wraps?
trader joe's has some delightful (and reasonably affordable) gluten free crackers. i like both the savoury rice crackers and the gluten-free crispbread.
posted by halation at 10:54 AM on January 26, 2018
rice cracker mix is a nice substitute for chips, when you want something nibbly and carb-y
i'll often have a cheese and veggie plate as a light meal: sliced bell peppers, carrots and celery, a handful of olives, a handful of nuts, some fresh berries or cherries or apple slices, some cheese. a little salami or charucterie, if you enjoy meats. a great advantage of these, for entertaining, is that everyone can snack on whatever best pleases them. it's substantial enough to serve as a meal, but easy enough to just nibble if you're only feeling snackish. or, meat-and-cheese rollups, or lettuce wraps?
trader joe's has some delightful (and reasonably affordable) gluten free crackers. i like both the savoury rice crackers and the gluten-free crispbread.
posted by halation at 10:54 AM on January 26, 2018
Stuffed mushrooms w/goat cheese, spinach and wild rice , liberally modified from here - omitting the marsala, using smaller mushrooms, and subbing wild rice or quinoa for the bread crumbs.
Air popped popcorn w/ garam masala or parmesean, and just a little butter
posted by mercredi at 11:03 AM on January 26, 2018
Air popped popcorn w/ garam masala or parmesean, and just a little butter
posted by mercredi at 11:03 AM on January 26, 2018
Tzatziki with veggies or toasted pita triangles to dip in is great.
Also, they are "old fashioned", but tea/finger sandwiches (you can use gluten free bread if needed), can be great for this. For example, cucumber sandwiches (use fresh dill if you can find it or dried if not). Don't slather on the cream cheese spread too heavily and these are not that unhealthy.
You can also substitute hummus for the cream cheese in these sandwiches.
posted by gudrun at 12:20 PM on January 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also, they are "old fashioned", but tea/finger sandwiches (you can use gluten free bread if needed), can be great for this. For example, cucumber sandwiches (use fresh dill if you can find it or dried if not). Don't slather on the cream cheese spread too heavily and these are not that unhealthy.
You can also substitute hummus for the cream cheese in these sandwiches.
posted by gudrun at 12:20 PM on January 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Shrimp cocktail.
posted by bluebird at 12:48 PM on January 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by bluebird at 12:48 PM on January 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Sweet and very easy to make: Little Dutch puff pastries, (sorry, recipe in Dutch but it's very easy and google translate) you can make them really small by taking half the pastry leaf. All you need is apple, a lemon, raisins, nuts, cinnamon, egg (for the shiny top),
Roasted nuts, cheaper (mix a couple of bags) or more luxurious sorts (assorted in a delicacy shop or market) depending on your budget (if you want you can mix them with dried fruits)
Yes! Hummus (store-bought or not, with or without garlic, different kinds, topped with a little garnish of crushed roasted nuts or parsley or cut up black olives or paprika-powder in a cool shape) combined with all sorts of veggies. I've found that meat-eaters also eat loads of hummus at parties...
Caramelized onions with goatcheese on toasted bread of some kind
Dips with yoghurt instead of mayonaise as a base, for veggies or crisps or Turkish/French bread
Turkish bread or any nice healthy bread to dip in (a variation of your choice of) peanutsauce (Indonesian satay). You can leave out garlic or chillipepper according to the preferences of the party
Fill little peppers or (dried) tomatoes with a rice-spinach and feta mix or other stuffings
posted by Litehouse at 12:57 PM on January 26, 2018
Roasted nuts, cheaper (mix a couple of bags) or more luxurious sorts (assorted in a delicacy shop or market) depending on your budget (if you want you can mix them with dried fruits)
Yes! Hummus (store-bought or not, with or without garlic, different kinds, topped with a little garnish of crushed roasted nuts or parsley or cut up black olives or paprika-powder in a cool shape) combined with all sorts of veggies. I've found that meat-eaters also eat loads of hummus at parties...
Caramelized onions with goatcheese on toasted bread of some kind
Dips with yoghurt instead of mayonaise as a base, for veggies or crisps or Turkish/French bread
Turkish bread or any nice healthy bread to dip in (a variation of your choice of) peanutsauce (Indonesian satay). You can leave out garlic or chillipepper according to the preferences of the party
Fill little peppers or (dried) tomatoes with a rice-spinach and feta mix or other stuffings
posted by Litehouse at 12:57 PM on January 26, 2018
I'll just toss some general ideas out - I used to host a weekly party and we ran into this wall. Some of these are more labour-intensive but I would use them for lunch the next day too.
Lettuce wraps of all kinds.
Grilled fruit is all kinds of awesome - grilled pineapple, grilled stone fruit like plums, peaches, etc.
Rice paper wraps - especially ones that as I make them go basically "shred carrots, lettuce, radish, add fresh herbs and cooked shrimp, wrap, dunk in sauce of choice."
Check out "Scandinavian/Danish open-faced sandwiches" (I think they could easily be adapted to gluten-free bread or other base.) We did mini ones.
You can use roasted halved mini potatoes for a base and have a little topping bar with things like sour cream (low fat or greek yogurt if you want), chopped tomatoes, caramelized onions, salsa, salmon and dill, etc.
Stuffed veggies including stuffed tiny little sweet peppers, stuffed jalapenos, etc.
Whole artichokes with dip.
posted by warriorqueen at 1:35 PM on January 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Lettuce wraps of all kinds.
Grilled fruit is all kinds of awesome - grilled pineapple, grilled stone fruit like plums, peaches, etc.
Rice paper wraps - especially ones that as I make them go basically "shred carrots, lettuce, radish, add fresh herbs and cooked shrimp, wrap, dunk in sauce of choice."
Check out "Scandinavian/Danish open-faced sandwiches" (I think they could easily be adapted to gluten-free bread or other base.) We did mini ones.
You can use roasted halved mini potatoes for a base and have a little topping bar with things like sour cream (low fat or greek yogurt if you want), chopped tomatoes, caramelized onions, salsa, salmon and dill, etc.
Stuffed veggies including stuffed tiny little sweet peppers, stuffed jalapenos, etc.
Whole artichokes with dip.
posted by warriorqueen at 1:35 PM on January 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Prunes or dates wrapped in prosciutto, baked under the broiler for a few minutes.
posted by The Toad at 2:31 PM on January 26, 2018
posted by The Toad at 2:31 PM on January 26, 2018
Re: kale chips mentioned above, here is Jacques Pepin demonstrating it (YouTube link of his show More Fast Food My Way) and the Chowhound discussion
For other ideas: Episodes of that show usually start with a "one minute recipe" that features a quick snack or canape. I think most any of them would be an improvement nutrition-wise over the "pile of refined carbs," so maybe your family would like something there?
---
Also: homemade granola (can be made gluten-free)
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 11:24 PM on January 26, 2018
For other ideas: Episodes of that show usually start with a "one minute recipe" that features a quick snack or canape. I think most any of them would be an improvement nutrition-wise over the "pile of refined carbs," so maybe your family would like something there?
---
Also: homemade granola (can be made gluten-free)
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 11:24 PM on January 26, 2018
« Older Love in the time of internet images | Help me figure out this grad school thing...... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Roasted chickpeas
posted by sciencegeek at 10:21 AM on January 26, 2018 [1 favorite]