Healthy Snack Ideas When You Want Something Sweet

When I want something sweet in the afternoon, fruit by itself does not always sound good. Sometimes I want chocolate, something creamy, or a snack that feels a little more satisfying.

I do not believe every sweet craving needs to be ignored. I simply like having a few options that taste good and are made with ingredients I already keep at home.

1. Apple Slices With Cinnamon Nut Butter Dip

I make this when I want something crisp with a little sweetness.

Ingredients

• 1 apple
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter or almond butter
• 1 teaspoon warm water
• Cinnamon

Instructions

1. Slice the apple into wedges.
2. Stir the nut butter and warm water together until smooth.
3. Add cinnamon.

The warm water makes the nut butter easier to dip without changing the flavor.

2. Greek Yogurt Berry Bark

This is a good snack to keep in the freezer when you want something cold and creamy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ cup berries
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or almonds
• 1 teaspoon honey, optional
• Cinnamon, optional

Instructions

1. Line a small plate or baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Spread the yogurt into an even layer.
3. Add the berries and nuts.
4. Drizzle with honey or sprinkle with cinnamon.
5. Freeze until firm, then break it into pieces.

Keep the pieces covered in the freezer until you are ready to eat them.

3. Strawberries With Dark Chocolate and Almonds

Strawberries and dark chocolate are one of my favorite combinations. I usually drizzle the chocolate over the berries and add a few almonds on the side.

Ingredients

• 1 cup strawberries
• 1 ounce dark chocolate
• A small handful of almonds

Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate in short intervals in the microwave, stirring each time.
2. Drizzle it over the strawberries.
3. Let the chocolate set before eating.

Banana slices, raspberries, or orange sections work well too.

4. Nut Butter Stuffed Dates

Dates already have a rich, caramel-like taste, so they do not need much added to them.

Ingredients

• 2 pitted dates
• 2 teaspoons peanut butter, almond butter, or tahini
• Chopped walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds
• Cinnamon or unsweetened cocoa powder, optional

Instructions

1. Open each date and fill it with nut butter or tahini.
2. Add a few chopped nuts or seeds.
3. Finish with cinnamon or cocoa powder.

I sometimes prepare several at once and keep them in the refrigerator.

5. Frozen Banana Bites

These take only a few minutes to prepare, but they are best when the banana has had time to freeze completely.

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1 to 2 tablespoons peanut butter or almond butter
• Cinnamon or unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

1. Slice the banana into rounds.
2. Spread nut butter onto half of the slices.
3. Place the remaining slices on top.
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon or cocoa powder.
5. Freeze on a parchment-lined plate, then transfer to a covered container.

I let them sit for a minute or two before eating so the banana is not quite as hard.

6. Peaches With Cottage Cheese and Cinnamon

This works well when I want something creamy but do not feel like having yogurt.

Ingredients

• ½ to ¾ cup cottage cheese
• 1 fresh peach or ½ cup sliced peaches
• Cinnamon
• Chopped pecans or pumpkin seeds, optional

Instructions

1. Spoon the cottage cheese into a bowl.
2. Add the sliced peach and cinnamon.
3. Top with pecans or pumpkin seeds if you like.

Pears, berries, and chopped apples are also good with cottage cheese.

7. Cocoa Oat Bites

I make these when I want something chocolatey that I can keep in the refrigerator for several days.

Ingredients

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• ½ cup peanut butter or almond butter
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pumpkin seeds
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• A pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

1. Mix everything in a bowl.
2. Refrigerate the mixture for about twenty minutes.
3. Roll it into small balls.
4. Store them in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Add a teaspoon of water if the mixture is too dry or a few more oats if it feels too soft.

8. A Simple Sweet Snack Plate

Sometimes I do not want to make a recipe. I put a few things on a plate and call it done.

I may choose berries, apple slices, grapes, or orange sections and add almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or cashews. A piece of dark chocolate, a date, a spoonful of nut butter, or a small piece of cheese gives me something more than fruit alone.

What I choose depends on what I have and what sounds good that day.

I usually keep apples, bananas, berries, nuts, nut butter, and dark chocolate in the house. Having a few dependable choices makes it easier to enjoy something sweet without relying on packaged snacks every time.

For a closer look at the sugar that can add up throughout your meals, snacks, and drinks, read Sugar and Acne: How Much Is Too Much?