Everyone needs some go-to snacks for when a craving hits. Whether it’s a mid-day pick-me-up, something to hold you over until your next meal, or a treat to munch on while you watch a movie, having good snacks is important. Sure, there are a lot of pre-made snacks that are vegan, but many of them are also full of sugar and overly processed ingredients. Instead of stocking the kitchen with junk food, learn to make some simple snacks that are easy to keep on hand and satisfy any craving. These three recipes are a great starting place.

Roasted Crunchy Chickpeas

When you’re looking for something with a satisfying crunch and a savory, salty taste, these Roasted Crunchy Chickpeas are perfect. They’re as addictive as potato chips but their full of wholesome ingredients and healthy fats.

When roasted, chickpeas take on a crunchy exterior with a slightly chewy texture inside, and they have a neutral enough flavor on their own to make them perfect for your own personal flavor combo.

Are you looking for spicy? Try using chili powder or drizzling with some siracha sauce. Onion powder and garlic are both great options. Sea salt and a little black pepper makes for a simple, delicious snack. Try your favorite seasoning blends including Italian or ranch. The possibilities are truly endless!

The basic recipe is simple and only takes a few minutes of preparation.

• Take 1 small can of chickpeas (around 15 oz) – drain and rinse them.
• Add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil.
• Toss with your favorite seasonings (sea salt, garlic, onion powder are all great).
• Bake in a single layer on a cookie sheet at around 220C for 30-40 minutes until desired texture is reached.

Nice Cream or “Banana Ice Cream”

If you haven’t heard of Nice Cream, it’s simply frozen bananas blended into the texture of ice cream.  It’s the perfect snack for a hot day, and it’s a great way to handle a sweet tooth with healthy, nutritious ingredients.

Nice Cream is completely customizable. Do you like your ice cream to have a thick texture, perfect for eating by the spoonful? Make it without the plant-based milk to get a scoopable texture. Do you prefer a soft-serve like texture? Make it with a little soy or almond milk. Are you looking for a creamy milkshake? Add even more.

You can also customize the flavor. Add frozen berries for a fruity sorbet-like treat. Add peanut butter and cocoa powder for a decadent dessert. Add vanilla extract for a light, refreshing treat.

All you need to make it is a blender or a food processor. Making it is a snap that only takes a few minutes.

• Take a few frozen bananas (and whatever other ingredients you’d like), break them into pieces, and add them to your blender.
• Blend on high, using your blender’s tamper to push into the blades.
• If you don’t have a tamper, stop the blender occasionally and readjust so that the banana pieces hit the blades again.
• Add a small amount of liquid in the form of plant-based milk if needed. Start with a small amount and adjust until you reach your desired consistency.

Here are some tips to make it even easier.

• Cut the bananas into small coins or pieces before freezing. This will make them easier to break down in a blender.
• Don’t freeze bananas until they start getting ripe with a few black spots. This helps ensure the best flavor and texture for your Nice Cream.

Tofu Scramble

Tofu scramble is easily one of the most satisfying and easy to make vegan snacks out there. This is perfect for a quick bite between meals or when you are running short on time and can’t make a full meal. This option provides a heavy dose of protein, so it is filling and satisfying. It can also serve as a base for a wide variety of flavors, letting you truly make it your own.

There are so many varieties to try. Add roasted red pepper and rosemary, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and oregano for a Mediterranean kick. Try it with black beans, chili powder, cumin, and onion powder for a Southwestern version. Add whatever fresh veggies and mushrooms you have on hand for a garden fresh option.  

The basic ingredients are below, and then you can add whatever other flavors you’d like.

• 1 block of tofu (drained)
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp black salt (for slight eggy flavor) or regular salt
• 1 tbsp of nutritional yeast
• ½ tbsp of turmeric (optional, for yellow color)

Here’s how to cook it…

• The first step is to get the tofu as “dry” as possible. You can use a tofu press – such as those found here  to make it super easy--- or drain and pat dry with paper towels.
• Then, use your hands to crumble the tofu into smaller “curds”
• Start by cooking the tofu until it has released some of its moisture and taken on a crumbly, egg-like texture. Add the other ingredients and enjoy this quick, nutritious snack any time of day!

Purple Cabbage Slaw

This colorful slaw is packed with nutrients and will leave you feeling satisfied without being stuffed. It’s a perfect mid-day snack. The basic recipe starts with a head of cooked and cooled purple cabbage. The sauce is made from tahini and lemon juice, which gives a bright flavor and provides the healthy fats needed to absorb the nutrients in the cabbage.

This is another recipe that can be customized based on what you have on hand or what flavor you’re craving. Try it with soy sauce for a rich, salty taste or smoked paprika for a savory treat. You can even add a buffalo sauce (check for a butter-free version like Frank’s Red Hot) for a spicy flavor.

• 1 head of cooked and cooled purple cabbage
• 4 tbsp of tahini
• 1 juiced lemon
• Sesame seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste