Healthy Nut-Based Snack Ideas

Everybody is looking for healthy snack ideas, and nuts make an excellent recipe ingredient for sweet, savory, and salty treats. On their own, peanuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, and mixed nuts are healthy snacks with enough fiber and protein to keep you going until your next meal. Snack recipes that make nuts the star ingredient can take your morning nosh, afternoon tea, or early evening refreshment to a whole new level. When you want ideas for healthy nut-based snacks that provide both sustenance and fun, try one of these easy recipes.

Simple Chocolate, Nut & Fruit Mix

Nothing satisfies your snack cravings like a mix of decadent chocolate, salty nuts, and sweet dried fruit. Dark chocolate, including semi-sweet and bittersweet varieties, contains heart-healthy antioxidants; nuts provide muscle-building protein; and the fiber in dried fruit fills you up.

Mix together:

• 1 cup of dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups of your favorite salted nut, such as shelled peanuts, almonds, or pistachios
• 1 cup of dried cranberries, raisins, pineapple, or other favorite dried fruit

Simply scoop out a handful when hunger hits. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Spicy Garlic Peanuts

Sometimes a healthy snack of spicy, savory nuts hits the spot. This nut snack recipe features garlic powder, a power-packed seasoning filled with nutrients and antioxidants that can lower blood pressure and boost the immune system, and olive oil, rich in oleic acid linked to inflammation reduction and heart health. Snack on these healthy nuts on their own or sprinkle them over salads and sandwiches.

Toast 1 cup of shelled roasted and unsalted peanuts in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat for 2 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle over ½ teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt) and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and stir to combine. Remove peanuts from heat and place in a bowl to enjoy. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; peanuts can be reheated on the stove before you eat them.

Peanut Butter Power Smoothie

A smoothie is a healthy snack when filled with good things like fruit, nut butter, and non-fat Greek yogurt that contains bone-strengthening calcium, gut-supporting probiotics, and muscle-building protein.

Smoothie Ingredients

½ cup vanilla flavored Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon nut butter (any type, such as Hampton Farms Creamy Peanut Butter)
1 cup frozen berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or a mixture)
½ banana, peeled
¼ cup milk (any fat level; can also substitute almond, soy, rice, or oat milk)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth; pour into a cup and enjoy.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

This nut snack may be slightly indulgent due to the butter and sugar content, but it still contains healthy ingredients: creamy peanut butter and oats. Oats are healthy grains filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, so don’t feel too guilty about enjoying these cookies as an occasional treat.

Ingredients

3 cups white sugar

¾ cup butter

¾ cup milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1½ cups peanut or almond butter

4½ cups quick-cooking oats

Instructions

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, butter, and milk. Bring to a rapid boil and let go for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and peanut butter. Mix in the oats and stir to combine. Drop mixture by rounded teaspoons onto waxed paper. Let cool until set.

Enjoy these healthy nut-based snacks while you explore our blog to discover more about the benefits of peanuts.

Hampton Farms has been the leading supplier of the freshest, best quality roast and raw peanuts from seed to shelf since 1917 so you can enjoy them in-shell, out of shell, salted, unsalted, or any way you like them.