Top News

23 5-Star Snacks You’ll Want to Make on Repeat
Samira Vishwas | August 31, 2026 2:24 AM CST

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.

These snacks are the best of the best! Rated five stars by EatingWell readers, we’re sure these recipes will become some of your favorite snacks, too. With a variety of snack jars, energy balls and oat bars, there is something in this lineup for everyone. Try our High-Protein Chocolate Banana Muffins and Strawberry–Cottage Cheese Snack Jar for a nourishing snack that will help tide you over until your next meal.

01 of 23

High-Protein Chocolate Banana Muffins Are Perfect for Meal Prep

Credit: Photographer: Fred Hardy II., Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Fred Hardy II., Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

These high-protein chocolate banana muffins are a delicious way to stock your freezer with a homemade breakfast or snack. Bake a batch ahead, freeze the muffins individually and reheat or thaw them whenever you want a chocolaty snack.

View Recipe

02 of 23

Strawberry–Cottage Cheese Snack Jar Is an Easy High-Protein Snack

Credit: Photographer: Caley Ellenburg.
Credit: Photographer: Caley Ellenburg.

This easy snack jar combines creamy cottage cheese, sweet strawberries and crunchy cinnamon-sugar roasted chickpeas for a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. Packed with protein and fiber, these make-ahead snack jars are perfect for busy afternoons or an on-the-go breakfast.

View Recipe

03 of 23

High-Protein Apple-Cinnamon-Ricotta Bread

Credit: Photographer: Caley Ellenburg.
Credit: Photographer: Caley Ellenburg.

Ricotta cheese and almond flour give this tender quick bread a protein boost while keeping the crumb exceptionally moist. Sweet apples and plenty of cinnamon make it perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack or a healthier dessert, while an optional lemon glaze adds just the right amount of brightness.

View Recipe

04 of 23

Mango-Lime Coconut Energy Balls

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.

These mango-lime coconut energy balls are a bright, naturally sweet snack that’s perfect for a quick pick-me-up. Rolled in coconut, they’re an easy, no-bake option to keep on hand for busy days.

View Recipe

05 of 23

Strawberry-Walnut Yogurt Parfait

Credit: Photographer: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.
Credit: Photographer: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.

This simple strawberry-walnut yogurt parfait comes together in just 10 minutes for a satisfying snack. Mashing some of the strawberries into the yogurt creates a naturally sweet, fruity base, while layers of fresh berries and crunchy walnuts add texture and flavor.

View Recipe

06 of 23

Cottage Cheese Snack Jar with Cucumber & Furikake Seasoning

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.

This quick snack jar pairs creamy cottage cheese with a crisp, tangy cucumber topping for a refreshing bite. It’s an easy snack that delivers protein and can be enjoyed on the go.

View Recipe

07 of 23

Bread with Tomato

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.

Pan con tomate is a traditional Spanish dish that transforms a handful of simple ingredients into something special. Ripe tomato is grated into a fresh pulp and spooned over crisp, garlic-rubbed toast, then finished with olive oil and flaky salt for a bright, flavorful snack or appetizer.

View Recipe

08 of 23

Strawberries & Cream Energy Balls

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.

These strawberry energy balls are a naturally sweet snack made with fruit, oats and nuts. Cream cheese lends a tangy flavor in the center of these energy balls. They’re a convenient option for a quick morning bite before breakfast or for an afternoon snack.

View Recipe

09 of 23

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Credit: Photographer: Jason Donnelly, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
Credit: Photographer: Jason Donnelly, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.

These no-bake granola bars are a simple snack made with just a handful of pantry staples. Naturally sweetened with dates and held together with creamy peanut butter, they come together quickly in the food processor, no oven required.

View Recipe

10 of 23

Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters

Credit: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Sue Mitchell, Prop stylist: Skylar Myers,
Credit: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Sue Mitchell, Prop stylist: Skylar Myers,

These 3-ingredient sweet treats are a breeze to make and, because dark chocolate clusters take just 15 minutes to prepare, they can be made on short notice to feed a crowd. While cashews contribute a sweet and mild flavor, don’t hesitate to swap them out for an alternative like almonds or peanuts, or try adding dried cranberries or cherries for a delightfully tangy twist.

View Recipe

11 of 23

Roasted Butternut Squash Seeds

Credit: Caitlin Bensel
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Don’t throw away your butternut squash seeds. Roast them instead! Roasted butternut squash seeds are a great snack or salad topper. Enjoy them plain or jazzed up with one of the variations below.

View Recipe

12 of 23

Medium-Boiled Eggs

Medium-boiled eggs have a jammy texture that’s delicious on toast, salads and so much more.

View Recipe

13 of 23

Crackers with Peanut Butter

Salty and sweet, crunchy and creamy, this snack combines the best of all worlds.

View Recipe

14 of 23

How to Make Popcorn in the Microwave

Credit: Casey Barber
Credit: Casey Barber

Learn how to make popcorn in the microwave for a quick, fuss-free snack. You can make popcorn in a brown paper bag or in a bowl—get instructions for both methods below. Once the kernels are popped, you can add any seasonings you want for a sweet or salty snack.

View Recipe

15 of 23

Everything Bagel Cheese Ball

This is not your grandma’s cheese ball. It has all the flavor of an everything bagel in the nostalgic appetizer. Pair it with crackers, bagel chips and/or raw veggies.

View Recipe

16 of 23

Yogurt with Blueberries & Honey

A simple combination of Greek-style yogurt and blueberries gets an extra touch of sweetness from golden honey. It’s the perfect balance of protein and fiber to keep you energized.

View Recipe

17 of 23

Pretzels with Dark Chocolate & Peanut Butter

Get the salty-sweet chocolate satisfaction of a candy bar with this better-for-you chocolate-peanut butter gluten-free snack or dessert recipe. Pair it with a glass of milk, hot or cold, for a boost of calcium and protein.

View Recipe

18 of 23

Fig & Honey Yogurt

In this Mediterranean-inspired snack, dried figs and honey top plain yogurt. Substitute fresh figs if you can find them.

View Recipe

19 of 23

Strawberries and Cottage Cheese

This snack mixes a serving of dairy with a serving of fresh fruit and provides a boost of vitamin C and calcium to your day.

View Recipe

20 of 23

Frozen Chocolate-Banana Bites

Dark chocolate is drizzled on chunks of banana then frozen to make this sweet snack or dessert.

View Recipe

21 of 23

Sweet Potato Chips

Make perfectly crunchy veggie chips at home with this healthy recipe. Use a mandoline to slice the sweet potatoes extra-thin for the optimum crunch!

View Recipe

22 of 23

Mango Fruit Leather

This no-sugar-added fruit snack is a healthy treat kids and adults will both love. It’s perfect for packing in a lunchbox for school or work, or just enjoying as a snack or better-for-you dessert at home.

View Recipe

23 of 23

Sprouted-Grain Toast with Peanut Butter & Banana

Jelly is delicious, but nothing beats the natural sweetness of a nutritious banana. It’s the perfect addition to creamy peanut butter and a crisp slice of fiber-rich toast.

View Recipe


READ NEXT
Cancel OK