How About Some SUPER Snacking for the Super Bowl?
Whether it’s a Saturday night movie at home or the upcoming Super Bowl, it seems there’s always an occasion on the calendar that calls for some good snack ideas. Would you agree?
And since the Super Bowl actually is on its way, I thought NOW might be a good time to get serious about our snack lineup. Wouldn’t it be fun to shake it up a little and add a few surprises to the typical TV-watching menu?
The once very popular website, EAT THIS, NOT THAT (www.eatthis.com), has some really good ideas. See if any of these might appeal to the snack-loving Super Bowlers at your house:
LOADED APPLE NACHOS. This is a clever take on a proverbial favorite. Who knew you could create a plate of healthiness nacho-wise? The photo shows Granny Smith apple wedges, but I’d probably go for a less-tart apple. But the idea is to drizzle a favorite nut butter over the apples, then throw raisins, mini chocolate chips and coconut into the mix. These sweet "nachos" give the classic treat a real run for its money—without loading on the sugar or calories.
NO BAKE OATMEAL AND NUT BUTTER BITES. AKA Energy Bites, these are perfect for days when you're not hungry enough to commit to an entire granola bar or when you're simply craving something sweet that won't blow your diet. They only take 15 minutes to make and are filled with super-foods like flaxseed, chia seeds, and almonds. Oh, and of course, ooey-gooey nut butter, too! These are a favorite at our house.
Ingredients:
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup sliced almonds chopped
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter melted and slightly cooled
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon raw honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup ground peanut or ground almonds, to roll the balls in
Directions:
Add Recipe to Cook'n
PB FRUIT DIP. Here’s a delicious dip for your fruit-lovers. The combination of Greek yogurt and peanut butter is a protein duo made in heaven. You get a rich and creamy dip that's perfect for any occasion. Use a Greek yogurt that doesn't have ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, or buy a plain one and add your own flavor like cinnamon and vanilla. This is a smart trick to lose the added sugars and still get a flavorful punch!
Lastly, I’ll close with one more healthy idea that’s not based on any nut butter. This is a fruit and yogurt parfait. Choose the right yogurt and it’s as good as dessert. Gather your favorite fruits: bananas, clementine segments, blue berries, raspberries, halved strawberries, diced kiwi, grape halves, even watermelon balls are all superb suggestions and sit well together.
A full-fat vanilla Greek yogurt is always a good choice. And then include some vanilla-flavored toasted oats.
For these oats you’ll toast a cup or more (depending on how many parfaits you’ll be making) in melted butter in a frying pan on your stove top. Once the oats are nicely browned, take the pan off the heat and sprinkle a little vanilla over them.
In parfait or tall drinking glasses, layer your yogurt, oats, and fresh fruit. Repeat layers until glasses are filled. This is just scrumptious!
So with this delectable lineup of snacks on your roster, I wish you happy and healthy viewing. May the best team win!
And since the Super Bowl actually is on its way, I thought NOW might be a good time to get serious about our snack lineup. Wouldn’t it be fun to shake it up a little and add a few surprises to the typical TV-watching menu?
The once very popular website, EAT THIS, NOT THAT (www.eatthis.com), has some really good ideas. See if any of these might appeal to the snack-loving Super Bowlers at your house:
LOADED APPLE NACHOS. This is a clever take on a proverbial favorite. Who knew you could create a plate of healthiness nacho-wise? The photo shows Granny Smith apple wedges, but I’d probably go for a less-tart apple. But the idea is to drizzle a favorite nut butter over the apples, then throw raisins, mini chocolate chips and coconut into the mix. These sweet "nachos" give the classic treat a real run for its money—without loading on the sugar or calories.
NO BAKE OATMEAL AND NUT BUTTER BITES. AKA Energy Bites, these are perfect for days when you're not hungry enough to commit to an entire granola bar or when you're simply craving something sweet that won't blow your diet. They only take 15 minutes to make and are filled with super-foods like flaxseed, chia seeds, and almonds. Oh, and of course, ooey-gooey nut butter, too! These are a favorite at our house.
No-Bake Oatmeal and Nut Butter Bites
Ingredients:
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup sliced almonds chopped
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter melted and slightly cooled
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon raw honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup ground peanut or ground almonds, to roll the balls in
Directions:
1. Combine oats, almonds, flaxseed, chia seeds, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir.
2. Melt peanut butter and allow it to cool slightly (in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then stirred).
3. Stir in honey and vanilla extract until it’s combined.
4. Once peanut butter has cooled a bit, pour it over the oat mixture and mix well with a spoon then bring together with your hands.
5. Once mixture is sticking together, fold in chocolate chips.
6. Roll dough into golf-ball sized (or slightly smaller) balls, then roll in ground peanuts or ground almonds.
7. These can be eaten at room temp but are best when refrigerated for an hour or two.
2. Melt peanut butter and allow it to cool slightly (in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then stirred).
3. Stir in honey and vanilla extract until it’s combined.
4. Once peanut butter has cooled a bit, pour it over the oat mixture and mix well with a spoon then bring together with your hands.
5. Once mixture is sticking together, fold in chocolate chips.
6. Roll dough into golf-ball sized (or slightly smaller) balls, then roll in ground peanuts or ground almonds.
7. These can be eaten at room temp but are best when refrigerated for an hour or two.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
PB FRUIT DIP. Here’s a delicious dip for your fruit-lovers. The combination of Greek yogurt and peanut butter is a protein duo made in heaven. You get a rich and creamy dip that's perfect for any occasion. Use a Greek yogurt that doesn't have ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, or buy a plain one and add your own flavor like cinnamon and vanilla. This is a smart trick to lose the added sugars and still get a flavorful punch!
Lastly, I’ll close with one more healthy idea that’s not based on any nut butter. This is a fruit and yogurt parfait. Choose the right yogurt and it’s as good as dessert. Gather your favorite fruits: bananas, clementine segments, blue berries, raspberries, halved strawberries, diced kiwi, grape halves, even watermelon balls are all superb suggestions and sit well together.
A full-fat vanilla Greek yogurt is always a good choice. And then include some vanilla-flavored toasted oats.
For these oats you’ll toast a cup or more (depending on how many parfaits you’ll be making) in melted butter in a frying pan on your stove top. Once the oats are nicely browned, take the pan off the heat and sprinkle a little vanilla over them.
In parfait or tall drinking glasses, layer your yogurt, oats, and fresh fruit. Repeat layers until glasses are filled. This is just scrumptious!
So with this delectable lineup of snacks on your roster, I wish you happy and healthy viewing. May the best team win!
Sources:
- www.financialexpress.com
- www.eatthis.com
- www.twohealthykitchens.com
Alice Osborne
Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
Email the author! alice@dvo.com
