Crispy Ranch Chickpeas + 10 Healthy Snack Ideas

For busy folks, snacks are everything. Staying satisfied with a healthy snack prevents a hangry episode, and makes unhealthy food options less tempting. When looking for good snacks, I like having a good source of protein and/or healthy fat to keep me going during busy days. Below are a few of my favorite healthy snack ideas, along with the recipe for one of my new favorites – Crispy Ranch Chickpeas.  

10 Healthy Snack Ideas

1. Hummus and Veggies – I love dipping cucumber, snap peas and baby peppers into hummus. I like making my own hummus, it’s super easy, tasty and cheap (let me know if you want me to post the recipe!)

2. Almonds and Coconut Water – Such a tasty combo. 1/4 cup of almonds, with 8 oz. of coconut water help me power through a sluggish afternoon. 

3. Snack Bars – A few brands I really like are Larabars, Kind Bars and Zing Bars as those brands aren’t filled with anything sketchy. I’m also a big fan of homemade bars – especially if they taste like cookie dough 😉

4. Fruit and Nut butter – An apple with 1-2 Tablespoons of nut butter is an awesome snack, providing fiber, protein and healthy fat to keep you full. I’ve been loving cashew butter on everythang. 

5. String Cheese – Who didn’t love string cheese as a kid? It makes an awesome snack for adults too! One piece of string cheese has about 6 grams of protein and only 60 calories. 

6. Avocado Toast – 1/4 of an avocado spread on a piece of toast = heaven on earth.

7. Cottage Cheese + Fruit – Love cottage cheese – it’s packed with protein and makes an awesome snack! I love microwaving 1/2 an apple with a little stevia and cinnamon until soft, then topping with 1/3 cup of cottage cheese. It sounds weird, but is actually everything.

8. Boiled Eggs – It’s a classic for a reason. A boiled egg with fruit makes an awesome snack. 

9. Trail Mix – A good basic trail mix with nuts, seeds, coconut flakes and dried fruit is another favorite. Skip the M&M’s (or swap for dark chocolate) and keep the portion around 1/3 of a cup – it can be easy to get carried away. 

10. Yogurt – I kind of consider yogurt to be the holy grail of snacks. Picking a low-sugar, high-protein variety like plain Greek yogurt is one of my favorite ways to stay satisfied between meals. I like adding my own fruit and a small drizzle of honey to keep the sugar in check. 

In addition to the snack options above, I wanted to share a crunchy snack with you guys. There’s just something so satisfying about eating something with a go crunch to it I mean hi, that’s why chips and crackers are so addicting. Can’t lie, I loved ranch flavored corn nuts and chips back in the day. Now, I just can’t do it. Junk food hangovers are real, friends. 

Thankfully these chickpeas offer great crunch and delicious flavor without leaving you feeling gross. Snack on y’all. 

5.0 from 1 reviews

Crispy Ranch Chickpeas

 

Print

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

30 mins

Total time

35 mins

 

Author: The Balanced Berry

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz. Can of Chickpeas, Drained and Rinsed
• 2 Teaspoons of Olive Oil
• ¼ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• ¼ Teaspoon Onion Powder
• ¼ Teaspoon Dried Dill
• ¼ Teaspoon Dried Oregano
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. After draining and rinsing your chickpeas, lay them flat on a paper towel. Top with another paper towel and gently pat until dry. Place in a large bowl.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the chickpeas and toss to coat.
4. Combine seasonings in a smaller bowl and mix well. Pour seasoning over chickpeas and toss to evenly coat in the mixture.
5. Transfer to a baking sheet, and bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before storing.
7. Store in an airtight container. The chickpeas may lose a little crispiness while stored.

3.2.2885