People might think that a vegan lifestyle isn’t super exciting because of all the dietary restrictions. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there are many healthy and delicious vegan recipes and snacks.
From plant-based protein to healthy fats, read on for some vegan snack ideas that are sure to spice up your diet.
Simple And Healthy Vegan Snacks To Make At Home
Most simple vegan snacks can be made in the comfort of your own home with items you probably already have in your kitchen.
When weighing your snack options, make sure you have a variety of textures and tastes so you don’t get bored. Try out different combinations to see which snacks you like the most.
‘Cheesy’ Roasted Chickpeas
Ingredients:
1 can of chickpeas- 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon herb of choice (try rosemary, thyme, or oregano)
- ½ teaspoon garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Drain and dry chickpeas and toss into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix in nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative to cheese.
- Add herb of choice for flavor.
- Add garlic and onion powder.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add mixture to a baking pan.
- Cook in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until chickpeas are golden and crispy.1
Vegan Coconut Protein Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup of Medjool dates (pits removed)
- 1 cup of walnuts
Directions:
- Toss unsweetened shredded coconut, Medjool dates (pits removed), and walnuts into a food processor. Process until finely chopped.
- Add a tablespoon of water to the crumbled mixture. Repeat until the mixture has clumped into a ball.
- Transfer the protein ball to a wax paper-lined baking pan. Press down and pack firmly into the baking pan to form the bars.
- Cover the pan and stick it into the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Cut into bars and serve. Store up to one week in an airtight container.2
Other Snack Ideas:
Smoothies – Use coconut milk or another milk alternative and blend with berries or other fruits for a hearty beverage. Use maple syrup or monk fruit to sweeten.3
Celery Sticks – Top celery sticks with nut butter and raisins. This childhood classic is quick, inexpensive, and yummy.4
Store-Bought Snacks To Try If You Don’t Feel Like Cooking
- Hummus – This smooth dip is perfect with crackers or veggies. Usually made out of chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, and other spices, hummus is a delicious, healthy alternative to heavier dips with cheese or beans.5
- Rice Cakes – Sweet, crunchy popped rice cakes can be eaten alone or topped with nut butter, avocado, bananas, or any combination of spreads/fruits/vegetables that you like.6
- Dairy-Free Yogurt – More and more milk alternatives are readily available, and dairy free yogurt is no exception. This yogurt can be eaten alone or paired with berries, granola, and other fresh ingredients.
- Sweet Potato Chips – In a pinch, sweet potato chips can satisfy, but read the labels carefully. Many pre-packaged foods contain a lot of salt and sugar. You can also try making your own healthier version at home.
- Nuts/Seeds – Both nuts and seeds are nutritious snacks that are good on the go. Sunflower seeds, cashews, and almonds are a few tasty options.7
- Vegan Chocolate – If you’re craving sweets, grab some vegan chocolate. Both milk chocolate and dark chocolate contain milk, but there are chocolate options that don’t contain any animal products at all.8
The key is variety when it comes to a vegan lifestyle. As you can see, there are plenty of vegan-friendly options available in stores.
Easy Vegan Diet Snack Ideas: Trail Mix And Other Crunchy Snack Options
Some of the yummiest snack options are the easiest to put together. Trail mix is a quick and easy way to build your own vegan snack. Mix and match different dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and other add-ins to make your own homemade trail mix.
The beauty of trail mix is that the combinations are endless and it can be a nutritious snack. Nuts contain plenty of healthy fats, fiber and protein But if you’re watching your calorie intake, don’t over do it – nuts are high in calories.9
Incorporate Healthy Fats And Plant-Based Proteins In Your Snacks
While snacking, make sure you’re rounding out your diet with plenty of healthy fats and plant-based proteins.
Foods like avocados, coconut oil, and walnuts are full of healthy fats. Plant-based proteins, such as beans, can help you get the nutrients your body needs.
If you’re looking to add more plant-based protein to your vegan diet, reach for nuts and beans. The average serving of beans (½ cup) contains about 7 grams of protein – the same as one ounce of meat.10
Avoid Sugar In Your Vegan Snacks: Use Dried Fruits For Sweet Flavors
It’s easy to let your sweet tooth take over when making snacks. Too much sugar is bad for you, and many processed foods have way too much of it. Avoid processed foods when you can.
One way to get a sweet fix is to add dried fruits to your snacks. Most dried fruits still contain a lot of sugar but they aren’t as bad as other processed snacks like chips and candy. If you don’t have time to prep your own homemade vegan snacks, fresh fruits are an easy grab-and-go option to satisfy your sweet tooth and hunger.11
Every Diet Is Easier With Options
If you want to diversify your vegan lifestyle food options, snacks are a good way to do just that. There are so many excellent combinations to try. Spend an afternoon in your kitchen experimenting a bit, and you might just come up with your next favorite vegan snack.
A vegan diet can be versatile. Try different recipes, test new ingredients, and have fun. Just make sure your diet is well-rounded by eating snacks full of healthy fats, protein, and other nutrients.
Learn More:
Fresh Vegan Pasta Recipes To Make At Home
Warning Signs of Low Potassium – Know Them To Heed Them
The Quick Guide to Vegan Eggs
Sources
1 https://gratefulgrazer.com/home/cheesy-herb-roasted-chickpeas-vegan/
2 https://realfoodrealdeals.com/coconut-protein-bar-recipe/
3 https://www.yummly.com/recipes/coconut-milk-smoothie-vegan
4 https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-celery-peanut-butter-4202.html
5 https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/03/vegan-snack-recipes.html
6 https://www.freshnlean.com/vegan-snack-ideas/
7 https://www.thespruceeats.com/vegan-snack-ideas-3377643
8 https://www.thespruceeats.com/is-chocolate-vegan-3377738
9 https://www.verywellfit.com/how-to-make-low-carb-trail-mix-2242370
10 https://health.clevelandclinic.org/these-top-4-protein-sources-may-surprise-you/
11 https://aaptiv.com/magazine/fruit-sugar