As Bon Appétit’s resident snackers (conveniently seated across from each other in the office), we spend a lot of time passing snacks over our monitors between writing sessions and meetings. At this point, we know a thing or two about healthy snacks—as nebulous as the term healthy may be. We’re constantly on the lookout for little treats between meals that also feel satiating and nutrient-rich, but are more exciting than an apple or a handful of nuts.
Of course, we also want snacks that taste really good—the kind of snacks that tempt us to eat the entire bag in one sitting. Sometimes that means nut-butter-filled dates, while other times, what we really want is a bag of sweet potato chips. In general, we reach for healthy snacks with protein (from nuts, beans, or meat), healthy fats, and fiber.
Could you make your own healthy snacks, like these nut butter granola bars? Yes. But sometimes you just want a quick bite that requires absolutely no effort. Everything on this list is store-bought, and since the market for healthy snacks is constantly growing, we’ll be trying all the newest ones and updating this list on a seasonal basis. Read on to see our favorite healthy snacks for winter or scroll down to see our all-time favorites.
Winter favorites
Party of Popcorn
As one of BA’s resident snack columnists, I snack a lot, so I can say with confidence that Party of Popcorn is doing something different—and exciting. The popcorn brand comes in two flavors, Thai Chili Lime and Pad Thai, which both taste as good as they sound. I’m partial to the Pad Thai; peanutty, bright, and equal parts sweet and savory, it’s remarkably reminiscent of the noodle dish it was inspired by. There are supposedly two 3-cup servings per (conveniently resealable) bag, but I’ve been known to polish off the whole thing in one sitting. —Alaina Chou, commerce writer
Geem Seaweed Chips
My major gripe with traditional roasted seaweed snacks is that the sheets are so thin, they lack the satisfying crunch I’m looking for when I snack. Not so with Geem, which layers nori with rice crisps and sesame seeds to make a bite-size chip that’s a true textural dream. I tried the Just Salty flavor, which, despite its name, gets a touch of sweetness from the inclusion of brown rice syrup that balances the briny seaweed beautifully. I’m eyeing the Just Spicy and Just Sweet flavors for my next order. —A.C.
Solely Fruit Jerky
Solely’s dried fruit and fruit gummies are some of my favorite travel snacks, and its Mango Raspberry fruit jerky has officially become my new go-to. Made with just two ingredients (organic mango and organic raspberries), it’s the perfect on-the-go healthy snack. On a recent flight, I looked over to find my seatmate breaking open a Solely jerky. I proudly told him I also had a few stashed in my work bag. The jerky also comes in Mango Blueberry (a close second favorite), plus Pineapple and Banana varieties. —Kate Kassin, editorial operations manager
RXBAR Protein Energy Bites
I’ve been a fan of RXBAR’s protein bars for years, and the brand’s newly launched protein energy bites did not disappoint. Like the bars, the bites have a refreshingly simple ingredient list made up primarily of egg whites, dates, and a peanut butter filling. They come two to a pack, which is the perfect amount for a satisfying pre- or post-workout snack. The Strawberry Peanut Butter flavor has bits of real strawberry and scratches that nostalgic PB&J itch, but if you’re more of a chocolate person, the Chocolate Peanut Butter version is equally good. —A.C.
Siggi’s Yogurt Pouches
I have no scientific evidence, but I strongly believe that eating food out of a pouch sparks joy, whether it’s yogurt or applesauce. It makes me feel like a kid again, and it’s convenient for eating on the go (subway included, I dare say). Siggi’s, the Icelandic-style yogurt brand we know and love, makes yogurt pouches that are high in protein with 8 grams per pouch, made with real fruit, and available in flavors like Peach Mango and Mixed Berry. They may be labeled as kids’ pouches, but I’m declaring all ages welcome. —K.K.
All-Time Favorites
Bjornqorn
Life is full of important lessons, like that popcorn is better solar-popped and lightly coated with nutritional yeast—Bjornqorn taught me this. The upstate New York–based brand uses reflective mirrors that focus the sun’s rays on its kettles to pop its corn. The result is delightfully airy popcorn that, with just the right dose of salt and nutritional yeast, becomes addictively tasty despite its simplicity. I love the classic, but the spicy, which has added Jalapeño Pepper, has become my latest vice. —K.K.
Wilde Chips
Meat snacks can be hit or miss for me, but these chips from Wilde are a definite hit. They’re made from chicken breast, egg whites, and bone broth, which may sound unusual, but the result is a deeply savory, ultra-crunchy chip that’s got 10 grams of protein per serving and is infinitely more satisfying than a bag of Lays. The Nashville Hot is my current favorite, but the brand also makes Sea Salt & Vinegar, Barbecue, and Himalayan Pink Salt if you’re looking for a more classic flavor option. —A.C.
Spirit Almonds
These almonds are so good that my father, who is not typically a snacker (I got that trait from my mother), subscribed to the variety pack after trying them. They aren’t just your run-of-the-mill salty almonds. They’re Japanese-flavored, dry-roasted almonds with umami-packed options like Miso, Curry, Seaweed, and Koji Salt. There’s a nice balance of flavor with just enough seasoning that the flavor builds as you eat them. Plus, each single-serving pack has 7 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, making them an extra great travel snack. —K.K.
Hu Kitchen
No nighttime routine is complete without a few squares of dark chocolate, and Hu’s fair trade organic dark chocolate bars are among the best you can get. We love the brand’s dark chocolate bars that come in flavors like Almond Butter + Puffed Quinoa and Crunchy Mint. The hazelnut-butter-filled dark chocolate bites are one of our favorites for a quick midday pick-me-up. And don’t miss the Hunks, a.k.a. almonds and cashews dipped in dark chocolate, and Gems, gumdrop-shaped chocolate chunks that are, well, gems. —K.K.
Nufs
I grew up on mostly Ritz and Saltines, but these days I tend to gravitate toward crackers with some oomph like nuts, seeds, or fun flavor combinations. Nufs makes crackers free of gluten, dairy, and seed oils, and they are just as good eaten straight out of the bag as they are with cheese or a dip. The crackers, which come in Sea Salt, Hot Honey, and Everything Bagel varieties, pack just enough subtle flavor without being overpowering, and they’re the perfect size for snacking (they also make “plank crackers” for a wider canvas). They nail the texture—just the right amount of crispy with a nice heft from the combination of almond, rice, and cassava flours. —K.K.
Chia Smash Bites
I aspire to make my own nut butter protein bites at home, but Chia Smash has made it impossibly easy to just buy their superfood bites instead. The jammy, nut butter bites, which taste and look homemade (in a good way), come in bags of five each and pack in seven to nine grams of protein. The best part is that the ingredients are ones you could find in your own kitchen. The bites star their chia-studded fruit jams, which get their sweetness from date syrup and lemon juice and your preferred nut butter—there’s peanut butter with grape jam, sunflower butter with strawberry, cashew butter with blueberry, and my personal favorite, the chocolate peanut butter with raspberry. They scratch the itch for a PB&J craving and also have enough protein to hold you over until your next meal. —K.K.
Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips
I brought these to a barbecue, mostly and selfishly so I could grab a bag for myself and eat them while I grilled all night long. The chips are kettle-cooked in avocado oil and come in flavors like Spicy Jalapeño, Farmhouse Ranch, and Habanero Nacho—my personal favorite of the bunch because they actually have a kick to them. For Ruffles fans like myself, there are also wavy varieties in cheddar and sour cream or sea salt (which has only three ingredients!). The chips aren’t greasy and have a nice thicker heft for dipping while still maintaining that optimal crunch for eating them by the handful. The only downside is that I wish the bag were fuller. —K.K.
Stellar Eats
The mug cake trend has had a few resurgences and for good reason—who wouldn’t want dessert for one whipped up in a few short minutes at the drop of a hat? Naturally, I was thrilled to see the latest release of Instant Treats from Stellar Eats, my go-to brand for gluten-free baking mixes. They’re single-serve portions of their mixes like Banana Bread, Carrot Cake, and Fudge Brownie (my personal go-to) and are ready to eat in less than two minutes—all you need to do is pour the contents into a mug, add an ingredient or two like water or oil as instructed, and patiently wait a few minutes for your cake to cook and cool. —K.K.
Ella’s Flats
Ella’s Flats are, without a doubt, in our cracker hall of fame. The small family-owned brand makes savory crisps just from seeds, from sunflower to pumpkin to flax, and spices like cumin and caraway. Ella’s Flats are sturdy enough to dip into hummus or work as a bread substitute for avocado toast, yet they’re light enough to eat on their own for a protein-and-fiber-packed snack. We also love the Everything or Spicy varieties crumbled into a salad or the Sesame or Hemp ones into a yogurt bowl for an added crunch.—K.K.
Chomps
If you told us a few years ago that everyone would be walking around eating beef jerky sticks, we’d might not have believed you. But the desire for high-protein, low-sugar, and keto- and paleo-friendly foods has led to an influx of packaged snacks in this category. Chomps offers our current favorite meat sticks in Beef, Turkey, and Venison. These sticks contain no sugar and no fillers, and they also come in a half-size option that can fit in your pocket. This is a satisfyingly savory snack that’s great for when you need to each something filling on the go. —K.K.
Amazi Dried Fruit
Amazi makes dried fruit that isn’t just your run-of-the-mill dried mango or apples. The brand makes craveable flavors like Ginger Turmeric, Chili Lime Jackfruit, Moringa Hibiscus Pineapple, and Salted Olive Oil Plantain chips. All the flavors are free from added sugar and boast just three ingredients in every bag. I can’t stop reaching for the Ginger Lime Jackfruit—it’s sticky, chewy, and lightly tangy. Plus, what sets Amazi apart is the brand’s commitment to both sourcing and producing the snacks in Uganda right at the source. —K.K.
