The Best Light Snacks For Summer
Need some motivation to eat healthier this summer? These light snacks are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet, salty, and crunchy cravings, and they will leave you feeling light, energized, and satisfied!
1. Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are light snacks that will satisfy your salty cravings in a guilt-free way. If you find yourself reaching for a bag of Cheetos or Doritos this summer, consider eating a rice cake instead! You can top your rice cake with almost anything. Below I have listed my favorite toppings to put on my rice cakes. You cannot go wrong with any of these combinations!
Salmon, cream cheese, and capers
Peanut butter and raisins
Almond butter and strawberries
Peanut butter, banana, and honey
2. Cucumber Salad
A cucumber salad is a light and refreshing snack that is perfect for summer parties. Cucumbers can be bland by themselves, but this blend of flavorful veggies and oils will make your mouth water. If you need ideas for summer side dishes, this recipe is for you! I recommend serving this salad alongside baked potatoes and grilled chicken for a satisfying summer meal
Salad Ingredients:
4 ounces chopped red bell pepper
1 seedless cucumber, diced
3 celery sticks, diced
1 small fennel bulb, sliced
3 green onions, sliced
Dressing Ingredients:
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 garlic clove minced
2 teaspoons fresh tarragon
2 teaspoons fresh basil
Combine the peppers, cucumber, celery, fennel, and onion in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate. Whisk the oil, lemon juice, garlic, tarragon, and basil. Cover and refrigerate the dressing. Toss the salad with the dressing one hour before serving.
3. Smoothie Bowl
Smoothie bowls are aesthetically pleasing and light snacks that are perfect for summertime! They can also stand alone as a full meal depending on the ingredients you add. Below I have added my favorite smoothie bowl recipe that is flavorful and refreshing on hot summer days!
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen peaches
1 cup frozen banana
1/3 cup almond milk
A dash of lemon juice
Combine the ingredients in a blender and puree until the mixture is completely smooth. The mixture should be thick, but you can add a touch more liquid to get it to blend completely. Transfer your smoothie to a bowl and add all of your favorite toppings. I recommend adding blueberries, granola, and chia seeds.
4. Apple Nachos
If you are on TikTok, you know all about this light snack! Apple nachos are a fun and healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Simply slice an apple and place the slices around a plate. Drizzle peanut butter and sprinkle some chocolate chips on the top and enjoy! This is also a great appetizer option for hangouts with friends.
5. Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seed pudding is a delicious and refreshing summer snack. If you are working over the summer, consider making a batch of chia seed pudding each week so that you have a quick, light snack to grab in the morning! I recommend adding pumpkin seeds, granola, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to your pudding for extra flavor.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 cup banana almond milk (or any dairy-free milk)
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Stir all the ingredients together in a jar and refrigerate overnight. Add your favorite toppings in the morning and enjoy!
6. Snap Pea Chips
Snap pea chips are a great way to satisfy a case of the munchies! If you are craving something crunchy and salty, then these are the perfect light snack for you. You can buy the Harvest Snaps brand at the grocery store, or air fry a package of snap peas at home. I recommend adding some salt and grated parmesan to your homemade snap pea chips!
7. Energy Bites
These 5-ingredient energy bites are the perfect light snacks for summer! They are sweet, satisfying, and energizing. Did I mention that they don’t require any baking in the oven?! You can also make a large batch of these and stick them in your freezer. There are several energy bite recipes that you can find on Pinterest, but this one is my favorite because it is so simple!
Ingredients:
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup ground flax seeds
2 tablespoons honey
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, and refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes. Roll the dough into bite-size rounds and store them in your refrigerator or freezer. You can also add shredded coconut, chia seeds, or pumpkin seeds for more whole-food ingredients.
8. Chocolate Shake
If you need a refreshing drink to satisfy your sweet tooth, try this chocolate shake recipe! This recipe is dairy-free, but it tastes like real ice cream! If you want a guilt-free way to enjoy chocolate, this is the snack for you.
Ingredients:
2 frozen bananas
2 tablespoons cacao powder
2/3 cup almond milk
2 scoops protein powder (optional)
2 tablespoons peanut butter
Combine all the ingredients in a blend and blend until smooth. If you want to make this shake into a smoothie bowl, use 1/3 cup almond milk and top with your favorite toppings.
9. Breakfast Cookies
These breakfast cookies are packed with superfoods that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized! They are the perfect snack option for busy mornings, and a great energizer when you hit an afternoon slump. They are quick and easy to make, which makes them perfect for summertime!
Ingredients:
1 cup oats
1 egg
1 banana, mashed
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Mash the banana in a medium-sized bowl and mix in the other ingredients. Spoon the batter into cookie shapes, and arrange the cookies on a baking tray. Bake at 320ºF for 12 minutes. Store the cookies in your refrigerator and enjoy!
10. Frozen Yogurt
You only need 4 ingredients for this healthy frozen yogurt! If you crave ice cream during the summer, this is the perfect dessert for you. You can make a batch and store it in the freezer for whenever those cravings hit.
Ingredients:
1 mashed banana
2 cups Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or frozen berries (I use blueberries)
Mash the banana in a bowl, and add the Greek yogurt. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly. Gently fold the berries into the yogurt, stir, and freeze until you are ready to enjoy.
