When September comes and the summertime laze draws to a close, no matter where you are in the world, the bustle of back-to-school and back-to-work is undeniable. That, along with the occasional cool breeze (just to remind you that autumn is en route) makes mid-afternoon snacking both essential and comforting. We could all use a little pick-me-up, right? This month we’re channelling the nostalgia of after-school snacking with recipes that are fast, easy and designed to be devoured by the spoonful at the table or on the go.
Air Fryer Baked Apples – There’s nothing cosier than a house filled with the scent of baked apples. One of autumn’s most quintessential flavours can be time-consuming to prepare given the long baking times, but this recipe from Keeping the Peas! uses an air fryer to speed up the process. Simply peel, slice and core the apples, combine with corn starch, cinnamon and maple syrup, then bake in the air fryer for 14 minutes. Once ready, they’re delicious on their own or topped with whipped cream or ice cream.
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Apple Pie Parfait – Another way to enjoy that iconic autumn apple flavour is to layer them with Greek yogurt and crispy granola in an indulgent parfait. Culinary nutritionist Nicole Stefanow loves this recipe as a dessert alternative: it satisfies a sweet tooth and is packed with protein and fibre. It’s deceptively sinful, and will keep you going for hours. Not into apples? The beauty of the yogurt parfait is that just about anything goes! You can layer fresh, dried or frozen fruit, nut butters, granola, nuts and all kinds of grains for texture.
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Acai Bowl – Acai bowls aren’t going out of style anytime soon, and for good reason. Jessica Randhawa of popular food blog The Forked Spoon recommends a variation with frozen fruit for extra pop and freshness. It’s packed with fibre, antioxidants and healthy fats to power you all the way to the evening. She starts with Acai berry puree, bananas, fruit juice and frozen blueberries and strawberries. For the toppings, add granola, seeds, nuts and fresh sliced fruit. Just like yogurt parfaits, the ingredients are interchangeable – once you master the process you can always change up the flavour.
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Sweet Potato Cookie Dough Cups – Chocolate chip cookie dough is an irresistibly nostalgic treat for kids and adults alike, but between the raw eggs and all the sugar, it’s hardly ideal for everyday snacking. Brooke Siem, champion of the Food Network show Chopped, designed the perfect solution to soothe the craving. She starts with another autumn favourite, the sweet potato. Essentially, you roast a Japanese/Murasaki sweet potato (with purple skin and white flesh, available at most Asian markets), then mix it with a little peanut butter, vanilla extract, salt and chocolate chips. Then dig in with a spoon!
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Crunchy Hummus Cup – We tend to think of hummus as spreadable or dippable, but here’s a clever way to make it spoonable, too: Start with your favourite recipe (we like this one from My Morning Mocha.) Slice pita bread with a knife (or even scissors) into bite-size squares, and toast until crispy. Toss with a few spoonfuls of hummus, then drizzle with olive oil and your favourite garnish, like parsley or sumac, and snack to your heart’s content.
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Rice Salad – Another savoury, spoonable snack with infinite variations is rice salad. It’s a ubiquitous summer treat and aperitivo snack in Italy, and can be made with just about anything. Start with plain rice. Day-old rice works, too (in fact if the rice is a bit dried out, it will keep your salad from getting soggy). A classic recipe includes canned tuna, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and cubed mozzarella. You can also try cubed ham or even an all-veggie version with fresh herbs. [Photo: Marco Verch/Flickr]
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Papaya Watermelon Smoothie Bowl – Swap out the soft serve ice cream for fresh fruit in this cool and refreshing frozen dessert recipe. Combine equal parts frozen ripe banana, frozen chopped papaya and frozen chopped watermelon, along with a few tablespoons of plant-based milk (oat and coconut work well), then blend in a food processor until fluffy. Reduce liquid for a thicker consistency. Enjoy it alone or top with fruits, nuts, seeds, chocolate chips or anything else you can think of.
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Burrito Bowls – Burritos are a classic, handheld street food, but you can easily transform them into a spoonable snack. Combine black beans, cubed avocado, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, rice and your desired protein cut into bite-sized pieces. Top with cheese and sour cream, stir, and enjoy. You can even thinly slice a few strips of tortilla and toss them in the mix for the full flavour sensation. [Photo: goblinbox/Flickr]
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Power Jello Snack Cups – Nothing says childhood like a jiggly jello cup. If you can’t recall when you last had one, now’s the time to spoon your way down memory lane. This recipe uses protein powder and Greek yogurt for a creamy, energy-packed consistency. Not into dairy? Try making your own jello cups by combining unflavoured gelatine with fresh juice – or even wine, for a more grown-up version of . Or layer different-coloured jello packets for pizzazz, and add chopped fresh fruit for variety.
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Loaded Baked Potato Cups – Warm, rich and comforting, baked potatoes are a staple of the colder seasons. They are typically served as a side dish, but you can easily make them the star of the snack show. The process is similar to devilled eggs: Roast russet potatoes (or any other thick- skinned potato) until tender. Once they’re cool enough to handle, cut them in half width-wise to create two cups. Slice off the ends so they can sit upright, before carefully scooping out the potato innards and mixing it with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, chives or whatever inspires you. Fill up your potato cups and serve with a spoon.
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Get The Scoop: 11 Delicious Spoonable Snacks.
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Cake In A Mug – When a cake craving hits, there’s no need to grease up your baking pans or break out the mixer: cake in a mug is a fast and easy way to get your fix. Whether you’re hankering for rich chocolate or spiced banana bread, all you need are a few basic ingredients and a microwave oven (or an air fryer, if using an oven-safe mug or ramekin). You may need to test out a few recipes before you find your favourite, but once you do, don’t blame us when your favourite trousers start to feel a bit tight.
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