It’s the end of the school year, which means it’s finals season. There is so much cramming to do in such a small amount of time. Who has time to cook? Like, really, who? The answer: No one. But, here are 10 simple and cheap snack recipes to help fuel your brain.
1. Toast pizza.
Ingredients:
2 slices of bread
2 tbsp. of tomato sauce
¼ cup of your favorite cheese
Optional: toppings!
Directions: Spread a tablespoon of tomato sauce on each slice of bread. Divide the cheese equally between the slices and place it on top of the toast. Add whatever toppings you like to finish it off. Place them in the toaster (or oven) until the cheese turns golden brown.
2. Dessert quesadilla.
Ingredients:
1 tortilla
4 tbsp. of peanut butter (you can use other spreads, such as Nutella, cookie butter, etc.)
3 sliced strawberries
¼ cup of chocolate chips
Directions: Spread the peanut butter equally on half of the tortilla. Place one layer of strawberries on top of the peanut butter, then add the chocolate chips. Cook on a griddle for about two minutes on each side. Optional: sprinkle some powdered sugar and cinnamon on top!!
3. Baked curry zucchini chips.
Ingredients:
1 Zucchini
1 tbsp of olive oil
¼ tsp of curry powder
⅛ tsp of garlic
⅛ tsp of salt
Directions: Preheat your oven to 225 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper that has been brushed lightly with olive oil. Cut the ends off of the zucchini and discard. Slice the rest of the zucchini into thin rounds. Place the zucchini rounds neatly on the baking sheet with a little room between each. Lightly brush the top of the rounds with olive oil. In a small bowl, mix your dry ingredients together. Sprinkle the dry mixture evenly over the zucchini rounds. Place in the oven for about an hour, or until the rounds are dry and crisp.
4. Bloomin’ baked apples.
Ingredients:
1 apple
1 tbsp. of butter
1 ½ tbsp. of brown sugar, packed
½ tbsp of flour
½ tsp. of cinnamon
2 caramel squares
Directions: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. To get the bloomin’ look, cut off the top of the apple, scoop out the core, and use a sharp knife to make two, deep circular cuts around the center of the apple. Then, flip over the apple and make narrow, vertical cuts all the way around. Once you are done, flip the apple back over. Place the apple in an oven safe dish and place the two caramel squares in the center of the apple. In a microwave safe bowl, heat the butter and brown sugar for 30 seconds and stir. Remove the bowl and stir in the flour and cinnamon. Pour the mixture on top of the apple. Bake the apple for about 25 minutes, checking periodically, until the apples are soft. Try eating this with some vanilla ice cream (optional, but highly recommended!)
5. Parmesan cauliflower bites.
Ingredients:
1 cup of cauliflower florets
¼ cup of Panko breadcrumbs
⅛ cup of flour
⅛ cup of olive oil
1 egg, beaten
⅛ cup of parmesan cheese, grated
½ tsp. of garlic powder
½ tsp. of oregano
Directions: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In a large bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and oregano. To coat the cauliflower, dip it into the flour, then into the egg, then into the Panko breadcrumb mixture. Add the cauliflower to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about two minutes. Try different dipping sauces, like BBQ or tomato sauce for some extra flavor!
6. Blueberry cheesecake popsicle bites
Ingredients:
2 cups of blueberries
½ cup of cream cheese
6 tbsp. of powdered sugar
2 cups of Cool Whip
Directions: Puree the blueberries, cream cheese, and powdered sugar in a blender until smooth. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until smooth. Spoon the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until firm. Run under hot water to remove the bites from the ice cube trays.
7. Greek yogurt cookie dough.
Ingredients:
1 single serve vanilla or plain greek yogurt
1 tbsp. of peanut butter
1 tbsp. of sugar
1 tbsp. of chocolate chips
¼ tsp. of vanilla
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients with Greek yogurt.
8. Peach frozen yogurt.
Ingredients:
3 ripe peaches, peeled and cut into small chunks
¼ cup of honey
2 ½ cups of vanilla or plain Greek yogurt
Directions: Puree the peaches in a blender until there are no chunks. Add the honey and greek yogurt, then continue to puree until smooth and creamy. Pour the mixture into a container and freeze until firm. Top it off with some whipped cream and cinnamon/ brown sugar mixture!
9. Cake batter bars.
Ingredients:
5 cups of Vanilla Chex cereal
5 cups of marshmallows
4 tbsp. of butter
1 ½ tsp. of vanilla extract
2 tsp. of sprinkles
Directions: Use a large pan and line it with wax paper and lightly spray it with cooking oil. Set the pan aside until the mixture is ready. In a medium sized saucepan over medium low heat, add the butter and let it melt. Once the butter is melted add in the marshmallows and stir regularly. After the butter and marshmallows are melted add the vanilla extract and the Chex cereal. Stir until everything is combined, then add the sprinkles and continue to stir until combined. Spread the mixture into the pan and place in the fridge until firm. When ready, cut the bars into squares and store extra in an airtight container in the fridge.
10. S’mores snack mix.
Ingredients:
3 cups of Golden Graham cereal
1 ½ cups of mini pretzels
2 cups of mini marshmallows
1 cup of chocolate chips
Directions: Mix together the cereal, pretzels, marshmallows and half of the chocolate chips. Lay the mix on parchment paper on your counter top. Melt the remaining chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Pour the melted chocolate chips over the mix on your counter top. Allow the chocolate to dry, then break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
These 10 recipes are cheap, simple, and delicious. If you’re in a crunch, be sure to try one (or more!) of these great snack ideas to help get you ready to conquer that final. Enjoy!!
