I’m a snack lover, a self-proclaimed snack expert. When it comes to cooking and baking, I am overly ambitious. I enjoy making things difficult for myself and do everything from scratch, serve three course meals at dinner parties. But even for someone who loves to cook, occasionally you need to rely on recipes that need virtually no cooking. You need a good return on a small investment. You need easy snacks.
I love overcomplicating things, so I can easily turn an easy snack into a five-hour project. Snacks can get as sophisticated as you’re willing to make them and for the most part, they’re worth the time and effort. When it comes to simplicity, I think the key to a good snack is good ingredients. I’m a big fan of selecting a few ingredients, assembling them on a platter and calling it a snack plate. Snack plates are an unfailing source of joy. My day is not complete without an afternoon snack, a little afternoon teatime, whatever you want to call it. The mundane of life is made so much richer with a little snack to fill the endless hours between lunch and dinner. But a good snack can be lunch or dinner. A good snack is pliable like that.
Here are a few easy snack ideas if you’re looking to add a little more joy into your life:
A robust snack plate
I see snack plates as charcuterie boards’ low-maintenance cousin. For me, it’s about putting together a concoction that has elements of all layers of the food pyramid: it needs a little bit of carbs, some fruits, some fun, unexpected elements like jams, gherkins, and nuts.
I love adding gherkins to my snack plates. Their sourness balance out all the other elements in the plate and they also add that important dose of fermentation to your diet. Another ingredient that always makes an appearance is laughing cow wedges. I might be laughing cow’s biggest fan, but I suggest adding any cheese of your preference. That’s the protein. Nuts add a crunchy element and good fat. And finally, we have the carbs: good bread and seasonal fruits.
A robust snack plate is a whole meal in itself, but if you need a lighter option, you can just throw together a few key ingredients for a quicker snack:
Easy snack plates
A quick snack plate is the easiest thing to put together because all you need is a plate and any snack-like food you have on hand. I usually add a protein and it’s usually cheese. Then I add seasonal fruits and nuts, and lately, my brand new obsession: these truffle and anchovies olives I found in Germany. If you’re ever in Germany, you need to get yourself to Rewe and stock up on the little things. They’re the best olives I’ve ever had and they’re an excellent snack on their own.
During the summer months, when tomatoes are the juiciest, I add them to all my snack plates. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and it’s delightful. For a nice kick, add some hot sauce and it’s the definition of the simpler, the better.
Butter, butter, butter!
I’m convinced one of the secrets to happiness is good butter. Good butter is imperative to a good life. Good butter nearly brings me to tears. So my advice is to always have good butter and good bread. Think of all you can do with good bread and butter! Jambon Beurre, a classic French ham and butter sandwich is one of the simplest sandwiches you’ll ever make and it’s delightful: slice a baguette in half and spread butter on both sides, then pile on the ham. I like adding gherkins for a nice crunch, but it’s entirely optional.
Another French classic that initially might sound a little underwhelming is a simple radish toast. Generously spread salted butter on toasted bread then top with thinly slice radishes. Finish with chop chives and it’s a wonderful snack.
More radishes
Sautéing radishes always sounded a bit strange and counterintuitive to me. Much like cucumbers and avocados, in my mind radishes are meant to be eaten raw and fresh. But recently I decided to go against my better judgement and without much thinking, I added halved radishes to a skillet of bubbling hot butter and sautéd them until brown. Then I laid them on a bed of whipped cream cheese and drizzled with olive oil. I was very pleasantly surprised: they were buttery and soft, but had a nice bite to them. I suspect a squeeze of fresh lemon juice would make this even better.
Sweet treats
Here’s summer easiest sweet snack: evaporated milk, strawberries, and maple syrup. So simple and so delightful.
Peanut chocolate date bark
One of my favorite snacks is stuffing dates with peanut butter and dipping them in chocolate, but that’s a lot work. The easier version is spreading pitted dates open and side by side on a parchment paper lined cutting board. Place another parchment paper sheet on top and using a rolling pin roll them down into a flat even layer. Then spread the peanut butter across the top, then melted chocolate (I like adding a little bit of coconut oil) on top of that, then finish with flaky sea salt before placing in the freezer to set. Measurements are irrelevant here, eyeballing is the way to go.
I’m always on the hunt for new snack inspo. Every once in a while I’ll find a new one and revolve my entire life around it. If you have easy snack ideas, please let me know in the comments!
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