5 healthy, guilt-free snack recipes

If you’re feeling a bit peckish, but it’s not quite mealtime, a snack can help tide you over. But many of us fall into the trap of having an unhealthy treat to fill the void – and with it comes the guilt. With the recipes we’ve provided below, your days of sinful snacking are over.

Chia pudding

Our chia pudding recipe has a total of four ingredients! Meaning it’s super simple to make. Not only that, but it also tastes delicious. If that isn’t enough, you can prep this in the evening and enjoy it for breakfast the next day. Plus, did we mention chia seeds are incredibly healthy for you? It’s win after win after win!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for one serving:

• 2 tbsp of chia seeds.
• ½ cup of almond milk, or your milk of choice.
• 1 tsp of honey or sweetener of your choice.
• A couple of sliced strawberries for topping.

Instructions

You’ll need a preserving jar with rubber sealing, like a mason jar, to store your ingredients.

1. Pour ingredients into a jar and mix well. Let settle for 2-3 minutes, then mix again until you see no clumping.
2. Cover the jar and store it in the fridge overnight, or for at least 2 hours.
3. When you're ready to dig in, top with the sliced strawberries and enjoy!
   

Roasted chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are a delightfully, moorish vegan-friendly snack everyone can enjoy. They’re crunchy, crisp, and jam-packed with flavour. They’re the perfect treat on their own, but they also go great with salads and sandwiches.

Ingredients

You’ll need a rimmed baking sheet for this recipe, preferably lined with baking paper. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed.
• 2 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil.
• 1 tsp each of sea salt, paprika, curry powder, or whichever spices you prefer.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
2. Spread the chickpeas on a kitchen towel and pat them dry. Remove any loose skins.
3. Transfer the dried chickpeas to the baking tray and toss them with a drizzle of olive oil and generous pinches of salt.
4. Roast the chickpeas for 20 to 30 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Ovens can vary. If your chickpeas aren’t crispy enough, keep going until they are!
5. Remove from the oven and toss with pinches of your favourite spices while the chickpeas are still warm.
6. Store roasted chickpeas in a loosely covered container at room temperature. They’re best eaten within two days.
   

Spicy garlic and ginger edamame

If you want a snack with some bite, our spicy garlic and ginger edamame will surely get your mouth watering. Easy to make and bursting with flavour, they’re the perfect appetiser for dinner time or can be enjoyed on their own.

Ingredients

• 450 grams of frozen Edamame.
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
• 4 cloves minced garlic.
• 1 tbsp of ginger paste.
• 2 tbsp of soy sauce.
• 1 tbsp of sriracha.
• A pinch of sea salt.

Instructions

1. Bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot and put frozen edamame beans in the pot. Turn the pot off and let frozen edamame sit in the boiling water for 3-4 minutes until bright green, warmed through, and tender. Drain and set aside.
2. While the edamame is cooking, make the sauce:
   • Heat sesame oil over medium-high heat in a small skillet and add minced garlic. Sauté, but do not brown or it will turn bitter – which no one wants!
   • After 30 seconds, add ginger paste, soy sauce, sriracha, and a pinch of sea salt.
3. Stir together and remove from heat.
4. Toss cooked edamame with sauce.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
6. Serve immediately.
   

Banana muffins

Banana muffins are much like a great workout in the gym; they can be enjoyed alone or with friends! Easy to make and simply delicious, here’s our favourite recipe for healthy banana muffins.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make 12 muffins.

• 3 large green bananas, about 1 ½ cups mashed.
• 1 large egg.
• ½ cup of non-fat plain Greek yogurt.
• 2 tbsp of canola oil or melted and cooled coconut oil.
• ⅓ cup of light brown sugar.
• ¼ cup maple syrup.
• 1 tsp each of pure vanilla extract, baking powder, and cinnamon.
• ¼ tsp sea salt.
• 1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour.
• 1 cup walnut halves toasted and coarsely chopped.

Instructions

1. Place the rack in the upper third of the oven and pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees.
2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper, or lightly grease with non-stick spray.
3. Mash bananas in the bottom of a large bowl until mostly smooth.
4. Then whisk in the egg and then the yogurt and oil.
5. After this, whisk in the brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
6. Sprinkle the baking soda, salt, and cinnamon over the top, then stir until combined.
7. Gently stir in the flour until barely combined, then fold the walnuts.
8. Scoop the mixture into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup nearly to the top.
9. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean and the muffins spring back lightly when touched in the centre.
10. Allow to cool before serving. Or you can store these in an airtight container in your freezer for up to 3 months.
    

Tomato salsa

Lastly, we offer something with a bit of a kick – tomato salsa! Our healthy tomato salsa recipe is easy to make and adds zing to your corn chips, tortillas, or tacos.

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 medium-sized peeled tomatoes finely chopped.
• ½ red onion finely chopped.
• 1 small glove of garlic finely chopped.
• Dash of white wine vinegar.
• ½ lime juiced.
• 1 bunch of coriander finely chopped.
• Garnish with chilli as desired, we suggest jalapeño  

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients into one bowl and stir with a spoon or spatula.
2. Serve right away or refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
   

Eat healthy, exercise regularly

Do you know what goes best with a guilt-free snack? A great workout! The Virgin Active team is here to help you achieve your fitness goals sooner. Get in touch with us today to book a session with one of our Personal Trainers. Or come along and explore one of our state-of-the-art training facilities at a Virgin Active club near you.