Salty foods such as potato chips, pretzels, and other salty snacks are harmful and might get monotonous after a time. Whether you're attempting to replace unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives or totally eliminate them from your diet, there are lots of simple healthy crunchy snacks that will fulfil your want for something crunchy or crispy. These are great as a side dish to a sandwich or as a late-night snack. You'll be astonished at how quickly your appetite for junk food fades!
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1. Crispy Chickpeas
Chickpeas are satisfying and healthy since they are abundant in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Try these crispy roasted chickpeas even if you don't believe you like beans; you may be surprised!
Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas to prepare them. Using paper towels, carefully dry them, removing as much of the skins as possible. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste (curry powder, Italian seasoning, or a combination of garlic and onion powder work well.) Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until chickpeas are dry and crisp, on a sheet pan. If you have any left, store them in an airtight container.
2. Kale Chips
Greens are one of the most nutritious vegetables you can consume. You can't eat too many of them since they're high in antioxidants, fibre, and nutrients, but they may grow dull after a while. Making kale chips instead of boxed potato chips is one way to eat more vegetables and gain more nutrients.
To begin, tear a bunch of kale into little pieces. Season with salt and pepper after tossing with a teaspoon or two of olive oil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until crisp, in a single layer on a baking sheet at 400 degrees. Allow for thorough cooking before serving.
3. Nuts that have been roasted
Nuts are a tasty, quick snack that are crunchy, full, and gratifying. Rather than eating them raw, consider roasting them with your favourite spices for a tasty snack that will keep you going until your next meal. Use whatever kind of nut you choose, but make sure they're all approximately the same size to prevent burning (for example, don't mix sliced almonds with entire pecans).
Toss 1 cup of raw, unsalted nuts of your choosing with a teaspoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of your favourite spice. Chili powder, curry powder, and Italian spice are all good options. Add a sprinkle of salt and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees until aromatic and toasted. Allow time for the dish to cool before serving. Do you want something sweet and salty? Instead of olive oil, use coconut oil and season with cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg. Experiment with various nut/oil/seasoning combinations until you discover one that you like.
4. Sweet Potato Chips
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients and provide a great alternative to fatty boxed potato chips. You may flavour them whatever you like, then refrigerate them for a few days in an airtight jar. To produce the crispiest chip, slice it as thinly as possible. A mandolin comes in handy here since it provides uniform, thin slices that result in delicious chips.
Peel and slice a sweet potato as thinly as possible. Using a teaspoon of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, toss the slices. If desired, season with salt and pepper (cinnamon, curry powder, or chilli powder are some particularly good options.) Place them on a sheet pan and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until crisp. Allow to cool fully before using.
5. Popcorn with Olive Oil and Herbs
Microwave popcorn is laden with chemicals, preservatives, and hazardous additives, so avoid it. Even worse is movie popcorn! Popcorn is a low-calorie, high-fiber, and nutritional snack, but it must be prepared properly.
Put around 1/4 cup popcorn kernels in a brown paper lunch bag to create your own. Close the bag and place it in the microwave. Microwave for 3 minutes, or until the popping reduces to 3-4 seconds per 3-4 seconds. Remove the bag from the microwave and drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of Italian spice. Transfer to a bowl after shaking.
6. Trail Mix Made From Scratch
Trail mix may be a nutritious snack, but it also contains a lot of sugar, fat, and calories. It's perfect for on-the-go since it keeps for a long time and, when cooked correctly, offers a nutritious source of energy and minerals.
Combine nuts and dried fruit with something sweet to make your own. Add raw nuts such as walnuts and almonds, followed by seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin. Dried fruit, such as cranberries or raisins, pair nicely with dark chocolate chips instead of sugar-coated sweets for a healthful, crunchy snack that you can rely on.
7. Avocado Fries
Avocados are a superfood for health and nutrition, and you've most likely eaten them on sandwiches or in guacamole. They're a good option since they're high in heart-healthy fats, but you may not realise you can bake them into something crispy and tasty.
Cut 1 or 2 ripe avocados into wedges by pitting and slicing them. Season with salt and pepper, then flour them before dipping them in a beaten egg. Coat with panko or homemade breadcrumbs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 425°F and bake until crisp. Allow to cool fully before using.
8. Baked Tortilla Chips
Bagged chips are cooked in harmful fats and may include other additives that you don't want to consume. With store-bought tortillas and a little oil, you can simply create your own.
Simply coat both sides of corn or flour tortillas with oil and cut into wedges. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until crisp, on a baking sheet at 400 degrees. When they're cold, they'll crisp up beautifully. Serve with your favourite salsa or hummus for a delightful, filling, and healthful snack.
9. Chips of radish
Radishes are healthy, but eating them in salads over and over may get tedious. Try baking these spicy roots into chips the next time you have an excess of them. Because of their spicy taste, they don't need much more than a little oil and salt to produce a tasty, crispy snack that pairs well with a sandwich.
Using a mandoline, slice a bunch of radishes as finely as possible (a mandolin is key for this.) Using a teaspoon of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, toss the slices. If you want to season them, go ahead and do so, but first sample them plain to see what you think would go well with their peppery bite. Place them on a sheet pan and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until crisp. Allow to cool fully before using.
10. Cauliflower Tots
Do you want your children to eat more vegetables? Cauliflower tots are a must-try. Crispy, low-carb, and cooked with good-for-you cauliflower, your kids will have no idea these are excellent for them. They're also a terrific alternative to starchy potato tots, and they're lower in fat and calories since they're baked rather than fried.
To make them, cut a head of cauliflower and simmer it until it is soft. Mash until the texture resembles rice. Allow to cool somewhat before adding 1/4 cup flour and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, then fold in two egg whites. Coat the mixture with panko breadcrumbs and shape into tater tot-sized pieces. Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Conclusion
Try one of these simple snacks the next time you want something crunchy and tasty without going overboard on fat and calories. They're not only nutritious and wholesome, but they'll also please your taste senses. You may also experiment with various veggies and apply the same procedures. Carrots are just as easy to make into chips as sweet potatoes, and popcorn may be flavoured anyway you choose. Experiment and you'll soon discover your favourites. You'll never go back to unhealthy junk food after you've done it!
