From nutty granola bars to crispy chickpeas, there are tons of recipes for healthy snacks. But if you’re looking for healthy snacks to buy rather than make, let our editors offer glowing recommendations. We reach for low-sugar cookies, seedy crackers packed with healthy fats, and actually good plant-based protein bars. I know
Since moving to New York from Taiwan, I haven’t been able to find one of my favorite fruits, the wax apple. When ripe, it is crunchy, sweet and sour and refreshing. But recently I found them in dried form. Bite into a dry slice of Yunhai and you’ll immediately notice the distinctive crisp green taste of spring, followed by concentrated sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Brooklyn-based Yun Hai sources its wax apples, pearl guava, golden diamond pineapples and Irwin mangoes from farmers in Taiwan. For the best taste in subtropical Taiwan, try Variety His Pack. —Jessie YuChen, Contributor
A North Sea fish snack was one of the few after-school snacks my parents allowed in our house, and it wasn’t fruit. These incredibly chewy snacks had the texture of soft beef jerky and just a hint of fishy flavor, so I loved them. Despite the fact that the first listed ingredient is actual fish, their subtle salty flavor made it look like the junky store-bought snack I was craving. I was almost convinced it was the type. — Gigi Wong
Made from a trinity of delicious ingredients including cocoa, raw honey, and unrefined coconut oil, the Honey Mama Chocolate Truffle Bar is a textural masterpiece. They’re refined sugar-free, paleo- and keto-friendly, and technically raw. Rich and buttery, every bite is like the middle part of a brownie batch. I think they can also appreciate the drizzle of honey that’s a little chewy, like fudge.Ali Francis, Staff Writer
I’ve tried many healthy snacks, and to be honest, they’re usually not as good as their sugar- and saturated-fat-filled counterparts. but I fell in love with their rich, nutty flavor and delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. What exactly makes them better for you? The base of these cookies consists of a blend of 100% organic whole grains enriched with high maize, a fiber-packed resistant starch made from corn. The sweetener is whey low, a low glycemic blend of natural sugars including fructose (fructose) and lactose (milk sugar). I don’t know if “healthy cookies” actually exist, but I’m pretty sure Jane Bakes will satisfy your sweet tooth. — Tiffany Hopkins, Commerce writer
Perfect Bar’s name contains no sarcasm. In refrigerated protein bars, he comes in 12 flavors (some are seasonal), but he only needs one: Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter with Sea Salt. Peanut butter is smooth, creamy, and has a texture like thick cookie dough. There are small chunks of chocolate chips on the surface. Besides being certified organic, non-GMO project, gluten-free and kosher, the ingredient list also includes a powdered blend of flaxseed, rosehip, tomato, alfalfa, celery, kelp, dulse, carrot, orange and apple. Spinach. Amazingly, you can’t taste a hint of these ingredients, but these protein snacks are packed with vitamins and minerals and contain 20 superfoods. Recently, I’ve added them to my morning routine: I wake up at 5am, make coffee, fill my water bottle, and grab a bar from the fridge. Even if I don’t eat anything else for breakfast, the 15 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber keep me full and happy for hours. —Nikki Campo, contributor
If you haven’t tried the Super Seed line from Mary’s Gone Crackers, let me show you how to buy my favorite healthy snacks in bulk. It features a rich blend of seeds added to the flax and sesame mixture used. The result is a fiber-rich, high-protein, salty snack option. This was a staple in my mom’s cupboard when I was growing up, and it cheered me up for many long study sessions in college. sometimes dependable. Whether you dip it in hummus, spread it with cheese, or eat it straight out of the box, it has just enough flavor and texture to make it completely addictive on its own. —Alaina Chou, Commerce Producer
When I was about 30 weeks pregnant, I ordered six pounds of Rancho Meladuco Medjool Dates and ate two a day eagerly. Like the best dark brown sugar, it’s ridiculously plump and gooey sweet, and its texture is so soft and luscious, almost fuzzy. But every now and then I make what contributor Carla Lari Music calls an energy sandwich. Remove the pits from the dates and fill the cavities with peanut butter (or dripping tahini and chocolate chips). if I’m spoiled). —Sarah Jampel, Contributor
This cheesy popcorn is irresistible for several reasons. Relatively high in fiber as far as crunchy snacks go, White Cheddar is the best tasting popcorn I’ve ever had. While other white cheddar popcorn brands can be bland or have a strong artificial cheese taste, Boomchickapop’s kernels have a pronounced flavor of real cheese that is pleasantly tangy and slightly creamy. Think about it: Cheat meets salt and vinegar. This is incredible and I happily eat it every day. —TH
Seaweed is a wonderful vegetable with a long history in traditional cuisine around the world, and is now used in everything from hot sauces to hamburgers. , has always been my favorite pastime. Sweet and salty, it reminds me of the beach. It contains a variety of micronutrients, from antioxidants like vitamin A to iodine to support your thyroid. One serving is only 10 calories, but if you’re anything like me, brushing an entire 8-serving jar at once might be a routine affair. —Ryan Harrington, Research Director
Everyone knows about almond and nut butters, but have you heard of their lesser-known cousin granola butter? Start by drinking directly (before the coffee beans are ground). Of course, you can also use it to spread on toast and rice cakes, drizzle ice cream, and dunk apples. But I prefer concentrated hits. Deeply vanilla-like, laced with colorful sprinkles, and made with wholesome ingredients like oats, olive oil, and maple syrup, it tastes pretty much like the funfetti cake batter. At 7:00 AM, you can’t tell the difference. —AF
