Our 50 Favorite Stay-at-Home Snacks (2024)

Home Recipes Meal Types Snacks

Updated: Jan. 05, 2021

These crave-worthy snacks, including dips, mixes and small bites, let you stay at home—and stay satiated.

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Taste of Home

Whether you’re working from the home office, wrangling the kids to do their homework, taking care of loved ones—or all three, we know you’re slammed. And in the midst of this busyness and stress, a simple homemade snack can save the day. (If you’re not in the mood for homemade, try a snack subscription box.)

Many munchies on this list are made with staple ingredients you already have stocked, so you won’t miss a beat in your hectic schedule. Read our entire guide on how to cook, clean and make the most of your time indoors.

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Fried Cinnamon Strips

These sweet chips are a must for your next party. You can use holiday cookie cutters to shape the tortillas into fun shapes. Kids just love them. —Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma

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Mini Cheese Balls

These mini cheese balls are the perfect quick appetizer for any party. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary and/or paprika to add even more flavor. —J. Spivey, Ennice, North Carolina

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Dijon-Bacon Dip for Pretzels

With just four ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or fridge, this quick appetizer comes together in a snap. If you like the zip of horseradish, start with a teaspoon or two and add more to taste. —Isabelle Rooney, Summerville, South Carolina

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Chocolate Mocha Dusted Almonds

I love to make recipes with nuts. These are chocolaty with a hint of coffee—elegant and addictive! I give them away as gifts; I've even made them for wedding favors. —Annette Scholz, Medaryville, Indiana

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Savory Cracker Snack Mix

After trying a snack mix with the flavors of my favorite Everything bagel seasoning, a friend suggested I make it even more versatile with something other than oyster crackers. Now it’s a deliciously addictive snack! —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

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Dried Fruit Energy Bars

These dried fruit energy bars are the perfect breakfast option for busy people. They're easy to make ahead and jampacked with ingredients such as chia seeds, quinoa and oats, which will keep you fueled throughout the day. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California

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You'll be set for either a quick snack or an easy hostess gift when you use this recipe. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California

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Movie Theater Pretzel Rods

My kids and all their friends clamor for the large, chewy pretzel rods. They are fantastic fresh from the oven. —Lisa Shaw, Burnettsville, Indiana

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Double-Duty Heavenly Applesauce

Every year my husband and I take our two daughters to an orchard to pick apples so we can make this luscious applesauce for family and neighbors. —Jennifer Purcell, Vermilion, Ohio

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Peanut Butter S'Mores Sandwich

Favorite flavors from s'mores come together in this tasty peanut butter sandwich—no campfire required. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

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Roasted Curry Chickpeas

We coated chickpeas with simple seasonings to make a low-fat snacking sensation. Made with just a few ingredients, it rivals the types sold in stores. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Peanut Butter Granola Pinwheels

I came across this easy and tasty snack while searching online for healthy munchies for kids. Great for after school, it's really quick to make and filling enough to hold the kids until dinner. To satisfy heftier appetites or to serve as a power lunch, cut each tortilla into fewer pieces or provide one per child. The recipe is easy to increase as needed. —Mary Haluch, Ludlow, Massachusetts

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Slow-Cooked Salsa

I love the fresh taste of homemade salsa, but as a working mother, I don't have much time to make it. So I came up with this slow-cooked version that practically makes itself! —Toni Menard, Lompoc, California

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Colorful Fruit Kabobs

These luscious fruit kabobs are perfect as a summer appetizer, snack or side dish. The citrus glaze clings well and keeps the fruit looking fresh. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta

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Cashew Butter

Once you taste how great homemade cashew butter is, you'll never go to back to store-bought. The coconut oil makes the butter just a little creamier, but you can omit it if you don't normally keep it on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Pastrami Roll-Ups

For a book club event, I created pastrami roll-ups with cream cheese and a pickle. Those tasty bites quickly pulled a disappearing act. —Merritt Heinrich, Oswego, Illinois

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Five-Spice Pecans

Talk about a sugar-and-spice treat! Just try to stop eating these toasty, roasty snack nuts. “They’re also great sprinkled on all kinds of salads.”Anne Leslie - Chandler, IN

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No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bars

These peanut butter energy bars are made with natural ingredients, and there's no baking required! You can substitute sunflower seeds for the walnuts. Want more fiber? Add a little wheat germ. —Amy Crane, Richland, Michigan

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Mom's Pickled Carrots

My mother is the only other person I've known to make this recipe. In fact, when I take it to a potluck or picnic, no one has ever heard of pickled carrots. But once they try them, they are hooked. —Robin Koble, Fairview, Pennsylvania

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Cheese Crispies

For years I’ve taken these crispy, crunchy snacks to work. They get high marks from everybody in the teachers lounge. —Eileen Ball, Cornelius, North Carolina

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Antipasto Skewers

This elegant-looking appetizer is quick and easy to make. It's perfect for dinner parties, co*cktail parties and everything in between! —Amanda Dekrey, Fargo, North Dakota

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Marshmallow Fruit Dip

You can whip up this sweet and creamy dip in just 10 minutes. I like to serve it in a bowl surrounded by fresh-picked strawberries at spring brunches or luncheons. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

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My children like these roll-ups so much that they ask for them every day for lunch during the summer. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey breast, this is a delicious way to use it up. —Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California

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Spicy Edamame

Edamame are young soybeans in their pods. While I love to get them with my sushi when I go out, they are also so easy to make at home. —Mark Neufang, Bayshore, Wisconsin

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Turkey Tea Sandwiches with Basil Mayonnaise

Basil mayonnaise is the secret to these tasty little sandwiches. Keep any extra mayo in the fridge to spread on other sandwiches, stir into egg salad or layer on pizza crust before topping it with other ingredients. —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina

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Homemade Peanut Butter

We eat a lot of peanut butter, so I decided to make my own. My homemade version is easier on my wallet, and I know what ingredients are in it. It's also a lot tastier! —Marge Austin, North Pole, Alaska

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Ranch Snack Mix

This is a wonderful fast-to-fix munchie. The recipe makes tons and doesn't involve any cooking. It's a cinch to package in individual snack bags, it keeps its crunch and it's a savory alternative to the cakes and pies usually offered at bake sales. —Linda Murphy, Pulaski, Wisconsin

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Homemade Guacamole

I always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

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Cayenne Pretzels

These spicy pretzels were a huge hit at my daughter's graduation party. The longer they sit, the spicier they get! —Gayle Zebo, Warren, Pennsylvania

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Chocolaty Chips

My two little guys can't get enough of this sweet and salty snack that uses just three ingredients and is ready to eat in 15 minutes. The boys like to drizzle on the melted chocolate. Sometimes we replace the potato chips with apple slices. —Jami Geittmann, Greendale, Wisconsin

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Old Bay Crispy Kale Chips

Here in East Hampton, NY, harvest time means big bunches of kale from local growers. These crunchy kale chips are delicious, super healthy and easy to make. I make them with seasoning to take the flavor up a notch. For extra zip, add a dash of cayenne pepper. —Luanne Asta, East Hampton, New York

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Easy Puppy Chow

This easy puppy chow recipe uses a whole package of cereal, so there's less messy measuring. And it makes enough to feed a hungry crowd. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Rosemary Walnuts

My Aunt Mary started making this recipe years ago. Each time we visited, she would have a batch ready for us. The use of cayenne adds an unexpected zing to the savory combo of rosemary and walnuts. When you need a good housewarming or hostess gift, double the batch and save half for yourself. —Renee Ciancio, New Bern, North Carolina

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Peanut Butter, Apple and Raisin Sandwich

Tart, sweet and crunchy, these open-faced sammies are a perfect after-school (or after-work) snack. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

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Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix

A filling blend of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried fruit keeps you healthy by the handful. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington

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Chia Seed Protein Bites

I keep these little bites on hand in my refrigerator and grab them for breakfast or a snack when I'm in a hurry. We have a lot of food allergies in our family and I like to keep healthy snacks around that everyone can eat. This recipe has no gluten, eggs, dairy or corn, so it's the perfect go-to treat in our house. —Tanja Miller, Peoria, Arizona

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Nacho Popcorn

My husband and I like to munch on this while watching TV. The nacho flavoring is a zesty alternative to butter and salt. —Linda Boehme, Fairmont, Minnesota

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Vegetarian Buffalo Dip

A friend made Buffalo chicken dip and that got me thinking about creating a vegetarian dip with the same flavors. This addictive dip is so amazing, no one will miss the meat. —Amanda Silvers, Old Fort, Tennessee

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Caramel Chex Mix

This wonderfully crunchy snack is loaded with cereal, pretzels and nuts—and coated with a not-too-sweet brown sugar mixture. Package this up as gifts, or set out a bowl at your party and watch it disappear by the handful. —Samantha Moyer, Oskaloosa, Iowa

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Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Try these savory bites for a kickin' appetizer that's tasty and healthy, too! —Emily Tyra, Traverse City, Michigan

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Pina Colada Fruit Dip

A taste of the tropics will be welcomed by your holiday guests. The cool and creamy dip can be served as an appetizer or a dessert.—Shelly Fisher, Hermiston, Oregon

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Cheesy Quesadillas

We serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado

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Chocolate-Mint Popcorn

I wrote a book called “20 New Ways to Enjoy Popcorn.” When I poll friends, they favor this recipe, a delicious treat for after-dinner coffee. — Polly Brunning, Thaxton, Virginia

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Homemade Honey Grahams

The way my boys eat them, I would spend a fortune on honey graham crackers at the grocery store. So I decided to make a homemade version that is less processed—and less expensive. These are wonderful, although they still don't last long. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

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Roasted Butternut Squash Dippers

When it comes to fries, I've made everything from apple and carrot to pumpkin and zucchini. The sour cream sauce is just heavenly. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania

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Mustard Pretzel Nuggets

This quick and fun snack is similar to the mustard pretzels you can buy at the store, but you can make it for a fraction of the price. It's a killer recipe for all kinds of parties and football gatherings. —Sarah Mathews, Ava Missouri

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Sugar N Spice Popcorn

Our family can't get enough of this light, cinnamon-sweet popcorn. The baked kernels are wonderfully crunchy and coated just right. Try mixing some to have on hand as an anytime nibble.

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Granola Trail Mix

My family has always enjoyed this crunchy four-ingredient snack. When we go camping, each person includes one additional ingredient like mini marshmallows, corn chips or cookie pieces. The taste is never the same, and we're often surprised by the combinations. —Shelley Riddlespurger, Amarillo, Texas

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Fast Fruit Salsa

We like this refreshing and colorful salsa served with tortilla chips or spooned over grilled chicken. For another fruity option, try stirring in some diced cantaloupe or peaches when they're in season. —Eileen Miller, Woodridge, Illinois

Originally Published: May 07, 2020