End-of-School Study Snacks
If you're raising some budding scholars or you're studying the day away yourself, you can bet all eyes are on the calendar these last few days before summer. And amidst all the final exams and projects, even the most focused student is bound to get hungry. When you need brain power the strength of jet fuel to get through a tricky finals season, look no further than Food Network's healthy snack recipes. Just in time for college finals season, these wholesome, easy bites definitely beat a trip to the vending machine.
It's no secret that bananas and peanut butter are a power-packed match made in heaven. Banana Dippers (pictured above) are dunked in granola or trail mix for added crunch.
"Cheesecake" in a Bowl may look like a full-fledged dessert, but the ingredients are pretty innocent. Part-skim ricotta, fresh strawberries, a drizzle of agave syrup and crumbled graham crackers make the classic dessert work as just a snack.
For a more substantial snack, roll up Ham and Havarti Pinwheels. If the broiled cheese and crunchy romaine don't shake you awake, the shock of spicy brown mustard will.
Hummus may be a ubiquitous study snack, but Spicy Yogurt-Hummus Dip ignites freshly cut veggies with tangy, spicy and creamy flavor.
How many store-bought granola bars do you have to peel open before it gets very, very old? Alton Brown makes his own Granola Bars packed with sunflower seeds, dried fruit and sliced almonds.
Tara Donne, 2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
When your eyes glaze over while reading a textbook, slurping down a protein-packed smoothie is a great way to revive yourself. Alton Brown's Buff Smoothie calls for frozen fruit and can be made ahead, so your study cravings can be nipped in the bud at a moment's notice.
Asian Avocado Mashers are so easy that you don't even need a bowl to make them. Just sprinkle an avocado half with low-sodium soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro before mashing with a fork. Eating it right out of the shell means minimal cleanup too. Now get back to studying!
Check out FoodNetwork.com for more quick and healthy snacks to carry you through to summer.