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15+ High-Protein Snack Recipes That Aren’t Cottage Cheese
When you’re in the mood for a healthy, high-protein snack—but don’t want a bowl of the cottage cheese—turn to these recipes. They feature other satisfying foods like nuts, seeds, oats, legumes and yogurt to offer at least 7 grams of protein per serving. This nutrient can help you with healthy digestion, muscle recovery and staying full for longer. Healthy recipes like our Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars and High-Protein Lemon-Blueberry Energy Balls help you switch up your snack time and pack in lots of flavor into a few delicious bites.
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Chopped Chicken Caesar Salad Dip
Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein.
This chopped chicken Caesar salad dip is a fun, shareable twist on the classic salad, perfect for parties or game day. Chopped cooked chicken is combined with a creamy dressing, grated Parmesan cheese and finely chopped green cabbage for crunch. This dip pairs well with toasted whole-grain baguette or, if you prefer, pita chips or endive leaves. A sprinkle of black pepper and extra Parmesan on top adds a bold, savory finish.
Crunchy High-Protein Quinoa Bites
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
These crunchy quinoa bites are a delicious snack packed with puffed quinoa and almond butter, offering a satisfying crunch and a boost of plant-based protein. Similar to popcorn, puffed quinoa has been heated until it pops, creating a light, crispy texture that works perfectly in this healthy snack.
High-Protein Energy Bars
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This high-protein energy bar recipe is made with tahini, oats, apricots and figs for a nutritious snack designed to keep you energized throughout the day. Tahini provides a rich, creamy base to help hold everything together, while dried apricots and figs provide natural sweetness alongside maple syrup. These bars make a convenient grab-and-go snack.
High-Protein Raspberry-Lemon Ricotta Bread
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Clarie Spollen
This raspberry-lemon ricotta bread is packed with protein from creamy ricotta cheese, which also helps keep this fruity quick bread moist and tender. It’s also light on sugar, making it an excellent choice for a balanced breakfast or afternoon snack. If you prefer something sweeter, drizzle it with the optional lemon glaze for a bright and tangy finish.
Creamy Mediterranean-Diet Bean Dip
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Joshua Hoggle
With a focus on fiber-rich beans, vegetables and healthy fats, this creamy bean dip is suitable for those following the Mediterranean diet. Tangy sun-dried tomatoes add a pop of acidity and make this dip reminiscent of Marry Me Chicken. We use carrots, peppers, radishes and snap peas for dunking, but you can use your favorite crunchy veggies.
High-Protein Peanut Butter–Banana Oatmeal Bars
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Clarie Spollen
These peanut butter–banana oatmeal bars are a perfect grab-and-go breakfast, packed with protein to keep you full and energized. The combination of oats, peanut butter and banana provides a well-balanced dose of fiber, healthy fats and natural sweetness. Plus, they’re easy to make in advance and customize with mix-ins like dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts. Whether you need a quick morning bite or a post-workout snack, these bars are the perfect choice!
Lemon-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bites
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
These lemon-raspberry frozen yogurt bites are bursting with bright, sunny flavors. Freeze-dried raspberries are crushed into a fruity powder and mixed with creamy Greek-style yogurt, vanilla and bright lemon zest. This mixture coats fresh raspberries, which are then frozen to create a perfectly chilled, tangy-sweet snack. They’re easy to make, customizable with your favorite berries and an absolute delight to have in your freezer!
Spinach-Feta Cakes
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
These spinach-feta cakes are the best grab-and-go solution for busy mornings, quick lunches or portable snacks. These savory cakes combine plenty of spinach with the tangy creaminess of feta cheese. Baking them in a muffin tin ensures portions are perfectly sized and easy to grab. Enjoy these cakes warm straight from the oven or made ahead and reheated.
Trail Mix Energy Bites
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
These trail mix energy balls are made with black beans for a delicious, nutritious twist on a classic snack. Black beans add plant-based protein and fiber, while also acting as the perfect binder to keep the ingredients together. Dates and apricots add natural sweetness to the mixture. These no-bake bites are perfect for a quick breakfast, pre-workout bite or on-the-go snack!
High-Protein Spinach Dip
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
This spinach dip recipe gives the classic appetizer a high-protein twist. In addition to contributing plenty of protein, using cottage cheese and feta instead of cream cheese and Cheddar cuts back on saturated fat and calories. Serve this easy dip as a side dish, appetizer or snack with whole-grain bread and veggies for dipping.
Lemon-Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Bites
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman
These lemon-blueberry frozen yogurt bites, filled with probiotic yogurt and plenty of prebiotic blueberries, will help keep your gut in tip-top shape. This easy frozen snack is versatile, too—swap in raspberries or strawberries instead of blueberries for a different twist with the same health benefits.
The Ultimate Gut-Friendly Snack Mix
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman
This curried cashew snack mix features toasted edamame—a prebiotic food that sets the stage for a healthy gut. A combination of spices and red curry paste brings flavor and heat to this grab-and-go snack. To keep the spice level on the mild side, you can swap out the red curry paste for yellow.
High-Protein Caesar Dip
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This versatile high-protein dip is the perfect companion for your favorite veggies. Made with Greek-style yogurt and sour cream and blended with Parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce, it’s reminiscent of the flavors in Caesar salad dressing. Whether served as an appetizer or a quick snack, this protein-packed Caesar dip makes eating more veggies effortless.
Peanut Butter Yogurt Cup with Magic Shell Topping
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
This easy, high-protein snack tastes just like a Reese’s peanut butter cup. You can conveniently make it in the yogurt container for quick cleanup. Alternatively, if you don’t have a single-serve container, scoop 1/2 cup yogurt from a larger container into a small bowl. Any nut or seed butter would work well in this four-ingredient recipe.
Cucumber-Dill Ricotta Snack Jar
Photography: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
This simple snack jar features herbaceous ricotta cheese alongside cucumber and bell pepper for dipping. Use any color mini bell pepper you have on hand. Cottage cheese can be substituted for the ricotta, if desired. Easily double this recipe to have a couple of snacks in the fridge.
Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Enjoy these delightful carrot cake oatmeal bars, perfect for a snack or dessert alongside a steaming cup of coffee.
Easy Black Bean Dip
This creamy bean dip is great for a party or picnic. Smoked paprika and ground chipotles add a robust, earthy flavor, but you can also use regular paprika and cayenne if you don’t have the other spices on hand.
High-Protein Lemon-Blueberry Energy Balls
Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl
These sweet and refreshing energy balls pack in the protein from almonds, almond butter and hemp seeds. Enjoy this easy snack before or after a workout or as a nice midday pick-me-up at work. The finishing glaze adds a tangy sweetness, but you can leave it off if you prefer a little less sugar.
