10 Healthy Father’s Day Snacks Every Dad Will Enjoy

Father's Day is fast approaching - and as most families get ready to celebrate the father figure in their lives (Dad, grandpa, or stepdad), treats like chips and dip, cured meat, and the occasional cookie become the main snacks of choice. And yes, these treats have "Dad" written all over them.

But this year, you could show your appreciation (and surprise his taste buds) with something a bit healthier that tastes just as good. So, whether your Dad can't put down that bowl of nachos or has the sweetest tooth, these ten healthy Father's Day snacks will surely hit the spot without stuffing him with sodium and sugar.

Savory Father's Day Snacks

1. BBQ Bacon Popcorn

Ground TSP bacon bits, BBQ seasoning, and fistfuls of popped corn join forces in this healthy Father's Day snack recipe for a crunchy treat that Dad will devour in one sitting.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unpopped corn kernels
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp textured soy protein (TSP) bacon bits
• 3 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp dried garlic (granulated)
• 1 tbsp dried onions
• 1 tbsp light brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Add the bacon bits to a mortar and grind them into a fine powder using a pestle. Alternatively, you can use a spice grinder.
2. Stir in the remaining spices, mix well to combine, and set aside.
3. Add the olive oil and two corn kernels to a large pan and cover with a lid. Turn the heat to high and wait for the kernels to pop. Once they do, add the remaining kernels and let them pop. They are done when the popping slows down to 3-4 seconds between pops.
4. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the BBQ bacon seasoning. Toss to coat evenly and serve.

2. Jalapeno Cheese Crackers

Between their high sodium content and dubious preservatives, crackers were never a healthy snack option. But this easy recipe shows you how to make a healthier batch of the salty snack. Plus, the jalapeño-cheese combo will appeal to Dad's palate and earn his stamp of approval.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 2 tbsp dried jalapeño peppers
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Add the jalapenos and 1/4 cup of warm water to a small bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
2. Add the flour, sugar, salt, and paprika to a food processor and blend for a while to combine. Add in the butter and pulse again until pea-sized crumbles form. Add the cheese, jalapenos, and milk and process until all the ingredients are combined.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
4. Flour a surface, turn the dough and roll to 1/8'' thickness. Slice into small squares. Transfer the crackers to the baking sheet using a small fork, brush with the olive oil, and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

3. Potato Bites with Herbs

Can't Dad live without chips? This healthy Father's Day snack will make him forget they exist! Swapping deep-fried crisps for oven-baked potato bites, the snack is coated with herbs and spices that'll swoon his taste buds to the point of no return.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups freeze dried potatoes
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Add the potatoes and 1 1/2 quarts of warm water to a pot, and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, transfer the pot to a stove and boil them over medium heat. Cook for 7 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colander.
3. Melt the butter into the pot and add the potatoes. Add the salt, pepper, and oregano and mix until coated.
4. Transfer to the baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes or until crispy. Serve immediately (preferably with your favorite dip or condiment).

4. Hummus with Pita Chips

While easy to make, hummus requires some forethought regarding its primary ingredient: chickpeas. To minimize the effort and time spent in the kitchen, Mother Earth Products offers its very own instant hummus mix that requires just plain water. Plus, it's one of those healthy snacks Dad will love. So, it's a win-win for everyone.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup instant classic hummus mix
• 3/4 cup hot water
• 1 tbsp olive oil (plus 1 tbsp for the pita chips)
• 2 pita bread
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme or oregano
• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Add the hummus mix, hot water, and olive oil to a bowl. Whisk until combined. The hummus will seem thin at this point, but transfer it to the fridge and chill until it firms up.
2. Meanwhile, make the pita chips. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. Brush the pitas with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and thyme. Cut each pita bread into 8 triangles. Transfer them to the baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve them with the hummus for a complete mini-meal.

5. Chicken Panini

A toastie of sorts, a panini is the best thing you could serve to the Dad who loves eating chicken or sandwiches. This panini recipe layers spiced chicken, a quick mango-ey chutney, and creamy cheese. So, your Dad will remember this healthy Father's Day snack for years!

Ingredients:

• 4 panini rolls
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 cup freeze dried mangoes
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp curry
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 tbsp dried onions
• 4 slices white American cheese
• 1 1/2 cups textured soy protein (TSP) chicken bits
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Add the chicken bits and mangoes to 2 separate bowls. Fill both with warm water until coated and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set both aside.
2. Now, you can make the chutney. Add the mangoes, sugar, curry, vinegar, water, and onions to a pot and boil over medium heat. Cook for 20 minutes or until the chutney thickens. Remove from the stove and set aside.
3. Add the olive oil to a small skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the chicken and cayenne pepper and sauté for 10 minutes or until most liquid evaporates. Remove from the heat and set aside.
4. To assemble the panini, turn the panini press on. Meanwhile, cut each panini roll in half. Spread one tablespoon of butter onto the bottom slice of the rolls and top with two tablespoons of the chutney. Top each piece with 1/4 of the chicken mixture and top with one slice of cheese. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of chutney and put the upper half of the roll on top.
5. Transfer the sandwich to the panini press and grill for 5 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown. Serve immediately with your favorite condiments or the remaining chutney.

Sweet Father's Day Snacks

1. Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

The idea that cookies can't be healthy is a total myth - and this recipe proves just that. Made with oatmeal and cranberries, the snack is the perfect way to treat Dad to something sweet for Father's Day without feeling guilty about all the sugar.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups oats
• 1 cup freeze-dried cranberries
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Add the cranberries to a bowl and fill with enough warm water to coat. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. Add the butter to a large bowl and cream until soft and light. Add the sugar and keep mixing. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.
4. Slowly add the flour, oats, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix well to combine. Fold in the cranberries.
5. Using a spoon, form small dough balls and place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool before serving.

7. Chunky Monkey Trail Mix

Easy to make and healthy, trail mix is an excellent snack choice for Father's Day. Plus, thanks to the banana-coconut-chocolate combo in this snack, Dad will enjoy indulging instead of eating healthy. PS: Check out our other trail mix recipes for different combos (in case Chunky Monkey isn't Dad's cup of tea).

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup freeze-dried bananas
• 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup peanut butter chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the almonds, cashews, and coconut on the sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Remove the sheet from the oven and set aside to cool.
2. Add all the ingredients to a bowl and toss to combine. Chill in the fridge and serve when Dad's sweet tooth comes knocking.

8. Almond Cherry Granola Bites

Granola is already a healthy breakfast food. But if you want to push that goodness into snack territory, these granola bites are it. Made with almonds, cherries, and flaxseed meal, they will make any snack session indulgent and healthy at the same time.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut, shredded
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/3 cup freeze-dried cherries
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup almond butter
• 2 cups almonds
• 1/3 cup flax meal

Instructions:

1. Add the cherries to a bowl and fill with enough warm water to coat. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
2. Add the almonds and coconut to a food processor and pulse until crumbly. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the flax meal. Set aside.
3. Put the coconut oil and almond butter in a saucepan and melt over low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the maple syrup and cherries. Mix well to combine.
4. Stir the coconut-almond crumble into the cherry mixture and mix. Transfer to the fridge to chill for an hour.
5. Once firm, form the granola into balls and transfer them to a bowl. Store in the fridge and serve them when Dad needs a snack.

9. Blueberry Mousse

Although Dad may be used to chocolate mousse, this healthier take on the classic dessert is every bit as refreshing and fluffy as the original version he’s used to. But if you like your mousse with a side of crunch, crumble a few Graham crackers and sprinkle them on top before serving.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freeze-dried blueberries
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 5 Graham crackers, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add the blueberries to a bowl and cover with enough warm water. Soak for 15 minutes.
2. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and transfer to a saucepan. Mash with a fork or potato masher and stir in the sugar. Mix well to combine.
3. Turn the heat on to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Once the mixture bubbles, remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool completely.
4. Transfer the blueberry base to a food processor along with the cream cheese and sour cream. Blend until smooth.
5. Beat the heavy cream into a bowl, until soft peaks form, and fold the blueberry cream into the whipped cream. Divide into cups and chill for 2 hours. Serve and enjoy!

10. Frozen Yogurt Bark

Much healthier than candy bark, this treat can sweeten Father's Day in one bite. It also combines common pantry ingredients like yogurt, fruits, and chocolate. So, it's very easy to make, and you can prep it in advance to focus solely on Dad on Father's Day.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/3 cup freeze-dried strawberries (sliced)
• 1/3 cup freeze-dried blueberries
• 3 tbsp pistachios, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add the strawberries and blueberries to a bowl. Top with warm water until coated and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the yogurt and maple syrup in a bowl and spread it on the parchment paper with a spatula.
3. Sprinkle with the fruits and pistachios (if using) and freeze for 4 hours or overnight.
4. Remove the bark from the freezer and break it into chunks.

Which healthy Father's Day snacks will you treat your Dad to? Let us know in the comments down below!

References:

• Tarateaspoon.com - Barbecue Popcorn
• Keviniscooking.com - Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Crackers with Smoked Sea Salt
• The Turquoise Table - Crispy Oven Baked Potato Bites
• Prepmyrecipe.com - Rustic Roasted Chicken Panini
• Beyondthechickencoop.com - Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
• Neighborfoodblog.com - Chunky Monkey Trail Mix
• Realfoodwithjessica.com - Tart Cherry Granola Bites
• Ohmyveggies.com - Easy Blueberry Mousse
• Foolproofliving.com - Frozen Yogurt Bark

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