10 Nutritious Snacks for Movie Night

For a family-friendly evening or a cozy date night in, or you can’t go wrong with a movie—and having something to snack on as you watch always enhances the experience. While many of the usual go-tos may lack the nutrients you're after, that doesn't mean your movie munchies have to be abandoned altogether.

If you’d like something a little more nutritious to chomp on while you take in the latest streaming flick, making your own snacks is always a smart choice. Here are 10 nutrient-packed homemade options that’ll give you the sweet or savory flavor you crave.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies set the autumnal tone as you snuggle up in front of a scary movie on a chilly fall evening. Their generous dose of pumpkin packs vitamin A, potassium, and fiber, while oats boost fiber and vitamins of their own. Mixed in just one bowl, these soft and chewy cookies make for easy cleanup—so you can enjoy the show (and not worry about doing a ton of dishes).  

Stovetop Cinnamon Apple Popcorn

Plain buttered popcorn’s got nothing on this tasty, naturally flavored stovetop cinnamon apple version. To make, simply heat heart-healthy avocado oil in a saucepan, then pop kernels the old-fashioned way on the stovetop. Once the popping is complete, sprinkle with cinnamon (or other earthy spices like nutmeg or cloves) and toss in a handful of dried apple chips. Serve in festive popcorn bowls and enjoy!

Low-Sodium Garlic Parmesan Popcorn

Keep the flavored popcorn trend rolling with a yummy savory option. This low-sodium garlic parmesan popcorn may be low in salt, but plenty of garlicky flavor will make up the difference to your taste buds. Pop a quarter-cup of kernels on the stovetop with sautéed garlic, shake parmesan cheese and a bit of garlic powder on top, and voila: instant movie night munchies! Make extra and save in an airtight container as a snack for tomorrow.

Nut and Dried Fruit Dark Chocolate Bark

For some folks, having something chocolatey on hand is a must on movie night—but lots of chocolate candies don’t have much to offer nutritionally. That’s not the case with this nut and dried fruit dark chocolate bark! Not only will you reap the benefits of dark chocolate’s high antioxidant content, you’ll add protein and healthy fats with the addition of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Feel free to make this recipe your own signature creation by substituting your favorite trail mix ingredients.

Gluten-Free Rice Crispy Treats

People on a GF diet don’t need to worry about accidentally consuming gluten with these DIY rice crispy treats. The classic treat gets an allergen-friendly makeover with the use of certified gluten-free rice cereal and marshmallows (which are usually naturally gluten-free). Need to make these dairy-free as well? Try coconut oil or a non-dairy shortening in place of butter. Then get ready for stretchy, gooey movie snacking.

Mocha Dusted Almonds

Research shows that people who eat nuts every day have decreased risk of obesity and long-term weight gain. Time to add them to the grocery list! These mocha dusted almonds will help you up your intake of nuts on movie night.

Creating your own mocha-dusted nuts isn’t as daunting as you might think. After toasting whole almonds for three minutes in a skillet, you’ll blend a simple mixture of cocoa powder, instant coffee, and powdered sugar. Combine the nuts and the powder in a bowl, stirring to coat. From there, you can dig right into your elegant treats (while soaking up the benefits of their heart-healthy fats and the antioxidant flavanols in cocoa).

Rosemary and Olive Oil Roasted Cashews

A moviegoing snack that fits on most special diets? The Oscar goes to—rosemary and olive oil roasted cashews! These small-but-mighty snacks are simple, but they pack a punch. The monounsaturated fats from olive oil and nuts (plus a sizable 5 grams of protein per serving) make them both satisfying and heart-healthy. Plus, no added salt means they’re suitable for a low-sodium snack.

Spicy Edamame Dip

Sometimes movie night calls for more filling fare than just snacks. This spicy edamame dip works well as part of a light dinner or a movie snack. Made with soybeans, lemon juice, and spices, it’s high in protein and fiber and low in FODMAPs—the short-chain carbohydrates that can cause adverse symptoms in IBS sufferers.

This recipe comes together easily in the blender, with a secret ingredient (peanut butter!) adding creaminess. (But feel free to substitute another nut butter if you like.) When you’re ready to nosh, create a finger foods snack board by pairing this spicy dip with crackers or veggies.

Roasted Harissa-Spiced Chickpeas

Up for something a little different? These easy crispy roasted harissa-spiced chickpeas aren’t an item you’ll usually find at the movie theater, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t just right for satisfying your crunchy craving. All it takes is three ingredients to make a batch of these nutrient-dense snacks. Harissa, a Tunisian hot chili pepper paste, is the secret to their crispy bite. And since their primary ingredient is chickpeas, they’re full of fiber and even offer a little protein.   

Healthy Homemade Sweet Potato Chips

If you’ve got a little extra time ahead of movie night, consider prepping a batch of your very own crunchy sweet potato chips. This recipe starts with a single sweet potato. (When sliced into 1/8^th inch pieces, it’ll go further than you think.) Baked in the oven with olive oil and salt, the orange tuber turns into crispy, pop-able snack, high in vitamins A and C.