You know the feeling. You’re ready to go to sleep, but you’re wide awake with hunger. Or maybe you’re craving something tasty to munch on while catching up on a Netflix season (or two), but you don’t want to wait on DoorDash.
Good thing it’s easier than you think to turn your favorite classic snacks into mini-masterpieces of culinary delight.
Scrumptious snacks you can throw together at the last minute: 18 options
All you need are a few ingredients:
1. 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies.
The Recipe Critic/Facebook
Even if you don’t have a ton of supplies in your pantry, you’ll most likely have everything you need to make these cookies. We’re talking peanut butter (1 cup), sugar (1 cup), and one egg.
2. Baked avocado.
White on Rice Couple
This is an omega powerhouse that will keep you going for hours during the day and leave you completely “sleepy time” at night. It may seem weird, but when an avocado is baked, it’s warm and a little smoky in taste. You’re probably going to want to make more than one.
3. Banana Oreo spread.
coucoutorten/Instagram
Oh, the things you can do with Oreos. Like mashing them up in a bowl with a sliced banana and some shredded coconut and then spreading this on a toasted slice of bread for your late-night “dinner.”
4. Fancy popcorn.
dessertnowdinnerlater/Instagram
Whether you use microwavable popcorn or make your own stovetop popcorn, upgrade it with savory ingredients like olive oil, salt, black pepper, and parmesan. Not into savory? Sweeten up the deal, Kettle corn-style, with melted butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows.
Ready to buy? To find out how much house you can afford, take the first step and prequalify.
5. Food truck nachos.
appetites_abroad/Instagram
The smallest change can make the biggest difference when it comes to this late-night snack favorite. Take your nachos to the food truck level with black beans, salsa verde, avocado, and cotija cheese. Experiment by adding things you might not normally add to nachos: like bacon, shrimp, or brats.
6. Grilled PB, banana, & bacon sandwich.
proper_nutty/Instagram
It sounds crazy, but this delightfully sweet concoction (AKA the Elvis Sandwich) is just the thing to satisfy your cravings. First, microwave your bacon. Add a layer of peanut butter and banana to sliced bread and top with the bacon. Grill each side for about 4 minutes and let it cool. Then, dig in.
7. Grown-up grilled cheese.
grovetealounge/Instagram
You can elevate almost any grilled cheese by adding your favorite veggies, salsa, or cheese. Think about how many things you could be putting into your grilled cheese right now: sautéed mushrooms, pancetta, BBQ chicken, scrambled eggs, pesto, chives, pickles… The key is to get creative.
8. Microwavable roasted nuts.
Bigger Bolder Baking/Facebook
If you roast nuts in the microwave instead of the oven, they won’t have the same rustic look, but they sure will taste good. “Toast” for 2 minutes in the microwave. Spice them up with seasonings like cayenne or black pepper. Microwave again at 30-second increments until they’re extra crunchy.
9. No-bake vegan brownie bites.
julie_wunder/Instagram
Made with a handful of ingredients, like walnuts, medjool dates, and cocoa powder, these brownie bites are easy to make and hard to resist. They take about 15 minutes to prepare, and they’re also raw and vegan.
10. Nutella & banana sushi.
dawn_images/Instagram
Spread Nutella onto a tortilla, add a banana, and wrap up the banana in the tortilla like it’s a mini burrito. Then, make 1-inch slices. Boom — you’re done. Want to upgrade your silly dessert sushi? Add a sliver of honey to the Nutella or top each sushi slice with a dollop of whipped cream.
11. Overnight yogurt oats.
luvelelife/Instagram
Okay, so this is really an A.M. snack, but it’s great for nighttime, too. Refrigerate uncooked oats with yogurt and milk overnight (or for the day) to make a creamy concoction that mixes well with fresh fruit, granola, coconut shavings, chia seeds, and other goodies.
12. Pizzadilla.
Budget Bytes
Turn your leftover pizza into a crispy quesadilla for a late-night snack that’s faster than you can say “fast food.” Just slice off the top of the pizza, lay it on top of a tortilla, add another tortilla on top, and warm it up on a skillet.
13. Quick apple crisp.
cozycravings/Instagram
When you don’t have much in the house, and you want a dessert that’s quick and healthy, try this. In a saucepan at medium heat, cook down diced apples in brown sugar/butter for about 3 minutes, until the apples are soft. Then, add cinnamon and cook a bit more. Serve with whipped cream.
14. Salami & cheese roll-ups.
westcentralwine/Instagram
Just because you’re by yourself late at night doesn’t mean you can’t get sophisticated with your snacks. Roll up a savory cheese like manchego or even cream cheese with salami and, if you’re feeling extra chic, add ground mustard or those sweet cherry tomatoes that come in all the colors.
15. Spicy edamame.
Kevin Is Cooking
Cooked edamame with salt is a solid treat for anyone who has a soft spot for the salty. But you can also try stir-frying your cooked edamame in garlic, olive oil, sesame oil, and red pepper or chili paste for a spicy, healthy treat that you’ll want to make over and over.
16. Sweet potato ‘air’ fries.
Linger/Facebook
If you have an air fryer, then you have the easiest and fastest route to homemade sweet potato fries. Cut them lengthwise and then air fry at 380°F in 10-minute increments, turning regularly. You can also make them in the oven and serve with a tasty toasted marshmallow dip.
17. Tater tot waffles.
baydish/Instagram
The only thing better than a waffle is a waffle made from tater tots and served as a midnight snack. Press frozen, thawed tater tots into an oiled waffle maker and wait for the magic to happen. (Estimated cooking time: about 5 minutes.)
18. Veggie chips.
Kitchen Stories/Facebook
You can make chips out of sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, and more. You can even make them in the microwave. Just slice up your veggies with a mandolin and microwave them for 3 minutes. Keep turning the chips over and microwaving for 30 seconds until they’re nice and crispy.
Like a late-night snack, we like our mortgage fast, fun, and easy
LoanFly does all three. Download our free app, prequalify in the time it takes to prep your snacks, and keep tabs on your mortgage remotely until closing day.
For educational purposes only. Please contact a qualified professional for specific guidance.
Sources are deemed reliable but not guaranteed.