Maybe you ate dinner early and you’re hungry again. Maybe it’s exam season and you’ve been studying all night and you deserve a snack. Maybe it’s your special night-in and you need to binge watch Riverdale on Netflix, and, face it, snacking is the most essential part of this experience. Or maybe, just maybe, your stomach is bored again and you find yourself reaching for the forbidden bag of chips (yup, it’s almost as if that Blue Lays packet is calling out to you) stashed in the kitchen cupboard. Well, no fear because we’re here. We bring to you a variety of midnight snacks that you can munch on, guilt free without fussing over the calorie-count.
First off, it’s a myth that your body doesn’t burn off the food you consume right before sleeping. Well, your metabolic rate slows down, but it doesn’t stop. As long as you stay off the sugary stuff and keep awake (read a book, watch a movie sitting up, scroll through memes) for an hour after you’ve eaten, you’re good to go.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for these midnight treats, these are the kind you can enjoy at 4 in the morning without feeling guilty at lunch the next day.
1. POPCORN
This versatile salty, snack is the perfect choice to banish those late-night cravings. Our advice, choose to pop the real thing over chucking a bag into the microwave. Not only will you avoid the excess grease and salt, but you can also improve your popcorn game and impress your friends at the next sleepover. #SpoonRecommends that you experiment with different seasonings to make a number of variations.
a. For the garlic bread fanatics, pop 2 cups of popcorn seeds in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, add 3 cloves of chopped garlic, 1 tablespoon of melted butter, 1 sachet of Domino’s Oregano Spice Mix (or 2 :)) and a handful of chopped coriander leaves. Voila! You have garlic-bread flavoured popcorn that is guaranteed to blow your socks off.
b. For the one with finer tastes, try Lemon-Rosemary popcorn, simply add the juice of 1 lemon, chopped rosemary, ½ tablespoon of butter, 1 tablespoon of crushed black pepper and 1 teaspoon of salt to 2 cups of popped popcorn. A treat fit to impress your mother.
c. My personal favourite – The spice bomb! Add a packet of McDonald’s piri-piri seasoning (yes, its benefits are many), a teaspoon of red chilli flakes, 1 tablespoon of butter and chopped coriander leaves to 2 cups of popped popcorn.
Popcorn, is light on your stomach, insanely delicious and extremely filling. So, the next time you find yourself reaching out for last-night’s takeout, try popping a batch of popcorn instead.
2. SKINNY BROWNIE IN A MUG
For when you’re lusting after something decadently delicious, fudgy and intensely chocolatey. The brownie has been the ultimate crowd-pleaser since the beginning of time, and nothing like a walnut-encrusted treat to lift those midnight blues. So, how do you fulfil your most basic desire whilst also avoiding the calorie intake?
Lo and behold, the recipe for ‘Skinny Brownie In a Mug”. Moist and fudgy, this dessert will become your ultimate go-to for anything sweet. #SpoonSuggests that you swap plain yoghurt for Greek Yoghurt to take this cake to a moister, softer heaven. You can also choose to make the recipe given above for a healthier, vegan version.
3. ROTI PIZZA
Who knew a childhood memory, and my favourite would star as a healthy late-night snack? That one-slice of cold, cheesy pizza at 1 AM hath made many the average college student joyful and grease-full at the same time. Need a healthier alternative? Try using the left-over chapatis in the fridge.
Simply take a chapatti, lay it flat, slather a tablespoon of your favourite condiment (mustard, jar pizza sauce, salsa, hummus or even Tabasco) or a spoonful of last night’s subzi, I’ve found that chole works the best :p. Top with the vegetables of your choice, onion, tomato, corn, capsicum and a small amount of cheese (be sparing and yes, both cheese spread and grated cheese works) Bake at 175* C till crispy and you have your very own slice of a healthier, lighter, more nutritious pie owing to the ultra-thin whole-wheat crust and small amounts of cheese.
4. CORNFLAKES
Yes, you got it right, this is for those lazy kids for whom zero effort (must=) maximum taste. We’ve got something for everyone, a bowl of cornflakes and warm milk is not only a great fat-free late-night munchie, but warm milk is also a sleep-inducing food which means one bowl will ensure that you sleep like a baby. Zero-effort, great taste and a good night’s sleep, sign-me up!
5. OVEN-FRIES/OVEN-CHIPS
We’ve all battled the desire for a big bag of spicy, crunchy chips at 3 in the morning, holding on to our “no-unhealthy-food” resolution. We’ve always known that the oven is a magical thing, which is why it’s time we put it to good use. If you do wake up at 2 AM, with your stomach growling and the memory of French-fries flooding your senses, grab a knife and get chopping.
Simply slice any vegetable of your choice ( I suggest sweet potato (high in fibre + low in fat) or carrots or bhindi/okra) into chips or wedges (your choice), toss in olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped garlic. Bake on a sheet at 175* C for 15-20 minutes till crispy and golden-brown. #SpoonRecommends using spinach leaves to make crunchy crisps topped with chaat masala for a tangy kick!
6. CHEESE AND CRACKERS
Another God’s gift to man is sliced cheese! Top a Nutrichoice cream cracker/Monaco biscuit or any other baked, grain cracker of your choice (remember Aliva triangles?) with a small piece of a cheese slice and a dash of cumin powder + red chilli flakes. A simple, hearty, light snack that promises to please your heart. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, you can also top the cracker with a mashed avocado + lime juice or a sliced black olive!
7. FROZEN BANANA SOFT SERVE
Bananas make a healthy midnight snack all by themselves, but when served as ice-cream, it resembles something wonderful that we enjoyed as children at birthday parties. The best part, this is a 3 ingredient dessert – just bananas, cinnamon and honey! Take 2 bananas, freeze for at least an hour (you can also do this a day before). Chuck the frozen bananas in a blender with a teaspoon of honey and a pinch of cinnamon. And there you have it, a deliciously creamy bowl of soft-serve all ready to devour. Who knew frozen bananas can make killer dessert?
8. GREEK YOGHURT
This my friends is your go-to snack for any time of the day. Super-light, refreshing and extremely versatile, Greek Yoghurt should be one of your refrigerator staples. To shake things up a little, you can pair this creamy treat with frozen berries, peaches, granola or even some plain good honey. #SpoonSuggests mixing some sliced strawberries and topping with a handful of mini chocolate chips. You have all the fun without having to worry about the calories!
9. MASALA OMELETTE
Yes, my friends as it turns out, our Sunday breakfast makes a great late-night snack too! For optimum taste and minimum calories, use 1 egg, half a chopped onion, half a diced tomato and a handful of coriander leaves, some salt and pepper and you’re good to go. For the health nuts, an egg-white omelette is the alternative to pick as skipping the egg yolk lowers your dietary cholesterol. Just remember to lay off the toast (pictured above, yes we are sadistic gluttons ;P) and this omelette can prove to be the nutritious midnight snack, you’ve been waiting for.
Even a hard-boiled egg (for all those omelette-haters :/) works just fine. To spice things up, slice the boiled egg, add half a chopped onion, a squeeze of lime juice and some chaat masala to create an eggcellent salad!
10. DARK CHOCOLATE
Yes, yes, we’re all familiar with the anti-oxidant properties of this benevolent bean. Did you also know that dark chocolate is the best thing to reach out for in the middle of the night when your stomach cries out for a sweet delight? Try making dark chocolate bark with salted peanuts and stashing it in the refrigerator for a quick bite. Or, you could also dip a frozen banana halfway into melted dark chocolate for a divine treat! Or, just simply break off a piece and enjoy the silky sensation.
Well, if we’ve learnt anything from this article, it’s that healthy snacking (especially the late-night variety) doesn’t mean shoving something inedible and funky down your throat. It means consuming moderate amounts of some delicious yet nutritious food.
So, don’t be afraid to reach out for these 10-midnight snacks, calorie counting is now a thing of the past. I mean, the lighting system installed in refrigerators just points out to the obvious-late-night snacking is the way to go 😉 Remember Nigella’s sneaky late-night refrigerator visits? While she can afford to gorge on all that peanut butter and look gorgeous all year-round, take our word and pick a healthier alternative from the list above.