Recipe

5 Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Snacks Using Only a Microwave

By Lexi Nickens at University of Georgia

My busy schedule means I have a pretty steamy love affair with my microwave. I can use it to quickly and easily make all of my favorite foods, from lasagna to steamed veggies to chocolate cake.

But microwaves don’t just have to be for mealtime. Considering I can’t go two hours without eating, my diet consists mostly of snacks like chips and dried fruit. So I’ve figured out how to hack my microwave to make homemade versions of all of my favorite snacks.

These microwave snack recipes meet the college student trifecta: healthy (no need to worry about preservatives or added sugars), cheap (better than buying overpriced organic products), and quick (no oven needed). So give one, or all, of these recipes a try. Your stomach, wallet, and schedule will thank you. 

Cereal Bars

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 32 mins
  • Servings: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp nut butter
  • 4 tsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup crushed cereal

Lexi Nickens

Step 1

Microwave nut butter and maple syrup for 1 minute.

Step 2

Combine mixture with crushed cereal.
#spoontip: if you don't want your bars to look like poop, avoid chocolate flavored cereal.

Step 3

Divide into two cereal bars and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Potato Chips

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Servings: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 potato
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt

Lexi Nickens

Step 1

Slice potato as thinly as possible.

Step 2

Toss with olive oil, salt, and any other desired seasoning.

Step 3

Place slices on parchment lined plate one inch apart.

Step 4

Microwave for 4-6 minutes.

Popcorn

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Lexi Nickens

Step 1

Place popcorn kernels in brown paper bag, and tape shut.

Step 2

Microwave for 2:30-3 minutes.
#spoontip: you’ll know it’s done when there are 3 seconds between pops.

Step 3

Add salt and any other desired seasonings, and shake to combine.

Dried Fruit

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 apple

Lexi Nickens

Step 1

Slice apple into thin pieces.

Step 2

Place slices directly on microwave plate without overlapping them.

Step 3

Microwave 28-31 minutes on the defrost setting.
#spoontip: for the last few minutes, watch the apples closely, and stop the microwave as soon as they begin to brown. They can go from brown to burnt in seconds.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 min
  • Total Time: 11 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 4 1/2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon applesauce
  • 1 tablespoon almond milk
  • 1 tbps chocolate chips

Lexi Nickens

Step 1

Combine all ingredients in bowl.

Step 2

Form dough into small balls and place on microwave safe plate.

Step 3

Microwave for 1 minute.