30 High-Protein Snacks To Fuel You Through Whatever The Day Throws At You
These will save you from that mid-day slump.
We’re BIG fans of snacks here at Delish—salty snacks, sweet snacks, and everything in between. There’s always something fun to try in our office and test kitchen—whether we’re trying out new Girl Scout cookie flavors or are ranking all the best potato chips—but when we’re snacking to help get us through our day, we know we can’t be so mindless about our noshing. Instead, we turn to high-protein options that will keep us feeling fuller and won’t give us a sugar crash. Check out our 30 high-protein snack recipes for ideas, then prep a big batch—when you’ve got these ready to go ahead of time, you’ve practically already won against any mid-afternoon hunger strike.
When it comes to high-protein foods, there are a few stand-outs that are perfect for turning into snacks, whether you’re looking for a mini meal to hold you over or something you can eat by the handful. It’s a no-brainer that there’s tons of protein-packed options available, from things like chicken, fish (canned tuna, we love you), and eggs. Our Cobb egg salad, our curried chicken salad, our pinwheel sandwiches, and our BLT cups are just a few examples of ways to turn those proteins into snack foods.
Even if you’re avoiding animal products (or just don’t want to be that person smelling up the office, sorry tuna), you’ve got options. Nuts and seeds are also high in protein (and often fiber, antioxidants, and plant-based omega-3s too!). Check out our chia pudding, our homemade almond butter, our curry-lime cashews, or our peanut butter protein balls for ideas.
Finally, you really can’t beat the convenience of a can of beans for a high-protein snack. And not just straight out of the can (we’re not monsters 😉)—instead, turn canned chickpeas or black beans into something like our chickpea “tuna” salad, our cowboy caviar, or our roasted chickpeas. They’re fun, flavorful, and ripe for improvisation, so change ‘em up with whatever you like.
Want more health-conscious snack ideas? Check out our best high-fiber snacks, our top healthy snacks for work, and our favorite healthy snacks to buy too.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkins are pretty amazing. One of their best (and often overlooked) attributes is their seeds! They have 10 grams of protein per 1/3 cup, and are great prepared super-simply, roasted with salt and melted butter. We also love topping them with ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, or cinnamon sugar for an added pop of flavor.
Get the Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe.
Curried Chicken Salad
Traditional chicken salad is great—but stir in some curry powder, toasted cashews, and cilantro, and you have one of the most satisfying snacks EVER.
Get the Curried Chicken Salad recipe.
Steamed Edamame
Simple, steamed edamame is an amazing good-for-you snack that is nutritious and comes together really quickly. The little soybeans are endlessly poppable and are a fun, hands-on hors d'oeuvre (especially with the addition of our homemade chicken-salt).
Get the Steamed Edamame recipe.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
We wanted these protein balls to taste a little bit like cookie dough (😈), so we added some mini dark chocolate chips. When you need a little energy boost, these peanut butter bites will give you new life.
Get the Peanut Butter Protein Balls recipe.
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Meat lovers alert! Your favorite steak dinner is now the ultimate snack. Air-fried to juicy perfection and tossed in warm garlic butter, these irresistible steak bites might just become the best part of your day.
Get the Air Fryer Steak Bites recipe.
Pinwheel Sandwiches
Pinwheel sandwiches are here with their totally retro swirls, ready to be packed into lunchboxes, piled onto game day spreads, or just eaten as a high-protein afternoon snack. The best part is that there are endless combinations of fillings you can customize these with. As long as you stick with the basic formula and amounts, the sky's the limit.
Get the Pinwheel Sandwiches recipe.
California Sushi Bites
This crunchy cucumber snack is inspired by popular California roll sushi, without any of that pesky rolling. Do you have a seasoning blend you're obsessed with right now (Trader Joe's always has cool ones)? These are the perfect venue for it, so go wild.
Get the California Sushi Bites recipe.
Creamy Garlic Hummus
Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip made of high-in-protein chickpeas and tahini, though garlic, roasted red peppers, olives, and other spices are common additions. It's great as a veggie dip, with pita chips, or even as a salad dressing!
Get the Creamy Garlic Hummus recipe.
Cobb Egg Salad
Egg salad is a wonderful snack as is, but add bacon, blue cheese, avocado, and tomatoes, and you've got something you'll dream about in lieu of a mid-day slump. Hot tip: The red wine vinegar–Greek yogurt dressing is amazing and works well in regular Cobb salad, too.
Get the Cobb Egg Salad recipe.
Tempeh Buffalo “Wings”
Quicker to make and easier to eat than Buffalo chicken wings, this plant-based version swaps chicken for snackable triangles of tempeh to mimic the crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Get the Tempeh Buffalo “Wings” recipe.
Buffalo Popcorn Chicken
Those that feel the bone just gets in the way with Buffalo wings will absolutely love this recipe. Fried popcorn chicken is coated in Buffalo sauce for a crunchy, spicy, irresistible bite everyone will enjoy.
Get the Buffalo Popcorn Chicken recipe.
Chickpea "Tuna" Salad
A little wary of tunafish? Try this chickpea salad instead! It hits all the same flavor notes and similar protein stats, without any fishy smell or taste. Eat it with crackers or on its own for the perfect afternoon snack.
Get the Chickpea "Tuna" Salad recipe.
Chia Pudding
Cooking with chia seeds might seem intimidating, but in reality this high-protein pudding couldn't be easier to whip up. Simply add liquid, give it a good stir, and let time do the rest. We like ours topped with fresh fruit—juicy berries, sweet bananas, or fragrant pears work great—and crunchy granola, but feel free to go crazy with your favorite toppings.
Get the Chia Pudding recipe.
Greek Feta Dip
Loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta, this dip was inspired by our Greek salad. For a smoother, fluffy consistency, we added high-protein yogurt and cream cheese. Full disclaimer: This recipe makes a LOT of dip. We've never had a problem demolishing it, but it's easily halved if you're having a smaller get-together.
Get the Greek Feta Dip recipe.
Air Fryer Crunchy Chili-Spiced Chickpeas
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these snack-able chickpeas are delicious as a crunchy topper for salads, creamy soups, or grain bowls, too. You can also toss them with hot popcorn for a pretty killer, protein-packed movie snack.
Roasted Chickpeas
Chickpeas are good for so much more than just creamy homemade hummus. (Though that's definitely a good use of them!) They also make for a particularly good, fiber-and-protein-ful salty snack and are infinitely adaptable based on what you've got in your spice cabinet.
Get the Roasted Chickpeas recipe.
BLT Egglets
Looking for an easy, quick low-carb, high-protein snack? Look no further than these BLT egglets. They’re kind of like a cross between a BLT sandwich and egg salad, but portable, and we are here for it. 🙌.
Get the BLT Egglets recipe.
Bunless Burger Bites
No buns, no problem. Skewer these little meatballs with all your favorite burger toppings, then snack away!
Get the Bunless Burger Bites recipe.
BLT Cups
This lighter take on a classic BLT skips the bread and puts major emphasis on the bacon—which is what you really want, right? We replaced the mayo with Greek yogurt to help make these lighter and more protein-packed as well, but you can use the traditional mayonnaise or even sour cream if you prefer.
Get the BLT Cups recipe.
Curry-Lime Cashews
Sure, a handful of these tasty nuts curbs hunger pangs, but they’re more than just an on-their-own snack. Try these chopped up as a crunchy topping on your favorite roasted vegetables or atop a spoonful of some Greek yogurt.
Get the Curry-Lime Cashews recipe.
