Whether it’s pre-workout, post-workout or just a small bite in the middle of the afternoon, one of the best ways to guarantee that a snack will keep you satisfied is to make sure it’s filled with a healthy boost of protein. Studies suggest that eating protein increases the body’s production of hunger-fighting hormones, which explains why high-protein snacks are so great at staving off hunger. But don’t worry — that doesn’t mean you have to rely on store-bought protein bars, boring hard-boiled eggs, and dry-roasted nuts. We’ve rounded up 15 healthy, filling and delicious snacks with at least five grams of protein per serving.
15 Quick and Healthy High-Protein Snacks
1. Crispy Lentil Energy Bites (8.6 g protein per two bites)
Lentils might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sweet energy bites, but in this recipe they offer a healthy dose of natural protein. Coating the lentils with coconut oil, coconut sugar and coconut flour and letting them crisp up in the oven gives them a whole new dimension. The crunchy bits add the perfect amount of texture to these bites.
Recipe: Sharon / The Honour System
2. The Best Homemade Granola (8 g protein per half-cup)
Granola is the perfect customizable and versatile on-the-go snack. Use whatever nuts, seeds and dried fruit you prefer to create your perfect mix. Pair it with yogurt, milk, or eat it au naturel by the handful.
Recipe: Renee Blair / Life by DailyBurn
3. No-Bake Quinoa Peanut Butter Crunch Cups (8 g protein per two cups)
Forget Nestle Crunch bars — here is a delicious and nutritious substitute. Puffed quinoa is super simple to make, and it provides a protein-rich base for these sweet treats.
Photo and recipe: Ashley Melillo / Blissful Basil
4. Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars (5.8 g protein per bar)
This simple protein bar recipe is about to become a staple in your snack recipe bank. Oats and protein powder make up the bulk of the bars, while peanut butter adds a bit more protein (and a ton of flavor). Don’t forget the chocolate drizzle!
Photo and recipe: Emily Miller / Life by DailyBurn
RELATED: 9 Healthy Homemade Protein Bar Recipes
5. Dark Chocolate Crunchy Coconut Cashew Sesame Bars (9.5 g protein per bar)
The combination of sesame, flax and hemp seeds make these bars extremely unique — and equally as delicious. Raw cashews and coconut flakes help round out the flavor profile while keeping the bars naturally gluten-free and vegan.
Photo and recipe: Tieghan / Half-Baked Harvest
6. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Balls (5 g protein per ball)
Put down the tube of store-bought cookie dough and whip up a batch of these healthy cookie dough protein bites. You’ll get all the flavor without any of the guilt. Each bite has just 120 calories and five grams of protein. Plus, they’re perfectly portable. Pro tip: For a sweeter treat, dip the bites in melted dark chocolate and let cool before storing.
Recipe: Lee Hersh / Life by DailyBurn
RELATED: 11 No-Bake Energy Bites Recipes
7. Protein Muffins with Quinoa, Prunes, Dates and Coconut (18.2 g protein per muffin)
These muffins make a great mid-day snack, breakfast or even dessert. Quinoa and protein powder make a healthy protein-rich base that will help keep you full until that next meal. The recipe calls to mix in dates and dried plums, but feel free to customize — add in some nuts, swap in a different type of dried fruit, or indulge with a sprinkling of dark chocolate chips.
Recipe: Taylor / Food Faith Fitness
8. Zesty Black Bean Hummus (16 g protein per ½-cup serving)
The key ingredients in this healthy dip are black beans, cottage cheese, and almond butter. Wait, don’t run away yet! We know that sounds like a strange combination, but it works — we promise. The end result is creamy and satisfying, while the addition or cumin, coriander, parsley and orange zest create an interesting flavor profile that will keep you coming back for more.
Recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by DailyBurn
9. Roasted Chickpeas (21 g protein per ¼-cup serving)
Crunchy roasted chickpeas are a nutrient-packed alternative to greasy potato chips or carb-heavy pretzels. Don’t be afraid to mix up the seasoning — the recipe calls for garlic powder, basil, nutritional yeast, and red pepper flakes, but roasted chickpeas work just as well with sweet flavoring (such as a drizzle of agave and a sprinkle of cinnamon).
Recipe: Elana / The Inventive Vegetarian
10. Portobello Eggs with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese (16.8 g protein per cap)
Here a simple and filling savory snack that will satisfy nagging mid-day hunger. If you’re not a fan of sun-dried tomatoes, try substituting roasted red peppers or sautéed spinach. This recipe would make a fantastic breakfast, too!
Photo and recipe: Marisa Westbrook / Uproot Kitchen
11. PBJ Yogurt Bowl (22 g protein per serving)
With 17 grams of protein per cup, Greek yogurt is the ideal base for a healthy high-protein snack. Top it with peanut butter, grape jelly, peanuts, and fresh grapes, and you have a sweet combination that will stop afternoon hunger in its tracks. (And you won’t miss the bread!)
Recipe: Gina Homolka / SkinnyTaste
RELATED: 8 Lower-Calorie Nut Butter Recipes
12. Paleo Cinnamon Raisin Flatbread (12.2 g protein per flatbread)
It takes just a handful of ingredients to whip up this gluten-free, paleo-friendly and low-carb flatbread — and you probably have them all in the kitchen already. Spread it with a bit of nut butter and sprinkle with extra cinnamon for a healthy snack with the perfect amount of sweetness and enough protein to satisfy hunger pangs.
Recipe: Arman / The Big Man’s World
13. Roasted Edamame, Three Ways (15 g protein per cup)
In addition to being packed with protein, edamame is high in fiber and relatively low in calories. The best part about roasting them at home? You can customize the flavorings! This recipe includes instructions for three different flavors — Parmesan and garlic, pepper and sea salt and a “smoky and spicy” mix of cayenne pepper and paprika — but don’t be afraid to get creative.
Photo and recipe: Laura / Beauty & the Beard
14. Savory Greek Yogurt Three Ways (17 g protein per cup)
While most people lean towards topping Greek yogurt with sweet toppings, savory options work just as well. Here are three flavor-packed ideas — everything bagel seasoning mix; cucumber, olives and oregano; or tomato, basil and pine nuts. Pair with a piece of whole-wheat pita for an even more satisfying snack.
Photo and recipe: Lori / Foxes Love Lemons
RELATED: 10 Delicious Chia Seed Pudding Recipes
15. Protein “Brookies” (7 g protein per cookie)
There’s no need to choose between indulging in a cookie or a brownie with this hybrid treat, which combines the two treats in one. Almond butter and protein powder are the keys to this recipe, making for a protein-rich bite. Plus, at just 184 calories per cookie, they can easily find a place in any healthy diet.
Photo and recipe: Lee Hersh / Life by DailyBurn
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Originally posted on March 2015. Updated on May 2022
All images except (for recipes 3-5, 10, 13-14) via Shutterstock