3 Snacks I Love & Try to Always Have in My Fridge
- Lily Collard
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 9
Chocolate Granola, Protein Balls & Date Snickers
Happy Wednesday, friends.
Here's something to know about me: I'm a snack gal. I love a full, flavorful meal so much but there is something so satisfying about grabbing something small, delicious, and homemade - especially when it's nutritious and satisfies a craving.
These are three snacks I try to make once a month (or more):
My go-to chocolate granola (so good with yogurt or by the handful)
No-bake protein balls
Viral date snickers - yes, the ones that taste like candy!
Whether you want a post-workout bite, a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or a sweet-ish dessert, these cover all the cravings. Let’s get into it.
Healthy Chocolate Granola (Erin Lives Whole Inspired)
Erin’s version is all about keeping it low in added sugar while packing in big flavor with cocoa, oats, nuts, and maple — perfect for yogurt bowls or snacking by the handful.
Ingredients:
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc)
1/4-1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
1/2 cup maple syrup (or honey)
1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 cup chocolate chips (stir in after baking)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to ~ 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, cocoa powder, and salt.
Whisk maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla.
Mix wet into dry until everything’s coated.
Spread evenly on the sheet, pressing down gently.
Bake for about 20–25 minutes, stirring once halfway.
Let it cool completely (it gets crunchier). Then fold in chocolate chips, if using.
Storage: Airtight jar for up to 2 weeks - or freeze for longer.
My Protein Balls
I have yet to star in any health magazine that features these, but I do make them so often I’ve lost count. They’re unpretentious, no-bake, and handy for basically any snack situation.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup nut butter (peanut or almond)
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (I prefer maple syrup for these)
Pinch of salt
Splash of water or preferred milk to bind, if needed
Mix-in Ideas:
Mini chocolate chips
Nuts, coconut flakes, chia seeds, cacao nibs, or flaxseed
Instructions:
Stir everything together. If it’s too dry, add a little liquid.
Scoop into balls (I use a cookie scoop).
Chill for 20–30 min to firm up.
Date "Snickers"
These are my version of Purely Kaylie’s Snickers Dates. They’re a healthier alternative to candy bars and satisfy my sweet tooth.
Ingredients:
Medjool dates, pitted
Peanut butter (see my homemade peanut recipe here: https://www.loveandlemons.com/homemade-peanut-butter-recipe/)
Roasted peanuts
Dark chocolate chips
Flaky sea salt
Instructions:
Slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit.
Fill each date with a spoonful of peanut butter.
Top with a few roasted peanuts.
Melt the dark chocolate chips and drizzle over the filled dates.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Place the dates on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until the chocolate sets.
Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or freezer, if you're like me and like that frozen Snickers bar.
There’s nothing fancy or complicated about these snacks—but that’s exactly why I love them. They’re the kind of recipes I come back to week after week: easy to make, satisfying, and made with ingredients we actually keep in our kitchens. If you’re looking for something that feels like a treat but still does your body some good, these three are a great place to start. Whether it’s a scoop of chocolate granola in the morning, a protein ball between meetings/work, or a chilled date “Snickers” after dinner—these snacks have you covered.
Let me know if you try any of them! I’d love to hear your favorite mix-ins, swaps, or flavor combos. And if you’ve got a go-to snack I should add to my rotation, drop it in the comments—I’m always down to add another favorite to the list.
Stay tuned for another snack drop!
xoxo,
Lily
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