Snack recipe collection

Traditional Chinese almond cookies with butter and shortening get an egg wash for glossy shine. Dough chills 2 hours, then slices into rounds topped with whole almonds.

Authentic Middle Eastern falafel made from dried chickpeas soaked overnight and deep-fried golden. Crispy exterior with fluffy interior, perfect in pita with tahini sauce.

Put very ripe unpeeled bananas in a plastic bag in the freezer. Remove as needed to make this easy blender drink or dessert.

Strawberry raspberry yogurt shake with skim milk, low-fat yogurt, and vanilla. Light, frothy, and naturally sweet with fresh mashed berries.

Homemade picante sauce simmered with canned whole tomatoes, fresh jalapenos, onion, and apple cider vinegar. Adjust the heat by adding more peppers. Serve chilled with chips.

Crispy pumpkin seeds toasted in the microwave in under 10 minutes. A simple, healthy snack with just one ingredient and optional salt.

Vegetarian mincemeat with fresh pears, mixed dried fruit, candied peel, glace cherries, dates, almonds, citrus zest, and whiskey. A meat-free version of the British holiday classic.

Crispy deep-fried spring rolls packed with stir-fried tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and julienned vegetables seasoned with garlic, curry paste, and soy for an addictive Thai appetizer.

Curried tofu veggie sandwich spread with soy mayo, green pepper, celery, sunflower seeds, and turmeric. A vegan, no-cook spread for sandwiches and crackers.

Moist zucchini bread loaded with grated summer squash, brown sugar, cinnamon, and oil for a soft, never-dry crumb. Makes two freezer-friendly loaves, the classic late-summer use for garden zucchini.

Banana nut bread made with whole wheat and white flours, ginger and mace, plus chopped pecans and dates folded in. A spiced, fruit-and-nut-loaded quick bread that's denser and more interesting than the standard.

This co-winner in the filled-cookie category from Dorothy O'Neill of Whitefish Bay makes a delicate, crispy cookie. Dipping in chocolate and nuts adds flavor and texture.

Wheat germ and nut zucchini bread, a hearty quickbread loaded with grated zucchini, toasted wheat germ, cinnamon, and chopped nuts. Two-loaf yield makes one for now and one for the freezer.

Just the thing to nibble with a cup of mulled wine or hot spiced apple cider, these simple, versatile crackers also lend themselves beautifully to cheeses, dips, and spicy spreads.

Homemade whole-wheat granola with oats, wheat germ, honey, coconut, almonds, and cinnamon. Baked low and slow with orange juice for crunchy, golden clusters.

Wholesome apple muffins lean on rolled oats, applesauce, and apple juice for moisture, with cinnamon and nutmeg warming a low-fat, egg-white batter. Tender breakfast muffins topped with extra oats.