8 Healthy Sweet Snacks Made Without Dates

A sweet snack does not have to lean on dates. These ideas keep sugars in check, use whole ingredients, and come together fast. Each one aims for satisfying texture and clear flavors, with simple steps you can repeat on busy days. These are snacks you can eat in the afternoon and still feel steady for dinner. Clean flavors, simple prep, and nothing cloying.

Peanut Butter–Apple Rice Cakes

A crisp rice cake topped with peanut butter hits that salty-sweet spot. Add thin slices of apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The crunch keeps it snack-like while the nut butter makes it filling. Swap almond butter if you prefer.

Ingredients (1 serving)

• 2 plain rice cakes
• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
• 1/2 small crisp apple, thinly sliced
• Cinnamon, to taste
• Pinch of flaky salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Spread peanut butter on rice cakes.
2. Layer apple slices on top.
3. Dust with cinnamon and a pinch of salt.

Cinnamon-Roasted Apples with Yogurt

Roast chopped apples with a little cinnamon until soft and caramelized at the edges. Serve warm over a scoop of plain yogurt. The heat from the apples melts into the cool yogurt and tastes like dessert, without much added sugar.

Ingredients (2 servings)

• 2 medium apples, cored and diced
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon neutral oil or melted butter
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Toss apples with cinnamon, oil, and salt.
2. Spread on a sheet pan and roast 12 to 15 minutes, until tender and lightly browned.
3. Spoon over yogurt. Drizzle with maple, if using.

Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Banana Bites

Slice bananas, sandwich a thin smear of peanut or almond butter between two slices, and freeze. Dip the edges in melted dark chocolate and let them set. You get a cold snap, a soft center, and a clean chocolate finish.

Ingredients (about 12 bites)

• 2 ripe but firm bananas
• 2 to 3 tablespoons nut butter
• 3 ounces dark chocolate (70% to 85%), chopped
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional, for smoother dipping)
• Pinch of flaky salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Slice bananas into 1/4-inch coins. Sandwich pairs with a thin layer of nut butter.
2. Freeze on parchment 30 to 45 minutes.
3. Melt chocolate with coconut oil. Dip or drizzle over bites; sprinkle salt.
4. Freeze 10 minutes more to set. Store frozen.

Cottage Cheese with Pineapple and Cacao Nibs

Blend cottage cheese briefly for a smoother texture or keep it as is. Spoon on chopped fresh pineapple for acidity and sweetness. Cacao nibs add chocolate notes without the sugar. A pinch of flaky salt pulls the flavors together.

Ingredients (1 serving)

• 3/4 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup pineapple, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
• Pinch of flaky salt

Instructions

1. If you prefer smooth, pulse cottage cheese in a blender 10 seconds.
2. Top with pineapple and cacao nibs.
3. Finish with a pinch of salt.

Mango Chia Pudding

Stir chia seeds into unsweetened almond or dairy milk and let it thicken. Fold in diced ripe mango. The fruit carries most of the sweetness, and the chia gives body. Make it in a jar the night before and it is ready when you are.

Ingredients (2 servings)

• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened milk (almond, soy, or dairy)
• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• 1 cup diced ripe mango (fresh or thawed)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

1. In a jar, whisk milk, chia, and vanilla. Sweeten lightly if you like.
2. Chill at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, stirring once after 10 minutes.
3. Fold in mango before serving, or layer on top.

Baked Pear with Ricotta and Honey

Halve a ripe pear, scoop out the core, and bake until tender. Dollop with ricotta, add a teaspoon of honey, and dust with nutmeg or cinnamon. It is soft, fragrant, and not too sweet.

Ingredients (2 servings)

• 2 ripe pears, halved and cored
• 1 teaspoon olive oil or melted butter
• 1/2 cup ricotta
• 2 teaspoons honey
• Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Brush pear halves with oil.
2. Bake cut-side up 20 to 25 minutes, until tender.
3. Spoon ricotta into the cavities, drizzle honey, and dust with spice.

Cocoa Oat Energy Squares (No Dates)

Mix rolled oats, natural nut butter, a little maple syrup, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Press into a pan, chill, and cut into small squares. They taste like a brownie bite but rely on oats and nuts for structure instead of dates.

Ingredients (16 small squares)

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup natural nut butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or water, as needed
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts or seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Line a 8×8-inch pan with parchment. In a bowl, mix oats, nut butter, maple, cocoa, and salt.
2. Add just enough milk or water to make a thick, pressable dough. Fold in nuts, if using.
3. Press into the pan. Chill 30 minutes. Cut into small squares. Store chilled.

Greek Yogurt, Berries, and Toasted Nuts

Thick, unsweetened yogurt gives a creamy base that feels rich without being heavy. Spoon on fresh or thawed berries for brightness, then finish with a handful of toasted almonds or walnuts for crunch. If you want a touch more sweetness, use a light drizzle of honey or maple, not more than a teaspoon.

Ingredients (1 serving)

• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%)
• 1/2 cup berries (fresh or thawed)
• 2 tablespoons toasted nuts (almonds or walnuts), chopped
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
• Pinch of cinnamon or lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

1. Spoon yogurt into a bowl.
2. Top with berries and nuts.
3. Finish with honey or maple and a pinch of cinnamon or zest, if using.

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