13 High-Protein Snacks That Aren't Cottage Cheese

a recipe photo of the Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars
Photo:

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

When you’re in the mood for a healthy, high-protein snack—but don’t want a bowl of the cottage cheese—turn to these recipes. They feature other satisfying foods like nuts, seeds, oats, legumes and yogurt to offer at least 7 grams of protein per serving. This nutrient can help you with healthy digestion, muscle recovery and staying full for longer. Healthy recipes like our Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars and High-Protein Lemon-Blueberry Energy Balls help you switch up your snack time and pack lots of deliciousness into a few powerful bites.

01 of 13

High-Protein Lemon-Blueberry Muffins

cooked blueberry muffins on a serving board and a muffin tin in the background

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Julia Levy

These lemon-blueberry muffins are so good, you'll think they came straight from a bakery. A sprinkle of sugar creates a nice crunch on the outside, while strained yogurt ensures the muffins stay moist on the inside. The yogurt also provides a boost of satisfying protein, making these muffins perfect for breakfast or snack time. If using frozen blueberries, there's no need to thaw them beforehand. They will add a purple hue to the batter, but it won't affect the delicious end result.

02 of 13

Roasted Spaghetti Squash Seeds

a bowl of the Roasted Spaghetti Squash Seeds with a spoon
Alexandra Shytsman

When you prepare spaghetti squash, don't throw away the seeds! You can turn them into a crunchy, healthy snack to enjoy on their own or sprinkled over a salad.

03 of 13

Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars

a recipe photo of the Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Enjoy these delightful carrot cake oatmeal bars, perfect for a snack or dessert alongside a steaming cup of coffee. Made with a blend of shredded carrots, oats and a hint of brown sugar, these easy bars capture the essence of carrot cake, while offering a boost of fiber and less sugar than cake. Portable and convenient, these bars can be enjoyed on the move. To make these bars gluten-free, opt for gluten-free oats.

04 of 13

High-Protein Lemon-Blueberry Energy Balls

a recipe photo of the High-Protein Lemon-Blueberry Energy Balls

Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl

These sweet and refreshing energy balls pack in the protein from almonds, almond butter and hemp seeds. Enjoy this easy snack before or after a workout or as a nice midday pick-me-up at work. The finishing glaze adds a tangy sweetness, but you can leave it off if you prefer a little less sugar.

05 of 13

2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Whir up frozen bananas into an “ice cream” without the cream! Peanut butter adds a natural swirl of flavor for a sweet and satisfying dessert with no added sugar.

06 of 13

Easy Black Bean Dip

Easy Black Bean Dip

This creamy bean dip is great for a party or picnic. Smoked paprika and ground chipotles add a robust, earthy flavor, but you can also use regular paprika and cayenne if you don't have the other spices on hand.

07 of 13

Yogurt with Blueberries & Honey

yogurt bowl with fruit and honey

A simple combination of Greek-style yogurt and blueberries gets an extra touch of sweetness from golden honey. It's the perfect balance of protein and fiber to keep you energized.

08 of 13

Sweet and Salty Roasted Nuts

5245917.jpg

Spicy seasonings add a bit of zing to roasted nuts for an appetizer that's perfect for any occasion.

09 of 13

Everything-Seasoned Almonds

Everything-Seasoned Almonds
Jennifer Causey

Grinding up the everything bagel seasoning in a spice grinder will help it adhere to the almonds.

10 of 13

Pizza Pistachios

Pizza Pistachios
Jennifer Causey

Nutritional yeast mimics the flavor of cheese, lending a pizza-like flavor to these playful spiced pistachios.

11 of 13

Ricotta Cheese Toast

5553476.jpg

This Ricotta Cheese Toast uses whole grain toast crackers and reduced fat cheese for a lighter snack option.

12 of 13

Edamame with Aleppo Pepper

edamame with aleppo pepper

With fruity undertones and a slight cumin taste, Aleppo pepper gives this healthy protein snack some satisfying flavor.

13 of 13

Bread with Peanut Butter

5487994.jpg

This quick-and-easy snack is a hearty treat that is packed with protein and has heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.

Was this page helpful?

Related Articles