4 Great Microwave Snacks To Try
It’s a hot summer, Tallahassee friends, and nothing makes the heat seem more oppressive than cooking over a stove or heating up the kitchen with an oven.
Microwave cooking can be a great alternative–it’s quick and easy and doesn’t make your kitchen feel like a sauna! Here are some great microwave snacks you can make to help you beat the heat and enjoy some new tasty treats.
Microwave Snack #1. Potato Chips
Everyone knows a great microwave snack is popcorn, but how about microwave potato chips? This easy snack is satisfying and delicious. Because they aren’t fried in oil, they’re a lot healthier than chips from a bag, too.
The trick to making these potato chips crunchy is slicing them as thinly as possible. Use a sharp chef’s knife, or a mandoline slicer for best results. It also helps to rinse them in cold water after slicing. This washes away some of the starch, which makes them crisp up even better.
Try some fun seasoning! You can add coarse sea salt, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with a powdered ranch packet, or add chives, chili powder, or dried dill.
Ingredients:
- One potato
- Olive oil and preferred spices (optional)
Instructions:
- Wash the potato and slice as thinly as possible. Place the slices in a bowl of cold water as you work, to keep them from browning.
- Rinse the slices under cold water until the water runs clear. Pat dry.
- Line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels and arrange the potato chips in a single layer (don’t let them touch, or they’ll stick together!). Sprinkle with seasoning, if desired. For more flavor, brush with olive oil before adding seasoning.
- Microwave at 100% power for three minutes. Flip them over and microwave at 50% power for another three minutes. Continue cooking one minute at a time until the chips are golden brown and perfectly crispy.
- Store in an air-tight container. Enjoy!
Microwave Snack #2. Peanut Butter Granola Bars
These grab-and-go granola bars are easy to make ahead and store for early mornings or afternoon snacks. The coating is made in the microwave, and they’re chilled in the fridge or freezer. They’re a filling and healthy alternative to store-bought granola bars.
You can change up the recipe by adding semi-sweet chocolate chips or sliced almonds to the oat mixture, or a sprinkle of cinnamon to the coating.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups quick oats
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 scant cup chunky peanut butter (or a little less smooth peanut butter if you’d rather)
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, ½ cup sliced almonds, a sprinkle of cinnamon
Instructions:
- Line an 8×8 pan with foil or parchment paper, making sure to let it hang over the edges for easy removal later.
- In a large bowl, toss oats and Rice Krispies together. Add chocolate chips or almonds, if desired.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, brown sugar, and salt. Microwave on high for one minute. Remove and stir. Microwave for another minute.
- Add in vanilla, and cinnamon if desired. Stir again and pour into the granola mixture. Mix well.
- Pour mixture into baking dish and press evenly.
- Chill in the freezer for 15 minutes or in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Remove using the foil or parchment paper overhang. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Microwave Snacks #3. Dessert in a Mug: Brownie Edition.
If you’ve never made a microwave dessert in a mug, you are in for a treat. While a pan of brownies or an apple pie fresh from the oven is a great way to feed a crowd, a dessert in a mug hits the spot for an easy single-serving dessert that tastes great every time. It’s great to make just one or two for a movie night in, or a bunch for an easy, customizable, unique dessert that’s sure to please. If you like the brownie dessert in a mug, try it with cake batter, various types of pie filling, chocolate chip cookie dough, and more.
You can also easily modify this recipe to be gluten-free by using gluten-free flour.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp milk, water, or coffee (yum!)
- ⅛ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- A sprinkle of chocolate chips (optional)
- Ice cream, whipped cream, or a spoonful of peanut butter for topping, optional
Instructions:
- Melt the butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds.
- Using a large, ceramic mug with no metal accents, mix the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon (if desired) with a fork.
- Pour in the butter and stir until a paste forms. Add chocolate chips if desired.
- Add milk (or water or coffee) and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
- Microwave, uncovered, on high for one minute. If needed, microwave longer but only at ten-second intervals. The brownie may have a few wet-looking spots and shouldn’t look totally dry.
- Let sit for four minutes on the counter to set. The inside of the brownie is still cooking!
- Top with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or peanut butter if desired. Enjoy!
Microwave Snack #4. Pizza in a Mug
If you like the idea of food in a mug but desserts aren’t your thing, you must try this quick and easy pizza. You can customize to your heart’s content with whatever pizza toppings you love. It’s healthier and faster than ordering pizza, and everyone in the family can have exactly the type of pizza they want.
Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ⅛ tsp baking powder
- ⅛ tsp salt
- Pinch of baking soda
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp marinara sauce
- 1 heaping tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, or an Italian herb mix)
- Toppings: mini pepperoni, mushrooms, chopped onion, chopped green peppers, etc.
Instructions:
- Using a large, ceramic mug with no metal accents, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together with a fork.
- Add in the milk and oil, and mix again. It’s okay if there are some lumps.
- Spoon on the marinara sauce and spread it on the surface of the batter.
- Sprinkle on the cheese and herbs.
- Gently add the toppings.
- Microwave for one minute and ten seconds, and then in ten-second intervals until the pizza rises up and the toppings are bubbling.
- Enjoy right away!
Want to Level Up Your Microwave Snacks Game?
Try a Speed Oven
If you use your microwave a lot–and most of us do–you may want to consider upgrading to a three-in-one or speed oven.
This amazing combo appliance does the work of a microwave plus a convection oven and an air fryer.
Whereas microwaves cook food from the inside out by agitating the water molecules and creating heat, convection ovens cook from the outside in by blowing hot air over the surface of the food.
When you combine these two methods, you get food that is cooked incredibly fast, with the ability to make the outside crispy and browned.
Three-in-one ovens allow you to use the microwave setting, the convection oven setting, or a combo setting so you can reheat, toast, bake, broil, grill, and more. With the air-fryer setting, you can get the fried texture on things like chicken, onion rings, and more, without the mess and unhealthiness of frying in oil. You can prepare just about any meal–from simple snacks like these to complex multi-course dinners–using this one appliance.
Three-in-ones save on space because they take the place of multiple appliances. They make cooking easy and convenient with their automatic food and temperature settings. They save energy by cooking food quickly and efficiently. And they make everything from snack time to dinner time easier for you and your family.
We Can Help!
If you’re thinking about upgrading to a three-in-one or speed oven, or if you’re considering a remodel or redesign of your Tallahassee kitchen, we’re here to help. We can talk you through decisions about what type of appliances your kitchen needs, as well as how to best lay out your new kitchen, and more. Contact us today!
