The Theme Is … Snack Time!

 
It hits all of us at some point during our day. Sometimes more than once. It’s often the first thing kids want after school, or what grownups need in the afternoon to get them through those last few hours at the office. Even though we try our best to choose wisely when it comes to food, some days all we really want to do is reach for a candy bar (or a Chocolate Almond Stick like those beauties in the photo above). Or head to the drive-through lane of a fast food chain. Or toss a bag of crunchies in the shopping cart during that quick grocery trip after work. It happens.

Ever since I saw a recipe for a Twinkie/Susie Q Cake from TK member acrafton, I knew that one of these days, I’d like to do a post on homemade versions of popular snacks. Today happens to be that day. I can’t wait to show you all the loot!

Let’s start with all those classic snacks we like to munch on, whether it’s at a fair, or a ballgame, or something we pick up from the neighborhood convenience store or donut shop. Just look at the snackfest that we have going on below.

Top row, from left to right: Boiled Peanuts from missamy, those infamous Funnel Cakes from HeatherD, and Homemade Cracker Jack from Mommy’s Kitchen. Middle row, from left to right: childhood favorite Oatmeal Creme Pies from whatmegansmaking, better than stadium-bought Super Awesome Pretzels from coolguy, and Ree’s dastardly Homemade Glazed Doughnuts. Bottom row, from left to right: summer treat Homemade Jell-O Pudding Pops from Mommy’s Kitchen, Homemade Pop Tarts from kimt, and Homemade Granola Bars from Karly Campbell.

 
 
Or perhaps you’d rather snack on something more savory. Something to tide you over until your next square meal, like some chicken nuggets, fries, onion rings, or Hot Pockets. I found some of those too, so you won’t have to drive out to get them, or buy their frozen counterparts.

Left column, from top to bottom: Oven Baked Onion Rings from ashleyrodriguez, and a hungry teen’s favorite, Pizza Pockets from handmadetherapy. Center column, from top to bottom: amazing Spicy Panko Crusted Chicken Strips from southerngracegourmet, those little Chinese takeout delights called Crab Rangoons from Maeghan, and Sweet Potato Fries with Curry Mayo from novascotian that are sooo much better than regular fries. Right column, from top to bottom: Oven-Dried Potato Chips (and Apple Ones Too!) from jenniferperillo, and, just in time for Cinco de Mayo, some Chicken Taquitos from blessingsinabundance.

 
 
Sometimes, what you crave is one of those popular store drinks. Have a taste for a certain chain’s frappuccino? Try savorysweetlife’s DIY Home Frappuccino and Mocha Frappuccino below. She also has a Mango Orange Smoothie if you prefer that chain’s fruitier menu items. If it’s sweet tea you want, then try the Sweet Tea from ButterYum. Or maybe all you want is a regular bottle of chocolate milk. If so, Ree’s Homemade Chocolate Milk for the Fridge will come in handy. Or try a Frozen Hot Chocolate that MamaFoodie first encountered at a restaurant in New York.

 
 
In my case, however, the snack attack usually comes in some form of candy craving. Preferably involving chocolate. I’ve been known to eye the bag of chocolate chips in my cupboard, deterred only by my inability to figure out a secure-enough hiding place where there’s zero chance of anyone in the house discovering me there with a half-eaten bag of baking chips.

 
I know. I need help.

 
So I thought it only fitting to end this post with the collage that follows. It needs no introduction, and no explanation. I’ll just let the pictures speak for themselves. Besides, I wouldn’t want to interrupt you while you look at these and begin to contemplate turning your kitchen into a candy bar factory.

Clockwise from top left: Deliciously Dandy Ding Dongs from Clabbergirl, Homemade Peanut Butter Cups from sweettooth, Homemade Twix Cookies from Rebecca, Homemade Thin Mints from A Cozy Kitchen, Mounds Candy Bars from elanaspantry, and Chocolate Covered Pretzels from Noshings.

 
 
Aah. Snacks. My favorite meal of the day. Snacks, and dinner. Lunch, too. And breakfast. Did I leave anything out?

 
Now it’s my turn to hear from you. Are you a snacker? Do you like munching on stuff, or do you pretty much stick to the major meals of the day? Are you more of a salty snack fan, or does your sweet tooth call the shots? Or are you an equal opportunity snacker who enjoys salty-sweet and spicy-tart and crunchy-bitter and fluffy-sticky (okay, I’m making this stuff up now) combos? Do share!