GROUPON GUIDE TO PORTLAND

4 Snack Dinner Ideas

BY: Aimee Algas Alker |Mar 27, 2018

A snack dinner is a parents' salvation. Home from a brutal day at work, sometimes the last thing you want to do is fire up the oven to make dinner for the family. Maybe you haven't gone to the grocery store this week. Maybe you're just not feeling up to cooking. Maybe you just want to not think so hard for the rest of the day.

The snack dinner is just what it sounds like: snacks for dinner. It's great for several reasons. First, you can use up the odds and ends in your pantry and refrigerator that aren't enough for a whole meal. It doesn't require cooking anything. And most of all, it has the word "snack" in it—and kids love snacks.

Calling it a snack dinner makes kids feel like they're getting away with something, and you, dear parent, actually are getting away with something: providing a delicious meal that doesn't require you to cook a darn thing.

The Components of a Snack Dinner

 It's important to note that a snack dinner isn't a cheese board, where cheese takes center stage. No one component of a snack dinner should take the lead in this performance; this is an ensemble, where every item takes an equally important role. A snack dinner is also not a collection of appetizers; though it can include appetizers, they should be ones that don't require cooking.

And though creating—and eating—a snack dinner can be fast and loose, encouraging experimentation and innovation, a few parameters should be kept in mind:

  • The selected foods should be good (both taste and texture) at room temperature.

  • While items may be precooked, none should be cooked just before serving.

  • Beyond dipping, this is a low-effort meal for everyone.

  • No utensils should be required; finger foods are key.

A good formula for a snack dinner is to have at least each of the following: protein, fruit, veggie, grain. A mix of textures and flavors is also good. You'll get bonus points for including something sweet for "snack dessert." Read on for some great snack dinner ideas.

 

Sample Snack Dinners

Charcuterie for the Family

Protein: sliced salami, leftover meatballs, string cheese
Fruit and veggies: tomatoes, melon
Grain: garlic bagel chips
Dessert: lemon blueberry biscotti 

Instead of a Sandwich

Protein: turkey and ham, cheddar cheese slices, almonds
Fruit and veggies: craisins, baby spinach
Dip: ranch dressing
Dessert: chocolates
 

Deconstructed Chicken Salad

Protein: leftover rotisserie chicken, pecans, hard boiled eggs
Fruit and veggies: grapes, sliced celery
Dip: hummus
Grain: melba toast, multigrain crackers
 

The Mediterranean Vegetarian

Protein: roasted chickpeas, feta cheese chunks, leftover falafel
Fruit and veggies: leftover roasted veggies, dried mangoes
Dip: tzatziki
Dessert: candied almonds

 

 

RELATED READS


7 Healthy Snack Ideas for You & Your Kid That Can Live in Your Bag Forever 7 Healthy Snack Ideas for You & Your Kid That Can Live in Your Bag Forever

So the snacks you packed are healthy, but will they crumble into a dust pile? The healthy snack ideas you need if you're a parent. Or just a hungry adult.
The Surprise Cult Following of Kraft Old English Cheese The Surprise Cult Following of Kraft Old English Cheese

This throwback pantry staple from the 70s has been making a comeback. But why?

 

BY:

Deals in portland

Immerse in Happy Lamb’s Inner-Mongolian Experience with $30 or $60 Toward Hot Pot & Drinks (Up to 28% Off)
icon-trending icon
Trending
Indulge in World-Famous Inner-Mongolian Hot Pot – $30 or $60 Value!
3861 Southwest 117th Avenue, Beaverton9.0 mi
4.7
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
530 ratings
$30 $24$21.60
 Sale Ends 2/17
$19.44 with_code TOPDEALS
Happy Lamb Hot Pot
Black Angus Steakhouse: Three Course Dinner or Weekend Brunch (Up to 13% Off)
icon-trending icon
Trending
Black Angus Steakhouse: Three Course Dinner or Weekend Brunch
415 East 13th Street, Vancouver6.6 mi
4.6
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
11,008 ratings
$29.98 $25.98
13% discount_off
$23.49 with_code TOPDEALS
Black Angus Steakhouse
Breakfast Food at Grits n' Gravy (Up to 30% Off). Three Options Available.
Up to 30% Off Breakfast Food at Grits n' Gravy
215 Southwest 6th Avenue, Portland2.7 mi
4.8
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
978 ratings
$15 $10.50
30% discount_off
$8.40 with_code TOPDEALS
Grits n' Gravy
Costco Membership Deal: 1-Year Membership with $20 or $40 Digital Shop Card
icon-trending icon
Trending
Costco 1-Year Membership + $20 or $40 Shop Card Offer
7850 Southwest Dartmouth Street, Tigard5.2 mi
$65
Costco
Enjoy 3-Course Moroccan Dinner for Two Four or Six with Drink at Marrakesh Restaurant (Up To 41% Off)
Savor a 3-Course Moroccan Dinner with Drink for Two Four or Six
1201 Northwest 21st Avenue, Portland3.3 mi
4.6
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
2,627 ratings
$94.70 $65
31% discount_off
Marrakesh Morrocan Restaurant - Portland
Applebee’s – $25 Toward Classic American Favorites at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar
Get a $25 Applebee’s® eGift Card for $21.50!
$25 $21.50
14% discount_off
310+ bought
Applebee's
$25 eGift Card to Krispy Kreme® (20% Off)
$5 Off $25 eGift Card to Krispy Kreme
4.8
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
35,315 ratings
$25 $20
20% discount_off
Krispy Kreme® Doughnut Corporation
Experience One Wine Tasting for Two or a Tasting Flight for Four at Valo -- Massalto (Up To 55% Off)
Experience Wine Tasting for Two or a Flight for Four at a Vineyard
671 West Columbia Way, Vancouver6.4 mi
4.4
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
16 ratings
$40 $20$18
 Sale Ends 2/17
$16.20 with_code TOPDEALS
Valo -- Massalto