GROUPON GUIDE TO BATON-ROUGE

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 baton-rouge

Sam's Club Membership: Enjoy Big Savings & Perks with One-Year "Club" Or "Plus"  Plan
icon-trending icon
Trending
Up to 50% Off on Sam’s Club Membership
10444 Mall Dr, Baton Rouge
4.3
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
122,877 ratings
$50 $25
50% discount_off
Sam's Club
Splash Wines: 18 Top-Rated Bottles of Red, White, or Mixed Wine
icon-trending icon
Trending
Splash Wines: 18 Top-Rated Bottles of Red, White, or Mixed Wine
4.4
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
38,420 ratings
$306 $69$62.10
 Sale Ends 1/24
$55.89 with_code SAVEMORE
Splash Wines, Inc.
Feast on Flavorful Savings: Grab the $5 for $25, $10 for $50, $20 for a $100 or $35 for $200 Restaurant.com eGift Cards
Savor Delicious Meals with eGift Card from Restaurant.com
3.1
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
icon-blank icon
508 ratings
$25 $5
80% discount_off
Restaurant.com
Discover Bayou Teche Brewery's delightful beer flights and pint glasses experience with up to 40% off.
Explore Flights and Pint Glasses with Unique Beer Tastings
1094 Bushville Highway, Arnaudville
4.9
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
573 ratings
$18 $14$12.60
 Sale Ends 1/24
$11.34 with_code SAVEMORE
Bayou Teche Brewery
The Dinner Detective Baton Rouge Murder Mystery Dinner (Through Dec 2026)
The Dinner Detective Baton Rouge Murder Mystery Dinner
4848 Constitution Avenue, Baton Rouge
$201.75 $124.99
38% discount_off
9 bought
The Dinner Detective Baton Rouge Murder Mystery Dinner Louisiana
Up to 43% Off HelloFresh: Meal Kits for 2 or 4 People - Delicious Recipes Delivered
HelloFresh Meal Kits - Fresh Ingredients Delivered
4.0
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-blank icon
25,915 ratings
$141.86 $89.99$80.99
 Sale Ends 1/24
$72.89 with_code SAVEMORE
HelloFresh: Meal Kits for Two or Four People (First Week Shipping Included)
Indulge in King Kong Milktea And Smoothie's delightful smoothies with options like $12 for four $5 vouchers, up to 36% off
Enjoy Fruity Smoothies with $12 for Four $5 Vouchers
240 Range 12 Boulevard, Denham Springs
4.7
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
148 ratings
$20 $12
40% discount_off
$8.76 with_code SAVEMORE
King Kong Milktea & Smoothie
Join Ultimate Louisiana Party for Henry Turner Jr. Admission Options with up to 41% off
Experience Soul Food and Live Performances at Henry Turner Jr.
2733 North Street, Baton Rouge
4.2
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
49 ratings
$20 $13$11.70
 Sale Ends 1/24
$10.53 with_code SAVEMORE
Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room Heritage Museum