30 Valentine’s Day Snacks to Share the Love

Read Time: 21 mins

30 Valentine’s Day Snacks to Share the Love1/30 Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries 62 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Beginner Total Time 20 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These luscious cheesecake-stuffed strawberries are the perfect bite-sized dessert. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia Nutrition Facts: 1 filled strawberry: 41 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 27mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. When you want that cheesecake flavor without that post-cheesecake sugar crash, try one of these bite-sized treats. The recipe calls for almond extract,

but I usually swap in vanilla extract when I need a nut-free alternative

but I usually swap in vanilla extract when I need a nut-free alternative. 2/30 Black Bean Brownies 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 35 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island Nutrition Facts: 1 brownie: 167 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges:

1-1/2 starch, 1 fat

1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. These brownies are sweet and taste decadent, but they have a surprising secret ingredient: canned black beans. No one will be able to taste the black beans, but they allow the brownies to be higher in protein and fiber. 3/30 Chicken Nuggets 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Beginner Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. The seasoning can also be used on

chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches

chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked chicken: 214 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch. Nothing says “I love you” like breaded bite-sized chicken nuggets alongside homemade dipping sauces. The recipe calls for pan-frying the nuggets in a skillet, but you could easily use your air fryer or make baked chicken nuggets instead. 4/30 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Meringue Roses 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME

Readers of my blog, utry.it, went nuts when I posted that idea

Skill Level Intermediate Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Eat these pretty treats as is or crush them into a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. Readers of my blog, utry.it, went nuts when I posted that idea. —Amy Tong, Anaheim, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 33 calories, 1g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 9mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch. Meringue is every bit as tasty as a cookie, but it’s lighter, airer and naturally gluten-free because it’s made with egg

whites instead of flour

whites instead of flour. You’ll need a pastry bag with a #1M star tip to complete this recipe as pictured, but feel free to play around with other tips to create a different look. 5/30 Cheesecake Bites 25 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cheesecake Bites Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Intermediate Total Time 2 hours 5 min Servings 49 squares Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Satisfy your cheesecake craving with these bite-sized delights! The party favorites are perfect for a holiday celebration. —Esther Neustaeter, La Crete, Alberta Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 141 calories, 10g

fat (6g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Sometimes I don’t want an entire piece of cheesecake, I just want one bite … or maybe three. These little bite-sized treats are perfect because they’re covered with chocolate so they don’t even require a fork. They also freeze well and are easy to transport if you’re taking your Valentine’s Day snacks on the road. 6/30 Air-Fryer Steak Bites Test Kitchen Approved Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Yep, you can cook steak in the air fryer!

Creator: Sirloin steak is seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper, then tossed in the air fryer until perfectly cooked. After that, each piece gets a nice slather of garlic butter for a juicy, flavorful bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked beef: 281 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 438mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein. Yep, you can cook steak in the air fryer! And because it requires only a fraction of the oil, this recipe creates a healthy, high-protein snack you’ll want to make again and again.

For a vegetarian version, try using cubed tofu to make air-fryer tofu steak bites. 7/30 Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved KRISTINA VANNI FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Beginner Total Time 30 min Servings 16 pastries Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Growing up, I loved pocket pastries. Now with a busy family, I need quick bites, and my spin on the classic ham and cheese delivers at snack or supper time. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 144 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 192mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate

(3g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein

(3g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. Ham and cheese create a classic combination, but this recipe makes it much more sophisticated. Sliced ham and creamy Brie are wrapped in buttery puff pastry and finished with a dollop of apricot preserves. If you want to get extra fancy, make puff pastry from scratch instead of using the store-bought stuff. 8/30 Pizza Pinwheels 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Beginner Total Time 25 min Servings 8 pinwheels Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These little treats taste a lot like rolled-up pizza. With crispy

pepperoni and lots of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, what’s not to love?

pepperoni and lots of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, what’s not to love? —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 1 pinwheel: 265 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 776mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. It’s not really love unless you know your partner’s favorite pizza toppings, right? Show them how much you care by customizing these cute pizza pinwheels with their favorites. This recipe can be made with plain cheese, mushrooms and olives, pepperoni, or even ham and pineapple. 9/30 Zippy Shrimp Skewers 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Zippy Shrimp Skewers Recipe photo by

Fix them for your next party and watch them disappear

Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These flavorful skewers deliver a mouthwatering kick with minimal effort. Fix them for your next party and watch them disappear. —Jalayne Luckett, Marion, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 skewer: 57 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 199mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat. Gluten-free, pescatarian and keto lovebirds will fall for these quick-and-easy bites. The chili powder and hot pepper sauce add a strong kick to the grilled shrimp, so ease

up on those ingredients if you aren’t a fan of spicy food

up on those ingredients if you aren’t a fan of spicy food. 10/30 Smoked Salmon Bites with Shallot Sauce 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Smoked Salmon Bites with Shallot Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 30 min Servings 25 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A tangy mayonnaise-Dijon sauce adds zip to flaky pastry and layers of crisp arugula, thinly sliced smoked salmon and nutty-flavored Asiago cheese. —Jamie Brown-Miller, Napa, California Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 89 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 105mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars,

1g fiber), 2g protein

1g fiber), 2g protein. Your Valentine’s Day date will think you hired a private chef to whip up these elevated snacks, but they’re actually incredibly easy. They’re ready to eat in only 30 minutes! Make an extra batch of the shallot and Dijon mustard dipping sauce to save for sandwiches and french fries. 11/30 Roasted Chicken and Brie Holly Mini Bites 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Chicken and Brie Holly Mini Bites Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 25 min Servings 24 mini sandwiches Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I got the

idea for this perfect party appetizer from my favorite sandwich at a local restaurant. I re-created the delectable combination of sweet fig, roasted apple, melted Brie and tangy garlic mayonnaise in a quick appetizer with bright red cranberries and green spinach to give it a holiday twist. These scrumptious bites take only about 20 minutes but taste as if you spent hours. You can also make them a few days in advance, then warm them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before serving. —Terri Gilson, Calgary, Alberta Nutrition Facts: 1 mini sandwich: 98 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg