40 Junk Food Snacks to Indulge In

40 Junk Food Snacks to Indulge In

Read Time: 16 mins

40 Junk Food Snacks to Indulge In2/40 Homemade Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love this classic treat from childhood! Homemade Pop-Tarts are, of course, awesome for breakfast, but they are also a satisfying desserts since they are really similar to hand pies. These pastries are worth the extra effort. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California Nutrition Facts: 1 pastry: 475 calories, 24g fat (15g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 40mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (34g

sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein

sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. Need breakfast on the go? We tried off-brand Pop-Tarts to find out how well these morning treats stacked up against the original. LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME Fried Mozzarella SticksGolden, gooey and perfectly seasoned, you’ll fall in love with this fail-proof recipe for homemade mozzarella sticks. —Lauren Habermehl, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Go to Recipe 3/40 Brianna Griepentrog/Taste of Home Cosmic BrowniesThese moist and fudgy squares are bursting with such rich chocolate flavor, you’d never know they’re low in fat. They’re ideal for taking to bake sales and family gatherings. —Deb Anderson, Joplin, Missouri Go to

Recipe Check out these healthy snacks when your cravings hit

Recipe Check out these healthy snacks when your cravings hit. 4/40 5/40 Corn Dogs 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Corn Dogs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Prepare corn dogs at home just like you’d get at the fair. Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 corn dog: 316 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 588mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. APRIL PREISLER FOR TASTE OF HOME Copycat Lofthouse

These are wonderful, although they still don’t last long

CookiesIt’s easy to buy a package of cookies at the grocery store, but I think this Lofthouse cookie recipe might be even better than store-bought! Go to Recipe 6/40 7/40 Homemade Honey Grahams 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 32 crackers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The way my boys eat them, I would spend a fortune on honey graham crackers at the grocery store. So I decided to make a homemade version that is less processed—and less expensive. These are wonderful, although they still don’t last long. —Crystal Jo Bruns,

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

Iliff, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 cracker: 60 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 89mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 8/40 Bear Claw 12 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This bear claw pastry recipe is absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious! It’s impossible to resist the delicate dough, rich almond filling and pretty fanned tops sprinkled with sugar and almonds. I made yummy treats like this when I worked in a bakery years ago.

Of course, everything’s better from your own kitchen!

—Aneta Kish, La Crosse, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 claw: 352 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 207mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. 9/40 Oatmeal Cream Pie Recipe 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These easy cookies use only five ingredients and taste very similar to a store-bought cookie. Of course, everything’s better from your own kitchen! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich cookie: 296 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 316mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate

(26g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein

(26g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 10/40 Giant Pretzels 45 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Soft Giant Pretzels Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 pretzels Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 pretzel: 193 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 380mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 11/40 Jalapeno Popper

Serve with corn chips, tortilla chips or butter crackers

Dip 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a fantastic way to deliver all that blazing jalapeno popper taste without the work. Whenever I bring this jalapeno popper dip to a party, I’m always asked for the recipe. Serve with corn chips, tortilla chips or butter crackers. —Jennifer Wilke, Collinsville, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 238 calories, 23g fat (8g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 323mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 12/40 Chewy Honey Granola Bars 12 Reviews Taste of Home

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch,

Total Time 25 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: There’s sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. To save a few for later, wrap individual bars and place in a resealable freezer container. When you want a satisfying treat on short notice, just grab one and let it thaw for a few minutes. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont Nutrition Facts: 1 bar: 178 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch,

They take some time to make, but they freeze well

1/2 fat. 13/40 Pizza Egg Rolls 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pizza Eggrolls Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 32 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our family just loves my husband’s version of store-bought pizza rolls. They take some time to make, but they freeze well so we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor for a long time! —Julie Gaines, Normal, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 roll: 297 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 537mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein. Lauren Habermehl

Jerky is a fun and portable snack

for Taste of Home Krispy Kreme Doughnut CopycatLearn how to re-create the magic of your favorite glazed doughnuts in your very own kitchen with this simple copycat Krispy Kreme doughnut recipe. —Lauren Habermehl, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Go to Recipe 14/40 15/40 Teriyaki Beef Jerky 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 3 hours 40 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Jerky is a fun and portable snack. The meat has a savory flavor and just a bit of heat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 ounce cooked beef: 132 calories, 6g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat

fat (3g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 139mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat. 16/40 Spicy Peanuts 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Peanuts Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Liven up plain peanuts with a sweet-and-spicy blend of flavors from sugar, cumin and cayenne pepper. You’ll want to double…or triple…this spicy peanuts recipe! —Holly Kunkle, Walton, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1/3 cup: 335 calories, 28g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 266mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber),

12g protein

12g protein. 17/40 Garlic-Chive Baked Fries 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Yes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 200 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 308mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein. Homemade french fries are so much better than the bags in the frozen section at the grocery store! 18/40 Chewy Soft Pretzels 11 Reviews Test

These homemade pretzels never last long around our house

Kitchen Approved Chewy Soft Pretzels Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These homemade pretzels never last long around our house. My kids love to make them…and eat them! I serve them to company with a variety of dips, such as pizza sauce, ranch dressing, spinach dip or hot mustard. —Elvira Martens, Aldergrove, British Columbia Nutrition Facts: 1 pretzel: 164 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 400mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. Matt Robicelli for Taste of Home Air-Fryer

Corn DogsIt’s not hard to find corn dogs at the state fair or on the boardwalk

Corn DogsIt’s not hard to find corn dogs at the state fair or on the boardwalk. But making corn dogs at home is easy, too, thanks to air fryers and frozen corn dogs. Go to Recipe 19/40 20/40 Almost It’s-It Ice Cream Sandwiches 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 55 min Servings 7 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll discover why this treat is so popular in San Francisco. It’s snack heaven—ice cream, delicious oatmeal cookies and a touch of chocolate. Swap the vanilla ice cream for your favorite flavor. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California Nutrition

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

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Chocolate-Dipped Phyllo Sticks 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 20 sticks Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a little something special to share with friends or family?

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⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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