Image description: Three university students sit together on the grass outside a campus building, studying and sharing snacks. One student holds a banana, another has a food container, and a laptop is open in front of them. Water bottles, notebooks, and fruit are scattered on the ground. The atmosphere appears casual and collaborative, with the group focused on the laptop while enjoying their break outdoors.
Fall is that cozy time of year when you bring out your favorite fleece, waffle shirt, and loungewear and bunker down with books, notes, and endless coffee or tea and you guessed it, study snacks. Prepared ahead, these snacks make it easy to refuel and take a real, well-deserved break.
Here are my Top 12 favorite study snacks to keep energized, motivated, and (mostly) guilt-free while hitting the books.
1. Hummus with Veggie Sticks & Pita
Cookie and Kate has a great with plenty of variations. It’s so easy. I usually make half a recipe and have found canned chickpeas freeze well, or you can soak enough dried chickpeas if you don’t want too much at once. Many grocery stores sell grab-and-go or individual-sized portions (I’ve seen the little ones at Costco. Not ideal for the environment, but when life gets hectic, convenience sometimes wins and that’s okay).
Pro tips? Buy the thicker pita and put them from the freezer into the toaster. Warm Pita? Yes, please. Extra pitas can be used for a quick pizza dinner with pizza sauce (I always keep the primo squeeze bottle stocked in my fridge), cheese and favourite toppings.
2. Chia Pudding
Start with the . Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can experiment endlessly. I usually stick with chocolate or vanilla and top with berries. It’s great to make in batches so it’s always ready to go. This is a super food for your brain, full of omega-3’s and antioxidants to help you stay focused.
3. Energy Balls
My favorite are the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites from the Oh She Glows cookbook. is the recipe. They taste like cookie dough and freeze beautifully. There are healthier versions packed with seeds and superfoods, but I like these best. Energy balls are the perfect mix of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to keep your energy going for the final push.
4. Apple Slices with Nut Butter
A classic. Quick, satisfying, and full of fiber and protein. I love Gala or Pink Lady apples with peanut butter. For a special treat, I’ll use Bonne Maman Caramel Spread on tart green apples because it reminds me of camping when I was little.
5. Popcorn with Nutritional Yeast
My nightly go-to. Popcorn is quick to make, and the nutritional yeast adds a savory, cheesy flavor with the bonus of B vitamins to keep my brain happy. Choose Bob’s Red Mill or Bragg’s and skip the powdered bulk version. Whenever I add cheese to a dish, I consider also adding this superfood as well.
6. Salsa, Sour Cream, Whole-Grain Chips and Avocado
This combo hits all the cravings… salty, creamy, crunchy, and fresh. I usually stock up at Costco with mild salsa, a sour cream two-pack, a bag of avocados, and whole-grain chips. In a pinch, the guacamole packs are fine, but homemade is better. Preparing for an exam? Avocado is one of those foods that makes your brain smile with their healthy fats supporting focus and memory.
7. Banana Bread Muffin Tops or Muffins
My sister Ashley, is a flight attendant who’s always on the go, swears by the I rotate between her recipe, my grandma’s blueberry muffins, and the from Best of Bridge (I just cut the sugar and oil a bit). Pair with cheese (Costco has great individually wrapped ones when needed) for the perfect study snack. Is Costco my favorite store? Maybe.
8. Cheese and Crackers
Need I say more? I like to add a little fig jelly or red pepper jelly for a special touch from time to time. Yes, Costco has the best prices for cheese. My favourite crackers? Balsamic and Rosemary Triscuits and Wheat Thins.
9. Toast, Toast, Toast!
I love toast, especially sourdough. For a while, I even made my own, planning my study breaks around my dough. Top ideas include peanut butter and jam, scrambled or boiled eggs, or avocado with balsamic drizzle and cherry tomatoes. It’s quick, versatile, and satisfying.
10. Fruit
Sometimes you just need something juicy. Grapes, oranges, berries, anything fresh works. My sister recently discovered the pomegranate cups at Costco, and they’re deliciously convenient. I also like those pouches of apple sauce when I need a quick boost of energy on the run.
11: Cheese Buns
A grab-and-go favorite. Simple, satisfying, and perfect for when you need something hearty in a hurry. Yum.
12. Sweet Treat or Guilty Pleasure Snack
You deserve it. Reward yourself once in a while. My go-to Sweet treats are a cinnamon bun from , a custard tart from , a Morning Bun from (made by ) or a soft ginger cookie from . A piece of dark chocolate is always good too. I love the Burnt Caramel bar from Alter Eco, available at downtown. My sister Ashley reminded me that sour candies can actually help with anxiety and focus, so that secret bag of sour gummies might have hidden benefits. My guilty pleasure is potato chips with dip or Miss Vickie’s Salt and Vinegar, Ripples All Dressed, or Spicy Dill Pickle. I am always looking for a crunch.
How to survive grad school? Study Snacks.