Late-night study snacks for every mood 

We’re getting close to the end of the semester, which probably means a lot of long nights ahead. But never fear, snacks make everything better and I’ve got a list of study snacks for whatever mood you’re in. Home stretch, guys. We’ve got this! 

When you’re feeling motivated 

If you’re on a roll, you want an easy snack that won’t break your stride. 

Popcorn

Throw it in the microwave for a few minutes and have a warm and crunchy snack that you can pop in your mouth while you furiously type away at your three-thousand-word essay. Bonus points if you spice it up with some toppings (the UBCO Foodie blog has some recipes for inspo: Jazz Up Your Popcorn). 

Veggies and dip

Fuel that brain without taking too much time out of your night. Buy some hummus or dip from your favourite grocery store (shoutout to Sabra’s caramelized onion hummus), or, if you’re looking to try something new, the UBCO cookbook has a great hummus recipe (they also have a recipe for garlic and herb pita crackers to go with it). If you’re looking for a creamier dip, you could always use plain greek yogurt as a base and add your favourite herbs and spices.  

If you make your dips and chop up your veggies on the weekend, you can snack prep for the whole week! 

Pretzels

A classic versatile snack, these can be paired with peanut butter and chocolate for a sweet treat or spinach artichoke dip for something more savoury. (Here’s a list of a bunch of different things you can do with pretzels: 20 genius ways to eat pretzels). If you buy flat pretzel chips, you can also make some awesome Lunchables (see charcuterie section). 

When you don’t want to work anymore, but have a deadline 

Take a minute. Make your snack and eat it too.  You’ve got this. 

Good old charcuterie

Hear me out, I’ve made some … let’s call them budget-friendly charcuterie boards (e.g. pizza goldfish, mozzarella slices, and Costco salami). You can customize your board with vegan-friendly proteins (peanuts are healthy for you and your budget), added fruits or veggies for nutrition and crunchiness, or just use whatever’s leftover in your fridge. A good variety will give you some protein, healthy fats, and some carbs to keep you fueled all night long. Sit back and enjoy a snack that’s basically Lunchables for adults. 

Mini Marshmallows

Mini marshmallows are my motivator snack when working late. I’ll set a goal, like “read to the end of this paragraph”, and when I do that, I get a marshmallow. (Mini marshmallows can be substituted for any small treat, like M&Ms, trail mix, or candy corn if you’re feeling spooky). 

Crispy Chickpeas

These will take a while in the oven or air fryer, but your house will smell amazing after, so…worth it. You can make them sweet, but savoury ones are super versatile (they can be a protein-rich topping on salads, tacos, or just by themselves). I like this recipe, but feel free to play around with spices. 

When you’ve just finished a long day 

Reward yourself. You deserve it. 

Cookies

My favourite treat after a long day is a cookie. Homemade or store-bought both work, but store-bought might be easier after a long day. No judgement here. Stuff your face. If you’re looking for a healthier cookie recipe, the UBCO cookbook has lots. 

Cake—mug cake, specifically

At the end of the day, don’t you just want a warm and sweet snack? Me too. I adore mug cakes because they cook up super fast, they’re easy to make, and I have limited dishes to do afterwards. Craving mug cake now? The UBCO Foodie Blog has a post on 10 Microwave Mug Cake Recipes. 

Other ideas

If you’re interested in learning more about nutrition, healthy eating habits, and recipe ideas, check out the UBCO Food Services Blog. They also have a free, electronic cookbook that features tons of healthy and student-friendly recipes!

Now that you’ve got some snack ideas, get snacking, get your assignments done, and GET SOME SLEEP! 

About the author
Sarah Kloos is a transfer student from Okanagan College. She’s a Creative Writing major, a collector of cool rocks, and a lover of novels. While she’s still not 100% sure what she’s going to be when she grows up, she’s okay with that. For now, she’s learning everything she can from her co-op work term, and loving every minute of it.