18 Copycat Snack Recipes Worth Making, Not Buying

By

Danielle DeAngelis

Updated on June 10, 2024

Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Treats with Chocolate & Caramel Drizzle — Photo: Johnny Autry

When you're in the mood for a chewy granola bar or crunchy potato chips, don't run to buy the packaged snacks. Instead, make your own versions at home with these copycat recipes. You can pack these snacks for lunch or an afternoon bite, making them perfect additions to your meal-prepping plan. Recipes like our Homemade Multi-Seed Crackers and Chocolate-Covered Brownie Bites are healthy and tasty choices that are worth making instead of buying.

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Mango Fruit Leather

This no-sugar-added fruit snack is a healthy treat kids and adults will both love. It's perfect for packing in a lunchbox for school or work or just enjoying as a snack or better-for-you dessert at home.

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Homemade Multi-Seed Crackers

Turn leftover brown rice and quinoa from dinner or meal-prepping into these delicious crispy crackers that are loaded with three good-for-you seeds--and create an everything-bagel flavor, without the bagel. The whole grains that make up this copycat cracker recipe add lots of fiber for a healthy snack that pairs perfectly with hummus or cheese.

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Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Treats with Chocolate & Caramel Drizzle

Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Treats with Chocolate & Caramel Drizzle — Johnny Autry

Peanut butter and corn syrup replace the usual marshmallows in these bars—the combo delivers the sticky Rice Krispies Treats texture you know and love while providing another layer of flavor.

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Air-Fryer Potato Chips

Air Fryer Potato Chips in a bowl for serving — Elizabeth Laseter

Crispy and crunchy, air fryer potato chips have 60 percent less fat than their store-bought counterparts. Yes, making potato chips in your air fryer requires a little bit of effort—but the result is a salty snack that's actually pretty healthy. Does it get much better than that?

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Salted Peanut Butter Pretzel Energy Balls

Salted Peanut Butter Pretzel Energy Bites

Finding a snack that satisfies your craving for something sweet and salty while providing the best fuel for your body and brain isn't always easy. But luckily, these energy bites check every box! They're simple to make: double the batch and freeze some to have an energizing snack at the ready. Feel free to swap in other nuts and nut or seed butters.

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Cranberry-Almond Granola Bars

There are plenty of granola bar options at the grocery store, but they're also easy (and often healthier) to make at home. Feel free to vary the add-ins to your taste, swapping 2 cups of any combination of small (or chopped) dried fruit, nuts, seeds and/or chocolate chips for the dried cranberries and nuts in this version. We tested several sticky sweeteners, including maple syrup and honey, but found brown rice syrup held the bars together the best.

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Chocolate-Covered Brownie Bites

We like to use chocolate with 60-72% cacao content in these rich, fudgelike brownies, as it imparts a deeper, fuller flavor than less-chocolaty choices. Dip these bite-size pieces of brownie into melted chocolate for an easy treat to satisfy your chocolate craving.

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Homemade Trail Mix

Try this with portable mix with any combination of dried fruits and nuts.

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Sticky Bun-Inspired Energy Balls

a recipe photo of the Maple Pecan Energy Balls

This energy ball is packed with just the right amount of sugar and spice. To really emulate a sticky bun, we added a caramel pecan topping for a nice extra crunch. You can substitute any nut butter for the cashew butter if you prefer.

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Spiced Crackers

Give plain crackers a flavorful boost when you roast them with paprika and oregano. For a touch of smokiness, try smoked paprika instead of regular. Serve with hummus, cheese or your favorite dip.

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Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

air-fryer sweet potato chips

Thinly sliced sweet potatoes fry to a crispy crunch in the air fryer. These homemade chips also use much less oil, which cuts down on calories and fat. They're a naturally sweet side for sandwiches, burgers, wraps and more.

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Snickerdoodle Almonds

a recipe photo of the Snickerdoodle Almonds — Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Tossing almonds in frothy egg whites helps the sweet and savory seasoning adhere to these festive snickerdoodle almonds. They make an excellent appetizer for holiday entertaining.

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Peanut Butter Yogurt Cup with Magic Shell Topping

a recipe photo of the Peanut Butter Yogurt Cup with Magic Shell Topping — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

This easy, high-protein snack tastes just like a Reese’s peanut butter cup. You can conveniently make it in the yogurt container for quick cleanup. Alternatively, if you don’t have a single-serve container, scoop 1/2 cup yogurt from a larger container into a small bowl. Any nut or seed butter would work well in this four-ingredient recipe.

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Banana-Blueberry Protein Muffins

Overhead view of a blue plate of Banana-Blueberry Protein Muffins recipe with butter added — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss

These super-moist and tender muffins get a protein boost with the addition of cottage cheese and peanut butter. The banana, which adds natural sweetness, doesn't overpower the flavor of the blueberries. Frozen blueberries work just as well as fresh. For a different twist, try raspberries or chopped apple.

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Muddy Buddy Energy Balls

muddy buddy energy balls — Jacob Fox

This fun take on Muddy Buddies wraps cereal, nut butter, chocolate chips and the signature powdered-sugar coating into an energy ball with just the right amount of sweetness. You can mix and match the cereal, butter and sweetener for a different flavor each time you make them.

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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

These easy-to-make homemade granola bars are inspired by the flavors of a classic oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. But feel free to vary the mix-ins to your preference. We tested several sticky sweeteners, including maple syrup and honey, but found brown rice syrup held the bars together the best.

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Whipped Cottage Cheese French Onion Dip

a recipe photo of the Whipped French Onion Dip — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

We swap out sour cream for whipped cottage cheese in this light and airy French onion dip. We call for vegan Worcestershire sauce to keep the dip vegetarian; you can use regular Worcestershire (which usually contains anchovies) if you like. Serve with chips, fresh veggies or as a sandwich spread.

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Caramel Delight Energy Balls

caramel delight energy balls

These no-cook energy bites keep well in the fridge or freezer and are easy to grab on the go for a healthy snack.

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