National Nutrition Month Recipe Feature: Snack Attack! Spiced Roasted Chickpeas OR Savory Herbed Popcorn

​Happy National Nutrition Month!  Our dietitians, Abby and RanDee, have been posting some of their favorite recipes throughout the month of March.  This week RanDee is sharing some snack ideas for quick, easy, tasty snacks that beat the snack-boredom blues and won’t break your bank!
 
These snacks are vegetarian and gluten free, as well as diabetic friendly.  The garbanzos are moderate in protein and high in fiber, and very low in sodium.  The popcorn is a great source of fiber.  Impress your guests by serving these as an appetizer at your next casual dinner party, or make ahead and store in a Ziploc for enjoyment throughout the week. 
 
Spiced Roasted Chickpeas

​Active Prep: 5 minutes  •  Cook: 30-40 minutes
Serves 4  •  Serving Size:  ½ cup chickpeas
 
Ingredients
1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 Tbsp pure olive oil
Garlic powder – to taste
Chili powder – to taste
Black pepper – to taste
¼ tsp salt (optional)

---

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450
2. Gently pat dry the beans with a paper towel.  Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and black pepper.
3.  Gently spread beans in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Roast for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and lightly crunchy.  Let cool, enjoy!

---

Savory Herbed Popcorn

​Active Prep: 5 minutes 
Serves 4  •  Serving Size:  3 cups of popped popcorn
 
Ingredients
¾ cup popcorn kernels
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (vegans use double the amount of oil and omit butter)
4 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast (or more to taste)
Chili powder – to taste
Dried parsley flakes – to taste
Garlic powder – to taste

---

Directions

1. Melt butter and stir in the olive oil.  Set aside. 
2. Pop the popcorn in an air popper, into a large, clean paper grocery bag.  (*do not leave bag unattended while popping!)
3. Sprinkle nutritional yeast, chili powder, parsley, and garlic powder over popcorn in bag. 
4. Drizzle the olive oil/butter mixture over the popcorn, shaking frequently to distribute.
5. Fold the bag closed and shake vigorously to distribute butter, herbs, and spices evenly.
6. Enjoy!

---

What are your favorite healthy snack foods?  Share in comments!