When you feel like nibbling on something but don’t want to fall into the calorie trap by gorging on chocolate bars and the like, try the following healthy snack ideas to keep your munchies in check. Over the years of my weight going up and down and up and down, since third grade to be honest, I have since learned more about my issues with snacking, especially on high-carb, sugary foods. After many encounters with so-called “fad diets”, I have learned that it is much easier and more successful to make a few, simple swaps in your diet that will keep your cravings satisfied but won’t let you fall off the wagon completely. Especially in summer, with so many different kinds of berries and other fruit being in season, these oatcake snacks will be a joy to munch on. For the sweet oatcakes, feel free to use any type of fruit you fancy, with berries, such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries being the best topping options in my opinion. Kiwi fruits, peaches and nectarines work well, too! As a savoury alternative, decorate your oatcakes with cucumber slices and use goat’s cream cheese for that extra kick of flavour.

Sweet Berry and Cream Cheese Oatcakes

Ingredients:
For 1 portion – 3 individually topped oatcakes

• 3 rough oatcakes
• 3 level tsps. cream cheese
• 1-2 fresh strawberries, sliced lengthways
• 5-6 fresh and plump raspberries
• A handful of blueberries, or fill half the oatcake with blueberries and the other half with a few slices of kiwi fruit
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Vanilla bean powder (optional)

Instructions:

1. Spread some cream cheese on each oatcake.
2. According to taste, either sprinkle some cinnamon or vanilla bean powder on the cream cheese, though both suggestions are optional.
3. Wash the fruit and gently dry them. If you choose kiwi fruit, peel the skin off with a small, sharp kitchen knife.
4. Top each oatcake with different types of fruit, e.g. strawberries or kiwi fruit (sliced lengthways) or some raspberries and blueberries.
5. Consume immediately, otherwise the oatcakes will lose their crunchiness.

 

Savoury Cucumber and Goat’s Cream Cheese Oatcakes

Ingredients:

For 1 portion – 3 oatcakes with cucumber topping

• 3 rough oatcakes
• 3 level tsps. goat’s cream cheese
• Approx. 10 thin cucumber slices, halved
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Spread some cream cheese on each oatcake.
2. Wash the cucumber; then cut off at least 10 thin slices and half them. Arrange them in a spiral pattern on the oatcakes (6-7 half-slices).
3. Sprinkle the cucumber with a little bit of salt and black pepper.
4. Consume immediately, otherwise the oatcakes will lose their crunchiness.

 

Author: Danica Utermohlen
Picture credits: Danica Utermohlen