You found our list of the best office snacks.
Office snacks are small and convenient food items to keep on hand in breakrooms and coffee stations around the workplace. A selection of quick and easy munchies is a simple way to provide treats for your crew to enjoy throughout the day. These snacks can help revitalize workers when their energy runs low. Examples of office snack ideas include popcorn, protein bars, and hummus with veggie sticks for dipping.
Office snack ideas help promote healthful work habits, like online team fitness ideas, employee wellness activities, and team building workouts. The practice also aids with employee stress management and is a simple way to boost morale.
This list includes:
- good office snack ideas for work
- the best office snacks
- easy snacks for work
- work snack ideas
- healthy office snacks
- snack ideas for work meetings
List of office snacks
From pretzels to fresh fruit and hummus, here is a list of the best office snack ideas for work.
1. Pretzels
Less greasy than potato chips yet every bit as crunchy, pretzels are a great go-to office snack for workers who love crisp, salty treats.
For workers who favor a bit more flavor in their snacks, you can include buffalo and nacho cheese pretzels to provide options. Finally, adventurous snackers can combine plain and flavored pretzels to create a trail mix that covers all their snacking needs.
Check out this list of the best pretzels on Taste of Home.
2. Popcorn
Popcorn is one of the easiest office meeting snack ideas to prepare and serve. This healthy whole grain is high in fiber, which makes you feel fuller to help control cravings for less nutritious snacks. When popped in a heart-healthy oil like olive oil and topped with garlic powder or a modest amount of sea salt, popcorn can be an office snack idea for workers to enjoy without guilt.
The low glycemic index of popcorn makes it an ideal treat for keeping your crew’s blood sugar stable. Without the buzzing highs and crashing lows from sugary treats, workers are more likely to experience steady energy levels throughout the day.
Check out this list of the best popcorn to try on clean plates.
3. Protein Bars
Protein bars are an ideal choice among the various healthy office snack ideas. The extra protein provides a longer-lasting energy source than snacks high in carbohydrates, keeping your team’s stamina more balanced as they work.
As a healthy food, protein bars can serve as a meal replacement, which makes them high in calories and protein. However, snackers should be careful not to overindulge, especially if they enjoy a bar or two in addition to their usual worktime meals.
Healthline has a list of the best protein bars.
4. Granola
Though traditionally a breakfast cereal, granola can make an excellent workplace snack. These blends of oats, nuts, and dried fruit provide both carbohydrates and protein in various forms. Fans of sweet snacks will appreciate the honey and brown sugar flavors found in most granolas, while lovers of crunchy snacks will savor the hearty crackle in every bite.
Some granola brands load up on sugar and oils, which can work against the health benefits of the more natural elements in the mix. If granola sounds like a tasty office snack idea for your crew, then read the nutrition labels and choose a brand that keeps the offending ingredients to a minimum.
Check out Bon Appétit’s favorite granola brands.
5. Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit is a go-to for office snack ideas that emphasize whole foods. While dried or canned fruit can be highly processed and include added sugars, fresh fruit is always unprocessed. In addition, though many fruits are high in sugar, fruit generally is also high in fiber, which binds to the sugar and helps slow digestion.
For offices with refrigerators, a selection of berries, grapes, and apples provides healthful snacks that can last a week or more in the crisper drawer. Offices without refrigerators can enjoy bananas or citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. These fruits should slowly ripen over a few days when stored on a countertop.
Learn more about the healthiest fruits you can eat by Good Housekeeping.
6. Trail Mix
When choosing bulk office snacks, trail mix is an option that you can scale to suit the size of your team. As a blend of nuts, raisins, and sometimes bits of chocolate or dried fruits, trail mix satisfies several snack preferences. Fans of crunchy, salty, sweet, and savory can find something to enjoy in every handful.
You can find pre-made trail mix in individual packages or sold by weight as a bulk item. If the idea of making a trail mix snack blend is intriguing, then you can buy a variety of peanuts, sunflower kernels, cashews, and chocolate chips to combine into a custom recipe. You can add bite-size pretzels or shelled pumpkin seeds for added crunch.
Take a peek at Tasting Table’s trail mix rankings.
7. Yogurt
Low-sugar or sugar-free yogurt is one of the most healthful snacks you can keep on hand for your office to enjoy. Yogurt, especially Greek-style yogurt, contains calcium and protein, which are helpful for maintaining bones and teeth strong and building muscle. Yogurt is also a fantastic source of probiotics that help keep your gut biome healthy, which is crucial for maintaining general good health.
Offices with refrigerators can keep a supply of yogurts on hand with a selection of granola and fresh fruit to create parfaits. The combination of elements in a parfait can satisfy cravings while providing an array of nutrients packed into a delicious, layered treat.
Here is a list of healthy yogurt options from Real Simple.
8. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate provides a wealth of nutrients, including antioxidants, iron, magnesium, and heart-healthy fats. When eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can be an office snack idea that provides nutrients in a bittersweet treat that’s easy to enjoy.
You can include dark chocolate bars in your office snack pack or provide dark chocolate-covered almonds or peanuts for a decadent delight. Because dark chocolate can sometimes contain surprising amounts of sugar, be sure to choose a brand that balances flavor and nutrition.
Find your favorite sweet treat with Sporked’s dark chocolate rankings.
9. Veggie Sticks
With carrot and celery sticks on hand, your office has a great snack option for workers who prefer plant-based snacks in their most natural form. These snacks are low in calories and sugar, high in fiber, and free of questionable ingredients that some snackers avoid.
For an easy option, provide a pre-cut tray with an assortment of veggie sticks, grape tomatoes, and snap peas to give your natural snackers an enticing array of treats. You can also provide small packets of ranch dressing or keep a jar of peanut butter on hand for dipping.
Check out Salty Side Dish’s recommendations for the best veggies for dipping.
10. String Cheese
When deciding on individually wrapped snacks for offices, keep string cheese in mind. Though this dairy treat is popular with children, adults can get just as much enjoyment out of nibbling on shreds of mozzarella. Office snackers can also benefit from a calcium-rich cheese that encourages them to play with their food!
In addition to calcium, snackers who indulge in string cheese will also get a generous helping of protein. To make string cheese an even healthier snack option for your crew, shop for a skim version that maintains the nutrition while minimizing the fat.
Find out the results from Kitchn’s string cheese taste test.
11. Crackers
Crackers are an all-around treat that makes a great crunchy snack while also being sturdy enough for holding dips and spreads. Whole wheat crackers can provide a generous serving of fiber, especially when the words “whole grains” appear first on their ingredients list. Gourmet-style crackers add nuts and seeds to bring a healthy crunch and a more complex flavor profile. You can even find crackers made from rice or almond flour for a deliciously different take on healthful snacking.
Some cracker brands ramp up the flavor by adding salt and sugar to their recipes. By shopping for low-sodium and sugar-free versions, you can maximize nutrition and offer a more natural flavor for your snackers to savor.
Learn more about The Spruce Eats’ favorite crackers.
12. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is something of a miracle food when it comes to office snack ideas. When prepared with a bit of brown sugar, a few pecans, and apple slices, oatmeal becomes a dessert-style cereal brimming with healthy goodness. With a bit of butter and a dash of salt, oatmeal takes on a savory profile that makes for a satisfying lunch option. Snackers can even spruce it up with orange juice and bananas for a zesty tropical treat.
When choosing which oatmeal to add to the breakroom, shop for unsweetened oats to avoid the added sugars in many instant oatmeal packets. Buying a canister of whole or quick oats can provide a fast, satisfying snack option for your team to enjoy.
Discover which oatmeal to try next with Eat This, Not That!
13. Pita Chips
If you have chip fiends among your workplace snackers, then include pita chips as office snack bar ideas. These baked treats are a satisfying substitute for potato or corn chips and stand up well when paired with healthy dips. Pita chips also have a distinctive crunch that chip lovers will appreciate and a nutty flavor that does not compete with toppings, making them a versatile office snack to have on hand.
As with other chip options, pita chips tend toward the higher side of the sodium scale. However, you can find low-sodium options that allow your workplace snackers to control the amount of salt they consume while enjoying the treat. You can also avoid sweetened options such as sugar and cinnamon to keep the sugar content at a minimum.
Check out CherryPicksReviews’ list of the best pita chips.
14. Hummus
Hummus is a blend of chickpeas, sesame-based tahini paste, garlic, and savory spices that provides a healthy alternative to sour cream-based dips. This creamy spread makes a tasty dip for veggies, crackers, and pretzels and a savory schmear for whole wheat tortilla wraps and rice cakes. With high fiber, protein, and a generous amount of potassium, hummus is a nutritional power player among your workplace snack options.
Because of its high fiber content, hummus can cause snackers a bit of intestinal distress when eating in large quantities. To prevent overindulging, try individual serving-sized hummus packs that dole out the nutrition without causing discomfort.
Read The Today Show’s ranking of the best store-bought hummus.
15. Sunflower Seeds
For discerning snackers searching for low-calorie possibilities, sunflower seeds provide an array of healthful options. Hulled sunflower seeds contain around 200 calories for a ¼ cup serving, while ½ cup of sunflower seeds in the shell contains only 67 calories. These miniature munches are also high in iron, potassium, and magnesium, making sunflower seeds a super snack to include in your selection. Some studies link snacking on sunflower seeds to lower instances of cardiovascular disease, as well as reduced cholesterol and blood pressure.
Sometimes, snack-pack sunflower seed kernels contain added sunflower oil, which adds considerably to the calorie and fat content. When shopping for your snack station supplies, check the label and choose brands that avoid extra oils. You can also choose a variety of seeds with and without shells to provide a host of healthy for your crew.
Find your next sunflower seed sensation with The Bat Nerds’ ranking.
16. Salsa and Guacamole
Filled with garden vegetables and spicy seasonings, salsa can be a refreshing snack when paired with veggie sticks, pita chips, or healthy crackers. You can keep a jar or two on hand for when the snacking urge strikes. Some jarred salsas can be heavy on salt and sugar, so check the labels when shopping.
Guacamole, salsa’s creamier cousin, provides heart-healthy fats and offers snackers a cooler alternative to salsa’s spicy kick. A container of guacamole in the refrigerator provides your team with a fun topper for rice cakes and makes a tasty addition to whole-wheat tortilla wraps. As with salsa, store-bought guac can sometimes have a high sodium count, so shop carefully.
Check out Study Finds’ salsa suggestions and VegOut’s top guacamoles.
17. Almonds
For such a small snack, almonds pack an incredible amount of nutrients. A one-ounce serving, which equals about 26 almonds, provides protein, vitamin E, and essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus. The healthy fat in almonds helps control snack cravings by satisfying hunger for longer than snacks made from simple carbohydrates. Adding roasted almonds to your office snack rotation gives your team members a small yet satisfying crunchy treat that delivers big nutrition.
Some almond brands include high salt and sugar content, especially flavored styles such as smoked or candied almonds. However, you can opt for a lightly salted version instead or forgo salt altogether to optimize the health benefits for your workers.
Find some great almond recommendations from Zotezo.
18. Energy Bars
Energy bars are a thoughtful blend of granola and protein bars but with an emphasis on more whole ingredients like nuts, seeds, and natural fruit. You can shop wholesome brands such as KIND or Larabar for snacks that limit processed ingredients in their recipes. KIND includes whole grains for extended energy, with added protein in some bar blends as a nutritional bonus. Larabar proudly announces the number of ingredients on the front of their labels, with dates and other natural sweeteners as a staple of their 100% plant-based creations.
As with other snack bars, energy bars can sometimes be high in sugar. However, you can shop attentively to find the optimum mix of flavor and nutrition when choosing the right energy bar to include in the office snack box.
Get a boost from CleverHiker’s top energy bar picks.
19. Rice Cakes
When choosing good lunch snacks for work, add rice cakes to your list. These crispy wafers are a blank canvas that let workplace snackers create their own masterpieces. Rice cakes are as tasty with a swipe of peanut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. You can also try them with a swath of cream cheese and a few tomato slices on top.
As a substitute for standard wheat-based bread, rice cakes are gluten-free, lower in calories than bread, and contain no added sugar in their plain form. But because rice can cause blood sugar spikes, office snackers should enjoy rice cakes with a protein topper such as hummus or almond butter to keep their blood sugar more regulated. You can keep some jarred nut butters on hand or have a few savory, protein-rich spreads in the refrigerator to encourage a healthy balance of rice cakes and toppings.
Here is a list of the best rice cakes according to FindThisBest.
Conclusion
Keeping your crew’s cravings at bay with nourishing office snack ideas is a thoughtful way to invest in the well-being of your workers. By offering a selection of sweet and savory treats, you can help boost energy and morale simultaneously. In addition, a steady supply of nutritious goodies on the breakroom table will help your team develop healthful snacking habits while enjoying a variety of wholesome goodies.
Next, check out conference food ideas and office breakfast ideas.
Plus, check out this list of snack box companies for the office.
Grace He