6 Healthy Movie Snacks You’ll Love

Tired of the same old movie night popcorn? Looking for some new snacks to enjoy while watching Netflix? You're not alone. Premade movie snacks and drinks often contain unhealthy amounts of sodium and added sweeteners—ingredients that might not fit into your nutritional plan. Not to mention the artificial butter flavoring and saturated fats found in many packaged popcorn options.

Next time you settle in to watch the latest movie releases, opt for one of these healthier alternatives instead. You can even prepare some portable snacks in advance and take them to the theater. We won't spill the beans!

1. Kale Chips

Kale is widely recognized as a superfood. Nutrition experts have dubbed it the “world’s healthiest food.”¹ It is rich in fiber and potassium, and loaded with antioxidants and other nutrients that benefit your hair, skin, and bones.¹ A single cup of kale provides 206% of the Recommended Daily Amount (RDA) of vitamin A, 684% of the RDA of vitamin K, and 134% of vitamin C, along with manganese, calcium, copper, and more.²

In contrast, your regular bag of chips falls short, so why not try making these tasty and nutritious kale chips to satisfy your craving for something crunchy? They are incredibly easy to prepare. Here’s an excellent recipe for perfect kale chips from the Minimalist Baker.³

What you’ll need:

• • 1 bundle of curly kale (green or purple)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of avocado oil or our extra virgin coconut oil (melted)
  • Your favorite seasonings like organic cumin powder, chili powder, curry powder or nutritional yeast

How to make it:

• • Rinse, dry, and tear the kale into small pieces, excluding the stems
  • Add to a mixing bowl, drizzle with coconut or avocado oil, and toss with seasonings
  • Spread kale pieces onto baking sheets, ensuring space between each piece
  • Bake at 225 F for 15 minutes, then lightly toss and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes
  • Allow the chips to sit for a few minutes after removing them from the oven to achieve extra crispiness

2. Roasted Chickpeas

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans or Egyptian peas, are incredibly versatile and delicious. They're a staple in dishes like hummus and salads and can even be dried and ground into gluten-free flour. However, have you tried roasting them? It transforms these legumes into an irresistibly crunchy snack perfect for movie watching.

Chickpeas are an excellent protein source, offering over 7 grams per half-cup.⁴ Here’s how to turn them into a delightful movie snack.

What you’ll need:

• • 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon of BubbForest Certified 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1½ teaspoons of your favorite seasonings (consider a spicy blend of cumin powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and sea salt)

How to make it:

• • Toss chickpeas in a bowl with olive oil and seasonings until well-coated
  • Spread them on a baking sheet
  • Bake at 400 F for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden and crispy

3. Fresh Fruit

Indulge your sweet tooth during movie time with fresh fruit. Get creative and make colorful skewers with pineapple, strawberry, melons, and bananas, served with a side of yogurt for dipping. Alternatively, dip strawberries in melted dark chocolate, freeze grapes for a bite-sized icy treat, or simply mix up a bowl of your favorite sliced fruits. Any way you slice it, fresh fruit is a nutritional winner.

What you’ll need:

• • Fresh fruit
  • Your imagination!

4. Infused Water

With fresh fruit already in hand, skip the prepackaged sodas and opt for the refreshing taste of homemade water infusions. We love them so much, we've even written a whole article about their benefits and how to make them. All you need is some sliced or cubed fruit, filtered or sparkling water, and perhaps a few fresh herbs to enhance the flavor.

What you’ll need:

• • Sliced or cubed fruit
  • A few sprigs of fresh herbs
  • Filtered or sparkling water

How to make it:

• • Place fruit and herbs in a reusable water container or infusion bottle
  • Fill with water and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to infuse
  • Enjoy your custom, refreshing drink!

For more infused water recipes, explore Infused Water Benefits and Water for the Win: Benefits of Water, Plus 5 Water Infusions to Try.

5. Guacamole with Kale (Guac-Kale-Mole)

You can omit the kale if preferred, but we highly recommend this nutritious twist on traditional guacamole. Avocados are rich in healthy fats, fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and magnesium, among other nutrients.⁵ Serve it with fresh cut veggies or baked chips for a satisfying snack.

What you’ll need:

• • 3 avocados
  • 1/2 of a chopped red onion
  • 2 cups of diced kale
  • 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and diced
  • 3 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • 3 cloves of garlic, diced

How to make it:

• • Cut, pit, and peel the avocados and place in a bowl
  • Add chopped garlic, jalapeños, red onions, and kale
  • Mash the avocados with a fork, mix in the vegetables, and blend well
  • Stir in the lemon juice and adjust seasoning with a bit of sea salt
  • Serve with your choice of fresh veggies or baked chips

6. Homemade Popcorn

If you still crave the traditional movie night popcorn, give it a healthy twist by using natural herbs and spices from your pantry. Start by popping your own popcorn, avoiding premade or microwave varieties. Here are two recipes to try:

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn

This version is a sweet treat that's far from ordinary, reminiscent of a cinnamon bun.

What you’ll need:

• • 5 cups of air-popped, plain popcorn
  • Unflavored liquid coconut oil in a spray bottle
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

How to make it:

• • Sift together the dry ingredients in a bowl
  • Add the popcorn to another bowl and give a quick, light spray with coconut oil while tossing
  • Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the popcorn and toss until evenly coated

Parmesan Rosemary Popcorn

Rosemary not only adds a wonderful flavor but also offers antioxidant benefits. This recipe is a must-try at home.

What you’ll need:

• • 5 cups of air-popped, plain popcorn
  • Extra virgin olive oil in a spray bottle
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan

How to make it:

• • Sift together the dry ingredients in a bowl
  • Add the popcorn to another bowl and give a quick, light spray with olive oil while tossing
  • Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the popcorn and toss until evenly coated

For more homemade popcorn seasoning recipes, check out What’s Poppin’? 7 Easy Recipes for Homemade Popcorn Seasoning.

Healthy Snacks for Movie Night

You have plenty of options for movie night beyond traditional faux-butter popcorn and candy. From kale chips to roasted chickpeas, homemade fruit infusions, and fresh takes on popcorn with dried herbs and spices—you’ll never run out of ways to enhance the healthiness of your movie night snacks.

Explore more snack ideas from our recipe archives! Try Protein Packed Edamame Hummus for a low-calorie, high-fiber, and high-protein dip alternative. Make your own Healthy Fruit Snacks with nutritious ingredients like elderberry, tart cherry, and acai. Or whip up a batch of Greek Pizza Bites for something a bit heartier.

What are your favorite healthy movie snacks? Share your thoughts below and be sure to check out Pack Your Pantry: How to Make a Real Food Pantry and Get Supermarket Smart: Grocery Store Hacks for tips on stocking healthy staples all week long.

About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Registered Dietitian, BubbForest Health Products

Lindsey is a nationally recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for ice cream. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between pleasure and nourishment in food.

Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. This belief inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition and ultimately led her to BubbForest Health Products.

Sources

¹ What are the health benefits of kale? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270435.php (Accessed 05/10/2018)

² 10 Health Benefits of Kale. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-kale (Accessed 05/10/2018)

³ How to Make Kale Chips. Minimalist Baker. https://minimalistbaker.com/how-to-make-kale-chips/ (Accessed 05/10/2018)

⁴ Chickpeas. United States Department of Agriculture. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/16359 (Accessed 05/10/2018)

⁵ Avocados. United States Department of Agriculture. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/09037 (Accessed 05/10/2018)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.