9 Healthy Snacks You Can Make for Less Than They Cost at the Supermarket

Chickpeas contain a healthy balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, per the USDA, making them an ideal snack. Store-bought crunchy roasted chickpeas are a tasty but pricey snack at a cost of about $6 per 5-oz bag of baked chickpeas (about $1 per serving). You can make this recipe at home for about $0.50 per serving.

There’s something about oven-roasting kale that makes this leafy green crispy and almost addictively delicious, especially when you add the flavors of garlic and Parmesan. But at more than $8 for a 4-oz bag of seasoned kale chips, this snack may be too much of an indulgence for anyone to add to their shopping cart on a regular basis. When made at home, however, this nutritious snack won’t break the bank: Our recipe costs about half, and all you need is an oven and a baking sheet. Plus, you can mix up the flavor profile by using your favorite seasoning mixes, which will keep this snack from ever getting stale.

Hummus, which is traditionally made from chickpeas, is a delicious and nutritious snack, especially when served with crunchy veggie sticks. Hummus can also get expensive when you buy it ready-made: A 10-oz container of traditional hummus costs about $6. This simple recipe takes only a few minutes and makes about twice as much hummus for roughly the same price you would pay at the grocery store.

Popcorn is a low-calorie, whole-grain snack with more than 2 grams (g) of fiber per 2-cup serving, notes the USDA. This spiced popcorn recipe costs only $0.25 per serving — versus $3.79 for a 4.8-oz bag of one variety of store-bought popcorn — for a budget-friendly eat! Try different spices or add some citrus zest for a flavor burst. This recipe uses popping oil to help the seasoning stick to the popcorn, so season immediately after popping for best results.

Portable energy bites contain fiber, protein, and healthy fat, making them an ideal healthy snack. They’re easy to whip up and will help you stay full until your next meal. They’re also budget-friendly: You can expect to pay $5.29 for a 4-oz bag — more than $1 per serving — which is about twice the cost for the same serving of this homemade version.

Guacamole’s star ingredient, avocados, are packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, per the USDA. But there's even more to love about this simple dip, which deserves a spot on any party host's table: juicy Roma tomatoes, zesty lime, fresh cilantro, and one jalapeño to lend a slight kick.

There’s nothing like homemade salsa and chips. Make your own salsa from fresh produce that’s preservative-free, and add whole-wheat pita chips for a healthy snack. You’ll save money, too, because while store-bought fresh salsa and pita chips can cost as much as $12, compared with this recipe’s ingredients, which cost about half the premade version.

You know what they say, a dried apple slice a day keeps the doctor away. Sadly, a bag of dried apples will cost you about $5.20 for 4 oz. Plus, you’ll find most packaged dried apples have the apple skin removed — and much of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber along with it. In this homemade version, you can leave the skin on for added nutritional value while keeping the cost under $2 for the whole recipe.

Mango is a good source of fiber, and it’s high in vitamin C, making it a great addition to any diet, per the USDA. And dried mango is a nutritious snack you can enjoy on the go. Sadly, many of the store-bought brands add unnecessary sugar to this naturally sweet fruit snack, and they charge an arm and a leg as well. A 4-ounce (oz) bag, for instance, could cost about $5.20, while making this recipe at home will cost about $1 per serving. If this is a snack you enjoy regularly, the savings will add up quickly.