Does late night hunger have you reaching for leftover cake? I’ve got 19 yummy late night snack recipe ideas to fill you up. Midnight cravings won’t bother you any more with these healthier home made alternatives.

The month of July just whizzed past. I had a few totally yum recipes ready for you but I didn’t manage a single post. I am really going to try and make August better. And I want to show you I mean business with these delicious snacks.

Late night food cravings are real. I should know. I am committed to snacking late at night.

Everyone from students cramming for exams to call center workers returning home from night shifts has late night hunger pangs. This happens hours after your local restaurant shuts down for the night. So you have no option but to raid your pantry or fridge to satisfy these cravings.

Health and fitness experts have long advised us to stop eating two hours before going to bed. Some say late night cravings are just an excuse to reach for that bowl of ice cream. In short, late night snacks are sinful. We have made them sinful by choosing food like cakes, sweets and greasy noodles for our midnight feasts.

Is late night snacking really that bad?

Just as sleep eludes us when we have overeaten or overstuffed ourselves, we can’t fall asleep on an empty stomach. What if we could eat something that tickled our taste buds and managed to be moderately healthy at the same time?

19 Super Easy Late Night Snacks Ideas for Anyone

I have put together a list of late night snacks that are easy to make even if you are not a cook. Most of these just have to be assembled with stuff you generally have in the kitchen or fridge. And they are all totally yum! You will like these so much you may even start eating them all times of the day.

1.Roti Wrap

A no-cook recipe! You can customize this to suit your tastes. Slather a roti with your favorite cheese spread. Add slivers of raw veggies like onion, capsicum, carrot, cucumber, beetroot etc. Add some boiled beans like rajma. Sprinkle some hot sauce or chili sauce on top. Roll it up tightly. Enjoy!

Salty, crunchy, hot & spicy, this Roti Wrap can satisfy some genuine hunger.

2.Roti Quesadilla

You can whip up a quick Roti Quesadilla any time within minutes. Slice some onion and capsicum. Sprinkle shredded cheese on a roti. Add the onion and capsicum slices. Sprinkle ground chipotle or paprika, or plain chili powder/ chat Masala on the veggies. Add another layer of cheese. Place another roti on top. Grill this in a tava or pan for a crispy snack. You can also just place this in the microwave and pulse until the cheese melts.

A quick, easy, yummy and filling late night snack ready in minutes.

3.Desi Potato Salad

This is a super easy and tasty way to satisfy carb cravings. Roughly chop 3-4 boiled potatoes. Add chopped green chili and coriander to the potato. Add some yellow mustard if you have it. Add 2-3 tablespoons of thick curd and mix it all up. Adjust curd according to how creamy you want it.

Eat right away and go to bed happy.

4.Green Peas Fry

Green peas don’t just have to be a cocktail snack. You can make this in a kadai or in the microwave too. Place some butter and jeera in a bowl and pulse in the microwave until butter melts and you smell the cumin. Now add green peas, salt and chili powder or chat Masala. Cook for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

A great recipe for times when you crave something salty, spicy or buttery. So much healthier than a packet of potato chips, right?

5. Butter Corn

How can we forget sweet corn? Loaded with fiber and just plain yum, fresh corn is available almost throughout the year at reasonable price. Just shuck the corn, add in some butter, salt and pepper, and microwave for 3-4 minutes until corn is cooked enough to your liking. You can also do this in a kadai and it will literally take only 4-5 minutes.

6. Dried fruit and cheese

I love combining sweet and salty flavors in my food. Dried fruits like apricots are loaded with vitamins and minerals and they have no added sugar. Eat a few apricots or prunes with a couple of cheese cubes for a light and balanced snack. Lots of fruits like mango, pineapple, kiwi, banana etc. are available now in a dried form.

7. Salted nuts and fresh fruit

Salted cashews and applies, walnuts and figs, bananas and peanuts – the possibilities are endless. This is a good way to satisfy your hunger without making you feel heavy or bloated.

8. Panzanella – Bread Salad

Panzanella is made with stale bread. This makes it perfect for a late night snack. Pop some bread in the toaster or in the oven. Cut 2-3 tomatoes, some cucumber and onion. Tear the toasted bread into chunks. Throw everything together in a bowl. Add some black pepper and a few splashes of oilive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add a little bit of salt. Toss it all together and enjoy!

No balsamic? Just squeeze some lemon juice in for that refreshing tangy taste.

9. Gazpacho

Here is another super simple recipe made with bread and tomatoes. You can have this ready in the fridge because it is supposed to be eaten cold.

Add some stale bread, tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, quarter onion and a clove or two of garlic to a blender. Add some water and blend well. Season with salt, pepper and add 2-3 spoons of olive oil for flavor. Add some lemon juice. That’s it. Eat it with a spoon, or drink it from a glass. You’ll be licking your lips, guaranteed.

10. Vermicelli Masala Noodles

Can’t get rid of those noodle cravings? Here is a healthier alternative to Maggi or Ramen. Vermicelli or semiya/ sevaiyan. Use any brand you like.

Heat some oil in a kadai. Add onion, tomato, capsicum, green peas and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add some curry powder. Add 2 cups of water for one cup of vermicelli. When this comes to a boil, add the vermicelli in. Boil on medium flame until cooked. Eat hot with ketchup/ chili sauce.

11. Frozen Yogurt Ice cream

Some nights, you really just need something sweet and frozen to put those cravings to rest. Here is a healthy alternative to store bought ice cream that is just plain yum. Whip together some Greek Yogurt or hung curd along with fresh fruits like mangoes or with your favorite strawberry crush. Beat it until smooth, light and fluffy, adding just enough sugar to taste. Freeze this and scoop it up when the clock strikes midnight.

12. Boiled Potato Chaat

Boiled potato is so versatile. Always have some boiled potatoes in the fridge ready for some quick snacks. Cut boiled potatoes in half or quarters depending on their size. Heat a spoonful of butter in a pan. Add in the potatoes and toss until warmed through. Add some chaat Masala and chili powder. That’s it! May sound very simple but it tastes awesome, especially when those hunger pangs strike in the middle of the night. This can also be done in the microwave.

13. Dahi Poha

Dahi Poha is very common in Maharashtrian households. This is another dish that is ready in 2-3 minutes and it fills you up. It can be as spicy or mild as you want it.

Take a couple of handfuls of poha. Wash lightly and drain completely. Add yogurt, salt and some sugar for a slightly sweet taste. Add your favorite pickle. Mix it all up. Let the poha fluff up in the dahi for a minute or two. Use different pickles or chutneys every time to make your Dahi Poha taste unique.

14. Hot Chocolate with Corn Flakes

It’s raining outside. A chilly, moist wind is blowing in through the window. You can’t sleep. A cup of cocoa sounds perfect right about now. What if you also feel like chewing on something? Add some cornflakes to your cup of cocoa and eat them as you go. You can sprinkle a little at a time so they don’t get too soggy. Add some cinnamon to kick it up a notch.

15. Podi Rice

Podi and rice may be the best kept secret of Southern India. Podi is a mixture of lentils and spices with a long shelf life. There are many kinds, my favorite being the Gun Powder or Kandi Podi. Mix the powder, rice and ghee, heat it up in the microwave or eat it at room temperature. A healthful snack that will help you sleep better at night.

16. Curd Rice

This is one dish you can have ready in your fridge. Mix in rice and curd, add salt and some sugar, topped by a tempering of mustard seeds, asfoetida, green chili and curry leaves. It tastes better the more it sits in the fridge. Curd rice provides a balance of protein and carbs and the yogurt will give you a comforting feeling even late at night.

17. Potato Cheese Panini/ Grilled Sandwich

Didn’t I say boiled potatoes are the best? Mix 2 cups of boiled potatoes with a cup of shredded cheese. Add chili powder or black pepper. Keep this mixture in the fridge, ready to go into a sandwich. Stuff it between two slices of bread, butter the outside, and put it into your sandwich maker. These grilled sandwiches will surely make you happy.

18. Lemony Linguine

There’s something about noodles. And pasta! When the carb cravings hit you, nothing but a bowl of warm linguini will satisfy it. You can use spaghetti, linguini, capellini or angel hair for this. Heat a big pan of water on one stove. Start peeling and chopping garlic. Add plenty of salt to boiling water and add in the pasta. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan meanwhile. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until pink. Add some chopped parsley, black pepper and lemon juice. Add the drained and cooked pasta to this and toss until well coated. Grate some parmesan cheese on top. Your late night snack is ready and it is the snack of the champions.

19. Kheer or Pudding

This is one dessert we can find across the length and breadth of the country. Whether you make it with vermicelli, semolina or rice, it is definitely healthier than eating sugary stuff like cakes or donuts. My version of this rice pudding replaces half the rice with almonds and uses honey to sweeten it. Comfort food with a capital C!

I hope you liked these super simple late night snack ideas. Some of these can be made ahead and be ready and waiting in the fridge. Almost all of these are so easy, you don’t need to be a fancy cook to make them.

All these snacks are certified delicious. They are so much better than other unhealthy options like processed or packaged foods.

In food and in life, balance is everything. These are some wholesome ways to manage your late night cravings without doing too much harm to your health.