26 Post-Workout Snacks for Steady Energy By Camryn Alexa Wimberly Camryn Alexa Wimberly Camryn Wimberly is EatingWell's Editorial Fellow. As a food and mental health blogger, Camryn explores how food and cooking can help improve mental health and also be an avenue to connect with one's culture and heritage. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 29, 2025 Reviewed by Dietitian Alyssa Pike, RDN Reviewed by Dietitian Alyssa Pike, RDN See More Alyssa Pike, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist on a mission to help people learn how to eat healthy without obsessing over it. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines SAVE ALL RECIPES NEW! Save as a collection on MyRecipes Close Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond. Just crushed your workout? You’ll want to help your body recover by making these high-protein snacks. Each recipe packs at least 7 grams of protein to keep you fueled and energized after your gym session. From grab-and-go energy bites, protein bars and frosty smoothies, there’s no shortage of tasty snacks to enjoy. Options like our Cottage Cheese Snack Jar with Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Bell Peppers and Crunchy Quinoa Bites will have you feeling satisfied and nourished. Love any of these recipes? Join MyRecipes to save, search and organize your EatingWell recipes all in one place. It’s free! 01 of 26 Homemade Protein Bars Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood. These homemade protein bars are packed with oats, almond flour, cashews and hemp seeds for a satisfying snack. Great for grab-and-go breakfasts or post-workout fuel, these bars are a smart, homemade alternative to store-bought versions. View Recipe Save 02 of 26 Cottage Cheese Snack Jar with Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Bell Peppers Photographer: Ali Redmond. Layered in a jar, portable and customizable, this cottage cheese snack jar with tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers is perfect for healthy eating on the go. It’s high in protein—a great choice for a midday energy boost or post-workout snack. View Recipe Save 03 of 26 Crunchy Quinoa Bites Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen These crunchy quinoa bites are a delicious snack packed with puffed quinoa and almond butter, offering a satisfying crunch and a boost of plant-based protein. Similar to popcorn, puffed quinoa has been heated until it pops, creating a light, crispy texture that works perfectly in this healthy snack. View Recipe Save 04 of 26 Cottage Cheese-Berry Bowl Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco This no-sugar-added berry bowl highlights the natural sweetness of thawed mixed berries with a hint of vanilla for extra flavor. It’s a simple snack you can prepare in advance, but add the cereal just before serving so it stays crunchy. View Recipe Save 05 of 26 Apple Pie Smoothie Photographer: Brie Goldman Food Stylist: Annie Probst Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali With warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, juicy apples and hearty oats for a healthy dose of fiber, this smoothie is like enjoying a sippable slice of apple pie. View Recipe Save 06 of 26 High-Protein Caesar Dip Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer This versatile high-protein dip is the perfect companion for your favorite veggies. Made with strained (Greek-style) yogurt and sour cream and blended with Parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce, it’s reminiscent of the flavors in Caesar salad dressing. View Recipe Save 07 of 26 Lemon-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bites Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Freeze-dried raspberries are crushed into a fruity powder and mixed with creamy strained (Greek-style) yogurt, vanilla and bright lemon zest. This mixture coats fresh raspberries, which are then frozen to create a perfectly chilled, tangy-sweet snack. They’re easy to make, customizable with your favorite berries and an absolute delight to have in your freezer! View Recipe Save 08 of 26 Chocolate-Strawberry Protein Shake Photographer: Ali Redmond. Soy milk and strained (Greek-style) yogurt provide a solid protein base for this protein shake. Sweet strawberries, sliced banana and rich cocoa powder create a sweet flavor without needing any added sugar. View Recipe Save 09 of 26 Everything Bagel Cottage Cheese Snack Jar Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen This cottage cheese snack jar is a high-protein snack that layers creamy cottage cheese with crunchy bell peppers and crispy chickpeas. Cottage cheese provides protein and calcium, while chickpeas add extra plant-based protein and fiber to keep you feeling full until your next meal. A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning brings bold flavors in every bite. View Recipe Save 10 of 26 High-Protein Spinach Dip Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek This recipe gives the classic appetizer a high-protein twist. In addition to adding plenty of protein, using cottage cheese and feta instead of cream cheese and Cheddar cuts back on saturated fat and calories. View Recipe Save 11 of 26 High-Protein Orange-Mango Smoothie Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen This high-protein smoothie is a bright and refreshing drink that combines the tangy sweetness of fresh orange juice with the tropical richness of mangoes. A scoop of protein powder and strained (Greek-style) yogurt make this smoothie a satisfying breakfast. Using unflavored protein powder allows the natural fruit flavors to shine. View Recipe Save 12 of 26 Cucumber-Dill Ricotta Snack Jar Photography: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco This simple snack jar features herbaceous ricotta cheese alongside cucumber and bell pepper for dipping. Use any color mini bell pepper you have on hand. View Recipe Save 13 of 26 Peanut Butter Yogurt Cup with Magic Shell Topping Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco This easy, high-protein snack tastes just like a Reese’s peanut butter cup. You can conveniently make it in the yogurt container for quick cleanup. View Recipe Save 14 of 26 High-Protein Peanut Butter-Banana Oatmeal Bars Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Clarie Spollen These peanut butter–banana oatmeal bars are a perfect grab-and-go breakfast, packed with protein to keep you full and energized. The combination of oats, peanut butter and banana provides a well-balanced dose of fiber, healthy fats and natural sweetness. View Recipe Save 15 of 26 Marry Me-Inspired Dip Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Joshua Hoggle Tangy sun-dried tomatoes add a pop of acidity and make this creamy bean dip reminiscent of Marry Me Chicken. We use carrots, peppers, radishes and snap peas for dunking, but you can use your favorite crunchy veggies. View Recipe Save 16 of 26 Chocolate-Cherry Protein Shake Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower This chocolate-cherry protein shake made with strained (Greek-style) yogurt and peanut butter is a protein powerhouse. Cherries provide natural sweetness, and the chocolate flavor from the cocoa complements the peanut butter without any added sugar. View Recipe Save 17 of 26 Trail Mix Energy Bites photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle These energy balls are made with black beans for a delicious, nutritious twist on a classic snack. Black beans add plant-based protein and fiber, while also acting as the perfect binder to keep the ingredients together. Dates and apricots add natural sweetness to the mixture. View Recipe Save 18 of 26 Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower This tuna salad packs plenty of protein and gets a boost of flavor from sumac—a spice used in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and North African cooking that adds a citrusy touch, enhancing the lemon flavor without overshadowing the other ingredients. View Recipe Save 19 of 26 High-Protein Energy Bars Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer This high-protein energy bar recipe is made with tahini, oats, apricots and figs for a nutritious snack designed to keep you energized throughout the day. Tahini provides a rich, creamy base to help hold everything together, while dried apricots and figs provide natural sweetness alongside maple syrup. View Recipe Save 20 of 26 Passion Fruit Oatmeal Cakes Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley These fiber-packed oatmeal cakes are bursting with tropical passion fruit flavor—a delightful balance of tangy, sweet and slightly floral notes that will instantly brighten your morning. View Recipe Save 21 of 26 Everything-Seasoned Almonds JENNIFER CAUSEY Grinding up the everything bagel seasoning in a spice grinder will help it adhere to the almonds. View Recipe Save 22 of 26 Spinach-Avocado Smoothie This healthy green smoothie gets super creamy from the frozen banana and avocado. Make ahead (up to 1 day) and store it in the fridge until you need a veggie boost. View Recipe Save 23 of 26 Yogurt with Blueberries Blueberries add all the sweetness you need, naturally, to protein-rich strained (Greek-style) yogurt in this satisfying snack. View Recipe Save 24 of 26 Pizza Pistachios Jennifer Causey Nutritional yeast mimics the flavor of cheese, lending a pizza-like flavor to these playful spiced pistachios. View Recipe Save 25 of 26 Peanut Butter & Date Granola Bars Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn These homemade granola bars could not be easier to make. Dates, peanut butter and agave syrup create the glue that keeps everything sticking together. View Recipe Save 26 of 26 Ricotta & Yogurt Parfait Reminiscent of a lemon cheesecake, this healthy dish is easy to throw together. Or stir the filling together in a jar the night before and top with the fruit, nuts and seeds before eating. View Recipe Save Explore more: Healthy Recipes Mealtime Snacks High-Protein Snacks Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit