The stretch between lunch and dinner can sometimes feel villainously long, leaving you ravenous by 6pm or reaching for a panic-bought chocolate bar when the 3pm slump strikes.
But with a little planning, afternoon snacking can go from a test of willpower to something to look forward to. The trick is finding something that feels like a treat without the sugar crash and leaves you satisfied until dinner time.
As summer draws closer, berries are in season – and they’re the one way to shake up your snack game. Naturally sweet and packed with flavour, raspberries and blackberries are delicious straight from the punnet, but they also lend themselves to all sorts of easy, snackable creations that feel like a special treat. They contain naturally occurring fibre that’ll keep you fuller for longer, too, giving you another reason to reach for them when a sweet craving hits.
Here are three simple recipes worth adding to your afternoon rotation. Each requires minimal effort to prepare, and they’re easy to have ready in the fridge or freezer before the afternoon slump rolls around.
Raspberry froyo bites
Collage by Evie Baker
Ingredients
Driscoll’s raspberries
Chia seeds
Maple syrup
Your choice of yoghurt
Mash the raspberries with a spoonful of chia seeds and a little maple syrup, then spoon the mixture into small discs on a lined tray. Freeze until firm, coat each disc in yoghurt and return to the freezer until set.
The result is a sweet, tangy, bite-sized treat that can be stored in the freezer for whenever your sweet tooth demands it. The raspberries contribute vitamins and fibre, while the chia seeds add more fibre and healthy fats and the yoghurt provides protein. Use Greek yoghurt if you want a thicker coating, or coconut yoghurt for a plant-based option.
Berry and chocolate bark
Collage by Evie Baker
Ingredients
Driscoll’s blackberries or raspberries
Dark chocolate
Gently mash the berries and spread them across a tray lined with baking paper. Melt dark chocolate, drizzle it over the fruit and freeze until firm. Break into shards and keep in the freezer for easy snacking.
This is a particularly good way to spotlight blackberries. Their juicy, slightly tart flavour against the richness of chocolate creates a sweet-sour combination that gives your store-bought chocolate bar a run for its money. Blackberries also contain naturally occurring fibre, making them a nutritious addition to your day-to-day snacking. The best part is that you can make a batch ahead of time and break off a piece whenever the sweet cravings hit.
Peanut butter and berry jam oat cups
Collage by Evie Baker
Ingredients
Rolled oats
Peanut butter
Honey
Driscoll’s raspberries and blackberries
Maple syrup
Combine the oats, peanut butter and honey, then press the mixture into the base and sides of a muffin tray to form little cups. Microwave the raspberries and blackberries with a splash of maple syrup, stirring until they break down into a jam. Spoon the mixture into the oat cups and refrigerate until firm.
Think of these as a cross between an energy bar and a jam doughnut. The oats and berries provide fibre, while the peanut butter adds protein and fat, making these far more satisfying than a handful of lollies. Make a batch at the start of the week and keep them chilled for a grab-and-go snack.
If you’re in Melbourne, there’s another way to get your berry fix this spring. From Friday October 30 to Sunday November 1, Driscoll’s is bringing The Sweet Swap to Fed Square, with a giant four-tiered cake installation dispensing free cups of raspberries and blackberries.
The activation runs from 3pm to 5pm each day, making it a timely pit stop for anyone looking to swap their usual afternoon treat for a handful of fresh berries. Otherwise, Driscoll’s raspberries and blackberries are available at major supermarkets across Australia.
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Driscoll’s.
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Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Driscoll’s
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