When you just don’t feel like cooking, the Snack Dinner comes to rescue with a healthy meal that’s easy to pull together and fun for everyone to eat.
Thank you to J.K. Adams for the boards shown in this post!
You know those nights when you just don’t want to cook?
(For some of you, that may be most nights. So think of those nights when you really REALLY don’t want to cook.)
Those are the perfect nights for a Snack Dinner.
You may be thinking that the Snack Dinner looks an awful like the Snack Platter, and you would be right. They’re both an appealing arrangement of healthy foods. They both involve pulling odds and ends from the fridge and pantry to feed your family (and fight food waste).
The Snack Dinner is simply MORE food–and more filling food. But it’s just as simple and just as fuss-free.
| You might also like: 3 Snack Platters For Kids |
A word about fanciness: You’ll see some snack boards on Pinterest that are studded with edible flowers and exotic fruit artfully cut into shapes. That’s all well and good, but the whole point of a Snack Dinner is to be LOW-EFFORT. So you won’t see edible flowers on my Snack Dinner boards, just an assortment of foods I know my family will reliably eat. Your family may eat more food than this. Your family may eat different foods than these. You do your Snack Dinner thing, I’ll do mine, neither of us will turn on the oven or light a stove burner, and we’ll all be happy.
Snack Dinners are also fun for kids. They can be eaten at the kitchen island, off the coffee table while everyone gathers for a game or show on TV (yes, it’s okay to eat in front of the tube every once in a while!), outside on the patio, or on the floor for a living room picnic. There are no pots and pans, no stack of dishes to wash, and no greasy take-out containers to toss.
Hallelujah.
The beautiful serving boards shown in these photos are from J.K. Adams, a family-owned company that makes boards by hand in Vermont using North American hardwoods. J.K. Adams makes beautiful cutting boards, serving boards and trays, wine and pot racks, rolling pins, and kitchen accessories.
Hi! I'm Sally, a dietitian-mom.
I believe that EVERY mom can feel successful and confident about feeding her kids, lose the stress, and finally enjoy mealtime again.
Sign up for my weekly emails for support and inspiration (plus dinner ideas!) and I'll send you 16 game-changing tips for feeding your kids--even the super-duper picky ones.
AB says
Salad pitas! An array of veggies and proteins in a pita. Easy and filling.
Judy says
or tortillas
Terita says
I love everything about this… the look, the ease, and the great nutrition! I sometimes make platters like this for weekend lunches with my kids. Usually they include hummus, veggies, pita bread, fruit, and cubed/sliced cheese.
Viviannette says
My favorite low effort dinner is a savory oatmeal bowl. I love the idea of a snack dinner tray. Will try it!
Viviannette says
I like both Real Mom Nutrition and J. K. Adams on Facebook.
Nicole says
We LOVE snack dinners! Snack dinner and quesadillas are our go-to easy meals with a 3 and 7 year old. This week’s snack dinner included leftovers from previous dinners — fish sticks, chicken, anything I could arrange on a platter!
Nicole says
p.s. I also liked both of the pages 🙂 Those boards are gorgeous and would definitely elevate snack dinner!
Sarah says
My favorite low-effort dinner, other than leftovers (ha), is quesadillas. I guess I’m technically using a skillet but just enough to toast the tortillas I’ve filled with whatever cheese scraps I find in the cheese drawer and leftover protein and veggies are hanging around. (A big salad filled with odds and ends is another favorite.)
Sarah says
Liked on Facebook!
Chelsea Edwards says
I like using leftover grains (brown rice or quinoa usually) with feta, cucumber, kalamata olives, tomatoes, hummus and canned chickpeas for an easy mediterranean bowl. Drizzled with a little olive oil and red wine vinegar and a tiny bit of pepper. It’s the best. I take it for lunch often.
Chelsea Edwards says
Liked you both of FB
Chelsea Edwards says
Shared on my facebook page
Kahlia King says
I love the snack idea. I often make a crudite type tray for veggies and fruits for snacks but dinner would be so easy. On easy/no cook dinner nights we usually make “ramen”. Chicken or veggie broth with onion powder and ramen noodles. Easy and fun! We’ll use chop sticks and slurp the noodles.
Kahlia King says
I (always) like both Real Mom Nutrition and J. K. Adams on Facebook.
Kahlia King says
I just shared it on FB also!
renee says
I love this idea. Never had an absolute no-cook dinner. As grilled cheese or scrambled eggs is cooking. But the board would so setup my game.
Lori L. says
My favorite no-cook dinner, low-effort dinner is “homemade lunchables.” It’s basically a snack platter with meats, cheese, crackers, etc. The kids love it!
Lori L. says
I like both Real Mom Nutrition and J. K. Adams on Facebook.
Lori L. says
I shared the giveaway on Twitter!
Kira | A Better Life Lived says
Our favorite easy, low hassle meals are bean burritos with guac and chips and PB&J with fruit. My 3 year old will eat them and they aren’t pure junk food, so that checks every box on my “what matters” list.
Kira | A Better Life Lived says
I also posted your contest on twitter!
renee says
I shared on facebook
renee says
I liked both Real mOm nutrition and J.K. Adams on facebook
Jeni D says
Easy meal of choice is pulling something out of freezer. As in I make muffins, pancakes, oatmeal etc in large batches and freeze. Add some fruit and maybe a hard boiled or scrambled egg and we eat.
Jeni D says
I like both pages on Facebook. Those boards are beautiful!! And your idea is grand!!
Amanda Sander says
My favorite no cook meal is this snack board idea! So easy and the kids gobble it up!
Amanda Sander says
Liked JK Adams and Real Mom Nutrition on FB!
Lindsey says
Ground beef, roasted sweet potatoes, and guac!
Shannon Greene says
Great idea! Thank you for providing the suggestion it releases the guilt from providing snacks for dinner aND makes it ok when it’s nutritionally balanced. Our favorite no cook meals are healthy veggie aND fruit smoothies with snack cups of protein aND dairy (ham, chicken salami, cheese stick). This frees up dinner time to get in a walk during dinner before bed and while it’s still light out!!
Tina Engberg says
I love chicken salad, pimiento cheese, crackers and fruit as an easy dinner. I also am partial to a full on cheese and charcuterie platter too. So much variety!
I’ve liked you on FB, Shared on FB, and Liked JK Adams too! (I think my mom and dad have a seriously old Adams cutting board
Amanda Sander says
Shared the post! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of these beautiful boards!
Lori Cortright says
Liked you both on Facebook.
Lori Cortright says
Shared on Facebook.
Stacy says
WE love crusty bread, a variety of meats/cheeses, some fruits and veggies and olives/pickles. No one complains hen we do snacks dinner!
Stacy says
No like RMN on Facebook
Linz @ Itz Linz says
My favorite no effort meal is leftovers – they’re rhe best!
Amy Reed says
My favorite low effort dinner is “clean out the fridge” where I put many things that need to be used up out and everyone makes their own plate and heats it up, if needed.
Amy Reed says
Liked JK Adams page and I already liked yours.
Caroline says
This my be skirting the question a bit, but I regularly meal prep. That means Monday-Thursday is usually the most minimal effort dinner – because I made them on Sunday!
Amy Reed says
Shared on Facebook. These boards are beautiful.
Caroline says
I like you already on Facebook and I just hit “like” at JK Adams on Facebook
Jill says
We usually do sandwiches with a side of fruit or veggies and dip for an easy dinner! Liked and shared!
Erika says
“Like” both pages.
Erika says
Chips and guacamole, raw veggies and seasonal fruits.
Michelle says
For a quick no cook dinner we do sandwiches with veggies and dip. If I know the week is going to be hectic. I’ll make a pasta salad or salad wit fried cocker on top the day before.
Michelle says
I liked both pages!
Chelsy says
I liked both and shared on Facebook. One of my go-to no cook meals is tuna sandwiches with fruit and veggies on the side.
Anita says
We love Snacky Dinner! Here that means cheese and crackers, veggies and fruit, and a big bowl of homemade popcorn. Plus whatever else looks good in the fridge! It would definitely look beautiful on one of those boards!
Amber says
My favorite low-effort dinner is roasted sausage with vegetables! I literally cut up any veggies I have in the house, drizzle some olive oil and seasonings on then, and throw them in the oven. I will put the sausage in there too, and I’m free to relax (or clean!) while it’s all cooking!
Alison Nixon says
I love that low cook meal too. Great way to use up veggies.
Amber says
I liked your page and JK Adams! I shared the entry post as well!
Joani says
MY favorite no cook dinner is… cereal lol!!! But also we love just a snacky cheese tray with crackers and fruits 🙂
Jackie says
I also like snack dinner! Or just a bunch of fresh vegetables from the garden! Mmm.
Liked and shared
Kristin Jarvis says
Liked both pages!!!
Baked gnocchi – gnocchi baked with mozz and marinara. We all love it!
Rachell says
We call it scrounge night, everybody makes what they want from leftovers to cereal.
Rachell says
Already liked your page and now like JK, too!
Karina says
My favorite low effort dinner is quick lentil or habas (yellow favs beans) soup and quesadillas. For a non-cook option I think it would be some fruit and PB&J sandwiches for my daughter and husband, and a quick tuna sandwich for me.
Those boards are gorgeous!
Lisa Edeal says
We do popcorn, Apple slices, cheese chunks as our weekend no cook night.
Judy Corry says
We also love snack dinners! Typically it’s bruschetta or just an assortment of apple, grapes, cheese, crackers and whatever deli meat we have at the time!
Rachael Thompson says
Veggies, grapes, crackers, hummus, and cheese! I’ve liked both pages. Those cutting boards are gorgeous!
Marilyn Wright Yon, MS, RD, LD says
sandwiches, cut fruit, cut veggies, cheese, milk
Marilyn Wright Yon, MS, RD, LD says
I already like RMN, and now added J.K. Adams.
Lisa says
I shared this on Facebook.
Lisa says
I liked the two sites.
Lisa says
My favorite easy dinner is “egg in a nest” – tear a hole in the bread. Butter the pan. Put the bread in and flip it then crack the egg over the bread. Cook on medium for. Few minutes. Flip it. Leave it runny enough to dip. My grandm Nonnie’s recipe.
We also love to make our own sushi rice and make bowls of sushi salad without messing with rolling them.
Sara Kuhn Lischefski says
Love those beautiful trays. Snack dinners are a great idea. We like carpet picnics and those would work great for one.
Sara Kuhn Lischefski says
Liked both Facebook pages and shared!
Cara Dube says
Ny favorite low effort dinner is nachos with left over roast. Yummy, easy, finger foods!
Cara Dube says
I like both of your pages under Cara Smith.
Erin says
My favorite no cook dinner is leftovers! Clean out the fridge nights are great:)
Erin says
Already follow you on FB and liked JK.
Susan B says
Paninis are our go to no cook din din.
Did all requirements #1, 2 and 3!
Thanks!
I started snack boards because of this page!!
Katie says
Popcorn, fruit, and cheese is our low-cook dinner.
Katie says
Liked both pages on fb
Katie says
Shared the contest on fb
mandy says
Cereal or salad or sandwiches
Sarah says
We often have “snacky dinner” on nights where we’re incredibly busy! My other go-to is a simple deli sandwich or wrap.
Sarah says
I liked both on Facebook.
Sarah says
I shared on twitter.
Melanie says
My favorite low cook dinner is bean burritos. I always have the stuff on hand.
Christine OBoyle says
My favorite low effort meal is leftovers. I always make sure to make enough to have leftovers at least one evening. Gives me a little break and it feels fabulous not having to spend a lot of time in the kitchen!
Christine OBoyle says
I liked both pagea on Facebook!
Alison Nixon says
A favorite low cook dinner is salad bar night at home. I grab anything that could possibly be used as a salad fixing and pop into colorful bowls. Everything from hard boiled eggs, rotisserie chicken and tuna packets to your typical lettuce greens, and other veggies. Then I let my kids put whatever they want on their salads and choose their own dressing.
Alison Nixon says
Both Facebook pages have been liked!
Alison Nixon says
I have shared your giveaway post on Facebook to my own page and to a nutrition group I started a month ago jus for friends to support each other in making healthy food choices and practicing self care for busy moms. Thanks for the fun ideas!
Emily says
Bagged salads
Melissa Horst says
I liked both Facebook pages!
Sarah says
We do something similar to your Snack Dinner, but we call it French Dinner. It’s good bread, cheese, fruit, veggies, salami, and olives. Yummy.
Sarah says
Liked both pages on FB
Jenna says
Our favorite no cook dinner is sliced Hungarian salami and sausage, sliced red peppers, cheese, hard boiled eggs, cucumber and bread.
Jenna says
I liked both JK and your FB pages!
Jessica Standifer says
Shared!
My favorite no cook dinner has been leftover smorgasbord. We pull all the leftovers out and you can choose any combination you want. Usually we add options of fruit and some raw veggies to make sure everyone has something they like. It means cleaning out the fridge, not wasting the leftovers and no cooking. So wins all around.
Abby says
We are a popcorn eating family on no cook nights. It’s filling and fun!
I liked both pages (already had yours!) and I shared the post. Those boards are amazing.
Nikki says
Panini sandwiches with raw veggies and fruit on the side!
Melisa Darnieder says
Our favorite is charcuterie board, which is basically the same as your snack dinner but with more meat.
Melisa Darnieder says
Liked both on FB
Nikki says
I liked both Facebook pages and shared the giveaway!
Valerie Brinkman says
My favorite easy “snack” dinner is putting out a bunch of fresh cut veggies, whatever leafy greens I have and any leftover meat cut up. I put out rice paper and a pie dish filled with water. Everyone at the table can make their own version of a spring roll by getting the rice paper wet, filling it with what they want and rolling it. It’s quick and easy, and the kids think it’s fun!!
Valerie Brinkman says
I shared your post and blog on Twitter! 🙂
Valerie Brinkman says
I liked both pages on Facebook. I look forward to following you!
Jen Bechtel says
I love snacking dinners. Most recently is was freshly baked bread from our neighbor, hummus and veggies and fruit. I shared the post and like both pages on FB.
Kelly says
Love this! So creative!
Kelly says
I liked both pages on facebook
Kelly says
I shared the post
Megan Smith says
My favorite no-cook, low effort dinner is chicken salad in pita pockets. I like this recipe: https://danielplan.com/healthyhabits/lemony-dill-chicken-salad-pita/
Megan Smith says
I liked both pages on facebook!
Michelle says
We have dip night where we make 4 different dips and the kids find things that they want to try in the dip. Veggies and fruit and crackers are required but then they can get very creative with other dipping options.
Michelle says
Liked you both on Facebook.
Sharon says
We have a night every so often called FYIS, which stands for Fix Your Own Supper on days when everyone’s schedule has them going in all different directions. It could also stand for Feed Yourself or Starve. Also, a quick go to when I have leftover chicken is to open a can of cream of chicken soup, heat on the stovetop. Add in cut up chunks of chicken and serve over rice with a nice salad or garlic green beans.
Brittney Wallentine says
My favorite low effort dinner isn’t leftovers… does that count? Haha, we’ll also do cheese sandwiches, and I really try to keep frozen meals for emergencies! Frozen muffins, pancakes, lasagna to the rescue!
Holly l mccormick says
Love snack dinner! Clean out the fridge she dinners too!
Kate says
We sometimes do a salad bar for a no-cook dinner, but it’s hit-or-miss whether the kids will eat it. This looks better!
Kate says
I “liked” both on FB!
Natalie says
Yes!!! We often do this dinner but have always called it cheese plate dinner. I always add a tuna salad or hummus to the mix for a “dip” with crackers to make it a more substantial dinner.
Amy Webb says
Great idea! We often do “graze trays” for summer lunch. Similar idea but I put everything in a muffin tin. The kids love it.
Amy Webb says
Liked your page and JK Adams on Facebook
Amy Webb says
Shared giveaway on Facebook
Kate D. says
My favorite no cook dinner is pb&js! BUT I love this snack dinner idea and will be implementing it VERY soon! Those boards are gorgeous!
Jill says
Bean & cheese burritos are a quick & easy dinner for us. But I love the snack platter idea!
Jill says
I like both on facebook. 🙂
Kendra says
We do “smorg borg” night. It’s a play on “smorgusboard” and I *think* it was a suggestion from your book? Or maybe your blog! But the kids get a kick out of the name and we all eat what we are happy with. It’s basically all left overs and stuff from the lunch box drawer, but hey, it works!
Karen says
We enjoy leftovers or “everything but the kitchen sink” salads for low effort dinners. Thank you for your blog!
Cory says
Cereal…
Charla L Leonard says
1. My favorite no-cook, low-effort dinner is LEFTOVERS! Any kind of leftovers. We eat this often in my home!
2. I “Liked” both J.K. Adams & Real Mom Nutrition on Facebook! 😀
Karly says
Breakfast for dinner – scrambled eggs, leftover potatoes, pancakes taken from my frozen stick pile. Easy, simple, and quick!
Jennie says
We have leftover night, but I call it a “Feast”, and add a few snacky sides. Sounds so much more appealing than “Leftovers”.
Kari says
Cereal!
Kari says
#2 is done!
Andrea says
My usual go-to is leftovers! I love making or ordering extra food so we can get another meal out of it. We also do cheese, hummus, crackers and veggies sometimes too!
Kiersten Anderson says
My no-effort dinner is usually yogurt with fruit and granola. Or just leftovers!
Melissa says
My favorite no cook dinner is wraps. Whole grain tortillas filled either with veggies and some kind of protein or spread with peanut butter and sliced apples or bananas. Yum!
Melissa says
And I liked you both on Facebook. 🙂
AMY says
I need snack dinner in my life!! My husband really wants a hot meal for dinner but sometimes I can convince him to have Mediterranean tuna salad sandwiches (canned chunk light tuna mixed with Greek yogurt, chopped olives, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, capers, red onion, feta crumbles, pepper, and oregano) with salad and fruit on the side. My 4 year old and almost 1 year old eat it in a heartbeat!
AMY says
Seriously gorgeous wooden boards and fabulous nutrition advice (says a fellow RD !) – of course I liked both jk Adams and real mom nutrition on Facebook!
Suzanne B says
On nights my husband work late the kids’ favorite easy meal is a shake made with frozen banana, milk, a big scoop of peanut butter, and a little nutella.
Michelle Nickerson says
Love your site, Sally! You cover a lot of different ground! 🙂
Vince says
I’ve seen this done before and yes, it is a thing. I love the idea as well. It’s surprisingly powerful and is so easy to do. Of course, it does require a slight shift in mentality, especially for anyone used to traditional meals.
Stephanie Loomis Pappas says
So happy to see more parents rebranding dinner this way! “Snackdinner” is both my favorite dinner and my general parenting philosophy, as well as the name of my blog!