14 Best Late-Night Snacks For The Midnight Munchies That Hit Just Right

If you've found yourself sitting on the sofa tucking into a bag of chips one too many times, it's time to switch things up. Most of us get hungry late at night from time to time, but there are so many tasty midnight snack ideas out there, it would be criminal not to try a few of them.

The best late-night snacks shouldn't take too long to prepare, but need to be packed with flavor — just because it's late at night doesn't mean your taste buds will be asleep. Whether you are in the mood for savory delights such as chicken wings or mozzarella sticks, or your sweet tooth has taken over and cookies are a must, we've got you covered. From quick bites that can be thrown together at the last minute to snacks you can make ahead so you always have them on hand, let's take a look at 14 late-night snacks for the midnight munchies that hit just right.

For nights when sweet cravings hit, caramel popcorn is the ideal snack for both flavor and texture satisfaction. If you've never made freshly-popped popcorn from scratch, this is the recipe to try, and within 30 minutes you'll be enjoying the glorious taste of warm, homemade caramel popcorn.

The corn kernels get popped first in a pot, while the decadent caramel sauce cooks alongside it. The sauce is poured over the top of the corn, and baked for 15 minutes to create a delectable snack that tastes so much better than the store-bought version.

Recipe: Super Crunchy Caramel Popcorn

For some late night cookies that don't even require you to crack an egg, these lemon shortbread cookies should hit the spot.  They are easy to throw together — the mixture simply requires mixing the sugar, butter, lemon zest and salt together — though you will have to factor in half an hour to chill the dough in the fridge.

After baking for 20 minutes or so, the cookies are topped with a silky almond glaze and a sprinkling of lemon zest to enhance the bright citrusy flavor. Serve them with a hot cup of tea for a midnight indulgence.

Recipe: Lemon Shortbread Cookies

If you're in the mood for a seriously tasty late-night snack, try whipping up a tray of loaded chicken nachos. It is the ultimate in contrasting textures -– crispy tortilla chips, tender shredded rotisserie chicken, gooey melted cheese, and hearty black beans. No matter how hungry you are, these nachos will fill the gap, and satisfy whatever cravings have struck in the small hours.

Prep is a cinch, too. Scatter all the ingredients onto a baking tray, top with a drizzle of garlic oil, bake for 10 minutes, and enjoy.

Recipe: Truly Ultimate Chicken Nachos

Mozzarella sticks taste awesome at the best of times, but having them as a luxurious midnight snack somehow makes them taste even better. Crunchy on the outside and wonderfully gooey on the inside, they are the ultimate comfort snack, and well worth the effort they take to make late at night.

Ideally, you should freeze them for several hours to firm them up, but if you are making them on a whim, just freeze them for as long as you can and expect them to be a bit softer. Then, prep some more and keep them in the freezer for the next time you have the munchies!

Recipe: Air-Fryer Homemade Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Buffalo wings may usually find themselves pride of place on game day, but they make a brilliant late-night snack, too. Their bold flavor and satisfying texture are exactly what you need if you are craving tasty savory food, and they need very little hands-on prep.

The wings are dredged in seasoned flour then baked for 25 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown. While they cook, you can whip up a tangy hot sauce to coat them in, and a delicious blue cheese dip to balance the heat.

Recipe: Easy Classic Buffalo Wings

Though it may be at the opposite end of the day, there is a breakfast food that makes a delicious late night snack for when you have the munchies. Buttermilk pancakes can be prepared and cooked in minutes, and are oh-so satisfying when you need a comforting option.

The tang of the buttermilk balances nicely with sweet toppings of maple syrup or blueberries, but you can of course top them with whatever you can find in the fridge in the wee hours. Two minutes in the pan on each side — sit back and enjoy.

Recipe: Basic Buttermilk Pancakes

Another classic breakfast dish that will cure your midnight cravings is avocado toast, and when paired with chorizo, it is a showstopper. The creamy avocado and crusty bread will fill you up, while the chorizo will light up your taste buds.

The chorizo can be cooked while you prepare the avocado. Then, toast some ciabatta bread and pile the ingredients on top, drizzling with olive oil and a squeeze of lime. The unique combination of fats and protein will make sure your hunger pangs disappear without you feeling like you've over-indulged.

Recipe: Avocado And Chorizo Toast

With their bite-size nature, these sausage balls are the ideal snack for when the late-night cravings hit. Packed with protein to fill you up, they are crispy and savory, and are guaranteed to keep you satisfied.

The sausage meat is mixed with shredded cheese, mustard, and a few binding ingredients before being rolled into miniature balls and baked for around 20 minutes. The cranberry mustard sauce is sharp to cut through the rich meat and make a deliciously balanced snack. Perfect for sharing with your favorite person while you watch TV.

Recipe: Sausage Balls With Cranberry Mustard

For those evenings when you just need a sweet hit, this chocolate brownie brittle will keep your sweet tooth more than satisfied. Brownie brittle is the perfect treat for those who love the flavor of brownies but want a bit of crunch, and these are a great snack to have on standby in case you are hit by a sudden urge.

The brownie mix is cooked as a thin layer in a baking tray to achieve the desired crispness, and can be sprinkled with whichever toppings you wish before baking for 25 minutes.

Recipe: Crispy Chocolatey Brownie Brittle

If you need a savory late-night snack, these 3-ingredient egg bites need only a few minutes of active prep, and are deeply satisfying without being overly rich. The base recipe contains eggs, cottage cheese, and seasoning, and after blending for seconds, you can leave them to bake for 20 minutes.

This recipe is highly customizable, meaning you can tailor it to your late-night cravings. Chorizo, frozen peas, or shredded cheese are great options, but you can add anything you want. Make sure to make a big batch, and they will make a great lunch the next day, too.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Egg Bites

If you're going to have a cookie, you may as well go all out and make it a chocolate chip cookie, which — in this case — is covered with indulgent caramel sauce. As late-night snacks go, this one is first-class. The chewy center of the cookie with the satisfying bursts of chocolate will bring great joy to your evening.

With the added surprise of a melted caramel inside, each bite of these cookies will take you to sugar paradise. For the best late-night snack, eat them straight from the oven while they're still warm and gooey.

Recipe: Caramel Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you're ready to switch up your late-night snack from comfort food to something light and refreshing, Vietnamese shrimp summer rolls are the snack you should be enjoying. Made with shrimp, carrots, and fresh herbs all wrapped in rice paper, they are vibrant and light. This makes them an ideal option if you're feeling peckish but don't want to indulge.

Served with a tangy peanut sauce, these summer rolls are a savory delight, and are the ultimate in healthy snacking. Serve with a scattering of cilantro and enjoy the contrast of the fresh summer rolls with the rich dip.

Recipe: Vietnamese Shrimp Summer Rolls

For nights when your taste buds are demanding something special, these Korean dry-rubbed chicken wings will come to your rescue. Perfectly juicy and coated in a variety of aromatic spices, they will wake up your palate without being overpowering.

Because they take one hour to cook, they are not the fastest late-night snack to make. If you sense you will be craving them later, though, you can always prepare them in advance. They are always worth the wait, and the gochujang dipping sauce — with its satisfying heat and hint of tang — takes them to a new level of tasty. 

Recipe: Korean Dry-Rubbed Chicken Wings

When sweet cravings come calling late at night, both pop tarts and cheesecake could be a great option, but why choose? With these homemade cheesecake pop-tarts, you can have the fun, pastry deliciousness of pop-tarts and the creamy indulgence of cheesecake, all in one irresistible treat.

The pastry shell is filled with homemade blueberry jam — which is the perfect balance of tart and sweet — and sumptuous cream cheese. Once they have baked for 20 minutes, drizzle the homemade sugar glaze over the top and enjoy the appetizing nostalgia while they are still warm.

Recipe: Homemade Blueberry Cheesecake Pop-Tarts