You get home from school, throw your backpack on the couch and you go into the kitchen for a well-deserved snack after a day of exhausting education. But low and behold, your parental units are nowhere to be found and neither are the snacks you’ve come to expect. There is not a granola bar or Capri Sun in sight.

Whether you’re a lazy college student, a hungry high schooler or a regular working person who doesn’t want to put any serious effort into making yourself a meal, this is a familiar struggle.

To help, here are eight simple snacks you can make right from your pantry in these moments of crisis.

Yogurt Dip

Photo: Foodie With Family

Plain yogurt isn’t going to cut it, and cut up veggies or crackers on their own are as bland as bland can be. But turning that yogurt into a fancy dip with some lemon zest (or juice, if you don’t zest), horseradish sauce, and chopped garlic will have you dying to dip anything you can into your creation.

Spiced Popcorn

Photo: Salt and Wind

Popcorn doesn’t just have to have “classic movie theater butter” on it. Step up your popcorn game without breaking a sweat. Pop those kernels (stove popped or air popped are healthier methods but, hey, no judgement) and liven up that boring corn with some spices, herbs, and lemon juice. Shake up the bag to mix the spices and shake up your afternoon snack.

Homemade Pita Chips

Photo: Simply Scratch

Pita chips are the perfect snack. Chips that are healthy and yet filling? It’s unreal. But you don’t need a crinkly bag to satisfy your craving for chips, all you need is some plain pita bread. Toss those pita pockets in olive oil and grated Parmesan, and then toast the pockets. When they’re done, you’ll have perfectly seasoned, homemade pita chips to be proud of.

Garlic Crostini

Photo: Epicurious

For an Italian twist on bread, go for some homemade garlic crostini. Grab a baguette, loaf of country bread or Italian bread and slice. Then smother those slices in garlic and olive oil. Don’t hold back on the smothering. Toast and there you have it! Some crispy, garlic crostini to make your struggle feel fancy.

Stuffed Crescent Rolls

Photo: Pillsbury

If you have a tube of crescent rolls that you’re pretty sure haven’t expired and cheese sticks or shredded cheese, then you have the makings of stuffed crescent rolls. Pop that tube, separate the crescents and stuff the dough with as much cheese as humanly possible. Bonus points for having literally anything else to stuff inside; i.e., bacon, deli meat, and you basically win if you have any vegetables to add.

Trail Mix

Photo: What the Fork

It’s like you just swung by Trader Joe’s and got a quick, trendy snack! Only you’re starving, broke, and cannot muster up the energy to drive there. Trail mix is a very open ended snack that can have anything you want in it. Some easy examples of trail mix ingredients: raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, and any chocolate you can find. Baking chocolate counts and drizzling microwaved Nutella on top definitely counts.

Toasted Chickpeas

Photo: Natural Chow

If you have a can of chickpeas that you’ve been meaning to incorporate into a salad when you eventually buy lettuce, use them instead to make a quick snack. Toss them into a frying pan with olive oil and seasoning – curry powder is amazing if you have it around – and in minutes you’ll have a crunchy snack that tastes like real food.