A bowl of edible chocolate chip cookie dough with a spoon and napkin on the side.
David Leite
1 of 9
This eggless chocolate chip cookie dough tastes just like Toll House chocolate chip cookie dough except it’s specifically made without eggs. But it boasts exactly the same flavor and mouthfeel as the real deal. Safe for children and anyone else a little leery of raw eggs.

This edible cookie dough recipe was amazing! It was so quick, easy, and delicious that I would give it ten out of five stars. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe!

Caty H.
A baking sheet filled with maple caramel corn.
Erin Scott
2 of 9

Maple Caramel Corn

Maple caramel corn is infinitely better than the store-bought caramel corn or Cracker Jack and has a list of completely recognizable ingredients. No prize. Although really, the recipe is the prize.

Absolutely fantastic maple caramel corn recipe! I didn’t add the peanuts, simply because I didn’t have any on hand and didn’t feel like running to the store. The flavor is amazing, no change needed, and the recipe is easy to follow.

As someone else mentioned, it holds up nicely the next day; beyond that, it’s unknown as I don’t have the ability to resist temptation.

Julie
Spicy Chex mix scattered on a baking sheet with a spoon lying in the middle.
Peter Frank Edwards
3 of 9

Spicy Chex Mix

This homemade spicy Chex mix bears some resemblance to the original but is SO much more interesting. The combination of roasted nuts, toasted cereal, and the ideal amount of cayenne and chili seasoning means you may never go back to the classic.
A square piece of homemade snickers bar on a piece of parchment.
Ben Fink
4 of 9

Homemade Snickers Bars

Knowing how to make homemade Snickers bars—that’s what REALLY satisfies. So next time you’re craving this candy bar, look here for how to make them at home. No artificial anything required. Not even marshmallow fluff.

Holy moly, these Snickers bars are good!!! I had to hurry up and take them to some friends before I ate every dang one of them. Oh my goodness. Make them, you’ll love them!

Mary
Soft pretzels of assorted shapes and sizes on a wooden surface.
Alex Farnum
5 of 9

Soft Pretzels

This soft pretzels recipe are a German classic but are an easy homemade version with everyday ingredients, including beer (!), that are just like the real deal you’ll find abroad. Here’s how to make them at home.

This is THE pretzel recipe!! I’ve tried a few others, but this is by far the best, most flavorful recipe. The slow rise really makes all the difference. We didn’t have a pilsner, so I used the only beer in our fridge–a spiced ale–and it worked well. My family is looking forward to the next pretzel adventure, perfecting my technique with this recipe!

Iea
An overflowing bowl of beer nuts on a wooden board with a glass of beer on a napkin beside it.
Jacquelyn Dodd
6 of 9

Beer Nuts

These beer nuts are ridiculously easy to make at home and taste infinitely better than store-bought because they actually have beer in them. Along with sriracha, butter, and brown sugar.
Blue tray filled with cacio e pepe potato chips--chips topped with cheese, black pepper, and parsley.
Ellen Silverman
7 of 9

Cacio e Pepe Potato Chips

These cacio e pepe potato chips are utterly ingenious. And they take no time to make. Unsalted kettle chips are topped with cheese and heated in the oven until they’re even crisper. A generous sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper, more cheese, and parsley are added just before serving. Sorry, Lays.

These potato chips are so delicious! A great quick appetizer, these disappear and get rave reviews every time I serve them!

robyn
Diamond red chili and Cheddar crackers in a wooden bowl; a glass a wine and hunk of cheese
Joseph De Leo
8 of 9

Red Chili and Cheddar Crackers

Think of these red chili and Cheddar crackers as Cheez-Its on steroids. Rich aged Cheddar cheese gives the crackers depth while the chili flakes give heat and a kick. They’re addictively, in-your-face delicious.

I’ve now made these crackers twice in one week—the first time with New Mexico red chile powder and today with garden-grown jalapeños and cheese! They are crisp, delicious, and so easy to make.

Eve
An assortment of chocolate covered pretzels with white and dark chocolate coating and sprinkles.
Sally McKenney
9 of 9

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

These chocolate covered pretzels–made with dark chocolate as well as white chocolate–boast a stunning appearance and a spectacular salty sweetness that’s terrific at parties. Here’s how to make them, whether you want to use rods, sticks, or twists, and whether you want to glam them up or keep them simple.

Movie Night Snack FAQs

Can you recommend some healthy movie night snacks?

Why, of course. If you want something to nosh on without indulging too much, mix up a batch of spiced pumpkin seeds, pop a bowl of plain salted popcorn, or roast some homemade vegetable chips.

What types of drinks should I serve?

Get a little groovy and choose something that matches your movie genre. Watching horror? Mix up a bloody Mary or a fizzy blood orange cocktail. (See where I’m going here?) If you’ve got a rom-com rolling, try a light and lemony cocktail, like this lemon chill. Keeping it family-friendly? Everyone will love creamy butterscotch beer.




About David Leite

I count myself lucky to have received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. My work has also appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appรฉtit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.


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