[For Seniors] Easy and Delicious! Snack Activity Roundup
Eating—meals and snacks alike—is one of life’s pleasures for older adults as well.
Snack-making activities are very popular and are offered at many senior care facilities.
However, for staff, choosing ingredients and coming up with recipes suited to older adults—such as how to prepare them—can be challenging.
In this article, we introduce easy-to-make snack ideas for seniors.
We’ve gathered many recipes that can be made together around a table or prepared easily using a microwave.
You can make delicious snacks without using hard-to-chew or hard-to-swallow ingredients.
Please give them a try with everyone together!
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[For Seniors] Easy and Delicious! Snack Activity Roundup (101–110)
dried persimmon(s)
As a recreational activity, how about trying to make dried persimmons (hoshigaki)? Peel off the stem and skin, then tie a string so they can be hung.
You can prevent mold by sterilizing them in boiling water.
After that, just hang them in a well-ventilated place where they won’t get wet in the rain! It’s simple work, so even beginners can try it, and chatting about “Are they almost ready?” helps spark communication.
It’s also a good idea to divide tasks—some people peel with a knife while others tie the strings.
matcha cake
May is when tea leaf picking is in full swing.
How about making a matcha cake as a tea-themed snack activity? Believe it or not, this recipe can be made in a rice cooker! The key is to use pancake mix, which makes snacks easy to prepare.
Simply mix pancake mix, milk, eggs, and matcha powder, pour the batter into the rice cooker, and cook on the cake mode.
If your rice cooker doesn’t have a cake mode, use the regular white rice setting.
The striking look when you take it out of the rice cooker is fun too, so older adults are sure to enjoy it!
matcha parfait
When it comes to sweets that look beautiful in a glass, parfaits are the best! Their gorgeous appearance is sure to lift anyone’s spirits, regardless of age.
The basic way to make a parfait is simply to layer the ingredients in a glass, so it’s an easy treat that seniors can enjoy too.
Let’s make a matcha parfait, perfect for May when tea tastes especially good.
If you’re using matcha or milk kanten (agar jelly), facility staff could prepare them in advance and have the residents decorate their glasses.
Since some seniors aren’t fond of very cold foods, it’s best to skip the ice cream.
Also, be mindful to keep the portions to a size that can be comfortably finished.
Easy four-ingredient egg bolo cookies
Here’s a simple egg bolo cookie recipe that uses only four ingredients.
The method is straightforward: add the egg yolk, sugar, and potato starch in that order and mix.
Then add milk a little at a time to adjust the dough’s firmness.
The ideal texture is when it doesn’t stick to your fingers when touched.
Once the dough is ready, take small portions and roll them into balls with your palms.
After you’ve rolled them all, bake in an oven at 160°C (320°F) until done.
Baking time varies by oven, but it’s roughly 15–20 minutes.
It’s very easy, so if you’re short on protein, try making these as a snack!
Daikon mochi with sakura shrimp and green onions
Let’s make healthy yet delicious daikon cakes with the toasty aroma of sakura shrimp.
Grate the daikon and lightly drain it.
The key is to leave some moisture in the daikon.
Add thinly sliced green onions, finely chopped sakura shrimp, flour and potato starch, and salt; form into bite-sized pieces and pan-fry.
Since whole pieces of sakura shrimp can catch in your throat, chop them as finely as possible before mixing.
By adding potato starch, you’ll get a pleasantly chewy texture—an easy, highly recommended snack.
[For Seniors] Easy and Delicious! Snack Activity Collection (111–120)
Pear custard tart
This pear custard tart doesn’t require an oven, so anyone can make it with ease! Since they’re bite-sized tarts, older adults can enjoy them comfortably, too.
Both the pear compote and the custard cream can be made using a microwave.
The tart crust is also simple: put biscuits in a plastic bag and crush them finely with a rolling pin, then knead in melted butter until combined—no oven needed! If you’re making these with seniors as a snack-time activity, dividing the steps among participants might help everyone stay focused and engaged.
Pear tea cake
How about a snack-time activity featuring a dessert made with pears that come into season around July? A cake made with juicy pears is sure to whet your appetite with its refreshing aroma! It’s perfect for tea time, too.
By using pancake mix for the batter, it’s even easier to make.
Plus, all you have to do is pour the pears sautéed in butter and the cake batter into a rice cooker and cook as usual—so simple! Be sure to enjoy the rich, toasty flavor and silky texture of the pears.