Snacks and activity ideas for seniors to enjoy in January
January marks the beginning of the year.
Even after the New Year’s holiday, we still feel celebratory and refreshed, and many of us feel motivated to try new things.
With that in mind, I’ve put together snack activity recipes and ideas that are perfect for the New Year and for January.
From treats that let you savor that New Year atmosphere or a slightly different vibe than usual, to snacks made with ingredients that are especially delicious in winter.
These are basically easy to make and use as little heat as possible, so they should be simple for everyone to prepare.
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Snacks Activities for Seniors to Enjoy in January (21–30)
Kintsuba (a traditional Japanese sweet made with sweet bean paste coated in a thin batter)
Kintsuba packed with sweet red bean paste is an irresistible wagashi for anko lovers! How about featuring this familiar treat as a snack activity for seniors? Azuki beans, the main ingredient in anko, are highly nutritious, making them perfect for seniors who may be prone to nutrient deficiencies.
You make the yokan and the batter separately, then coat the yokan with the batter and simply cook it in a frying pan at the end.
It’s ready when the batter dries; be careful not to overcook.
You can also enjoy variations by using fillings other than anko, such as sweet potato or matcha-flavored bean paste.
sweet red bean soup with mochi (zenzai)
How about making zenzai—a dessert where springy dumplings pair perfectly with sweet azuki beans—for a snack activity? It’s a two-for-one treat that also gives you a taste of New Year’s festivities! With its soft texture, it’s easy for seniors to enjoy.
Mix shiratamako (glutinous rice flour) with silken tofu and knead until the dough is about as firm as an earlobe, then shape it into balls.
Drop them into boiling water to cook.
Once they float and are cooked through, transfer them to cold water.
Next, loosen canned boiled azuki beans with some water or hot water, and serve them in a bowl with the dumplings—done! Using canned azuki makes it super easy.
A key point is that the dumplings stay tender and delicious whether served cold or warm.
Warabi Mochi in Anmitsu Style
Warabi-mochi has a jiggly, gelatinous texture in your mouth.
It’s often dusted with kinako (roasted soybean flour), but topping it with matcha or drizzling it with kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup) is also delicious.
Warabi-mochi is made with warabi starch, though using warabi starch can sometimes result in a slightly firmer texture.
Try some tweaks, like using a store-bought kit that yields softer warabi-mochi, or making a soft version with potato starch (katakuriko).
You can also turn it into an anmitsu-style dessert by adding sweet red bean paste and fruit, then drizzling kuromitsu on top.
It transforms warabi-mochi into a more festive Japanese sweet than usual, and it’s likely to be enjoyed by older adults as well.
apple pie
How about making an apple pie? The flaky crust and the sweet-tart apples come together perfectly—it’s truly delicious.
The ingredients are simple, and the best part is that everyone can enjoy making it together.
It’s fun to roll out the dough, slice the apples, and work as a team.
Let’s savor it slowly, surrounded by the aroma of the freshly baked pie.
It’s a warm treat that’s perfect for the cold season and will warm both your heart and body.
Baked churros
Let’s try making theme park–favorite churros as a snack activity at a senior care facility! This recipe doesn’t require deep-frying, which lowers the hurdle for preparation.
Put milk and oil in a pot and heat over medium.
Once it comes to a boil, turn off the heat and add pancake mix, stirring to combine.
Be careful not to burn yourself.
Beat eggs in a bowl, then add them to the dough you just made in two additions.
At first the dough won’t come together easily, but if you use a spatula to cut through it finely and then repeatedly press the dough against the bowl and fold it over, it will come together more smoothly.
Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip, pipe onto parchment paper, and bake in the oven.
The toasty aroma makes this a mouthwatering treat!
French toast
Place a hot plate on the table and try making French toast.
It’s recommended for older adults because they can enjoy cooking while seated.
Prepare slices of bread cut into bite-sized pieces.
Put eggs and milk into a bowl and have the older adult mix them.
Soak the bread in the mixture, then cook it on the hot plate greased with butter or oil.
It may remind older adults of times when they cooked and served meals for their families.
It’s easy to make, so please give it a try.
Crepe
Let’s make some delicious crepes that bring a taste of spring.
Mix flour and eggs to prepare the crepe batter.
A frying pan works fine for cooking, but how about trying a hot plate? With a hot plate, you can set it on the table and make the batter right there.
Of course, you can also prepare the batter at the table, so you can sit while making it.
If you make crepes while seated, even older adults who find it difficult to stand can participate.
Once the batter is cooked, add strawberries and whipped cream, roll it up, and add extra toppings.
Tasty crepes are sure to satisfy older adults as well.