[For Seniors] Making Snacks in Nursing Homes: A Collection of Easy Recommended Recipes
Eating snacks makes you feel happy, doesn’t it?
So why not incorporate snack-making into recreation activities at day services and senior care facilities?
Because older adults have a wide range of physical and mental conditions, there may be times when using fire or knives isn’t possible.
In such cases, recipes that use a microwave or oven, or ones that just require mixing and setting, are recommended.
They’re easy and safe to try, so many people can enjoy them.
Have the seniors share the tasks little by little, with care staff watching over and supporting as needed.
And at the end, how about everyone chatting together and enjoying a lovely tea party?
- [Snack Activity] Easy and Delicious: Snack Ideas to Make Together with Seniors
- [For Seniors] Snack Recipes We Want to Make in the October Recreation Activity
- For Seniors: Easy and Delicious! November Snack Activity
- [For Seniors] Recommended Snack Activities: Easy, Large-Batch Recipes
- For seniors: Easy homemade snack activity using a hot plate
- [For Seniors] Easy and Delicious! Snack Activity Roundup
- Snacks and activity ideas for seniors to enjoy in January
- For Seniors: Snacks to Make in May That Capture the Season
- [For Seniors] April Snack Activity: Ideas to Enjoy Spring with Homemade Sweets
- [For Seniors] Recommended February Snack Activities: Easy, Enjoyable Sweet Treat Ideas
- [For Seniors] Delicious Snack Recipes to Get More Protein!
- For Seniors: Delicious and Fun! Christmas Snack Activity Ideas
- [For Seniors] Enjoy July! Easy and Fun Snack Activities
[For Seniors] Making Snacks at Nursing Homes: A Collection of Easy Recommended Recipes (91–100)
Watermelon pizza
The name alone is enough to spark interest—watermelon pizza.
Slice a watermelon into rounds to use as the “crust,” spread on some yogurt, and then top it with your favorite fruits.
That’s it! Simple is best, and I think any combination will turn out delicious.
It’s fun to think about what to put on it, and there’s also a craft-like enjoyment in deciding where to place each topping.
Prepping the ingredients might even give your hands and fingers a little workout.
Definitely try making it together with everyone and have a great time!
Protein-rich! Wheat gluten honey snack
Fu is usually rehydrated in water before use.
It’s often added to miso soup, but here’s a snack that uses fu as-is without soaking.
Place fu in a heated frying pan and dry-toast it.
Once well toasted, melt in some butter and toss to coat, then add honey and coat again.
Finish by dusting with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and mixing to combine.
The gentle sweetness of the honey, the nutty aroma of the kinako, and the light, crisp texture make this a snack you won’t be able to stop eating.
It does use the stove, but it’s simple enough that older adults can give it a try.
Shirasu toast with cheese and mayonnaise
Shirasu (baby sardines) are an easy way to get calcium, so you’ll want to add them to your table more often.
But the repertoire tends to be limited to things like sprinkling them over rice or adding them to vinegared dishes.
This recipe turns shirasu into a snack by making them into toast.
Spread mayonnaise on a slice of bread, top with shirasu, sprinkle cheese over that, and toast until nicely browned—done! It’s great because the toaster does all the work and it’s super easy.
If you add an extra drizzle of mayonnaise on top before toasting, it develops a beautiful char and looks even more delicious.
Biscotti with Sesame and Kinako in a Frying Pan
Biscotti, a traditional British baked sweet with a crunchy texture.
While the typical biscotti recipe involves kneading the dough and baking it in the oven, this version is much easier.
Mix plenty of kinako (roasted soy flour) and sesame—both rich in calcium—into the dough, shape it into a round, and cook it in a frying pan lined with parchment.
Flip it over and steam-cook it further.
Slice it into long, thin pieces, arrange them on a heatproof plate, and microwave to dry them out.
Biscotti are known for being very hard, so if that’s difficult for older people, try shortening the microwaving step.
Fruit milk agar jelly
Somehow, milk kanten has a nostalgic flavor, doesn’t it? Agar is easier to handle than gelatin and sets more firmly, so I recommend it.
Using milk also lets you get some calcium.
It’s convenient to use mixed cut fruit that includes several kinds of fruit.
The more varieties you use, the more luxurious it looks.
After arranging the fruit in the mold, freeze it once.
That way, it won’t come loose as easily when you pour in the agar mixture.
It’s fun to think about how to arrange the fruit to create a lovely design.
Mango smoothie
How about a mango smoothie that lets you enjoy a tropical vibe? The basic method is quite simple: just blend frozen mango, yogurt, and honey.
It’s refreshingly cold—perfect for summer—and it’s a nice beauty booster, too.
Sharing ideas tailored to each person’s preferences can also help spark interest.
By the way, you can easily buy frozen mango at supermarkets and convenience stores, so it’s great for when you want to make one on short notice.
Melon cream soda
Melon cream soda is loved by people of all ages.
Many of you probably enjoyed it at restaurants when you were kids.
How about making it as a snack-time activity? It might even bring back some nostalgic feelings.
The process has just the right level of complexity, so even those who enjoy making sweets should feel satisfied.
Try decorating it with a cherry if you like, and have fun with it.
Using a retro-style glass would also help set the mood.