11 foods that have the power to transform any snack

It’s almost like magic – adding smoked salmon to party platters or finger food snacks gives a touch of instant sophistication. Try the classic combo of smoked salmon and cream cheese on blinis or, for something truly different, mix PHILADELPHIA Original Spreadable Cream Cheese™ with feisty horseradish cream and serve on top of baby cos lettuce cups. This clever canape is ready in ten minutes, making it the perfect quick finger food option.

It’s worth keeping a jar of dukkah in your pantry to spice up your snacks. This traditional Egyptian mix of herbs, nuts and spices will transform even an ordinary slice of bread into a flavoursome nibble. Just dip the bread in a little olive oil then into dukkah, and prepare for a flavour explosion in your mouth. Why not try sprinkling dukkah over a hard-boiled egg for a midday energy boost, or sweet dukkah over your favourite fruit as an anytime treat?

Often misunderstood, the unique piquant flavor of capers can take even the humblest of snacks to new heights. The key is to go sparingly and pair them with the right ingredients. Capers work really well with fish and pasta dishes, and they also make a great addition to rolls, sandwiches and wraps. Try topping a bagel with salami, PHILADELPHIA Original Spreadable Cream Cheese™ and a sprinkling of these zingy little flavour bombs. But be warned:  you’ll never want to eat boring sandwiches again.

Maple syrup is so much more than a pancake topping. Use it as a natural replacement for sugar in baking or swirl it through Greek yoghurt for a sweeter brekkie bowl. Transform a selection of mixed nuts into an amazing gift or afternoon tea treat by roasting them with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of chilli.

Whether you’re preparing finger sandwiches for afternoon tea or looking for a healthier cracker topping to give the kids after school, there’s almost nothing PHILLY™ cream cheese can’t do. With its unique creamy texture, it adds instant wow to almost any snack occasion. Keep some in the fridge and you’ll never have to hear cries of ‘I’m hungry, there’s nothing to eat’ ever again. Looking to entertain a crowd? Try these individual spinach and cream cheese cob loaves for an impressive party starter.

Bacon makes just about everything taste better. We know it’s hard to resist eating it straight from the fry pan, but for something truly sublime, chop crispy bacon into fine pieces, then sprinkle it over a fresh bag of popcorn (yes, really!). We promise you’ll thank us. You could also add bacon to a batch of cheese muffins or bake it into a loaf to keep the midday munchies away.

These sassy little seeds, which are packed with nutrients, are an easy way to boost your snacking power. If you’re new to using them, start by sprinkling them over porridge or add them to a fresh garden salad. Soaking them changes their texture from crunchy to smooth, making them the perfect binding ingredient for homemade bliss balls.

Blueberries are a real-life superfood, containing more antioxidants than almost any other fruit or vegetables. Snack on them straight from the punnet, or combine them with PHILADELPHIA Original Spreadable Cream Cheese™ for something deliciously different. We love this combination on a warm toasted bagel with a drizzle of honey.

Sometimes you need something a bit more substantial to snack on, and a can of tuna, rich in Omega-3, is the perfect quick fix. Keep a can in your desk drawer at work, along with a packet of savoury crackers, and it won’t matter if you forget to pack lunch. Looking to share the love? Whip up a creamy tuna dip and pass around a packet of crisps or crunchy vegies for dipping.

Boost the flavour of savoury snacks with this sweet and spicy condiment. It’s the must-dunk sauce for spring rolls and fritters, and combined with PHILADELPHIA Original Spreadable Cream Cheese™ it becomes the ultimate dip for vegetable chips. Pass around a platter of these sweet potato rounds at your next get-together — they’ll be the hit of the party.

Whether it’s smashed on toast or mixed into a salad or wrap, avo is a versatile and easy way to add good fats to your diet. Mash it with a squeeze of lime juice for a quick guacamole or take it up a notch with this Indian-style variation. (Brought to you by PHILADELPHIA Original Spreadable Cream Cheese™.)