For those of us who love hot sauce, it can be tempting to put it on everything to add a layer of heat to your food. However, there are some snacks that just go better with a spicy drizzle of hot sauce. If you’re wondering what to eat with hot sauce, here are 10 healthy snack ideas to add to your shopping list.
1. Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are a healthy snack packed with protein and other essential nutrients that can keep you going throughout the day. To add a punch of flavor, sprinkle some hot sauce on your next hard-boiled egg. You can even add some heat to an egg salad sandwich or deviled eggs by mixing in a little of your favorite hot sauce.
2. Hummus
If you like to dip your veggies in hummus for a wholesome snack, consider adding some hot sauce to your hummus for a flavorful change in your snacking routine. Whether you make your own or buy prepared hummus at the store, it’s easy to incorporate a bit of hot sauce for a spicy addition to your dip. Hummus provides plant-based protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
3. Tropical Fruit
Ever heard of mango habanero salsa? There’s a reason it’s so popular. Tropical fruits pair exceptionally well with hot sauce! If you haven’t tried fruit with a product from Formosa’s hot sauce shop, it might sound like a strange combination. But it’s actually a common practice in many cultures and cuisines. For the best combos, try the following:
- Mangoes
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Apricots
- Sweet peaches
- Dragon fruit
- Guava
As an added bonus, fruits are generally a good source of fiber, vitamins, and other antioxidants. Reach for one and drizzle on the hot sauce for a refreshingly sweet and spicy treat.
4. Popcorn
For people who love popcorn but want to avoid the unhealthy salt and butter that’s often added to this snack, here’s an ideal alternative: hot sauce. Try adding a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the back, shake it up to get a good mix, then snack away for a high-fiber, low-calorie snack. Just make sure to avoid popcorn that already has flavor added to it. They will most likely have added sodium, fat, or butter.
5. Nuts
Nuts are a great snack that provides healthy levels of protein, heart-healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. If you want to elevate your snacking game, spicy nuts are the perfect way to do it. Dash some hot sauce and olive oil into a bag of nuts, give it a shake, and enjoy a snack that packs a punch of nutrition and heat.
6. Cucumbers
For a low carb, hydrating snack, cucumbers are an excellent option to fill you up without excessive amounts of salt or sugar that usually come with processed snacks, such as chips. If you think cucumbers are bland, think again. They’re an excellent foundation to build up your favorite flavors. Cucumbers pair well with vinegar-based hot sauces and will hold up to other intense flavors, including garlic, onion, and soy sauce.
7. Avocados
Another healthy snack option that goes well with hot sauce is avocado, which is packed with beneficial nutrients, including:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamins C, E, K, and B6
- Niacin
- Folate
- Magnesium
- Potassium
Try mashing hot sauce into an avocado before spreading it over toast and topping it with salt, pepper, or other light seasonings. You can also make guacamole by adding additional key ingredients with a dash of your favorite hot sauce to give it the perfect kick.
8. Sweet Potato Chips
Sweet potato chips are a great alternative to potato or corn chips if you’re trying to choose better snack options. They provide an excellent source of vitamin A, fiber, and other nutrients that can help you live a healthier life. Of course, most importantly, they also go well with hot sauce! Sweet potatoes have a sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with hot sauce for an ideal sweet-and-spicy snack.
9. Flatbread
Hot sauce can add bold flavors to any flatbread, no matter the topping. Whether you decide on meat, cheese, veggies, or fresh herbs for your flatbread, hot sauce can liven it up and enhance those flavors for an exciting snack or light meal. Generally, flatbread toppings already have bold flavor profiles, so don’t be afraid to go a little spicier on this one. It will typically hold up to more heat and thicker sauces.
10. Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables are another excellent vessel for hot sauce. They are a healthy snack option and can be prepared in bulk ahead of time for a quick meal that heats up easily. You can try adding hot sauce to a marinade that you drizzle over the veggies as they cook, or you can simply add a dash of hot sauce to the prepared dish before you eat it. Either way, the hot sauce adds a layer of complexity to an already tasty and nutritious dish.
