Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Quick & Easy Meals 19 Late Night Food Recipes That Satisfy Midnight Cravings It’s never a good idea to go to bed on an empty stomach. By Ariel Klein Ariel Klein Ariel Klein is a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, home, cooking, and gardening topics. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Well+Good, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes and Gardens, and Food & Wine magazine. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 26, 2024 Have you ever slid into bed only to be distracted by rumbling noises from your belly? Whether you skipped dinner or were out late, going to sleep hungry is never fun. That’s why we put together our favorite late-night food and snack recipes that are sure to satisfy whatever type of craving you have. And the best part? Most of these meals are quick and easy, or can be prepared ahead of time, so all you have to do is reheat and eat. Fred Hardy Looking to indulge in crispy, crunchy bar food? Chicken tenders, fries, and mozzarella sticks will always do the trick. If you have a hankering for fancier fare, recipes like goat cheese balls, Parmesan e pepe, and savory waffles will keep you full and happy until it’s time for breakfast. 22 Easy Cupcake Recipes to Make For the Next Special Occasion 01 of 19 Mini Twice-Baked Loaded Potatoes Grace Elkus Is there anything more genius (or adorable) than bite-sized twice-baked potatoes? Grab a bag of small red potatoes to bake, and top them with your favorites like sour cream, chives, cheese, and bacon. get the recipe 02 of 19 Bacon & Pimiento Grilled Cheese Fred Hardy A classic grilled cheese is hard to beat, but this elevated, salty sandwich features crisp bacon, freshly shredded cheddar, and a homemade pimento-cream cheese that’s worth writing home about. get the recipe 03 of 19 Black Bean and Eggs-Over-Easy Tostadas Fred Hardy We love this recipe because there’s a good chance you can whip it up on whim. All you really need are tortillas, eggs, and beans to build the base, and then you can top your tostada with whatever else you have on hand. get the recipe 04 of 19 Spinach Alfredo French Bread Pizza Greg DuPree Take your French bread even further by making an old childhood favorite. This French bread pizza is so simple to make, thanks to store-bought Alfredo sauce, fontina cheese, and some fresh spinach. get the recipe 05 of 19 Cheesy Chive Waffles With Fried Eggs Greg DuPree Who says all waffles must be sweet, and doused in syrup and powdered sugar? These savory waffles come together with a cheesy egg base and sprinkles of chopped chives throughout. get the recipe 06 of 19 Peanutty Dumpling Salad Victor Protasio Put those frozen dumplings to work by frying them up and adding them to a delicious, crunchy salad. A late night salad may not seem like the move, but trust us, this ain’t your average bowl of greens. get the recipe 07 of 19 Cornmeal-Crusted Mozzarella Sticks Greg DuPree There’s nothing quite like homemade mozzarella sticks, and since these have a cornmeal crust, they are extra crispy and gluten-free, too. Simply serve with a side of jarred marinara or vodka sauce for dunking. get the recipe 08 of 19 Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches With Chutney Con Poulos Grilled cheese may be the most quintessential late-night snack, and with good reason. Next time you’re craving a classic grilled cheese, we urge you to add some sweet fruit chutney for the perfect balance of salty, savory, and sweet. get the recipe 09 of 19 Deeply Caramelized Onion Dip Jennifer Causey We can’t stop raving about how deliciously addicting this dip is. Unlike most onion dips, this recipe calls for tons of soft, sweet, caramelized onions, freshly cracked black pepper, sour cream, and steak sauce. It’s what dreams are made of. get the recipe 10 of 19 Guacamole and Chips Quentin Bacon Homemade guacamole and salty tortilla chips are always a good idea, especially as a late-night snack. It’s a filling munchie, but also has quite a bit of nutrients so you won’t feel bloated the next day. get the recipe 11 of 19 Pigs in a Blanket Quentin Bacon Pigs in a blanket are always a crowd pleaser, and they’re easier to make than you might think. This recipe uses pre-made puff pastry and chicken sausage, but you could use any type of link that you want. get the recipe 12 of 19 Cheesy Chicken Nachos With Avocado and Radish Greg DuPree Bringing the party back to your house? Throw together the ultimate sheet pan of nachos with every topping under the sun. Crisp radishes, creamy avocado, and an abundance of cheese is always the key to the perfect nacho. get the recipe 13 of 19 Garlic and Parsley Shoestring Fries Victor Protasio It’s super easy to enhance a bag of frozen French fries, and it requires almost no effort. All you have to do is toss them with a heavenly parsley and chopped garlic mixture and put together a quick aioli for dipping. get the recipe 14 of 19 Parm e Pepe Spaghetti Caitlin Bensel This slight twist on cacio e pepe is just as delicious and easy to make. The biggest difference is that this dish calls for regular Parmesan cheese, whereas cacio e pepe uses Pecorino Romano. get the recipe 15 of 19 Oven Baked Chicken Tenders Greg DuPree We love this chicken tender recipe because you can make a big batch ahead of time and stash them in your freezer for an easy meal or late-night snack. Whether you bake them in the oven or cook them in an air fryer, they’ll crisp up perfectly. get the recipe 7 Things You Shouldn’t Cook in an Air Fryer 16 of 19 Grandma Pie With Pepperoni and Pink Sauce Greg DuPree The grandma pie is the most comforting pizza you could make, and this version is topped with a mouthwatering pink sauce, plenty of melted mozzarella, and crispy pepperoni coins. get the recipe 17 of 19 Air-Fried Gochujang-Maple Cauliflower Bites GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING BY EMILY NABORS HALL, PROP STYLING BY CLAIRE SPOLLEN Move over chicken wings—there's a new snack leader in town! This tasty nighttime snack is made in the air fryer to crisp up the panko coating, then the spicy gochujang-maple sauce locks in the flavor. get the recipe 18 of 19 Supreme Pizza David Prince Pizza is a late-night staple, and this elevated supreme version does not disappoint, Sweet red peppers, spicy woodsy cremini mushrooms, and a sprinkling of nutty Parmesan at the end are sure to land this pie on your late-night favorites list. get the recipe 19 of 19 Pepper and Chive Biscuits Victor Protasio Potato chips are a standard late-night snack, so why not take it up a notch? These fluffy, flaky biscuits bring the sour cream and onion flavor with some flair. Pair with creamy butter or slather them with your favorite dip for a satisfying nighttime treat. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit