As a college student who lives in the dorms but misses cooking, I find there’s only so much I can do with a standard microwave. Luckily, I’ve found ways around this issue. In The 5 Ingredient College Cookbook, Pamela Ellgen shares easy and affordable recipes perfect for a college student with limited access to appliances. The Brownie in a Mug recipe is a great sweet treat for the end of the day; I always find chocolate to be an amazing pick-me-up. Mozzarella sticks are available at late-night and Spa, but attempting to make them yourselves with the dorm microwaves is an exciting adventure. Energy balls are perfect for when you are rushing from class to class and need a boost. My personal favorites, however, are microwave nachos, as I used to make them all the time as a kid. It doesn’t make a mess, barely uses any ingredients, and pairs nicely with the guacamole recipe. Whether you are looking for a fun activity over the weekend with your friends or you want to cook for yourself instead of using the dining hall, here are some of my favorite snacks:
Brownie in a Mug
Ingredients:
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
⅛ teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of sea salt
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons soft butter
¼ cup hot water
Mix the ingredients into a microwave-safe mug, and microwave on high for 1 minute and 45 seconds to 2 minutes. Stay with the mug as it cooks and wait until the cake is set in the middle.
Guacamole Dip
Ingredients:
2 large avocados, peeled and pitted
1 garlic clove, minced
Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lime (or lime juice)
¼ cup minced red onion
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
In a bowl, mix the avocados, garlic, lime juice, and mash with a fork until the desired consistency. Add the red onion, and season with salt and pepper. Grab some chips and use the dip!
Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients:
8 packaged string cheese sticks, halved crosswise
1 egg, whisked
1 cup herbed bread crumbs
1 cup prepared marinara sauce, warmed
Dip each of the string cheese pieces into the egg, and roll in the bread crumbs to coat. Place them on a microwave-safe platter, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted enough to your liking. Use the marinara sauce for dipping!
Energy Balls
Ingredients:
½ cup almond butter
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup finely chopped nuts and seeds (of your choosing)
1 cup small dark chocolate chips
Add the almond butter, brown sugar, and sea salt, and microwave on high for 30 seconds in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir and microwave again for 30 seconds, or until the ingredients are hot and the brown sugar and salt are dissolved. In a different bowl, combine the nuts and chocolate chips. Pour the hot almond butter mixture into the bowl, and mix. Scoop the nut mixture into 1-inch balls, and form them with your hands. Place them on a baking sheet, and refrigerate until set.
Microwave Nachos
Ingredients:
A bag of tortilla chips
Shredded cheese of your choosing (I prefer Mexican style)
A jar of salsa (optional)
Sour cream (optional)
Place a handful of tortilla chips on a microwave-safe plate and drizzle a handful of cheese on top. You may add another layer of tortilla chips with cheese on top for a larger serving. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until the cheese is fully melted. Serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole from the recipe above!
I hope you find these recipes useful. Living in a dorm doesn’t have to mean giving up the comfort of cooking or settling for the dining hall every night. Whether you are craving something sweet, salty, or energizing, these microwave-friendly snacks can help make dorm life feel a little more like home.