23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (2024)

College dorm recipes don't need to come out of the microwave! With a few appliances and healthy meal prep recipes, you can cook easily away from home.

You may have heard of the “Freshman 15.” College students are thrown into their studies away from home and don't do a whole lot of cooking typically, which results in weight gain. College dorm recipes often involve the microwave, if anything at all. Lots of the most accessible food choices aren't always the healthiest or consumed at regular intervals, which can throw off the metabolism.

Thankfully, with proper meal prep planning, it's possible to have healthy college dorm recipes. Chances are once you start cooking things, you'll have a lot of new friends, really quick, who are very interested in your culinary activities. We have put together our top 23 recipes with dorm room college or university students in mind.May your air fryer, electric egg cooker, and slow cooker be your battle weapons, and dried vegetable seasonings and spices go into battle with you!

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (1)

Keto ‘Overnight’ Oats

Set it and forget it is always a winner with us, whether it's the slow cooker or overnight oats. We love this college dorm recipe because it's so nourishing.
(Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 22g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (2)

Breakfast Parfait

You don't even need to cook this one. Just prep out yogurt, fruit, and granola and you can take this to go, and eat it in class!
(Carbohydrates: 57g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 6g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (3)

Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage

Hard-boiled eggs can be cooked fast and easily, and stored in your room mini-fridge. An air fryer makes short work of sausage. Done!
(Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 26g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (4)

Cheese, nuts, and fruit are the way to get through a study session or a mid-afternoon slump.
(Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 25g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (5)

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Breakfast Bowls

Oh, everyone will wanna know what you're up to with this fancy-looking breakfast, lunch, or dinner! If you can cook bacon, you can put this together.
(Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 19g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (6)

Low Carb Sun Dried Tomato Egg Cups

A quick turn through the oven makes egg cups for a snack, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We love 'em.
(Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 10g)23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (7)

Avocado Egg Salad

Once you've prepped those hard-boiled eggs, you can make this avocado and egg salad and keep it on hand for lunch or snacking.
(Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 61g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (8)

Chicken Caesar Wraps

With a few ingredients (and croutons that are packed separately!) this college dorm recipe is yours in a hurry.
(Carbohydrates: 62g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 11g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (9)

Crockpot Sweet Potatoes

If you've got a sweet potato prepped, you've got a great shortcut. Stuff them with black beans, scrambled eggs, other veggies, or just top it with some cheese.
(Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 4g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (10)

Airfryer Firecracker Chicken

This college dorm recipe will bring people into the lounge wondering what you're up to. You've been warned!
(Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 51g, Fat: 11g)

​​23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (11)

Spicy Airfry Shrimp

Or, yet again, maybe this spicy shrimp will draw crowds. Might want to buy two bags of shrimp for this one!
(Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 7g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (12)

Airfried Parmesan Broccoli

Broccoli in the air fryer! It's an amazing transformation. Parmesan cheese is so welcome and easy to keep on hand.
(Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (13)

Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

There's nothing wrong with having college dorm recipes for veggies all prepped and on hand. You can reheat them easily, too. And pair with hard-boiled eggs.
(Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 3g, Fat: .5g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (14)

Airfryer Frozen Fish Sticks

Are you sensing a college dorm recipe trend here? Yes, the air fryer! Prep these with rice and some cole slaw.
(Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 9g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (15)

Italian Sub Lettuce Wrap

Skip the bread and turn your "sandwich" into a keto-loving wrap.
(Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 40g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (16)

Chicken Salad

There's nothing like a good old-fashioned chicken salad. Grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and you're halfway there with this college dorm recipe.
(Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 29g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (17)

Cilantro Lime Rice

Meal prep some green veggies and toss them with this easy rice, or use some of that leftover rotisserie chicken and mix it up. Easy!
(Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 1g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (18)

Air-Fried Apple Chips

This is just a fun snack, not quite a whole dorm recipe per se.
(Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 5g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (19)

Bacon Jalapeno Poppers

The little bit of work this recipe requires is worth it! Prep them for a long study session.
(Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 24g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (20)

Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas

There is so much protein in this snack, it's amazing. Cheese, nuts, chorizo, chickpeas. Sweet, salty, crunchy, creamy: this college dorm recipe has all of it!
(Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 5g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (21)

Antipasto Skewer Snack Boxes

Snacks are so key when you're in college and doing work at weird hours. This'll keep you fueled.
(Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 22g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (22)

Turkey Bacon Ranch Pinwheel Snack

A lot of these ingredients you can buy already prepped, so it's not so much a dorm recipe as it is an assembly.
(Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 19g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (23)

Cranberry Turkey Pinwheel Snack

This college dorm recipe is a good excuse to get nostalgic and buy a can of cranberry sauce! Wrap it up with turkey and some grapes and chips and take it to class with you.
(Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 16g)

23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (24)
23 Best College Dorm Recipes | Meal Prep on Fleek (2024)

FAQs

What is healthy food for college students in dorms? ›

We love sliced apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Whole grain crackers (like Wasa) / rice cakes / or toast topped with flaked tuna mashed with chickpeas, avocado, or hummus and Dijon mustard.

How to make food in a dorm room? ›

Thankfully, microwave cooking is perfect for all of that! For example, make instant ramen in the microwave and add frozen carrots and peas to the broth to bulk up the veggies. Or, use jarred tomato sauce and pre-chopped veggies to kickstart a microwave shakshuka.

How to make meals without a kitchen? ›

Classic no-cook meals start at sandwiches (canned tuna is shelf-stable before opening, and you can find hummus and cheese in one-time-use packets), progress through bean salads (canned beans, olive oil, and lemon, plus an herb or spice) and top out at gazpacho (made with tomato juice, chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and ...

What is the most common food college students eat? ›

Dish Preference – College Students:
  • Burgers.
  • Pizza.
  • Tacos.
  • Pasta.
  • Hand-helds (sandwiches, wraps, etc)
  • Stir fry.
  • Power bowls/salads.
  • Soup.

What is one key to eating well in college? ›

Eat a Variety of Foods, Frequently

So, try taking a simple approach: Eat frequently throughout the day, making sure you take time for snacks and meals between classes. Aim to get a wide variety of foods so that you're more likely to get your nutritional needs met without a lot of effort.

Why are air fryers not allowed in dorms? ›

Air fryers

An air fryer might seem like a great tool to take to college and pop in your dorm, especially if you're someone who loves to snack and cook, but the truth is most dorms actually ban air fryers due to the fire risk.

Can I have a rice cooker in my dorm? ›

Banned appliances usually include toaster ovens, slow cookers, hot plates, waffle irons, rice cookers, broilers, electric skillets and hot plates. For parents to avoid extra expense, appliance selection should be coordinated with their student's roommate. Only one of any appliance is permitted in a dorm room.

How do you stock a dorm fridge? ›

Stock up on veggies that will last a while in the fridge that don't require much prep. Baby carrots, English cucumbers, cauliflower, broccoli, cherry tomatoes and snap peas all offer a satisfying crunch and fresh flavor, says Siegler. Pick up your favorite dressing or dip to make veggies even more appealing.

What food lasts longest without refrigeration? ›

Dried fruits and vegetables

When properly stored, most dried fruit can be safely kept at room temperature for up to 1 year, and dried vegetables can be kept about half that time (8, 9, 10). You can choose from a variety of dried fruits and vegetables, including dried berries, apples, tomatoes, and carrots.

What can I cook if I have no food? ›

15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
  1. Buttery, gooey grilled cheese. ...
  2. PB&J because duh. ...
  3. Tuna melt tostadas. ...
  4. Pancakes! ...
  5. Scrambled eggs. ...
  6. Waffles. ...
  7. A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal. ...
  8. Spaghetti carbonara.
Apr 28, 2020

How to eat as a poor college student? ›

These meal ideas are perfect for college students living on a budget who don't have much time to cook.
  1. 10 Cheap Meals for College Students. ...
  2. Chicken and Veggie Baking Sheet. ...
  3. Tater Tot Casserole. ...
  4. Ramen. ...
  5. Mac and Cheese. ...
  6. Two Scrambled Eggs and Toast. ...
  7. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. ...
  8. Baked Ravioli.
Jul 8, 2022

How much money does a college student need for food per month? ›

On average, college students spend $670 on food per month, according to the Education Data Initiative. To break that total down further, students spend, on average, $410 a month eating off-campus and about $260 a month on groceries for cooking meals at home.

How to eat healthy and cheap in college? ›

20 tips for eating healthy-ish on a college budget
  1. Make a food budget — and try to stick to it. ...
  2. Stop buying junk food. ...
  3. Cook healthy food at home. ...
  4. Cook in large batches, so you have leftovers. ...
  5. Do the math on the meal plan options. ...
  6. If you have a meal plan, take advantage of it. ...
  7. Choose the right grocery store for you.
Mar 15, 2024

What food should I get as a college student? ›

Sample College Student Grocery List
ProduceFresh fruits (e.g., apples, pears, oranges, bananas, grapes, etc.) Fresh vegetables (e.g., spinach, broccoli, cucumber, onions, potatoes, etc.)
Canned GoodsSoups and broths Beans Vegetables Fruits Tuna Pasta sauce
10 more rows

What food should I send to college students? ›

Carb-heavy foods will sit in your student's stomachs for hours, so they don't feel hungry throughout their school sessions. You can send carb-heavy food, including crackers, rice, and noodles. These foods can help keep your child from feeling hunger pangs throughout the day.

How can I make my college campus healthier? ›

Encouraging Movement.

Having a fun new fitness class to look forward to makes working out seem like less of a chore. With that in mind, many campuses are offering up classes that will motivate students, faculty and staff to try them out and maybe even become regulars.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Allyn Kozey

Last Updated:

Views: 6277

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Allyn Kozey

Birthday: 1993-12-21

Address: Suite 454 40343 Larson Union, Port Melia, TX 16164

Phone: +2456904400762

Job: Investor Administrator

Hobby: Sketching, Puzzles, Pet, Mountaineering, Skydiving, Dowsing, Sports

Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.