School is out and so are the rules — especially when it comes to food, snacks and sweet treats! And we’re about to explore some outrageous food combinations that people actually eat and enjoy. From French fries dipped in chocolate sundaes, to pickles dipped in peanut butter and popcorn topped with ketchup, we covered our bases and added some more! We dare you to read this article and try these creative combos. Of course, most of these are not quite diet-friendly, so enjoy them sparingly on rare occasions when those crazy food moods strike!

The Staple Condiment - Ketchup

Let’s be real, some foods are just a vehicle for ketchup. Does it really matter what it’s on?

1. Ketchup with mashed potatoes, pasta or potato chips tastes great. Ketchup’s cousin, mustard, is also yummy on chips.
2. Kick Ritz crackers up a notch with a peanut butter and ketchup filling.
3. If ketchup is too commonplace, dip French fries in applesauce.

Make it Spicy

A little spice makes everything nice. In many cultures, chili powder is sprinkled on top of fresh fruit like watermelon, so why not whip out the hot sauce or chili powder for pineapple or mango? Go ahead, spice up that serving of fruit and live a little. Other surprising spicy options:

4. Sprinkle popcorn with hot sauce or soy sauce mixed with parmesan cheese for an intriguing, salty combination.
5. Mix sriracha into peanut butter and spread on apples or a slice of bread. Sriracha is also tasty in canned tuna.
6. Try hot sauce on frozen, heated peas or edamame. Mix peanut butter into curry dishes for added richness or combine curry powder with peanut butter for a uniquely flavored snack spread.
7. Combine chocolate with chili to add heat to cupcakes, cookies, cakes, ice cream and other chocolate desserts. And while you’re at it, flip the switch and add some chocolate to your chili!
8. Mix hot sauce with sliced avocado and celery for a crunchy, smooth and spicy combo.

Cheese, Please

Almost everyone loves cheese and it tastes good with just about everything. Give some of these daring dairy combos a try:

9. Mix marinara sauce into cottage cheese for a delicious, although probably not Instagram-worthy snack.
10. Make Ramen ‘n Cheese. Simply sub the flavor packets in Ramen with a melted cheese and milk combo. Don’t tell us you never tried this back in your high school days!
11. Place a piece of string cheese between graham crackers. This will add a little sweetness to the creaminess of the cheese.
12. Give grilled cheese an update with the addition of jam, applesauce or even syrup. Or, add fresh sliced pears as you grill your cheese for a gourmet twist. Try using a new type of cheese, like brie, with jam. It will be a flavor explosion in your mouth.

Wicked Combinations

These options pack in the most calories, sugar, fat or refined flour. So let’s save these for an annual celebration:

13. Chocolate and potato chips. Drizzle melted chocolate and serve cool.
14. Melted chocolate mixed with parmesan and baked into crisps.
15. Lemon squeezed on salty pizza slices with extra oily, chopped garlic.

Silly Sandwiches and Peanut Butter

Peanut butter and jelly was so yesterday. If you’re feeling adventurous, give these options a whirl:

16. Add your favorite chips (or cheese curls) to your sandwich for a satisfying crunch. Oven roasted turkey BLTC, anyone?
17. Put spicy or regular peanut butter on hamburgers. The nuttiness, spice and meat creates an umami taste.
18. Melt dark chocolate and parmesan cheese into chocolate cheese crisps.
19. If you’re still stuck on the peanut butter and jelly thing, add pickles for crunch and saltiness!
20. Peanut butter and carrots are delicious and healthy. Or try mixing Greek yogurt with almond and peanut butter- also delicious.
21. Try baked apples mixed with unsweetened cocoa powder and peanut butter.

Funky Fruit

Fruit is nature’s natural dessert! Besides acting as a guilt-free indulgence, it can also help stave off sweet cravings. Add a funky twist with these options:

22. Strawberries and tomatoes. Add strawberries into a Caprese salad or mix into your bruschetta topping.
23. Grilled apples and salsa. Try dipping apples into salsa, or incorporate apples into the salsa itself!
24. Try seasoning your fruit. Sprinkle salt on watermelon and salt and pepper on apples for an amazing kick.
25. Have ground cardamom lying around because you never know where to use it? Look no further and sprinkle cardamom on apple slices. Yum!
26. Strawberry and basil. Blend strawberries and basil into a smoothie to make a sweet and refreshingly odd summer beverage! Also try other herbs, like mint, in your smoothies!
27. Watermelon with feta cheese. When the weather heats up, enjoy a cool fruit salad by mixing watermelon with mint, feta cheese, and balsamic vinegar. You’ll be shocked at how refreshing this is on a warm summer night.
28. Grilled broccoli with honey. Okay, broccoli isn’t a fruit, but the honey will give it that sweetness you’re craving.

Wacky Desserts

Okay, maybe they don’t totally count as dessert, but there’s chocolate, so that should count for something, right?

29. Sesame seeds with chocolate. The savory, toasty seed balances out the sweetness of the chocolate. Try as a topping to chocolate mousse or cookies.
30. Tomatoes with chocolate sauce.
31. Oreos dipped in orange juice.
32. Add fiber and nutrients to your brownies by adding in beets, zucchini or black beans. Trust us; you won’t even taste the veggies!

Classical, Sophisticated and Obscure

You’ve heard of those food tastings that only the elite attend and all the dishes are served on tiny little plates designed to leave you wanting more. Well, now you can recreate some of these fancy dishes.

33. Olive oil and ice cream.
34. Avocado and chocolate or honey.
35. Avocado mousse with mint and toasted hazelnuts.
36. Strawberries or watermelon with balsamic vinegar- grill it for a summer flare!
37. Olives marinated in orange juice.

Wild Child Grains

Check out these surprising and unexpected ways to enjoy grains:

38. Sweeten grits or polenta with maple syrup or raisins.
39. Turn quinoa, normally a savory side dish, into a sweet breakfast bowl by pairing it with sliced fruit, cinnamon and your milk of choice.
40. Make popcorn into cereal by combining plain air-popped popcorn with milk and a pinch of honey.

Peculiar Protein

Finally, if you’re not full yet, let’s talk about how to fill up with a little protein — with a twist, of course.  

41. Add a unique crust to homemade chicken tenders by battering them in corn flakes or lightly sweetened cereal. Do the same with zucchini sticks.
42. Enjoy eggs with applesauce, peanut butter or black beans … or give the tried and true ketchup a squirt.
43. Combine nutritional yeast with … everything! Nutritional yeast is a plant-based and complete protein high in vitamin B12. It can be sprinkled onto popcorn, avocado toast, pasta, salads and into soups and stews for a nutty and cheesy flavor. Combine it with pureed cashews for a creamy “alfredo” sauce.

Part of eating is the enjoyment it brings! If you are a fan of one of these wacky combos, or one sounds oddly intriguing, then give it a go! Just remember, the benefit of eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other whole food is that it allows for the occasional indulgence. Enjoy it, but don’t overdo it!