Most college residence halls do not come equipped with full kitchen equipment. This is true of Gannon, however Gannon equips each residence hall room with a micro-fridge, saving freshmen the hassle of lugging one to college with them.

While these microwave-refrigerator combinations won’t allow you to make five-star cuisine, you might be surprised to learn the tasty treats that don’t require an oven.

-Rice Krispy Treats. You don’t even really need to measure anything out for this one — you need half of a 10 oz. box of rice krispies, a whole bag of marshmallows and about three tablespoons of butter. Melt the butter and the marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl for about three minutes, or until they’re smooth. Then, stir in the cereal, pour into a pan and let it cool. Voila!

-Puppy Chow. Don’t let the name fool you — it’s actually really good. This one might be for a little bit more experienced microwave chef. Melt one cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup butter in the microwave. If you have vanilla, add a splash for flavor (if you don’t have it, you won’t even be able to tell). Then, stir in a box of Chex cereal. Put that gooey mixture into a large freezer bag, add about a cup and a half of powdered sugar, and shake like crazy until the entire thing is coated in white powder, and enjoy. Tip: Divide the mix up into small snack baggies for a quick snack to grab on your way to class.

-Finger Sandwiches. This snack looks fancy but is quick and easy. Grab a plate, and make a single layer of Triscuit crackers on it. Top it with a deli meat (we suggest pepperoni), and a little cheese — even a bit of sliced American cheese is delicious. Nuke it for 15 seconds, and you have a warm, tasty treat.

-Parfaits. Looking for a healthy food that’s sweet too? Try a parfait — you won’t even need the microwave. Just grab a bowl of yogurt, crush up a granola bar and add one of those fruit cups you’ve got laying around, and you’ve got a snappy breakfast (or dessert).

These are just a few ideas to give you a break from the age-old college classic: Ramen Noodles. Experiment on your own — you might be surprised to discover what you can do without a full-fledged kitchen at your disposal. Don’t forget about foods like Easy Mac and Chef Boyardee that were practically created for college students. And it’s never a bad idea to hit up mom or dad for some home-cooked goodies (like lasagna or left over turkey from thanksgiving) that can be stashed away in the freezer until later.

More questions? Send them our way! Drop us a line at edge@gannon.edu.