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The best healthy snacks for kids to enjoy after school! From energy bites, to healthy pudding and even epic snack bars!
If your kids are anything like mine, they’re ready for a snack the moment they are done with school. These healthy after-school snack ideas are perfect for kids who have afternoon munchies!
My kids love snacks so much that I wrote a cookbook filled with the Best Homemade Snacks on the Planet, and between the book and all the snack recipes on this website, I never run out of ideas!
Quick After-School Snack Ideas
Apple Nachos
For this easy snack, you’ll simply slice some apples, and cover them with your child’s favorite toppings like mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut or a peanut butter drizzle.
Apple Sandwiches
Make these simple sandwiches made with sliced apples for a healthy after school snack that kids love to devour!
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Fruit Skewers
Bright, colorful fruit skewers come together in minutes for a fun after school snack.
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Egg Salad Stuffed Celery Snackbox
Swap out ranch and celery sticks for this egg salad stuffed celery snack box!
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Beef Jerky Snack Box
This simple snack box comes together in minutes, and is sure to hit the spot for hungry kids.
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Bites & Bars
No-Bake Energy Bites
Anything with the word “no-bake” in it is always a hit in my book. This simple, Oatmeal Energy Balls recipe is also a great one to get the kids involved with.
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Healthy Chocolate Chip Bars
These healthy cookie dough bars are easy to make and require no baking. The kids won’t even realize that you’re handing them a healthy after-school treat!
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Chocolate Brownie No-Bake Energy Bites
Need a healthy afternoon pick-me-up? These Chocolate Brownie Energy Bites are perfect for your kids’ after-school snack time or as a sweet treat for lunch.
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Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe
Warm and fresh from the oven, these homemade cinnamon sugar pretzel bites are baked and dusted with cinnamon-sugar coating.
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Spinach Bites
Cheesy and delicious, these Parmesan Spinach Balls are the perfect way to get picky eaters to eat (and even love!) spinach.
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Cheese Twists
Made with flaky puff pastry, these cheese straws are fun to dip in soup or serve plain as an after-school snack.
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Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
This nutless granola bar recipe can be made into squares or bars for a fun kid-friendly snack!
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After School Snacks with Fruits & Veggies
Homemade Fruit Cups
Don’t waste money on those prepackaged fruit cups that contain high-fructose corn syrup. Make your own fruit cups instead! All-natural and with no added sugar. Simple and delicious.
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Banana Chips
Replace store-bought potato chips with these all-natural, baked banana chips. They’re great with a dip or you can enjoy them by the handful! If bananas aren’t a favorite fruit in your house, you can still make amazing chips! Try this easy recipe for baked apple chips instead.
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Homemade Fruit Leather
Make this Homemade Fruit Leather for a yummy and healthier version of the store-bought fruit snacks. It’s made with only 2 ingredients: fresh strawberries and honey!
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Healthy Avocado Pudding
This healthy chocolate avocado pudding will make you an after-school hero. I mean, who wouldn’t want to eat healthy pudding as an after-school snack? Amazing.
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Chocolate Covered Apple Slices- 6 Ways!
Your kids will love getting hands-on at snack time making these fun and tasty Chocolate Covered Apple Slices!
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Banana Sushi Rolls
This banana sushi is a fun snack idea you can make with leftover tortillas and your favorite nut butter!
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7 Layer Mexican Dip Snack Cups
Prep these epic snack cups at the beginning of the week so your child can enjoy one every day when they get home from school.
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Related: School snack ideas you can pack for kids!
After-School Snack Charcuterie for Kids
Lastly, you can use ingredients from your fridge and pantry to make a healthy after-school snack charcuterie board like this one.
Grab a few ingredients and pair them with your child’s favorite dip, like hummus or ranch dressing, and you’ll have a healthy snack in no time.
- Crackers
- Fruits
- Fresh Veggies
- Sliced sandwich meats
- Popcorn
- Cheese slices
If you are looking for more healthy recipes for school, check out these healthy lunch ideas for school and my favorite family dinner ideas!
Love visuals? Watch this quick video for after-school snack inspiration!
Healthy After School Snack Ideas for Kids
The best healthy snacks for kids to enjoy after school! From energy bites, to healthy pudding and even epic snack bars!
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Watch How It’s Packed:
Ingredients
For the After School Snack Board
- 2 apples, sliced
- 1 oz cheese, thinly sliced
- 2-4 energy bites or, optional
- 2 oz whole grain crackers, optional
- 1 oz dried fruit, raisins or apples
For the Dip
- 6 oz vanilla Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter
Instructions
- Arrange the apple slices on a small board along with the sliced cheese. If using energy bites, arrange a couple on the board; otherwise, use some whole-grain crackers to pair with the cheese instead.
- Place the dried fruit in the middle of the board, if using. The photo shows dried apples but a small handful of raisins, prunes, or other dried fruits is great too!
- Directly in the yogurt cup, mix the yogurt and peanut butter. You can also use a nut-free butter alternative.
- Place the dip on the board and enjoy!
Notes
Make this a caramel dip instead by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of caramel dip (link to the momables recipe?) with the yogurt.
Nutrition
Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.005g | Cholesterol: 0.3mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Chrissy says
What are the little disks with choc chips, syrup, and coconut on them? Looks great!
MOMables - Laura says
Oh gosh! I was updating the list and forgot to include them. They are simply sliced apples with a little drizzle of peanut butter and sprinkled unsweetened coconut.I hope you enjoy them!
Kimberly says
We have totally been in an after-school-snack rut! These ideas are super helpful, I know my kids are going to love those cheese twists and the snack bites!
Karen says
Thanks for the ideas. My kids go crazy for a fresh, warm loaf of homemade bread right out of the oven. They consider it a great snack with some cheese or cold cuts any time of day…. especially after school when they arrive home famished! For the recipe I have nick-named “the spontaneous breadmaker’s dream come true!”
Anca says
Baked apple chips are a tasty snack , my baby and I both love it …Though you can also replace cinnamon with vanilla stick ,
Thanks ! :))
Cari says
Thx for the great ideas!!! Am going to make the Energy Bars and Carrot/Zucchini tomorrow (need to hit the market for a zucchini =).
Keep the ideas coming!!! Thx!
Cari
Austin, TX
Marcos Chapman says
One of the ways I do this is by bringing a whole carrot in the car when I pick up the kids from school. It takes about 20 mintues or so to drive home, and they nibble on the carrot on the way home. I also try to organise dinner earlier in the cooler months (so missing out on afternoon tea) and then a fruit snack later. For me, the focus is on high fibre, minimially processed food…and food I prepare myself (so I know what’s in it).
MOMables says
Great idea Marcos! I am going to have to try the whole carrot thing!