September 29, 2021
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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, I even wrote a book filled with the Best Homemade Snacks on the Planet. You don’t want to miss these yummy recipes!
When the kids get home, they run through the door, kick off their shoes, throw down their bags, and the first thing they want? A snack.
I know my daughter needs a healthy snack in her system before she can concentrate enough to tackle her daily homework. I often refer to the MOMables recipe index to come up with yummy ideas that I know will fuel her until dinnertime.
Watch this quick video for the after-school snack inspiration!
Here are eleven of our favorite snack ideas.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. Zucchini & Carrot Bars
These moist Carrot & Zucchini Bars are a great way to add some veggies to your kids’ foods. These cake bars are sweetened with honey and golden raisins and taste amazing.
7. Spinach Bites
Cheesy and delicious, these Parmesan Spinach Balls are the perfect way to get picky eaters to eat (and even love!) spinach.
8. 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.
9. Cheese Twists
Made with flaky puff pastry, these cheese straws are fun to dip in soup or serve plain as an after-school snack.
10. Apple Nachos
Make this healthy snack by heating almond butter in the microwave for a few seconds until it becomes thin. Drizzle the almond butter over apple slices and sprinkle with shredded coconut and chocolate chips.
One thinly sliced apple yields four snack servings!
Related: School snack ideas you can pack for kids!
Snack Charcuterie for Kids
Lastly, you can use ingredients from your fridge and pantry to make a healthy after-school snack charcuterie board. Grab a few of the following 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 kids love try these school lunch ideas and my favorite family dinner ideas!
Healthy After School Snack Ideas for Kids
Ingredients
Quinoa Pizza Bites
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup of your favorite pizza toppings chopped (pepperoni, olives, peppers, onions, spinach, ham, etc.)
- ¼ cup tomatoes chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pizza sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 24-count mini muffin pan with cooking spray (or make 2 batches in a 12-count pan).
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients except pizza sauce. Stir until all ingredients are mixed well.
- Scoop mixture into each mini muffin cup; fill to the top of each.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing.
- Pack pizza sauce in a separate container in a lunch container for dipping.
Kimberly
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
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
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
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
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
Great idea Marcos! I am going to have to try the whole carrot thing!