10+ Easy After-School Snacks

 

A collection of 10+ Easy Ideas for After-School Snacks, and more!  Schools are in session and that means preparing meals, and snacks for our kids. We believe that snacks should be fun, delicious, and high in nutrients. Plus, they should be easy to make and ready in minutes!  So take a look…

 

When Hunger Strikes

We know when kids get home from school, they usually come home ravenous and head directly to the fridge or pantry looking to grab something to snack on. Right?! And, we also know that keeping them away from junk food is tough.

But, if we can prepare some of these healthier options for snacks, ahead of time – it’s worth it! And it’s time saving, especially if you’re a working mom or dad.

So, here are some great ideas!

The Benefits…

The benefits are wonderful, especially knowing they’re eating something nutritious rather than sugar-filled-processed foods. Eating snacks helps fuel their energy giving kids what they need to go out and conquer the day!

• Fruits and Vegetables: These contain essential vitamins and minerals vital for everyone’s health. Below are some great ideas to incorporate them.
• Control The Ingredients: Cooking at home allows you to control and customize the ingredients, and make substitutions for your family’s allergies. Common allergens like dairy, wheat, nuts, and even tree nuts, can be found in snack food, making it imperative to review ingredient lists of packaged food items. By preparing better snacks at home, you can customize your recipe to be “allergen-free.” 
• Cost Effective: We all know that “pre-packaged snacks” are convenient, but convenience has a cost. Making these easy snacks at home can also be a cost-effective way to eating better. Buying key ingredients in bulk, like whole grain cereals, oats, dried fruits, chocolate chips, and kinds of seed butter, can be a cost-effective way to make snacks at home.

10+ Easy After-School Snacks…

Any of these 10+ ideas for easy after-school snacks can also be added as an “extra treat” in their lunch boxes!

1.  Fresh Fruit with Berries and Dip…

Sweet and savory fresh fruit with yogurt is delicious anytime! Here are some ideas:

• A Sweet Yogurt Dip: Use about 1/2 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of strawberry preserves, or any flavor they prefer, then transfer to a small serving dish.
• Make Ahead: Place bite-size pieces of fresh fruit onto a serving platter, add some fresh berries too, and wrap with clear wrap.  Chill before serving.
• Leave a Note: If they get home before you do, leave a little sweet note on top!  Don’t forget to add some toothpicks or small forks for dipping.

Additional Ideas with Fresh Fruit:

• Fruit Kabobs: Try alternating small grapes, blueberries, and strawberries on a skewer for a sweet and refreshing snack.
• Fresh Fruit Parfait: Make a simple mixture of yogurt and honey topped with blueberries, strawberries, and bananas.
• Fruit & Cheese Skewers: Make a variety of these skewers using some blackberries, cantaloupe, and strawberries with cubes of cheddar cheese, and arrange them on a skewer for an easy snack.

 

2. Vegetable Sticks with a Dip…

Fresh Vegetables: either pre-cut into sticks at your local supermarket or cut them yourself.  This platter contains 3 carrots, 3 celery stalks, 1 red, 1 yellow, and 1 orange bell pepper.  Cut each into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch sticks. 

• Make a colorful platter! And, add a dip in the center or on the side of the veggies.
• My kids LOVE of platter of fresh veggies with either a chickpea stew hummus dip, our healthy beet hummus, tzatziki sauce, or a simple sour cream dip.  Yours will too!
• Try making an easy sour cream dip using a 1/2 cup of sour cream mixed with a few dried herbs.  

 

3. (No-Bake!) Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies…

No-Bake Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies are thick, chewy, delicious little cookies. They are gluten-free, egg-free, and made in 5 minutes and on stove top! These freeze beautifully!

Recipe for: No-Bake Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

4. Liz’s Pita Pizza’s…

Make these pita pizza ahead and freeze some! Kids can pop them into the microwave or toaster oven. These are quick, easy and delicious for kids to make favorite pizza! 

Recipe for: Liz’s Pita Pizza Recipe.

5. No-Bake Carrot Cake Bites…

These are ideal for: Make ahead and Freeze! No-Bake Carrot Cake Bites are loaded with delicious ingredients, like dates, coconut, and shredded carrots. They’re simple, easy, and very tasty! Everyone will love them!  

Recipe: No-Bake Carrot Cake Bites

6. Baked Chicken Nuggets…

Kids love chicken nuggets! Make ahead and freeze these too. Idea for an easy dinner too! And, a great way to give them some protein before they run out to their after-school activities. Keep them in the freezer so they can just pop into the oven or microwave. 

Recipe: Baked Chicken Nuggets

7. Carrot and Spinach Dip…

A simple dip you can easily make homemade with only a few ingredients. Serve with fresh veggie sticks, seed crackers, or tortilla chips on the side will help keep them full while they wait for dinner. 

Recipe: Carrot and Spinach Dip

 

8. Simple and Easy Spicy SALSA…

Homemade salsa is super easy, super fresh, and always tastes the best!  Make it mild or make it spicy!  Add some sour cream on the side, and serve with organic, whole-grain tortilla chips!

Recipe: Simple and Easy Spicy Salsa.

 

9. Spinach and Kale Bites… (Trader Joe’s Copycat)

These are everyone’s favorite and most popular! Spinach and Kale Bites are delicious bites filled with spinach, kale, and Parmesan cheese. Trust me, these are SO good!  They’ll never notice they’re eating something so good for them!

Recipe: Spinach and Kale Bites! 

 

10. Apples, Cheese, and Grapes with Caramel Dip…

Another idea! I saw this package at our local supermarket called Publix and thought it was a great idea.  It’s a bit expensive, so you may want to make it yourself.  Grab a platter or a plastic container, add some sliced apples, red grapes, and cubed cheeses, and serve it with a caramel sauce. Try these with yogurt too. Your kids will go bonkers!

Here’s a tip:  Toss apple slices with a teaspoon or two of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.  Then keep them chilled until ready to serve.

 

11. Apple-Oatmeal Cookies…NO SUGAR & NO BUTTER!

Apple-Oatmeal Cookies..NO Sugar and NO Butter!.. are made with cinnamon, fresh apples, oats, and chocolate chips.  They’re the delicious cookies you won’t mind giving them to your kids! Even adults – like me, love ’em!

Additional Easy Ideas for After-School Snacks…

• Mint Chocolate Zucchini Brownies
• Cinnamon Sweet Potato Muffins
• Spinach and Cheese Squares
• Mini Peanut Butter and Nutella Sandwiches
• 10 Best Muffin Recipes
• Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding

Hello Friends!  Are you cooking and baking with us?  If you try any of these 10+ easy ideas for after-school snacks, let us know and leave a comment below!  We’d love to hear from you! 🙂

Stay Well and Happy! 😉

Thanks for stopping by!

 xo anna and liz