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Simplifying is the best way to make sure you have enough energy to focus on the most important parts of life.
That is the reason why people start meal planning and live with a minimalist mindset.
Having a list of quick and healthy snacks for kids is the next step in the process.
Healthy snacks for kids do not have to be complicated at all. It wouldn’t be simplifying then, would it? I have tried different things over the years but I like to stick to basics when it comes to healthy snacks for kids.
Naturally, I wanted to share with you my favorite healthy snacks for kids. Who wouldn’t appreciate help in figuring out healthy snacks for kids to make?
In case you wanted to know what are some healthy snacks for school you can pack, most of these are perfect for that as well.
Why Are Snacks Healthy For Kids?
Besides the fact that kids are always hungry for a snack, it is also a great opportunity to offer fruits and healthy proteins. If you look at snack time as an opportunity to add extra nutrition into your child’s diet, your whole outlook changes on how to handle snack time.
Sure, chips and other junk food is sometimes fun to eat, but serving healthy snacks for kids is very important. If it’s a healthy snack, you won’t mind if they want to eat less at lunch or dinner for some reason. You’ll know at least they got some good food in them.
Offering healthy snacks for kids also gives you at least one (if not two) more times where you can offer veggies and fruits. Repeated exposure to food is the best way to teach kids healthy eating,
Last but not least, you will set high expectations for them to fuel their body.
Yes, they will be teens and young adults where your control will diminish and they’ll make their own choices. But your influence will have taught them what healthy snacking looks like. And that’s the best any parent can do.
14 Healthy Snacks For Kids That Save You Time
You won’t be finding cute shaped cheese and color coordinated crackers. What you will find are easy to assemble healthy snacks for kids to take to school, or make at home.
We are going for simple here!
I am sure you will find this list a great inspiration! Enjoy!
1. Peanut Butter Cheerios Bars
Image credit and recipe on Passion For Savings.
Unless your child is allergic to nuts, chances are peanut butter is a staple in your home. My kids love it with everything and when buying a brand with good ingredients, it has great nutritional value.
While almond butter has a slightly different taste, I am willing to bet it could be easily substituted in the recipe.
2. Blender Banana Muffins
Image credit and recipe on Running with Spoons.
We tried this recipe and it was good and easy. I re-named them blender muffins because I think the blender is the best way to go about it.
I do have a Vitamix like she mentions in the post, but using oat flour would work too if you don’t. However, there will be another recipe further down you can make without needing any fancy blender.
What I love about the muffins is that you can reduce the added sugar because the mini chocolate chips will give it sweetness and provide the sight of chocolate, which makes them a totally awesome snack in my kids’ eyes.
Making it in mini muffin tins makes them even better. Now I never have to wonder what is a good snack for a 2 year old. Seriously, toddlers love these.
3. Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups
Image credit and method on Spend With Pennies.
Grilled cheese is already super easy to make, but with this twist on the original, you will serve something “like new”. It really should not take much longer to roll the bread up…
I would definitely use whole wheat bread and add some carrot sticks with ranch.
4. Nutella and Banana Sushi
Image credit and method on Paging Fun Mums.
You say what? Nutella in a healthy snack? I say everything in moderation, plus there are options for upping the nutrients, like using a whole wheat tortilla.
And if you are still not convinced, try this brand with less sugar that tastes almost as good as Nutella. (nothing can taste exactly as good as Nutella)
My kids were convinced.
5. Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Mouthwatering image credit and recipe on Well Plated.
This one is a little fancier than I would do on a weekday, but it looks totally awesome.
I bet the kids wouldn’t mind if it showed up at our next pretend tea party…
If strawberries aren’t in season, I would substitute frozen berries and just let them thaw a bit before chopping them.
6. Oven Roasted Chickpeas
Image credit and recipe on The Kitchn.
These little crunchy-savory bites are similar to popcorn and they taste awesome. I usually only use salt and pepper for seasoning, but the sky is the limit.
Of course, you could cook the chickpeas from scratch but that wouldn’t exactly be simple.
To make it a complete snack, I serve this with cut up fruit and/or veggies.
7. Fruit Pizza Crackers
Image credit and idea on Homemade Ginger.
These “pizzas” are made using Wasa Crisps for a more nutritious option, but you could substitute Graham crackers in a pinch.
Choose cream cheese or yogurt to spread on them and the sky is the limit with the fruit toppings!
8. Skinny Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Image credit and recipe on Ambitious Kitchen.
I have recently found and tried this recipe and now it is my go-to when I want to make banana muffins.
I mentioned earlier that I will list a blender-less muffin recipe as well.
The method does call for a blender but I have easily made it using a handheld mixer and that’s the way I prefer it.
I have also tried substituting the 3 bananas with 1 cup of pumpkin puree and adding cinnamon which was a HUGE hit!
9. Ham And Avocado Sandwiches
Image credit and recipe on Country Living
These are easy enough when you’re trying to rush to afterschool activities, but filling enough to hold the kids over until dinner.
I would also add cheese and some fruit to go with it. And there’s no way I’d wrap them in parchment and tie them with a string, IRL.
Lunchboxes as so much easier for this.
10. Apple Turnover Triangles
Image credit and recipe on Happy Healthy Life.
A tasty alternative to quesadillas, this recipe includes homemade cashew butter to use instead of the same ol’ PB. (I am still gonna go with the old faithful, though)
I love that this snack screams FALL! Cinnamon and apples, I really love that season.
11. Avocado Pudding
Image credit and recipe on Mercola Recipes.
This recipe calls for a blender, but I have also successfully made it in a food processor.
My kids really love avocado pudding as it is just as creamy as regular pudding.
Add some Graham crackers and you have a healthy(ish) treat for a snack.
12. No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars
Image credit and recipe on Momables.
A granola bar or a cookie can only be good if it’s chewy. (I can’t imagine the dark side of crispiness…)
This recipe makes an easy snack when you’re on the go and it tastes very, very good.
It is chewy.
I was at first intimidated by the brown rice syrup ingredient, but my store thankfully carried it. If you can’t find it, order a jar here.
13. Fluffy Dip
Image credit and recipe on Listotic.
I bet all kids would love a change from plain peanut butter to dip their fruit in, from time-to-time. This dip will do just that.
Not too complicated to prepare, it packs some extra protein and has a creamier texture. I bet it would work great for the lunch bag too.
I suggest buying either store-cut apples so they don’t brown, or dip them unto pineapple juice and they will look just like when you first cut them up. Strawberries or bananas would work great too.
14. Mini Tortilla Pizza
Image credit Pinterest, recipe video on Women Triangle.
I most often make these for lunch, but sometimes a more filling snack is needed. You could also prepare these using mini bagels instead of tortillas.
Adding some cut up veggies (carrots, cucumbers, grape tomatoes) is a great way to make sure the munchkins eat the rainbow.
Bonus Ideas
My rule of thumb for snacks is to always include at least one protein plus fruit or veggies.
I either make healthy carbs by baking or just choosing brands with simple ingredients, such as pretzels, granola bars, and whole grain goldfish.
Here are a few ideas to get you started, when you need a no-recipe snack:
Sliced apples, raisins and Jiff Natural To-Go cups
Kind Bars and a banana
Cheese stick, grapes, and pretzels
Whole grain goldfish and mixed berries
Laughing Cow cheese, whole grain Ritz crackers, mandarin orange
Hummus, pretzels and cucumber slices
Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla), slightly thawed frozen fruit (berries, mango pineapple, etc), handful of almonds
Trail mix of cheerios, raisins and your choice of nut(s)
Cheese and uncured ham roll-ups, pickles and pears
I hope this list of quick and healthy snacks for kids will make your life easier!
If you found these snack ideas helpful, please share it with your friends!
