With back-to-school season just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about after-school snacks. After a long day of learning, the first thing a kid usually asks for when they walk through the front door is a snack. Sometimes there’s a specific request, and other times it’s just an openness to eat something that will tide their hunger. Depending on how your own day was, especially after you already prepped lunch for them and yourself, it can be hard to think of healthy after-school snack ideas for your little one. And sometimes it’s easier to throw them a bag of prepackaged chips and call it an afternoon.
So to make snack time a little healthier and more exciting, we sought out the best healthy after-school snacks for you to whip up for this coming school year. From homemade dips, like hummus, to sweeter desserts, like trail mix cookies, we made sure to find easy snack recipes that won’t take long to prepare. Even on your busiest day, these after-school snack recipes will be able to keep you and your kids full and happy. Read through for the best after-school snacks that your kids will love.
– Additional reporting by Alessia Santoro
Self Proclaimed Foodie
Peanut Butter Dip
This sweet peanut butter dip pairs well with apple slices, celery sticks, and pretzels. And you can make this hassle-free recipe in just five minutes.
Cookies and Cups
Homemade Soft Pretzels
Everyone loves Auntie Anne’s, but if you can’t get to the mall, this easy homemade soft pretzel recipe is the best salty after-school snack. While it isn’t the quickest to prep or make, it’s sure to make snack time memorable and fun when you get the kids involved in rolling and twisting the dough.
Cookies and Cups
No-Bake Energy Bites
These no-bake chocolate peanut energy bites are high in protein and super quick to make! The recipe requires only eight ingredients, five minutes of prep, and 30 minutes of chilling.
Cotter Crunch
Vegan Ranch Dressing
This vegan ranch dressing dip will pair perfectly with your favorite fresh vegetables. This one’s made with nuts, but the recipe also calls out an easy way to swap the cashews for sunflower seeds.
Damn Delicious
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Healthy pizza? Yes, please. These zucchini pizza bites are super easy to put together and serve for snack!
Delightful Mom Food
Frozen Grapes
This frozen grape snack is the perfect treat for warmer weather, and it’s incredibly easy to prep and serve.
Good Life Eats
Red, White, and Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Bites
These simple frozen yogurt bites are nutritious and easy to make! They take only five minutes to prep and les than an hour to freeze. If you pop them in the freezer just before your kids’ last class of the day, they’ll be ready in time for when they get off the bus.
Fit Foodie Finds
Trail Mix Cookies
This trail mix cookie recipe combines the filling and healthy aspects of trail mix with the sweetness of an oatmeal cookie.
Dishing Out Health
Cucumber Edamame Salad
This cucumber edamame salad is drizzled in a delicious sesame-ginger dressing, and it’s high in fiber and protein. Plus, you can whip it up in 20 minutes.
Inspiralized
Pumpkin Oat Cookie Drops
These easy plant-based pumpkin cookie drops are perfect for autumn! This recipe makes 16 cookies, so you’ll have some for later in the week when the kids are craving them again.
Host the Toast
Easy, Ultra-Smooth Hummus
Hummus is always a great go-to after-school snack, and this homemade hummus recipe is smooth and creamy. Pair it with toasted pita bread and cucumber slices.
Good Life Eats
5-Minute Basic Guacamole
Another great dip for after school is fresh guacamole. This five-minute basic guacamole recipe is delicious, simple, and full of powerful flavors.
Good Life Eats
Berry Mango Kale Smoothie
A smoothie is a great after-school snack that fills up kids with vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. This berry mango kale smoothie recipe in particular packs a punch with a combination of both!
Nibbles and Feasts
Baked Oatmeal Carrot Bars
These oatmeal carrot bars are delicious and will fill up your kids with nutrients and energy to last to dinner!
Make It Dairy Free
Vegan Dairy-Free Coconut Yogurt
This dairy-free coconut yogurt recipe is absent of gluten and offers a tasty plant-based option for kiddos looking for a snack after school. Bonus points: the recipe only requires two ingredients.
Inspired By Charm
Easy Fruit Dip
This easy fruit dip is sweet, easy to make, and super versatile! Whether they love grapes, pineapples, strawberries, or kiwi, this dip will pair perfectly with whatever fruit your little one fancies.
Oh the Things We'll Make
Paleo Chocolate Avocado Pudding Pops
Another great way to sneak your kids fiber and greens under the guise of a sweet treat is with this Paleo chocolate avocado pudding pop recipe. They’ll love running home to these chilled, smooth, and creamy pops after a long day at school.
Pinch of Yum
Bananas and Peanut Butter Waffles
How could you beat waffles in the afternoon? All you need are a toasted waffle and their favorite toppings. This tasty recipe calls for a banana and peanut butter waffle snack.
Oh the Things We'll Make
Cream-Cheese-Stuffed Dates With Walnuts
If you want to introduce them to new foods, opt for this sweet and healthy cream cheese date snack. It takes just 10 minutes to make, and we’re sure your kids will be begging you for more.
Good Life Eats
Coldcut and Tomato Crackers
Pile crackers with deli meat, cheese, and cherry tomato halves – these mini savory treats will keep them full until dinner!
Averie Cooks
Mini Pepperoni Pizzas
Using an english muffin as a base and your go-to pizza sauce, have your kids pile on some cheese and toppings to make a mini pizza that only takes a few minutes to heat up in the toaster oven.
