I don’t know about your kids, but when my son comes home from school, he is starving; sometimes to the point of hangry. The first thing he asks for is a snack. Often, my mom guilt sinks in, as I have reached for something prepackaged with way too much sugar or that is highly processed. Lately, I have been trying to be more conscience about the afternoon snacks I am feeding my son. With a little experimentation, I have found a few healthy snacks that are winners and I have a few suggestions on healthy snacks that are easy to prepare and are kid approved.
Fish in a Stream (A Take on the Classic Ants on a Log)
Ah the crunch of a crispy celery stick, so satisfying and so fun with peanut butter and raisins. If your child is fussy like mine, celery is not a food on our snack rotation, however, we like carrots and cucumber. To create your fish in a stream, start with your base vegetable and smear nut butter or hummus as your first layer. Top with fish cracker treats and you have a cute, quick, and tasty snack.
Cheese and Meat on a Kabob with Fruit
Charcuterie is not just for fancy adults, but kids can have a fun take on this classic snack too. I love that the kabobs can be prepped in advance, stored in the refrigerator, and easily distributed for after school hunger. The best part is the kabobs are so easy to assemble. Stack your choice of sandwich meat, cheese, and fruit in alternating layers. My favorite combinations include ham, American cheese, turkey, grapes, and pineapple.
Silly Animal Toast
Generally, we think of toast for breakfast, however, my son loves the combination of toast with fruit and delicious toppings. The trick to silly animal toast is layering, as the toast is your base layer. Add your spreadable layer next, which could include peanut or any nut butter, cream cheese, jam, hummus, or anything that would allow fruit to adhere to. Lastly, add your choice of fruit in a design of an animal. I like to use strawberries for ears, blueberries for eyes, and cantaloupe for whiskers.
Apple Donuts
Fall is apple season, and I have found a perfect quick afternoon snack that has a hint of sweetness. The trickiest part of creating your apple donuts is the slicing, as we want a round, thinly sliced apple. An apple corer is the key to this delectable treat because it makes slicing the apple into rounds a piece of cake. Once you have your apples sliced into rounds, add your toppings, such as nut butter, jam, or cream cheese. Top the apples with sprinkles, fruit, chocolate chips, mini-marshmallows, or granola. Another low prep option is slicing the apple and cutting up some cheese on the side, yum!
Frozen Yogurt Bites
These treats require preparation ahead of time but are great for popping them out of the freezer when your child wants a snack. The easiest way to prepare these treats is to take a muffin or cupcake tin and line it with your favorite liners. I personally like silicone baking cups, as they can be used repeatedly. Add your child’s favorite yogurt into the liner and top with some fruit or mini chocolate chips. Store these treats in the freezer until you are ready to serve.
After school snacks can be light, healthy, and fun with a little preparation. If your kids are curious about cooking, include them in the preparation process too. Your little chefs can learn about healthy foods and take responsibility for preparing their own snacks.
