What do you serve to your kids when they come home after school?
You probably have an entire pantry full of packaged snacks that are ready to eat — because what parent doesn’t? But those snacks not only are not the healthiest stuff on the planet but also cost you quite a lot of money in the long run. Coming up with ideas on health after school snacks that won’t ruin their appetite for dinner is tricky – but we got you!
If nutrition and budget are your concerns too, why not start making snacks from scratch? Trust me, you do not need to be a chef to do this. Here are 46 healthy after-school snack ideas that will change your afternoons forever (and I’m just mildly exaggerating).
Remember! Serve a Snack – Not a Meal
Remember that you don’t want to spoil your child’s appetite for dinner – so a snack is all that is required! If you fill them up now, you really can’t expect them to eat all of their dinner.
What is a Good After School Snack That is Healthy?
In these recipes, we have tried to include fruit and vegetables as a component in every snack. Most kids aren’t getting their daily serves of fruit and vegetables in their diet – but because most kids are ‘Simply Starving’ when they come home from school, they are less likely to be so fussy about what’s in their snack.
Quite a few of our recipes have ‘hidden veggies’ too for those that can’t find their lunchbox but can find a tiny piece of onion in the spaghetti bolognaise.
Some quick ideas include:
- A piece of fruit
- A tub of low-fat low-sugar yoghurt
- A stick of cheese
- Plain popcorn
- Guacamole and plain corn chips
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Celery Sticks
What is the Healthiest Fruit?
Some fruits are healthier than others. According to Healthline.com – the 10 healthiest fruits nutrient wise include:
- Grapefruit
- Pineapple
- Avocado
- Blueberries
- Apples
- Pomegranate
- Mango
- Strawberries
- Cranberries
- Lemons
So try and include some of these fruits in the after school snacks – if you can!
Fruit and Nut Snack Balls
Full of healthy ingredients perfect for growing bodies – these Fruit and Nut Snack Balls can be made in bulk and frozen – so they can be grabbed out as a snack anytime – especially after school. These are great in the school lunch box too!
Grab the recipe here>
A Ham & Vegetable Muffin
I’m a big fan of muffins for kids – especially as an after school snack. It’s because you can sneak loads of veggies in there without them knowing. The ham makes these muffins just so tasty and delicious! Serve it plain, or warm, or with a slathering of butter!
Grab the recipe here>
Broccoli and Garlic Quesadillas
These are easily made in a sandwich press – and they are super yummy!
Grab the recipe here>
Frozen Yoghurt Bites
These are particularly good during the hotter months – as they are like a mini ice-block. You can use any flavoured yoghurt you like, but for the healthiest option, use something like the Chobani 0.5% fat.
Grab the recipe here>
Tuna Stuffed Avocado Boats
This is so yummy – kinda like Tuna Salad Sushi – but served in half of an avocado!
Grab the recipe here>
Sweet Potato and Lentil Sausage Rolls
Delicious meat-free sausage rolls that can be made in bulk and frozen!
Grab the recipe here>
Easy Veggie Stuffed Apple Muffins
Apple Muffins with a secret – they are full of veggies that kids can’t even taste!
Grab the recipe here>
Homemade Chicken and Apple Croquettes
These little fingers are made with chicken mince and are yummy both hot or cold (I make a heap of them and put them in the fridge so the boys can just help themselves). The apple makes the croquettes nice and sweet.
Grab the recipe here>
Banana Split Bites
Make them beg for more with these lovely banana split bites!
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Cucumber Bites
Your kids won’t even realise they’re eating veggies with this scrumptious treat!
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Rainbow Smoothies
For healthy on-the-go snacks, these colourful rainbow smoothies will get your kids going.
Grab the recipe here>
Gluten-Free No Bake Energy Balls
Up your kids’ energy (and yours too because this is so easy to make) with these no-bake energy balls that they will never grow tired of.
Grab the recipe here>
Spinach Muffins
These fluffy spinach muffins are not only soft and delicious, it’s healthy too!
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Mini Spinach-and-Cheese Pizzas
Mums know that everything with cheese becomes perfect in their kids’ taste buds and this mini spinach-and-cheese pizza will definitely not disappoint.
Grab the recipe here>
Fruit and Cracker Pizzas
Perhaps every kid loves mini pizzas and this easy fruit and cracker pizzas will be one they’ll ask for every day.
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Gluten-Free Healthy Trail Mix Cookies
Your kids will definitely always want you to make this healthy vegan and gluten-free trail mix cookies.
Grab the recipe here>
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Dip
This juicy sweet fruit salsa with cinnamon dip is just super delish.
Grab the recipe here>
Frozen Banana Yoghurt Bites
Make your kids the happiest with these lovely frozen banana yoghurt bites.
Grab the recipe here>
Healthy Owl Crackers
Get your decorating skills to work and brighten up your kid’s day with this creative owl crackers.
Grab the recipe here>
Banana Dolphins
Make their snack time an ultimate fun time with these playful banana dolphins fruity snack.
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Cheesy Broccoli Bites
Does your kid hate broccoli? Try adding cheese and flour to make yummy pancakes for this incredibly tasty cheesy broccoli bites.
Grab the recipe here>
Baked Whole Wheat Raspberry Doughnuts
Doughnuts are simply irresistible especially if it’s these whole wheat raspberry doughnuts.
Grab the recipe here>
Kids Power Smoothie
Get your kids’ power up with this amazing smoothie.
Grab the recipe here>
15-Minute Zucchini Chips
You can also dig in this perfect healthy after school snack.
Grab the recipe here>
Peanut Butter Fluff Dip
If you’re in a hurry, just whip up this peanut butter fluff dip that’s a perfect after school snack.
Grab the recipe here>
Gluten-Free Banana Snack Cake
This lovely twist to a banana cake with cream cheese and Greek yoghurt is so divine!
Grab the recipe here>
Kitty Cat Rice Cakes
Your kids can even join in the fun of creating this super cute kitty cat rice cakes.
Grab the recipe here>
Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
These ham and cheese roll-ups are so simple but the delight these give to your kids is huge!
Grab the recipe here>
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Dip
Make this smooth cinnamon cream cheese dip and get lots of love from your kids.
Grab the recipe here>
Breakfast Banana Pops
These are perfect for on-the-go breakfast, but who says you can’t have this as an after school snack? I’d want one if I were a kid.
Grab the recipe here>
Mini Pot Pies
Pot pies can come in miniature sizes and these mini pot pies are perfect for your kids’ tiny hands and hungry mouths.
Grab the recipe here>
Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies
Just looking at these mountains of chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies just makes us drool…sure your kids will do too!
Grab the recipe here>
Homemade Sweet Potato Chips
Potato chips never tasted this good and healthy. Sprinkle them with a little sea salt or some dry vegetable stock for a flavour punch!
Grab the recipe here>
DIY Frushi
Make sushi using your kids’ favourite fruits and this DIY Frushi will be their next favourite after school snack.
Grab the recipe here>
Microwave Potato Chips
For healthy potato chips, using natural ingredients, just pop it in the microwave and surprise your kids when they get home with this super crunchy microwave potato chips.
Grab the recipe here>
Candy Corn Fruit Cocktail
Candy corns are not just perfect Halloween treats, they’re lovely after school snacks too! Just add in some fruits and whipped cream and voila!
Grab the recipe here>
Nutty Monkey Protein Smoothie
Add some protein into your kids’ smoothie with this banana with peanut butter, honey and yoghurt protein smoothie for a wonderful after school treat!
Grab the recipe here>
Wafflesaurus Waffles
Your kids will definitely roar with delight in this delicious waffles shaped like dinosaurs.
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Oatmeal Banana Bites
You’ll never go wrong with these lovely oatmeal banana bites.
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Cat in the Hat Snacks
Complete your kids’ day with this fun Cat in the Hat snacks.
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Mini Spinach Frittatas
Get your kids to eat healthy but yummy with these mini spinach frittatas.
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Granola & Coconut Yoghurt Banana Pops
There’s no stopping them once they have a taste of these granola and coconut yoghurt banana pops.
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No Bake Fruit Pizzas
Serve their fruits in a fun and unique way with these cute fruit pizzas.
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Mini Avocado & Hummus Quesadilla
Make your quesadillas more exciting by adding avocado and hummus.
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Almond Butter and Banana Open Sandwich
Fully loaded almond butter and banana open sandwich are just what your kids need to boost their energy.
Grab the recipe here>
Butternut Squash ‘Mac and Cheese’
Mac and cheese is every kid’s favourite and this beautiful butternut squash mac and cheese will never fail you.
Get the recipe here>
Do you have more healthy after school snack recipes?
