15 Nutritious After-School Snacks That Your Kids Will Love

There’s no hunger quite like after-school hunger! That’s why you need this list of 15 easy, healthy and kid-approved after-school snacks! You can thank me later. 

I don’t know about your kids, but my kids have a one-track mind when they return from school: FOOD.

And there’s no hunger quite like after-school hunger—it’s been a few hours since they’ve eaten the healthy school lunch I packed, and they’ve been busy focusing, playing and being active.

It’s definitely time for a snack!

It’s important that kids eat every few hours to keep their energy levels up and meet their daily nutrition requirements. Going more than four hours is certainly not in anyone’s favor – in fact, it will most certainly create a “hangry” meltdown.

I find it really helpful to have a list of nutritious snack ideas handy, so that my kids aren’t eating the same thing day after day, or grabbing something that’s less-than-stellar in the nutrition department.

At the same time, I’m a busy mom with three kids, so convenience is key.

I always try to include at least two foods in my kids’ snacks – something rich in protein (milk, yogurt, cheese, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, meat, etc.) and a fruit or vegetables or a whole grain food.

Protein-rich food + fruit/veggie and/or a whole grain = Stellar After-School Snack

In this post, I share my top 15 kid-tested after-school snack options. Not to mention, all of these recipes can be used as school snacks ideas too.

Green Smoothie or Smoothie Bowl:

Regardless of the season, smoothies are always a staple in our house. Include fruit, veggies, yogurt and milk (regular or fortified plant beverage). Here’s a great green smoothie recipe. 

Easy Salsa Mini Pita Pizzas: 

Take whole grain pitas and spread salsa and grated cheddar cheese on top. Place on a foil wrapped baking tray and into the toaster oven until edges are brown and cheese is melted. Serve in quarters on their own OR with low fat sour cream or guacamole as a dip.

Greek Yogurt Parfait:

Top Greek yogurt with sliced fruit, seeds, and a bit of granola for a tasty and nutritious snack.

Raw veggies strips + hummus:

I often serve veggies before dinner because I find that my kids gobble them up because they’re not competing with any other preferred foods. This also takes the pressure off for dinner-veggie-eating. Have at least three different colors and a dip that they like.

Pear and Almond Butter Wraps:

Spread almond butter (or any other kind of nut or seed butter) onto a whole grain soft tortilla shell. Wash, dry and slice a pear into thin slices and place slices in the middle of the tortilla. Wrap the tortilla up, cut the wrap into bite sized pieces width-wise and serve!

Homemade protein-rich flourless muffin + piece of fruit:

I’ve been on a flourless blender muffin kick lately. There’s nothing easier than tossing some nutritious ingredients into a blender and then baking! Pair with some fruit for a balanced snack. Try these flourless peanut butter and banana muffins or these chocolate zucchini blender muffins. 

Homemade protein ball(s) + unsweetened fruit/veggie sauce:

I love protein balls (or “bites”) because they’re so easy to make and kids love them. You can also pack them full of nutrition. Pair with some unsweetened fruit sauce (I like “Slammers” pouches), and you’ve got a great snack! Try these peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough protein balls and these double chocolate coconut protein balls.

Fruit “nachos” with Greek Yogurt and Peanut Butter Drizzle:

This is one of our favorite new snacks because it’s naturally sweet, fun to eat and loaded with nutrition. Layer fruit on a plate, sprinkle with seeds, coconut and dark chocolate chips, and then drizzle with Greek yogurt and natural peanut butter. Here’s a fruit nachos recipe!

Cheese and Fruit Kabobs:

Wash and cut your kids’ favorite fruits into bite-sized pieces (i.e., strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, pineapple etc.). Cut cheddar or mozzarella cheese into medium-sized cubes. Alternating fruit, stick onto skewer with a cube of cheese on either end of skewer.

Homemade granola bar + Fruit:

Make a big batch of homemade granola bars, and individually freeze them for lunchboxes or after-school grab-and-go snacks. Here’s are my favorite granola bar recipe.

Popcorn + cheese + fruit

Popped corn is nutritious and high fibre (and kids love it!). Pair it with a little bit of cheese and fruit, and you’ve got a balanced and nutritious snack!

Apple slices + nut butter + coconut and chocolate sprinkles:

Slice apples, dip them in your kid’s favourite nut or seed butter and then sprinkle shredded coconut or a few chocolate chips on top.

Hardboiled egg + veggies or fruit:

Eggs are nutritional powerhouses on their own, but when you pair with a piece of fruit or some veggies, it’s pretty much the perfect snack.

Chia pudding + fruit:

We often make homemade chia pudding (it’s so easy!). Here’s one of my favourite chia pudding recipes.

Whole grain crackers, cheese cubes and fruit:

This trio wins in the nutrition department and it’s super easy to throw together (you can get your kids to do it!). Classic!

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15 Nutritious After-School Snacks: Lentil Granola Bars

Yield: 30

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

With ingredients already in my kitchen I created these super tasty and nutrient-packed lentil granola bars. Because I like to make the most of my time in the kitchen, I made a big batch (they freeze really well!).

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 cups water
• 3 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup flour (I used whole grain)
• 1/4 cup ground flax
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 3/4 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped
• 2/3 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp coarse sea salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Combine water and lentils in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer (uncovered) for 20-25 minutes. Drain excess liquid and allow to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350F
3. Combine oats, flour, flax, coconut, almonds, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk together until well blended.
4. In a separate large bowl, combine lentils, peanut butter, honey, maple syrup, and vanilla. Blend with a hand blender or manually with a whisk.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Add chocolate chips and mix well.
6. Transfer the mixture into a greased 9" X 13" baking pan and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown on top
7. Allow to cool, cut into bars and serve as a snack on their own, or pair with fruit for healthy on-the-go breakfast.

Notes

Inspired by: Two Saucy Sister's Grab And Go Chocolate Chip Lentil Granola Bars

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Did you know that we provide one on one nutrition counselling services for families? If this is something you’d like to learn more about, check out The Centre For Family Nutrition page.