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30 After School Snacks

8 Comments
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 08/22/2023Updated: 08/22/2023

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30 after school snacks round up graphic with text and recipe photos.

Don’t let after school hunger stump you! Here are 30 healthy after school snack ideas that kids (and parents) will love!

30 after school snacks round up graphic with text and recipe photos.

Snacks. Sometimes it seems like kids live for snacks. It’s no wonder that parents often use snacks as a reward or a way to placate their children. Kids will do almost anything for a snack, especially if they see it as something they don’t normally get.

I don’t mean to say that snacks are necessarily bad. It really depends on what the snack is, right? Obviously a healthy snack is ideal. And it has to be a healthy snack that doesn’t look like a healthy snack.

Snacks = Fuel = Healthy Kids

According to Eatright.org, kids need to eat every 3 to 4 hours to “fuel their growing bodies.” I like that. Snacks=fuel. Growing children need 3 meals, plus a couple of snacks per day. The folks at Eat Right suggest serving healthy snacks that have protein and fiber, snacks that provide nutrition and energy.

I don’t know if everyone’s kids are like mine but I know that my kids don’t eat much during the school day. Not enough time, too many distractions, and not liking what’s served are the main excuses. When they get home from school, they are HUNGRY! They’re ready to eat pretty much anything I give them.

I’m always looking for healthy snack ideas and I bet you are too. So, here goes. I hope this list of 30 after school (or any time) snacks puts a smile on your kids’ faces. And we all know that smiling kids mean smiling parents!

Be sure to take a look at my after school snack board ideas, too, especially if you have a larger group of kids. It’s uncomplicated and very versatile. Kids love it (and you won’t need a fancy charcuterie board).

30 After School Snacks

Monster Cookie Energy Balls
Healthier than a cookie, but just as popular, monster cookie energy balls are made with nutritious peanut butter and oats.
Check out this recipe
Monster cookie energy bites with M&M's.
Cranberry Oatmeal Energy Balls (nut-free)
Cranberry oatmeal energy balls, with dates and hemp seed, are chewy bites of deliciousness with a nutritious energy boost. 
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of bowl of energy bites, with dried cranberries, oats and hemp seeds also pictured.
Chocolate Protein Balls
Chocolate protein balls with dates, oats, and flaxseed will satisfy kids' chocolate cravings without a sugar crash.
Check out this recipe
These chocolate protein balls will satisfy your chocolate cravings without a sugar crash later and will give you energy to get through your afternoon! Get the easy snack recipe on RachelCooks.com!
Apple Cinnamon No Bake Energy Bites
Apple cinnamon no bake energy bites are fun, filling, and could not be any easier to make. They’re great for after school and school lunch boxes, too!
Check out this recipe
These apple cinnamon no bake energy bites are fun, filling, and could not be any easier to make. They're great for school lunch boxes, too! Get the easy and fun recipe on RachelCooks.com!
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
Watch your kids devour fresh fruit when they can dip it into this creamy fruit dip, made with yogurt and cream cheese. It's lightly sweetened and so delicious!
Check out this recipe
Cream cheese fruit dip surrounded by fresh fruit.
Fruit Kabobs
Put anything on a stick and it's way more fun to eat! Kids love fresh fruit kabobs which can be made with almost any type of fruit.
Check out this recipe
Patriotic fruit skewer placed on top of a bowl of vanilla yogurt dip.
Edamame Dip
Bright green and deliciously creamy, edamame dip is nutritious and super satisfying. Serve it with crackers, veggies, or pita bread triangles.
Check out this recipe
Bright green edamame dip topped with green onions.
Easy Apple Dip
Made with peanut butter and cream cheese, this apple dip tastes like caramel apples!
Check out this recipe
Apple dip on an apple.
Vegetable Dip
This better-for-you dill vegetable dip is made with Greek yogurt which means more protein and less fat than ordinary veggie dips.
Check out this recipe
This skinny dill vegetable dip is a staple in our fridge -- we're hardly ever without it! You won't want to stop snacking on vegetables when you're dipping them in this healthy and low-cal dip.
Pumpkin Dip
Easy to make and easy to eat, pumpkin dip tastes like pumpkin pie. Made with yogurt, cream cheese, and canned pumpkin, it's healthier and so good with graham crackers, apples, or pretzels.
Check out this recipe
Gingersnap being dipped into creamy pumpkin dip.
Homemade Cheez-Its
The best cheese crackers ever! Homemade Cheez-its are made with lots of real cheddar cheese, no artificial anything.
Check out this recipe
Homemade cheez-it crackers in a bowl.
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
A basket of warm tortilla chips made from simple corn tortillas, a light spritz of oil, and a sprinkle of salt is hard to resist. Serve them with homemade salsa.
Check out this recipe
Air fryer basket filled with corn tortilla chips.
Homemade Salsa
Salsa is so easy to make and you can make it spicy or not. Lots of vegetables (tomatoes, onions, peppers) but low in sodium.
Check out this recipe
Close up of restaurant style salsa with a chip being dipped in.
Mango Avocado Salsa with Pineapple
Kids love this fruity salsa with mangos and pineapple. If avocado isn't their thing, leave it out!
Check out this recipe
Mango Avocado Salsa is the perfect topping to any taco or salad, and it's irresistible piled up on a chip! You'll love the creamy avocado, sweet mango, and tart pineapple in every bite! Get the easy salsa recipe on RachelCooks.com!
Chia Seed Pudding
Looks like pudding, tastes like pudding, but it's made with healthy chia seeds. Top with fresh fruit or chocolate chips.
Check out this recipe
Chia seed pudding topped with fresh berries.
Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas
Who knew that canned chickpeas could be turned into a delicious snack? Cinnamon roasted chickpeas are healthy and friendly.
Check out this recipe
Close up of roasted chickpeas with cinnamon spilling out of a white scoop.
Olive Oil Roasted Almonds
Almonds have lots of nutritional value and these olive oil roasted almonds won't disappoint. Addictively good! Be sure to try my cinnamon roasted almonds, too!
Check out this recipe
Olive oil roasted almonds in a small round bowl.
English Muffin Pizzas
A little more substantial, English muffin pizzas are easy to make and so popular with kids. Perfect do-it-yourself pizzas for older children.
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of english muffin pizzas on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Perfect for a substantial after school snack or quick meal, air fryer hot dogs are quick and easy, ready in just 5 minutes. Teenagers love 'em!
Check out this recipe
Air fryer hot dogs in buns.
Mango Smoothie
With mango and banana, this 4 ingredient smoothie is easy to make with optional added sweeteners. Frosty and delicious!
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of three mango smoothies.
Tropical Smoothie
Another smoothie pleaser, a tropical smoothie is healthy, refreshing, and delicious.
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of a tropical smoothie.
Healthy Banana Bread
With whole wheat flour, sweetened naturally with bananas and applesauce, this banana bread is a healthy snack or lunchbox treat. Top it with peanut butter or cream cheese.
Check out this recipe
Loaf of healthy banana bread, partially cut into slices.
Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Made with a can of real pumpkin puree and whole wheat flour, pumpkin bread is a popular after school snack. Serve it with a glass of cold milk.
Check out this recipe
Healthy pumpkin bread, partially sliced.
Blueberry Bran Muffins
Bakery muffins tend to be loaded with sugar and oil. Make your own blueberry bran muffins for after school snacks or lunchbox treats. They freeze well, too.
Check out this recipe
Stack of blueberry bran muffins.
Carrot Raisin Muffins
The ingredient list for carrot raisin muffins is packed with nutrition (carrots, raisins, bananas, applesauce, whole wheat flour) but they taste like a sweet treat.
Check out this recipe
Carrot muffin split open to show texture and contents, including raisins and oats.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Loaded with bits of fresh apple, apple cinnamon muffins are a popular after school snack. Try them with apple butter or cinnamon cream cheese.
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of muffins in a basket with blue and white linen.
Black Bean Brownies
Wish your kids would eat more beans? Try black bean brownies, they'll never guess there's beans in their brownies!
Check out this recipe
Three black bean brownies stacked up.
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies with Oats
Who says chocolate chip cookies can't be a healthy after school snack? Make these snackable cookies with whole wheat flour and rolled oats.
Check out this recipe
Two whole wheat chocolate chip cookies, one with a bite out of it.
Easy Trail Mix Cookies
Energy-boosting trail mix cookies are easy to make with only 4 ingredients. Bake them in your toaster oven for a freshly baked after school snack.
Check out this recipe
Cookie with m&m's, peanuts, raisins, and chocolate chips.
Gingerbread Breakfast Cookies
Not just for breakfast, these gingerbread cookies make a perfect after school snack or lunch box treat.
Check out this recipe
Gingerbread Breakfast Cookie Recipe - the perfect way to start the day! Recipe on RachelCooks.com
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  1. Sharon Thompson says

    August 22, 2023 at 3:26 pm

    Very good!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      September 5, 2023 at 11:41 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Chris W. says

    August 22, 2023 at 12:05 pm

    So even our granddaughter is out of school but these snacks could work for anybody, anytime. My husband would definitely get on board for the cookies and I’m a salsa person. Granddaughter works at a pre-school and she has a bit of a drive home so she’s always ravenous when she gets home. The coolest thing is that she really likes to cook so I’ll pass these along to her. Thank you for the great ideas. And your daughter and son are adorable – definitely are brother and sister!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      September 5, 2023 at 11:19 am

      Thank you so much for the kind comment! I’m glad you like the list of recipes.

      Reply
  3. Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says

    September 10, 2014 at 7:45 am

    oh my goodness. . I love this round-up! Yes, my kids absolutely live for snack time. Trying the sweet potato chips and the olive oil roasted almonds. . yummm!

    Reply
  4. Liz @ Tip Top Shape says

    September 7, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    I love all of these!! I’m in my last year of law school and every time I come back from the law building I want to eat just about everything in my fridge. These recipes will be used well!!

    Reply
  5. Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says

    September 7, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    You always have the best round ups, Rachel! I love finding new homemade snack ideas for my kids. I have to try those sweet potato chips!

    Reply
  6. Kristy says

    September 7, 2014 at 8:54 am

    Thank you for sharing my recipe. I absolutely love your sweet potato chips, we make those a lot! :)

    Reply

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