30 After School Snacks
Posted: 08/22/2023
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Don’t let after school hunger stump you! Here are 30 healthy after school snack ideas that kids (and parents) will love!
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
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
Chocolate Protein Balls
Chocolate protein balls with dates, oats, and flaxseed will satisfy kids' chocolate cravings without a sugar crash.
Check out this recipe
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
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
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
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
Easy Apple Dip
Made with peanut butter and cream cheese, this apple dip tastes like caramel apples!
Check out this recipe
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tropical Smoothie
Another smoothie pleaser, a tropical smoothie is healthy, refreshing, and delicious.
Check out this recipe
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Gingerbread Breakfast Cookies
Not just for breakfast, these gingerbread cookies make a perfect after school snack or lunch box treat.
Check out this recipe
Sharon Thompson says
Very good!
Rachel Gurk says
Thank you!
Chris W. says
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!
Rachel Gurk says
Thank you so much for the kind comment! I’m glad you like the list of recipes.
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
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!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
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!!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
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!
Kristy says
Thank you for sharing my recipe. I absolutely love your sweet potato chips, we make those a lot! :)