After a busy day of learning and playing, kids are hungry! These healthy after school snacks are easy to stock up on or prep ahead of time and are sure to delight your kids awhile, keeping them full until dinner!
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Healthy After School Snack ideas
Learning sure does make kids hungry!
Who am I kidding? Children always seem to be hungry!
Which makes sense because they are constantly growing. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. Socially. All that growing is hard work and those little humans need all the fuel they can get.
But I will say, they always seem to be especially hungry after school.
Maybe it is because their school lunch time is quite early. Or because they would rather socialize at lunch than eat. Perhaps they are super active after school. Or going through one of those never-ending growth spurts. Perhaps it is simply their natural eating cues to be hungrier in the afternoon than in the morning.
Whatever their reason, these kids are hungry and want something to eaaaaaaattttttt. And you want something that they will enjoy AND will fill them full of the good stuff! Here are some easy and healthy after school snacks to keep on hand…for you and those little humans!
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1. Muffins
The ultimate EASY make ahead snack (or breakfast)! Muffins can be packed with fiber-rich ingredients, nutrient dense veggies and don’t have to be loaded with sugar! They are easy to prep ahead of time and to grab-and-go when those hungry kids come calling.
Check out these kid-friendly veggie-loaded muffin recipes!
2. Smoothies
Easy to make on the fly or prep the ingredients in freezer safe containers ahead of time so you can just dump and blend. Smoothies are full of amazing ingredients that you will adore your kids filling up on. Fruit + veggies and lots of different ways to make smoothies that fit your kiddos needs and tastes preferences, smoothies make the perfect healthy after school snack!
Get some smoothie inspiration with the kid-friendly smoothie recipes!
3. Dip with veggies
You can whip up a dip in 5 minutes or less and have it on hand for hungry kiddos to enjoy as a healthy after school snack for days to come. My personal favorite is this quick & easy homemade ranch. It is yogurt based, super easy to make and tastes better than any store bought ranch I have tried! Next favorite would be this easy peanut sauce! Both go great with raw veggies and are low effort to make.
4. Skout Organic Bars
A healthy after school snack that tastes like a dessert? Yes please! I always have a stash of these in the pantry because they are my daughter (and husband’s) favorite easy snack. I love them because Skout Organic Bars are made from simple, organic ingredients AND I don’t have to cook anything. They are a packaged snack that is easy, but feels like something I’d make in my own kitchen.
I also love that Skout Organic bars are kid-sized and come in so many amazing flavors. And, if you need nut-free, they have tons of nut-free flavors. Skout Organic is offering the Natural Nurturer community 20% off their order when they use code TNN on their site.
To get 20% OFF your Skout Organic order, use code TNN at checkout!
5. Chia pudding
Chia pudding is an EASY and yummy way to get super healthy (and filling!) chia seeds into your kiddos! It can be made in minutes and stored in your fridge for a quick grab-and-gobble healthy after snack! I love this classic chia seed pudding made with coconut milk . This pumpkin pie chia pudding is also magical and rocks a healthy boost of pumpkin in each bite!
If the texture of chia seed pudding will send your kids running, try this Instant & Smooth Chocolate Chia Pudding.
6. Breakfast cookies
If they are healthy enough for breakfast, then they are healthy enough for after school snacks…right?
That works in my book! And breakfast cookies are a great make-ahead option too! Usually freezer friendly, these are perfectly portioned out and easy to hand those hungry kids at the end of the day!
Need a few cookie recipes to get you going? Try….
- Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies
- Zucchini Almond Butter Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Spinach Cookies
- Healthy Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies
7. Hard boiled eggs with crackers and veggies
Hard boiled eggs are a meal prep staple for me always. They are quick to make, basically no prep, and are perfect for a burst of protein. And if your kids enjoy eggs, they make for the perfect healthy after school snack!
I like to pair them with some crackers and/or a favorite sliced veggie for a savory snack plate that has lots of different textures and crunch!
8. Veggie-Loaded Pizza rolls
Say what? Pizza for a healthy after school snack? How excited would your kids be?
These veggie-packed stuffed pizza rolls are a great, out-of-the-box snack option that also help get those veggies into your kiddos while dazzling their pizza-loving taste buds!
9. Sliced fruit with nut butter
Super classic and it sure does hit the spot! I love that it combines the sweetness of a favorite fruit + healthy fat from your favorite nut butter to make a delicious and EASY after school snack that is healthy and kids adore.
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Healthy After School Snacks: Sweet Spinach Mini Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs can sub flax eggs for egg-free
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1-2 cups loosely packed baby spinach depending on how green you want them. Don't go crazy though…too much spinach will add extra moisture and the muffins might be mushy in the middle
- 1/4 cup neutral tasting oil I use melted coconut oil or avocado
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup whole wheat flour can sub 1:1 gluten free flour mix, if needed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- chocolate chips** to taste and optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 ℉ and line a mini muffin tin with liners. Set aside.
- In your blender, combine spinach, eggs, maple syrup/ honey, applesauce, oil, vinegar, and vanilla.
- Blend until mixture is smooth. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Pour in the contents of the blender and mix to combine.
- Fold in chocolate chips (if using).
- Portion batter into prepared muffin tin and top with extra chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake for 14-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Enjoy and let cool completely and store leftovers in an air-tight container in fridge or freezer.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary based on the product type, servings and other factors. If you are following a diet, please consult with a professional nutritionist or your doctor. Stay healthy!
Comments
Love these muffins! And all of the other ideas.
I’m so glad you like them! We actually just had some for breakfast, so they are kind of an all purpose mini muffin 😂
These are such great and easy ideas, thanks for putting this together!
Always love mini muffins, too!
Mini muffins are kinda the best!