50 Healthy Snacks for Kids That Are More Fun Than Boring Old Carrot Sticks
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Unless your kid is a uniquely adventurous eater, finding treats that they love (and don’t get sick of after a week) can be a real chore. Sure, fruit snacks are a guaranteed hit, but how much fruit is in those things actually? Here, 50 healthy snacks for kids that are more exciting than a carrot stick, more nutritious than a pack of yogurt-covered pretzels and won’t come home in their lunch box. From classic ants on a log to pizza trail mix, there’s something for even the most, well, discerning palates. (And while our busy lives often dictate a packaged snack, if you have the time, it’s fun to make some of these with your kids.)
What Makes a Healthy Snack for Kids?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a healthy snack for kids should support and enhance their overall nutrition—essentially increasing their fruit and vegetable intake and adding nutrient-dense foods to their diet while also filling them up between meals. It’s best to avoid added sugars and salt, and to include foods like dairy and lean protein that will satiate longer than pure carbohydrates. Try combining a few items from this list (like fruit kabobs and energy bites, or cheddar crackers and guacamole) to hit the sweet spot of carbs, fat and protein.
60 Toddler Lunch Ideas Even the Pickiest Eaters Will Love
1. Two-Cheese Guacamole
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein
Cheese adds protein to this dip—14 grams, to be exact. The recipe calls for goat cheese and shredded jack, but you can trade in any type (like cheddar or mozz) to make the flavors even more kid-friendly.
2. Veggie Sushi
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
We doubt your 6-year-old is ready for spicy tuna, but they’ll love the visual appeal of these cucumber-wrapped bites. It’s a lot easy to sneak in extra veggies when they’re not just baby carrots and store-bought ranch.
3. Easy Cherry-Almond Granola Bars
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
If you’ve ever caught a glance of the label on a packaged granola bar, you know that they’re mostly convenient, and not quite nutritional powerhouses. These are sweetened with honey and a touch of brown sugar, so they don’t fall into full-on dessert mode.
4. Salted Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook, high protein
A smoothie that tastes like a PB cup and packs 22 grams of protein? It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. If you don’t want to give your kiddo protein powder, just eliminate it—the drink won’t have quite as much protein, but it’ll still have good-for-you fats from the peanut butter.
5. Fresh Fruit Ice Pops
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Skip those artificially flavored pops and make your own using fresh fruit (in just three steps, no less). Pair these with a higher protein item (like mixed nuts) for a filling midday treat.
6. Ants on a Log
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, <10 minutes, no cook
They’re a classic for a reason: They’re equal parts healthy, filling and fun. The nut butter adds fat and protein, the celery is full of fiber and the raisins are sweet enough without overdoing it. Even better, this is an ideal healthy snack for kids to make themselves, since it requires no cooking and no real culinary skills.
7. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Crispy without deep-frying, these homemade fries will knock the frozen kind out of the park. For more protein, serve them with hummus instead of ketchup. (Or if your kid is ketchup-obsessed, offer both.)
8. Roasted Mixed Nuts
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, no sugar
Mixed nuts make an excellent salty alternative to the usual cheese doodles and potato chips that make up your kid’s after-school snack, since they’re rich in good-for-you fats and a bit of protein. These are seasoned with a bit of cayenne, but you can leave it out to lower the heat level.
9. Watermelon Salsa
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook, crowd-pleaser
Tortilla chips can totally take a turn at snack time, as long as they’re paired with something healthier. This is a medium-hot salsa, but it all depends on how spicy your peppers are. Feel free to adjust the heat to taste, using less jalapeño—and omitting the cayenne—for a milder flavor.
10. Carrot Pigs in a Blanket
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Shhh. Just say they're a new kind of hot dog and serve them with a side of ranch dressing. (In all seriousness, you might never go back to cocktail wieners.)
11. Almond Butter Stuffed Soft Pretzel Bites
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 57 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd pleaser
Who doesn’t love a soft pretzel? These are made with cassava flour, which is gluten-, grain- and nut-free, and according to studies, is rich in fiber and vitamin C. Use natural almond butter (or another nut butter) for the filling.
12. The Easiest Raw Apricot Candy
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
OK, your kid is smart enough to realize this is not the candy snack they had in mind. But if they’re open minded enough to take a bite, they might be pleasantly surprised. Think better-for-you fruit snacks with a mild, sweet flavor and chewy texture.
13. Pizza Trail Mix
Kristin Teig/Mostly Veggies
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Take a hike? Sure, if this savory, nutty snack mix is involved. Most trail mixes are packed with dried fruit and tend to have a lot of sugar, but this one has only 3 grams per serving, plus 7 grams of protein.
14. Sweet Potato, Bacon and Broccoli Egg Muffins
Kristen Buck/Buck Naked Kitchen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Studies show that eggs are an ideal source of nutrients, like vitamin D and choline, for kids. Make these nutritious “muffins” ahead of time and store them in the fridge to have a grab-and-go option for busy weekdays.
15. Homemade Cheese Crackers
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Are homemade cheese crackers the healthiest snack for kids? Probably not, but they’re lightyears ahead of the store-bought kind (and you can make them with just seven measly ingredients). Pair a bowl with something healthier, like apple slices and peanut butter, for a nutritionally complete nosh.
16. Pineapple Coconut Whip
Ren Fuller/Downshiftology: Healthy Meal Prep
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook
This is basically the next best thing to a trip to Disney, no? Bonus points for being dairy free and made with just three ingredients in the blender. Make it ahead and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
17. Swirled Tahini Cups
David Frenkiel/Quick and Slow
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Homemade nut butter cups are a great way to get a sweet fix, because you can control the amount of sugar added to the recipe. These are made with tahini, which is a ground sesame paste, but you could also try peanut butter or almond butter for a twist.
18. Berry-Coconut Rocket Pops
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly
If they’re chasing down the ice-cream truck but you’d rather do without all that food coloring and corn syrup, look no further. These pops are made with real fruit and coconut milk, and you can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking.
19. Watermelon-Kiwi Ice Pops
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead
In the summertime, we’re always looking for ways to keep our brood busy. These cutie ice pops are a healthy snack for kids to make themselves, since they’re just three ingredients and you don’t even need special molds. If you have paper cups, ice-pop sticks and a freezer, you’re good to go.
20. Cocoa Peanut Butter Granola
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, make ahead, <10 minutes
This granola is sweet and rich enough to taste decadent but sneakily packed with enough protein (hello, nine grams per serving) to keep active kids satisfied between mealtimes.
21. Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Whole Food for Your Family
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients
The convenience and quick energy of a store-bought bar is hard to beat, but we could all do without the impending sugar crash. FYI, you can sweeten these pure maple syrup instead of honey, but since it is thinner, it will sink to the bottom of the granola bars a bit.
22. Chocolate Avocado Brownies
Julia Gartland/Dada Eats
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free
These fudgy brownies have a few secret tricks: They’re gluten free, naturally sweetened and get their rich texture from a combination of avocado and peanut butter, which are rich in fiber and unsaturated fats.
23. Morning Soft Serve
Julia Gartland/Dada Eats
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients
Ever heard of “nice” cream? It’s basically frozen bananas blended into a creamy concoction that’s scoopable and sweet, but without all the sugar. Serve it with fresh fruit and a sprinkle of granola for a healthy twist on a sundae.
24. Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter and Banana
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 8 hours, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein
This creamy oatmeal contains a whopping 29 grams of protein, which is essential for your kid’s development and growth. Make a batch and store it in the fridge for up to three days.
25. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein
These tidy little pinwheels are so loaded with deli counter favorites (think: mild provolone and a meat of your kid’s choosing) that they won’t even notice you snuck in a little kale. 41 grams of protein will hold them over until they come looking for dinner.
26. Peaches-and-Cream Ice Pops
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Because these pops are made with Greek yogurt, they’re actually a smart and healthy snack choice for kids—think protein, fat and carbs in equal balance. Lower the sugar content even further by reducing or eliminating the sweetener.
27. One-Ingredient Watermelon Sorbet
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 4 hours
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead
Sorbet tends to be lower in fat than dairy ice cream, but just as high in sugar. Making your own from pure fruit is an easy way to eliminate the dreaded sugar rush that usually comes with enjoying a scoop. This version calls for just one ingredient and comes together in a food processor or blender.
28. Frozen Yogurt Bark
Feel Good Foodie
Time Commitment: 3 hours, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, beginner-friendly
Not only will a full-fat yogurt yield the best texture for this frozen bark, it’ll also provide a little more filling energy for your kid. Try a combination of berries, or top it with tropical fruits like pineapple and mango.
29. Cookie Dough Energy Bites
Pinch of Yum
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Here’s proof that a healthy snack doesn’t have to taste like health food, ya know? Chia seeds and rolled oats provide fiber, while peanut butter adds fat and protein. Best of all, they taste like dipping into the bowl of cookie dough when Mom’s not looking.
30. Soft Banana Cookies
What’s Gaby Cooking
Time Commitment: 23 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Speaking of cookies, would you believe these are actually good for you? They’re made with a base of bananas and almond butter and don’t contain added sugar, so you can feel good about giving them to your kids. (It doesn’t hurt that they’re ready in less than 30 minutes, too.)
31. Spinach Banana Oat Muffins
Inspiralized
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, gluten free
Spinach is high in iron and vitamins A and K, but we all know how much kids pick at it on their plate. Pair it with bananas and put it in a doughnut-shaped muffin, and suddenly they’re all over these green, nutrient-dense treats.
32. Rainbow Fruit Skewers
Ambitious Kitchen
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, no cook
FYI, you’re not limited to a chocolate drizzle with these fruit snacks—try dipping them into vanilla yogurt or chocolate hummus for a boost of healthy fat and protein.
33. Perfect Stovetop Popcorn
Cookie and Kate
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients
As long as it's not covered in butter and salt, popcorn is a solid choice as a healthy snack for kids. According to the USDA, this whole grain is low in calories and contains tons of fiber.
34. Chocolate Covered Bananas
Detoxinista
Time Commitment: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead
A creamy banana coated in a snappy dark chocolate shell? It’s like an ice cream bar, but better, since there’s way less added sugar and more fiber.
35. Double Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
What’s Gaby Cooking
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead
FYI, these secretly healthy muffins store well in the freezer for a last-minute treat. The zucchini adds fiber and vitamin A and keeps the muffins moist—a win-win-win.
36. No Bake High Protein Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Ambitious Kitchen
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, crowd-pleaser
Naturally sweetened with a touch of maple syrup, these cereal bars are another healthy snack that kids can make themselves, since you don’t need to turn on an oven to make them. Store them in the freezer for up to two months.
37. Healthy Carrot Muffins
Pinch of Yum
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Think of these muffins like a wholesome version of a carrot cake cupcake. They’re sweetened with dates and held together with oats, so they’re packed with fiber and won’t cause a sugar crash.
38. Homemade Dairy Free Yogurt Pouches
Fork and Beans
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook, beginner-friendly
Kids can’t resist those iconic store-bought yogurt pouches, but they’re always so laden with sugar that the whole “yogurt is healthy” thing goes out the window. Buy some ice pop bags and make them at home with real fruit (and less sugar) for an actually healthy snack. These are made with dairy-free yogurt, but you can use any kind.
39. Oatmeal Cashew Butter Energy Bites
The Defined Dish
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead
Your kids are going to beg for these healthy treats, so it’s a good thing they’re really easy to make. You’ll basically throw all the ingredients into a bowl, form them into balls and freeze until firm.
40. Date Snickers
Feel Good Foodie
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook, make ahead
Both dates and nut butter—whether it’s peanut, almond or otherwise—contain plant-based protein, so they’ll fill your kids up a bit between meals and quell their cravings for something sugary. (Psst: They really do taste like a candy bar.)
41. Feel Good Apple Muffins
Pinch of Yum
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, gluten free, dairy free
Another way to use dates? In these wholesome muffins, which are made with oats and apples for a just-sweet-enough snack that also happens to be gluten- and dairy-free.
42. Healthy “Guacadile” Dip
Fork and Beans
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
It’s guacamole in the shape of a crocodile—get it? Serve it with carrot sticks for extra #health, or tortilla chips for some whole grain fun. The homemade googly eyes are optional, but highly recommended.
43. 5-Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Butter Thumbprints
Minimalist Baker
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook, make ahead
Yep, cookies can be a healthy snack for kids, especially if they’re made with nut butter and almond flour instead of the usual butter, sugar and flour. These bites can be kept in the fridge for up to a week, or the freezer for up to a month. (That’s your cue to make them ahead.)
44. Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
All The Healthy Things
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <30 minutes
Here’s the thing: Coconut sugar is still less healthy than consuming no sugar, but since it’s less refined, it’s slightly better for you than granulated sugar. And let’s be honest, our kids want cookies (and who are we to deny them that every once in a while?).
45. Homemade Fruit Leather
Feel Good Foodie
Time Commitment: 6 hours, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients
Looking for a healthy snack for kid’s lunches that doesn’t come from a box? Look no further. Let them pick the flavor for this easy-to-make fruit leather, and they’ll be even more inclined to gobble it up.
46. Firecracker Fruit Kabobs
Fork and Beans
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook
There’s just something about cut fruit that kids can’t resist, and we’re not complaining. Up the fun factor by fashioning pieces into firecracker-shaped sticks that can be paired with another snack, like trail mix, for heft.
47. Ridiculously Good Wild Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
Ambitious Kitchen
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook, high protein
Another smoothie? Snooze—except this one, which is naturally sweetened with dates and has a boost of protein from Greek yogurt, isn’t a snooze at all. In fact, it tastes like everyone’s fave bakery treat (without all the refined sugar).
48. Vegetarian Sushi Cups
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, low sugar
Skip the boring crudités and make those veggies into these sushi cups—you’ll be winning snack time in no time. Eliminate the sriracha if you’re catering to sensitive taste buds.
49. Easy Homemade Potato Chips
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead
Everyone loves a crispety-crunchety potato chip, and while, yeah, you could buy the “baked” kind, it’s not so hard to make an unprocessed version yourself. The most nutritious snack? Nope, but if you pair it with protein-packed hummus, it’s not so bad.
50. Crockpot Chunky Monkey Trail Mix
Cotter Crunch
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead, gluten free
A gluten-free trail mix that’ll give your kids sustained energy and doesn’t require turning on the oven? Swoon. Use unsweetened banana chips and coconut flakes to eliminate added sugars.
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