Top 20 after-school snacks for kids
- Rachel Beckwith
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Avoid the after-school slump with these nourishing snacks for kids – these simple recipes will help to restore energy levels between meals.
When the kids get home from school, it can be tricky to find healthy snacks that will keep them satisfied until dinnertime. These budget-friendly ideas are all quick and easy to prepare – either make a batch of snacks ahead of time and keep them ready for hungry moments, or assemble them quick as a flash after school. Don’t worry – the little ones will soon have plenty of energy again.
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If you’re buying pre-packaged snacks, the NHS advice is to opt for 100 calorie snacks, and enjoy no more than two a day max. Kids can, of course, eat their fill of fruit and vegetables between meals, and for homemade recipes it’s not necessary to count calories – just keep an eye on your child’s overall salt, sugar and fat intake and try to balance their diet throughout the day. Here, we've picked recipes that can be enjoyed as part of a normal, balanced diet.
Find guides on everything from the best wooden play food and kids baking set ideas, to amazing space projects for kids in our family & kids section. For some extra inspiration, discover our baking recipe collection for kids.
Looking for recipe inspiration during the school year? See our top quick after-school suppers.
After-school snacks for kids
1. Instant frozen berry yogurt
Three ingredients and 2 mins are all you need to whip up this low-fat, low-calorie frozen yogurt treat, ideal for eating after exercise or a long day of learning at school.
2. Hummus snack packs
Save the liquid from a can of chickpeas to make a creamy hummus. Serve it with simple veg for a healthy snack that contributes to your little one's five-a-day.
3. Chickpea fritters
Make a batch of these chickpea fritters for your little ones. Full of healthy goodness, they're also freezable, so are ideal for making ahead.
4. Rice cake cress faces
Kids will love helping to make these no-cook vegan snacks. Load up rice cakes with hummus (or your nut butter of choice) then have fun transforming them into faces with cress hair, cucumber mouths, and olive and tomato eyes.
5. Mini soft pretzels with cheese dip
Little hands will love dunking these homemade pretzels into the melted cheese dip. They're freezable too, so whip up a batch to have on hand when hunger strikes. Now try more pretzel recipes.
6. Vegan nuggets
These vegan nuggets contain no nasties – just wholesome ingredients including cauliflower, cannellini beans, carrots and a seasoned breadcrumb coating. Discover more healthy vegan snack ideas.
7. Cinnamon & apricot trail mix
Bring a batch of this trail mix to the afternoon school run for hungry kids who can't wait until they get home for a snack. It's packed with dried apricots, walnut halves and mixed seeds.
8. No-bake flapjacks
This no-bake vegan snack is perfect for filling hungry tummies. Mix it up with the nut butter of your choosing and a mix of chocolate, dried fruit and nuts.
9. Turkey & avocado toast
Fresh fruit and vegetables are often the best option for kids after school, but sometimes they need something more substantial. Turkey & avocado toast makes a delicious energy-boosting snack that’s quick to prepare. Although not as cheap to buy, you might like to try smoked salmon, cooked chicken or ham as alternative toppings.
10. Pepper & walnut hummus with veg dippers
Vegetable sticks to the rescue! Satisfyingly crunchy and boasting a tasty homemade dip, little ones will love this pepper & walnut hummus with veg dippers. You can blitz this all-in-one method for hummus ahead of time, so there’s always some waiting in the fridge when they get home.
11. Rainbow fruit skewers
Get the kids involved with making these simple rainbow fruit skewers – they’ll have great fun assembling them in the right colour order. Use whatever fruit you have handy, and if they get bored of rainbows, you can get creative and make fruit faces or animals instead.
12. Almond, raisin & popcorn trail mix
Make a batch of almond, raisin & popcorn trail mix ahead of time for another go-to snack – it keeps beautifully in an airtight container as part of a kids’ lunchbox, too. Remember to always chop the nuts for children under five years old as they can be a choking hazard, and if you're sending this snack to school, you may need to check the school's policy on nuts.
13. Apple crunch
Simple but effective, spreading protein-rich peanut butter onto a halved apple is a cheap and easy snack that kids will love. If you can, choose a shop-bought spread with no added salt or sugar – alternatively, have a bash at whizzing up your own homemade peanut butter or try our almond butter recipe. You can easily swap the apple for sliced banana, strawberries, celery or cucumber, depending on your child’s preference.
14. Healthier flapjacks
When only a sweet snack will do, these healthier flapjacks are sure to hit the spot. We’ve swapped out some of the higher fat you’ll find in shop-bought versions, although the dried fruit makes them high in sugar, so enjoy them as a treat once in a while. Half a portion – packed full of oats, seeds and fruit – should be enough to fill little tummies.
15. Turkey & pepper pittas
Bridge the gap between school and supper with a mini pitta bread packed with veg and protein. These turkey & pepper pittas are a good place to start, or our recipe for toaster pitta pockets will satisfy cheese fiends of all ages.
16. Fruit rice paper rolls with coulis dip
These no-cook fruit rice paper rolls will be an instant hit with little ones, and they’re served with a mixed berry coulis for dunking. Ready in under 15 minutes, the tropical fruit provides a nutritious burst of energy.
17. Wrap-your-own spring rolls
If you have a bit more time at the weekend, get the little ones involved and wrap your own spring rolls – you can reheat these treats later in the week as you need them. Mix and match the vegetables inside so that kids can eat the ones they like the most.
18. Apricot oat bars
Bake a batch of these moreish apricot oat bars ready for when the kids are craving something sweet. Salted butter balances the sweet apricot jam, so they’re a treat without being too sugary.
19. Healthy banana bread
Give your kids all the joy of an afternoon cake without worrying about a sugar crash with our low-fat, healthy banana bread. It’s also freezable, so you can always have one waiting in the wings as a surprise.
20. Chocolate chia pudding
Make a tasty, healthy chocolate pudding in just five minutes. It's low-calorie and vegan, too, and the chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Looking for more? Try these these guides on healthy eating for kids:
Top sugar swaps for your family
Snacks that are under 100 calories
Top 5 healthy snacks for kids
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What do your kids like to eat after school? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below.
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