From toddlers to teens, everyone will go crazy over these filling snack ideas you can whip up in minutes.
Whether you have a preschooler or high-schooler in the house, all kids are hungry when they get home from school. Alas, finding healthy and easy-to-make snacks to eat after a long day in the classroom — that are filling, but not too filling before dinner — can be a real struggle for parents, especially if they're dealing with picky eaters and moody teenagers. Enter our list of the best after-school snacks for kids, which has quick and easy snack ideas for everybody (even adults).
These easy homemade snacks range from savory classics with a twist, like ranch popcorn and hummus crackers, to sweet treats with a healthier spin on them (think fresh-fruit slushies and apple nachos). Some of these after-school snack recipes require three ingredients or less while others can be whipped up in five minutes — after all, we know parents are also busy meal-prepping healthy weeknight dinners for the family. These dips, bars, frozen treats, and snack mixes also make great party appetizers to serve at family functions or simple desserts to enjoy after digging into a lighter dinner. You can even pack these snacks up in your kid's lunch box so they can enjoy the leftovers at school the next day.
So, what are you waiting for? Try these creative after-school snack recipes and get ready to add them all to your family's favorite recipes list.
1
Blue Wave Smoothie Bowl
Fruit turtles, mermaids, crabs, and submarines atop a flavor-packed spirulina smoothie bowl — who would say no to that?
Get the Blue Wave Smoothie Bowl recipe.
2
Celery Snails & Caterpillars
These adorable snacks take ants on a log to the next level.
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3
Apple Nachos
The perfect after-school snack to celebrate making it through another week.
Get the Apple Nachos recipe.
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4
PB&J Bars
A healthy after school treat that is so much better than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
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5
Peach Melba Pops
The perfect snack to cool off after a hot day in the schoolyard.
Get the Peach Melba Pops recipe.
6
Ranch Popcorn
Three ingredients are all you need to take your popcorn from meh to WOW.
Get the Ranch Popcorn recipe.
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7
Apple Energy Balls
Whip up a big batch of these energy balls that your kids can eat on the way home from school or before sports practice.
Get the Apple Energy Balls recipe.
8
Fruit and Nut Bars
You can make these fruit and nut bars ahead of time and refrigerate for the next couple of days.
Get the Fruit and Nut Bars recipe.
9
Soft Pretzels
Your kids will be the first ones off the bus with the promise of warm soft pretzels waiting for them at home for an after-school snack.
Get the Soft Pretzels recipe.
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10
Snack Mix
You'll never opt for the storebought version again after trying our beyond-delicious (and oh-so-easy!) take on a snacking classic.
Get the Snack Mix recipe.
11
Crispy Chickpeas
Skip the prepackaged cheddar crackers and chips and stick with these savory crispy chickpeas.
Get the Crispy Chickpeas recipe.
12
Apple Chips
Apple chips from the store can be really expensive. You can make a tastier version at home with two simple ingredients.
Get the Apple Chips recipe.
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13
Broccoli and Cheddar Rollups
Forget store-bought Hot Pockets. You can make these broccoli and cheddar rollups and keep them in the freezer for up to a month before serving them.
Get the Broccoli and Cheddar Rollups recipe.
14
Carrot Cake Bites
These carrot cake bites are a no-bake treat that you can make in just 25 minutes.
Get the Carrot Cake Bites recipe.
15
Frozen Tropical Fruit Kebabs
A fun way to eat more fruit? Slice it, stick it in the freezer on skewers, and drizzle your favorite chocolate over it.
Get the Frozen Tropical Fruit Kebabs recipe.
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16
Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins
Ditch the messiness that is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and make them into bite-sized muffins instead.
Get the Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins recipe.
17
Hawaiian Fresh Fruit Salad
With just a few fresh ingredients (you probably have on hand) you can make a snack the kids will want to eat time and time again.
Get the Hawaiian Fresh Fruit Salad recipe.
18
Wafflecakes
Who said waffles can't be snacks? These tiny waffle-cupcake hybrids can be topped with any fruit you have in the fridge and yogurt for a healthy snack.
Get the Wafflecakes recipe.
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19
Gummy Lobsters
So candy and cookies might not be the healthiest after-school snack, but these cute crustacean cookies are a super-fun project and treat in one.
Get the Gummy Lobsters recipe.
20
Cheddar, Zucchini & Scallion Muffins
Savory muffins make a great protein-packed snack.
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Olivia Muenter
Olivia Muenter is a freelance writer and former fashion and beauty editor who writes about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, relationships, travel, home decor, and more for Woman's Day and beyond. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Refinery 29, Glamour, Byrdie, Apartment Therapy, Philadelphia Magazine, and more. When she's not reading (or talking about reading on Bad on Paper, the bookish podcast she co-hosts), you can find Olivia working on her first novel, curating the perfect playlist, or shopping online.
Elizabeth Berry
Updates Editor
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
