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The minute kids walk in the door after school, they are hungry. If you do not have a plan, it is easy to end up with chips and cookies every day.
A few easy snacks made ahead or put together in minutes can make that time of day so much calmer. Many of these can be made on the weekend and kept in the fridge, freezer or pantry.
Here are 15 easy after school snacks the whole family will love, from no bake energy bites to soft pretzel bites and cheesy muffins.
The Best After School Snacks
This article is all about the best after school snacks.
1. After School Snack Crackers
What it is: Graham cracker squares topped three ways: peanut butter with banana or jam, almond butter with apple slices and honey, and cream cheese with blueberries or strawberries. No cooking at all.
It takes about 10 minutes and kids can build their own. You get some protein and fruit in with the fun. Tip: Set out all the toppings and let everyone make their own combinations.
2. Cookie Dough Energy Bites
What it is: Oats and coconut pulsed with peanut butter, honey, chia seeds, vanilla and chocolate chips, then rolled into balls and frozen.
They taste like cookie dough, so kids grab them happily. One batch makes about 30, which covers a lot of afternoons. Tip: If the mix feels dry, add a little more honey or peanut butter until it sticks together.
3. Soft Pretzel Bites
What it is: Canned biscuit dough rolled into balls, dipped in a baking soda bath, brushed with egg and salted, then baked and served with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce.
Using refrigerated biscuits makes homemade pretzels easy on a school day. The cheese dip makes it feel like a treat. Tip: Do not worry if the dough looks messy after the bath, it smooths out in the oven.
4. Donut-Shaped Apple Snacks
What it is: Thick apple rings with the core cut out, drizzled with melted chocolate, peanut butter or white chocolate and finished with sprinkles or other toppings.
Kids love that they look like donuts, and it is still mostly fruit. It only takes about 15 minutes. Tip: Spoon the melted chocolate into a zip top bag and snip the corner for easy drizzling.
5. Mini Banana Muffins
What it is: Little banana muffins made with very ripe bananas, brown sugar, sour cream, cinnamon and vanilla, baked in a mini muffin pan.
This is a smart way to use up brown bananas. The small size is just right for a snack after school. Tip: Make them your own by stirring in your favorite mix-ins.
6. Homemade Cheez-Its
What it is: Crispy cheddar crackers made from flour, butter, sharp cheddar and a little paprika and garlic powder, rolled thin and cut into small squares.
They taste like the boxed crackers but with real cheese and butter. Kids can help cut the squares and poke the holes. Tip: Grate the cheese yourself, since the recipe says pre-grated cheese will not work as well.
7. GORP
What it is: A sweet and salty snack mix of Honey Nut Cheerios, raisins, mixed nuts or peanuts and plain M&M candies.
Four ingredients and five minutes is all it takes. It keeps well, so one batch lasts all week. Tip: Portion it into small zip close bags so kids can grab one on the way out the door.
8. Avocado Hummus Snack Jars
What it is: Chickpeas, tahini, avocado, garlic and lemon juice blended into a creamy hummus, spooned into jars and served with carrot sticks, celery, cucumber and crackers.
Kids get a dip they like plus a pile of crunchy veggies. The jars make it easy to grab from the fridge. Tip: Eat them within two to three days, since the avocado is best fresh.
9. No-Bake Honey Nut Cheerios Snack Bars
What it is: Honey Nut Cheerios and raisins stirred into a quick microwave mix of butter, honey, brown sugar and vanilla, then pressed into a pan and cut into bars.
These cost much less than store bought bars and are ready in about 13 minutes. You can swap in nuts or trail mix for the raisins. Tip: Light corn syrup in place of the honey keeps the bars firmer at room temperature.
10. Baked Apple Chips
What it is: Thin apple slices dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar, baked low and slow until crisp.
There are only three ingredients, and kids love the crunch. Any apple variety you have will work. Tip: If the chips are not crunchy after cooling for five minutes, bake them in 15 minute increments until they are.
11. Cheesy Zucchini Muffins
What it is: Savory muffins made with shredded zucchini, cheddar cheese, a little garlic, yogurt and milk, baked until golden and crusty outside.
A good pick when kids want something savory. They stay fresh for four days and fit nicely in lunch boxes too. Tip: Squeeze the extra water out of the grated zucchini with your hands before mixing.
12. Ranch Pretzels
What it is: Pretzel sticks and butter pretzels tossed with oil, ranch seasoning, dill and garlic powder, then baked low for an hour.
One batch makes a big bowl that lasts for days. The ranch flavor is a hit with kids and grown ups. Tip: Stir the pretzels every 15 minutes while they bake so they season evenly.
13. 3 Ingredient Healthy Energy Bars
What it is: Peanuts, dates and dried apricots pulsed in a food processor, pressed into a square, chilled and cut into bars.
There is no cooking and no added sugar beyond the fruit. They are a simple swap for packaged bars. Tip: Chill the pressed square for at least an hour so the bars cut cleanly.
14. Healthy Blueberry Muffins
What it is: Blueberry muffins made with whole wheat flour, almond flour, buttermilk and olive oil, sweetened with real maple syrup instead of sugar.
They feel like a treat but use wholesome ingredients. Bake a batch on Sunday and you are set for the week. Tip: These freeze well, so tuck extras in the freezer for busy days.
15. Apple Snack Squares
What it is: A cross between a bar and a cake, packed with diced tart apples, walnuts and cinnamon and topped with butterscotch chips.
One 9×13 pan makes 16 squares, enough for the whole family. It is a cozy fall snack with a glass of milk. Tip: The batter will be thick, so do not worry, and let the squares cool before cutting.
Tips for Easy After School Snacks
- Prep on the weekend. Bake muffins, bars or crackers on Sunday so snacks are ready all week.
- Use the freezer. Energy bites and muffins keep well frozen and thaw fast.
- Portion it out. Small bags or jars make it easy for kids to grab a snack on their own.
- Add some fruit or veggies. Pair a treat with apple slices, berries or carrot sticks.
- Let kids help. Kids are more likely to eat a snack they made themselves.
Pin this post to your snack board so you always have an easy after school snack idea ready.