It’s back to school season, and that means extra snack needs for your little ones. I’ve said before and will say again, make healthy eating a family affair. There is no age limit on learning to eat right. So, not only will these snacks make awesome, healthy, filling additions to your kids’ lunches and backpacks, but make some extras for yourself, too!

Snack Ideas What you could use Making Snack Magic
Trail Mix Nuts, Seeds, Dried Fruit Chocolate Covered Cherry

Walnuts, pistachios, dried dark cherries, chocolate chips

 

Tropical Treat

Macadamia nuts, shredded coconut, dried pineapple, pumpkin seeds
Fruit with… Apple, Banana, Strawberry, Grapes

 

Peanut, Almond Butter, Macadamia nut, Sunflower seed butter, Cheese, Nuts

 Cut an apple in half, remove seeds and core, add peanut butter in the middle, then put the apple back “together”. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
Flavored Milk Milk of choice, flavoring Vanilla Bean Burst

8 oz milk, ½ tsp vanilla, 2-3 tsp maple syrup

 

Chocolate Classic

8 oz milk, 1 heaping Tbsp cocoa powder, sprinkling of salt, 1 Tbsp maple syrup (shake well)
Crispy Beans Chickpeas (garbanzo beans), Edamame, Pinto beans, Kidney beans

 

Coconut oil, olive oil, flavored oil

 

Spices for flavor combos

 

*Chickpeas, pinto, and kidney beans must be pre-cooked/canned

 Chickpea Poppers

1 can chickpeas, drizzle of olive oil, sprinkling of salt, cinnamon, and a small pinch of cayenne. Rinse and thoroughly dry chickpeas. Toss in oil to lightly coat. Add seasonings of choice. Spread on baking sheet and bake at 400*F for about 40 + minutes or until browned and crispy. Shake once during cooking.
Crackers and… Cheese, Crackers, Dried Fruit, Nut butter, Graham Crackers, Hard Boiled Egg The Cheese “Plate”

Whole grain crackers, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries

 

PB Perfection

Peanut butter sandwiched between two graham crackers (try some shredded coconut or Nutella too for added fun!)

 
Granola bars Oats, Seeds, Fruit, Nut Butters, Nuts, Chocolate chips PB and Chocolate Bars

2 cups oatmeal, ¼ cup wheat germ, 8-9 dates finely diced, 5 Tbsp unsweetened apple sauce (about one small container), 1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil, 2-3 Tbsp honey, ½ Tbsp cocoa powder, ½ cup chocolate chips, ¾ cup chopped walnuts, ½ cup dried cranberries

 

Mix together. Pat down into an 8×8 pan and bake for 15 minutes.

Aubrey Phelps, MS RDN LDN