28 Healthy Kid-Friendly Snack Recipes (2024)

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These healthy, kid-friendly snack recipes are perfect for lunch boxes and after-school snacks. Even if you’ve struggled to find something healthy your kid will eat, you’ll find a new go-to idea in this collection of 28+ snacks for kids.

28 Healthy Kid-Friendly Snack Recipes (1)

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Finding a healthy balance is a struggle for most adults – so it never surprises me when moms tell me their kids won’t eat healthy foods.

Spoiler alert: your kid won’t come home from school today, talking about the benefits of a plant-based or clean eating diet. Unfortunately, our schools don’t see the value in teaching nutrition to our kids.

Think about it. If you help your child his homework, and if you answer to M-O-M, then ya do, when was the last time healthy eating popped up on the radar?

I asked my girls about what they’ve learned about healthy eating habits (they’re 18 and 11), and the answer was: Nada.
Well, technically, the answer was. Oh, my gah, mom, you are being so extra. Followed by “nothing.”

But you get my point.

So how do you get your kids to eat healthy foods? Well, it starts with you, but even that doesn’t do 100% of the job. Look, some of the fittest folks I know have kids with the worst eating habits.

So what do you do?

Well, the first step is to make small changes and work your way up to more sustainable changes. The second is to try not to lecture them. (It doesn’t work.)

You could also try taking a family field trip to a local farmer’s market. You’d be surprised how much kids love a farm. (And they have the best produce:) And, if you can try starting an herb or vegetable garden at home.

In the meantime, try offering one of these healthy kid-friendly snack recipes.

Fruit Pizza Crackers

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Fruit Pizza Crackers by homemade GingerThis could easily become one of your go-to healthy snack recipes (for any occasion). Super simple to make and so pretty-oh, and they taste even better than they look!

Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

These clean eating breakfast bars are gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and perfect for busy mornings when you need a breakfast or snack to grab and go. Oh, and they’re freezer-friendly.

Apple Cookies

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Apple cookies from Paleo Eats and Treats are another fine example of a fab after school snack – that doesn’t take too much effort:)

3 Ingredient Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Make these peanut butter cookies with three simple ingredients in 20 minutes. These healthy homemade cookies are sugar-free, gluten-free, easy, and, maybe I’m a tiny bit partial because they’re my “recipe” – make an outstanding after-school snack for kids! (Mine are 12 and 8 – and they both agree.)

No Bake Granola Bars

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Chewy no-bake granola bars from TheBig Man’s World only take a few minutes to prepare and they are super healthy & fun to eat!

Chocolate Dipped Fruit Cones

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Chocolate Dipped Fruit Cones from My Fussy Eater will have your picky eater loving fruit in no time – well, it may take a little bit longer, but still – worth a try!

Healthy Granola Cups

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Fruit & Yogurt Granola Cups from House of YummThese are perfect for picky eaters because they can add (or subtract) the fruit toppings based on their preferences – or based on what you have in the fridge.

Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Protein Balls

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Easy No Bake Snickerdoodle Balls via What Molly Made. Filled with protein and cinnamon.

Healthy Chocolate Pudding Pops

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No baking necessary & only 6 ingredients for these healthy treats for school or home!

Healthy Shortbread Cookies

You may become slightly obsessed with these shortbread cookies. They’re easy, low carb, gluten-free, sugar-free and they taste like legit old school classic buttery shortbread. (Again – my recipe, but if I can make a gluten-free cookie happen – you can too!)

Fruit Donuts

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Easy Apple Fruit Donuts from hello, Wonderful My twelve-year-old daughter is in love with these.

Blueberry Coconut Energy Bites

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Blueberry Coconut Energy Bites from Two Peas & Their Pod are a healthy on the go snack for kids that only take 10 minutes to make!

Peanut Butter Snack Bars

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Peanut Butter Honey No Bake Granola Bars from Julie’s Eats & Treats. What can I say, other than it’s peanut butter and honey – everybody loves this combo!

Peanut Butter Balls

This simple three-ingredient no-bake snack or treat recipe works for Paleo, vegan, and clean eating diets and is 100% kid-friendly.

Apple Chips

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Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips from Sally’s Baking Addiction

No Bake Peanut Butter Balls with Chia Seeds

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EASY & healthy No Bake Energy Bites with Chia Seeds from Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog. Chia Seeds are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants – this is a fab way to introduce your kid to something healthy and delicious.

Banana Chips

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Homemade Baked Banana Chips from Diethood

No Bake Energy Bites

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Make this healthy snack for kids from Gimme Some Oven in ten minutes!

Greek Yogurt Bark

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Greek Yogurt Breakfast Bark from Go Eat & Repeat

No Bake Granola Bars

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Clean Eating No Bake Granola Bars Recipe from The Gracious Pantry

Frozen Trail Mix Bars

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Frozen Yogurt Trail Mix Bars from The Lean Green Bean come together in only 5 minutes & make a fabulous healthy snack for kids (& adults) or an easy breakfast.

Frozen Yogurt Bites

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Frozen Fruity Yoghurt Bites from Eats Amazing

Mango Pops

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Mango Colada Pops [Dairy-Free] from The Lean Clean Eating Machine

Banana Ice Cream Pops

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Impossibly Easy Banana Ice Cream from My Life & Kids

Superfood Smoothie

This easy superfood smoothie recipe is loaded with clean eating, healthy ingredients like spinach, kale, blueberries, bananas, and pineapple. (100% kid-approved: my daughter created it!:)

Super Smoothie

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Frozen Superhero Smoothie from My Fussy Eater combines frozen bananas, strawberries, spinach, and almond milk to make the perfect healthy snack (or breakfast.)

Frozen Blueberry Bites

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Frozen Blueberry Bites from Live Eat Learn are a delightful treat that just happen to be dairy-free, gluten free, & vegan. Oh, and they’re super simple to make-you only need 2 ingredients!

Frozen Fruity Breakfast Bars

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Frozen Breakfast Bars from Fork & Beans. These are absolutely too simple for words, y’all. It only takes 10 minutes to put these together & they’re perfect for on the go or after school. And, obviously, breakfast!

Fruit & Granola Breakfast Popsicles

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Fruit & Granola Breakfast Popsicles from A Cookie Named Desire

Healthy Snacks For Kids – Fun Ideas

Under The Sea

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Fun & yummy Under the Sea snack by Kix is packed with healthy fruits & vegetables!

Apple Owl

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Hoot Hoot! Eat Your Fruit! This fun fruit snack is thanks to Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons

The Frog Prince

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The Frog Prince from Little Food Junction

The Crab

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Transform your sandwich with these instructions from Cute Food for Kids.

Did I Miss Anything?

Do you have enough healthy snack inspiration?

Or maybe I missed one of the best kid-friendly snack recipes?

Either way, let me know in the comments below!

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Don’t Forget To Save These Kid-Friendly Snack Recipes!

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28 Healthy Kid-Friendly Snack Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are good snacks for kids with good gut health? ›

Foods that positively impact gut health

Yogurt contains prebiotics and probiotics which promote good bacteria growth in the gastrointestinal tract. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. Apples, beans or fruits with skin aid in healthy digestion, and berries and tomatoes contain antioxidants.

What are healthy snacks for kids vs unhealthy snacks? ›

The best snacks are low in sugar, fat, and salt. Fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and protein foods are good choices. An occasional treat is fine, but serve healthy snacks most of the time. It's not just about what you offer as a snack — it's how much you serve and when.

What foods keep kids full? ›

Snacks with fiber or protein help kids feel full longer. Foods with these nutrients take more time to digest. Fiber comes from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Protein comes from beans, cheese, milk, meats, eggs, nuts, and nut butters.

How can kids eat healthy on a budget? ›

Stock up on whole grains, like brown rice, farro, barley, and oats, and beans or lentils. These are inexpensive items that add substance and nutritious benefits to many different kinds of meals. Loaded with fiber and protein, these will keep you and the family full longer.

What is the most successful snack? ›

The customer and data-centric platform HubScore recently released its Favorite Snack By State Report, showcasing the most sought-after munchies nationwide. The winner? Rice Krispies Treats.

What are dry healthy school snacks? ›

Items to include: low-fat granola, whole grain cereals, peanuts, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and dried fruits like raisins, apricots, apples, pineapple, or cranberries.

What is a good alternative to chips for kids? ›

Raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers are a much healthier alternative to chips, specifically if you want to replace tortilla chips! Sliced raw vegetables still have that nice crunch that regular chips do, but contain virtually zero grams of fat.

What can I snack on instead of junk food? ›

Healthier options if you're craving fried foods and starches

Whole grain cereals, crackers, breads, and oats. Spread some hummus or peanut butter onto your favorite healthy cracker for an extra dose of flavor and protein. Homemade quinoa berry bites.

What is a fast healthy snack? ›

A piece of fruit

Portable, easy-to-eat fruits include apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, and oranges. A small container of berries can be a great, satisfying snack when you're on the go. Fruit contains fiber and minerals and makes a great small snack. To make it more satisfying, pair your fruit with nuts or yogurt.

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