21 Quick and Easy After School Snack Ideas for Kids
Trust us: Older kids will want a bite of these recipes, too.
No matter which grade your kid is currently in, they still probably look forward to coming home after a long school day and digging into their favorite snack before starting homework or heading off to sports or band practice. And while a handful of pretzels or quick granola bar can re-energize them in a pinch, it can also be healthier to incorporate some easy homemade snacks into their weekly routine. The beauty of this list of the best after school snacks is that they can all come together pretty quickly and you can easily prep some of them ahead of time for easy grab-and-go munchies. Plus, you might even be able to get the kids in on the meal prepping fun.
Everyone has their ideal snack combo, whether it's something sweet, salty, sour, or savory, and these recipes cover all the bases on top of making sure your kids will get a healthy serving of fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats so they can take on their geometry homework, basketball tournament, or piano recital. And who's to say you can't nibble on these delicious muffins, bars, and dips, too? After all, snack time anytime is for everyone and anyone. So, take a look through these after school snack recipe ideas to brainstorm what to offer the kids after a big test, or even at the next Christmas or Valentine's Day party with all their friends.
Celery Snails & Caterpillars
These adorable snacks take ants on a log to the next level.
Get the Celery Snails & Caterpillars recipe.
Apple Nachos
The perfect after school snack to celebrate making it through another week.
Get the Apple Nachos recipe.
PB&J Bars
A healthy after school treat that is so much better than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Get the PB&J Bars recipe.
Peach Melba Pops
The perfect snack to cool off after a hot day in the schoolyard.
Get the Peach Melba Pops recipe.
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.
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.
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.
Crispy Chickpeas
Skip the prepackaged cheddar crackers and chips and stick with these savory crispy chickpeas.
Get the Crispy Chickpeas recipe.
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.
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.
Snack Mix
The kids are going to love coming home to this homemade trail mix in little bags, which makes for easy clean up.
Get the Snack Mix recipe.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins
Ditch the messiness that is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and make them into bite-sized muffins instead.
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.
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.
Cheddar, Zucchini & Scallion Muffins
Savory muffins make a great protein-packed snack.
Chocolate-Dipped Clementines
These dipped orange segments hit all the sweet and salty notes your kids crave.
Get the Chocolate-Dipped Clementines recipe.
Hummus Crackers
This homemade hummus snack is just 65 calories per serving and adds an array of flavors to plain crackers.
Get the Hummus Crackers recipe.
Rhubarb Twists
These rhubarb twists are such a good option for a grab-and-go snack that kids will actually enjoy eating. Plus, it's a great way to get them an extra serving of vegetables (yes, rhubarb is a vegetable!).
Get the Rhubarb Twist recipe.
Broccoli Artichoke Dip
This healthy veggie dip is literally packed full of veggies, and is a great way to get kids their servings of important vitamins and fiber.
Get the Broccoli Artichoke Dip recipe.
Pigs in Blankets
Busy hands are great for finger foods, making these pigs in a blanket perfect for an afternoon snack and a good source of protein.
Get the Pigs in Blankets recipe.
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 (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.
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