After-school snack ideas for kids of all ages

After-school snack ideas for kids of all ages

Families – 27.03.24

Charlotte Stirling-Reed is a baby and child nutritionist, an author of cookbooks including How To Feed Your Family, and a mum of two. Here she tackles the topic of kids snacking and provides lots of healthy and quick suggestions to make life easier for busy mums and dads

Sarah Henson
Sarah Henson
Author

Here is how to feed

The fussy toddler

Banana and peanut butter muffins - These are nutritious and filling and easy to make in bulk. They aren’t super sweet, but you can offer them alongside some berries or fruit.

Oatcakes - Use these as a base for a nutritious topping or dip. Serve with some fruit or veg sticks.

Pizza wrap - My kids love these and they’re a nice, simple savoury snack. They’re great to get the kids involved, as they can choose their own toppings.

The hungry teen

Pesto pasta - Pasta often goes down well with kids and pesto is a great topping that doesn’t require additional cooking. I love making home-made pesto as it’s super easy to use up ingredients you have at home, but store-bought can be quick and convenient, too. Offering just a small portion before dinner a little later or as a “light meal” might be a winner.

Porridge/cereal - These don’t have to be only eaten at breakfast. Add toppings like nut butter, yoghurt, milled seeds and fruit for a balanced snack.

Toast and topping - Toast is the ultimate quick and easy snack and such a great base. Some of my favourite toast toppings are nut butter, tinned fish, avocado, hummus and eggs.

The plant-based Eater

Veggie muffins - I love to make batches of these to have in my freezer as they’re perfect for whipping out when you need something quick. They’re also ideal for using up any veg you have left over to save it from being wasted. My recipe can be adapted to be egg or dairy-free if you need.

Veggie fritters - I make these to use up any veg that’s past its best or just as an easy way to add a little veg to my kids’ meal. Serve with some hummus or yoghurt and some fruit for added balance.

Sweet potato falafel – Falafel is a good option for plant-based protein and this is great to make ahead when you get the chance. Ready-made falafel can also be convenient when you’re short on time.

The sweet tooth

No added sugar banana bread recipe - This is one of my favourite snacks, and my kids’, too. Ideal for making in bulk and freezing for when you need a quick meal, it’s great served with yoghurt and nut butter or ground nuts and seeds.

Apple slices with yoghurt, tahini and milled seeds – Thinly slice the apples then top with yoghurt and tahini mixed together and a sprinkle of milled seeds. Super quick, nutritious and balanced.

No bake, no added sugar energy balls - These are such a fab, nutrient-dense, quick snack option to make ahead. The dates add plenty of sweetness and fibre, but you can swap them with other dried fruit, if you prefer.

The one who refuses fruit or veg

Carrot cake flapjacks - flapjacks are a real winner in my house and a good way of using up left-over veg or even porridge.

Porridge fingers - I often get asked what can be done with left-over porridge and this is one of my favourite ways to use it. Some children may be more willing to have fruit when it’s cooked into porridge or muffins and pancakes.

Sweet potato wedges and dip - Sweet potatoes are often a food that kids love and can make a balanced snack if you serve them alongside a dip like mashed avocado or yoghurt and tahini. Bake them with the skin on for added fibre.

Find more recipes on Charlotte's blog.

If you’ve got a baby, toddler or older child who is showing signs of picky eating, find out more about Charlotte’s Fussy Eating Crash Course here.