With school back in full swing, I’m not the only one who has a kid coming home starving, right?
Every day after school it’s like we have a little hungry bear rummaging around in the pantry looking for something to eat.
I’ve been trying to make sure my kids make healthier choices when it comes to snacking this school year. They only get 20 minutes for lunch and then one snack at school so at 3:30 hunger strikes.
And I get it. I get hungry too then. I always need a cup of coffee and something a little sweet around that time. I understand that they’re looking for the same thing (Minus the coffee, of course!) with after school snacks.
If I don’t plan ahead and have a line-up of snacks when they get home, the default ends up being some kind of junk food. Instead, I’ve started keeping a list of nutritious after school snacks that I can count on to feed the kids (and me too) when they come home famished.
In partnership with Stonyfield Organic, here are 10 ideas I hope you can add to your after school snack list too.
Roasted chickpeas
Chickpeas are legumes that are high in protein. Perfect for when the kids come home hungry to fill them up and replenish their protein levels.
Roasting them is simple! Simply combine one can of chickpeas with 2 Tbsp. of olive oils and roast in the oven at 425 for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle them with salt and then enjoy!
You can also use barbecue sauce if you want to mix it up.
Stonyfield fruit and veggie pouches
Stonyfield Organic’s fruit and veggie pouches are delicious smoothies that your kids will love. They use coconut cream instead of traditional dairy. They’re also made from 100 percent fruits and veggies.
Each pouch contains 6 simple ingredients and is half a serving of fruits and vegetables. There’s no added sugar, not preservatives and they are all USD certified organic as well as non-GMO project verified.
The Stonyfield Organic flavors include:
- Tropical Twist Smoothie, made with Organic Mango Puree, Organic Pear Puree, Organic Banana Puree, Organic Carrot Puree, Organic Coconut Cream, Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate.
- Strawbana Smash Smoothi, which includes Organic Pear Puree, Organic Strawberry Puree, Organic Banana Puree, Organic Coconut Cream, Organic Sweet Potato Puree, Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate.
- Berry Blast Cherry Smoothie, made with Organic Apple Puree, Organic Blueberry Puree, Organic Cherry Puree, Organic Coconut Cream, Organic Beet Puree, Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate.
My kids are loving these and they don’t really know that they have vegetables included in them. It’s helpful for me because my son refuses to eat almost any vegetables so I like to sneak them in where I can.
I also like to add these to my daughter’s lunch box or slip them into her book bag for the afternoon snack. You can find them at Whole Foods right now and they will be available in more stores starting in January.
Apples and peanut butter
This is a snack that’s always on someone’s plate here. I actually love to eat this combo in the afternoon when I’m craving something sweet and the kids have followed suit. Simply slice your apples and give them a small cup of peanut butter to let them dip in.
No-fry French fries
Hear me out. I didn’t add French fries to the list because I’m an awesome mom. I added them because I make them with potatoes and bake them. Potatoes contain more potassium than bananas and are a good source of B6, fiber and magnesium. But my kids don’t know that. They just know they taste good and fill them up. You can find my recipe for perfectly seasoned potato wedges here.
Frozen raspberries
This one is so fun and it feels like an ice cream treat! Basically, I stuff raspberries with Stonyfield Vanilla Whole Milk Yogurt and freeze them. After about an hour you can take them out and serve. I love these for the first few weeks of school and the last few weeks of school when temperatures are still warm in the afternoons.
Plantain chips
These are just delicious and a good alternative to potato chips! With a natural sweetness, they are a good source of Vitamins A, C and B-6. Like potatoes, they also contain magnesium and potassium. Find the recipe for mine here.
Fresh veggies and homemade veggie dip
I made this ranch dip from Stonyfield Greek Yogurt and my kids can’t really tell the difference! After school I serve it with some carrots, snap peas and celery. Just watch your spouse. If he or she is anything like mine he will eat it all. 🙂 Get the recipe here.
Granola, fruit and yogurt cups
As a fast snack around here we like to eat some crunchy granola over a small bowl of yogurt. We also like to add blueberries, raspberries and other fruits that are in season. It’s fast, easy and nutritious. You could also try cereal and make something llike these three parfait ideas.
Zucchini chips
Another potato chip substitute, zucchini chips are an inventive way to get your kids to eat a few more vegetables. The key to making them taste more potato chip-like it to slice them as thin as possible. Then you have to bake them low and slow. Find a great recipe here.
Fruit and yogurt pops
These are so simple to make! Simply mix together some water and your favorite yogurt flavor. I use Stonyfield Vanilla Whole Milk Yogurt again. You can add any fruit that’s in season at the time. During back-to-school, I like to add in stone fruit like peaches and nectarines since it is perfect this time of year. Here is my recipe.
What else do you like to give your kids when they come home hungry?
These are great afternoon snack ideas. I have to make sure to add this to my shopping list.
I love snacks and the grandkids do too. All those sound so good and I must try with them. Thanks for sharing.
Such awesome snack ideas 🙂 I love roasted chickpeas! I’ll have to check out the smoothies and those plantain chips
My boys are always hungry after school These are healthy snacks that I know they will love.
What a great list! I’ll have to make some of those fruit and yogurt pops. I bet my kids will love those.
I love roasted chickpeas and those frozen raspberries look good too. These snacks are great for after school and for adults too.
These are great snacks and love that you are giving us all these options for the kids.
These are some great ideas for after schools next thank you so much for the ideas.
I love plantain chips! We call them platanutres!
School just started for us today, so I know all too well that the gang will be hungry when they get home from school. These are all great suggestions, and I’ll have to pick up some of these things after the kids go to school tomorrow.
My boys are always looking for after school snacks. Thanks for sharing these, now I can add a little more variety to the mix.
I have never had plantain chips but they lok so good. These are some great options for healthy snacks.
Fruit and yogurt pops sound so good about now! I need to try this for an afterschool snack for my 3.
So many great choices! My family loves plantain chips, my husband makes them at home all the time.
I love finding health and nutritious afterschool snacks for my kids. They typically come home hungry and looking for stuff to snack on. I do my best to keep healthy snacks on hand but I do let them splurge on junk sometimes. Fruit, popcorn, yogurt, and zucchini chips are some of their favorites.
I always do fruit or oatmeal when they come home. they are always so hungry when they get home from school and I never understood it but these are great options
My son is always looking for a snack when he gets home. I definitely want to provide him healthy options.
I’m loving hard on all of these wonderful healthy snack ideas! Thank you for sharing this yummy snacking inspiration!
Those are kid friendly snacks to love. I think kids are going to enjoy eating them. These are great recommendations.
Ugh! These are all common favorites of kids. They are sweet, yummy and nutritious. Aren’t those wonderful to consume? Indeed it is!
I love the idea of healthy snacks! I will make some of these tasty snacks!
These are great afternoon snacks ideas to prepare for our kids. It’s delicious and healthy and I am sure they are going to enjoy every bite of it.
Thank you for these ideas! My neice loves her after school snack and we have to think of something healthy every week. Glad I found this!
Those snacks look great and are perfect for everyone. Chickpeas are my favorite ❤
We are always looking for after school snack ideas that aren’t cookies and chips. I love these healthier options!
Such great snack options! Can’t wait to try the frozen raspberries!
I don’t have kids but these all sound like healthy choices for after school snack! I’d love to try those frozen fruit and yogurt pop as it looks so yum!
My kids come home from school SO HUNGRY! It is nice to have snacks ready for them that are healthy, otherwise I find them digging into junk food. These are great snacks, and I love the idea of the yogurt raspberries.
OMG we literally were just talking about this! My daughter snacks like crazy and she’s always hungry right before dinner. We needed some nutritious snacks. Thank you!
I myself snack all day at work. I guess it is the stress. What a yummy and nutritious snack idea!
This are healthy snacks recipes i love them and will certainly try them.
Love these ideas. I’m a big fan of zucchini chips.
I love these ideas and the banana chips look amazing thats my favorite snack
Looks great and u am sure it tastes even better. Great idea for snacks xoxox
http://Www.theninebyivanablogspot.com
This is a great list! The raspberries with yogurt inside look extra delicious. And great idea with the “french fries!”
-Jennifer
https://jennifermaune.com
Great snack ideas! Thanks