Getting kids to eat healthily is hard, especially when they are picky. Children need proper nourishment to help them grow, which means they also get hungry easily and need more food.
Although they are easier to use, store-bought kid snacks are unhealthy and not a good option to give your kid daily. That's why you must know how to prepare and make your child eat homemade delicious snacks.
Here is a list of 26 yummy and delicious homemade snacks for kids.
In This Article
Fresh Juice
1. Cucumber Snack
Cut up one big or two small cucumbers into triangles or sticks and sprinkle on some salt and pepper to taste. Add a splash of lemon juice and enjoy!
2. Orange Slices
Peel orange slices and sprinkle some black salt on them.
3. Smoothies and Shakes
Fruit smoothies are easy to make and are a good way of making your child eat fruit if they normally avoid it fresh. You can use frozen berries, milk, and ice creams, and add chocolate sauce although it's best to avoid adding extra sugar.
Add 2 cups of desired frozen fruit to a blender. Then add 1 ½ Cups of milk. If desired, add 1 tbsp, of honey. Blend and enjoy. If it’s too thick for your liking, add more milk.
4. Trail Mix
Trail mix is a healthy snack that contains nuts and dried fruit. If your child is picky, you can make a kid's version with m&m’s, pretzels, cookies, marshmallows, berries, and dry cereal.
Don’t get rid of the nuts completely and try adding some almonds and peanuts.
5. Classic PB & J
You can’t go wrong with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They are yummy and easy to make.
6. Popcorn
Without add-ons, popcorn is a healthy snack. Give your kids some popcorn and make sure to watch out for those buttery fingers.
7. Celery Sticks
Instead of using store-bought salad boxes, cut up celery sticks or carrots and serve them with ranch.
8. Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is a good snack for hot days. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can just blend 1 cup of fruit and 1 cup of yogurt in a blender and freeze it.
As long as it’s frozen it works! You can also add fruit chunks if that’s what you prefer.
9. Fresh Juice
Freshly squeezed juice is a lot better than store-bought and quenches thirst easily.
10. Dry Cereal
On those busy days when you don’t have time to make a snack opt for dry cereal.
11. Instant Noodles
If your kid is feeling more hungry than usual, it doesn’t hurt to eat some instant noodles once in a while.
12. Sandwiches
Savory sandwiches are the best! You can make grilled chicken sandwiches with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, and your preferred sauces. Or you can make creamy chicken and use that as a filling instead.
You can also make egg sandwiches. Boil eggs and blend them into a creamy paste using mayo or cream. Add salt and pepper. Fill in between bread slices. If you want something more simple, try grilled cheese with herbs.
The options are endless!
13. Oatmeal Cookies
Cookies are loved by everyone. Oatmeal cookies are a healthy option, but if you want to make them a little more kid-friendly, add some chocolate chips.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon optional
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs at room temperature
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups rolled oats
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars on med-high until pale and fluffy. (approx. 3 minutes)
Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition, and beat on high for 1 minute. Add vanilla.
Turn the mixer to low and add the flour mixture, mix until combined.
Add oats and chocolate chips. Mix until just combined.
Chill dough in the fridge for an hour. (optional, but yields better results)
Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat.
Using a small cookie scoop, place cookies on a baking sheet 2" apart. I made 11 cookies per sheet.
Bake for 10 mins or until edges are lightly browned but the center is still soft and unset.
Cool for 5 minutes on a baking sheet, then transfer to the cooling rack to cool completely.
(Recipe from LivForCake)
14. Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato is a healthier option than normal potato fries. You can season them with herbs and serve them with ketchup.
15. Lemonade Popsicles
Homemade popsicles require a mold. You can use a store-bought one or just use a regular glass with popsicle sticks. When making your lemonade, add more salt, sugar, and lemon as it will freeze and lose flavor.
16. Buffalo Potatoes
Wash and cut 7-8 Medium Potatoes into cubes. Add herbs (I use italiano, cajun, greek, lemon, and herb), salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, and red pepper to taste.
If your kids are older or love spicy food, drizzle some hot sauce onto them. Toss the coated potatoes and then transfer into a pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until cooked. Serve with yogurt.
17. Applesauce Mug Cake
Ingredients
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely diced apple I used Gala
3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup milk I used soy milk
2 tbsp tightly-packed light brown sugar
2 tbsp neutral flavored oil I used extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp allspice optional
Pinch kosher salt
Optional Toppings
1/3 cup ice cream divided between both mugs
1 tbsp ice cream topping divided between both mugs
1 tsp ground cinnamon divided between both mugs
Instructions
Use mugs that hold at least 12 oz. of fluid. Spray mugs with cooking spray, or use butter or oil to apply a light coating to the interior walls of the mugs.
Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, allspice, and salt) thoroughly, to ensure even distribution.
Mix wet ingredients (applesauce, milk, pure vanilla extract, brown sugar, and oil). Add the dry ingredients to the wet and thoroughly combine. Stir in apple bits.
Pour the batter into both mugs, filling about halfway to 3/4 of the way full depending upon the size of your mugs.
Place in the microwave and bake on medium-high heat for 2 minutes, adding 15-second increments if the interior does not pass the skewer test. The cake is done when a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Enjoy warm with your favorite topping!
(Recipe from HearthHealthHappiness)
18. Flavored Yogurt
Yummy and healthy!
19. Yogurt Covered Pretzels
Mix ½ cup icing sugar into 2 cups of yogurt. Take a bag of store-bought pretzels (or homemade) and dip them into the yogurt mixture. Level up with some sprinkles. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for 3 hours. Enjoy.
20. Granola Bars
Easy for those days that feel like Monday. Kids may not like homemade granola bars with dates and raisins so you might have to opt for store-bought.
21. Chocolate Covered Bananas
Melt chocolate chips or pour Nutella into a bowl. Dip the banana in the chocolate and put it on a baking sheet. Freeze for two hours. And then enjoy!
22. Boiled Eggs
Simple boiled eggs seasoned with black pepper are the best!
23. Pudding
You can buy a store-bought pudding mix and make yummy pudding in just a few minutes. The wait for it to cool down is the hard part.
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
OPTIONAL: Sweetened whipped cream and M&M's
Directions
In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt.
Gradually add milk.
Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil and stir for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla.
Spoon into individual serving dishes.
Chill until serving.
If desired, garnish with whipped cream and M&M's.
(Recipe from Taste Of Home)
24. Bagels
Spread jam and cream cheese on toasted bagels.
25. Mini Pizzas
You can use store-bought or make your own at home. Top it with your kid's favorite toppings. Better yet, involve your kid in the process and make it a fun activity.
26. Heavy Baked Potato
Wash and cut potatoes in half. Drizzle and rub the potatoes with oil. Poke the potatoes with a fork and sprinkle some salt on them.
Microwave for 8-10 minutes. Mix mayo, cream, salt, pepper, and herbs in a bowl. Stuff the potatoes with green olives and cover with the cream mixture.
Top with a little cheese and enjoy.
Takeaway from Sheasmother
Kids are growing and need extra nutrition to fuel that energy. Snacking in between meals helps them feel less hungry throughout the day. A snack should be big enough to appease their appetite but not filling enough that they skip their meals. When making snacks for your children, you should try to alternate between sweet and savory snacks.
Giving your child different options will make your job easier because they won't get bored of eating the same thing and refuse the food you make. That's why you must try these 26 homemade snack ideas.
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