30+ Healthy Snacks for Kids Beyond Carrot Sticks
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Recipe: Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs are the easiest, mess-free solution to snack time. One or two of these protein-rich eggs will fuel your kid for a long school day.
1 of 31
No-Bake Granola Bars
Recipe: No-Bake Granola Bars
This easy homemade granola bars recipe can be used as a base for exploration. Get adventurous with your flavors and try out some of the recipe’s variations, including Tart Cherry-Pistachio, Apricot-Coconut-Cashew, or Chocolate Chip-Pecan-Sea Salt. There are endless possibilities, and your kids will never tire of this staple treat.
2 of 31
Smoky Snack Mix
Recipe: Smoky Snack Mix
This snack mix incorporates lots of snacks you’ve got sitting around in your pantry, upgraded with sophisticated seasoning. A baggie of this snack mix will be a schoolyard favorite.
3 of 31
Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies
Recipe: Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies
The easiest way to make your children smile is to pack them a cookie as a snack. Plus, they never need to know that this cookie is actually healthy (less-than-100-Calories healthy).
4 of 31
Apple Chips
Recipe: Apple Chips
Two ingredients stand between you and a healthy snack for the kids. With a hint of cinnamon, these fruit chips can be enjoyed guilt-free. We're sure the kids wouldn't mind if you stash some away for yourself.
5 of 31
Fresh Fruit Salad
Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad
Toss together any fruit that’s in season for this easy, healthy solution to school snack-time.
6 of 31
Fruit Sushi
Recipe: Fruit Sushi
We love this fun, playful version of “sushi” that’s easy to make and lunchbox-ready. Pack this fruit sushi with chopsticks.
7 of 31
Peanut Butter and Jelly Puff Pastry Braids
Recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Puff Pastry Braids
Reinvent the tried-and-true PB&J sandwich with these mess-free puff pastry braids.
8 of 31
Gluten-Free Banana Bread
Recipe: Gluten-Free Banana Bread
This gluten-free banana bread is a great snack option for any kids with dietary restrictions. Plus, it’s a great way to repurpose those overripe bananas!
9 of 31
Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus
Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus
Sweet potato brings a gorgeous orange color to this homemade hummus. It pairs perfectly with pita bread or chips.
10 of 31
Pickled Peaches
Recipe: Pickled Peaches
Nothing screams Southern summertime like peaches, and picking peaches helps them keep all year long. You can even try canning your own peaches at home for a perfectly preserved snack.
11 of 31
Alabama Fire Cracker Saltines
Recipe: Fire Crackers Recipe
This easy upgrade of store-bought crackers will be a new staple in your pantry.
12 of 31
Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise
Recipe: Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise
There’s nothing more Southern than a classic tomato sandwich, and these miniature versions are perfect to pack for kids.
13 of 31
Tarragon Chicken Salad
Recipe: Tarragon Chicken Salad
We’ve been packing chicken salad in our lunchboxes for as long as we can remember. Serve this chicken salad in lettuce cups for a lighter twist.
14 of 31
Boiled Peanut Hummus
Recipe: Boiled Peanut Hummus
Switching out chickpeas for boiled peanuts adds wonderful nutty flavor to this packable hummus. Serve with a bag of carrot sticks, pita chips, or celery.
15 of 31
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Acorns
Watch: Peanut Butter-Chocolate Acorns
These whimsical acorn treats are perfect for the fall. Have your kids help with the simple assembly for a fun after-school activity!
16 of 31
Any-Berry Muffins with Cornmeal Streusel
Recipe: Any-Berry Muffins with Cornmeal Streusel
Toss out the prebagged muffin bites for these delicious homemade treats. Make these muffins in a miniature muffin pan for fun bite-sized snacks!
17 of 31
Peanut Butter Dip
Recipe: Peanut Butter Dip
Pack a container of this dip alongside your choice of celery, crackers, apples, or if you want to add a treat, a chocolate cookie.
18 of 31
The Best Healthier Brownies
Recipe: The Best Healthier Brownies
Ditch the snack packs of processed desserts for this healthier take on brownies.
19 of 31
Berry Swirl Frozen Yogurt Bark
Recipe: Berry Swirl Frozen Yogurt Bark
We’d take this indulgent, colorful frozen yogurt bark over ice cream any day.
20 of 31
Cheddar Cheese Straws
Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Straws
Crispy, crunchy, and wonderfully cheesy, these cheese straws are the addictive snack of our childhood. Homemade with all-natural ingredients, they’re a preferred option to those bagged cheese snacks.
21 of 31
Blackberry-Oat Crumble Bars
Recipe: Blackberry-Oat Crumble Bars
With tart blackberry and a crumbly oat topping, these healthy bars taste deliciously decadent.
22 of 31
Crack Crackers
Recipe: Crack Crackers
All you need is a bit of seasoning to transform those drab cheese crackers into a crave-worthy snack.
23 of 31
Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks
Recipe: Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks
Your kid will no longer be craving French fries after tasting this healthy version of the fast-food classic.
24 of 31
Picnic Egg Salad
Recipe: Picnic Egg Salad
Egg salad is one of our go-to lunchbox classics, and spread on crackers or sliced bread, this Southern dish makes a great school snack.
25 of 31
Ranch Snacker Crackers
Recipe: Ranch Snacker Crackers
Cater to all those ranch-loving kids with this upgraded oyster cracker snack. A handful of these ranch snacker crackers is sure to satisfy.
26 of 31
Beet Pickled Eggs
Recipe: Beet Pickled Eggs
With a ribbon of pink color running through the egg whites, these stunning pickled eggs will be a festive addition to school snack time.
27 of 31
Cream Cheese-and-Walnut Stuffed Celery
Recipe: Cream Cheese-and-Walnut Stuffed Celery
Upgrade those boring celery sticks with smooth, tangy cream cheese and crunchy walnuts. Feel free to add raisins for a sweet and savory combination.
28 of 31
Tuna-Apple Mini Melts
Recipe: Tuna-Apple Mini Melts
When it comes to snack time, we love all things bite-sized. With the familiar flavors of canned tuna, apple, and melted cheese, these mini melts are kid-friendly.
29 of 31
Smoked Egg Salad Toasts
Recipe: Smoked Egg Salad Toasts
These versatile, elegant toast triangles can easily go from the school lunchbox to the afternoon tea tray.
30 of 31
Copycat Starbucks Bistro Boxes
Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Bistro Boxes
It’s important to hit all the food groups throughout the day, and these cute bistro boxes are the perfect way to combine cheese, fruit, and protein.