30+ Healthy Snacks for Kids Beyond Carrot Sticks

By Southern Living
Sara Tane

Just because you're busy and the kids are hungry doesn't mean that snack time can't be healthy. Snack-time is a very important part of the school day and afternoon for children. One of the many daily highlights of an elementary schooler is opening their bags to see what tasty treat mom or dad sent that day. Snack-time is also extremely essential in brain development. If our little girls and guys are hungry, they are less likely to pay attention, resulting in a less than productive and focused kiddo.

Do your kids’ teachers a favor and pack them healthful lunches and snacks that promote good behavior and prepare them to take on the lessons of the day. Say goodbye to prepackaged chips, fried in grease, and say hello to protein-rich snacks like cheese and peanut butter. Preparing your kids healthy snacks can be fun and rewarding, and will leave the little ones completely satisfied. We have gathered some delicious and healthy snacks for school and home to help you jump-start the school year.

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Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

Antonis Achilleos

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.

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No-Bake Granola Bars

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Smoky Snack Mix

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies

Pinterest/Skinny Fitalicious

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).

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Apple Chips

Micah A. Leal

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. 

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Fresh Fruit Salad

Jen Causey

Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad

Toss together any fruit that’s in season for this easy, healthy solution to school snack-time.

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Fruit Sushi

Southern Living

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.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Puff Pastry Braids

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Puff Pastry Braids

Reinvent the tried-and-true PB&J sandwich with these mess-free puff pastry braids.  

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Gluten-Free Banana Bread

Micah A. Leal

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!

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Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus

Sweet potato brings a gorgeous orange color to this homemade hummus. It pairs perfectly with pita bread or chips.

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Pickled Peaches

Green Art Photography/Getty Images

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.  

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Alabama Fire Cracker Saltines

Kate Robertson

Recipe: Fire Crackers Recipe

This easy upgrade of store-bought crackers will be a new staple in your pantry.

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Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

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.

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Tarragon Chicken Salad

Jennifer Davick

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.

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Boiled Peanut Hummus

Southern Living

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.

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Peanut Butter-Chocolate Acorns

Southern Living

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!

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Any-Berry Muffins with Cornmeal Streusel

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling; Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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!

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Peanut Butter Dip

via Love Grows Wild

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.

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The Best Healthier Brownies

Pinterest/Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Recipe: The Best Healthier Brownies

Ditch the snack packs of processed desserts for this healthier take on brownies.

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Berry Swirl Frozen Yogurt Bark

via Celebrating Sweets

Recipe: Berry Swirl Frozen Yogurt Bark

We’d take this indulgent, colorful frozen yogurt bark over ice cream any day.

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Cheddar Cheese Straws

Lee Harrelson

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.

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Blackberry-Oat Crumble Bars

Photo: Helen Norman; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Blackberry-Oat Crumble Bars

With tart blackberry and a crumbly oat topping, these healthy bars taste deliciously decadent.

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Crack Crackers

Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Crack Crackers

All you need is a bit of seasoning to transform those drab cheese crackers into a crave-worthy snack.

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Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks

Your kid will no longer be craving French fries after tasting this healthy version of the fast-food classic.

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Picnic Egg Salad

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

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.

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Ranch Snacker Crackers

Sheri Castle

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.

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Beet Pickled Eggs

Antonis Achilleos

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.

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Cream Cheese-and-Walnut Stuffed Celery

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Tuna-Apple Mini Melts

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Smoked Egg Salad Toasts

JENNIFER DAVICK

Recipe: Smoked Egg Salad Toasts

These versatile, elegant toast triangles can easily go from the school lunchbox to the afternoon tea tray.

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Copycat Starbucks Bistro Boxes

Sara Tane

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.

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