Although Fall does not officially begin until September 23rd of this year – the Labor Day weekend is fast approaching! And the welcome-back letters from school placed in our mailboxes are slowly arriving, signaling the end of summer.
As part of many back-to-school notices, you may also receive information on what your child should be packing in their lunchboxes. Healthy snacks for school notices often suggest that parents pack their children healthy, nutritious meals and snacks that encourage wholesome eating.
Ideally, as parents, we would love to throw in some apple slices, and carrot sticks and call it good. But, unfortunately, we all know these ideas get tired. Let’s delve into some healthy snacks for school that are simple, easy, and kid-friendly! We’re going to list out healthy snacks for school that can be prepared for your little one’s lunchbox in a snap, without the Pinterest mom craze!
12 Healthy Snacks For School
1. Banana Sushi
To be clear, this adorable healthy treat may resemble a California roll but bears no sushi. Banana sushi is simply a banana rolled in a whole wheat tortilla, smothered in peanut butter, or almond butter, with a dollop of Nutella (optional) for added sweetness. The rolled tortilla is then sliced into 1-inch rounds, similar to sushi!
2. Homemade No-Bake Granola Bars
Brittany Baxter
Homemade no-bake granola bars are an incredibly versatile snack. The granola base of these homemade bars consists of quick oats, Rice Krispies, honey, and creamy peanut butter. Live life to your tastes, and prepare them any way you would like. Granola bars can include a multitude of delicious add-in options. Add a mix of healthy dried fruits, and nuts for school.
3. Ham And Cheese Pretzel Bites
This charming snack only requires some deli meat, cheese, and a few pretzel sticks. To make ham and cheese pretzel bites, tightly roll deli meat, and then roll the cheese over the meat and pierce them with the pretzel sticks. You’ll have some dainty, savory snacks ready to eat!
4. Ants On A Log
Ants on the log are a classic snack that can be revamped in many fun and original versions for a unique, tasty twist. Feel free to stick with celery sticks filled with peanut butter or cream cheese topped with raisins. But, also offer up the following variations;
Logs
- cucumbers
- banana
- carrot
Fillings
- cottage cheese
- hummus
- almond butter
- mashed avocado
Ants
- peas
- blueberries
- olives
- grape tomatoes
- dried fruit
- nuts and seeds
5. Fruit And Cheese Kabobs With Yogurt And Honey Dip
Delight your snackers with playful fruit and cheese kabobs. Simply dice up cheese snacks, and alternate them on skewers with grapes and strawberries, or any other fruit you fancy. Serve with vanilla yogurt drizzled with honey for dipping. These little colorful kabobs are truly a delicious, healthy snack.
6. Popcorn Trail Mix
Surprise your kids with popcorn trail mix! Popcorn trail mix is a fun twist on a traditional kid’s trail mix. Rather than a classic medley of peanuts, raisins, chocolate chips, and M&M’s milk chocolate candies, popcorn trail mix tones it down in the added sugars department while still packing a punch with flavor!
Use our instant pot popcorn recipe to whip up a batch of popcorn in tasty coconut oil. Then mix up your popcorn trail mix with walnuts or any nut of your choice, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, dried apricots, and coconut shavings. Garnish the popcorn with cinnamon and sea salt for extra flavor!
7. Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips
During the Fall, it’s almost guaranteed that every family will have an overabundance of apples from apple picking! Prepare baked cinnamon apple chips for your child’s lunchbox to use up those apples! Baked cinnamon apple chips are incredibly addicting, delicious, and easy to make. All you need are apples, cinnamon, and sugar. Thinly slice your apples, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and bake. That’s it!
8. Crunchy Roasted Peas
You’ll want to give peas a chance with this yummy crunchy snack! If your little ones are not the biggest fans of mushy peas, no problem. They’ll love crunchy roasted peas! Simply, defrost frozen peas and coat with olive oil, ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Place on a baking sheet and bake until crispy. Before you know it, you’ll have a tasty, and healthy snack that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy!
9. Cucumber Sammies
A nice and chilled cucumber is a refreshing, welcoming treat and pairs well with an assortment of deli meats and cheeses. Similar to crackers and bread, cucumber makes a sturdy, yet healthier alternative base. Slather the cucumber sammies with low-fat Greek yogurt flavored with curry powder and lime juice for some added zest.
10. Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
If your kitchen is equipped with an air fryer, you and your kids are in for a real treat! Crispy air fryer chickpeas are ready in 15 minutes, thanks to the quick cooking of your air fryer. Chickpeas are tossed in olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne for exceptional flavor. Toss these healthy, crunchy bites in your kiddo’s lunchbox for a quick pick me up.
11. Banana And Peanut Butter Rice Cake
Banana and peanut butter rice cakes are a great option for snacking. Cover a rice cake with a layer of peanut butter, and thin slices of banana for a filling, nourishing treat. The beauty of rice cakes is that they are such a versatile snack. Rice cakes can virtually be topped with almost anything!
Be creative and try topping your rice cakes with cream cheese, strawberries, and a drizzle of chocolate. Make a sweet combination with Nutella/melted chocolate, nuts/seeds, and dried fruit. Enjoy a light lunch with a mini pizza, add some sauce, cheese, meats, and veggies!
12. Apple Slice Cookies
Apple slice “cookies” are a healthier choice to regular cookies in the classroom. They also make a great celebration snack for classroom birthdays and holidays. Apple slice cookies are simply apples that are thinly sliced and cored. A layer of almond butter or peanut butter is spread on the slices and topped with nuts, coconut, and mini chocolate chips. Toppings can vary depending on your preference.
Our list of healthy snacks for school will have your kids feeling satisfied, and will have their teacher’s nod of approval — our list of healthy snacks for school travel best in a Bentgo style lunchbox. Bentgo lunch boxes feature removable compartment trays, perfect for healthy portioned snacks and meals. Skip the plastic baggies and all of those mix-matched Tupperware containers! Grab a Bentgo and pack some of these healthy snacks for school! Your kids will thank you!
