30 After School Snack Ideas

The votes are in and you have spoken! You are obviously very interested in easy, kid-friendly, mom approved food ideas. My 30 Days of School Lunches post was so popular I've decided to turn it into a series. Over the coming months I will be sharing more "get them to the table quickly!" type food ideas for all the busy busy moms out there.

Today I'm excited to share with you the next in this new series:

30 Days of After School Snacks

I hope you find this inspiring and just as helpful as the lunches post. Do you have any other topics you'd like me to cover as part of this? Leave me a note in the comments and I'll see what I can do!

Happy snacking!

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My after school snack requirements are a little unique:

1. Nutritionally must be rounded out over time. I want them to be healthy but I don't mind offering special treats here once in a while. Yes, you will see cookies listed below.

2. These recipes are NOT nut-free. We are a nut-eating family and my girls enjoy peanut butter. Since they go nut-free at school to protect their friends, we allow it to appear in other places during our day. That said, if we have friends over or will be attending a group activity I always make sure to forgo the nuts. Almost all recipes I mention below could be made nut-free if you prefer.

3. There are so many other snacks I could have mentioned, but my kids won't eat them. Hummus, guacamole, a wide variety of vegetables. Not so much. But, if your kids like them? Go for it!! This is my picky-eater approved list.

Snacks for when you want to scream:
"We're heading out the door for an after-school activity, I have NO TIME."

cheese slices + crackers

apples + peanut butter

homemade trailmix: raisins, nuts, chocolate covered blueberries, cheerios (Pre-mix your family's favorite blend and keep in a plastic storage container.)

sweet homemade chex mix (Lasts forever in a plastic container--that is if it lasts that long!)

celery + cream cheese + craisins

toasted mini raisin bagel + strawberry cream cheese

popcorn + apple juice box

pumpkin mini muffins (Make ahead and store in your freezer!!)

homemade peanut butter & chocolate chip granola bars

Snacks for when you've barely caught your breath:
"We just have to sit down for a minute and collect ourselves!"

grapes + fruit dip (When you're needing something a little sweet, this is perfect. Goes great with strawberries too.)

graham crackers + cookie butter

banana + yogurt

pimiento cheese + triscuits (I'm a newly southern girl and I've discovered a sick obsession with this stuff. Feel free to replace with a tub of spreadable cheese in your favorite flavor.)

apples + laughing cow

tortilla chips + salsa

pretzels + mustard dip (Mix 1 part mustard to 1 part honey, stir.)

potato chips + dip (My sneak attack way of getting veggies in when they're not looking!)

pea pods and cilantro lime dip (Careful you don't drink that dip by the cupful!)

carrots + Fox Point sour cream (A new love. Combine 2 tbsp of Fox Point seasoning from Penzey's Spices into sour cream.)

bagel chips + tzatziki (I can find a million uses for this dip. It is one of my all time favorites.)

Please Note: For all dips mentioned above, I make one batch with a spare minute on Sunday or Monday and use for several days in a row. If you can measure and stir, you can manage these recipes! Pinky swear!

Snacks for when you're feeling like a Rockstar Mom:
"I'm tying on this apron. Just call me Donna Reed."

milk + oatmeal cookie (We can't be 100% healthy 100% of the time, but the oatmeal relieves mommy guilt! Make ahead and keep them in the freezer and they'd qualify for an easy snack!)

tortilla spread with cream cheese and grape halves, sprinkled with sugar and broiled till barely charred (RIP Everyday Food. You were my favorite magazine of all time. This little recipe trick was one of my favorites.)

pool side dip + crackers

homemade applesauce + raisin bagel chips (Store this in the freezer and reheat in a pinch. YUM.)

pineapple chunks + cheddar cheese cubes on skewers

strawberry mango salsa + cinnamon pita chips

vanilla bean & peach jam on biscuit (The jam is stored in the freezer, the biscuits come in a tube. Not hard, just looks it!)

apple + creamy peanut butter apple dip

blueberry scones (You can have the batter mixed and ready before the oven preheats. Not kidding!)

banana zucchini bread (I make this several times a year, my girls love it. It probably requires the most time of everything on this list but lasts for several days. Highly highly recommend.)