This list of easy healthy snacks is here to help you come up with snacks for the kids day in and day out since it always seems like it’s snack time. Each quick idea on my healthy snack list will help fuel the kids until their next meal, and they’ll only take you a few minutes of time to prep.
Easy Healthy Snacks
While I love to have at least one homemade snack on hand for the kids most weeks, it can be helpful to have a list of go-to easy snack ideas that I can put together in minutes to refer to when it seems like I’m out of ideas OR when we have limited options in the house. This list is easy to follow and should spark some ideas from items you already have on hand.
You do not need to make rainbow snacks or cut out produce with tiny cookie cutters to make a healthy snack—unless it brings you joy. You can simply combine a few foods to make easy snacks that will satisfy kids of all ages (and you, too).
These ideas are meant to have a mix of nutrients to help satisfy the kids, though remember that kids don’t eat like nutrition charts tell us they will. Some days they may want or need more of one nutrient than another, and that is totally normal eating.
(My snack containers may help to review, too. And find my After School Snacks and Preschool Snacks.)
Table of Contents
- Easy Healthy Snacks
- Healthy Snacks List
- Applesauce (or Pouch) with Crackers or Dry Cereal
- Banana Sushi
- Cereal Bar with Milk or Banana
- Cheese with Cucumbers and Crackers
- Cheese with Sliced Apple or Pear
- Cottage Cheese and Fruit
- Drinkable Yogurt and Crackers
- Graham Crackers with Yogurt Dip and Fruit
- Granola Bar with Milk or Fruit
- Egg (Hard-Cooked), Crackers or Toast
- Energy Bites with Water or Milk
- Hummus with Pita Bread or Shredded Carrots
- Toast with Nut or Seed Butter and Fruit
- Freezer Waffle with Nut or Seed Butter
- ½ Sandwich or Sandwich Cubes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Best Tips for Easy Snack Ideas
Healthy Snacks List
I’ve made this list as simple and straightforward as possible to help reassure you that you don’t have to make anything complicated when it comes to snack time. This list includes a mix of options in hopes that some might appeal to you and your kids.
I know kids vary widely in their preferences, and we all have such different foods in our house, so know that I don’t expect every kid to like every one of these ideas. But maybe one or two will work!
Applesauce (or Pouch) with Crackers or Dry Cereal
Combine applesauce with a shelf-stable snack like crackers, thin pretzel sticks, or dry cereal for an easy snack. Add water or milk to make this more filling if that’s appropriate for your child.
You can also sub in thinly sliced apple if you prefer.
Banana Sushi
Roll a banana up in a tortilla to make a quick Banana Sushi snack. Or, pair a banana with a favorite cereal for kids.
Cereal Bar with Milk or Banana
Offer a 3-Ingredient Cereal Bar (which is a great way to use up leftover cereal) with a side of fruit or milk for an easy healthy snack that’s also super yummy!
Cheese with Cucumbers and Crackers
Make quick cracker stackers with sliced cheese and thin slices of cucumbers. This combo of food groups is an easy healthy snack that’s satisfying and also fun for the kids to eat.
If you want to have some, too, feel free to add a condiment like mustard for more flavor.
Cheese with Sliced Apple or Pear
Thinly sliced apple or pear with a side of sliced cheese is a classic combo that delivers a mix of protein, fats, fiber, and vitamin C. This works for any time of the day and is a nice toddler snack option.
Cottage Cheese and Fruit
Pair protein-rich cottage cheese with fruit such as raspberries, diced strawberries, or canned peaches or pineapple for an easy snack. This works well as a baby snack or as a snack for an older child.
Drinkable Yogurt and Crackers
Make a quick batch of drinkable yogurt and pair with soft and easy-to-eat crackers for a fun and easy healthy snack for the kids.
Graham Crackers with Yogurt Dip and Fruit
Spread graham crackers with a protein-rich topping and diced fruit for an easy healthy snack idea.
Granola Bar with Milk or Fruit
Make a batch of Homemade Granola bars or pick up some bars at the store and pair with milk and/or fruit to make a yummy snack. This is perfect to pack and take on the go or to serve at home.
Egg (Hard-Cooked), Crackers or Toast
Make hard-cooked eggs to have on hand throughout the week (or buy some precooked at the store) and pair with crackers or toast for a satisfying option.
Energy Bites with Water or Milk
Pair a nutrient-dense energy ball with a simple drink for an easy snack that’s perfect to share with the kids. This homemade snack recipe is easy to make ahead of time and keep on hand for when you need it.
Hummus with Pita Bread or Shredded Carrots
Serve up a dollop of hummus with wedges of pita bread or thinly sliced vegetables for lunch as an easy snack. You can swap in guacamole if the kids prefer that, too.
Toast with Nut or Seed Butter and Fruit
Lightly toast bread and top with peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or another spread and pair with a simple side of fruit.
Freezer Waffle with Nut or Seed Butter
You can also do a similar idea to toast with a freezer waffle. We like the ones from Kodiak or Kashi, though you can also make homemade waffles to keep on hand in the freezer.
½ Sandwich or Sandwich Cubes
Rely on a sandwich for kids as an easy snack to serve at home or on the go. This is a great way to use up leftover sandwiches or to rely on basic staples for an easy mini meal.
TIP: You can see my full list of my favorite Snacks to Buy at the Store, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make a quick healthy snack by combining more than one food group to make the snack satisfying and filling. Think apple slices and cheese, toast and peanut butter, granola bar and milk. Adding protein and/or fat to a snack helps keep blood sugar levels stable and it helps to keep us full until the next meal or snack.
That will really depend on each individual person, but many people feel best when they eat in regular intervals and eat a mix of nutrients.
Remember that most snack foods are delicious, so it’s understandable that the kids like them. You can try to serve all foods at all meals and snacks by considering each time to eat a mini meal. So we might see crackers on the table with dinner and a smoothie at snack, or leftovers at snack time or dinner.
You can read more about what to do when kids only want snacks.
Best Tips for Easy Snack Ideas
Keeping snacks simple is one of my favorite ways to manage the daily snacking needs. So aim to include at least 2 food groups and you should be good.
You may also want to consider having a set schedule for meals and snacks to reduce demands for more snacks and allowing the kids to eat their fill at each eating opportunity to make sure they are meeting their hunger needs.
TIP: Find more advice about feeding schedules, too.
Related Recipes
If you have a go-to snack that I missed on my list, please comment below so I can add it to my list!
This post was first published March 2020.
Thank you for your ideas my grandson is 20 months old and used to eat anything and now he has become picky. This helps tremendously as he lives with us and his mom and i push healthier snacks
I am so glad!