If I let them, my kids would live off fruit snacks and chocolate covered granola bars. It’s a constant struggle to find healthy snack ideas the whole family will eat. I don’t mind my children having some “treat” snacks here and there for convenience sake, but moderation is key and sometimes that key gets lost!
I’ve tried a lot of complicated DIY snack recipes over the years, tried to find healthier pre-packaged options, and have found what works for my family. Hopefully my experience can help you on journey to find healthy snack ideas, so here’s a list of 17 simple snacks to try with your family!
17 Healthy Snack Ideas:
Sweet
For the kid with a serious sweet tooth, ditch the store-bought treats. Even the no sugar added ones are loaded with sugar.
Orange Creamsicles
With just two ingredients, this one takes minutes to mix up. Mix 1 cup of nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt with 1 cup of orange juice, then freeze in popsicle molds. This is tried and true greatest hit of healthy snack ideas!
Fruit Bars
Stock up on frozen fruit. Strawberries and blueberries are great for these bars. Place the fruit in popsicle molds then fill with water or apple juice, your choice. To add some extra sweetness, add a drop of honey to each mold.
Fruit snacks are addictive. We’ve all found ourselves eating the whole box late after the kids are in bed, right? No, just me? These homemade gummies made with grass-fed gelatin are pure genius. You can eat them guilt-free. You’ll thank me later.
A great source of fiber, this peach smoothie is a filling, healthy dessert. Plus, no sugar high!
Crunchy
Apple Slices + PB
An oldie but a goodie, peanut butter (or almond butter!) on apple slices is a great healthy snack idea to get your kids to eat some more fruit. You can also eat PB with celery or carrots. Other nut butters work just fine, too.
Bell Pepper + Cream Cheese
This easy healthy snack idea takes only a minute or two to prepare. Orange and red bell peppers are excellent sources of vitamin C. Boost your kids’ immune system with this healthy snack.
These are so yummy you may want to make a batch for you, too! All you need is freshly grated parmesan and black pepper. Bake in the oven for a healthy alternative to potato chips. These pack well for lunch snacks at school.
Popcorn itself is a pretty healthy snack, but most people love to drench it in butter. Make your popcorn at home and top it with garlic, parmesan, and a little cayenne pepper.
Simple to make in bulk, these crisps are the perfect combination of apples and cinnamon baked to crispy perfection. The whole family will love these. They’re a staple on the list of healthy snack ideas for my kids!
Pre-Packaged
When you have zero time, these pre-packaged healthy snack ideas are a safe bet.
Lightly salted and oh, so crispy, your kids will start asking you to buy these in bulk!
If your kids love trail mix, try this healthier version. No chocolate chips or m & m’s in this one, but it’s plenty sweet with the dried fruit. Plus, it’s nut-free!
Roasted seaweed is the new potato chip but it’s hard to find without canola oil. The Sea Snax brand only uses healthy olive oil. The chipotle flavor adds a little spice, but they make other flavors, too.
The grass-fed beef sticks are like beef jerky but without all the questionable ingredients. Grass-fed protein on the go!
These dried organic mangoes have 21mg of Vitamin C plus potassium and calcium. When you’re on the go, this is a healthy store-bought snack you can throw in your bag.
Protein-Packed Comfort Food
Ham & Cheese “Wraps”
Break out your silicone baking sheet. Place one slice of nitrate-free ham in your cheese slice of choice. Wrap tightly and bake until cheese is “fried” in appearance. Serve with Dijon mustard for dipping.
Hummus & Baked Pita Chips
Hummus is an easy thing for kids to love. It’s a similar consistency to yogurt or processed cheese sauce. Serve with baked pita chips for a healthy after-school snack. Hummus works well with lots of dipping foods, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
Peanut Butter Banana Cinnamon Toast
This yummy toast is a great way to start your day or a tasty snack at the end of the day. Slice some bananas, spread natural peanut butter on whole-grain toast, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
I hope these help you on your family’s healthier snack journey. As you try these tips, please snap a pic and share!
Senior Author & Chief Editor
Based in Tempe, AZ
I started writing in college and am thankful to have turned it into a growing career. I love to create and share content that hits home for me, and hopefully helps others at home. I’m the proud mom of 2 beautiful boys, and a gorgeous baby girl.
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