When your kiddos come home from school, they may start feeling munchy. Instead of throwing a bag of potato chips at them, try one of these 3 easy at-home snack recipes to curb their hunger until dinnertime.
Protein Energy Bites
No snack should be without protein. Protein gives your kids energy and ensures they don’t “crash and burn.” These addicting energy bites are packed with protein and are such an easy snack idea! They’re also gluten-free and nut-free, so they’re allergy-friendly. Serve them with a glass of cold milk or by themselves!
What you’ll need
- 2½ cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup sunflower butter
- ⅔ cup honey OR maple syrup (use less to make less sweet)
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup ground flax seeds (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to make
- Mix all the ingredients together. Feel free to adjust amounts to get the consistency and flavor you want.
- Line a plate with parchment paper. (You can also use paper plates.) Using a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop a dollop of the mixture out and tap the ball onto the plate. Continue doing this until you have used up the mixture.
- Put plates/trays of balls in the freezer until they have set. Then they are ready to eat!
- Once the balls have hardened, you can store them in a bag or container in the freezer and take them out whenever your kids need a snack.
Creamy Pigs in a Blanket
Another easy snack idea that is always a big hit with kids is pigs in a blanket. This is one of those at-home snack recipes that your kids can help you make. Unlike cookies, there aren’t any messy ingredients like flour or eggs to clean up afterward. Hurray for mess-free snack prep!
What you’ll need
- 2 tubes crescent roll dough
- 1 package (14 oz) little smokies sausages
- 1 package of spreadable cheese wedges
How to make
- Preheat oven to 375º. Rinse cocktails weiners and dry with paper towels.
- On a cutting board, unroll crescent sheets and tear where perforated. Cut each triangle into 2 smaller triangles.
- Spread a dab of the spreadable cheese onto each triangle.
- Place one cocktail weiner on the thick side of each triangle then gently roll it toward the thinner side.
- Set the wrapped weiners on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and smear a bit of melted butter on the top of each one.
- Bake for 12 minutes or until slightly brown on top.
- Serve with dipping sauces like ketchup or mustard.
Pizza Boats
Who doesn’t like pizza? When you don’t want to order takeout pizza and you are out of freezer pizzas, these pizza boats are the next best thing! The great thing about this easy snack idea is that your kids can eat it as a snack OR as a meal! Just add a side of carrot sticks and ranch and you have a well-balanced, fun meal.
What you’ll need
- French bread (regular bread or English muffins work too)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni
- Pizza sauce
How to make
- Cut french bread lengthwise then cut into large slices and spread them out on a baking sheet, flat side up.
- Spread some pizza sauce on each one, sprinkle with cheese, then arrange pepperoni on top.
- Bake in the convection oven until the cheese has melted.