10 Healthy Snack Ideas For Back To School

Use these tasty, healthy snacks for kids to make the back-to-school season a little saner. Instead of spending lots of money on processed, packaged snacks- make your own! These healthy snacks are simple to whip up, allergy-friendly, and kid-approved.

It’s that time of year again… crunch time! Everyone is attempting to get into a routine for September (hopefully a stress-free routine and that includes getting organized with back to school food.

Back to school time always includes a bit of chaos as a mom (though here are some hacks to make it easier)

Schedules, activities, simple dinner ideas, and of course, planning, learning to meal prep, and packing back to school snacks.

It’s no wonder some mamas dread the end of summer!

What To Consider When Looking For Snack Ideas

Most schools are now nut-free. While I think an apple and almonds are a great snack, it’s probably best for after school and not during.

As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I tried to keep these healthy snacks for kids nut-free and the ones that do contain nuts I’ve made a note as to how to omit them.

Just a quick tip: to make a recipe that uses peanut or almond butter, just use sun butter! Sun butter is probably the best-tasting thing of life (well, I do enjoy almond butter!) and it’s nut-free!

So, stock up, you’ll be licking the spoon in no time. The same goes for almond milk- hemp, oat, and organic soy are all great alternatives to keep the recipes nut-free.

Back To School Snack Ideas Should Be:

✔ Fueling and filling. Having a fruit roll-up may taste yummy but the sugar crash that comes with it doesn’t really help when it comes to focusing in school and optimal learning.

✔ They should be easy. I love hanging out in the kitchen when I have extra time.. but what mom has extra time? The best healthy snacks are easy options. That said, some back to school foods require a bit of prep so you have them on hand. They're worth it though, make a big batch, freeze and grab when needed.

✔ They should contain real food-based ingredients. I'm not saying this just because I want to give you extra work. I'm saying this because real food helps kids thrives. Processed sugar gums up their systems, it doesn't allow them to focus, they don't feel full and it lowers their immune system. Boost your kid's health by trying to opt for back to school snacks with real ingredients, loaded with fiber and everything good <-- I sound so corny and yet I totally believe this is the best way to go!

Roasted Chickpeas & Fruit

Roasted chickpeas are simple to make and provide so so much fiber! You truly cannot eat a lot of them but they’re a great for snack ideas because they keep you so full! My favorite is salt and vinegar but sea salt, “cheddar” or a barbeque works too!

Roasted chickpeas are a killer replacement for sending along with a bag of chips in your kid's lunch 😉

Homemade Protein Bars

A complete sack if there ever was one! Nut-free protein bars have everything yummy in them and are nut free-so ideal for school! If your kid is a big eater, throw in a side of fruit with the bar for a perfect snack.

Cherry vanilla energy balls ones are delicious also, just sub in sun butter and another plant-based milk!

Veggies & Hummus

This one is ideal but only if your kid isn’t a messy dipper 😛 Grab one of the individual hummus packs from Costco or avocado packs (I get mine at Costco) and you’ve got such an easy back to school snack!

We almost always have cut up veggies in the fridge (and both my girls are obsessed with cherry tomatoes and peppers) so this makes for a super speedy, I forgot to pack something idea.

Fruit & Trailmix or Granola

While you can easily make your own granola or trail mix, Below are our favorite recipes:

• Granola clusters
• Homemade crunchy granola
• Gluten-free granola cups
• High protein granola

Muffins

If you want easy snack ideas, muffins are a staple! But typical store-bought ones are loaded with some not amazing ingredients (like crazy excess sugar and unhealthy fats). I refer to store-bought muffins to cupcakes actually.

Instead, whip up a double batch, store them in the freezer and pull them out for the day. I personally like muffins in which I have hidden veggies in- that way I know my girls are getting extra nutrients!

These morning glory muffins are a new favorite of ours and I've started whipping them up in batches of three. Use Sunbutter for almond butter and pumpkin seeds for pecans. But I love these because they contain so many freaking nutrients. I made them this summer and can't wait to pack them because I know they'll be one of the girl's favorites.

Energy Bars

While we joke about kids having never-ending energy, they still need a fuel pick me up.

Energy bars and balls pack a nice hit of fuel while still having enough fats or proteins to stabilize the sugar high. These lemon blueberry are a favorite of mine. Though they do contain nuts, it’s easy enough t sub out the nuts for extra oats.

You can also make bars into homemade energy balls. Learn more about making energy balls and rocking them for snacks.

Healthy Snack Ideas: Chocolate Pudding

Yup, you read that right! Be the cool mom and send chocolate pudding to school… healthy chocolate pudding!

I make both an avocado-based and banana-based chocolate pudding and neither has processed sugars in it!

They are, however, delicious and utterly healthy. Plus, you can buy pudding cups to make it look more legit!

Banana Bread

Sending healthy food doesn't mean it has to be boring.

Believe it or not, you can totally make banana bread healthy! And what kid doesn’t love a slice of banana bread for a snack??

This sugar-free banana bread is sugar-free making it a pretty great snack or treat for your kids. Though this slow cooker banana bread rocks too.

Smiley Apples & Sunbutter Celery Boats

So, I totally used to think that moms that made their kids stuff like this were dorks. And now I am one. Ugh, kids really do make you hypocrites!

But as far as snack ideas go, it's a classic! It's easy to crunch on and so healthy!

Just smear some sunbutter between two apple slices and top with shredded coconut. Place the sliced together so it’s no sticky.

For the celery, place some sunbutter down the middle and top with coconut and raisins. It’s yummy!

Cookies

Yes, cookies made the list. No, I don’t think kids should get cookies all the time. Buuuuttt I also know how hard it is when all the other kids have sweets and you don’t. So, cookies.

My daughter totally gets cookies, they’re just a healthier version. These protein cookies are one of our favorites. Another favorite are these peanut butter and jam thumbprint cookies if nuts are allowed at your school!

No Thinking, Easy Back To School Snack Ideas

Now, for those times when you need a time out from being a mom and thinking of all this crap (yes, let’s all admit those times happen!) there are still healthy & fast options!

✔Fruit and veg with cheese is always a win- what is it with kids and cheese?! Though make sure you purchase quality cheese if you can to get maximum benefits.

✔Food pouches! They say for six months up but my daughter still loves them. When we’re in a rush it’s an easy go-to.

I prefer ones with a stabilizer in them (quinoa, yogurt etc.) versus straight veg/fruit but they have some awesome concoctions and they’re great in a pinch. My favorite brand is Love Child but works with what you can. Perfect when you want to turn your mind off. 

That said, you can also buy your own reusable food pouches and make smoothies for your little one to bring! But I guess that involves thinking haha. We have the Squeasy Gear ones and they work amazingly.

✔ Store-bought bars. Every so often I totally rely on store-bought bars for snacks for kids. I am, however, picky on the bar.

Many pre-packaged bars come with sugar as the first ingredient which is ridiculous and not at all nutritious. A few f my favorites are Oaty Bars, Real Food Bars, and Roo Bars.

 

Having healthy back to school snacks on hand isn’t always easy but with a little planning, it can be done! Make big batches, freeze and save your sanity where you can. These healthy snacks are pretty simple to whip up and will help your kids stay fueled, focused, and healthy.