
An answer to the neverending brainstorm among parents: what healthy snacks can I make for my kids to eat at home or school? You’ve probably heard of the classics: celery with peanut butter and raisins, apple slices, and carrots with ranch. There’s nothing wrong with this list of healthy children’s snacks but there are so many other foods and ingredients to explore. Try out these quick, easy, and healthy snack ideas for kids to expose them to new flavors and get them excited about nutritious food.
1. Maple Sumac Popcorn
Popcorn is a popular healthy food for kids on its own, but this spin on it brings new flavor and ingredients for kids to explore. Maple sumac popcorn is a student-favorite – and for most students, this is a new food. Sumac is a locally-grown plant; many say it tastes tart with a hint of sweetness. Combined with maple syrup, sumac adds a tart and sweet twist to popcorn.
Start with ½ cup of popcorn seeds. With a small amount of oil, pop the popcorn on a stovetop or a hot air popcorn maker. Drizzle on 1 tbsp of maple syrup and 1 tbsp of sumac. Mix until the popcorn is coated evenly and enjoy!
2. Quick Pickles
What kid doesn’t like pickles? Pickling can be a long process but this recipe is designed to be quick and easy – watch cucumbers become pickles right before your eyes in 20 minutes or less.
Using a mason jar, bowl, or other container, add 1 cucumber (peeled and thinly sliced), 1 tbsp brown rice vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp honey. Mix until all cucumber slices are evenly coated. Cover and set aside at room temperature for 10-20 minutes. Then, enjoy!
If you want to let your pickles marinate for longer, you can put your container in the fridge until you are ready to eat them.
3. Mini Build-Your-Own Salad Bar

I know what you’re thinking: salad? Really? As boring as it may sound, build-your-own salad is one of the most popular activities we do in the classroom. Starting with your favorite greens, try creating a make-your-own salad bar with some of your children’s favorite fruits and vegetables, and maybe include some new ones. In the classroom, kids can try everything from chives and sunflower seeds, to strawberries and radishes on their salads. Most kids also opt for a sprinkle of parmesan cheese as a garnish.
A build-your-own salad line allows kids to explore new foods and create unique combinations. A muffin tin works well for toppings in an at-home salad bar. And don’t forget the dressing! While not required, we use locally-made Salad Girl vinaigrettes in the classroom – kids love the pomegranate pear dressing!
4. Fresh Salsa
Whether they’re making it in a bowl or blender, salsa is always a favorite among our students. Salsa is familiar to most, but by learning to make it themselves, children get better acquainted with its fresh ingredients. Salsa is also versatile – you can modify or add ingredients to make it your own.
The salsa recipe that we’ve used in the classroom uses chopped cherry or Roma tomatoes, pieces of avocado, finely chopped cilantro, and chopped orange or red peppers. Make sure an adult is supervising and helping chop ingredients. Mix everything together and add fresh squeezed lime juice and a dash of salt on top. This salsa is a perfect healthy snack for kids that they are sure to love, plus it contributes to kids’ nutritional vegetable needs as they grow! Serve with whole-grain chips or tortillas.
5. Crackers with Herb Butter

A fresh take on crackers and butter, try out crackers with herb butter. A simple adjustment like adding fresh herbs to your butter encourages kids to try new things and expand their taste buds. Plus, this recipe is customizable so you can try different herbs and combinations each time you make it.
Pick your favorite herbs – choose from oregano, basil, dill, mint, rosemary, chives, parsley, thyme, or other favorite herbs in your household. Start by spreading softened butter out on a small plate – you can use as much butter as desired. Rip or chop up the herbs you chose and add them to your butter. Use a spoon or spatula to fold in your herbs until they’re distributed evenly throughout the butter. Spread the finished butter on a cracker and enjoy! Herb butter can also be eaten with sliced bread for a fresh and tasty snack.
Getting Kids Involved in the Kitchen: Healthy Snacks for Kids to Make
There you have it: five quick, healthy, and easy snacks for kids! Quick pickles and a make-your own salad bar are exciting activities to try at home, while fresh salsa and maple sumac popcorn are great healthy afterschool snacks or snacks to take to school. However, all of these recipes can be used as healthy snacks for kids at school, home, and beyond.
All of these snacks are also easy snack recipes for kids to make. Some adult supervision is needed when knives or stoves are being used, but with these recipes, kids can begin learning how to cook with healthy foods, a lifelong skill. Find more kid-friendly recipes on our recipes page.
Which of these recipes are you going to try? Let us know your results in the comments!
Midwest Food Connection teaches food education in classrooms across the Twin Cities and beyond. We help students build relationships with their food, and understand how their food choices connect to their environment and community. Through exploring new foods, healthy cooking, and gardening, kids get excited about learning how to nurture their bodies and the environment.
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