This list 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 snack idea will help fuel the kids until their next meal, and they’ll only take you a few minutes of time to prep.

round easy healthy snack plate with assorted foods.

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.)

graham crackers with nut butter and berries on plate

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!

Cheerios-and-fruit-pouch-on-counter

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.

Instant Pot Applesauce
You can peel or not peel the apples, depending on your preference.
Get the recipe
instant-pot-applesauce
banana sushi rolls on blue plate

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.

Banana Sushi
u003cpu003eThis easy combo works well as a substantial snack or an easy lunchu003c/pu003e
Get the recipe
banana-sushi-on-white-plate
cereal bar with banana on counter

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 snack that’s also super yummy!

3-Ingredient Cereal Bars
Made with just 3 pantry staples, these bars make an excellent kids snack. They hold their shape best when stored in the fridge and served cold.
Get the recipe
cereal-bars-sliced-on-counter
crackers cheese and cucumber stackers

Cheese with Cucumbers and Crackers

Make quick cracker stackers with sliced cheese and thin slices of cucumbers. This combo of food groups is 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-raspberries

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.

Yogurt drinks for toddler snack in various flavors in 5 containers with lids

Drinkable Yogurt and Crackers

Make a quick batch of drinkable yogurt and pair with soft and easy-to-eat crackers for a fun snack for the kids.

Favorite Yogurt Drinks
Learn how to make homemade Yogurt Drinks to save money, customize them just for your kids, and make a nutritious breakfast or snack to share with the kids in under 5 minutes. See the Notes at the end for flavor options.
Get the recipe
Yogurt drinks in stacked in 5 containers
yogurt dip on plate with strawberries

Graham Crackers with Yogurt Dip and Fruit

Spread graham crackers with a protein-rich topping and diced fruit for an easy healthy snack idea.

Favorite Yogurt Dip for Fruit
You can stir together this 3-ingredient Yogurt Dip for fruit in about a minute, then serve up a fruit plate with extra flavor. Try this with any fruit the kids like, or even with graham crackers, toast sticks, or cut up waffles.
Get the recipe
yogurt dip on plate with strawberries
homemade-granola-bar

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.

Easy Homemade Granola Bars
We like to have these granola bars as a snack or toddler breakfast with milk or a smoothie—and they're an excellent lunch box component too. You can make them plain or choose a flavor to add!
Get the recipe
stack-of-homemade-granola-bars
hard cooked eggs and crackers on purple plate

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.

How to Cook Eggs (10 Kid-Friendly Ways)
This is meant to be a cheat sheet for the best basic ways to cook eggs. Refer back to the body of the post for links to making egg muffins.
Get the recipe
eggs for kids on plates on countertop.
peanut-butter-oatmeal-energy-balls

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.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls
These no-bake bites taste like a cross between oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookie dough. I use natural creamy peanut butter (like the kind from Smuckers), and it works really well.
Get the recipe
peanut-butter-oatmeal-energy-balls
hummus-on-snack-plate

Hummus with Pita Bread or Shredded Carrots

Serve up a dollop of hummus with wedges of pita bread or thinly sliced raw veggies as an easy snack. You can swap in guacamole if the kids prefer that, too.

Homemade Hummus (Without Tahini)
With just 5 minutes and basic pantry ingredients, you can make the yummiest Homemade Hummus without tahini. This means that it's nut-free, so it's an option for school and allergy families, and it's just perfect for dunking crackers or spreading on bread.
Get the recipe
hummus without tahini on plate with dippers.
diced toast and raspberries on plate

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.

Bread for Babies and Toddlers
Learn how to prepare and serve bread to babies and toddlers to maximize safety and nutrition.
Get the recipe
bread stacks on cutting board
sweet-potato-waffles-on-white-plate

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.

Banana Waffles (Easy and Healthy)
These Banana Waffles have true banana flavor and leftovers store really well. Double the batch to make more for your family as needed.
Get the recipe
banana waffles on kids plates
sandwich cubes in white bowl

½ Sandwich or Sandwich Cubes

Rely on a simple sandwich 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.

12 Best Easy Sandwiches for Kids
Below is the recipe for the Avocado Egg Salad, with the other ideas in the Notes section for easy reference. Add fresh fruit, an applesauce pouch, canned fruit cup (in 100% juice), easy veggies for lunch, milk, and/or water to any lunch to round it out.
Get the recipe
sandwiches for kids in grid

TIP: You can see my full list of my favorite Snacks to Buy at the Store here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a quick healthy snack?

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.

What is the healthiest thing to snack on?

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.

What do I do if my kids only want snacks?

Remember that “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 here.

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.

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  1. 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