25 School Snacks

One less thing you should stress about when the kiddos go back to school this year is their lunch box. Today I am sharing my top 25 school snack ideas, ranging from granola bars to muffins, energy balls to cracker bites, fruits and dips, baked school snacks and more. Whether you are sending the kids back to school in September or planning to homeschool this year (because let's face it, we have already being doing it for the last few months), there are tons of kid-friendly recipes for everyone, even the pickiest eaters.

Blueberry Yogurt Muffins

Blueberry yogurt muffins are buttery, moist, soft, and cakey and bursting with blueberries in every single bite. They are super quick and easy to make. Some other muffins to try are spiced carrot muffins or apple oatmeal muffins or banana chocolate chip muffins.

Smooth and Creamy Hummus

Whip up classic smooth and creamy hummus dip and serve it with veggies or crackers, or use it in a vegan hummus wrap. Hummus takes just 5 minutes to make in the blender by combining chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. Or add in some avocado and make avocado hummus.

Almond Cranberry Granola Bars

The easiest thing to fill up those lunch-boxes with are chewy almond cranberry chocolate granola bars. They're are chewy and delicious, contain real dried fruit, and made healthier with less processed sugar. For a different flavour, try almond butter granola bars or pecan toffee bars.

Homemade Yogurt

Thick and creamy homemade yogurt is so easy to make at home with just 2 ingredients, a heavy pot, and just a few minutes of actual hands on prep work.

Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

Easy pepperoni pizza rolls are crispy on the bottom, tender and chewy inside, packed with pepperoni and cheese, and baked until bubbly.

Baked Apple Chips

One-ingredient homemade baked apple chips are healthy, light, crispy and crave-worthy. Plus, unlike most store-bought chips, these contain no added sugar.

Cinnamon Apple Granola

Make your mornings a little easier by prepping this delicious and easy cinnamon apple granola aka apple pie granola ahead of time and I promise you’ll never buy store-bought again. Some of my other favourite granolas to make are coconut maple walnut granola and almond pecan granola.

Easy Salted Soft Pretzels

The best quick and easy salted soft pretzels are buttery, salty, and so delicious. They are golden brown and chewy on the outside, yet warm and soft inside.

Veggies and Dip

This homemade veggie tray is a quick easy healthy snack or appetizer to make for your next party, with a variety of colorful vegetables and delicious dips.

Healthy Banana Bread

Healthy banana bread is delicious and moist and contains no refined sugar or butter. Quick and easy to make with 10 minutes prep and few pantry staples.

Deviled Eggs

Classic deviled eggs are a simple, easy, and healthy appetizer to make when you need something quick for brunch, picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or Easter.

Four Quick and Easy Ritz Crackers

Four super fun, quick and easy RITZ cracker recipes with both sweet and savoury options including my favourite smoked salmon and cheese cracker bites.

No Bake Protein-Packed Energy Bites

No bake protein-packed breakfast energy bites are chewy, easy to make, delicious, and loaded with healthy nutrients. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

Homemade Popcorn

Homemade popcorn from scratch is quick and easy to make, a delicious and healthy snack, and is completely customizable with your favorite seasonings.

Carrot Cake Muffins

Carrot cake muffins are moist, light, chewy and full of carrots which means breakfast this week is healthy! Carrot muffins are great for meal prep too.

Homemade Applesauce

Homemade applesauce is a quick and easy fall treat with just 3 ingredients and very little time and effort. Serve it as a healthy snack or dessert.

Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Chewy chocolate chip peanut butter granola bars are healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. Prep them in just 10 minutes to snack on for weeks.

Garlic Breadsticks

Soft garlic breadsticks are fluffy, airy, buttery, and delicious. They're an easy recipe that is perfect for beginners at baking bread.

Nutty Banana Bread

When you combine walnuts, raisins and dried fruit in a nutty banana bread, the result is a tender and moist loaf that is truly irresistible. Some other loaves to try are lemon loaf with lemon glaze and festive yogurt fruitcake.

Rice Krispies Treats

Rice Krispies Treats are a classic dessert loved by all. These chewy, crunchy, sticky-sweet treats are easy to make from scratch using just 3 ingredients!

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

Flaky Garlic Cheddar Biscuits are a simple but delicious and flavorful no yeast bread that is ready for the oven with less than 15 minutes prep.

Tortilla Strips

Homemade tortilla strips are crispy, crunchy, delicious, and easy to make using 3 simple ingredients. Serve as a snack or a topping on soups and salad.

Glazed Lemon Blueberry Scones

Glazed lemon blueberry scones are total breakfast goals. Blueberries and lemon partner together in a light, tender and flakey scone, drizzled with a sweet lemon glaze that is nothing short of impressive.

Roasted Chestnuts

Enjoy street vendor roasted chestnuts at home in three different ways — roast in the oven, cook over the stove, or in the air fryer. Remember to peel them before packing them in the lunch box.

Fruit Salad

This Summer Fruit Salad is colorful, delicious, and naturally sweet (no processed sugar!). It's easy to make with fresh fruit tossed in a homemade dressing.

Avocado Hummus

Quick and easy avocado hummus is creamy, smooth, healthy, and delicious. Loaded with chickpeas and avocado, it's the perfect blend of hummus and guacamole.

Slow Cooker Applesauce

Slow cooker applesauce is delicious, healthy, kid-friendly, packed with warm and cozy fall flavors, and easy to make with just 10 minutes prep. The kiddos love to eat this snack by the spoon.

Zucchini Muffins

Quick and easy zucchini muffins are loaded with fresh zucchini which makes them fluffy, moist, delicious, and full of nutrients. Freezer-friendly too!

Quick Dinner Bread Rolls with Green Onions

Soft and fluffy, quick dinner bread rolls are loaded with green onions and topped with flaked sea salt and sesame seeds. Ready in just 1.5 hours. You can also make them without green onions for any picky eaters. These rolls are perfect for making little sandwiches or just with butter. You can also try easy skillet dinner rolls or homemade biscuits.

Skinny Strawberries and Cream Popsicles

Let's finish off the list with a treat you can feel good about giving to your kids. It is time to say good-bye to the store-bought stuff and make skinny strawberries and cream popsicles at home using fresh fruit and Greek yogurt.

Homemade Kettle Corn

Say goodbye to store-bought popcorn and hello to homemade Kettle Corn — sweet and salty, loved by all, and quick and easy to make with just 4 ingredients.

Applesauce Bread

Homemade applesauce bread is fluffy, moist, and delicious. Loaded with fall flavors that transforms your favorite snack into a loaf cake.

School Lunches to Pair With

You can pair these school snacks with your kids favorite school lunches. Our popular school lunch recipes are:

• 30 School Lunch Ideas
• Turkey Pinwheels
• Egg Salad Sandwich
• Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
• Mac and Cheese
• Chicken Salad

Tips for Preparing Back to School Lunch and Snacks

Here are some tips and tricks to help make things easier when preparing back to school lunch and snacks.

• Prep in advance. Depending on the recipe, try to prep as much as you can the night before to make the mornings go much more smoothly. Whether that is chopping up vegetables or mixing ingredients together, do as much as you can. You can store all your prepared ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
• Involve your kids in the kitchen. My son is only 17 months old, but I find that even at his age, when I involve him in the cooking process by getting him to "help" me in his learning tower (whether it's transferring chopped vegetables from a plate to a pot, or playing with tupperware), he eats his meal much more readily.
• Pack the lunch and snacks in a cute lunch box and containers. There are so many options that you can choose from with a whole variety of designs. I've linked my favourite bento-style lunch box, insulated lunch bag, kids cutlery, and toddler cutlery.
• Opt for foods that aren't super messy.

Did You Make Any of These Back to School Snack Recipes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of school snack recipes. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipe updates.

Print

Recipe