Looking for kid-approved after-school snacks to make busy afternoons less stressful? Find 30 easy and fun after-school snack ideas that will keep your kids satisfied until dinnertime.
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Although school doesn’t officially start here until after Labor Day, I know that for many, school has already begun, and with it, the chaos of figuring out quick and easy back-to-school breakfast, lunch, and dinners are in full swing. Not to mention juggling all the after-school activities, appointments, and homework.
There’s no question that it’s an incredibly busy time of year for families trying to adjust to this new routine. So, I thought that it might be helpful to share some simple-to-make kids’ snacks you can keep on hand to make your afternoons a little less stressful this school year.
These sweet and savory homemade after-school snacks include quick and healthy options you can throw together super fast, air fryer recipes, and simple-to-prepare snacks that you can make ahead of time.
Looking for more easy, kid-friendly recipes?
- 50 Kid-Friendly Dinners for Busy School Nights
- 42 Kid-Approved Crockpot Dinners
- 30 Days of Kid-Friendly Recipes for Picky Eaters
- 45 Grab and Go Breakfast Ideas for Teens
Best After-School Snack Ideas for Kids
Enjoy these fun grab-and-go snack ideas perfect for busy schedules. These quick and easy bites include protein-packed snacks, as well as savory snack ideas that are sure to satisfy until dinner. And, of course, we can’t forget about the occasional sweet treat that kids will love.
Sweet Snacks
1
Coconuts & Kettlebells
Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
The best soft and chewy healthy pumpkin oatmeal cookies! These cookies are packed with pumpkin flavor and bake up in under 20 minutes. Great as a snack, or for breakfast or dessert!
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2
The Cookin Chicks
Fried Uncrustables
Upgrade your PB&J game with this unique twist on a classic sandwich. Fried Uncrustables are a crispy and delicious, viral tiktok recipe that the whole family will enjoy! Perfect for a quick meal, snack, or lunchbox addition!
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3
Hungry Whisk
Homemade Cookies and Cream Popcorn
Try this easy cookies and cream popcorn recipe, made with white chocolate and crushed Oreo cookies. Perfect for movie nights, or anytime you need a delicious, crunchy snack!
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4
Risa’s Family Kitchen
Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies
These Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies have the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Loaded with chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, and pretzels, every bite has an addicting chocolately-salty crunch.
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5
Evolving Table
No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
These chewy No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars are beyond easy to mix up with natural peanut butter, maple syrup, and mini chocolate chips!
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6
Little Nomads Recipes
Homemade Fruit Leather Rolls
Unlock the secret to irresistible fruit leather rolls! With just three simple ingredients and your favourite fresh or frozen fruit, you can make these healthy, pliable treats at home. It’s a simple recipe that guarantees snack-time bliss!
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7
Eat Cook Bake
White Chocolate Rice Krispie Cakes
Kids will go crazy for these white chocolate Rice Krispie cakes. They're made with just 2 ingredients and optional toppings.
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8
Table Nutrition
Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins
Chocolate chunk banana muffins are impossibly easy to make (with only three ingredients!) and make a decadent snack or addition to breakfast. They are perfect year-round and can be devoured by kids and adults alike.
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9
Craving Something Healthy
Crispy Air Fryer Apple Chips
Air fryer apple chips are a healthy treat for after school or anytime, made with sliced apples and spices.
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10
On My Kid's Plate
Easy Homemade Applesauce
This easy homemade applesauce recipe is smooth, sweet, and delicious! With only three ingredients, this applesauce is quick to make and is a great snack or side dish.
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11
Christina's Cucina
Back to School Cookies
Chock full of healthy ingredients and also chocolate chips and crunchy cereal to entice younger palates, these are a great after school snack!
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12
My Rad Kitchen
Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins
These Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins are sweet, tart, and packed with juicy fruit in a tender crumb. A must-bake for an easy afternoon snack!
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13
Chew Out Loud
Samoa Snack Mix
If you enjoy those ever popular Girl Scout Samoa Cookies, you’ll appreciate this easy Samoa Snack Mix. It’s quick and simple and has the most delicious blend of sweet and salty. Be forewarned: these are addictive. Make them to share with your favorite people.
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14
Joyful Balance
Homemade Peach Applesauce
This Homemade Peach Applesauce is a perfect after-school snack, or packable contribution to your lunch! It is super easy and only takes 4 ingredients. The peaches add a little extra sweetness and a brighter flavor than a traditional applesauce, making this a fun twist on the childhood classic!
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15
Our Love Language is Food
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Peanut butter chocolate chip energy balls are packed with goodness AND taste great! A nice bite-sized snack you can keep stocked in the fridge all week long.
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16
Til' Golden Brown
Moist & Fudgy Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Whip up a batch of this moist and fudgy Double Chocolate Banana Bread in just one bowl – it's the perfect easy and delicious after-school treat that kids will love.
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17
Cucina by Elena
BEST Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Bars Recipe (School Cafeteria) just like you remember them from elementary school - only better!
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18
The Wooden Skillet
No Bake Energy Balls (Monster Cookie)
This No Bake Energy Ball (Monster Cookie) recipe has all the amazing flavors you love in a monster cookie wrapped up in a little energy bite!
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19
Easy Reese's Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies
A soft and chewy cookie that's packed with Reese's Pieces, peanut butter chips, and creamy peanut butter flavor for the ultimate peanut butter sweet treat.
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20
Simple Moist Banana Bread (with frozen bananas)
This delicious banana bread recipe uses simple ingredients, is easy to make, and is perfectly moist. Made with frozen bananas, this simple moist banana bread can be enjoyed for a snack, dessert, or make-ahead breakfast.
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21
Easy Moist Zucchini Bread
Use up your zucchini bounty and make this deliciously easy zucchini bread. So moist and flavorful, that you will want to make it again and again.
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22
Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Enjoy these soft and chewy double peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Delicious silky peanut butter cookies packed with peanut butter and chocolate chips. A perfect sweet treat for the peanut butter /chocolate lover in your life.
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23
Blueberry Banana Bread with Crumb Topping
This sweet and moist blueberry banana bread is packed full of tart blueberries and topped with a crunchy cinnamon crumb topping. Enjoy a warm slice with butter for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
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24
Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow
This easy puppy chow recipe is a fun, no-bake treat that combines the delicious flavors of chocolate and peanut butter with an extra pop of color and crunch from Reese's Pieces and M&Ms.
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Savory Snack Ideas
25
Semi Homemade Kitchen
Mini Pizza Cups
This easy mini pizza recipe turns a can of pizza dough, some cheese, sauce, and pepperoni into crispy, golden cups that bake right in your muffin pan.
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26
Savvy Saving Couple
Buttery Ranch Dill Oyster Crackers
These addictive, crispy crackers are tossed in a blend of melted butter, & seasonings for a flavor explosion. Perfect for snacking, topping soups & salads.
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27
The Fresh Cooky
Pretzel Bites-Air Fryer or Oven Baked
Pretzel bites will become a favorite with everyone. They are much easier to make than pretzels because you don't have to twist them.
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28
When Salty and Sweet Unite
Turkey and Cheese Roll Ups
Turkey and Cheese Roll Ups With Spinach Dip: Only 4 ingredients needed, just roll, eat and enjoy these tasty snacks!
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29
I Heart Eating
Garlic Parmesan Pretzels
Garlic parmesan pretzels are soft homemade pretzels that are brushed with garlic butter and sprinkled with parmesan cheese. These savory pretzels make a great homemade snack.
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30
The Feathered Nester
Ham Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
These ham and cheese puff pastry pinwheels are a quick, kid-friendly snack with flaky pastry, melty cheese, and savory ham.
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