Top 10 quick and easy snacks for kids

Teach kids the pleasure of cooking with our many child-friendly cooking and baking recipes, such as our kids’ brownie recipes, kids’ curry recipes, vegan kids’ recipes and kids’ muffin recipes.

For more substantial suppers and filling dinners, peruse our family meal recipes and pick your favourite crowd-pleasing plate.

10 quick and easy snacks for kids

1. Apple doughnuts

Slice an apple into discs, about ½cm thick, through the core. Use a small cookie cutter or apple corer to make a hole in the centre and remove any pips. Spread soft cheese over the slices, and top with raisins, flaked almonds or sprinkles.

2. Rainbow fruit skewers

These vitamin-packed fruit skewers are a simple, colourful and fun way to get kids to eat fruit. They'll love helping to make them, too.

3. Oatcakes with mackerel or salmon paté

Mash some flaked smoked mackerel or hot smoked salmon with a few tablespoons of natural yogurt, mayonnaise or soft cheese, then add a twist of pepper and some lemon zest, if you like. Spread over oatcakes.

4. Healthy flapjacks

This variation on traditional flapjacks are both healthy and delicious, packed with dates and walnuts they will keep you full for hours, so they're the perfect lunchbox snack.

5. Celery boats

Fill the cavities of celery batons with nut butter, and arrange some raisins on top. We have many delicious nut butter recipes to choose from, like our almond, cashew & honey butter recipe or our homemade peanut butter recipe.

6. Roasted chickpeas

Drain a can of chickpeas and pat them dry with kitchen paper. Toss with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt, you can add paprika, cumin or garam masala for extra flavour. Tip onto a baking tray and cook at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 20 mins, stirring halfway through cooking, until the chickpeas pop and turn crispy. Cool for a few minutes then serve.

7. Parsnip crisps

Peel a parsnip then keep shaving down to the core to make thin strips. Gently toss in a drizzle of oil, a pinch of salt and some mild spices if you like. Spread the parsnip out on a baking tray and bake at 180C/160C fan/gas 4 for 15 mins, shaking the tray a few times during cooking, until the pieces are crisp. Cool for a few minutes then serve.

Discover more vegetables perfect for turning into crisps in our guide five ways with vegetable crisps.

8. Energy balls with dates

Give your energy levels a real boost with these nutritionally-balanced healthy fruit bites. Made by blitzing together dried apricots, dates and cherries they give your body a natural sugar boost.

9. Almond, raisin & popcorn trail mix

Store this nut, raisin and popcorn trail mix in an airtight container and grab a handful for a healthy snack when you’re peckish or out and about. Add whatever ingredients, from pumpkin and sunflower seeds to small pretzel chunks. Make sure your pieces are cut very small for younger children to avoid a choking hazard.

1o. Dinosaur smoothie

Blend a banana, a couple of pellets of frozen spinach and half an avocado with some milk (dairy-free is fine, if you prefer) for a roar-some smoothie little ones will love. Try the recipe for our simple spinach smoothie.

Even more sensible snack ideas and recipes

How to choose a healthy snack for kids
Top 15 after-school snacks for kids
Healthy snacks for kids recipes
Best smoothies for kids
Quick and budget family meals
Best ever family pudding recipes

What's your go-to snack? Leave a comment below...