Top 20 after-school snacks for kids

Looking for recipe inspiration during the school year? See our top quick after-school suppers.

After-school snacks for kids

1. Instant frozen berry yogurt

Three ingredients and 2 mins are all you need to whip up this low-fat, low-calorie frozen yogurt treat, ideal for eating after exercise or a long day of learning at school.

2. Hummus snack packs

Save the liquid from a can of chickpeas to make a creamy hummus. Serve it with simple veg for a healthy snack that contributes to your little one's five-a-day.

3. Chickpea fritters

Make a batch of these chickpea fritters for your little ones. Full of healthy goodness, they're also freezable, so are ideal for making ahead.

4. Rice cake cress faces

Kids will love helping to make these no-cook vegan snacks. Load up rice cakes with hummus (or your nut butter of choice) then have fun transforming them into faces with cress hair, cucumber mouths, and olive and tomato eyes.

5. Mini soft pretzels with cheese dip

Little hands will love dunking these homemade pretzels into the melted cheese dip. They're freezable too, so whip up a batch to have on hand when hunger strikes. Now try more pretzel recipes.

6. Vegan nuggets

These vegan nuggets contain no nasties – just wholesome ingredients including cauliflower, cannellini beans, carrots and a seasoned breadcrumb coating. Discover more healthy vegan snack ideas.

7. Cinnamon & apricot trail mix

Bring a batch of this trail mix to the afternoon school run for hungry kids who can't wait until they get home for a snack. It's packed with dried apricots, walnut halves and mixed seeds.

8. No-bake flapjacks

This no-bake vegan snack is perfect for filling hungry tummies. Mix it up with the nut butter of your choosing and a mix of chocolate, dried fruit and nuts.

9. Turkey & avocado toast

Fresh fruit and vegetables are often the best option for kids after school, but sometimes they need something more substantial. Turkey & avocado toast makes a delicious energy-boosting snack that’s quick to prepare. Although not as cheap to buy, you might like to try smoked salmon, cooked chicken or ham as alternative toppings.

10. Pepper & walnut hummus with veg dippers

Vegetable sticks to the rescue! Satisfyingly crunchy and boasting a tasty homemade dip, little ones will love this pepper & walnut hummus with veg dippers. You can blitz this all-in-one method for hummus ahead of time, so there’s always some waiting in the fridge when they get home.

11. Rainbow fruit skewers

Get the kids involved with making these simple rainbow fruit skewers – they’ll have great fun assembling them in the right colour order. Use whatever fruit you have handy, and if they get bored of rainbows, you can get creative and make fruit faces or animals instead.

12. Almond, raisin & popcorn trail mix

Make a batch of almond, raisin & popcorn trail mix ahead of time for another go-to snack – it keeps beautifully in an airtight container as part of a kids’ lunchbox, too. Remember to always chop the nuts for children under five years old as they can be a choking hazard, and if you're sending this snack to school, you may need to check the school's policy on nuts.

13. Apple crunch

Simple but effective, spreading protein-rich peanut butter onto a halved apple is a cheap and easy snack that kids will love. If you can, choose a shop-bought spread with no added salt or sugar – alternatively, have a bash at whizzing up your own homemade peanut butter or try our almond butter recipe. You can easily swap the apple for sliced banana, strawberries, celery or cucumber, depending on your child’s preference.

14. Healthier flapjacks

When only a sweet snack will do, these healthier flapjacks are sure to hit the spot. We’ve swapped out some of the higher fat you’ll find in shop-bought versions, although the dried fruit makes them high in sugar, so enjoy them as a treat once in a while. Half a portion – packed full of oats, seeds and fruit – should be enough to fill little tummies.

15. Turkey & pepper pittas

Bridge the gap between school and supper with a mini pitta bread packed with veg and protein. These turkey & pepper pittas are a good place to start, or our recipe for toaster pitta pockets will satisfy cheese fiends of all ages.

16. Frozen fruit sticks with passion fruit & lime drizzle

These frozen fruit skewers are the perfect refreshing snack for kids to energise them on hot days. The natural sugars provide a great burst of energy, and they’re also low in fat and a great source of vitamin C.

17. Wrap-your-own spring rolls

If you have a bit more time at the weekend, get the little ones involved and wrap your own spring rolls – you can reheat these treats later in the week as you need them. Mix and match the vegetables inside so that kids can eat the ones they like the most.

18. Fruitburst muffins

These fruitburst muffins are packed with berries and use ingredients that are lower in fat overall – perfect for an after-school snack or a lunchbox treat. Once baked, you can freeze them for up to one month or keep in an airtight tin for two days.

19. Healthy banana bread

Give your kids all the joy of an afternoon cake without worrying about a sugar crash with our low-fat, healthy banana bread. It’s also freezable, so you can always have one waiting in the wings as a surprise.

20. Chocolate chia pudding

Make a tasty, healthy chocolate pudding in just five minutes. It's low-calorie and vegan, too, and the chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Looking for more? Try these these guides on healthy eating for kids:

Healthy eating: what schoolchildren need
Top sugar swaps for your family
Snacks that are under 100 calories
Top 5 healthy snacks for kids

What do your kids like to eat after school? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below.