Family-Friendly Snacks and Desserts

Believe it or not, banana splits are a great way for children to have a well-balanced sweet treat. The secret is to go heavy on the fruit.

For kids with gluten intolerance, it’s important to create a few desserts that taste as good as the real thing. This one sure does. Try Cup4Cup flour and S’moreables gluten-free graham crackers for the best results.

These chewy cookies are gluten-free but don’t be fooled, you can’t even taste the difference!

Ice cream and sorbets are convenient go-tos when you want an easy dessert. Use this custard as a base for many flavors by adding your favorite ingredients when it’s almost frozen.

This no-fuss dessert requires less than 15 minutes of prep time, and the finished product is sure to draw oohs and aahs from guests of all ages. You can make it the morning of the party, and everyone will think you worked all day.

You need to use fresh lemon juice in this recipe. It’s not worth it without it. Substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option.

Summertime means berries and stone fruits. You can take advantage of the abundance and low prices of the season, and serve them for a quick and easy dessert. Any combination of berries will work; even add a sliced nectarine or two.

A good homemade piecrust is too tedious for a weeknight, so a delicious crisp is a wonderful dessert alternative. Once you’ve mastered this recipe, use it as your base to create any flavor you like. Some of my favorites include pear, nectarine, blackberry, peach, and plum. If you add 1/4 cup of fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt, keep in mind that it will add an additional 50 calories.

For those with a terrible sweet tooth, one or two of these tasty treats will do the trick!

You can put just about anything in these cookies. Chocolate chips and walnuts are definitely some ingredients that you won’t want to leave out.

Depending on how sweet your mangoes are, you can add more or less lime and more or less simple syrup. To make simple syrup, combine equal parts water and granulated sugar in a saucepan; stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Allow to cool before using.

Making lemon ice always feels like a fun science project. You pour cooled, sweet liquid into a shallow container and wait for ice crystals to form. Then you scrape it with a fork until you have chunky crystals of juicy ice. It’s kind of a mix between a snow cone and a fancy sorbet.

Try and buy popcorn with no added ingredients−Whole Foods is a good example. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top; it’s a yummy treat.

The trick to get kids to eat trail mix−add just a little it of the sweet stuff to the nutritious stuff so it tastes like a treat! Pumpkin seeds are loaded with magnesium and zinc, and the cranberries are chock-full of vitamin C and fiber.

This is now my go-to party dip for adults and kids. Serve it with Baked Pita Chips or fresh veggies like jicama or celery. You can even spread it on a chicken sandwich.

It’s a quick snack to make before dinner. Throw all the ingredients into a food processor, give it a whirl, and presto−you’ve bought yourself an hour to make a meal. Healthy dippers include baby carrots, radishes, jicama, and sugar snap peas.

Bean dips are full of protein and fiber to help you get through the afternoon. Serve this dip with baked tortilla chips,

These crispy chips will complete any appetizer. Double or triple the recipe to serve to a large crowd or pack extras for lunchboxes. Serve them with Creamy Garbanzo Dip with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Happy-Hour Hummus, or Black Bean Dip.

These chips are crispy, crunchy, salty, and so easy to make. Opt for them instead of potato chips next time you’re craving a salty snack. For a different flavor, try sprinkling the kale with grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or sweet paprika before baking.

Smoothies are the perfect bases for allowing kids to add their own personality and get creative. The yogurt gives it a dose of calcium. Be sure to use frozen fruit−it eliminates the need for ice.

The classic combination of peanut butter, banana, and chocolate is an easy sell with most kids. Parents will love that these are full of potassium, fiber, and protein.

Here’s a scrumptious way to dress up any simple dessert, such as ice cream, berries, or Banana Split Sundaes.