Healthy After School Snack Ideas - Cooking Light

Photo: Karry Hosford

These kid- and parent-approved snacks are a tasty and healthy way to end the school day.

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After-School Special

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Key Lime Dip with Fresh Fruit Kebabs

From sweet to salty and everywhere in between, these are after-school snacks you can feel good about feeding to your kids. And if you decide to make some for yourself, too, well...we can't say we blame you!

First up, our Key Lime Dip with Fresh Fruit Kebabs!

This snack allows a lot of room for creativity, and kids will love putting together their own kebab!

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Hot-Pink Smoothies

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Hot-Pink Smoothies

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.

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Happy-Hour Hummus

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Happy-Hour Hummus

A classic hummus dip that all your guests can enjoy is essential to any appetizer dish. This simple hummus comes together in minutes, and it is always a crowd favorite. Throw all the ingredients into a food processor, give it a whirl, and presto! Healthy dippers include baby carrots, radishes, jicama, and sugar snap peas. To make it a little more kid-friendly, go ahead and pack some pita chips or whole grain tortilla chips for added snacking options.

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Honey-Roasted Nuts and Fruit

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Honey-Roasted Nuts and Fruit

Use any variety of mixed nuts or seeds you like in this trail mix. Dried fruit is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and the nuts add healthy fats and protein, which makes this an excellent on-the-go snack.

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Chewy Oat Squares

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Chewy Oat Squares

These hearty squares are simple to make and wonderfully portable--they are perfect for packing in lunch boxes or for snacking in the car.

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Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

View Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

These sweet-and-salty pretzels satisfy every after-school craving.

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Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

With dried apples and caramel candies in every bite, our less-than-100-calorie oatmeal cookies are a delectable treat.

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Avocado Smoothie

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Avocado Smoothie

Avocado adds luscious creaminess and loads of nutrients to this cool, refreshing Vietnamese specialty. It's best served icy cold, straight from the blender.

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Homemade Pita Chips with Red Pepper Dip

Photo: Brian Woodcock

View Recipe: Homemade Pita Chips with Red Pepper Dip

This recipe is full of flavor and oh-so-easy to make. We bake our pita wedges until they're crisp, and then blend together roasted red bell peppers with almonds and other high-flavor ingredients. The result is a healthy, full-flavored snack.

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Chocolate-Almond Pretzels

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Chocolate-Almond Pretzels

This recipe calls for gluten-free pretzels and chocolate, but any type will work if gluten is not an issue.

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Frozen Vanilla Custard

Photo:Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Frozen Vanilla Custard

Ice cream and sorbets are convenient go-tos when you want a treat to cool you down on a hot day. Use this custard as a base for many flavors by adding your favorite ingredients when it's almost frozen.

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Chocolate-Granola Apple Wedges

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Chocolate-Granola Apple Wedges

This recipe takes a classic and ups the ante with the addition of granola. If you can't find Braeburn apples, Gala or Fuji varieties also stand up to dipping and add a touch more sweetness.

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Crisp and Spicy Snack Mix

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Crisp and Spicy Snack Mix

This simple snack mix has just enough spice to tickle the taste buds, but not so much that it overwhelms younger eaters.

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Chocolate Chip Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies

At only 88 calories, this a fantastic (and guiltless!) version of a classic after-school treat. Store up to one week in an airtight container—if they last that long! We suggest keeping a dozen in the freezer for emergencies.

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Strawberry Granita

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Strawberry Granita

This frozen dessert requires no ice-cream maker--just freeze the mixture in a pan, and scrape with a fork.

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Chewy Coconut Granola Bars

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Chewy Coconut Granola Bars

These are a go-anywhere, do-anything snack, plus they're simple to make!

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Berry and Banana Smoothie

Photo: Charles Masters & Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Berry and Banana Smoothie

Pop the sliced, peeled bananas in the freezer when the kids go off to school, making prep quick and easy once they get home!

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Honey-Glazed Almonds

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Honey-Glazed Almonds

Spiced nuts are usually baked; this stovetop version speeds up the process. The smoky-spicy snack will store well in an airtight container for several days.

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Orange-Hazelnut Snack Muffins

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Orange-Hazelnut Snack Muffins

Hazelnut flour (often called meal) is full of heart-healthy fats, fiber, and protein.

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Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

View Recipe: Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops

Boasting just 82 calories and a boatload of vitamin C, these double-decker popsicles feature a sweet-tart lemon layer topped with a minty watermelon layer. If you prefer one flavor over the other, double the amount of ingredients required for each layer and make single flavored pops.

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Homemade Granola

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Homemade Granola

Make extra batches of this maple-and-honey-sweetened nutty granola so you can have some on hand for quick breakfasts.

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Blueberry-Orange Parfaits

Photo:Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Blueberry-Orange Parfaits

This easy treat comes together in only a few minutes if you purchase orange sections from the refrigerated part of the produce section. To make ahead, prepare parfaits and refrigerate, covered, for up to four hours.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Photo: Karry Hosford

View Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Peanut butter is the star of this recipe, with banana, yogurt, and wheat germ for a nice crunch.

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Healthy After-School Snack Ideas

1 of 23

After-School Special

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Hot-Pink Smoothies

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Happy-Hour Hummus

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Honey-Roasted Nuts and Fruit

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Chewy Oat Squares

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Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

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Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

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Avocado Smoothie

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Homemade Pita Chips with Red Pepper Dip

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Chocolate-Almond Pretzels

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Frozen Vanilla Custard

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Chocolate-Granola Apple Wedges

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Crisp and Spicy Snack Mix

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Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Strawberry Granita

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Chewy Coconut Granola Bars

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Berry and Banana Smoothie

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Honey-Glazed Almonds

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Orange-Hazelnut Snack Muffins

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Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops

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Homemade Granola

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Blueberry-Orange Parfaits

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Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

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