Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Holidays
  • Cooking 101
  • Healthy Living
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More Next
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More Next
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More Next
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    • New Year, New You
    • Super Bowl
    • Valentines
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

CookingLight diet CookingLight diet
  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Recipes Chevron Right
  3. Healthy After-School Snack Ideas

Healthy After-School Snack Ideas

July 24, 2013
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Karry Hosford
These kid- and parent-approved snacks are a tasty and healthy way to end the school day.
Start Slideshow

1 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

After-School Special

Credit: 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!

1 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hot-Pink Smoothies

Credit: 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 fruitāˆ’it eliminates the need for ice.

2 of 23

3 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Happy-Hour Hummus

Credit: 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.

3 of 23

Advertisement

4 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Honey-Roasted Nuts and Fruit

Credit: 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.

4 of 23

5 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chewy Oat Squares

Credit: 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.

5 of 23

6 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Credit: Photo: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

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

6 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Credit: 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.

7 of 23

8 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Avocado Smoothie

Credit: 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.

8 of 23

9 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Homemade Pita Chips with Red Pepper Dip

Credit: 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.

9 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate-Almond Pretzels

Credit: 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.

10 of 23

11 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Frozen Vanilla Custard

Credit: 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.

11 of 23

12 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate-Granola Apple Wedges

Credit: 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.

12 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Crisp and Spicy Snack Mix

Credit: 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.

13 of 23

14 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Credit: 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.

14 of 23

15 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Strawberry Granita

Credit: 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.

15 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chewy Coconut Granola Bars

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Chewy Coconut Granola Bars

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

16 of 23

17 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Berry and Banana Smoothie

Credit: 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!

17 of 23

18 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Honey-Glazed Almonds

Credit: 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.

18 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Orange-Hazelnut Snack Muffins

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Orange-Hazelnut Snack Muffins

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

19 of 23

20 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops

Credit: 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.

20 of 23

21 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Homemade Granola

Credit: 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.

21 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Blueberry-Orange Parfaits

Credit: 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.

22 of 23

23 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Credit: 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.

23 of 23

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 23 After-School Special
2 of 23 Hot-Pink Smoothies
3 of 23 Happy-Hour Hummus
4 of 23 Honey-Roasted Nuts and Fruit
5 of 23 Chewy Oat Squares
6 of 23 Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
7 of 23 Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies
8 of 23 Avocado Smoothie
9 of 23 Homemade Pita Chips with Red Pepper Dip
10 of 23 Chocolate-Almond Pretzels
11 of 23 Frozen Vanilla Custard
12 of 23 Chocolate-Granola Apple Wedges
13 of 23 Crisp and Spicy Snack Mix
14 of 23 Chocolate Chip Cookies
15 of 23 Strawberry Granita
16 of 23 Chewy Coconut Granola Bars
17 of 23 Berry and Banana Smoothie
18 of 23 Honey-Glazed Almonds
19 of 23 Orange-Hazelnut Snack Muffins
20 of 23 Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops
21 of 23 Homemade Granola
22 of 23 Blueberry-Orange Parfaits
23 of 23 Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Cooking Light

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Cooking Light Diet this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Cooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Statementthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

View image

Healthy After-School Snack Ideas
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.