I've raised three toddlers, and they were snack monsters, now graduated to snack beasts. In fact, I'm pretty sure my oldest survived almost exclusively on snacks and indignation until he turned five. You could say I'm an expert in snacks for kids.
From a young age, I taught my kids to get or make their own healthy snacks. This saves me time and boosts their independence. We often do a mix of packaged snacks and fresh items that require a bit more preparation. Here are some of our go-to healthy snacks for kids.
The Ultimate List of 32 Easy Toddler Snacks
When you're little one is screaming and hangry, you need quick, easy, and hopefully healthy options. Here are some beloved kids snacks that my kids loved as babies and toddlers - and continue to enjoy today!
When putting snacks together, Dahlia Rimmon, a Pediatric Registered Dietitian and mom recommends pairing fiber-rich carbs with some fat and protein. This helps maintain your child's energy and avoid sharp dips or peaks in blood sugar.
Toddler Snacks: Fruit Edition
Fruit is a popular snack. Here's how you can turn fruit into a more filling snack that helps meet your toddler's nutritional needs.
1. Fruit Parfait: Fresh fruit, yogurt, and perhaps a dash of granola or nuts. That's all it takes!
2. Apple with Nut Butter: Pair apple slices with a smear of almond or peanut butter.
3. Fruit Salad: My children love chopping up fruit to enjoy as a salad. Even a simple combination of banana, apple, and clementine pieces is a hit. To boost fat and protein content, consider drizzling some yogurt or chopped nuts over the salad.
My kids love the excuse to use a pretty glass dessert bowl to serve their fruit salad. As a former Montessori teacher, I let my kids use glass as toddlers - it helped them learn to be careful. Plus, it made them more excited about fruit. That's a win in my book.
4. Oatmeal with Berries or Dried Fruit: Overnight oats are popular, but my kids prefer hot oatmeal. Either way, oatmeal is a great source of fiber and protein. Add some fresh or dried fruit and a drizzle of honey on top for flavor.
5. Fruit Kebabs: Presentation is everything! Serving chunks of fruit on kebab sticks or toothpicks and up its appeal. As a bonus, your little one can practice fine motor skills while grasping the kebabs. Add a bowl of yogurt as a dip if you like.
6. Whole-Grain Pancakes with Fruit: My daughter loves "mini" pancakes. I make 3 small pancakes using the batter I'd usually use to make one pancake. We often have pancakes with peanut butter and fruit such as bananas. Add the fruit of your choice!
Pro Tip: Add wheat germ to your pancake batter for a boost of whole wheat and protein
7. Apple or Blueberry Crisp with Frozen Yogurt: Crisps are simple, easy dishes that you can whip up in the toaster oven or air fryer. For years, I've been sneakily making recipes as written but slashing out 1/3 or more of the sugar and butter. They still turn out great. Add a dollop of frozen or regular yogurt.
8. Granola and Yogurt or Milk: Try a no-sugar-added granola or homemade granola. Serve it with milk or yogurt.
Vegetable Toddler Snack Ideas
I'll admit, I'm lucky that my children like vegetables. However, given toddlers' tendency to reject green foods, this list of vegetable toddler snacks also includes ideas for kids who don't love vegetables.
9. Veggie Muffins: Make some carrot or zucchini muffins that disguise vegetables. Whether you go sweet or savory, these muffins are an easy way to add some veggies to your child's diet.
10. Veggie Slices and Dip: Dips like ranch dressing, hummus, or guacamole can make vegetables more palatable. Serve up veggies like cucumbers, red pepper, and carrots.
11. Salad: My kids love salad, especially when they help make it. Cooking with your child makes them more open to trying vegetables. So, get out your aprons and encourage your child to help chop tomatoes and cucumbers and mix greens to create a salad.
12. Avocado with Tortilla or Toast: Mash up some avocado, mix in some salt, and serve it on toast or a tortilla.
13. Mini Veggie Egg Muffins: Chop up vegetables like onion, spinach, and broccoli finely. Saute them in olive oil, then mix them up with a few eggs and salt. Add grated cheese and bake them as mini muffins. Similar to quiche, but easier, your toddler will eat up this tasty snack!
14. Veggie Patties: Grate 1 potato, 1/2 a zucchini, and 1/2 a carrot. Mix in one egg, salt, and some grated cheese. Spoon onto a hot, oiled frying pan and cook until golden brown. Serve them with ketchup or on their own.
15. Celery Boats: Add flavored cream cheese, hummus, or peanut butter to celery sticks. Invite your child to add toppings such as red pepper, nuts and seeds, raisins, or even crackers.
16. Tortilla Chips and Home-Made Salsa: Make your own version of salsa featuring tomatoes, sweet pepper, cucumbers, salt, and a splash of lemon. Also, add your favorite herbs. Cilantro is popular at our house. Then, enjoy it with your favorite baked tortilla chips.
High Protein Toddler Snack Ideas
Protein is essential for growing toddlers. Yet, they might not love protein sources. Try these options.
17. Hard Boiled Eggs: One great toddler snack/activity is peeling their own boiled egg. My kids absolutely loved the process of removing the peel and eating the egg plain with salt.
18. Scrambled Eggs: Another favorite is scrambled eggs. If your toddler loves ketchup, try serving them with this red sauce that makes any food a favorite.
19. Refried Beans or Hummus Toast: Or, serve the beans or hummus on crackers. Add some cheese on top if your toddler prefers.
20. Cottage Cheese with Pineapple or Peaches: One of my favorite snacks growing up was cottage cheese with canned pineapple.
21. Cheese Biscuits: Whip up some biscuits, add grated cheese, and invite your little one to help shape the dough. Watch them bake in the oven and enjoy!
22. String Cheese or Jerky: That's it! This no-nonsense snack is a go-to when you're in a hurry.
23. Trail Mix with Nuts: Make your own low-sodium trail mix with nuts as the main feature. Sure, add in a few chocolate chips to make this snack a hit.
24. Homemade Granola Bars: Substitute peanut butter for butter or margarine in your favorite granola bar recipe. Also, add in some wheat germ to boost the protein content.
Healthy Mini Meals for Toddlers
Does your toddler prefer snacks to meals? That often happened in my house too, in fact, it continues to happen. Here are some mini meals that may be similar enough to a snack that your picky toddler will eat them.
25. Sandwiches: Pair different types of bread with shredded chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomato, hummus, tuna, and other tasty fillings. Cut sandwiches into fun shapes with cookie cutters or simply into four small pieces to entice your toddler.
26. Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Board: Fill a muffin tin with a variety of snacks such as homemade popcorn, whole-wheat crackers, cheese cubes, cucumber slices, halved grapes, and more. Try to include proteins, fats, vegetables, and whole-grain options.
27. Kid Kebabs: Invite your child to make their own kebabs using cheese cubes, whole grain bread cubes, meats, vegetables, fruit, and more. As a bonus, add a dip such as homemade ranch or hummus.
28. Tortilla Roll-Ups: Fill whole-grain tortillas with refried beans and cheese. Or, try sandwich meat and cheese. Roll them up and cut them into small pieces.
29. Egg Sandwich: Try an egg sandwich on whole-wheat bread. Include mashed avocado or tomato slices.
30. Quesadillas: Heat up a tortilla with cheese, tomato slices, and cooked chicken. Add another tortilla on top and flip in the frying pan when browned. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream.
31. Mini Pizzas: Make mini pizzas using English muffins, tomato sauce, and cheese. Heat them up in the toaster or air fryer.
32. Cucumber Cup: Cut a cucumber into sections and empty out the seeds. Fill the cucumbers with your favorite filling such as tuna or chicken salad or egg salad.
Looking for tips on cooking with your little one? Try these recipes and tips.
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