55 Kid-Approved After-School Snacks

Krista Marshall

Fri, August 30, 2024 at 3:08 PM UTC

8 min read

Collection of 55 best kid after-school snacks to please hungry tummies and bring smiles to little faces.
Snack recipes include fluff recipes, fruit salsa, air fryer zucchini chips, and rainbow fruit kabobs.
Recipes range from sweet treats like cookies and cream fluff to savory options like cheese stick pizza and buffalo ranch crackers.

I have been a parent for almost 19 years and of all the things I've learned, one remains true to this day: every child everywhere will want a snack the minute they get home from school !

Kids ' bodies seem to innately know when the end of the school day is, which immediately signals the stomach growl. With the school year quickly approaching for so many, it is time to start thinking about all those snacks we need to have ready for the next 180 days. This collection of the 55 best kid after-school snacksare sure to please hungry tummies and bring smiles to little faces.

Best After-School Snacks For Kids

The snacks I love best are the ones I can either make earlier in the day and have waiting or ones their little hands can help make to have some fun in the kitchen. On go-to for me are fluff recipes, which fit both of those requirements! Banana Split , Cookies and Cream and S'mores fluff can be sitting in the fridge waiting for the kiddos to get home.

Looking for something nutritious to give the kids? My Fruit Salsa is always a huge hit and the Veggie Dip Cups are super cute and perfect for on-the-go snacking too! Air Fryer Zucchini Chips will give them that fry or potato chip feeling but with something green. The Strawberry Banana Smoothie will provide the energy they need to power through homework or after-school sports. And the Rainbow Fruit Kabobs are as pretty as they are tasty and perfect for when school days are still sweltering.

I might not be ready for the school year to start, but I feel better knowing that these snack recipes will make sure I've got that part of back to school madness covered. Take a look and bookmark your favorite ones to try!

Best After-School Snacks

<p>Jessica Wrubel</p><p>This TikTok sensation combines two favorite sweet treats into one dynamo bite.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Jessica Wrubel

This TikTok sensation combines two favorite sweet treats into one dynamo bite.

**Get the recipe:** **Air Fryer S'mores Cookies**

**Related:** **21 Best S'mores Dessert Recipes**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Tastes just like the ice cream sundae favorite in every single spoonful.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Tastes just like the ice cream sundae favorite in every single spoonful.

**Get the recipe:** **Banana Split Fluff**

<p>Parade</p><p>Feel good about giving kids one of their favorites because these are just as tasty as the store-bought but without artificial ingredients.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Parade

Feel good about giving kids one of their favorites because these are just as tasty as the store-bought but without artificial ingredients.

**Get the recipe:** **Homemade Fruit Snacks**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>You think you have self-control until you start eating chips and salsa!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

You think you have self-control until you start eating chips and salsa!

**Get the recipe:** **Copycat Chili's Salsa**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>You can make this sweet and salty snack all your own by adding your favorite things.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

You can make this sweet and salty snack all your own by adding your favorite things.

**Get the recipe:** **Sweet 'n' Salty Trail Mix**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Fresh fruit salad with a sweet and tangy dressing thanks to honey and lime juice.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Fresh fruit salad with a sweet and tangy dressing thanks to honey and lime juice.

**Get the recipe:** **Honey Lime Fruit Salad**

**Related:** **Best Fruits In Season In August with Fruit-Forward Recipes**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Who needs dough when you can make pizza crust out of mozzarella sticks?</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Who needs dough when you can make pizza crust out of mozzarella sticks?

**Get the recipe:** **Cheese Stick Pizza**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Bring the campfire fun inside any afternoon of the week with this chocolatey goodness.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Bring the campfire fun inside any afternoon of the week with this chocolatey goodness.

**Get the recipe:** **S'mores Fluff**

**Related:** **I Tried Simone Biles' S'mores Cookies Recipe**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>The name might scare parents, but it will only make kids want to eat it more!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

The name might scare parents, but it will only make kids want to eat it more!

**Get the recipe:** **Frog Eye Salad**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Let the kids sample a little bit for a snack and then plan the rest for a Mexican night supper.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Let the kids sample a little bit for a snack and then plan the rest for a Mexican night supper.

**Get the recipe:** **Crock Pot Copycat Chili's Queso**

**Related:** **42 Best Mexican Crock Pot Recipes**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Give the kids something refreshing to sip as they head outside to play on a hot day.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Give the kids something refreshing to sip as they head outside to play on a hot day.

**Get the recipe:** **Strawberry Lemonade**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>No need to hit the drive-thru after school when you can make these at home.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

No need to hit the drive-thru after school when you can make these at home.

**Get the recipe:** **Copycat Dunkin' Donuts Carrot Muffins**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Salty pretzels are taken to a whole new level with some Everything But The Bagel seasoning blend.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Salty pretzels are taken to a whole new level with some Everything But The Bagel seasoning blend.

**Get the recipe:** **Everything But The Bagel Pretzels**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Keep a box of Texas toast-style garlic bread in the freezer so the kids can have a mini pizza party any day of the week.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Keep a box of Texas toast-style garlic bread in the freezer so the kids can have a mini pizza party any day of the week.

**Get the recipe:** **Garlic Bread Pizzas**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Oreo fans will jump for joy at this creamy chocolatey sweet treat.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Oreo fans will jump for joy at this creamy chocolatey sweet treat.

**Get the recipe:** **Cookies and Cream Fluff**

<p>Theresa Greco</p><p>Kids will love this fun twist on a fry. Plus a yummy strawberry yogurt dipping sauce. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Theresa Greco

Kids will love this fun twist on a fry. Plus a yummy strawberry yogurt dipping sauce.

**Get the recipe:** **Watermelon Fries**

**Related:** **10 Easy Watermelon Recipes for Summer**

<p>George Duran</p><p>Kids will love coming home to their own little party appetizer. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — George Duran

Kids will love coming home to their own little party appetizer.

**Get the recipe:** **Pigs-in-a-Blanket**

<p>Honeysuckle</p><p>This retro treat used to be in every freezer. Now you can easily make them at home.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Honeysuckle

This retro treat used to be in every freezer. Now you can easily make them at home.

**Get the recipe:** **Fudgesicles**

**Related:** **The Secret Iced Coffee Trick We Wish We'd Known About Sooner**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>Grab some graham crackers or cinnamon sugar chips and jump in!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Grab some graham crackers or cinnamon sugar chips and jump in!

**Get the recipe:** **Fruit Salsa**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>All the flavors from the beloved candy in a bite-sized muffin.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

All the flavors from the beloved candy in a bite-sized muffin.

**Get the recipe:** **Peanut Butter Cup Mini Muffins**

**Related:** **32 Sweet and Savory Peanut Butter Recipes**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>If the kids love pickles, the dill flavor in these little crackers will be right up their alley.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

If the kids love pickles, the dill flavor in these little crackers will be right up their alley.

**Get the recipe:** **Lemon Dill Snack Crackers**

<p>Parade</p><p>Make the cups early in the day and then let the kids fill them when they get home for a fun interactive snack.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Parade

Make the cups early in the day and then let the kids fill them when they get home for a fun interactive snack.

**Get the recipe:** **Granola Cups with Yogurt**

<p>Georgeann Bell</p><p>How can you make popcorn better? Add cheese and bacon, of course!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Georgeann Bell

How can you make popcorn better? Add cheese and bacon, of course!

**Get the recipe:** **Cheddar Bacon Popcorn**

<p>Smartfood</p><p>The perfect sweet and salty caramel-flavored snack. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe:<a href= — Smartfood

The perfect sweet and salty caramel-flavored snack.

**Get the recipe:** **S'more Popcorn Bars**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>Running short only time? This quick dip is something you can throw together last minute.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Running short only time? This quick dip is something you can throw together last minute.

**Get the recipe:** **5-Minute Taco Dip**

<p>The Country Cook</p><p>Any Star Wars fans will flip for these adorable, yummy cookies.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Country Cook

Any Star Wars fans will flip for these adorable, yummy cookies.

**Get the recipe:** **Baby Yoda Macaron Cookies**

<p>South Your Mouth</p><p>These aren't your grandma's RKT. They have double the butter, extra marshmallows and vanilla!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — South Your Mouth

These aren't your grandma's RKT. They have double the butter, extra marshmallows and vanilla!

**Get the recipe:** **Best Ever Rice Krispie Treats**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>Chewy coconut cookies with candy eggs, or in the spring use a marshmallow chick!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Chewy coconut cookies with candy eggs, or in the spring use a marshmallow chick!

**Get the recipe:** **Birds Nest Cookies**

<p>Plain Chicken</p><p>Put a little kick into your afternoon snack routine with this five-ingredient recipe.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Plain Chicken

Put a little kick into your afternoon snack routine with this five-ingredient recipe.

**Get the recipe:** **Buffalo Ranch Crackers**

<p>Plain Chicken</p><p>Kids are such fans of anything ranch flavored, you know these will be a hit.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Plain Chicken

Kids are such fans of anything ranch flavored, you know these will be a hit.

**Get the recipe:** **Cheesy Ranch Crackers**

**Related:** **14 Ranch Recipes For The Ranch-Obsessed**

<p>Southern Bite</p><p>If you have peanut butter lovers in your house, they will run to the front door knowing these are waiting on them.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Southern Bite

If you have peanut butter lovers in your house, they will run to the front door knowing these are waiting on them.

**Get the recipe:** **Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars**

<p>Julia's Simply Southern</p><p>Nachos made from apples with delicious toppings<strong>. </strong>Let the kids make their own!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Julia's Simply Southern

Nachos made from apples with delicious toppings .Let the kids make their own!

**Get the recipe:** **Chocolate Dipped Apple Nachos**

<p>Plain Chicken</p><p>The perfect savory and sweet bite. These are great for game day and tailgating too.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Plain Chicken

The perfect savory and sweet bite. These are great for game day and tailgating too.

**Get the recipe:** **Funnel Cake Dogs**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>Who doesn't love an ooey gooey mozzarella stick? These can be fried or baked!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Who doesn't love an ooey gooey mozzarella stick? These can be fried or baked!

**Get the recipe:** **Gooey Cheese Sticks**

<p>The Country Cook</p><p>An easy no-bake treat with a creamy filling made from whipped topping and instant pudding.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Country Cook

An easy no-bake treat with a creamy filling made from whipped topping and instant pudding.

**Get the recipe:** **Graham Cracker Goodies**

<p>The Country Cook</p><p>Grab a tall glass of milk because you will need it with these peanut butter bars covered in chocolate.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Country Cook

Grab a tall glass of milk because you will need it with these peanut butter bars covered in chocolate.

**Get the recipe:** **Grandma's Peanut Butter Bars**

<p>Plain Chicken</p><p>Keep an extra can of biscuits in the fridge for when the kids are craving a pizza-inspired snack.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Plain Chicken

Keep an extra can of biscuits in the fridge for when the kids are craving a pizza-inspired snack.

**Get the recipe:** **Hasselback Pizza Biscuits**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>Making caramel corn at home is almost as easy as bringing home a box from the store.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Making caramel corn at home is almost as easy as bringing home a box from the store.

**Get the recipe:** **Homemade Caramel Corn**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>Most kids today haven't had homemade pudding. Surprise them with this old-fashioned treat!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Most kids today haven't had homemade pudding. Surprise them with this old-fashioned treat!

**Get the recipe:** **Homemade Chocolate Pudding**

<p>The Country Cook</p><p>Take the kids on a little staycation any afternoon of the week.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Country Cook

Take the kids on a little staycation any afternoon of the week.

**Get the recipe:** **Ocean Water Punch**

**Related:** **30 Best Bridal Shower Punch Recipes**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>Kids always get grossed out with this dessert, but love it all the same.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Kids always get grossed out with this dessert, but love it all the same.

**Get the recipe:** **Oreo Dirt Cups**

<p>Plain Chicken</p><p>The key to this fun snack is a spaghetti sauce packet!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Plain Chicken

The key to this fun snack is a spaghetti sauce packet!

**Get the recipe:** **Pizza Pretzel Nuggets**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>Only 20 minutes from start to finish these can be customized for each person.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Only 20 minutes from start to finish these can be customized for each person.

**Get the recipe:** **Quick and Easy Bagel Pizzas**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>With that rainbow of colors, you know these will taste great while being healthy too.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

With that rainbow of colors, you know these will taste great while being healthy too.

**Get the recipe:** **Rainbow Fruit Kabobs**

<p>Plain Chicken</p><p>Yes, you can make Chex Mix in your slow cooker, making it so easy!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Plain Chicken

Yes, you can make Chex Mix in your slow cooker, making it so easy!

**Get the recipe:** **Slow Cooker Chex Mix**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>Look what you can do with a box of Jello and grapes!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Look what you can do with a box of Jello and grapes!

**Get the recipe:** **Sour Patch Grapes**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>This smoothie will give the littles the energy they need to power through homework hour.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

This smoothie will give the littles the energy they need to power through homework hour.

**Get the recipe:** **Strawberry Banana Smoothie**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>In only three minutes with three ingredients, you can be dipping cookies in a funfetti frosting.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

In only three minutes with three ingredients, you can be dipping cookies in a funfetti frosting.

**Get the recipe:** **Dunkaroo Dip**

<p>The Country Cook</p><p>Muffins are such a great make-ahead snack. Have them waiting for the troops as soon as they get home.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Country Cook

Muffins are such a great make-ahead snack. Have them waiting for the troops as soon as they get home.

**Get the recipe:** **Milk Chocolate Chip Muffins**

<p>South Your Mouth</p><p>No oven is required for these peanut butter cookies with quick-cooking oats topped with chocolate chips and M&Ms.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — South Your Mouth

No oven is required for these peanut butter cookies with quick-cooking oats topped with chocolate chips and M&Ms.

**Get the recipe:** **No-Bake Monster Cookies**

**Related:** **27 Best No-Bake Desserts and Treats**

<p>Plain Chicken</p><p>The perfect mix of sweet and salty in every single bite.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Plain Chicken

The perfect mix of sweet and salty in every single bite.

**Get the recipe:** **Praline Popcorn**

<p>Spend With Pennies</p><p>So tasty the kids won't even notice they are eating their vegetables.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

So tasty the kids won't even notice they are eating their vegetables.

**Get the recipe:** **Air Fryer Zucchini Chips**

<p>Plain Chicken</p><p>You only need four ingredients and 10 minutes to have this flavorful snack ready to go.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Plain Chicken

You only need four ingredients and 10 minutes to have this flavorful snack ready to go.

**Get the recipe:** **BBQ Ranch Popcorn**

<p>The Country Cook</p><p>Perfect if you need the kids to grab a snack and get in the car onto the next activity.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Country Cook

Perfect if you need the kids to grab a snack and get in the car onto the next activity.

**Get the recipe:** **Veggie Dip Cups**

<p>The Best Ideas For Kids</p><p>Greek yogurt, pureed fruit and honey are all you need for these poppable snacks.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Best Ideas For Kids

Greek yogurt, pureed fruit and honey are all you need for these poppable snacks.

**Get the recipe:** **Frozen Yogurt Bites**

**Related:** **30 Best Greek Yogurt Dip Recipes**

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