45 Tasty After-School Snacks That Kids Will Love

From preschool to senior year, your kids will love nibbling on these delicious dishes.

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hummus, pita chips, and vegetables on wooden tray

After a long day at school, kids cannot wait to unwind and enjoy an afternoon snack. After all, it's been hours since lunchtime but it's still too early for dinner. While this hunger witching hour might seem like it'll make dinner a lost cause, the right after-school snack can serve as a nutritious and satisfying appetizer that'll help them power through homework and afternoon activities. We're sharing some of our favorite easy, quick, and delicious foods for your young ones to munch on; they'll make your afternoons simpler and theirs fuller.

Whip up our Hummus Without Tahini, pictured here, for a snack that's sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. It comes together in only 10 minutes and can be served alongside crudités or pita chips for a satisfying crunchy option. Want to make a creamy combination of two favorite dips? Chickpeas, avocado, and loads of spices join forces in our Guacamole Hummus recipe that's sure to be a hit. For another dipping snack, create a lighter take on a classic ranch by whipping up our Yogurt Ranch Dip. It only takes five minutes to put together and uses six ingredients you likely already have on hand. Your kids will love dipping an array of vegetables (like carrots, peppers, and tomatoes) into this creamy, tangy bowl.

We're also sharing a number of sweet treats that your kids will devour. For the perfect combination of salty and sweet, make our Crunchy Caramel Popcorn. If your little one tends to be shy about trying new things, put together our Crispy Cereal Treats. Our how-to features one base recipe and four different variations to make sure every child has an option they'll love.

From lip-smacking salty snacks to scrumptious sweet bites, you'll find the perfect after-school snack for your little ones here.

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English Muffin Pizza Snacks

english muffin pizza snacks topped with fresh basil
Frank Frances

Who says pizza can't be a snack? Our take on the beloved bagel-based classic starts with an English muffin instead. It's a snack that will handle their hunger—and yours!—until the homework's done.

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Ham-and-Apple Wraps with Dip

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Here's a healthy, hearty, and satisfying snack your kids are sure to love. In 15 minutes, you can prepare these yummy wraps to appease any little ones scouring the pantry before dinner.

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Cucumber-Blueberry Smoothie

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This antioxidant-packed smoothie will give your kids the boost they need after a long day of learning.

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Crunchy Caramel Popcorn

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José Manuel Picayo Rivera

Indulge your kids' popcorn cravings—this extra-crunchy version (with some sweetness) will make them applaud after school. If you have some adventurous eaters at your table, try our Coconut-Caramel Popcorn.

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Cranberry-Oat Cereal Bars

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Soothe after-school hunger with nutritious, easy, and delicious snacks your scholarly tykes are sure to savor. Kids will love these sweet oat treats.

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DIY Dried Fruit Granola Bites

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Bryan Gardner

Try these DIY granola bites for a healthy after school snack. They're made with whole ingredients and nothing artificial.

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Peanut-Butter Granola Balls

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Made with honey and dried fruit, these afternoon treats sneak a little nutrition into homework time.

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Crispy Cereal Treats

full grid of crispy rice cereal treats
Kirsten Francis

Put a decadent spin on their favorite breakfast with these updated takes on classic cereal bars. We're sharing four rich recipes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

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Ants on a Log

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Using assorted dried fruit adds a colorful twist to this kid-favorite snack.

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Maple-Nut Granola

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The classic fall flavors of this granola make for a delicious and filling breakfast or afternoon treat.

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Chocolate-Coconut Graham Crackers

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These cookies are incredibly easy to make; toasting the shredded coconut brings out its nutty flavor.

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Pear with Honey and Pecans

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A single serving of this after-school meal offers up both fiber and healthy fats.

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Pita Nachos

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Whip up these mini pizzas for your kids to enjoy during their homework session.

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Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

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John Kernick

It takes just ten minutes to prepare the dough for these sweet, crunchy treats, and you can feel good about serving them to your kids since they're made with whole-wheat flour.

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Warm Fruit-and-Nut Snack

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This healthy trail mix is a perfect nosh for kids while they're completing math homework or working on their art projects.

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Cheddar Carrot Balls

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These cheddar-carrot balls are a snack that's fun for kids. They're so creamy and delicious, you'll want to make extra for yourself.

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Cinnamon Tostada

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Kids (and grown-ups, too) will love this updated version of cinnamon toast.

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Yogurt Ranch Dipping Sauce

Yogurt-Ranch Dipping Sauce
Kate Sears

Made with mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, this dipping sauce makes for the perfect after-school snack when paired with crunchy carrots and fresh red peppers.

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Frozen Fruit Salad

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Placing ordinary fruit in the freezer for an hour gives this classic snack a fun, new snap.

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Guacamole Hummus

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Con Poulos

This snack is a delicious combination of two favorites dips. With loads of avocado and chickpeas, this flavorful bite packs a punch. Serve it with tortilla chips for a crunchy taste that's sure to be a hit.

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Spicy-Sweet Maple Snack Mix

spicy sweet maple snack mix
John Dolan

As the name of this snack entails, it's the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. It gets its kick from cayenne pepper and pepitas, while its sweetness comes from maple syrup.

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Pizza Crackers

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You can use any of your favorite pizza toppings on these crackers. Try diced deli ham, chopped bell pepper, or pineapple chunks.

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Kettle Chip Nachos

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CHELSEA CAVANAUGH

Older kids will love this easy snack because it packs a kick. Featuring jalapeños, two types of cheese, and the perfect crunch from kettle chips, this twist on classic nachos will quickly become a new favorite.

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Peanut-Butter Granola Bars

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These homemade versions of a favorite snack food are filled with healthy fruit and nuts and are very simple to make.

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Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket

Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket
Kirsten Francis

This party favorite is sure to be a hit with your kids after school. Flaky dough is wrapped around bite-size hot dogs for a savory snack.

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Sushi Surprise

sandwich sushi
Bryan Gardner

Offer an unexpected twist on an afternoon snack of raw vegetables—wrap them up in bread to look like sushi.

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Popcorn Balls

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Try substituting other types of dried fruit and nuts for the raisins and peanuts for a fun twist on the classic popcorn ball.

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Cereal Mix with Parmesan

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Our version of this classic mix features pretzels and wholesome cereals plus the grown-up flavors of olive oil and Parmesan.

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Tortilla Cups with Yogurt and Fresh Fruit

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Give yogurt and fruit a special twist by serving them in these tortilla cups.

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White Bean Dip

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Everyone will love this dip, so make some extra. It will keep, refrigerated, for three days.

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English Muffin with Apple and Cheddar

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This delicious sandwich is a quick and satisfying meal for hungry kids just off the bus.

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Snowflake Quesadilla

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With these snowflakes, only the cheese melts. Fold a flour tortilla in half, then in thirds. Snip out shapes, unfold, and use as the top of a quesadilla.

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Edamame Spread

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This protein-packed spread is sure to delight, especially when paired with salty crackers.

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Watermelon-Strawberry Pops

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Try this refreshing pop to energize your kids after a long day at school.

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Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas

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Andrew Purcell

This crunchy snack is so perfect, your kids will ask for it in their packed lunches, too.

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Tiny Tuna Melts

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These mini sandwiches are the perfect kid-sized snack.

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Pineapple-Coconut Smoothie

smoothie with chia
Linda Pugliese

From the school bus to a tropical island, the kids will love this fruity snack after a long day of school. Featuring pineapple, coconut oil, and chia seeds, it comes together in only five minutes but will tide them over for hours.

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Peanut Butter and Jam Crepe Roll

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Use crepes to turn a classic sandwich into a specialty snack.

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Chocolate Banana Pops

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These pops will quickly turn into warm-weather favorites.

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Creamy Zucchini and Ricotta Spread

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This spread is the perfect match for chips and crackers, but it's also the perfect starting point for a great sandwich.

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Bird Haven Farm Applesauce

bird haven farm applesauce
Mikkel Vang

With only 15 minutes of prep, this sweet applesauce is just the snack to tide kids over until dinner is ready.

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Zucchini, Banana, and Flaxseed Muffins

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John Kernick

The zucchini and banana help create a soft and tender muffin, while keeping it low in fat.

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Loaded Sweet-Potato Skins

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These savory snacks are the perfect snack to keep your kids full until dinner.

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Granola with Pecans and Dried Fruit

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Romulo Yanes

Enjoy this granola with milk or yogurt, or just eat it plain.

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