14 Easy After School Snacks You Can Whip Up in Minutes

Making after school snacks is easier said than done — it can be tough to find the right balance of satisfying yet healthy and easy-to-prepare snacks as a busy parent. 

But that’s where we come in. As huge snack lovers, we’re here to share all kinds of after school snack ideas that your kids will love, like freshly popped Popsmith popcorn, sweet potato fries, and so much more!

Let’s get right into it:

What Makes the Best After School Snacks the Best?

Some after school snacks are better than others because they fit the following criteria:

• Taste: Of course you want to make your kids a snack they’ll actually enjoy!

• Ease of Preparation: You might not want to make a habit out of giving your mini mes a bag of chips and calling it a day, but you also don’t have to overcomplicate stuff and create something you’ll find at a Michelin star restaurant. The best after school snacks should only need a few minutes of prep time.

• Nutrient Density: Are there healthy after school snacks that can impress even the pickiest eaters? It’s totally possible. As you’ll find out in a while, a lot of the snack ideas featured in this post include fruits and veggies.   

After School Snack Ideas Your Kids Will Love

With these after school snacks on the menu, your kiddos will be happy campers (without you breaking a sweat):

Popcorn

Popcorn takes the top spot in this list of after school snack ideas for obvious reasons — it’s yummy, filling, and something you can throw together in as little as under 5 minutes. 

But we’re not talking about microwave popcorn here. We’ve got a better alternative in mind: stovetop popcorn. Making popcorn on the stovetop gives you total control over ingredients and portions, so you can create a snack that’s healthy and packed with flavor.

So how do you pop a perfect batch of popcorn every time?

Simple, use the Popsmith Popper. This stainless steel popcorn popper prevents burnt and unpopped kernels with its multi-clad metal bottom and patented spinning mechanism. All you need to do is heat, pour, pop, and repeat. Pair it with our Oh Sooo Buttery and Classic Kettle Popcorn Kits for a fuss-free snacking experience!

Cheese and Crackers

This may be a basic combo, but it’s a foolproof way to keep your kids satisfied until dinner time. So that things stay interesting, use different cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, and mozzarella and include other ingredients like tomatoes or pepperoni. This post shares even more ways to take classic cheese and crackers to the next level. 

Smoothies

You can serve smoothies along with any of the after school snacks on this list, but honestly, they can stand on their own. Try combining different fruits like strawberries and bananas for an extra refreshing treat. You can also use honey instead of sugar to make the smoothies healthier.

Trail Mix

Who says you can only enjoy trail mix on road trips? It also makes a good after school snack. 

Now you can buy trail mix by the bulk at your favorite grocery store, but if you want to personalize it for your kids, just combine nuts, popcorn, dried fruits, dark chocolate chips, and a bit of their favorite candy. 

Turkey and Avocado Roll-Ups

Mash some avocados, spread it on a tortilla, top it with a slice of turkey, cheese, and some lettuce, and roll it up. You can also save this idea for game night! 

Frozen Yogurt Bites

This refreshing treat is great for hot afternoons and so easy to make! Simply scoop yogurt into an ice cube tray, add a few pieces of sliced fruit, put it in the freezer, and serve frozen.

Ants on a Log

Here’s a healthy after school snack that will take you right back to your childhood (and get your kids to eat veggies)! Just fill celery sticks with peanut butter and top them with raisins. Easy peasy. 

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Looking for a healthier alternative to those french fries your kids love so much? This is it. Just cut sweet potatoes into strips, drizzle a little olive oil and some salt and pepper, and bake till crispy. Then serve the baked sweet potato fries with dips like ketchup, BBQ sauce, or ranch (though they’re also perfect as is). 

Frozen Grapes

Of all the after school snack ideas on this list, this one is the easiest! All you need to do is wash and dry some grapes, pop them in the freezer for a few hours, then take them out when your kid is home, and voila, an instant snack that’s sweet, refreshing, and healthy. 

Cheese Quesadillas

Sprinkle shredded cheese on a tortilla, fold it in half, and cook in a skillet until the cheese melts and the tortilla turns crisp. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream. So simple yet so tasty!

Not-So-Loaded Nachos

Another Mexican snack you can easily make for your kids is nachos. You don’t have to go all out and add chicken or beef for this version. You just need tortilla chips (or Doritos), shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa. 

No-Bake Energy Bites

Mix oats, honey, peanut butter, and mix-ins like chopped nuts or chocolate chips together, then shape into bite-sized balls. You’ll end up with a protein-packed snack your kiddos will look forward to eating. 

Fruit and Cheese Kabobs

Kids love colorful things, and they’ll definitely love this fun snack. Just pierce cheese cubes and your kiddos’ favorite fruits onto skewers — that’s it! You can experiment with different cheese and fruit combinations and ask them which version they like best.

PRO TIP: Fruit and cheese kabobs are best served cold, so place the kabobs in a tray, wrap them in plastic, and let them stay in the fridge overnight.

Peanut Butter and Banana Sushi Rolls

We know what you’re thinking, but we can assure you — this snack isn’t as unusual as you’re imagining. Basically, it involves spreading peanut butter on a whole-grain tortilla, placing a peeled banana in the center, rolling it up, and slicing it into bite-sized sushi-like pieces. 

Isn’t this more fun than serving your kiddos a plain old peanut butter and banana sandwich? You can also use other fruits and spreads for more variety. Try peanut butter with apples or almond butter with strawberries!

Happy Snacking 

With these easy after school snack ideas, you’ll have plenty of options to keep your kids happy and satisfied. We hope you enjoyed this post, and remember to grab a Popper if you want to make snack time more memorable (or a Starter Set for the ultimate popping experience)!