You’re gearing up for back to school and along with the usual to-do list of school supplies and outfits, you’re probably also concerned about how the school year will look with COVID-19 looming in the background. But one thing we don’t want you stressing over is after school snack options for the kids. With these sweet and tasty recipes, your kids will get the afternoon boost they need to tide them over until dinnertime.

Since you already have a lot on your plate, you shouldn’t have to agonize over planning after school snacks, or spend hours in the kitchen preparing. These can be prepared in a matter of minutes, or part of your weekend meal-prep if you like to plan ahead of time! Even the pickiest of eaters will love these sweet treats full of nutritious and wholesome ingredients.

Recipe adapted from Live Eat Learn

Roasted chickpeas provide the perfect crunch, are super simple to make, and are cost-effective to boot! This sweet and savory recipe will keep your kids’ little mouths happy and their bellies full.

Ingredients

1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 tbsp coconut oil, melted

1 ½ tbsp sugar

½ tbsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp sea salt

Directions

1. Pat dry chickpeas with a paper towel, removing any skins that may come off.
2. In a bowl, gently toss chickpeas with oil and seasonings.
3. Grease a rimmed baking sheet and place chickpeas on sheet in a single layer.
4. Bake at 400°F for 30 to 45 minutes, or until browned and crisp. Gently shake pan every ten minutes to rotate the peas and help them get an even toast.

Recipe from One Green Planet

This super yummy hazelnut cream is a seriously delicious treat! Not only is it vegan, gluten-free, free of processed sugar and starches, but it takes only 5 ingredients to make.

Ingredients

For the Hazelnut Cream:

1 cup hazelnuts✲

½ cup dates

1 ¼ cup water

2 tbsp coconut oil (optional)

For the Chocolate Cream:

¼ cup dates

¼ cup water

¼ cup cacao powder

Directions

1. Make sure you soak the dates in the water, this way they will be easier to blend.
2. Heat a medium sized non-stick frying pan with a thick bottom and roast the hazelnuts for a few minutes, stirring constantly. When the hazelnuts' skin starts to crack and peel, take the pan off the stove and let cool down a little. Set a few hazelnuts aside for decorating. Then rub the skin off the remaining hazelnuts either with your (clean) fingers or by putting them into a clean dish towel and rubbing them vigorously together.
3. Put hazelnuts, ½ cup dates, 1 ¼ cup water and 2 tablespoons coconut oil into a high-speed blender and blend to a fine cream. Then make the chocolate sauce in a small blender. Blend ¼ cup dates, ¼ cup water and ¼ cup cocoa powder to a fine cream.
4. Pour the hazelnut cream and chocolate cream in layers into the dessert glasses. Chop the remaining few hazelnuts roughly and sprinkle them over the parfaits.

Recipe from The Big Man’s World


These oatmeal cookies need just 3 ingredients and 12 minutes to whip up! Made with peanut butter and oatmeal, these tasty and satisfying cookies make for an easy after school snack, or even breakfast! Eggless, vegan and gluten-free.

Ingredients

2 cups gluten free rolled oats

3 large overripe bananas, mashed

½ cup peanut butter (or any nut or seed butter)✲

¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add oats, bananas and peanut butter and mix very well, until fully combined. If using chocolate chips, stir them in last with a spatula.
3. Lightly wet your hands and form 8 balls with the cookies. Place each ball on the lined mat, and press each ball into a cookie shape. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until slightly golden on the edges. Remove from the oven.
4. Allow cooling on the mat for 10 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

There’s no doubt about it — kids love sweets! But sweet treats get a bad rep when they’re made with simple carbs, added sugars, and come in processed packages. The good news is, you can make your OWN sweet treats filled with wholesome ingredients from your kitchen. This school year, try out these new recipes and combine great taste with good nutrition to keep everyone healthy and happy!

✲Disclaimer: These snacks may be best enjoyed at home, once your kids are out of the school building since they contain nuts. Double check the school’s policy on food allergens before packing these or any nut-based snacks into your kids’ lunches!