15 Healthy Snacks for Kids (or Adults!)

Make each bite count: These snacks taste just like your favorite foods but with more healthy ingredients.

So Very Blessed Blog

Instead of pizza bagels…

Quinoa pizza bites from So Very Blessed would make a healthy snack for kids who crave a cheesy nibble. Unlike most pizza bagels, quinoa is high in protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Alexis Kornblum

Instead of french fries…

Sweet potato “fries” with a honey-mustard dipping sauce from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen are actually baked. Full of beta-carotenes from the sweet potatoes (which your body converts to vitamin A to help our vision, immune system, and skin), this healthy snack for kids is better for you than white potato fries; even the dip is more nutritious, as honey is rich in essential B vitamins.

Elizabeth Parent

Instead of cookies…

Made from bananas, oats, and peanut butter, these three-ingredient breakfast cookies from I Heart Vegetables are vegan, gluten-free, and low in added sugar, making them a healthy snack for kids. Also worth a try: 3 Ingredient Pancakes from Less Sugar, More Spice.

Moore Minutes Blog

Instead of candy…

Put out a bowl of these yogurt-stuffed raspberries from Moore Minutes as a healthy snack for kids. The tart plain nonfat yogurt mixed with a little honey and almond extract balances the natural sugars in the raspberries, making these equally as satisfying as chocolate-covered berries.

Moore Minutes Blog

Instead of PB&J…

You’ll get more protein, fiber, and natural sugar with these apple disc power snacks from Moore Minutes. Sprinkle a little cinnamon, known for its anti-inflammatory (and weight-loss) properties, on top of the apples to amp up flavor.

Jaclyn Bell

Instead of sugary cereals…

Try this granola recipe from Cooking Classy, which is made without oil; you can customize the nut and dried fruit mix-ins to taste. For a healthy snack for kids, sprinkle some over Greek yogurt and fresh fruit for a protein boost.

Kathryne Taylor

Instead of hummus…

Add sweet potato, rich in vitamin C, as in this spicy sweet potato hummus from Cookie + Kate. (It’s seasoned with a little cayenne, cumin, and paprika; nix the spices if they’re too much.) Tahini, made from sesame seed paste, adds a little calcium, iron, and fiber to this healthy snack for kids.

Karen Lee

Instead of guacamole…

Creamy, non-fat Greek yogurt guacamole from The Tasty Bite cuts the fat in this healthy snack without changing the texture.

The Broccoli Hut

Instead of buttery popcorn…

In this easy, zesty Cilantro Lime Popcorn from The Broccoli Hut, let your kids help air-pop your corn. Skip added butter in favor of more delicious and nutritious toppings; two cups of popcorn has only 60 calories and 0 grams of fat!

Rebecca Lindamood

Instead of onion dip…

Dill-icious Greek Yogurt Dip with fresh herbs from Foodie with Family is made with non-fat Greek yogurt instead of mayo or sour cream. Serve with carrot or cucumber “chips” or sticks as a healthy snack for kids.

Hayley Ryczek

Instead of chicken wings…

Buffalo cauliflower from Health Starts in the Kitchen swaps the chicken with veg (cauliflower is a great source of fiber, and one cup has 86 percent of your daily vitamin C) in this healthy snack version of the bar classic.

Elle Penner

Instead of garlic bread….

Give these Parmesan-herb zucchini bites from Nutrionella a go as a healthy snack. These crispy, cheesy slices taste exactly like garlic bread, and are a sneaky way to replace refined white loaves with more nutrient and fiber-rich vegetables. One cup of zucchini has only 20 calories and a surprising 35 percent of your daily vitamin C.

Sisters Café

Instead of a burrito…

Try these Asian inspired lettuce wraps from The Sisters Café; this healthy snack for kids is packed with vegetables, lean protein and sweet Teriyaki sauce. Have more fun by letting them assemble their own.

Sarah Parker

Instead of chicken nuggets…

Snack on chicken salad tossed with avocado instead of mayo, like in this version from The Fit Cookie. Creamy avocado has zero cholesterol and half the calories of mayonnaise, and its healthy monounsaturated fats help to keep kids full.

Lisa Cain

Instead of pizza…

These mini portobello mushroom pizzas from Snack Girl are gluten-free and only a hundred calories per healthy snack. Mushrooms are a great source of hard-to-get nutrients and disease-fighting phytochemicals, which may lower the risks of developing cancer.

Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest