10 After-school No-sugar-needed Snacks

Two girls smiling, enjoying colorful frosted toasts in a bright kitchen, with a wire rack and unfocused background.

Kids are often at their snackiest right when they come home from school. When you’re stuck in rush-hour traffic or trying to prepare dinner, it can be challenging to give them nutritional but appetizing options that aren’t chockfull of processed ingredients. On average, 1 in 10 Americans consumes 25% or more of their calories from processed sugar.

So, while it is easy just to toss them a bag of chips, making snacks at home helps ensure your kids are eating only the best ingredients and not processed sugars that will lead to the dreaded “sugar crash.” But with your busy work schedule and kids’ activities, how can you keep from slipping into a snack rut?

We’ve served up a list of 10 tasty treats that are easy to whip up or make ahead of time. Some are even kid-friendly enough to make all on their own:

1. Ants on a Log

When raisins just aren’t exciting enough, try this classic snack with a fun twist – pomegranate arils add a pop of color to this simple snack time favorite.

A dish of celery sticks with creamy topping and pomegranate seeds on a white plate, over a blue patterned cloth.

Let your kids experiment with different toppings!

2. Honey Peanut-ella

Great on toast, in sandwiches, over ice cream and with fruit, it will be hard to keep their (and your) hands away from this yummy dip.

A jar filled with chocolate spread on a textured blue surface, with a butter knife and raspberries nearby.

Make in batches so you always have some on hand.

3. Mermaid Toast

A snack-worthy work of art. Better yet, let them experiment with color to make their own mermaid toast masterpiece.

Six slices of bread with colorful spreads and sprinkles on a wooden table, with a bowl of gold candy pearls.

This magical snack is sweet and colorful.

4. Strawberry UNmilkshake

For a change of snacktime pace, mix it up with your mixer. Here’s a milkshake made without milk or ice cream so everyone can enjoy.

Strawberry smoothies in glass and bottle with straws and fresh berries on a light backdrop.

Let your kids try this concoction and give this sweet treat a whirl.

5. Cookie Dough Energy Bites

A quick, no-bake cookie dough snack that is great any time of the day, but watch out or you’ll find yourself eating them all up!

Oatmeal chocolate chip energy balls in a metal bowl on a textured surface.

An energy boost before your kids start their homework.

6. PB & Honey Bites

Simple yet tasty, these peanut butter and honey bites make the perfect after-school snack. Sprinkle with coconut or cinnamon.

 

Chocolate-dipped waffle pretzels with colorful sprinkles on top.

Mmmmmm, now that is yummy.

7. Girl Scout Copycat S’mores Cookies

Sweet, homemade honey marshmallows are a great alternative to the pre-packaged brands with processed sugar. Enjoy these campfire snacks anytime, with dark chocolate and graham crackers! Campfire not required.

Stack of s'mores with gooey marshmallows and melted chocolate on a white surface.

The Girl Scouts might be disappointed, but you won’t be!

8. Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

No sugar needed for this delicious ice cream recipe. Add raw and unfiltered honey for a delicious alternative sweetener. For even more fun, set up a mini-toppings bar with cinnamon, coconut shavings, or sprinkles!

Vanilla ice cream cones in jars with honey bottle and scoop on a wooden table.

National Honey Month Recipes

9. Honey Apples

Honey is one of nature’s finest snacks. Drizzle honey over sliced apples or turn an apple into a dipping bowl that can be eaten after the fun with one less dish to clean. Mmmm, now you’re talking.

Sliced apples served with honey in an apple cup, garnished with fresh thyme.

An easy snack you can feel good about making for your kids.

10. Frosted Peanut Bars

A weekend activity that the kids can help with, whip up a batch of these peanut butter bars for after school snacks. But who are we kidding, these will probably be devoured by Monday.

Squares of creamy frosted cake topped with chopped nuts on a marble background.

Don’t forget to save yourself a piece!

At Nate’s, we always want to know what’s in our food. We strive to choose real ingredients that we know our kids will love.

Share your snack ideas

Share with us how you handle the daily snack attack. What yummy recipes do you make with your kiddos? Tell us on Instagram with #choosereal.

If you have any questions, we’d love to help find you the answer. Email us 24/7 at honeyfacts@naturenates.com.

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