Great after-school snack ideas that will help get healthy nutrients into your little one's tummy -- and they're so easy to put together! Featuring Jersey City's own mom, chef, and business owner, Rene of Bambino Chef.
Now that school is back in full force, we've got some great after-school snack ideas that will help get healthy nutrients into your little one's tummy -- and they're so easy to put together! Featuring Jersey City's own mom, chef, and business owner, Rene of Bambino Chef.
What I love about the snacks that Rene put together is that they're not only healthy, but also fun for kids visually. Getting a child to eat their fruits and vegetables isn't always easy, and with a little extra creativity, she turned simple ingredients into a fun eating experience. My 2-year-old was so excited to dig in to them and kept naming the colors that she saw in the dishes! Ah ha, yummy-ness and learning rolled into one! Win!
Rene also kept these recipes super quick. Only two of them actually involve any 'cooking' (one you boil water for pasta, and the other you pop in the oven for 10 min) - the rest are just grab the ingredients & go. Perfect for busy parents.
So, let's get to the snacks! Feast your eyes on these fun, healthy, and EASY dishes:
1. "The Stuffed Garden"
Ingredients: tomato, cream cheese, carrot, cucumber, dill
Rene's Tip: No-Dairy Diet? Make this with any other favorite dressing.
2. Hummus-Stuffed Sweet Peppers
Ingredients: hummus, sweet peppers, basil flakes
Rene's Tip: There are tons of great organic hummus brands out there. However, making your own hummus is actually really easy, and so delicious when it's super fresh.
3. Pasta Kebab
Ingredients: orechiette, spinach, cherry tomato
Rene's Tip: Kids love plain pasta. Set some aside from dinner and keep in the fridge for when snack time comes, so you don't have to wait for the water to boil.
4. Parfait
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, blackberries, strawberries, chia seeds, toasted coconut flakes
Rene's Tip: Subia's Organic Cafe in Jersey City makes vegan yogurts - so if you have a dairy-free child definitely check them out and substitute in this parfait.
5. Cucumber Sandwiches
Ingredients: cucumbers, cream cheese, sea salt, dill
6. Apple Sandwich
Ingredients: apple slices, peanut butter, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, chia seeds
Rene's Tip: Nut Allergy? Use sunflower butter. The key is to keep it in the refrigerator so that it thickens up to hold the sandwich together.
7. Traditional Ants on a Log with a Twist (Done 4 ways!)
Ingredients: Celery, cream cheese, figs, chives and chia, sunflower seeds, crushed whole wheat crackers
Rene's Tip: My mother used to keep fresh figs out for us to eat when I was little. Figs are provide a natural sweet flavor and are so good for you. The crushed whole wheat crackers are enticing for your picky eaters. To get them to eat the celery, try this option.
8. Zucchini Pizza Bites
Ingredients: Sliced zucchini, pasta sauce, shredded cheese, garlic ... in the oven for 10 min at 350
Rene's Tip: Even adults love these! You can serve as an appetizer at your next party.
So there you have it, eight easy and healthy snacks that are fun for your little one. Thank you to Rene for sharing these with our Hazel Baby Blog readers! For more ideas from Rene, you can follow them on IG @bambinochef.
