FITNESS HQ

fitness for everyone

  • Fitness
  • Food
  • Nutrition
  • Blog
  • About
  • Stay In Touch

45 Healthy Snack Ideas for Back to School

July 29, 2016 By Kaitlin Bitz Candelaria Leave a Comment

It’s about that time — the temperature is going to (hopefully) start to drop, the kids are going to be starting a new school year and you’re going to be stuck trying to fill a lunchbox each morning with healthy snacks.

Make this school year a little bit easier on yourself. Whether you want healthy snacks you can buy ready to go or you want to make some homemade portable snacks for your kids to carry, we’ve got hte perfect list of healthy snack ideas for you and your family.

45 Healthy Snack Ideas

Buy It Readyhealthy snack ideas

1. Popcorn

Our favorite brands are Angie’s BoomChickaPop and SkinnyPop — both are relatively low in calories and don’t have many added ingredients. Check the individual ingredient labels to find which one is best for you.

2. Deli Meat

Worried about your kids getting enough protein? Buy some high-quality deli meat — remember to avoid added sugar and nitrates — and toss a few pieces in your kids lunchbox each day for snack time.

3. Carrots with Hummus

You can now buy hummus in individual serving packs — and all the mamas said amen. Pick up your kids favorite flavor and throw it in the lunchbox with their favorite vegetable.

4. Raisins

5. Coconut Chips

Top these with a little bit of honey or cinnamon for a yummy, healthy snack.

6. Picante Plantain Chips

You can pick these up at your local health food store or make your own at home.

7. Celery with Peanut Butter

You can keep this basic or have fun by making celery “boats” and topping them with things like nuts or raisins.

8. Apples with Sunflower Butter

9. Nuts

Macadamia nuts, cashews and almonds are filled with healthy fats and make a great, protein-filled snack. However, keep the portions small — less than a handful is usually a sufficient serving.

10. Kale Chips

11. Protein Bars

Not all protein bars are made equally. Check out our top five protein bars that are actually healthy here.

12. Almond Butter

Most grocery stores sell individual packets of almond butter for under $1. Not only are they cheap, they’re yummy and filling.

13. Sliced Bell Peppers with Hummus

14. Snow Peas

15. Pickles

16. Olives

17. Lara Bars

Be careful not to overdo it on the Lara Bars — as Whole30-founder Melissa Hartwig says, they’re made with date paste and are as close to candy as you can get on her strict health program.

18. Edamame


A Little Prep Work

Sometimes the best snacks can be prepped in thirty minutes or less.

healthy snack ideas
Source: FitnessHQ, ChallengeApp

1. Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

  • 2 sweet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon of rosemary

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Take your sweet potatoes and slice them into fry-like pieces. Note: Sweet potatoes are notoriously hard to slice, so be sure you have a sharp knife and that you’re being safe.
  • In a gallon size bag, mix two tablespoons of olive oil and salt, pepper and rosemary to taste.
  • Put your sliced potatoes in the bag and shake them around until they’re thoroughly coated.
  • Place your coated potatoes on a cookie pan and cook them in the over for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.

2. Bacon

Ah, who doesn’t love bacon in the morning? In the afternoon? Any time of day really. Make your life super easy — make a few pounds of bacon on Sunday by placing it on a microwave safe plate covered with paper towels and cooking for ten to 15 minutes. Then, divide the bacon into ziplock bags for quick grab and go snacks throughout the week.


3. Aidell’s Chicken and Apple Sausage

Looking for a super filling snack for the kids that tastes so good they won’t even know it’s healthy? You can pick up different varieties of Aidell’s sausage in the deli or lunch meat section at your local grocery store. Their ingredients are so clean that you can even eat their sausage on Whole30, which is enough of an endorsement for us.


4. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

healthy snack ideas
Source: Back to Her Roots

Pumpkin seeds make a wonderful snack and there’s so many different ways you can prepare them to maximize yumminess. Back to Her Roots has six wonderful tutorials to check out for making everything from ranch pumpkin seeds to pizza flavored pumpkin seeds.


5. Roasted Cauliflower Tots

healthy snack ideas
Source: Kirbie’s Cravings

Ingredients

  • 3 cups finely chopped cooked cauliflower (approximately 1 head of cauliflower)
  • 1 cup Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs (make sure you used seasoned, otherwise you’ll need to add other flavoring to these)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 eggs

Check out the full recipe at Kirbie’s Cravings.


6. Sweet Jicama and Apple Bake

jicama
Source: FitnessHQ, Weird Food Wednesday, Cooking with Jicama

Ingredients

  • 1 apple
  • 1/2 jicama
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup of melted ghee
  • 1 pinch of brown sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Peel and slice your jicama into cubes. Core your apple and slice it similarly. Expert tip: Leave the peel on for a splash of color.
  3. In the microwave, melt your ghee.
  4. In an oven safe dish, place the jicama and apple. Pour the melted ghee over it and then top with the cinnamon and brown sugar.
  5. Bake for thirty minutes before serving. If you really want a delicious dessert, serve it with a Paleo-friendly (or not) vanilla ice cream.

7. Oatmeal

Be sure to look for oatmeal brands that have little to no added sugar.


8. Zucchini Chips

healthy snack ideas
Source: Frugal Living Mom

Ingredients

  • 1 pounds (about 4 cups) thin sliced zucchini
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • 1 ounce of finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 garlic clove finely grated or ⅛ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Check out the full recipe at Frugal Living Mom.


9. Green Bean Fries

healthy snack ideas
Source: Damn Delicious

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Panko*
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten

Check out the full recipe at Damn Delicious.


10. 5-Minute Healthy Tuna Salad

healthy snack ideas
Source: Lee Hersh, Fit Foodie Finds

Ingredients

  • 1 can Chicken of the Sea Tuna in Water
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon chives, finely diced
  • Juice from 2 lemon wedges
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For serving: crackers or toast

Check out the full recipe at Fit Foodie Finds. 


For When You’re Feeling Creative

Sometimes you want to flex your parent skills and give your kids something to show off at the lunch table. Check out these fun recipes for healthy snack ideas.

1. Frushi

healthy snack ideas
Source: FitnessHQ, Weird Food Wednesday, Cooking with Chia Seeds

Ingredients

  • 1 box of fruit strips (My favorite is the Simply Natural brand at Target)
  • 4 sliced strawberries
  • 1/2 of a sliced mango
  • 1 sliced cucumber
  • 1/4 cup of chia seeds

Directions

  1. Cut your fruit up into VERY small pieces.
  2. Open up and lay your fruit strips out. Sprinkle them with chia seeds.
  3. Add a few pieces of fruit to each strip.
  4. Using a toothpick, wrap the strips up and secure them and viola! Coolest party dish ever!

2. Cucumber Mini Sandwiches

Healthy Snack Ideas
Source: Family Focus Blog

Ingredients

  • Cucumbers
  • Tomatoes
  • Avocado
  • Sliced chicken or turkey
  • Sliced cheese
  • Sea salt

Check out the full recipe at Family Focus Blog.


3. BLT Avocado Lettuce Wraps

healthy snack ideas
Source: Add a Pinch
Ingredients
For the BLT Avocado Lettuce Wraps:
  • 2 head romaine heart, leaves separated
  • 2 large tomatoes, sliced into ¼-inch slices and then into quarters
  • 6 pieces oven-baked bacon, diced
  • 1 large ripe avocado, seeded and sliced
For the Dressing (optional):
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Check out the full recipe at Add a Pinch.


4. Rutabaga Short Stacks

healthy snack ideas
Source: FitnessHQ, Weird Food Wednesday: Cooking with Rutabaga

Ingredients

  • 1 rutabaga
  • 1/2 cup of olive oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

Directions

  1. Cut off the hard end of your rutabaga and then peel the rough exterior off using a peeler or a knife.
  2. Using a cheese grater or something similar, grate the rutabaga into fine pieces.
  3. In a bowl, combine the egg, rutabaga shreds, salt, pepper and garlic powder and stir together well.
  4. Using your hands, create small “patties”.
  5. In a cast iron skillet, heat up the olive oil over medium to high heat.
  6. Place each rutabaga patty in the hot oil and cook for three to five minutes before flipping to the other side. Expert tip: Like real hashbrowns, it’s okay if these don’t stay together perfectly. They taste delicious either way.
  7. Remove from heat onto a paper towel before serving.

5. Tuna Patties

healthy snack ideas
Source: Simply Recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 6-ounce cans tuna
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup white bread torn into small pieces
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon of water (or liquid from the cans of tuna)
  • 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives, green onions, or shallots
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • A couple squirts of Crystal hot sauce or tabasco
  • 1 raw egg
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon butter

Check out the full recipe at Simply Recipes.


6. Stuffed Avocados

healthy snack ideas
Source: FitnessHQ, 4 Fun Avocado Recipes

For four different fun and quick ways to stuff avocados, check out our article here.


7. 5-Ingredient Zucchini Pizza Bites

healthy snack ideas
Source: Damn Delicious

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/3 cup marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup finely grated mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup pepperoni minis
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Check out the full recipe at Damn Delicious.


8. Healthy Chicken Salad

healthy snack ideas
Source: SkinnyMom

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • ½ cup plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup light mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes, cut in half lengthwise (20 grapes)
  • ½ cup coarsely chopped unsalted, raw pecans (34 pecans)
  • 1 cup diced celery (about 3 stalks)

Check out the full recipe at SkinnyMom.


9. Dark Chocolate Super Bites

healthy snack ideas
Source: The View From Great Island

Ingredients

  • About 8 oz of dark chocolate, I used Trader Joe’s 73% Super Dark chocolate bars (the higher the percentage of cacao the better)
  • Assorted dried fruits, chopped nuts and seeds

Check out the full recipe at The View From Great Island.


10. Homemade Kombucha Gummies

healthy snack ideas
Source: StupidEasyPaleo

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped strawberries
  • ½ cup chopped mango
  • 1 cup kombucha, any flavor
  • 4 tablespoons high-quality gelatin

Check out the full recipe at StupidEasyPaleo.


11. Meat and Spinach Muffins

healthy snack ideas
Source: WellFed

Ingredients

  • 3 16 ounce bags of frozen spinach
  • 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • 3 large eggs

Check out the full recipe at WellFed.


12. Greek Yogurt Breakfast Bark

Healthy Snack Ideas
Source: Go Eat & Repeat

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup Quaker® Real Medleys SuperGrains Blueberry Pecan Granola
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 3 to 4 strawberries, sliced

Check out the full recipe at Go Eat & Repeat.

Filed Under: Food

Sponsors

Your company here!

Advertise on FitnessHQ

Newsletter

Popular Articles

Making a DIY Pull Up Bar

The Complete List of CrossFit Hero WODs

The Ultimate Guide to Kettlebell Exercises

Meet the CrossFit Girls

Your 45-Day Healthy Meal Plan

Connect with FitnessHQ

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Copyright FitnessHQ © 2022