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25 After-School Snacks So Good You Might Steal Them Off Your Kids

We might need to keep a stash just for us.

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chocolate chip banana oatmeal bars
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

If there's anything we can advise you to do ASAP, it's going to be to make your own stash of these 25 easy after-school snack recipes. Trust us! We won't be surprised if many of these sweet and salty snacks don't make it to your kids come school pick-up time (especially when it comes to our air fryer pizza rolls...). Plus, we've got plenty of ideas for any picky eaters out there too. So do everyone a favor and have plenty of these day-brightening after school snacks on hand; they'll make the day all the more sweet, you can bet on it.

Chances are, you could use some help in getting your kids eat a bit more fruit and vegetables during the day. So why not sneak them into snack time? Bananas are truly the MVP for a reason, and make for a seamless addition to classics like peanut butter banana smoothies, chocolate chip banana oatmeal bars, and banana split pops. As for vegetables, turning produce like broccoli, avocado, and carrots into a snack-able version is absolutely the way to go (like we did for our air fryer broccoli ranch tots, air fryer everything bagel avocado fries, and carrot cake dip recipes). Speaking of, when in doubt, a dip is often the most clever way to sneak in some fresh produce (we'll personally eat anything if it has our marshmallow fruit dip on it).

On those days where your kid needs a treat, you can't beat making a batch of copycat Chick-Fil-A nuggets or Nutella pops to bring a smile to their face (and yours, since you don't have to deal with any long drive-thru lines). Still hungry? Be sure to check out all our favorite easy kid-friendly recipes, including all the best kid-approved dinners and desserts.

1

Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars

chocolate chip banana oatmeal bars
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

Sick of grabbing the same super-sweet, processed granola bars every morning? Studded with banana chunks and chocolate chips, these hearty oat bars will satisfy your breakfast cravings and sustain you through those long late morning meetings. Oh, and those necessary four o’clock snacks? They’re good for that too.

Get the Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars recipe.

2

Air Fryer Everything Bagel Avocado Fries

air fryer everything bagel avocado fries
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Meet the love child of two iconic breakfasts: toasted everything bagel with cream cheese and savory avocado toast. Their superpowers combine in these irresistible avocado fries, which rely on the magical air fryer for their crisp texture rather than deep frying.

Get the Air Fryer Everything Bagel Avocado Fries recipe.

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3

Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

air fryer pizza rolls
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Good news for Pizza Roll lovers everywhere. The fastest way to make them is also the best way! Your air fryer cooks them up in just 8 minutes while making them the crispiest they've ever been. They will still be piping hot on that first bite though, so warn your kids to be careful.

Get the Air Fryer Pizza Rolls recipe.

4

Carrot Cake Dip

carrot cake dip with apples and graham crackers
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON

Everyone knows the best part of carrot cake is the cream cheese frosting, and this carrot cake dip does not skimp on the good stuff. While other recipes use boxed cake mix, this version is gluten-free and uses toasted pecans, caramelized cinnamon, carrots, and plump rum raisins to bring out that signature flavor.

Get the Carrot Cake Dip recipe.

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5

Cinnamon Roll Power Bites

cinnamon roll power bites rolled in cinnamon sugar
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

These "power balls" are exactly what they sound like: perfect little bites of energy that will satisfy that sweet craving. Medjool dates are paired with warm cinnamon, almond butter, cashews, oats, vanilla, and a dash of salt to make these snack-worthy bites.

Get the Cinnamon Roll Power Bites recipe.

6

Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets

copycat chick fil a nuggets
LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY

Skip the drive-thru and make your own fast food nuggets at home. You can control what goes into them, and have as much of your favorite dipping sauce as you want.

Get the Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets recipe.

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7

Nutella Pops

nutella frozen in a popsicle stick
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Turn your favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread into these adorable little pops. They taste like Fudgesicles, only better!

Get the Nutella Pops recipe.

8

Pizza Bagels

pizza bagels
PHOTO; RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLIST; FRANCESCA ZANI

Whoever said pizza bagels were ick…lied. With this recipe, we’ve re-imagined what a pizza bagel can be, with a bagel for everyone, (in this case, a white pie with chili crisp and a classic pepperoni with hot honey). If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our flatbread pizza, Buffalo chicken pizza, Tex-Mex pizza, or ham, egg, and cheese breakfast pizza.

Get the Pizza Bagels recipe.

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9

Strawberries 'n' Cream Granola Bars

strawberry 'n cream granola bars
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These strawberries 'n' cream granola bars are so much better than the store-bought kind. Packed with rolled oats, coconut flakes, pepitas, and freeze-dried strawberries for a hit of tart flavor, these are perfect for breakfast or an on-the-go snack.

Get the Strawberries 'n' Cream Granola Bars recipe.

10

Air Fryer Broccoli Ranch Tots

air fryer broccoli ranch tots
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: HADLEY SUI

Switch up your normal tater tots by adding finely chopped broccoli and ranch seasoning. Bonus: Using your air fryer will give you ultra-crispy tots in half the time!

Get the Air Fryer Broccoli Ranch Tots recipe.

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11

Fruit Popsicles

strawberry fruit popsicles
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

On a hot afternoon, nothing satisfies quite like a fruit popsicle. This classic strawberry version is big on fruit flavor and not too sweet.

Get the Fruit Popsicles recipe.

12

Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites

mac and cheese with pepperonis in a muffin tin shape
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Held together by pepperoni, these mac & cheese bites are a pizza lover's dream. Creamy mac, pepperoni, and plenty of Parm combine to create a best-of-both-worlds treat. We bake this party pleaser in muffin tins to create a bite-sized snack that is perfect for after-school, tailgates, and birthday parties.

Get the Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites recipe.

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13

Yogurt Toast

yogurt toast topped with berries and maple syrup
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDEBERG; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

This TikTok number has taken breakfast tables by storm, and for good reason. It involves topping bread with a shortcut egg-yogurt “custard” to create a slightly sweet, fancy-ish dessert with barely any effort. The choices of toppings are ripe for your imagination. (FYI, Team Delish favors a bit of chocolate in the custard.)

Get the Yogurt Toast recipe.

14

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

peanut butter banana smoothie with banana slices and cinnamon on top
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The combination of banana and peanut butter is totally iconic and is really well suited for a smoothie. After your first sip, you're going to be wondering if you're eating dessert or drinking a tasty and healthy breakfast. (Hint: It's the latter!)

Get the Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie recipe.

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15

Stovetop Popcorn

stovetop popcorn
JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

Want freshly popped popcorn in a flash? Try this easy stovetop technique! The resulting popcorn is light and crisp—all it needs is your signature popcorn seasoning. (We love nutritional yeast, paprika, and lots of salt, but you do you.)

Get the Stovetop Popcorn recipe.

16

Baked Plantain Chips

baked plantain chips
Lucy schaeffer

If you love a wildly crunchy chip, plantains are the way to go. With a bit more fiber than your average spud chip, these plantain chips only require 3 ingredients. They're darn addictive on their own, but can pair nicely with some creamy dips like a bowl of guacamole or Greek feta dip too.

Get the Baked Plantain Chips recipe.

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17

Easy Applesauce Muffins

easy applesauce muffins
Joel Goldberg

Applesauce is the secret to these super-tender and moist muffins, which you don’t even need a mixer to make! Buckwheat flour is our secret ingredient; it adds nuttiness and depth that pairs perfectly with apples and cinnamon.

Get the Easy Applesauce Muffins recipe.

18

Cannoli Chips & Dip

cannoli chips dip

A Sicilian favorite across the globe, cannoli are and will always be a dreamy delicacy. But in this version, it’s turned from a creamy ricotta-filled crispy shell to a chip and dip party favorite. The best part is that the shells won’t get soggy and they're gluten-free!

Get the Cannoli Chips & Dip recipe.

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19

Banana Muffins

banana muffins
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

It’s a telltale sign that when bananas start browning, baking is in order. If you’re not recycling week-old bananas into muffins, it’s time to start. Think of sweet, buttery, fluffy muffins with a punch of banana and a hint of cinnamon, and you’ve got these beauties.

Get the Banana Muffins recipe.

20

Blueberry Smoothie

blueberry smoothie with spinach
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

Craving a smoothie, but not a banana fan? This blueberry smoothie is just as creamy, but skips the tropical fruit in lieu of almond butter and oat milk.

Get the Blueberry Smoothie recipe.

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