Contrary to what you may have been told as a kid, we think it’s always appropriate to play with your food! Healthy snacks are the perfect creative outlet to try out new recipes for kids. Taking the time to make a delicious, nutritious, and playful snack will keep your active little ones happy, healthy, and strong. We know that your family schedule is probably packed with conflicting sports times, play dates at friends’ houses, and other summer activities, so these three nut butter-inspired snacks are your tried and true (and trust us, we’ve tried them!) on-the-go fuel that your kids will devour—and you might sneak a few bites too!
Awesome Apple Sandwiches
Apples are a sure-fire staple for a sweet, crunchy snack. They’re also wonderfully versatile—you can slice and dice them any way you want (or heck, go crazy and juice or puree them!). We loved this recipe for being so on-the-go-friendly, and for taking just a few minutes to whip up! All you need are sliced apples, nut butter, and some toppings.
Directions
Core apples and cut into thin slices.
Spread a nut butter of your preference over the surface.
Top off with coconut flakes, chocolate chips, and any other topping of your choice.
That sticky nut butter isn’t just for taste—it’s also the sealing agent that binds your two apple rounds when you form your apple sandwiches.
No-Bake Peanut Oat Bars
This tasty treat is your solution to hungry, cranky (but always lovable!) kids. Quick, easy, and filling, these no-bake oat bars pack fiber, protein, and a whole lot of flavor! You can have some fun with this recipe by tossing in whatever add-ins your kiddos like. We went with dried cherries and chocolate chips, and used peanut butter, rolled oats, and honey as our main ingredients.
Directions
Heat ½ cup honey and 1 cup of peanut butter in saucepan on the stove or in a bowl in the microwave. Stir to combine. You will want it to be a consistency that is easy to mix.
Mix in 3 cups of oats, as well as any dried fruit or chocolate. If the mixture is still warm, the chocolate will melt, so if you’re looking for whole chocolate chips, let the mixture cool before adding.
Spread this gooey goodness into a 9 x 9 pan, or whatever pan size you have on-hand.
Place in refrigerator until mixture sets. Cut into bars.
Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
This creamy concoction is perfect to use as a dip and can easily be poured into Tupperware to go. This recipe only requires three ingredients (plus whatever fruit or veggie you want to dip!) and five minutes to prepare. You’ll need one container of Greek yogurt (you can also use sheep’s milk yogurt or goat’s milk yogurt if you or your little one has a lactose allergy), three tablespoons of any nut butter, and three teaspoons of honey.
Directions
Combine yogurt (6 or 8 oz.), nut butter, and honey in a bowl. Stir until smooth. That’s it! Send off to school with the kids…and save a little for yourself!
We suppose that when in doubt, you can never go wrong with a good, old-fashioned PB&J. With so many combinations, we’ve come to the conclusion that a good nut butter is really the most universal snack base, and we encourage you to get creative with different nut butters for these on-the-go snacks!
Enjoy this tasty and healthy snack! For more recipes and helpful tips, follow us on Instagram.