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    Home » Bars & Brownies

    After School Snack Ideas

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    Sep 7, 2021

    (updated Sep 20, 2024)

    by Kimberlee Ho

    The after school hour is typically one filled with hungry, tired kids in need of some immediate snacks to fill their growling stomachs upon walking into the house. These After School Snack Ideas will do the trick.

    I've got you covered with a variety of quick and easy After School Snack Ideas that kids love to keep them satisfied and happy. And to keep you sane!

    collage of images for after school snack ideas

    Disclosure: I have included links to some great products and services that I think you’ll love. I use them myself and only recommend them because I love them. If you purchase via the links I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1. Salty Sweet Cereal Snack Bars

    With a layer of salty pretzel crust, topped with sweetened condensed milk, crisped rice cereal, melty chocolate and finished off with some more salty pretzels, these Sweet and Salty Cereal Snack Bars are sure to become a staple in your house.

    The layers all complement each other so well for the perfect, easy sweet and salty snack.

    Get the recipe
    stack of 3 cereal snack bars with chocolate pretzels and Rice Krispies

    2. Gluten Free, Nut Free Granola

    Granola is a breakfast and snacking staple around my house. And this version is ideal for folks who are looking for a delicious and easy gluten-free, easily customizable alternative to the pre-packaged brands. Kids will actually eat this one, too!

    This is way healthier than your average store-bought granola or trail mix. Bonus: It's nut-free, too, so it can be packed in your kids' lunch box without any worries.

    Throw in whatever dried fruit you have! This is a great one to prep while you're making out your meal plan for the week.

    Get the recipe
    Easy Gluten-free, Nut-Free Granola | kickassbaker.com #granola #paleoish #glutenfreegranola #nutfreegranola #glutenfree #nutfree #allergyfriendly #kickassbaker

    3. Banana Bread

    Bananas are destined, in my honest opinion, to become nothing other than the best version of bread there is - Banana Bread!

    This is the ideal afternoon snack for your kiddos. It comes together super easily, your house will smell amazing, and it's simply delicious.

    Bonus: it uses up overripe fruit you'd likely otherwise toss in the garbage!

    Get the recipe
    Banana Bread | kickassbaker.com #bananabread #bananas #moist #easyrecipes #quickbread #nutfree #peanutfree #allergyfriendly #nonuts

    Like these After School Snack Ideas? Follow me on Pinterest for lots more recipes just like this one! And don’t forget to pin this recipe for later by clicking on one of the images below the recipe. Or, click on any of the images in this post to save to Pinterest.

    4. Homemade Applesauce

    Homemade applesauce is one of those true treats that seems like it would be difficult and time-consuming to make. But, in reality, it's super simple and the perfect nourishing treat to serve your family.

    It's also good in so many ways:

    • naked, plain, outta the jar, with a spoon
    • warmed up and drizzled over creamy vanilla ice cream
    • stirred into plain greek yogurt with a sprinkling of granola
    • baked into my Applesauce Cake!

    Homemade applesauce also keeps really well in the fridge for awhile. And, you can store them in these convenient, single-serving jars.

    Get the recipe
    Jar of homemade applesauce with cinnamon sticks in front, taking a scoop out

    5. Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

    The perfect sugar cookie recipe is hard to come by. Some come out too dry, some too crumbly. 

    Some require way too much prep time, i.e. chilling for hours, and some lack flavor and texture. Not these Sugar Cookies! They are soft and chewy and full of flavor. 

    And, the best part? No chilling of the dough required! Start to finish, these cookies are done in less than 30 minutes. 

    It doesn't get any better than that, now does it?!

    Get the recipe
    Straight on shot of Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies on two stacked plates with flowers in background and a glass of milk with a red and white straw

    6. Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins

    There's nothing quite like a freshly baked bakery-style chocolate chip muffins served warm with a steaming mug of hot cocoa (or juice box) after a full day of school.

    So comforting and filling and just plain delicious! Now you can bake up some Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins at home with this easy, no-fuss recipe. Indulge your family at home any day of the week with this recipe!

    Get the recipe
    large chocolate chip muffin with paper wrapper opened on black plate

    7. Honey Corn Muffins

    Corn muffins with a touch of honey. Doesn't that just sound like pure heaven after a day of learning?

    These muffins are filled with so much comforting flavor for your little ones. Serve warm with a generous drizzle of honey or smattering of jam for extra mommy or daddy points!

    Get the recipe
    Overhead photo of jumbo corn muffins with honey and blackberries around

    8. Banana Snack Cake

    Try switching up your typical banana bread to bake a Banana Snack Cake instead. Topping it with a layer of Salted Caramel Frosting is totally optional, but you won't be sorry one bit if you do decide to slather that on top!

    Get the recipe
    straight on photo of banana sheet cake with salted caramel buttercream cut into squares

    FOR ALL MY FAVORITE BAKING TOOLS INCLUDING THOSE USED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE, CHECK OUT MY BAKING RESOURCES PAGE!

    9. One Bowl Vanilla Cake

    As home bakers, we all need an easy, reliable and extremely delicious vanilla cake recipe in our repertoires for any occasion. After school is such an occasion!

    Did I mention the best part - this cake is made using only one bowl. And no mixer required. 

    So, very few dishes to wash afterwards, which means more time for digging in and enjoying this delicious One Bowl Vanilla Cake!

    Get the recipe
    hand holding a piece of vanilla cake with chocolate frosting above other pieces with sprinkles

    10. One Bowl Chocolate Cake

    If you're kids are bigger chocolate fans than they are vanilla, give this quick and easy one bowl chocolate cake a try for an after school snack Skip the frosting if you want - this cake is super moist and delicious on its own.

    Get the recipe
    chocolate cake with silky chocolate frosting and colorful sprinkles

    11. Ultimate Chewy Chocolate Brownies

    Thick and chewy and packed with chocolate flavor, this easy Chewy Chocolate Brownie recipe will become your new go-to for after school or whenever you're craving the ultimate chewy chocolatey brownie.

    Get the recipe
    stack of 3 thick and chewy ultimate chocolate brownies with white chocolate curls on top

    12. Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Loaf Cake

    Lemon and blueberry is such a great flavor combo. The brightness of the lemon, the burst of fruitiness from the blueberries, and the slight tang of the Greek yogurt make this lemon blueberry yogurt loaf perfectly balanced.

    Pour on a thick layer of that lemon glaze and your family will be singing this cake's praises!

    Get the recipe
    lemon blueberry cake sliced

    13. Fluffy Sprinkle Cookies

    What kid doesn't love sprinkles, especially when they're inside of a deliciously chewy, fluffy, vanilla-y cookie? These Fluffy Sprinkle Cookies are your kid's next favorite after school snack recipe.

    Get the recipe
    Fluffy Sprinkle Cookies in bowl with pink cloth underneath

    14. My Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Ah the classic chocolate chip cookie. A must-have for the after school snack crowd.

    This is my best chocolate chip cooke recipe and, turns out, a fave of many family and friends, so I wanted to share it. These cookies are requested over and over again. And now they will be in your household as well!

    Get the recipe
    Straight on shot of big soft chocolate chip cookies with melted chocolate on cooling rack with milk behind

    15. Oatmeal Cookies

    These aren't your typical oatmeal cookies. To start, there are no raisins. That will surely be music to the ears of your children!

    Even better, these oatmeal cookies are delicious-forward rather than oat-forward, if you catch my drift.

    Just the right level of sweetness, crackly on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, there will be not a single leftover (except for your full bag of raisins) after baking up a batch.

    Get the recipe
    Oatmeal Cookies from Milk Bar Life cookbook | kickassbaker.com #milkbar #milkbarlife #oatmealcookies #grandmasoatmealcookies #withcoconut #cookies #kickassbaker

    Notice: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. By clicking on any of these links, you are consenting to us to place cookies on your browser.

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