Snacking is essential to maintain energy levels, maintain mental focus, and help control our hunger. Children should eat every 2-4 hours. Adults should eat every 3-4 hours. With that said, having 1-3 snacks a day is necessary and important. When thinking of a snack to make, it shouldn’t be hard or time consuming. Here are 5 Simple & Fast Homemade Snack Ideas to keep you energized and satiated.

*Each of these snacks should only take about 3-5 minutes to make.

• Ants on a log: 1 Celery Stick, 1 Tablespoon of Almond Butter OR Peanut Butter, 1 Tablespoon of Raisins OR Cranberries

o This is better than those crackers already filled with peanut butter because the cranberries and raisins have antioxidants and the celery has fiber which fills us up.

• Yogurt Parfait: Plain Yogurt, ¼ cup Blueberries, ¼ cup Strawberries, ½ banana, cinnamon

o This is way better than flavored yogurt with fruit on the bottom. You can use plain yogurt and add fruit to get the extra sweet. The natural fruit provides antioxidants, fiber, Vitamin C, and more. Cinnamon is an extra plus for fabulous flavor and health.

• Mini Quesadilla: 1 corn tortilla, 1 slice cheese, salsa (heat in microwave to melt cheese)

o This mini snack can replace a store-bought bar. You get carbs from the tortilla, protein from the cheese, and color/veggies from the salsa. All in 1 wrap.

• Breakfast Pizza: ½ English muffin, ¼ cup Plain Yogurt, Any cut-up fruit as a topping (blueberries, kiwi, strawberries, bananas, apples, etc)

o Who says you can’t have pizza at breakfast or have breakfast as a snack? Forget the pre-made pizzas. This pizza is natural, simple, and way different! Simply toast the English muffin, spread the yogurt on top, sprinkle with any or all of the above fruits. You’ve got an awesome powerhouse of a snack or double it for a meal.

• Homemade Trail Mix: Almonds, peanuts (for non-allergy kids), sunflower seeds, raisins, cranberries, dried apricots

o You can mix all these nuts and dried fruits together in a bag to carry it when on the road. By making it yourself, you can control which nuts and fruits go into the bag. I prefer to buy non-salted nuts to keep the sodium down. A serving is 1/4 cup of the trail mix.

These 5 Simple & Fast Homemade Snack Ideas fun and delicious. Enjoy the natural food. You’ll get more bang for your buck. Best of all, your kids can make them, too!

For 360 more snack ideas, check out my book: 365 Snacks for Every Day of the Year. Every snack is under 250 calories and there are snacks for whether you are at home, at work, on the go, at a convenience store (for when traveling), or for your sweet tooth.

For additional posts on snacking, check out:
Snack Attack! 7 Fun & Festive Snack Ideas
5 Favorite Snacks for Work or School
18 Fabulous Back-To-School Snacks Your Kids Can Make
7 Healthy Hiking Snacks

By Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN