Simplicity Saturday – Kid-Friendly Snacks – Quick, Easy & Delish!

By Jenn Pike | April 16, 2016 |

The next time your sweet tooth kicks in or you need a quick pick me up or pre-post workout snack, try one of the recipes below. The Bites and Squares can be frozen and kept for up to 3 months, the smoothies can be made the night before and then given a quick shake in the morning or made fresh to go. These babies are tested kid friendly treats, so it doubles as a snack for you and the little ones.

Almond Bites

  • 2 ½ cups rolled oats
  • ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • ½ cup raisins
  • 2 tbsp. raw sunflower seeds
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • ½ cup almond butter
  • 1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp. honey
  • 1/2 cup of chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp. barley malt syrup or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  1. Grind ½ cup oats and ¼ cup pumpkin seeds in food processor until powdery. Transfer to a medium bowl, set aside.
  2. Combine remaining 2 cups oats, remaining ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, raisins, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in almond butter, honey, barley malt syrup and vanilla until soft dough forms. Add chocolate chips.
  3. Moisten hands, and roll dough into 1 inch balls. Coat balls in oat-pumpkin seed powder. Place in freezer 20 minutes to set, then serve or store in the fridge.

Rice Crispy Nut Butter Squares

  • ½ cup almond butter
  • ½ cup rice syrup or maple syrup
  • ½ cup raw honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ cup dried apricots, chopped
  • ½ cup raisins (optional)
  • ½ cup chopped almonds
  • ¼ cup each, sunflower and sesame seeds
  • 2 ½ cups brown rice crisp cereal
  • 1 ¼ cup rolled oats

In large saucepan, heat together almond butter, rice syrup, honey and vanilla over medium heat until blended.

Add apricots, raisins, almonds, sunflower and sesame seeds; mix well. Add rice crisp cereal and oats; mix to coat.

Using lightly oiled hands, press mixture evenly into greased 8-inch square cake pan. Let stand for 15 minutes or until firm in the fridge. Cut into squares.

Chocolate Monkey Smoothie

  • 1 cup chocolate rice, coconut, almond or hemp milk
  • OR 1 cup of almond milk + 1 Tbs of Cocoa Powder
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 banana
  • 1 tbsp all natural cashew or almond butter
  • 1 tbsp flax oil
  • 3-4 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients into blender or magic bullet and blend on high for 1 minute.

Pina Colada Smoothie

  • 1 cup almond milk (vanilla is nice in this)
  • ½ cup coconut water
  • 1 banana
  • ½ cup fresh pineapple
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 scoop of Genuine Health Fermented Protein Vanilla (optional)

Blend all ingredients on high for 1 minute.

Need ideas for everyday? Here is a sample of some ideas I will give to clients who are struggling with new ideas for feeding their children and families.

Breakfast Ideas

  • Smoothie of choice
  • Sprouted grain or Udi’s gluten free bread with nut butter and jam
  • Coconut Yogurt and granola
  • Wholegrain cereal (like Power O’s) or porridge
  • Eggs and Sprouted grain or Udi’s gluten free toast
  • Homemade oat or spelt pancakes
  • Fruit salad
  • Fresh pressed juices (I love Juice Matters)
  • Homemade muffins or loaves

Lunch/Dinner Ideas

  • Soup or Stew
  • Pasta Salad or Large green salad with tons of veggies and a protein (chicken, turkey, boiled eggs, black beans)
  • Sandwiches or wraps
  • Roasted Whole Chicken and Roasted Veggies
  • Goat Cheese and Mary Brown crackers
  • Veggies, crackers and hummus
  • Maki rolls (Sushi)
  • Pizza on wholegrain crust with veggies and goat cheese
  • Chili
  • Veggie burgers or homemade lean beef, turkey or chicken burgers
  • Healthy tacos or fajitas
  • Veggie Stir Fry with brown rice or quiona
  • Homemade chicken fingers and sweet potato fries
  • Homemade Lasagna made with goat cheese and lean turkey, grass fed beef or make it veggie

Snack Ideas

  • Smoothie
  • Fruit leathers
  • Trail mix
  • Raisins or Dates
  • Granola bar
  • Yogurt
  • Fruit
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Applesauce
  • Veggies and dip
  • Celery with nut butter
  • Apple and goat cheese
  • Apple with raw honey + cinnamon + nutbutter
  • Popsicles made with frozen juice
  • Non-GMO air popped Popcorn
  • Tortilla chips and salsa or guacamole
  • Rice cakes or crackers or bread with nut butter or jam
  • Wholegrain low-sugar Cereal or Porridge
  • Homemade muffins, cookies or loaves

Dessert Ideas

  • Smoothie
  • Fruit leathers
  • Granola bar
  • Coconut Yogurt Parfaits
  • Fruit
  • Celery with nut butter
  • Apple and cheese
  • Popsicles made with frozen juice
  • Homemade muffins, cookies or loaves
  • Sherbert or a small portion of coocnut ice cream
  • Chocolate Avacado Pudding

* Please ensure that all foods eaten contain no trans fats (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils), aspartame, splenda or MSG*

Posted in Childrens Nutrition, Nutrition, Recipes