25 Easy After-School Snacks to Keep the Kids Full Until Dinner
Sweet and savory bites you can enjoy, too!
Between school, sports, and homework, it's important to fuel up before the dinner cravings set in. That's why we've rounded up this list of after-school snacks that your kids will love no matter their age!
Just ask Ree Drummond, whose kids were big on snacking even as teenagers. Once school let out, "hungry doesn't begin to describe it!" she says. "Aside from the typical teenage snacks (hello, sour cream and onion potato chips!), they loved fresh mandarin oranges (they would eat five or six in one sitting), granola bars, carrot sticks with ranch dressing, and pepperoni slices. There isn't much they wouldn't snack on!" If your kids are like Ree's, they're likely reaching for whatever they can find to satisfy their hunger, so why not have something filling and delicious ready to much on?
Here, you'll find easy snacks that are both sweet and savory, and some that are a little bit healthy, too. Try pepperoni pizza rolls or melty ham and cheese sliders for feeding a whole crew of hungry children. You can leave off the jalapeño if the kids don't love spice! There's also air fryer recipes like restaurant-worthy mozzarella sticks perfect for dunking in marinara and the easiest homemade sweet potato fries. But if it's make-ahead snacks you're hunting for, we've got those too. Whip up salty snack mixes and no-bake desserts, or treat the kiddos to something a little on the healthier side. Think dill dip with fresh cut veggies, zucchini bread, or a cool and refreshing smoothie. It's a long school year ahead, so go ahead and pick a few of these after-school snacks. They're guaranteed to hold the kids over until family dinner and they'll thank you, too!
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Studded with chocolate chips and sprinkled with crunchy coarse sugar, these muffins taste like they're fresh from your favorite bakery! Plus, they'll double as breakfast for the next morning, and who doesn't love chocolate for breakfast?
Get the Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
These mini sandwiches are seriously addictive! Filled with ham, cheddar, swiss, and a tasty mustard sauce for a punch of flavor, they're easy and quick to pull together.
Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
This cookie is like the nostalgic store-bought treat you grew up eating but meltingly soft and chock full of warm spices. Kids of every age will adore 'em!
Get the Iced Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
S'mores Bars
Bring everyone's favorite campfire treat indoors with these fun bars. They have all the flavors of traditional s'mores with a graham cracker crust, rich chocolate filling, and toasted marshmallows on top.
Get the S'mores Bars recipe.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Give the kiddos a snack you can feel good about! These fries cook up in the air fryer with ease. Just add everyone's favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard, ketchup, or barbecue sauce.
Get the Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries recipe.
Zucchini Bread
For a sneaky way to get your kids to eat more vegetables, bake a loaf of this quick bread for an after-school bite. Thanks to cinnamon, vanilla, and a handful of chocolate chips, they won't even know they're eating zucchini!
Get the Zucchini Bread recipe.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
This super simple snack doesn't require turning on the oven so it couldn't be easier. Keep a stash in the fridge for a quick after-school snack.
Get Ree's No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe.
Pumpkin Smoothie
Whether it's a Halloween treat or just a fall afternoon, you can't go wrong with something pumpkin flavored. And, this pumpkin smoothie is sure to be a hit.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Smoothie recipe.
Yogurt Parfait
Here's a fun idea: Get your kids to help make their own parfait! They can layer the fruit, granola, and yogurt for a DIY project that's tasty and healthy.
Get the Yogurt Parfait recipe.
Garlic-Ranch Party Mix
This party mix is loaded with savory, salty snacks—including cereal squares, pretzel sticks, and mixed nuts. To give it even more flavor, it's tossed with a homemade ranch seasoning mix.
Get Ree's Garlic-Ranch Party Mix recipe.
Vegetables with Dill Dip
Cut up a variety of veggies in a rainbow of colors for your little ones to snack on. They won't be able to resist when they have this creamy dill dip for dunking.
Get the Dill Dip recipe.
Brookies
If sweets are what the kids are craving, you can't go wrong with homemade brookies. They'll please both brownie lovers and cookie lovers alike.
Get the Brookies recipe.
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Refrigerated pizza dough makes this snack even easier. You can dip the cheesy bites into marinara sauce or even pesto if that's your thing.
Get Ree's Pepperoni Pizza Rolls recipe.
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
These chocolate cookies are loaded with good-for-you ingredients, like oats and peanut butter. So you can feel good about having cookies no matter the time of day!
Watermelon Smoothie
This sweet and refreshing smoothie is made with fresh watermelon, strawberries, and Greek yogurt. But you can also swap out the strawberries for any frozen red fruits, like raspberries or cherries.
Get the Watermelon Smoothie recipe.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
This crispy, cheesy snack comes together in just 20 minutes thanks to the air fryer. They're even better than the kind you find in the freezer aisle.
Get the Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe.
Fried Zucchini
Instead of french fries, this lightened up snack turns zucchini sticks into a crispy delight. They're easy to grab and easy to dip (especially in ranch dressing!).
Get the Fried Zucchini recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Creamy pumpkin puree gives these muffins a sweet and seasonal flavor for fall. If you want them even sweeter, top the treats with cream cheese frosting.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Spice Muffins recipe.
Pigs in a Blanket
You don't have to be a kid to love pigs in a blanket! This crowd-pleasing recipe is great for all ages. Switch up the dip depending on your preferences (ranch, maple-dijon, or spicy mayo).
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Mercantile Snack Mix
It's sweet, salty, and so addictive! This snack mix is great for munching on while you watch your favorite TV show or work on a fun project with the kids.
Get Ree's Mercantile Snack Mix recipe.
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