10 Healthy Back-To-School Snack Recipes For Your Kids

Busy mornings come knocking again as schools across the country open their doors to welcome kids back to the academic year. With the pandemic and the ‘new normal’, it’s more important than ever to ensure your child is on a steady diet of healthy and nutritious foods that boost their immunity and keep them feeling energised. And while most mommies have lunchtime covered, it’s the snack breaks where most of the junk eating usually takes place. Also, it’s not unknown that kids are fussy eaters: One day they may love a certain granola bar and the next day they might hate it altogether.

We’ve put together some snack recipes that will help desi mummies whip up some irresistible choices that their kids will love, and they will approve of too because they’re healthy and filling. Cook away!

10 Healthy Snack Recipes For Your Kids’ Lunchbox

Snacks serve as the fuel that keeps our body going from one big meal to the next. Eating small, portioned snacks is essential for a healthy metabolism, and steady energy, and to prevent digestion problems. Periodical mindful snacking helps kids stay alert not just physically, but mentally too.

1. Banana Pancakes

If your kids love bananas, then this recipe is perfect. Full of protein and good fats, pack this for their tiffin for a super nutritious day. Here are some other pancake recipes that use different fruits and spreads.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving): Calories: 272 | Carbs: 51g | Fat: 4g | Protein: 5g | Fibre: 2g | Sugar: 8.9g

Preparation Time: You don’t have to prepare anything. Just gather the ingredients!

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Maple syrup for serving
• ½ tablespoon salt
• 2.5 tablespoons of baking powder
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• ½ cup chocolate chips

Method:

1. Peel and slice the banana into small pieces and then mash it. Now add the baking powder, salt, and honey
2. Next, add the eggs and stir to mix. Heat the pan on medium heat. Add oil or butter as per your choice. 
3. Use about 2 tablespoons of the pancake batter and then repeat after a second.
4. Cook till the underside turns brown. Make sure to not burn them.
5. After you’re done browning them, sprinkle the chocolate chips and flip the pancakes.
6. Cook it for 1 minute and transfer it to the tiffin box immediately.

2. Peanut Butter Brownies

This brownie recipe is a great treat for your kids; it feels like a dessert but is healthy and energising. In fact, we have a whole host of healthy guilt-free dessert recipes you can try.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving): Calories: 105 | Carbs: 12.9 | Fat: 2.5 | Protein: 2.5g | Fibre: 2.8g | Sugar: 2.8g

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 7-8

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115g) of salted butter
• 8 ounces (228g) of coarsely chopped quality semi-sweet chocolate
• ¾ cup (150g) of granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50g) of packed light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons (80g) of all-purpose flour (maida)
• 2 tablespoons (11g) of unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For The Peanut Butter Filling: 

• ¾ cup (185g) of creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup (120g) of confectioners’ sugar
• 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of (30ml) milk
• Chocolate chips and peanut butter chips

Method:

1. Take a medium-sized saucepan and put it on medium heat. Melt the butter and chopped chocolate in it, and stir thoroughly for about 5 minutes. 
2. Turn off the heat, pour it into a large mixing bowl, and let it cool for 10 minutes.
3. While the chocolate mixture is cooling, make the peanut butter filling. 
4. Take a medium-sized bowl. Beat the peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and milk together on medium-high speed until combined. The mixture will look like cookie dough. Keep it aside once done.
5. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 177 degrees C. 
6. Line the bottom and sides of a 9×9 inch square baking pan with aluminium foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. 
7. Whisk the granulated and brown sugars into the cooled butter mixture. 
8. Add the eggs and whisk them until they look smooth. Whisk in the vanilla and fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
9. Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. Take large chunks of the peanut butter filling and flatten them with your hands. Pour the remaining brownie batter on top. 
10. Top it with the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. 
11. Using the back of a spatula, gently press the chips into the brownie batter.
12. Bake for 35-36 minutes.
13. Allow the peanut butter brownies to cool completely in the pan, and lift the foil out of the pan. Use a sharp knife and clean with a paper towel after each cut. Quickly transfer them to your kids’ lunchbox either right then or you can even make them overnight and microwave them for a few seconds the next day before packing. 

3. Honey-Amla Sandwich

For an immunity boost, think of this sandwich as the Indian version of a PB&J (Peanut Butter & Jam) sandwich. This sweet-and-sour honey and gooseberry sandwich is great for your child’s immunity. Amla is a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C, and honey is rich in healthy, energising fats. 

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving): Calories: 102 | Carbs: 11.9 | Fat: 2.9 | Protein: 2.6g | Fibre: 1.8g | Sugar: 2.6g

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• A bowl of fresh Indian gooseberries (not fully ripe)
• 2 teaspoons of butter 
• 4 slices of whole-grain bread 
• 2 tablespoons of honey 

Method:

1. Start by washing the amlas and grate them. 
2. Remove extra water from the grated amlas. 
3. Put these in a deep bowl and add honey to it. 
4. Spread some butter on slices of bread and toast them slightly in the pan. You can also grill them. Put a little butter on bread slices and grill until it takes a light brown colour.
5. Now spread the gooseberry and honey mix on a slice of bread and cover it with another slice. Prepare the other sandwich in the same way as the remaining slices of bread. 
6. Cut the sandwich into your desired shape. Your kid’s lunch box is ready to be packed! Try out other healthy recipes for your kids with honey right after this honey-amla sandwich.

4. Corn Fritters

Hot and delicious bhutta is an easy sell to kids. Package the corn as fritters and it’s the perfect salty treat that they’d be happy to chow down.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving): Calories:131 | Carbs:13g | Fat: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fibre: 1.2 g | Sugar: 0.7g

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 5-6

Ingredients:

• 150-gram corn (bhutta)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 green chillies
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon polenta/cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon gram flour (besan)
• 1 tablespoon maida
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder (jeera)
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 4-5 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
• A pinch of smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder

Method:

1. In a pan, fry the chopped onions, garlic, corn kernels and green chillies lightly for 2 minutes.
2. Transfer this into a food processor with polenta/cornmeal, maida, besan, baking powder, baking soda, jeera powder and paprika, and blitz to make a stiff dough. Add a little milk if it’s too dry.
3. Shape this mix into small balls and deep fry until crispy brown. Add a tissue paper lining to your kid’s tiffin box and add these hot corn fritters into them. The tissue paper will soak in all the excess oil making it extra-healthy for your kids! 
4. You can serve it with bell pepper sauce that’ll add colour and a tangy taste. Also, try out these other healthy snack recipes which you can swap in place of the above corn fritters any day!

5. Healthy Chocolate Cookies

Kids love cookies, and kids love chocolates. This keto-friendly recipe is perfect for snack time, not just for your little one but for you too. Whip up a batch and store them in air-tight containers for the week. 

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving): Calories: 71 | Carbs: 4.4g | Protein: 2.4g | Fat: 5.5g | Sugar: 1g | Fibre: 1.8g

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes 

Serving: 10 cookies

Ingredients:

• 2½ tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of keto-friendly choco chips (optional)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ⅔ cups of blanched almond flour
• ⅓ cups of stevia
• 3½ tablespoons of dark unsweetened cocoa powder
• A pinch of salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees. In a large bowl, add butter and half of the choco chips, if you are using them in this preparation.
2. Slightly melt the butter by microwaving it for about 15 seconds. Mix them together until a chocolate sauce forms. 
3. In another bowl, add the eggs and whisk them until fully combined. Add this egg mixture to the chocolate sauce mixture you prepared earlier and mix again.
4. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix them until a dough is formed. This is your cookie dough that will be baked next!
5. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and use a tablespoon or grease your hands and form 10 small cookie balls and place them on the tray making sure you leave space between them since the cookies will expand eventually when baked.
6. Bake them for about 8-10 minutes. They will come out soft but don’t worry since it will firm up with time when cooled. Enjoy these delicious and scrumptious keto cookies until you decide to bake your next batch!

PS: For other healthy dessert recipes for your kids, visit this link. 

6. Roasted Chana

Roasted chickpeas (chana) are not just healthy but also easy to make. Packed with flavour and nutrients, your kids can have them as snacks or salad toppings. This recipe is vegan too!

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving): Calories: 46 | Carbs: 8g | Fibre: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2.8g | Sugar: 1.6g

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of chickpeas (chana), soaked overnight
• Oil
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin (jeera)
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon ground coriander (dhaniya)
• ¼ teaspoon chaat masala
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
2. Drain chickpeas in a colander and let them dry completely. Pat dry with a paper towel if needed.
3. Arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for about 35 to 45 minutes, shaking the pan every ten minutes. They will be golden brown and crunchy on the inside when done, not moist.
4. In a medium bowl, combine all the spices.
5. Remove chickpeas from the oven when done and drizzle with olive oil.
   Immediately toss with mellow spices while hot. You can do this roasted chickpeas recipe without an oven in a shallow pan by stirring them continuously. 

7. Cheesy Egg Toast

Egg toast with cheese is delicious, easy and full of protein. You can even serve it for breakfast or as a midday snack by simply modifying the portion. In fact, most egg dishes are great for snack time. (Check out these 20 easy and yummy egg recipes.)

Nutritional Facts: Calories: 230 | Carbs: 29g | Fat: 9g | Protein: 11g | Fibre: 2g | Sugar: 4g

Preparation Time: Just gather the ingredients!

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of brown bread
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons shredded cheese
• Salt (as per taste)
• Pepper

Method:

1. Gently press down on the centre of the bread with a spoon.
2. Put butter on the edges.
3. Crack the egg in the pocket of the bread.
4. Line the edges of the bread with the shredded cheese.
5. Sprinkle some salt and pepper.
6. You can either bake it in the oven for 10-15 minutes or use a pan.
7. Transfer them to your kid’s lunch box.

8. Moong Dal Samosa

Thinking about ditching potatoes to stay healthy? Try packing these moong dal samosas for your kid.

Nutritional Facts: Calories: 240 | Carbs:35g | Fat: 9g | Protein: 8.9g | Fibre: 1.8g | Sugar: 2.5g

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Serving: 5-6

Ingredients:

For Samosa Pastry:

• 2 cups of refined flour (sifted)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Cold water, to knead

For Filling:

• 3 cups of green gram (moong dal, husked), soaked
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
• ⅛ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
• 3 teaspoon garam masala
• 3 teaspoon chilli powder
• 2 tablespoons fennel seeds (saunf), powdered
• 2 teaspoon coriander (dhaniya) powder
• Salt, to taste
• 1½ teaspoon mango powder (amchur)

Method:

1. Grind the lentils coarsely.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil and add the cumin seeds (jeera) and asafoetida (hing).
3. When they begin to splutter, add the lentils and the rest of the ingredients, which make up the filling.
4. Saute over low heat till the mixture is fried. It will stop sticking to the pan when done.
5. Take the mixture off the heat and leave to cool.
6. Add the salt to the flour, and rub the oil into it.
7. Add water and knead into a stiff dough and leave to rest for 15 minutes or so.
8. Shape the dough into smooth balls, and roll the balls into thin rounds.
9. Cut these into halves.
10. Take one half, wet the edges, fold the straight edge at the centre and join by one half overlapping the other to form a cone.
11. Press the overlapping portion, fill the cone and press the edges together to seal.
12. The oil should be hot when you add the samosas to it, then lower the heat and let cook till brown. Transfer them hot to your kid’s lunch box. 

9. Berry Smoothie

A smoothie is the easiest way to get your kid to have a booster dose of nutritious fruits without any fuss. Smoothies are healthy, filling, and packed with fibre. Choose to whip up a smoothie using the fruits your child loves as the base. Here’s a berry smoothie that’s kid-friendly, but we have many easy-to-make healthy smoothie recipes using other ingredients as well.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving): Calories: 112 | Carbs: 26g | Fat: 2g | Protein: 1g | Sugar: 3.5g

Preparation Time: Just gather the ingredients!

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 2 glasses

Ingredients:

• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Chopped peaches
• ½ cup of plain yoghurt
• ¼ cup of almond milk

Method:

• Blend the berries together with the yoghurt in the blender
• Add milk and keep it in the freezer
• Serve chilled or pack it in a stainless steel bottle or a thermos with ice cubes in them so that it remains chilled till lunch. Rich in antioxidants and the goodness of vitamin C, this is bound to be your child’s favourite.

10. Sweet Potato Fries

From kids to adults, everyone loves hot and crispy fries. While regular fries may taste great, they aren’t exactly healthy. These sweet potato fries are the perfect swap for your kids!

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving): Calories: 173 | Carbs: 40g | Fat: 0.2g | Protein: 3g | Fibre: 6g| Sugar: 8g

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 1 regular bag

Ingredients:

• 4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into long fries
• ¼ cup of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of your favourite seasoning
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Method:

1. In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with ¼ cup olive oil and coat completely.
2. In a small bowl, mix the seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, salt, and red chilli powder until thoroughly combined.
3. Now add the seasoning mixture to the fries while constantly tossing.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and place sweet potato pieces into the hot oil.
5. Cover skillet, and pan-fry for 5 minutes; uncover and turn fries.
6. Place the lid back over the fries and cook for 5 more minutes.
7. Continue turning fries and covering until sweet potatoes are tender. Make a creamy dip with dahi and mustard sauce for the sweet potato fries and add it to your kid’s tiffin box!

Hope we’ve helped you make snack breaks more enjoyable for your kids. Share recipes of your own in the comments below to help other mommies pack the perfect snack box for their children now that they’re going back to school.