Summer is upon us and one thing I’m getting asked about A LOT is snack ideas. No parent wants to be cooking in a hot kitchen for flustered, over-heated and hangry kids but at the same time it can be tricky to keep reinventing the wheel and coming up with different no-cook snack ideas to feed the kids in hot weather. I try to feed my two simple, light meals that are ready in minutes but still provide them with some nutrients and added extras.
I have written before about how nutrient-dense snacks for kids are a really good way to get some extra energy into them. They don’t need to be complicated at all – think oatcakes spread with nut butter, a pot of yoghurt with cucumber sticks to dip into it or even just a slice of watermelon and a chunk of cheese. If you get into the habit of feeding your kids some of my simple snack ideas on rotation this summer, you’ll be giving them small, manageable (in this heat!) options, whilst still varying the foods they get to eat and offering a good balance of what they need.
These 9 no-cook snack ideas are so simple they don’t even need recipes – I hope your little ones enjoy them!
1. Apple slices spread with yogurt, tahini and milled seeds
Fibre-rich apples topped with yogurt for calcium plus tahini for protein and good fats. The seeds provide extra minerals.
2. Rainbow fruit skewers with nut butter dip
Nut butter is a good source of protein and healthy fats and the fruit is thirst-quenching and full of vitamins.
3. Tomato or cucumber stacks with sliced or cream cheese
Cheese is a good source of calcium and these can be a good way to get fibre-loaded veggies into kids.
4. Crackers with nut butter, sliced banana and milled seeds
Such an easy winner, giving your little ones carbohydrates for energy, potassium from the banana and minerals from the seeds. Nut butters are a source of protein and healthy fats.
5. Simple mini ‘burgers’ with tuna, yogurt and sweetcorn
The storecupboard staples of tuna and sweetcorn are mixed with yogurt here for extra protein and calcium.
6. ‘Nachos’ (toasted wraps) with salsa, cheese and hummus
A more nutritious version of nachos with fresh veggies in the salsa and fibre-rich wholemeal tortillas in place of nacho chips.
7. Rolls spread with mashed peas/beans and olive oil
These bright green rolls can be an eye-catching way to get legumes into little ones.
8. Peanut butter and banana pinwheels
Simple but loaded with energy and nutrients from the banana and nut butter. A wholemeal wrap provides fibre-rich carbohydrate.
9. Celery sticks with nut butter or cream cheese & raisins
The best way I know to jazz up celery sticks for kids – loaded with calcium-rich cream cheese or protein from nut butter.
5 more nutritious kids’ snacks that need hardly any cooking:
- Mini pot of peas with some fish fingers
- Warmed shop-bought falafels with red pepper
- Roasted smashed chickpeas & fruit
- Dippy egg & soldiers
- Cooked nest of egg noodles with grated carrot, sweetcorn & peas
I hope you find these ideas useful this summer. You may also like to read my general guide to nutritious snacks and 7 days of snacks for toddlers and young children.
For more tips on feeding your family, menu planning and getting organised in the kitchen, you can order my new book How to Feed Your Family now.
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