Do you struggle to get your kids to eat healthy snacks? You are not alone! Many parents try their hardest to make their children eat snacks that are healthier and it is sad to say that many fails. The truth is that veggie snacks are not very appealing to kids, which is why you need to get creative with what you feed them. It is important to try and make the veg snacks you give them as delicious as the usual snacks they eat. Fortunately, it is not impossible to prepare yummy veg treats as there are plenty of great recipes that are perfect for kids of all ages!
21 Homemade Healthy and Delicious Veggie Snack Recipes for Kids
Here are 21 easy recipes that you can use to make veg snacks that are filled with goodness for your little ones:
Homemade Baked Apple Chips Recipe for Kids
This snack is loaded with fibre, vitamin C and other vitamins as well as antioxidants which makes it awesome for kids! It looks and tastes yummy, so your little ones will love munching on them!
You will need:
Apples – 1 per person
- Baking sheets (thick-bottomed) and parchment paper
- The first thing that you need to do is preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit
- Slice your apples thinly and arrange them carefully on the baking sheet. Make sure that they do not overlap.
- Put them in the oven and bake for 1 hour
- After an hour, flip them over and let them bake for another hour
- Once they are done, remove them and let them cool so that they become crispy
Now all you need to do is to store them in an airtight container and take them out whenever your kids want a snack!
http://thevietvegan.com/baked-apple-chips/
- Baked veg chips: This snack has loads of nutrients from vitamins and minerals to fibre! It is an awesome way to get your kids to eat their veggies!
You will need:
- Vegetables like beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, celery root and others of your choice
- Baking sheets
- Olive oil
- Sea salt
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice all your veggies into thin pieces and place them on tissue paper. Sprinkle the sea salt over them and let them stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, blot them dry. Take your baking sheets and lightly coat them with cooking spray. Place the vegetables on them and bake them for 20 minutes or so, until they are crisp. Once baked, let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. Transfer them into an airtight container. Depending on how much you are making, clean the sheets, coat with the spray again and keep baking!
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/baked-veggie-chips/
- Carrot fries: Carrots are rich in various nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D, B6 and B12, iron, calcium, antioxidants, fibre, etc. This snack is a healthier alternative to potato French fries, and your kids will love them!
You will need:
- Fresh carrots – 1 pound
- Olive oil – 2 teaspoons
- Kosher salt – ½ teaspoon
Peel the carrots and cut them into strips as thick as you desire. Toss the slices in a bowl with a mix of the olive oil and salt. Now all you have to do is bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes, or until you get the crispiness you want.
http://www.momables.com/baked-carrot-french-fries/
- Mango fruit rollups: Mangoes are super-fruits that all kids love. They are loaded with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, C, B6, E, copper, potassium, and flavonoids like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin as well as poly-phenolic antioxidant compounds.
To make this awesome snack, you will need 4 cups of diced ripe mangoes. You can get this amount from 3 large-sized ones. Preheat your oven to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, line rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Take the diced mangoes and puree them in a blender until you get a smooth consistency. Now, divide the puree and spread evenly on your baking pans until it is about 1/8 inches thick.
The next step is to bake the puree for 3-4 hours. Once it becomes pliable and dry, they are done. Now, take a piece of wax paper and place it on top of the rollups. Once that is done, peel off the rollups and the paper together. Cut into long strips and then roll them up. Store them in an airtight container and you can make them last for about a week, allowing your kids to enjoy this healthy snack whenever they get a little peckish!
- Yummy sweet potato chips: Sweet potatoes are healthy due to their richness in vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, calcium, iron, magnesium, dietary fibre and loads more. Chips made of this veggie are super-good for your kids!
All you need is:
- Sweet potatoes
- Salt
- Canola cooking spray
- Parchment paper
After washing and peeling off the skin, thinly slice the sweet potatoes. Place the parchment paper on top of the turntable plate in your microwave and lay the veggie slices on it. Lightly coat them with the cooking spray and sprinkle them with a bit of salt. Now all that needs to be done is microwave them for about 5 minutes. Once they are done, let them cool for that delicious crispiness. This snack cannot be stored so you will need to make fresh ones every time you want your kids to have a healthy snack. This is easy since they take only 5 minutes to cook!
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/01/homemade-sweet-potato-chips-quick-microwave-snack-recipe.html
- Roasted chickpea snack: This is another snack that is so much healthier than potato chips. Chickpeas have loads of dietary fibre, protein as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Roasted chickpeas are crunchy and delicious, so this snack is sure to be a hit!
You will need:
- Chickpeas – 2 cans
- Olive oil – 2 teaspoons
- Seasonings that you want to add (garlic parmesan, honey cinnamon and sesame soy go well with chickpeas)
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and allow them to dry on a clean towel. Now, spread them on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper. Roast them in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour. Try one out to see if it is crunchy and if it is not, let them bake some more. While the beans are hot, toss with the olive oil and the seasonings you picked. The mouth-watering snack is now ready and you can store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days!
- Pudding with chocolate and avocado: Kids love sweet treats and with this one, you get to combine two superfoods – cocoa powder and avocados! You give your little one loads of vitamins, minerals, fibre, beta-carotene, lutein as well as essential healthy fats and fatty acids.
You will need:
- Ripe avocados – 4
- Light coconut milk – ¼ cup
- Unsweetened dark cocoa powder – 4 tablespoons
- Honey – 3 tablespoons
- Melted dark chocolate – 2 ounces
- Vanilla extract – 2 teaspoons
- Salt – 1/8 teaspoon
- Toppings – coconut whipped cream, whipped cream, cocoa nibs, sprinkles
After removing the skin and pit, put the avocados in a food processor. Blend until it is smooth. Add all the remaining ingredients and blend until they are properly combined and pureed. Taste it and if you think it needs a little seasoning, do so. Blend for 2 minutes or so until it is deliciously creamy. Now all you have to do is add the toppings and serve for everyone to enjoy!
http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/02/chocolate-avocado-pudding-yep-its-a-thing/
- Banana bites: This is a great snack for toddlers, and it is super-easy to make! Not only is this delicious fruit packed with vitamins and minerals, it also has loads of antioxidants, dietary fibre, and healthy natural sugars like sucrose and fructose which give your kids the energy they need.
You will need:
- Banana – 1 (mashed)
- Apple juice – 1/3 cup
- Peanut butter – 1/3 cup (you can also use butter if your child is allergic to peanuts)
- Vanilla – 1 teaspoon
- Egg – 1
- Whole wheat flour – 2/3 cup
- Oats – 1 1/3 cup
- Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
Blend all the ingredients together and then place the mixture on a cookie sheet using a teaspoon. With the back of a spoon, flatten and shape them as you like. Now all you need to do is bake them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. This is an easy-to-make snack that your little tots will absolutely relish!
http://www.superhealthykids.com/banana-cookies/
- Creamy red lentil and carrot soup: When your kids are playing indoors on a chilly or rainy day, make them a hearty soup with healthy veggies. This is one soup that not only tastes awesome, but is also filled with goodness. Red lentils have fibre, protein and vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, folate, potassium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
You will need:
- Red lentils – 1 cup
- Carrots – 500 grams (peeled and cut into ½ inch slices)
- Coconut oil – 4 teaspoons
- Coconut milk – 1 can (13 ½ ounces)
- Onion – 1 (chopped)
- Curry powder – ½ teaspoon
- Juice of half a lime
- Salt and pepper
- Water
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the carrots with salt and pepper and 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Put them on a baking sheet and roast them for 20 minutes or so. Next, put the lentils in a saucepan and cook until tender. Drain the liquid once cooked. Next, heat the rest of the coconut oil over medium heat in a large pot and add in the chopped onion and curry powder. Let it cook until the onions become translucent. Now, stir in the lentils, coconut milk and roasted carrots. Season it with salt and pepper. Pour out the contents into a blender and blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. You can also use an immersion blender. Add water until you get a consistency you like and boil it again over medium heat and then simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the lime juice and if you wish, garnish with some herbs. Your healthy soup is now ready to eat!
http://yummyaddiction.com/creamy-roasted-carrot-and-red-lentil-soup/
- Fruit salsa: This is a super-healthy snack that is packed with nutrients that every kid needs. It is easy to make and so refreshing that even you will not be able to resist it!
You will need:
- Mango pieces – 1 cup
- Pineapple chunks – 1 cup
- Strawberry halves – 1 cup
- Frozen blueberries (unthawed) – 1 cup
- Frozen blackberries (unthawed) – 1 cup
- Flaked coconut – 1 Oz
- Whole wheat pita – 2 (large)
- Unsalted butter – 1 tablespoon
- Cinnamon – ¼ teaspoon
- Sugar – ½ tablespoon
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the pitas into wedges. Arrange them on a baking sheet and drizzle with a little bit of melted butter. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together and sprinkle over the pitas. Now, bake them for 5 minutes or so, or until they become crispy. Mix all your fruits together in a bowl. Serve the fruit mix and pitas for a nutritious snack!
http://www.superhealthykids.com/fruit-salsa-snack/
- Mini mushroom pizzas: Mushrooms have fibre, folate, Vitamin C, D, B6 and loads of essential minerals. This snack is sure to be a hit with the kids as it is yummy and fun to eat!
You will need:
- Mushrooms with the insides removed
- Toppings like pineapple, olives, mozzarella cheese, olives, red and green bell peppers, zucchini, bacon, pepperoni and pizza sauce.
After you have washed and rinsed the mushrooms, bake them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes. If there is any juice inside, pour it out. Once the mushrooms are ready, all you need to do is assemble the little pizzas! Put a teaspoon of pizza sauce in the bottom of each mushroom, add the cheese and next, the toppings. Now, bake them until the cheese melts and bubbles. Your mini mushroom pizzas are now ready for the kids to devour!
http://www.superhealthykids.com/healthy-superbowl-snacks-mushroom-pizza-bites/
- Kale chips: You know that kale is one of the healthiest veggies around with its richness in vitamin and minerals as well as other nutrients such as phytochemicals like sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, flavonoids like lutein, beta-carotene and zea-xanthin, etc. This snack is an excellent one to give your kids!
You will need:
- Kale – 1 bunch
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Seasoned salt – 1 teaspoon
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Take parchment paper and line a non-insulated baking sheet with it. Using a knife, remove the kale leaves from the stems and tear them into small pieces. Wash and then dry them thoroughly with a salad spinner. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges turn brown. That is it! Your kale chips are ready-to-eat!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-kale-chips/
- Baked squash rings: These are so much better than onion rings! Squash gives you Vitamin A, B6, C, E, thiamine, folate, magnesium, calcium and lots of other nutrients which is why this snack is great for kids!
You will need:
- Medium-sized butternut squash – 1
- Medium-sized acorn squash – 1
- Coarse grain salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- Olive oil
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Peel the squash, cut them lengthwise and remove seeds. Next, cut each squash crosswise so that you get half-moon-shaped pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and brush on some olive oil until lightly coated. Lay the squash on a cookie sheet and bake for about 30 minutes. Turn them once to make sure that they cook through. Once they are golden brown, take them out and serve!
Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/baked-squash-rings-recipe.html
- Corn crackers and avocado: This is a snack that is simple yet very good for the kids. Avocado has loads of goodness, especially Vitamin E. This snack takes just a few minutes to make and is pretty yum!
You will need:
- Corn crackers (or rice crackers, whichever you prefer)
- Avocados – cut into wedges
- Tomatoes – sliced
- Cheese (ricotta or cottage)
You guessed it! All you need to do is top each cracker with a tomato slice, avocado wedge and cheese. You can make as many as you. The kids can top their own crackers as well, which will make them feel important and have fun as well!
- Muffins with banana and cheese: This is another easy-to-make snack that is perfect for kids of all ages. You get loads of health benefits from the bananas, cheese, honey and other fruits that you may add. This is also a snack that kids can top on their own!
You will need:
- English muffins (toasted) or crumpets or whole-meal toasts
- Ricotta cheese
- Bananas (sliced)
- Blueberries (or any other berry)
- Honey
All you need to do is top the muffins or toasts with the bananas and cheese. Drizzle some honey on top and add the berries. Voila! Your simple yet amazingly-tasty snack is ready for the little ones to munch on! It does not get better than this!
- Cheesy zucchini: Zucchini is a wonderful veggie to give your kids. It is rich in all the essential nutrients including antioxidants, phytonutrients as well as dietary fibre. This snack is high in taste as well as health benefits.
You will need:
- Medium-sized zucchini – 2
- Medium-sized yellow squash – 2
- Fresh basil (chopped) – 2 to 4 tablespoons
- Green onion (thinly sliced) – 2 tablespoons
- Dried thyme – ½ teaspoon
- Garlic powder – ¾ teaspoon
- Low-fat grated white cheese – 1 cup divided into 2 equal parts
- Grated parmesan (coarse) – ½ cup
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Take an 8 x 8-inch baking dish and lightly coat with olive oil or cooking spray. Combine all the veggies and other ingredients together. Make sure that the herbs and cheese are evenly distributed. Put the mix in the dish and bake uncovered for 30 minutes. When the zucchini is almost cooked through, take the dish out and sprinkle the second ½ cup of white cheese. Put it back into the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Once the zucchini has cooked through and the cheese has melted nicely, you can serve immediately. You can expect your kids to ask for more!
Source: http://www.kalynskitchen.com/
- Raspberry oatmeal cookies: Kids love snacking on cookies. Instead of giving them store-bought ones that are packed with refined sugar and other bad stuff, bake a healthy batch of delicious cookies at home! Raspberries have lots of vitamins and antioxidants while oatmeal gives your kids the fibre they need. With this recipe, you use honey instead of unhealthy refined sugar. This is an excellent snack for kids of all ages!
You will need:
- Instant oats – 1 cup
- Fresh raspberries (diced) – 6 tablespoon
- Whole wheat flour – 1 cup
- Melted coconut oil – 2 tablespoon
- Baking powder – 1 ½ teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon – ½ teaspoon
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – 1/8 teaspoon
- Honey – ½ cup
Firstly, preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Next, take a bowl and whisk the oats, baking powder, flour, cinnamon and salt together. In another bowl, whisk the coconut oil, vanilla and egg together. Stir in the honey until it is well incorporated. Add in the oats mixture and stir until they are blended well. Now, fold in the raspberries and chill the dough for 30 minutes minimum. Next, drop the dough into 15 scoops on the baking sheet. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the sheet before you transfer them onto a rack. Once cooled, your little ones can munch on tasty healthy cookies!
http://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/
- Yummy goldfish crackers: This is a recipe that uses whole-wheat flour instead of the usual white flour. This is a healthier choice and is good for kids. They are fun because of the shapes and taste awesome too!
For this, you will need:
- Whole-wheat flour – 1 cup
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or extra sharp if you prefer) – 220 grams
- Cold unsalted butter (cut into cubes) – 60 grams
- Salt – ¼ to ½ teaspoon
- Cold water – 2 tablespoons
Preheat your oven to 170 degrees Centigrade and line your baking trays with parchment paper. Cut the butter into the flour with a blender until you get coarse crumbs. Next, add the cheese and salt into the mixture and then the water, one spoon at a time. Form dough and divide it into equal portions. Chill them for 20 minutes or so after wrapping them with plastic. After they are chilled, take one portion and place it between two wax paper sheets and roll it out to 1/8 inch thickness. Once rolled, cut them into shapes with a cookie cutter and place them on the baking tray. Bake for about 15 to 17 minutes. You can repeat the process with the other dough portion. Once the crackers have turned golden and crispy, take them out of the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes on the tray before you transfer them to a rack. You can then store them in an airtight container so that your little ones can snack on their yummy goldfish crackers whenever they want to!
http://food-4tots.com/2013/07/31/homemade-goldfish-crackers/3/
- Banana chips: Everyone loves banana chips, so why not make them a snack for your kids? As mentioned earlier, bananas are full of health benefits as they are a rich source of different nutrients. This is a simple recipe that does not require too much effort!
You will need:
- Ripe bananas – 2 or 3
- Lemon juice
Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Centigrade. Slice the bananas into slices of 1/8 inches and lay them out on a baking tray covered with parchment paper. Brush some lemon juice on them. The next step is to bake them for 2 to 3 hours, until they have dried out. After 90 minutes or so, peel off the paper to let air circulate. Once the baking is done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for 30 minutes to an hour. They will become crisp as they cool. If they do not turn crispy after 5 minutes, you will need to put them back in the oven for another 15 minutes or so. Once done, store in a container or serve immediately!
http://naturallyella.com/2011/03/29/baked-banana-chips/
- PBJ pizzas: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a classic and kids love them. However, they can get very boring, so why not get a little creative and make them more fun? Peanut butter is chock full of goodness like antioxidants, Vitamin B6, magnesium, protein, monounsaturated fats, etc. This is definitely a super-snack for kids!
You will need:
- Peanut butter
- Good quality pizza crust
- All-fruit preserve
First of all, warm up the pizza crust in a toaster oven. Once that is done, spread the peanut butter and preserve on the crust and cut into wedges. Simple! Now all your kids need to do is dig in!
http://www.vegkitchen.com/kid-friendly-recipes/healthy-snacks/
- Veggie omelet: Combine the nutrients in eggs and veggies by making a delicious omelet for your little ones. This is a hearty snack that will fill up kids’ tummies whenever they get a little hungry. It is easy and quick to make, so it is perfect!
You will need:
- Eggs – 4
- Veggies of your choice (thinly cut)
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Grated cheese (or sliced if you prefer) – 1 handful
You can use any cheese you want – cheddar, ricotta or feta cheese works well with eggs. First, heat up the oil in a pan and add in your veggies. When they start to cook, beat the eggs and add them to the pan. Sprinkle the cheese on top. On very low heat, let it cook for about 10 minutes until the eggs have almost set. After 10 minutes, take the pan and put it under a hot grill until the eggs have completely set. Now all you need to do is cut them into wedges and serve warm! The great thing about this recipe is that you can store the omelet in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4669/fromthefridge-omelette
With so many amazing veg snack recipes available, you do need to feed your kids unhealthy snacks anymore. With a little creativity and a twist here and there, you can get your kids to eat veggies without complaining!
