Crunchy. Fulfilling. Everything that an after school snack should be. But sometimes, when you scan your fridge or pantry, there seems to be nothing quick and easy to make or eat. If you’re stuck, here are some delicious after-school snacks you can make in a couple of minutes!
Trail Mix
One of the first after-school snacks that you can make is trail mix. Trail mix is a great snack if you’re in a rush. A crunchy, delicious mix of nuts, dried fruits, and more, this snack is one of the easiest to make! All you have to do is combine equal amounts of nuts and dried fruits, and you can pull out this trail mix to eat any day after school! This amazing snack tastes amazing, with a perfect balance of slightly bitter and crunchy nuts, sweet and tart fruit, and fun chocolate pieces.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of mixed nuts of choice (pistachios, pecans, cashews, almonds, walnuts, ect.)
- 1 cup of dried fruit of choice (raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, dates, ect.)
- 1 cup of assorted seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, ect.)
- 1 cup of assorted sweets, (mini peanut butter cups, marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, M&M’s ect.)
- ¾ cups of pretzels
Instructions:
Combine all of the ingredients, and mix well! Enjoy! You can store this in an airtight container in the fridge or in the pantry.
Toaster Pies
Trail mix is super tasty, but if you have allergies, or don’t like nuts as much, then you might want to opt for another after-school snack: homemade toaster pies. If you are in the mood for something sweet and crispy, then this snack is for you! This easy snack takes only about 5 minutes to make, and is filling, too! It tastes delicious, with the buttery bread complimenting the sweet filling.
Recipe
Makes one toaster pie.
Ingredients:
- A piece of bread (white bread, wheat bread, ect.)
- 1 tablespoon of filling of choice (a piece of chocolate, nutella and marshmallow fluff, peanut butter and jelly, ect.)
Instructions:
Toast for one minute in a toaster or toaster oven. Nothing in this recipe is raw, so you can decide how crispy you want your toaster pie to be. If you like your toaster pies crispier, leave your toaster pie in for a little while longer.
Nachos
If you’re craving something savory rather than something sweet, nachos might be an after school snack that you are willing to try. This after school snack takes a little while longer to make, but the end result is worth it. Cheesy, crispy, and crunchy, this after school will hit the spot on any day.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- Tortilla chips
- Shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar ect.)
- Washed lettuce – shredded, chopped, or in leaves
- Pre – cooked black beans
- Pre – cooked chicken
- Tomatoes
- Sauces (sour cream, salsa, ect.)
Instructions:
Lay the tortilla chips out evenly. If you are making nachos in a toaster oven, lay the chips out on a baking sheet or cookie sheet. If you are making nachos in a microwave, place the tortilla chips on a microwave safe plate or dish. Sprinkle cheese on top of the chips, and add the pre – cooked black beans and pre – cooked chicken. Microwave for intervals of 30 seconds, until the cheese is melted and the chicken and beans are warm. Or, bake for 15 minutes in the toaster oven. Take the nachos out, and top with your favorite toppings. You can add tomatoes, lettuce, more cheese, sour cream, salsa, and more! Enjoy!
Frozen Fruit Smoothie Bowl
Looking for a colder, icy snack? A frozen fruit smoothie bowl might fulfill your cravings. This recipe is simple yet delicious, and is healthy too! On a warm day, this snack tastes fantastic. The cold, sweet smoothie bowl base blends wonderfully with the crunchy granola, seeds, and nuts. This snack includes superfoods too, like blueberries and chia seeds! This easy and healthy snack will be a go-to for after-school.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Frozen Fruit of your choice (bananas, strawberries, mangos, blueberries, raspberries etc.)
- ¾ Cup Juice (apple, orange, ect.)
- Toppings -e[ granola, nuts, nutella, fresh fruit, chocolate chips, ect.
Instructions:
Place the frozen fruit in a blender. Pour the juice into the blender, and blend until smooth. Take the smoothie base out of the blender and pour it into a bowl. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
If you’re hungry after school, now you have some quick and easy after school snacks to make – that will be delicious! These snacks are fulfilling, tasty, and healthy. Next time that you are wondering what to eat when you get home from school, try out one of these recipes! They will be convenient and easy to share…and your taste buds will thank you too!
Work Cited
Evink, Julie. “Easy After School Snacks.” Julie’s Eats & Treats, 10 August 2023, https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/easy-school-snacks/. Accessed 5 March 2024.
