Which is worse: The panicked feeling that you get when you realize there is no food for your hungry kids when they come home from school, or seeing the disappointed looks on their faces when they realize they were left snack-less? Honestly, it may be a tie; however, with some kid-friendly recipes under your and your kids’ belts, these scenarios will never happen! These kid-friendly snacks are so easy and fun to make, you’ll soon find your household filled with little Bobby Flay’s or Pioneer Women. I’ve categorized the recipes into ‘sweet’ and ‘salty’ so that there is something to satisfy every kids’ craving!
SALTY
YOGURT RANCH DIP & VEGGIES
Makes 6 servings
Equipment Needed:
-Measuring cups
-Mixing bowls
-Spoon, Knife, Cutting Board
Ingredients:
-1 ounce ranch dressing mix
-2 cups low-fat plain yogurt
-3 Celery stalks, cut into sticks
-3 Carrots cut into sticks
Method:
1. Cut each washed carrot or celery stick into 4 pieces.
2. Combine yogurt and dressing in a large bowl until blended.
3. Serve as a dip with celery and carrots sticks.
Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 2 tbsp. dressing and 2 celery and carrots sticks
Calories: 79
Fat: 2 g
Sugar: 6 g
Protein: 5g
HOMEMADE SALSA
Makes 6 servings
Equipment Needed:
-Measuring cups and spoons
-Mixing bowls
-Spoon, Knife, Cutting Board
Ingredients:
-1 cup fresh tomatoes, diced
-1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
-1/2 cup onion, diced
-1 tbsp. jalapeno peppers, chopped
-2 tbsp. lime juice
-2 cloves fresh garlic, finely diced
Method:
1. Combine all of the above ingredients.
2. Serve with low-fat baked tortilla (corn) chips, or fresh veggies, cut up.
Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: ½ cup salsa
Calories: 33
Fat: .4 g
CHEESY POTATO STICKS
Makes 6 servings
Equipment Needed:
-Measuring cups and spoons
-Mixing bowls
-Knife and Cutting Board
-Cookie sheets and spatula
Ingredients:
-1 ½ pounds potato
-2 tbsp. melted margarine
-1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
-1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
-1/4 tsp. paprika
-1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Method:
1. Wash potatoes thoroughly; do not peel.
2. Cut lengthwise into quarters and then cut each quarter into thirds.
3. Coat potatoes with margarine. Combine crumbs, cheese, and seasonings.
4. Place potatoes in a single layer on cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes or until crispy on the outside.
5. Divide into one-half cup portions and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: ½ cup
Calories: 197
Fat: 6 g
Protein: 6g
SWEET
BERRY POPS
Makes 6 servings
Equipment Needed:
-Saucepan and blender
-Wooden spoon and hot pad, cookie sheet
-Paper cups, aluminum foil, popsicle sticks
Ingredients:
-1/3 cup berry juice blend
-1 envelope of unflavored gelatin
-1 ½ cups low-fat vanilla yogurt
-1 ¼ cups frozen unsweetened berries
Method:
1. Place the juice in a pan and sprinkle the gelatin over it, Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until gelatin crystals dissolve.
2. Remove the pan from the heat and place on a hot pad.
3. Mix the yogurt, berries, and warm gelatin mixture in a blender. Secure lid and blend until smooth.
4. Fill six-ounce cups with the blended mixture and cover each with a sheet of aluminum foil. Place the cups on a cookie sheet.
5. Insert the popsicle stick in each cup by making a slit in the foil.
6. Place the tray in the freezer and freeze until hard.
7. Peel away the paper and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 Popsicle
Calories: 71
Fat: 1 g
Protein: 3 g
FRUIT SALAD CONES
Makes 6 servings
Equipment Needed:
-Measuring cups and spoons
-Mixing bowls and spoons
-Knife and cutting Board
-Can opener and strainer
Ingredients:
-1 large banana sliced
-1/2 15 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained
-1/4 cup miniature marshmallows
-1/2 20 oz. can pineapple chunks, drained
-1 cup sliced strawberries
-3/4 cup low-fat lemon yogurt
-6 ice cream cones
Method:
1. Combine all of the above ingredients.
2. Spoon into ice cream cones. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 cone
Calories: 108
Fat: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
These kid-friendly snacks are easy-to-handle, pre-portionable, and perfect for refueling your active kids. Simple and delicious is the name of the game here, and us moms need all the help that we can get!
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