Smart Snacks for Kids

Sunflower and pumpkin seeds may be small, but they contain quite a few nutrients, making this sweet-and-spicy mix one of our healthy kids' recipes. Pack the mix in small airtight containers for a fun gift idea.

Recipe: Santa Fe Snack Seeds

This simple snack cake is a treat for both kids and kids at heart. Eat these oat-filled cakes right out of the oven or wrap individually in plastic wrap and pack in a lunchbox for a healthy treat.

Recipe: Oats and Buttermilk Snack Cake

High in fiber, low fat, full of protein, and rich in all 9 essential amino acids– this truly is a snack with a nutritional punch. Make it fun for kids by showing them how to open the edamame pods and pull out "magic beans."

Recipe: Boiled Edamame

Nutrient-packed muffins are food pyramid powerhouses. Kids love them because they're sweet; moms love them because peaches are high in vitamin C, oats and whole grains are loaded with fiber, pecans have heart-healthy fat, and buttermilk is full of calcium and protein.

Recipe: Peach-Oat Muffins

Chocolate chip cookies get a nutrition makeover with a secret ingredient– applesauce. It replaces some of the fat in the recipe, and kids love the sweetness.

Recipe: Puffed-Up Chocolate Chip Cookies

Kids will wear smiles after trying these crunchy mouth-size morsels that are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and potassium. Little chefs can be a big help by mixing ingredients and rolling the tortillas into spirals.

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Roll up the kids' sleeves so they can help mix-up these tasty whole grain bars. The whole grain cereal is rich in fiber, making stomachs feel fuller, longer.

Recipe: Whole Grain Marshmallow Crispy Bars

Spice up popcorn in just 20 minutes with five simple ingredients. Short on time? Try drizzling the sweet and spicy sauce on microwavable popcorn. If the chile adds too much spice for children, simply omit and enjoy the sweet 'n' salty maple popcorn.

Recipe: Maple-Chile Popcorn

Say goodbye to store-bought fruit cups. This homemade version is packed with an assortment of colorful, heart-healthy fruits without the added sugar and preservatives. This whimsical treat even allows little hands to help out in the kitchen.

Recipe: Fruit Medley with Mint and Lime

Sweet or savory? Let the kids choose between our variety of straw-seasonings– Mexican Cheese, Tomato-Basil, Cinnamon-Nut, and Coconut-Orange. The quick and easy snacks are freezable, so kids can easily re-warm straws in the microwave.

Recipe: Two-Tone Puff Straws