Skip to content

Top Navigation

MyRecipes MyRecipes
  • Course
  • Baking
  • Global
  • Healthy
  • Favorite Ingredients
  • Holidays and Occasions
  • Quick and Easy
  • Convenience Recipes
  • BBQ and Grilling
  • How To
  • Extra Crispy
  • Well Done
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Register
  • Recipe Box this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore MyRecipes

MyRecipes MyRecipes
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 1 55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

      Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Read More Next
    • 2 The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes

      Trust me, it’s so worth it. Read More Next
    • 3 65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

      From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time.  Read More Next
  • Course

    Course

    See All Course
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Drink and Cocktail Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup and Stew Recipes
    • Menus & Parties
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Main Dishes and Entrées
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Baking

    Baking

    See All Baking
    • Bread Recipes
    • Our Most-Loved Cake Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Pie Recipes
  • Global

    Global

    See All Global
    • Spanish Recipes
    • Thai Recipes
    • Vietnamese Recipes
    • Middle Eastern Recipes
    • Mexican Recipes
    • Malaysian Recipes
    • Korean Recipes
    • Japanese Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Indian Recipes
    • Greek Recipes
    • French Recipes
    • Chinese Recipes
    • African Recipes
    • American Recipes
    • Cajun and Creole Recipes
    • Caribbean Recipes
    • South American Recipes
    • Southern Recipes
    • German Recipes
  • Healthy

    Healthy

    See All Healthy
    • Easy, Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfasts
    • Healthy Dinners
    • Healthy Desserts
    • Diabetic Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Diet and Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Low Carbohydrate Recipes
    • Low Cholesterol Recipes
    • Low Fat Recipes
    • Low Sodium Recipes
    • Low Calorie Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Favorite Ingredients

    Favorite Ingredients

    See All Favorite Ingredients
    • The Ultimate Guide to Chicken
    • Vegetable Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Cheese Recipes
    • Chocolate Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Shrimp Recipes
  • Holidays and Occasions

    Holidays and Occasions

    See All Holidays and Occasions
    • A Foodie's Guide to Halloween Recipes
    • The Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide
    • Hanukkah Recipes
    • Your Ultimate Christmas Recipe Guide
    • Our Most Festive New Year's Recipes
    • Super Bowl Recipes
    • Best Valentine's Day Recipes
    • Mardi Gras Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • Labor Day Recipes
    • The Ultimate Fourth of July Guide
    • Memorial Day Recipes
    • Tailgating Recipes
    • Wedding and Shower Recipes
  • Quick and Easy

    Quick and Easy

    See All Quick and Easy
    • 15-Minute Recipes for Busy Home Cooks
    • 45-Minute Recipes
    • 5 Ingredients or Less
    • Dinner Tonight
    • No-Cook Recipes
  • Convenience Recipes

    Convenience Recipes

    See All Convenience Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Kid Approved
    • Our Top Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Our Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes
  • BBQ and Grilling

    BBQ and Grilling

    See All BBQ and Grilling
    • Grilled Beef Recipes
    • Grilled Chicken Recipes
    • Grilled Fish Recipes
    • Grilled Pork Recipes
    • Grilled Shrimp Recipes
    • Grilled Vegetable Recipes
  • How To

    How To

    See All How To
    • 7 Ways With
    • Cooking Questions
    • Ingredients and Tools
    • Kitchen Cleaning
    • Videos
  • Extra Crispy
  • Well Done

    Well Done

    See All Well Done
    • Homemade vs. The Internet
    • How-to and Explainers
    • Mom vs.
    • Recipe Videos
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Register
  • Recipe Box this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Kids Chevron Right
  3. 26 DIY Lunchbox Snacks That Kids Will Absolutely Love

26 DIY Lunchbox Snacks That Kids Will Absolutely Love

By MyRecipes
Updated August 20, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Jen Causey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Pam Lolley

From granola bars to homemade trail mix, and so much more, kids will be delighted when they open up their lunchbox at school to see one of these easy, make-ahead snacks. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Apple Chips with Honey-Lemon Mint Yogurt Dip

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Styling: Blakeslee Giles and Audrey Davis

Apple Chips with Honey-Lemon Mint Yogurt Dip Recipe

With less sugar and processed ingredients than in store-bought varieties, these DIY lunchbox snacks are made with wholesome ingredients from your own kitchen. From popcorn to fruit bars to trail mix, we have the best healthy make ahead snacks for kids (and you, too!). First up—there's no need to buy pre-packaged apple chips when the real thing is so easy to make at home. These easy baked apple chips make a satisfyingly sweet—and nutritious—snack.

1 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Nuts and Bolts Trail Mix

Credit: Grant Cornett; Styling: Alistair Turnbull

Nuts and Bolts Trail Mix Recipe

Nuts and Bolts Trail Mix satisfies a sweet and salty craving while giving you an energy boost throughout the day.

2 of 26

3 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Cranberry Oat Bars

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Cranberry Oat Bars Recipe

Kids will love to snack on these oat bars filled with a sweet cranberry mixture.

3 of 26

Advertisement

4 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Puppy Chow

Credit: Emma Crist; Styling: Emma Crist

Puppy Chow Recipe

A chocolate-coated, powdered sugar-doused cereal treat is the perfect, portable dessert for shareable snacking. Classic Puppy Chow comes together in under 10 minutes using just a few simple ingredients. It's always a fan-favorite dessert, but if sharing isn't your style, curl up with your remote and a gigantic bowl and indulge all by yourself. Either way, we're not judging.

4 of 26

5 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Peach-Strawberry Fruit Leather

Credit: Oxmoor House

Peach-Strawberry Fruit Leather Recipe

This kid-friendly fruit snack recipe requires just 4 ingredients. 

5 of 26

6 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Cheddar Cheese Snack Crackers

Credit: Oxmoor House

Cheddar Cheese Snack Crackers Recipe

Skip the store-bought version and create your own cheesy snack crackers for afternoon snacking. 

6 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Cheesy Pita Chips

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Claire Spollen

Cheesy Pita Chips Recipe

Pair these herby, cheesy baked pita chips with your favorite homemade hummus recipe. If you don't have Manchego cheese, you can also use Parmesan cheese.

7 of 26

8 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars Recipe

These bars are a perfectly portable snack you can prep on Sunday and enjoy throughout the week. Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. The bars will continue to firm up as they chill.

8 of 26

9 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Sea Salt Soft Pretzels

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Rachel Burrow and Claire Spollen

Sea Salt Soft Pretzels Recipe

Twisted, buttered, and salted. Ball park soft pretzels can be enjoyed at home for a light snack or a crowd-pleasing party appetizer.

9 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookie Bars

Credit: Daniel Agee; Food Styling: Ivy Odom; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookie Bars Recipe

They’re everything you love about a classic PB&J sandwich, but in cookie form (i.e. way better). These peanut butter and jelly bars feature a chewy peanut butter cookie layer, topped with a sweet-tart jammy layer, and finished off with a crunchy peanut butter streusel. While they would make for a perfect lunchbox treat to send with your kiddos (particularly if you’re not already packing them a PB&J sandwich), these nostalgic, deliciously balanced cookie bars are also a huge hit with the grown-up crowd. Pack them up for your next tailgate or potluck, and ready yourself for rave reviews. We went with grape jam for our bars, but feel free to use your favorite flavor instead. 

10 of 26

11 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Fruit and Nut Chewy Bars

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Fruit and Nut Chewy Bars Recipe

These homemade fruit and nut bars are a refreshing alternative to packaged granola bars.  Be sure to use Medjool dates — the bars will be too dry otherwise. 

11 of 26

12 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Microwave Sweet Potato Chips

Credit: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Paige Hicks

Microwave Sweet Potato Chips Recipe

When the chip craving strikes, look no further than these healthy, homemade chips. Pro tip: You'll need a mandoline to slice the potato thin enough to crisp.

12 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Crispy Parmesan Chickpeas

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Crispy Parmesan Chickpeas Recipe

Dry your chickpeas as thoroughly as possible before cooking to ensure a satisfyingly crisp result. If you're planning to pack these flavor-coated, fiber-filled poppers as a to-go snack, be sure to allow them to cool completely on a flat surface first.

13 of 26

14 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Muffins

Credit: John Autry

Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

This crowd-pleasing recipe is chocolately but not too sweet -- making these muffins perfect for breakfast or any other time of day.

14 of 26

15 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Smoked Paprika Popcorn

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Smoked Paprika Popcorn Recipe

Inspired by the explosion of pre-popped popcorn on the market, we came up with some fresh and easy snacks of our own. The key to flavorful popcorn is to toss it very well with the butter first, then with the seasonings.

15 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Credit: Marcus Nilsson; Styling: Robyn Glaser

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels Recipe

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels are a  salty, sweet pick-up dessert that's just as ideal for a snack as it is for a party.

16 of 26

17 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Pistachio-Apple Bars with Chia Seeds

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Kira Corbin

Pistachio-Apple Bars with Chia Seeds Recipe

These homemade bars combine fruit and nut flavors to make a tasty snack. 

17 of 26

18 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Marshmallow Popcorn Treats with Dark Chocolate Drizzle

Credit: Jason Varney; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Marshmallow Popcorn Treats with Dark Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Reminiscent of classic popcorn balls, these salty-sweet treats make for awesome low-fat, lunch box-friendly snacking. Make a batch with the kids this weekend to enjoy throughout the week.

18 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Miniature Corn Muffins

Miniature Corn Muffins Recipe

Savory corn muffins are a delicious accompaniment to any lunch and a healthy alternative to high-calorie packaged muffins. Plus, the size makes them easy for little hands to manage.

19 of 26

20 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Homemade Applesauce

Homemade Applesauce Recipe

Applesauce is a lunchbox staple. And when you make your own, you can customize the flavor by varying the spices, types of apples, and amount of added sugar.

20 of 26

21 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Apricot Streusel Bars

Apricot Streusel Bars Recipe

These are a delicious alternative to boxed cereals and granola bars. You can tuck them in a lunchbox or carry in the car for an on-the-go breakfast. Play around with different nuts and preserves for an endless variety of flavor combinations.

21 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Best Fudgy Brownies

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Pam Lolley

Best Fudgy Brownies Recipe

Meet your new go-to recipe for homemade brownies. These decadent treats are extra rich and fudgy, thanks to a double hit of baking chocolate and bittersweet chocolate morsels. They’re incredibly easy to make, plus you probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already. And while we’re definitely not above boxed brownie mixes, these homemade brownies would certainly steal the show at any party or get-together.

22 of 26

23 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Pimento Cheese Puffs

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Sarah Epperson

Pimento Cheese Puffs Recipe

Classic French gougères with a Southern remix. These airy pimiento cheese puffs make an impressive addition to virtually any party spread. While the choux pastry dough may seem intimidating to make, trust us—success is just a matter of not walking away from the pan. As long as you can stay put and keep stirring (so that your dough doesn’t burn), you can make gougères. 

23 of 26

24 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Copycat Little Debbie Oatmeal Crème Pies

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey

Copycat Little Debbie Oatmeal Crème Pies Recipe

Is this recipe an exact replica of Little Debbie Oatmeal Crème Pies? No. These are better. Rather than thin cakes, we went for oatmeal cookies that pack an almost peanut-butter-like flavor without any nuts. The crème filling completely nails what we love about the prepackaged pies, but takes things further with an almost airy, marshmallow-based consistency. If that doesn’t convince you, preparing these at home is just as quick (if not faster) than a grocery run.

24 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Raspberry, Sumac, and Almond Snack Cake

Credit: Annie Campbell

Raspberry, Sumac, and Almond Snack Cake Recipe

Featuring a delightfully crunchy almond topping along with the delicate sunny brightness of sumac, this cake is effortlessly impressive. And given how easy it is to whip up, it’s a perfect go-to recipe for any occasion that calls for a special treat. Lightly toasting the almond flour before incorporating it into the batter imbues the cake with a delicious toasty depth; however, if you’re in a hurry, rest assured, the overall success of the recipe is not incumbent on this step. Serve as-is or with lightly sweetened whipped cream. 

25 of 26

26 of 26

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Chai Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Credit: Jen Causey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Pam Lolley

Chai Swirl Cheesecake Bars Recipe

These eye-catching dessert bars taste like your favorite chai latte, reimagined in cheesecake form. Featuring flavorful swirls of chai-infused cream cheese filling, each bite offers richly aromatic, spiced flavor set against a cool and creamy vanilla cheesecake backdrop. They’re a simple dessert to make, but undeniably impressive. 

26 of 26

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By MyRecipes

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 26 Apple Chips with Honey-Lemon Mint Yogurt Dip
2 of 26 Nuts and Bolts Trail Mix
3 of 26 Cranberry Oat Bars
4 of 26 Puppy Chow
5 of 26 Peach-Strawberry Fruit Leather
6 of 26 Cheddar Cheese Snack Crackers
7 of 26 Cheesy Pita Chips
8 of 26 No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars
9 of 26 Sea Salt Soft Pretzels
10 of 26 Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookie Bars
11 of 26 Fruit and Nut Chewy Bars
12 of 26 Microwave Sweet Potato Chips
13 of 26 Crispy Parmesan Chickpeas
14 of 26 Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Muffins
15 of 26 Smoked Paprika Popcorn
16 of 26 Peanut Butter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
17 of 26 Pistachio-Apple Bars with Chia Seeds
18 of 26 Marshmallow Popcorn Treats with Dark Chocolate Drizzle
19 of 26 Miniature Corn Muffins
20 of 26 Homemade Applesauce
21 of 26 Apricot Streusel Bars
22 of 26 Best Fudgy Brownies
23 of 26 Pimento Cheese Puffs
24 of 26 Copycat Little Debbie Oatmeal Crème Pies
25 of 26 Raspberry, Sumac, and Almond Snack Cake
26 of 26 Chai Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email

Login

MyRecipes

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Advertising this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
MyRecipes.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.myrecipes.com

View image

26 DIY Lunchbox Snacks That Kids Will Absolutely Love
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.