When I first arrived in Canada, I was concerned about preparing my kids' school lunches. It was a new experience for me, and I found myself glancing at other moms' shopping carts in the supermarket to see what snacks they were choosing.
Most of the time, I noticed prepackaged snacks with loads of sugar and minimal nutritional value.
Even though kids enjoy these snacks, I started thinking about healthier alternatives that could be quickly prepared in the morning and packed in their lunch bags. Here are the top 10 recipes I've tried and used regularly for my kids' school lunches.
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Yogurt With Frozen Fruits or Berries
I typically opt for creamy, vanilla-flavored Balkan-style yogurt with 10% fat content because of its rich, ice cream-like taste. Kids really enjoy this yogurt, and that's crucial because they won't eat it even with fruits if they don't like it.
Then, I usually toss in some frozen fruits. However, you can also thaw them beforehand by placing the frozen fruits or berries in the fridge overnight. I typically pack this snack in a small glass jar for school, which is super convenient and can be prepared in just 1 minute.
Smoothie
Kids love smoothies, and my favorite recipe involves blending frozen mango with unsweetened almond and coconut milk. It's super easy and quick. However, I warm the almond milk before adding it to the mix to bring the smoothie to room temperature because of the frozen mango. For this recipe, the mango must be really sweet.
However, I use only coconut water, a splash of apple juice, or water as a school snack, but I add a spoon or two of Balkan-style yogurt and a fresh banana to sweeten the smoothie. In different variations, you can sneak in some fresh baby spinach or kale or throw in some frozen strawberries, blueberries, or any other additions your child enjoys.
Making a morning smoothie takes no more than 5 minutes, and you can rest assured that your child will get their dose of vitamins throughout the day. Since some of the fruits are frozen, the smoothie actually stays deliciously drinkable long enough to make it to recess time.
Banana Pancakes
Here's a super easy recipe I got from a fitness trainer, but I tweaked it for the kids. All you need are 2-3 ripe bananas and two eggs. There's no sugar needed, but if the mixture is too runny, add a tablespoon of wheat flour.
You don't need a mixer for the bananas; just mash them with a fork or a potato masher. Mixing and cooking these pancakes takes less than 10 minutes; your kids will absolutely adore them. Plus, you'll be ensuring they get enough protein in their snack.
Roasted Seaweed
I turn to this option when I'm short on time, and you can conveniently pick it up at Costco for a great price with organic ingredients. Kids enjoy this snack, but I serve it sparingly since it's still roasted and contains too much oil.
Avocado Toasts
I can sense some eye-rolls from the older generation on this one. Yes, I'm talking about avocado toasts straight from a millennial mom's kitchen. But you know what? Kids actually love them.
And here's a bonus tip: you can also whip up avocado paninis. Just take a wheat wrap, spread some mashed avocado on it, roll it up, and give it a quick press in a panini-maker or grill for a few seconds. If you're going the wrap route, you can get creative by adding omelets, cheese, pickled bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or ham to make it more substantial.
Personally, I enjoy adding a slice of smoked or salted salmon, but not all kids are fans of the salmon version. The plain avocado toast takes less than 5 minutes to prepare, making it a fantastic choice for a healthy snack that energizes your kids for their learning adventures.
Cream Cheese Sandwiches
I got the inspiration for this recipe from modern Czech cuisine, where they have a knack for creating a variety of spreads to slather on their sandwiches. In my twist on it, I prefer using quality cream cheese like Arla and mixing it with ingredients that my kids enjoy.
Our go-to favorite is combining cream cheese with tuna. You just need to season it with a pinch of salt, maybe toss in some herbs, and then spread it on their preferred bread.
I've also enjoyed experimenting by mixing cream cheese with sun-dried tomatoes, pickled bell peppers, avocado, olives, leeks, and dried garlic. These variations all taste fantastic, but your kids might even be content with plain bread and cream cheese because it makes for a perfect snack during the day.
Pita Bread With Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella
This pizza-inspired recipe is my go-to when I need to whip up a quick snack. All you need is some pita bread (or wheat wraps) and a modest amount of plain tomato sauce on it – don't overdo it, or it might turn soggy.
Add your favorite herbs and a pinch of salt, then generously sprinkle on grated mozzarella cheese (we're fans of Galbani mozzarella for its creamy flavor, but any cheese your kids like will do). Pop it in the oven and broil until the cheese melts, usually about 10 minutes. Voila, your snack is ready to enjoy!
Eggs
I get it; not every kid is into eggs. But if they are, whipping up small omelet rolls or cutting boiled eggs in half and adding a touch of salt is a quick and easy option.
Eggs make for a fantastic snack that can satisfy your kids and keep them full for a long time, allowing them to concentrate on their studies instead of a growling stomach.
Carrot Salad
Grate some carrots and apples finely, then drizzle them with lemon juice and a bit of olive oil. Add dried fruits like raisins, apricots, and prunes, and you've got a vitamin-packed salad as a healthy school snack.
You can also toss in some plain Greek yogurt, seeds, and nuts (if not for school) for an extra boost. It's a super healthy and straightforward recipe you can whip up in under 10 minutes from scratch.
A quick tip: make sure to pick sweet and flavorful carrots without any bitter undertones.
Granola and Yogurt Jars
Create a restaurant-worthy snack by assembling layers of Greek or Balkan-style yogurt, granola, and fruits in a small glass jar. It's a quick and mouthwatering recipe. If you're feeling adventurous, you can prepare overnight oats or chia pudding by soaking oats or chia seeds in milk overnight and adding them to your jar.
However, most kids aren't fans of chia seeds but absolutely love granola, so this can be a universally loved healthy recipe. Be sure to choose a wholesome granola without excessive sugars and artificial flavors.
If you have other quick and nutritious ideas for school snacks that don't require extra prep and can be whipped up quickly in the morning, please share them in the comments. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated!