20+ Make-Ahead After-School Snack Recipes
Back to school can be a busy time, but these make-ahead snack recipes can help you and your family enjoy a nutritious bite throughout the day. From bars to yogurt bites, there is sure to be something that everyone can munch on. Recipes like our Strawberry–Cottage Cheese Snack Jar and Mango-Lime Coconut Energy Balls are the perfect snacks to prepare for the weeks ahead.
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Strawberry–Cottage Cheese Snack Jar Is an Easy High-Protein Snack
This easy snack jar combines creamy cottage cheese, sweet strawberries and crunchy cinnamon-sugar roasted chickpeas for a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. Packed with protein and fiber, these make-ahead snack jars are perfect for busy afternoons or an on-the-go breakfast.
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Lemon-Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Bites
These lemon-strawberry yogurt bites are the ultimate frozen snack, and they’re made without added sugar. Juicy strawberries are coated in tangy yogurt kissed with vanilla, lemon zest and a hint of warm spice before being dusted with a powdery layer of crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
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Mango-Lime Coconut Energy Balls
These mango-lime coconut energy balls are a bright, naturally sweet snack that’s perfect for a quick pick-me-up. Rolled in coconut, they’re an easy, no-bake option to keep on hand for busy days.
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Cottage Cheese Snack Jar with Cucumber & Furikake Seasoning
This quick snack jar pairs creamy cottage cheese with a crisp, tangy cucumber topping for a refreshing bite. It’s an easy snack that delivers protein and can be enjoyed on the go.
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Strawberries & Cream Energy Balls
These strawberry energy balls are a naturally sweet snack made with fruit, oats and nuts. Cream cheese lends a tangy flavor in the center of these energy balls. They’re a convenient option for a quick morning bite before breakfast or for an afternoon snack.
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Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
These oatmeal raspberry bars feature a buttery oat crust and crumble topping with a layer of raspberry preserves in between. Made with a mix of all-purpose and whole-wheat flour plus hearty rolled oats, they strike a balance between tender and chewy. Enjoy them as an easy dessert or afternoon snack.
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Lemon-Strawberry Energy Balls
Bright, chewy and naturally sweet, these no-bake energy balls are a refreshing way to power through your day. A coating of crushed freeze-dried strawberries adds color, flavor and a delicate crunch. Keep a batch on hand for an easy snack on the go.
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Raspberry-Chocolate Coconut Yogurt Bark
This yogurt bark is a cool, creamy snack or dessert that’s as easy to make as it is refreshing. Coconut-milk yogurt creates a smooth, dairy-free base, while swirls of raspberry jam add fruity sweetness in every bite. Finished with dark chocolate and toasted coconut, it’s a simple frozen snack that feels a little special.
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Peanut Butter Granola Bars
These no-bake granola bars are a simple snack made with just a handful of pantry staples. Naturally sweetened with dates and held together with creamy peanut butter, they come together quickly in the food processor, no oven required.
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Chocolate-Covered Puffed Quinoa Bark
This quinoa bark combines crunchy puffed quinoa with creamy peanut butter and a drizzle of dark chocolate for a snack that’s sweet, salty and satisfyingly crisp. Freeze-dried strawberries add fruity flavor and a pop of color to each bite.
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Chocolate-Pistachio Energy Balls
These no-bake chocolate-pistachio energy balls combine black beans, dates and almond butter for a naturally sweet, protein-rich snack. Cocoa powder and chopped chocolate add depth, while pistachios give each bite a crunchy finish.
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Peanut Butter Energy Balls
These healthy peanut butter and chocolate energy balls deliver a mixture of simple and complex carbohydrates to help fuel you up whenever you need a little boost.
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Classic Hummus
It’s easy to make hummus at home with just a few pantry items. Serve drizzled with your best-quality extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley. Mop it up with warm whole-wheat pita bread or cut-up vegetables.
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Super-Seed Snack Bars
Thanks to a mix of pumpkin, sunflower, hemp and chia seeds, these healthy snack bars are packed with protein, fiber, minerals and healthy fats. Because these bars pack well, they’re great for taking along on all-day adventures.
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Homemade Trail Mix
Try this with portable mix with any combination of dried fruits and nuts.
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No-Sugar-Added Oatmeal Cookies
Classic oatmeal cookies without all the sugar, these better-for-you gluten-free treats get their sweetness from ripe bananas and chopped dates.
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Sweet and Salty Roasted Nuts
Spicy seasonings add a bit of zing to roasted nuts for an appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion.
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Chile-Lime Peanuts
These spicy nuts were inspired by ones sold by street vendors across Mexico. If you can only find salted peanuts, omit the added salt. Add the maximum amount of cayenne pepper if you want an extra hit of spice.
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Flourless Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins
Pulsing rolled oats with eggs, banana, brown sugar and oil creates the moist dough of these chocolaty muffins without a bit of all-purpose flour. These are two-bite muffins with a dense and gooey texture. They’re delicately sweet and rich, too, so baking them as mini muffins makes them a perfect snack or quick morning bite.
Flourless Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins
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High-Protein Almond Butter & Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
These high-protein almond butter–strawberry oatmeal bars are a make-ahead option for busy mornings or afternoon snacks. Mashed bananas and strawberries naturally sweeten the bars, while almond butter and yogurt add protein and richness. Finished with a jammy strawberry swirl, these soft-baked oatmeal bars strike the perfect balance between comforting and energizing.
High-Protein Almond Butter & Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
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Crunchy Roasted Edamame
This roasted edamame recipe is a protein-packed snack you can enjoy by the handful. Roasting the beans slowly at a low temperature helps them dry out and crisp up without burning. Enjoy them on their own, or use them as a salad topper for added crunch.
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Lemon Drop Energy Balls
These no-sugar-added lemon drop energy balls are a zesty little pick-me-up you’ll actually look forward to snacking on. Naturally sweetened with Medjool dates and packed with oats, cashews and hemp seeds, they deliver fiber and plant-based protein in every bite. They’re perfect for stashing in the fridge for a quick grab-and-go snack.
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Crispy Peanut Butter–Quinoa Balls
These no-bake Crispy Peanut Butter–Quinoa Balls come together in minutes and deliver a perfect mix of salty, sweet and crunchy flavors. The puffed quinoa gives them a light, crispy texture that’s held together with peanut butter and drizzle of chocolate on top. Look for puffed quinoa in the cereal or natural-foods aisle of well-stocked grocery stores, or order it online. If you can’t find it, try puffed brown rice cereal instead for a similar crunch.
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