Lunch Box Snacks

Your kids won't be tempted to trade snacks with their friends when their lunch boxes come packed with goodies as tasty as these. Meanwhile, you can feel good knowing they're eating wholesome brain food instead of vending machine fare.

By Katie Knorovsky

Share:
Save

Saved
Print
Comments

Trail Mix

Loaded with protein and fiber, this trail mix has enough fuel to energize your child until dinnertime. Dried fruits and chocolate chips make it a kid favorite.
- Get the recipe for Trail Mix
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Kana Okada
PB&J Bars

A lunch box staple, the PB&J gets reinvented as a peanut butter dessert bar frosted with jam and chopped peanuts. No crust necessary!
- Get the recipe for PB&J Bars
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Hummus

Don't tell your kids that hummus is really just pureed chickpeas with a kick. Instead, pack a helping with carrot sticks or pita chips and call it dip. They'll never guess they're chowing down on Mediterranean health food.
- Get the recipe for Hummus
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Alexandra Grablewski
Wake-Up Breakfast Bars

These dense, no-bake cereal bars pack a peppy punch any time of day with peanut butter, honey, brown sugar, bran flakes, and dried cranberries.
- Get the recipe for Wake-Up Breakfast Bars
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Sweet-Potato Chips

Bet your kids can't eat just one of these chips! That's OK, though, because sweet potatoes are filled with fiber and antioxidants. To make a batch, cut potatoes into thin slices (a snap when you use a mandoline), gently rub with oil, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, and bake until crisp.
- Get the recipe for Sweet-Potato Chips
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Apple-Granola Squares

If you suspect that Red Delicious you always pack gets handed off to the teacher -- or tossed in the trash -- try a new approach to fulfill the old apple-a-day adage. These sweet squares taste like apple cobbler in a bar.
- Get the recipe for Apple-Granola Squares
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Yunhee Kim
Sweet & Salty Crunchy Munch

Your family won't know what they did to deserve their good fortune with this kid-favorite treat, a sweet and salty hodgepodge of snack favorites. Think Chex cereal, popcorn, Goldfish crackers, and bagel chips, drizzled with a melted butter and maple syrup glaze.
- Get the recipe for Sweet & Salty Crunchy Munch
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Jim Franco
Salad Scoops

While your kids catch up on the lunchroom scoop with their friends, they can load up on salsa mixed with healthful corn, diced tomatoes, and black beans. For easier dipping, buy scoop-shape corn chips.
- Get the recipe for Salad Scoops
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Blaine Moats
Nutty Popcorn & Fruit Mix

Boring popcorn gets a yummy upgrade mixed with nuts, dried fruit, and potato sticks and sprinkled with grated Parmesan -- a snack just as perfect for movie night as it is a child's lunch box.
- Get the recipe for Nutty Popcorn & Fruit Mix
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
David Prince
Sugar-Free Coconut-Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies

Comfort food doesn't have to be junk food. These easy drop cookies are made with Splenda, shredded unsweetened coconut, pumpkin pie spice, and golden raisins for a sweet cookie that won't send your kids into sugar overdrive.
- Get the recipe for Sugar-Free Coconut-Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Apple Smash

Use up extra Golden Delicious apples plucked from the orchard or the grocery store for this flavorful homemade applesauce. Just cook chopped apples with apple juice, a cinnamon stick, nutmeg, and ground cinnamon until soft, then mash into a chunky porridge.
- Get the recipe for Apple Smash
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Paula Hible
Rainbow Chips & Dip

Turn lunch into a fiesta with these homemade tortilla chips dipped in sweet pineapple salsa. Making your own chips is easy -- just cut red pepper, spinach, or whole wheat tortillas into wedges or strips, lightly coat with cooking spray, then bake until crisp.
- Get the recipe for Rainbow Chips & Dip
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Bag o' Teddies

Your kids will be in for an extra treat when they discover they get to mix their bag of graham cookies or animal crackers with fruit slices and yogurt (or pudding). Don't forget to pack a spoon!
- Get the recipe for Bag o' Teddies
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Paula Hible
Strawberry PB Crepes

Inject a little French flair into your kids' lunch -- and no, we don't mean french fries from the cafeteria. They'll like these peanut butter-and-strawberry roll-ups cut into sushi-style slices. You might want to make extra for your lunch box, too!
- Get the recipe for Strawberry PB Crepes
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Paula Hible
Cranberry-Apricot Granola Bars

Made with low-fat granola, whole wheat flour, and dried fruit, these wholesome granola bars offer the energizing benefits of a hiker's snack without excess fat. Make a batch or two and freeze extras for up to three months.
- Get the recipe for Cranberry-Apricot Granola Bars
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!