Easy Snack Recipes for Kids

Easy Cheese Quesadillas

A quesadilla is one of the easiest snacks or lunches kids can help make. Start with a simple cheese quesadilla, then customize it with your favorite fillings.

Ingredients

• 2 (8-inch) flour tortillas
• 1/4 to 1 cup shredded cheese (Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, cheddar, or your favorite)
• 1 green onion, minced (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chopped green chilies (optional)
• Salsa, olives, or mild beans (optional)
• Olive oil or cooking spray for skillet or oven cooking

Directions

1. Place one tortilla on a baking sheet, skillet, or microwave-safe plate.
2. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the tortilla.
3. Add any desired fillings such as green onion, green chilies, olives, salsa, or beans.
4. Top with the second tortilla.
5. Microwave Method: Microwave for about 30 seconds, or until the cheese melts.
6. Skillet Method: Lightly oil a skillet. Cook over medium heat until golden brown on one side. Carefully flip and cook the other side until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crisp.
7. Oven Method: Lightly brush the top tortilla with olive oil. Bake at 400°F for 6–10 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
8. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

Serving Ideas

• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Diced tomatoes
• Guacamole
• Fresh fruit on the side

Quesadilla Variations

• Chicken Quesadilla: Add 1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken.
• Bean Quesadilla: Add 1/4 cup black beans or refried beans.
• Pizza Quesadilla: Add pepperoni and a spoonful of pizza sauce.
• Veggie Quesadilla: Add chopped peppers, onions, tomatoes, or spinach.
• Taco Quesadilla: Add seasoned taco meat and serve with salsa.

Easy Nachos

Pizza Toast

Pizza toast is a quick snack kids can make with bread, sauce, cheese, and toppings. It works well for after-school snacks or a small lunch idea.

More: Get the full pizza toast recipe or try more fun toast recipes.

Banana Wraps

Banana wraps are a simple snack made with tortillas, bananas, and spreads such as peanut butter, cream cheese, or yogurt. They are easy for kids to roll and slice with help.

More: See our banana wrap recipes.

Ham and Cheese Roll Ups

Ingredients

• Thin sliced ham
• Softened cream cheese
• 1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions

Stir cream cheese and cheddar cheese together. Spread the mixture on ham slices. Roll up and cut into bite-size pieces. These also work well for easy lunch ideas.

BLT Dip

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• Crackers or vegetables for serving

Directions

Cook bacon until crisp, then crumble it. Set aside 1 teaspoon for topping. In a bowl, stir together bacon, sour cream, mayonnaise, and chopped tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 3 hours. Sprinkle reserved bacon on top before serving.

More: See more easy dip recipes.

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Apple slices, banana slices, celery, carrots, or other dippers

Directions

Stir peanut butter, yogurt, and honey together until smooth. Serve with fruit or vegetable sticks.

Safety note: Do not serve honey to children under age 1. Check for nut allergies before serving peanut butter snacks.

Creamy Fruit Dip

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Directions

Stir ingredients together until smooth. Chill before serving with fresh fruit.

Banana Balls

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup finely crushed cereal
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 banana
• Mini chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, cereal crumbs, or shredded coconut for rolling

Directions

In a mixing bowl, mash banana with peanut butter and crushed cereal. Form into small balls. Roll in your topping of choice. Chill until firm.

More: See more healthy snack ball recipes.

Frozen Yogurt Bites

Ingredients

• Yogurt
• Berries or chopped fruit
• Optional toppings: mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or granola

Directions

Layer silicone cups with yogurt and fruit. Add toppings. Freeze until solid. Enjoy as a small frozen snack.

Banana Bites

Ingredients

• Banana
• Chocolate frosting, melted chocolate, or hazelnut spread
• Chopped nuts, shredded coconut, crushed cereal, or cookie crumbs
• Toothpicks

Directions

Cut banana into 1-inch slices. Insert a toothpick into each slice and place on a waxed-paper-lined plate. Freeze for 20 to 30 minutes. Dip in chocolate or spread, then roll in toppings. Freeze until firm.

Homemade Apple Fruit Leather

Fruit leather is a make-ahead snack project kids can help prepare by spreading fruit puree and checking the texture as it dries.

More: Learn how to make homemade apple fruit leather.

Flavored Popcorn

Ingredients

• Microwave popcorn
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese or 1 teaspoon taco seasoning

Directions

Pop microwave popcorn according to package directions.

Parmesan Popcorn: Stir together melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss with warm popcorn.

Taco Popcorn: Stir together melted butter and taco seasoning. Toss with warm popcorn.

More: See more flavored popcorn recipes.

Cereal Snack Mix

Ingredients

• 3 cups plain popcorn or pretzels
• 1 cup peanuts or mixed nuts
• 3 cups oat cereal or Chex cereal
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Add popcorn or pretzels, nuts, and cereal to a large bowl. In a small bowl, stir melted butter and Worcestershire sauce together. Pour over the snack mix and stir. An adult can bake at 300 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes.

More: See more trail mix recipes.

Homemade Potato Chips

Ingredients

• Baking potatoes, thinly sliced by an adult
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt

Directions

Place thin potato slices on a baking sheet. Spray with olive oil or cooking spray and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt. Arrange in a single layer. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 to 40 minutes, or until crispy.

Banana Chips

Ingredients

• Raw or barely ripe bananas
• Small amount of oil
• Pinch of salt

Directions

Use raw or barely ripe bananas so the slices are firm. An adult should slice the bananas thinly. Toss lightly with oil and a pinch of salt. Cook in an air fryer for about 15 minutes, checking often so they do not burn.

More: Learn more about cooking with an air fryer.