After-School Treats Kids Love: 10 Quick Snacks

As a school teacher, principal, and most importantly, a mom, after-school snacks were a must to keep our little ones from experiencing mood swings and hunger.  Using recipes from Our Good Life, I came up with a list of recipes that you can create in a short amount of time!

School days are long; snacks should be quick, budget-friendly, and flexible. These 10 ideas cover sweet + savory, can be prepped in minutes, and many use pantry staples you have on hand.

 

Quick game plan

• Prep a snack bin: fruit, cheese sticks, crackers, mini yogurts, granola bars.

• Keep it 10-minutes-or-less on weekdays; save baking for weekends.

• Offer 2 choices: one sweet, one protein-forward, to avoid decision fatigue.

10 After-School Treats from Our Good Life

1) Quick & Easy Candy Sushi

Rice Krispies treats + fruit roll-ups + gummy “fish” = instant smiles. Great for playdates or a “you made it through Monday!” surprise. Our Good Life

Make it faster: use pre-wrapped treats.
Swap: fruit leather, any gummy candy.

2) Ham & Cheese Roll-Ups

Protein-forward and kid-makeable: deli ham, cheese, a flavorful spread, roll and slice. Perfect when they’re “starving” but dinner’s an hour away. Our Good Life

Make ahead: roll in the morning; slice at snack time.
Swap: turkey + pickle spear for crunch.

3) Muffin-Tin Pizza Cups

Mini pull-apart pizza cups everyone can customize (pepperoni, veggies, or just cheese). Fun, filling, and ready in a flash. Our Good Life

Make ahead: prebake shells; rewarm and top.
Swap: use tortillas or biscuit dough.

4) Pumpkin Spice Cheerios Marshmallow Bars

A fall favorite that doubles as a bake-sale hero—stir, press, slice. Our Good Life

Make ahead: keeps 2–3 days in a tin.
Swap: any O-shaped cereal you have.

5) Lucky Charms Smoothie

Whimsical and protein-boosted (thanks to a scoop of vanilla protein); tastes like a treat, fuels like a snack. Our Good Life

Make ahead: freeze banana + cereal in zip bags.
Swap: Greek yogurt if you skip protein powder.

6) Strawberry-Basil Smoothie

Fresh, lightly sweet, and a fun way to introduce herbs to kids; lovely in late spring and summer. Our Good Life

Make it kid-friendly: start with fewer basil leaves.
Boost: add chia or hemp seeds.

7) Breakfast Blueberry Banana Split

Yogurt, fruit, and a crumble of granola—no stove required. Dessert vibes; parent-approved. Our Good Life

Make ahead: portion fruit + yogurt in jars.
Swap: chocolate chips → cacao nibs.

8) Sweet-Salty Boo! Corn

Popcorn drizzled with white chocolate, candy corn, and peanuts—hello, movie-night snack. (Great for October homework sprints.) Our Good Life

Allergy swap: use seeds instead of peanuts.
Make ahead: stores well in airtight bags.

9) Star Crunch–Inspired Bars

That nostalgic caramel-chocolate chew without the box—easy squares for hungry teens. Our Good Life

Make ahead: refrigerate before slicing for clean edges.
Swap: add a pinch of sea salt on top.

10) Best-Ever Oatmeal Cookies

Crispy edges, chewy centers—classic lunchbox energy for after-school too. Our Good Life

Time-save: freeze dough scoops; bake from frozen.
Boost: add walnuts or dark chocolate.

FAQs

How do I keep snacks from spoiling dinner?
Aim for 150–250 calories and include protein or fiber (yogurt, cheese, nut/seed butter, fruit, popcorn). Keep portions small and offer water or milk first.

Can I make a week’s worth of snacks?
Yes—batch bars/popcorn and pre-portion smoothie packs. Keep roll-ups and pizza cups for same-day or next-day.

What if we’re dairy-free or nut-free?
Swap in dairy-free yogurts/cheeses and use sunflower seed butter or roasted chickpeas for crunch.