Healthy snacks are a great way to keep your child feeling full and energized throughout the day. Not only will these snacks keep your little one fueled during the day, they will also help incorporate protein, fat, fiber and greens into their diet. Continue reading below for our top 20 favorite healthy snack ideas for kids (10 snacks ideas for babies and 10 snack ideas for toddlers).

Written by: Calie Svoboda, studying Community Nutrition with extensive experience in childcare

10 healthy snack ideas for babies

1. Hard boiled egg with berries and diced avocado 

Hard boiled eggs are a great source of protein and are helpful to have on hand when your baby is looking for a quick snack — especially because they’re so easy to make.  First, boil six eggs for 10 to 12 minutes. Next, let the eggs cool, then peel off the shells. Store in a container and serve them throughout the week with berries and diced avocado. 

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs 
• ¼ cup berries 
• ¼ avocado 

2. Mini oat muffins

These mini muffins are filled with protein and fiber, which will leave your child feeling full and happy. The recipe below will make 24 mini muffins or 12 regular-sized muffins. First, spray your muffin tin with olive oil or avocado oil, then preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, combine bananas, eggs, applesauce and oats. Stir until ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Then, evenly distribute the mix into the muffin tin and sprinkle each muffin with ground cinnamon. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. 

Ingredients: 

• 6 eggs 
• 6 bananas 
• 6 cups oats 
• 1 cup applesauce 
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

3. Blueberry yogurt freeze bites 

Blueberry yogurt freeze bites are delicious and with just two ingredients, they’re incredibly easy to make! First, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, add yogurt to a medium-sized bowl. Next, using a toothpick, dip blueberries into the yogurt and place on the parchment paper. Freeze for approximately one hour or until yogurt has set. 

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup blueberries 
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or whole milk yogurt 

4. Smoothie 

A smoothie is a great option for a busy day out and about! For babies, a milk or yogurt-based smoothie is excellent for adding healthy fat and calories into their diets. To make, simply combine the ingredients listed below in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into an on-the-go cup and serve! 

Ingredients: 

• ¼ cup banana 
• ¼ cup strawberries
• ½ avocado
• 1 cup milk or yogurt of choice 
• Optional: 1 tablespoon honey (only if over the age of 1) or almond butter 

5. Cottage cheese and seed crackers 

Cottage cheese is full of protein and a great source of calcium. Serve with seed crackers for an easy and delicious snack.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cottage cheese 
• ⅓ cup crackers 

6. Applesauce pouch and cheese stick

Snacks do not have to be glamorous! Applesauce and a cheese stick is easy to pack and is always a fan favorite. 

Ingredients:

• 1 applesauce pouch 
• 1 cheese stick

7. Chocolate banana pops

Banana pops look and taste like a true treat but are much healthier than typical desserts. First, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Next, cut banana in half and add a popsicle stick to each banana slice. Then, mix cocoa powder and yogurt, dip the banana slices into the mixture and lay flat on the baking sheet. Add sprinkles for a fun touch! Freeze for two hours and enjoy. 

Ingredients: 

• 6 bananas
• 2 cups yogurt of choice 
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 
• ¼ cup sprinkles 

8. Healthy PB & J

A healthy PB & J is easy to make and is the perfect snack to pack for a day out. I love to use whole grain or seed bread. Add no-sugar-added peanut butter and smashed raspberries as your jelly and you are all set.

ingredients:

• Two slices of bread of choice 
• Peanut butter or almond butter 
• ¼ cup raspberries 

9. Yogurt pouch with whole wheat graham crackers

Yogurt pouches are great for a healthy snack. Stonyfield’s is a brand to be on the look out for! They have yogurt tubes in a variety of flavors and kids love them when paired with graham crackers.

10. Dried fruit and whole grain cereal or puffs

Dried fruit is a great snack because it’s tasty and it takes a little longer to eat, which will keep your baby or toddler busy! Pair it with whole grain cereal or puffs for a well-rounded snack. 

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup dried fruit of choice
• 1 cup whole grain cereal or puffs 

10 healthy snack ideas for toddlers

1. Apple ring donuts

Apple ring donuts make eating fruit more fun for your toddler and the snack is easy to pack and eat  while out. First, core the apple, then place it horizontally and slice thinly. Next, add nut butter and toppings. I love to add dark chocolate chips, ground cinnamon, coconut flakes and granola.

Ingredients: 

• 1 apple 
• 2 tablespoons nut butter of choice

Optional toppings: dark chocolate chips, ground cinnamon, coconut flakes, granola 

2. Pretzels and hummus with cheese and grapes

I like to call this baby charcuterie! Keep it interesting with a snack that gives them plenty of variety and choice. Be sure to cut the grapes appropriately for your child’s age.

Ingredients:

• 20 pretzels 
• ¼ cup hummus
• Cheese stick 
• 1 cup grapes 

3. Banana roll ups

Spread peanut butter or almond butter on the tortilla and add thinly sliced bananas. Finally, roll up the filled tortilla and cut it into one-inch slices.. To make it more of a dessert or a treat, add chocolate chips or a drizzle of honey (only if over the age of 1).

Ingredients: 

• 1 whole wheat tortilla 
• 1 banana 
• 2 tablespoons nut butter of choice 

4. Ants on a log

Chop washed celery into sticks. Add nut butter to the center of the celery stick and sprinkle on dark chocolate chips, raisins or pretzel bites.

Ingredients: 

• 1 celery stalk 
• 2 tablespoons nut butter 

Optional: dark chocolate chips, raisins, pretzel bites, granola

5. Baked sweet potato fries and dip

These can be served hot or cold, which makes them a great snack for on-the-go or just a quick bite at home. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, then cut the sweet potato lengthwise into fries. Toss in olive oil and season. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Serve plain or with honey mustard or guacamole (only add honey if over the age of 1).

Ingredients: 

• 1 sweet potato 
• Olive oil 
• Seasoning of choice 

6. Fruit kabobs

Fruit Kabobs are a fun, efficient way to eat a variety of  fruit that your toddler will love. Cut fruit, then add to a kabob stick. Choose any assorted fruit and serve. Strawberries, blackberries and pineapple make for great kabobs! 

Ingredients + Materials: 

• Kabob sticks
• Fruit of your choice (strawberries, blackberries and pineapple, etc.)

7. Assorted veggies with turkey and salami

Roll-up thinly sliced turkey with an optional topping, such as a slice of cheese or tomato. Then, serve with salami and veggies. Carrots, peppers, and cucumbers are easy to add on the side.

Ingredients:

• Thinly sliced turkey 
• Salami 
• Assorted veggies 

8. Healthy trail mix

Trail mix is always a hit but pre-made mixes often contain a lot of sugar and unnecessary ingredients. To create a healthier version of this classic snack add cashews, almonds, peanuts, and walnuts to a bowl. Then, add dark chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, and popcorn. (*Please be aware that popcorn is a choking hazard for children under 4).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cashews 
• 1 cup almonds 
• 1 cup peanuts 
• ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
• ¼ cup raisins 
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 3 cups popcorn 

9. Cinnamon crispy chickpeas

First, preheat the oven to 425 degrees, then rinse chickpeas and pat dry with a paper towel. Next, melt the butter and pour over chickpeas. Lastly, add ground cinnamon and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 can chickpeas
• ¼ stick melted grass-fed butter 
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 

10. Chocolate peanut butter pretzel protein bites 

These four ingredient protein balls are simple and full of healthy ingredients, making them the perfect snack to hold your toddler over until lunch or dinner.

First, add medjool dates to a food processor until the dates are broken up into small pieces.

Then, add peanut butter, unsweetened cocoa powder and pretzels (gluten free pretzels are great for extra crunch!) and pulse until smooth. Next, roll the mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes, take out and serve. 

Ingredients:

• Handful medjool dates 
• ⅓ cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter 
• Handful of pretzels 

Favorite cups and plates 

My favorite snack cups are the classic munchkin and the munchkin stainless steel snack cups. I also love the mini play mat and mini mat by ezpz. They have a suction that sticks to the table and multiple compartments to allow for a variety of foods. 

Bumblebaby Amazon store: Check out the Bumblebaby Amazon page for more of our favorite toddler eating essentials. 

Other helpful blog posts:

• Simple purees for beginners
• 25 healthy meal ideas for kids
• Baby led weaning for beginners
• Why learn CPR
• 5 easy finger foods for beginners

**This post is educational and not meant to take the place of your provider. Bumblebaby makes a small commission on some of the items listed above