Dinner at the Zoo

Published: Last Modified: By 11 Comments

24 Delicious After School Snacks

These 24 delicious after school snacks will delight kids and adults, with fun offerings like apple nachos and hearty bites like pizza muffins and turkey roll ups.

When school is in session, life is busier than ever! I’m sharing the ways that I keep my kids fueled for after school activities with delicious snack options that are amazingly quick and easy.

A group of delicious after school snacks like chocolate chip muffins and homemade hummus.

Every day after school I hear the same thing from my kids: “What can I have for a snack?”. I don’t want them eating packaged foods every day. Frankly, they get tired of the same old chips and crackers. That’s why I have compiled this list of amazing quick bites that are perfect for after school.

I love when my kids eat fresh fruits and veggies after school. This list contains lots of amazing fruit and veggie recipes that transform typical plain items into snacks that your kids will ask for over and over again.

This list has a lot of protein packed snacks to keep kids full and energized. These snacks are great for when dinner is going to be a little on the late side.

Be sure to try the hot snacks listed here. There are some fantastic hot bites like pigs in a blanket and pizza muffins. Some of these are so satisfying, you could even turn them into a light dinner.

During the school year, I feel like I spend half of my time planning meals and snacks. I am always on the lookout to make my life easier. Make your life easier too with some of these fresh and fabulous recipes. Many of the recipes are simple enough for older kids to prepare on their own!

24 Delicious After School Snacks

A group of quick foods including bacon deviled eggs and caramel apple dip.
Apple Nachos
These apple nachos are sliced apples topped with caramel, chocolate and plenty of other fun toppings. The perfect quick and easy after school snack!
Get the Recipe
A plate of sliced apples topped with caramel and chocolate sauces, rainbow sprinkles and mini chocolate chips
Avocado Toast
This avocado toast is fresh avocado mashed with lemon juice, olive oil and seasonings, then spread over sourdough bread. A quick and easy meal or snack option that can be customized in so many different ways.
Get the Recipe
A plate of avocado toast with fresh parsley as a garnish.
Bacon Deviled Eggs
These easy bacon deviled eggs are a classic recipe dressed up with the addition of bacon bits and chives. Plus learn my tricks for the best deviled eggs ever!
Get the Recipe
A plate of bacon deviled eggs garnished with sliced chives and smoked paprika.
Blueberry Banana Bread
This recipe for blueberry banana bread is a moist loaf of the classic sweet bread that’s chock full of juicy blueberries. It’s the perfect snack or dessert option and can be frozen for later use!
Get the Recipe
A loaf of sliced blueberry banana bread.
Caramel Apple Dip
This super delicious caramel apple dip recipe is a quick and easy dessert that only contains 4 ingredients!
Get the Recipe
A hand scooping out a serving of caramel apple dip.
Cheese Bombs
These cheese bombs are biscuit dough wrapped around cheddar cheese, then topped with garlic herb butter and parmesan and baked to perfection. An easy snack or side dish that’s perfect for all the cheese lovers in your life.
Get the Recipe
A stack of cheese bombs with melted cheddar cheese oozing out of them.
Chocolate Chip Muffins
These chocolate chip muffins are light and tender muffins studded with plenty of chocolate chips, then finished off with a sprinkle of sugar. These muffins are great for breakfast or a quick grab and go snack, and kids love them!
Get the Recipe
A cross section of a cut chocolate chip muffin.
Chocolate Fruit Dip
This chocolate fruit dip is a creamy and delicious treat that’s made with melted chocolate, cream cheese and whipped cream. Chocolate dip is perfect for after school snacks and parties!
Get the Recipe
A strawberry in a bowl of chocolate fruit dip, surrounded by assorted fruit.
A collection of pictures of after school snacks such as blueberry muffins and fruit kabobs.
Cookie Dough Dip
This cookie dough dip tastes like chocolate chip cookies, but is egg free and flour free making it totally safe to eat! Serve your cookie dough dip with graham crackers, vanilla wafers and fruit for a fun and unexpected snack or dessert.
Get the Recipe
Chocolate chip cookie dough dip, topped with mini chocolate chips and served with graham crackers and vanilla wafers.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This chocolate zucchini bread is a tender loaf filled with grated zucchini, cocoa powder, and plenty of chocolate chips. It's the perfect way to use up any extra zucchini from the garden!
Get the Recipe
Sliced chocolate zucchini bread filled with melted chocolate.
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
This recipe for cream cheese fruit dip is a light and creamy 3 ingredient dip that’s perfect with your favorite fruit. A super easy snack or dessert option that’s perfect for any gathering!
Get the Recipe
This recipe for cream cheese fruit dip is a light and creamy 3 ingredient dip that's perfect with your favorite fruit. A wholesome snack that's perfect for parties or for eating while watching TV!
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips
This fruit salsa is sweet, juicy and refreshing and is served with the most amazing cinnamon chips. A super fun appetizer, snack or dessert option!
Get the Recipe
A bowl of fruit salsa served with cinnamon sugar chips.
Healthy Blueberry Muffins
These healthy blueberry muffins are made with whole wheat flour and oatmeal for added nutrition, but they still taste as good as the original version!
Get the Recipe
These healthy blueberry muffins are made with whole wheat flour and oatmeal for added nutrition, but they still taste as good as the original version!
Fruit Kabobs
This recipe for fruit kabobs is a rainbow of fruit served on skewers with a yogurt dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe
This recipe for fruit kabobs is a rainbow of fruit served on skewers with a yogurt dipping sauce. This recipe for fruit kabobs is a rainbow of fruit served on skewers with a yogurt dipping sauce..
Homemade Chex Mix
The absolute best homemade Chex mix, even better than the recipe on the box!
Get the Recipe
Your search for the perfect homemade chex mix ends here - this version is SO much better than the recipe on the box!
Homemade Ranch Dip
This homemade ranch dip is full of all of the familiar herbs and spices, but has no preservatives like the store bought version. The homemade ranch powder is easy to make and keeps in the fridge for months! 
Get the Recipe
Make your own ranch dip and skip all the MSG and preservatives in the store bought kind.
A group of images of after school snacks such as pigs in a blanket and veggie dip.
Hummus Recipe
This hummus recipe is a smooth and creamy blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and seasonings. Homemade hummus so much better than anything you'd get at the store, and it also happens to be quite easy to make!
Get the Recipe
A bowl of homemade hummus served with pita and vegetables.
Mini Pizzas
These mini pizzas are crescent roll dough topped with sauce, cheese and toppings, then baked to golden brown perfection. A bite sized version of pizza that makes for a fun and unique appetizer.
Get the Recipe
A platter of mini pizzas with a hand reaching for one.
Taco Sliders
These taco sliders are sandwiches stuffed with taco meat and cheese, then brushed with garlic butter and baked to perfection. Serve with salsa and guacamole for a party snack that will earn rave reviews.
Get the Recipe
Taco sliders with salsa and guacamole on the side.
Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a blanket is a classic party snack made with cocktail wieners wrapped in crescent dough, which are baked to golden brown perfection. An easy appetizer option that can be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
Get the Recipe
A plate of pigs in a blanket served with ketchup.
Veggie Dip
This veggie dip is loaded with garlic and herb flavors and pairs perfectly with a variety of fresh vegetables. This vegetable dip takes just 5 minutes to make and is great for parties and potlucks!
Get the Recipe
Veggie dip topped with fresh herbs and served with colorful vegetables.
Pepperoni Pizza Pockets
Homemade pepperoni pizza pockets are a perfect meal or snack that the kids will love.
Get the Recipe
These homemade pepperoni pizza pockets are a fun meal or snack and are super simple to put together - your kids will be thrilled!
Turkey Roll Ups
These easy turkey roll ups are filled with smoked turkey, swiss cheese, avocado and spinach, all wrapped up and sliced into pinwheels. The perfect easy lunch or party snack!
Get the Recipe
These turkey roll ups are pinwheel sandwiches filled with cheese, avocado, bacon, turkey and spinach.
Pizza Muffins
These pizza muffins are crescent roll cups filled with pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni, then baked to golden brown perfection. A fun recipe for pizza bites that’s the perfect appetizer, light meal or after school snack!
Get the Recipe
A plate of pizza muffins made with crescent roll dough, pizza sauce, melted cheese and mini pepperoni.

These after school snack ideas will delight kids and adults alike. They are perfect for fueling kids for after school activities and fun. Do yourself and your family a favor and try these recipes today!

FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

    ​
    ​

    Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

    Comments

    1. Ieva says

      So we don’t have kids, but I often use this article for snack ideas to take to work. We love your cheese bombs and turkey roll-ups, oh and the blueberry muffins. My husband says he always has the best snacks at work making everyone else jealous. I must try some of your dips and hummus next – I think they will be great to pack in small Tupperware boxes and take to work with a bunch of crunchy veggies.

      Reply

    2. Gina Abernathy says

      My kids would always come in starving from school. Now that they are grown, I need that afternoon snack. 🙂 I made a batch of Chex Mix to keep on hand and it’s perfect for those hungry times.

      Reply

    3. Mackenzie says

      Love this! I am always looking for healthy snack ideas and all of these are perfect. Making the chocolate zucchini bread asap.

      Reply

    4. Gina says

      Thanks so much for a great list of recipes! I have referred back to this list many times for some delicious snack ideas and they are always a hit!

      Reply

    5. Heidy says

      Wow, so many choices I want to try. All of these recipes look awesome! My children are going to love most of these!

      Reply

    6. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

      Such a great range of snacks. My kids love dips of all kinds, so there are plenty that they will love.

      Reply

    7. Sharon says

      The dips are great! We tried the caramel apple and cookie dough and they both were gobbled up quickly. Thanks for the great roundup!

      Reply

    9. Michelle says

      Bookmarked! Always needing new ideas for snacks for the kids to bring to school. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

    10. Lima Ekram says

      What an amazing compilation – I am forever looking for after school ideas! The veggie dip was amazing!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    Sites I am featured In