5-Ingredient Apple Nachos
With school starting up again, you probably want to bookmark this list of easy school-lunch snacks. And first up is one ingredient: apple nachos. You are simply going to slice your apple into rounds or wedges like nacho chips and then drizzle them with peanut butter.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
You can also go ahead and, if you want to be a little bit extra with this one, throw in some mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts. You can even give it a honey drizzle to make it a little prettier. This is basically a healthy snack with some junk-food elements, making it really appealing yet nutritious for your littles.
Five simple dinners. One grocery list.
No recipe hunting, no messy shopping notes, no complicated chef projects. Just family dinners that fit real weeks.
Ingredients
Method
- Wash and core apples; thinly slice into rounds or wedges.
- Arrange on a large plate or platter.
- Microwave peanut butter 15-20 seconds until pourable.
- Drizzle over apples.
- Sprinkle chips and nuts evenly over apples.
- Add optional honey.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
DIY Trail Mix Bites
All you need for this one are oats, honey, and peanut butter mixed together as a binder. And then you are going to fold in mini chocolate chips and dried fruit. Hand-roll these into balls and chill them to firm them up. These are really easy to make at night; then they're ready to just pop into the kiddos' lunchboxes the next morning.
Ingredients
Method
- Mix oats, honey, and peanut butter in a large bowl.
- Stir in chocolate chips and dried fruit evenly.
- Form bite-size balls by hand or with a small scoop.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes until firm.
- Transfer to an airtight container; refrigerate up to a week.
- Serve as a snack.
Notes
No-Bake Energy Balls
These are super easy to make the night before. Have them ready to grab and go in the morning. These ones have an oat, peanut butter, and honey base again, with flexible mix-ins here. You can add anything from mini chocolate chips to nuts, dried fruit, or even seeds. You're going to hand-roll these and chill them for at least 30 minutes to set.
So if you forgot to make them last night, you can wake up early enough and make them fresh in the morning. The really cool part about this one is that it really has a build-your-own base element.
Ingredients
Method
- Mix oats, peanut butter, and honey thoroughly in a large bowl.
- Stir in chocolate chips and mix-ins evenly.
- Form bite-size balls by hand or with a small scoop.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes until firm.
- Transfer to an airtight container; refrigerate up to a week.
- Serve as a snack.
Notes
Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks
These cheesy garlic breadsticks are so easy to make, and they are going to be a snack that your kiddos love. You simply make these with refrigerated canned pizza dough, which you roll out, brush with garlic butter, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can finish these off with a parsley garnish to really add a little pop of color to it and just make these look a little bit more impressive than they actually are.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C); line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Roll dough onto prepared sheet; stretch to desired thickness.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium; cook garlic about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Brush garlic butter evenly over dough.
- Top evenly with mozzarella.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles and dough edges are golden.
- Cool a few minutes; garnish with optional parsley.
- Cut into breadsticks; serve warm.
Notes
Rainbow Veggie Cups
These rainbow veggie cups are really nutritious, but to your kiddos, they just look delicious thanks to all the colors. These consist of cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, yellow bell pepper, cucumbers, purple cauliflower, and ranch, which you can either put in the cup or serve in a little cup on the side.
This is a presentation-driven snack, but it is one that is so impressive. You may just even pack one for yourself.
Ingredients
Method
- Wash and prepare vegetables; cut peppers and cucumber into sticks or rounds.
- Layer small cups with tomatoes, carrots, yellow pepper, cucumber, then purple cauliflower.
- Add a dollop of ranch to each or serve alongside for dipping.
- Arrange cups on a large tray or platter.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Mini Ham and Cheese Quiches
These are done in a muffin tin. You will simply put pie crust pressed down into the cups and then fill them with diced ham and shredded cheddar. You're going to top them with an egg-and-milk custard, then bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The luxury of making these in a muffin pan is that you get those individualized portions, making them very easy to pack on the go.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C); grease a muffin tin or use cupcake liners.
- Roll crust on a floured surface; cut circles with a round cutter or glass.
- Press circles into muffin cups.
- Divide ham and cheese evenly among crusts.
- Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper; pour over filling to fill cups 3/4 full.
- Bake 18-20 minutes until set and crust is golden.
- Cool a few minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Fruit and Yogurt Parfait Cups
These fruit and yogurt parfait cups are a go-to in our house, but the luxury is being able to layer them into really small cups or jars. All they consist of is Greek yogurt and fresh fruit of your choosing, making these very customizable.
And you can switch up your granola flavor as well. I personally like to put my granola on top because if you put it in the layers, it tends to get a little bit soggy. So put it on top, drizzle a little honey to spruce this one up, and you have a snack your kiddos are sure to love.
Ingredients
Method
- Wash and chop the fresh fruit into bite-size pieces.
- Divide the yogurt and fruit among 4 small cups or jars, alternating the two in layers.
- For parfaits served right away, divide the granola among the cups.
- For make-ahead parfaits, leave the granola out and store it separately in an airtight container.
- Cover and refrigerate the make-ahead cups, then add the granola just before eating.
- Drizzle with honey just before serving, if desired.
- Serve immediately, or keep the make-ahead cups refrigerated until needed.
Notes
Homemade Cheese Crackers
Making cheese crackers at home is an appealing option if you are not a fan of all of the ingredients in regular crackers you can't even pronounce. These are made with flour, garlic powder, and cold, cubed butter that you will pulse in a food processor, then work in some cheddar and cold water until you have a dough.
You will then roll these out, and you can cut them into different shapes, use fun cookie cutters, and make these an appealing snack for your kiddos.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C); line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Pulse flour, salt, and garlic powder in a food processor.
- Add cold butter; pulse to coarse crumbs.
- Add cheddar; pulse to combine.
- Add cold water a tablespoon at a time, pulsing until dough comes together.
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thick.
- Cut into small squares with a knife or pizza cutter, or shapes with a small cutter.
- Place on prepared sheet.
- Bake 12-15 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
PB&J Sushi Rolls
These are simply a fun way to present your classic peanut butter and jelly. You are going to flatten out your bread super thin. You can even throw in some banana as an optional ingredient if you want.
And then just roll these really tight and slice them into perfect rounds. You have your same classic sandwich, just in a different shape that's a lot more fun and presentable for your standard lunchbox.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
Ingredients
Method
- Flatten bread evenly on a flat surface with a rolling pin.
- Spread each slice thinly with peanut butter.
- Top with a layer of jelly or jam.
- If using banana, cut lengthwise into four strips; put one along each bread edge.
- Roll tightly from banana edge, if using.
- Cut into 1-inch pieces with a sharp knife.
- Arrange on a plate; serve immediately.
Notes
Baked Apple Chips
Apple chips are another favorite in our house. You are just slicing apples very thin, and then you can dust them with cinnamon sugar. I like to buy the ones that are already pre-made and sprinkle them lightly with cinnamon sugar. Bake these at a low temperature, flip them halfway through, and you have a perfectly crisp and dehydrated pan of apple chips that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 200°F (95°C); line two baking sheets with parchment.
- Wash and core apples; slice about 1/8 inch thick with a mandoline or sharp knife.
- Arrange in a single layer without overlapping.
- Mix cinnamon and optional sugar; sprinkle evenly over apples.
- Bake 1.5 to 2 hours until golden and crisp, flipping halfway.
- Turn oven off; cool chips inside to crisp further.
- When fully cool, transfer to an airtight container.
Notes
Honey Mustard Pretzel Bites
These honey mustard pretzel bites are simply mini pretzel twists that are tossed in a honey Dijon butter glaze. And then you can season them with garlic and onion powder. You will spread them on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees, stirring halfway through. This is going to be a glazed, snack-mix-style pretzel that the kiddos love every single time.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C); line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Whisk honey, mustard, butter, garlic powder, and onion powder smooth in a large bowl.
- Toss pretzels in mixture to coat.
- Spread in a single layer on prepared sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Cool completely on sheet.
- Transfer to a serving bowl.
Notes
Mini Cheese and Veggie Skewers
These mini cheese and veggie skewers are the cutest little nutritious snack to throw in the lunchbox, and they are simply made on a toothpick: just a cherry tomato, a little slice of cucumber, a slice of bell pepper, and a baby carrot. The kiddos can even help with this one, and they're going to eat them just because they're so fun.
Ingredients
Method
- Wash vegetables and cut into bite-size pieces as needed.
- Thread cheese, tomato, cucumber, pepper, and carrot onto a toothpick or small skewer.
- Repeat until ingredients are used or enough skewers made.
- Arrange on a platter.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.
Notes
🍫🍌 Chocolate Banana Sushi
Chocolate banana sushi is simply another rolled fruit sliced to look like sushi. For this one, you are going to roll bananas in peanut butter, drizzle them with melted chocolate, and then chill them for about 10 minutes to set. You will then slice them into rounds to resemble sushi.
Ingredients
Method
- Peel the bananas and lay them flat on a cutting board.
- Spread a thin layer of peanut butter over each banana.
- Carefully roll up the bananas in the peanut butter, making sure they are fully coated.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the rolled-up bananas.
- If desired, sprinkle chopped nuts on top for extra crunch.
- Place the bananas in the fridge for about 10 minutes to let the chocolate set.
- Once the chocolate is set, slice the bananas into bite-sized pieces to resemble sushi rolls.
- Arrange the slices on a plate and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
🥬🧀 Spinach and Feta Pinwheels
I love making pinwheels, and my kiddos love to eat them. These spinach and feta pinwheels are sure to be a hit and very simple to make. You are simply going to spread a puff pastry with sautéed spinach and crumbled feta, roll it into a log, egg-wash it, and bake at 400 degrees. This does have a grown-up-leaning flavor combo built in, but it is one that the kiddos enjoy just because of the presentation.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C); line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium; cook spinach 2-3 minutes until wilted.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Unroll pastry on a lightly floured surface; spread spinach evenly over it.
- Top with feta.
- Roll from one end into a log.
- Cut into 1/2-inch slices; place on prepared sheet.
- Brush tops with beaten egg.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
🥔🧀 Cheesy Potato Skins 🥓
Cheesy potato skins are another grown-up-leaning dish, but they are very filling, and the kiddos enjoy them as long as you load them up with enough cheddar and bacon bits. I also like to put a little bit of green onion just to have that pop of color, but that definitely depends on your kiddos' flavor preferences.
You're going to use whole russet potatoes here that will bake for 45 to 60 minutes, and be sure to brush them with butter just to give that additional flavor. Load these bad boys up, and you have a very filling snack.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C); prick potatoes with a fork and bake on rack 45-60 minutes until tender.
- Cool slightly; halve lengthwise and scoop out flesh, leaving 1/4 inch on skins.
- Brush insides with butter; season with salt and pepper.
- Place skin-side up on a baking sheet; bake 10 minutes until starting to crisp.
- Flip; fill with cheddar and bacon.
- Bake 10-15 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
- Cool a few minutes; top with sour cream and green onions.
- Serve warm.
Notes
🍓🍇🍍 Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt Dip
These are definitely going to be a hit because they are so colorful. And of course, the kiddos love the yogurt dip. You can do a variety of different fruits here, and these are going on wooden skewers.
Just remember to soak those for at least 20 minutes in cold water before putting your fruit on to prevent them from splintering. You can serve these with a simple vanilla yogurt dip that can easily be spruced up with honey and cinnamon.
Ingredients
Method
- Wash fruit and cut into bite-size pieces as needed.
- Thread onto wooden skewers, alternating colors.
- Mix yogurt with optional honey and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Arrange skewers on a platter; serve dip alongside.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.
Notes
🥙🍬 Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips
Cinnamon sugar pita chips are very easy to make. You are just cutting pita rounds into wedges, brushing them with melted butter, and coating them with the pre-mixed cinnamon sugar I love to buy.
Bake these at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes until they are a perfect golden color. And this is going to give your kiddos' lunchbox a sweet spin on a usually savory bread snack.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C); line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Cut each pita into 8 wedges with a pizza cutter or sharp knife.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Brush wedges on both sides with butter.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over wedges.
- Arrange in a single layer on sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Cool on sheet a few minutes before serving.
Notes
🍕🥒 Veggie Pizza Squares 🍅🧀
Veggie pizza squares are very easy to make. You're simply going to make these out of puff pastry. You'll use a simple marinara sauce and mozzarella as your base, then add whatever veggies your kids enjoy on pizza. And you can feel free to switch this one up, which makes it a repeatable snack to throw in their lunchbox.
You can season these with oregano and basil to just step it up a notch. Bake these at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and you have a loaded veggie pizza in square form.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C); line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Roll pastry on a lightly floured surface; transfer to sheet.
- Spread sauce evenly over pastry, leaving a small border.
- Top with mozzarella.
- Distribute peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, and onion evenly over cheese.
- Sprinkle with oregano and basil.
- Lightly brush pastry edges with oil.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until pastry is golden and cheese melts and bubbles.
- Cool a few minutes; cut into squares and serve warm.
Notes
🍓🥣 Granola Yogurt Bark
To make this one, just spread Greek yogurt out on a sheet pan, and you can mix it with honey and vanilla or any kind of fruit that you want. Then just top it with granola, freeze it for at least two hours, and then break it into pieces like bark.
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Mix yogurt, honey, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
- Spread evenly on sheet, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Sprinkle granola evenly over yogurt.
- Add berries evenly.
- Freeze at least 2 hours until firm.
- Break frozen bark into pieces; serve immediately.
- Freeze leftovers in an airtight container to prevent melting.
Notes
🍕🧀 Pizza Bites 🍅✨
These easy-to-grab pizza bites are made with canned biscuit dough. You're going to cut each biscuit into four, roll them into balls, flatten them, and then top them with marinara and mozzarella.
Mini pepperoni or even cubed ham really takes these ones up a notch. Bake them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C); line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Separate biscuits; cut each into four pieces.
- Roll pieces into balls; place on sheet.
- Flatten slightly.
- Top each with a little marinara.
- Add mozzarella.
- Add optional pepperoni.
- Sprinkle each with oregano and basil.
- Lightly brush dough edges with oil.
- Bake 12-15 minutes until cheese melts and dough is golden.
- Cool a few minutes before serving.
