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.
Dinner is handled every Sunday
Get 5 easy family dinners, printable recipe cards, and one grocery list. Simple meals, normal ingredients, no more starting from zero at 5pm.
Ingredients
Method
- Wash and core the apples. Slice them into thin rounds or wedges.
- Arrange the apple slices on a large plate or platter.
- Warm the peanut butter slightly in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds so it’s easier to drizzle.
- Drizzle the peanut butter over the apple slices.
- Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips and chopped nuts evenly over the apples.
- If you want an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle some honey over the top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this simple, delicious treat!
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
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, honey, and peanut butter. Mix well until everything is combined.
- Add in the mini chocolate chips and dried fruit. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into bite-sized balls.
- Place the bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Once set, transfer the bites to an airtight container for storage. Keep them in the fridge for up to a week.
- Enjoy these tasty bites whenever you need a quick 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
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, peanut butter, and honey. Mix well until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Add in the mini chocolate chips and your favorite mix-ins. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into bite-sized balls.
- Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Once set, transfer the energy balls to an airtight container for storage. Keep them in the fridge for up to a week.
- Enjoy these delicious and nutritious bites whenever you need a quick energy boost!
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
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough onto the prepared baking sheet, stretching it to the desired thickness.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Brush the garlic butter evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the dough are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for garnish.
- Cut into breadsticks and serve warm. Enjoy!
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 all the vegetables. Slice the bell peppers and cucumbers into sticks or rounds.
- In small plastic cups, layer the veggies in the order of the rainbow – cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, yellow bell pepper slices, cucumber slices, and purple cauliflower.
- Place a small dollop of ranch dressing in each cup, or serve the dressing on the side for dipping.
- Arrange the veggie cups on a large serving tray or platter.
- Serve immediately and watch the kids (and adults) enjoy this colorful, healthy snack!
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
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin or line with cupcake liners.
- Roll out the pie crust on a floured surface. Use a round cookie cutter (or a glass) to cut circles out of the pie crust.
- Press the pie crust circles into the muffin tin cups to form mini crusts.
- Evenly distribute the diced ham and shredded cheese into each crust.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the ham and cheese in each muffin cup, filling about 3/4 full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the quiches are set and the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy these delicious mini quiches 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-sized pieces.
- In small clear cups or mason jars, layer the ingredients starting with a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
- Add a layer of fresh fruit on top of the yogurt.
- Sprinkle a layer of granola over the fruit.
- Repeat the layers until the cups are filled, finishing with a layer of granola on top.
- Drizzle a little honey over the top layer if desired.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. Enjoy these delightful and healthy parfaits!
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
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, and garlic powder. Pulse to mix.
- Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and pulse until combined.
- Gradually add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 1/8 inch thick.
- Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into small squares or use a small cookie cutter for fun shapes.
- Place the dough pieces onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Enjoy these tasty, cheesy crackers!
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
- Lay the slices of bread on a flat surface. Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice until it’s thin and even.
- Spread a thin layer of peanut butter evenly over each slice of bread.
- Spread a layer of jelly or jam on top of the peanut butter.
- 4 (Optional) Place a banana along one edge of each slice of bread for extra fun and flavor.
- Carefully roll up each slice of bread tightly, starting from the edge with the banana (if using).
- Use a sharp knife to slice each roll into 1-inch pieces, like sushi rolls.
- Arrange the PB&J sushi rolls on a plate and serve immediately. Enjoy!
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
- Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Wash and core the apples. Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice the apples as thin as possible (about 1/8 inch thick).
- Arrange the apple slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Make sure they don’t overlap.
- In a small bowl, mix the ground cinnamon and sugar (if using). Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apple slices.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the apple slices are golden and crispy. Flip the slices halfway through baking to ensure even crisping.
- Turn off the oven and let the apple chips cool in the oven to get extra crispy.
- Once fully cooled, transfer the apple chips to an airtight container for storage. Enjoy these tasty, healthy snacks!
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
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, melted butter, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
- Add the mini pretzel twists to the bowl and toss until they are well coated with the honey mustard mixture.
- Spread the coated pretzels in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the pretzels are golden and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let the pretzel bites cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Once cooled, transfer the pretzel bites to a serving bowl and enjoy this irresistible snack!
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 and prepare all your vegetables. Cut them into bite-sized pieces if they aren’t already.
- Thread a piece of cheese, followed by a cherry tomato, cucumber slice, bell pepper, and baby carrot onto a toothpick or small skewer.
- Repeat until all ingredients are used up or you have your desired number of skewers.
- Arrange the skewers on a platter for a colorful and appetizing presentation.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to eat. They make a great snack, party appetizer, or lunchbox addition!
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
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Unroll the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Spread the cooked spinach evenly over the pastry.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the spinach layer.
- Starting at one end, carefully roll up the puff pastry sheet into a log.
- Cut the log into 1/2-inch slices and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the beaten egg over the tops of the pinwheels to give them a golden finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pinwheels are golden brown and puffed.
- Remove from the oven and let them 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
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prick potatoes with a fork and bake them directly on the oven rack for 45-60 minutes, until tender.
- Allow the potatoes to cool slightly, then cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out most of the potato flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato on the skin.
- Brush the insides of the potato skins with melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the potato skins, skin-side up, on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes until the skins start to crisp up.
- Flip the potato skins over and fill each one with shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Top each potato skin with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
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 and prepare all your fruits, cutting them into bite-sized pieces if they aren’t already.
- Thread the fruits onto wooden skewers, alternating to create a colorful pattern.
- In a small bowl, mix the vanilla yogurt with honey and cinnamon if using, to create a delicious dip.
- Arrange the fruit kabobs on a platter and serve with the yogurt dip on the side.
- Enjoy immediately for the freshest taste or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
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
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut each pita bread round into 8 wedges using a pizza cutter or sharp knife.
- In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together.
- Brush each pita wedge with melted butter on both sides.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered pita wedges.
- Arrange the pita wedges on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the pita chips are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 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
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the puff pastry, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Add the diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, black olives, and red onion evenly over the cheese.
- Sprinkle dried oregano and basil over the top of the veggies.
- Lightly brush the edges of the puff pastry with olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes, then 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 paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Spread the yogurt mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Sprinkle the granola evenly over the yogurt layer.
- Add the fresh berries on top, spreading them out evenly.
- Freeze for at least 2 hours, or until the yogurt is firm.
- Once frozen, break the yogurt bark into pieces and serve immediately.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer to keep them from 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
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Separate the biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into four pieces.
- Roll each piece of dough into a small ball and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Press down each dough ball slightly to flatten it.
- Top each flattened dough ball with a small spoonful of marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the marinara sauce on each dough piece.
- Add mini pepperoni slices on top, if using.
- Sprinkle dried oregano and basil over each mini pizza bite.
- Lightly brush the edges of the dough with olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dough is golden brown.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
