Kids in the Kitchen: After School Snacks

Kids are hungry when they come home after a day’s learning. Whether they want a savory nibble or a sweet treat, fortify them with a healthy after-school snack so easy to assemble, even preschoolers and Kindergarteners can help put them together.

Apple Peanut Butter Rounds

Apples are a great nutrient source that’s packed with appetite-sating fiber. Here, they prove a delicious, nutritious substitute for bread.

1. Slice 1 apple into 8 thin rounds (keep the rest for snacking).
2. Spread unsalted, all-natural peanut butter, almond butter or hazelnut butter on 4 of the rounds.
3. Stick raisins and nuts of your choice (toasted pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans) into the butter and drizzle with a little honey.
4. Top each round with the other 4 apple slices and sprinkle with cinnamon.

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Tomato Toasts

Less filling than a typical lunch sandwich but still imbued with the tomato’s outstanding antioxidant content, these toasts will knock away tummy grumbles without filling them up before dinner.

1. Using a drinking glass turned upside down, cut out circles of sliced whole-wheat bread. Toast the bread circles until lightly golden.
2. Spread a thin layer of nonfat cream cheese on each toast circle.
3. Place a slice of tomato on top of each and drizzle with a little olive oil.
4. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper over each toast.

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Fruit and Yogurt Cones

All the fun of an ice cream cone with much less fat and calories, these handheld treats make for smart, appealing after-school snacking.

1. Wash and slice fruits of choice (strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, etc.).
2. Scoop nonfat vanilla or Greek yogurt into a waffle cone, then layer on fruit slices.
3. Top with sliced almonds, raisins, dried cranberries or dark chocolate chips.
4. Put cones in the freezer until thoroughly chilled but  not frozen.

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Oatmeal Truffles

This no-bake snack stands in for boring old granola bars and satisfies sweet teeth simultaneously.

1. Melt peanut butter chips and milk in the microwave (lactose free, almond or soy milk will work too).
2. Gently stir in chocolate chips to melted peanut butter mixture.
3. Mix in oatmeal, adding a little a time. Add additional unsalted all-natural peanut butter if more stickiness is necessary.
4. Roll mixture into 1- to 1½-inch balls. Place on nonstick surface and refrigerate until cooled.

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Tessa Seales is a MetroKids co-op intern and a student at Drexel University.