I get lots of questions about kid’s friendly zero waste and healthy snacks that are also healthy, so here are some of my kid’s favorite snacks that I make at home or can buy in bulk.
First, here are the snacks I buy in bulk:
· Trail mix
· Chia chocolate squares
· Banana chips
· Plantain chips
· Nuts and seeds (some raw and some toasted with different flavors)
· Granola
Fruit Leathers
My daughter loves fruit leathers, so I’ve been buying them for the kids to have for snacks. However, I decided to start making my own because they are pricey and individually wrapped in plastic.
It was much easier than I thought, and the kids gave them two thumbs up! I usually only use the ripe banana for sweetness, but you can add a little sweetener if you have a sweet tooth.
How to Make Banana + Raspberry Fruit Leather:
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 150 degrees F or the lowest temperature possible. Line an 11 x 17 baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat. Set aside.
- Chop all fruit and place into a blender or food processor and blend until pureed.
- Pour fruit mixture onto a prepared baking sheet and spread to about 1/8″ thick. I always pound the baking sheet on the counter a few times to distribute the fruit mixture evenly.
- Place baking sheet into the oven and bake for 6-8 hours, until pan is set and the center is not tacky. Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature.
- Gently peel off the fruit leather from the Silpat. Then, using a pizza cutter, knife, or scissors, cut into squares or strips. If you want to make fruit roll-ups, roll the strips in parchment paper. Store in an airtight container.
How to Make Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites:
Ingredients
- ½ cup raw cocoa or carob powder
- 2 tbsp. agave nectar
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ vanilla bean — scrape out and use the seeds
- 1 large ripe banana
- Lollipop sticks
- Hemp seeds
Instructions
- Slice banana into coins and insert lollipop sticks into one flat side. Place banana coins on a plate or cutting board and freeze for 1 hour.
- Place coconut oil jar into warm water and let it liquefy. Blend coconut oil, cocoa powder, agave, and vanilla bean seeds in a bowl. Place hemp seeds into another bowl and set them aside.
- Remove bananas from the freezer, dip each into the chocolate, then dip the tops into hemp seeds. Place them back onto the cutting board. Enjoy now, or place back into the freezer for an ice-cold frozen treat.
Overnight Oats
Oats are well-known for their health benefits and for being filling. Plus, you can make this recipe in advance, making it an excellent choice for busy moms.
How to Make Almond Butter Overnight Oats:
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe/spotty banana, mashed
- 2 tbsp. chia seeds
- 1 tbsp. almond butter (or peanut butter)
- 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- ½ vanilla bean: slice open and scrape out seeds
Toppings
- Fresh fruit and berries
- Coconut flakes
- Hemp seeds
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
- Nuts and seeds
- Raw cocoa nibs
Instructions
1. Mash the banana with the vanilla beans in a small bowl until smooth.
2. Stir in the chia seeds until combined.
3. Add the oats, almond milk, and almond butter, and blend until well mixed.
4. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
5. Before serving, stir the oats to combine.
6. Serve with all kinds of fun toppings from the list above.
Smoothie Bowl
A smoothie bowl is a great breakfast, and you can easily sneak veggies into it. I like to serve my bowls topped with fruit, more bananas, cocoa nibs, and/or bee pollen. I use frozen bananas in mine, but it can be done with fresh bananas, too.
How to Make a Mango + Banana Smoothie:
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup filtered water
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 scoop amazing grass super powder
- 1 tsp. spirulina powder
- 1 tbsp. hemp seeds
- 1 handful baby spinach
Instructions
- Place in blender and mix until perfectly smooth
Other snacks I like to make are:
Breakfast cookies
Overnight oats
Happy zero-waste snacking!
