If you have been here for a while, you know that my youngest daughter, Alexandria is a very picky eater. I try to get as creative as i can making healthier snacks that she can have for school lunch, mid-afternoon or even when craving a little something sweet. Here are my favorites:
Peanut Butter & Jelly Oat cups (you can sub with any other nut butter or a nut butter replacement).
Ingredients
· 2 cups rolled oats
· 1/2 cup honey
· 1/3 cup peanut butter
· your favorite jelly
· 1/2 cup peanut butter
· 1 tsp coconut oil melted
Instructions
Start by lining a muffin tin with muffin liners. In a mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, honey, and peanut butter for the oat layer. Mix until well combined. Scoop a spoonful of the oat mixture into each muffin tin and press down firmly to create a compact base layer. Next, add a scoop of your favorite jelly or jam on top of the oat layer in each muffin tin. In a separate bowl, mix together the peanut butter and melted coconut oil for the peanut butter layer until smooth. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the jelly layer in each muffin tin, covering the entire surface. Place the muffin tin in the freezer and allow the PB+J Oat Cups to freeze for at least 30 minutes, or until firm. Once they are set!
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
· 3 bananas overripe
· 2 Tablespoons honey
· 1 egg
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 ½ cup quick oats
· 1 tsp cinnamon powder
· ¼ tsp sea salt
· ½ cup choc chips or other add ins like shredded coconut, dried cranberries, raisins…
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas. Add honey, egg and vanilla and stir to combine. Add oats, cinnamon and sea salt and stir until combined. If desired, add mix-ins and stir until evenly distributed. Use a 1 tablespoon to portion the dough, and place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2” apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are just set and the bottoms are very lightly browned. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving and enjoy!
3 Ingredients Healthy Snickers
Ingredients
· 12 dried dates
· 2-4 tablespoon peanut butter or nut of choice
· 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating them in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until the chocolate is smooth. Shorter microwave intervals are best for melting chocolate so you don't burn it.
Slice each date in half the long way as if you were slicing a hot dog bun.
One at a time, fill each date with about 1/2-1 tsp of peanut butter, depending on the size of the date, then place the stuffed date in the melted chocolate. Use a fork to help you turn and coat the whole date. Remove the date from the chocolate and set on a piece of parchment paper. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to harden.
CEREAL BARS
Ingredients
· 3 cups cereal of choice, I used the cheerios from Tj’s
· 2/3 cup peanut butter or nut butter of choice
· 1/2 cup agave or honey
· optional 3 tbsp protein powder, jam, you can also add dried fruit or dehydrated fruit.
Instructions
Line an 8-inch pan with wax or parchment paper (or double the recipe for a 9x13-inch pan). If needed, gently warm nut butter until easy to stir. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour the cereal mixture into the pan. Place a second sheet of parchment over top and press the cereal down firmly into the pan. Press down very firmly because this keeps the cereal bars from falling apart after cutting later. Freeze for a half hour or until firm enough to slice into bars. Cover leftovers. Store in the refrigerator or freezer or on the counter in a cool, dry place.
As far as lunch ideas for school, here are some that always work for us! My husband makes Alexandria's school lunch and he always send out: protein, fruit and/or veggie and something sweet or something to munch on.
Protein: Cheese and Meat Rollups, Mini Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches, Chicken Salad or Ham & Cheese Wrap, Nut butter or replacement & Jelly sandwich, Egg and Cheese bites, Harboiled Egg, Cheese cubes with crackers, Hummus and naan chips
Fruits/Veggies: Mini sliced cucumbers, baby carrots, Celery sticks, pepper sticks, Edamame, Grapes, Berries, Apple slices, Mandarin or cut orange
Something savory to snack: veggie straws, plantain chips, pretzel chips, mini pretzels, popcorn
Something sweet: you can add any of the recipes i shared above.