Children often like snacking, but it can lead to a lot of problems if this habit results in them often munching in things that are unhealthy, and also reducing their appetite for real meals, with healthy food. On the other hand, only eating healthy or even just homemade food all the time also they would get tired of it very quickly and grow even more fussy than usual.You can make snack-time interesting and change things up, while still going for the healthy option by introducing these 20 ‘real food’ or snacks made of substantial nutritional value to your child. Read about 20 ‘real food’ or healthy snacks for kids right here.If you have kids, I’m sure you have experienced firsthand how energetic they can be when they are in play mode and may crave food all of a sudden once they have expended all their energy. Kids generally become hungry after school or after playing and may ask you for food at that very moment. Because they still haven’t had a lot of time to get accustomed to their body and its signals, as well as the fact that they are a growing age, hunger sneaks up on them and they get very cranky if they are hungry with no food or snack in sight. Sometimes the time is inconvenient for you or you are too occupied to stir up a fancy meal.Here are twenty real food snacks for kids that can be made for school or after school to tackle their hunger in a few minutes for the time being, and help manage their hunger until a proper wholesome and nutritious meal is ready.Without further ado, here are 20 snacks made of ‘real food’ or healthier ingredients than usual readily available snacks.1. Protein PancakesEasy to prepare, you just need selected ingredients such as one teacup Moong Dal, 200 grams white gourd, fresh low-fat yoghurt, green chillies, two tomatoes, chopped coriander, virgin oil and salt to taste to stir this up in a few minutes. Try to use as little oil as possible. These are healthier than the processed varieties found in the market and can provide your child with a nutritious as well as a tasty snack. While the Moong, the gourd and the yoghurt provide protein, tomatoes, coriander and green chillies provide an excellent aroma and flavour. You can serve it hot and as is, or with mint chutney.2. Spinach Tikki with Green VeggiesTo prepare this snack, you need spinach, white radish, carrot and potatoes. Just shred the spinach, grate the radish and carrot and mix it with boiled potatoes and salt to taste. Shape the mixture into the shape of cutlets, drizzle a little oil on the pan and shallow fry them. If you want to go healthier, you can bake these cutlets in the oven with a very sparse layer of oil as well. These are easy to make and are a lot healthier than the fried variety found on the market.3. Oatmeal BrowniesOatmeal brownies never go out of style. These not only provide you with nutrition but also please your kids with a sweet tooth. Instead of making chocolate brownies, use oatmeal as the main ingredient. It provides the fibre your child needs in abundant quantities.4. Homemade Chaat Mix of Dry FruitsHomemade trail mix makes an excellent snack for kids as it is rich in protein, minerals and fibre. You can make large quantities at a time to save the trouble of preparing again and use an airtight container to store them so it lasts longer. By including soaked and dehydrated nuts, that provide enough nutrients and energy, you can gift a nutritious and digestible snack for your kids and family.5. Potato PizzaFor preparing this you need 250 grams potatoes, 100 grams tomatoes, one capsicum, boiled corn, chopped onion, 2-3 olives and mushroom. Hardly takes 20 minutes to prepare, it will soon be your kid’s favourite snack and also fulfil their nutrition requirements.6. Masala IdliKids can often struggle with hunger pangs and low energy at times. To make them energetic again and provide them with a healthy snack, you can prepare Masala Idlis for them which will keep them full as well as happy. A chutney prepared with green veggies will make it healthy. Masala Idli is not very different from normal Idli. It is an especially convenient snack to prepare if you have leftover idli. Take a pan, heat it and add a little oil to it. Throw in some finely chopped tomatoes and mash it when it starts to get soft, add finely chopped onions and a little bit of red chilli powder, salt, coriander powder or ginger garlic paste. Once this masala is ready, mix the idlis so the masala coats it evenly.7. Spicy Roasted Chola MixRoasted chickpeas (Chole) are incredibly healthy as well as crunchy in texture which will make it your kid’s favourite new snack in no time. All you have to do is take chole and roast it and then add some spice to it. It is a good snack to replace or substitute the snacks you may get at a store that has spices but no nutritional value.8. Paneer WrapsWraps, rolls or frankies, they have many names but they are loved by all the same. These will win over your children’s hearts and also provide them with a satiated feeling, leaving them full because of their good nutrition value. All you need is 100 grams of grated Paneer, 100 grams boiled French beans, carrots, coriander, chopped onion, Jeera, juice of one lemon, red paprika, virgin oil and whole wheat flour.9. Methi PakodaThe bitterness and flavour imparted by Methi (Fenugreek) leaves may be a bit of an acquired taste on their own, but bring out the flavour of the food they are used in. It particularly complements Besan extraordinarily, especially with spices and onions. It takes hardly 15 minutes to prepare, and you can try this if you are looking for a good recipe with a decent health profile for your child.10. Mysore Bonda (Pan Fried)Mysore Bonda, a traditional Vada made from Urad Dal, is easy to prepare and delicious to taste. Instead of the traditional deep fry, you can pan fry it instead to reduce the oil content. For the topping, you can also use dairy-free coconut or mint chutney for dressing.11. Baked Beans and Potatoes ChaatExtremely filling and nutritious, you should introduce this healthy snack to your kids. All you need is toasted bread which can be topped with homemade beans and mashed potatoes. You can add the beans and mashed potatoes on top of the bread or you can get a little adventurous as well. Take a few slices of bread and cut them up. Heat a pan and add a little olive oil along with finely chopped garlic or dill for flavour and aroma, and then toss in the bread pieces to make croutons. Once the croutons are done, you can add the baked beans and chopped boiled pieces of potato with any fresh ingredient of your choice, like chopped lettuce or peas etc.. and mix it all well in a bowl.12. Oat Cutlets with BeansIf your child loves cutlets, there is a healthier twist to the fried and processed cutlets which are full of fats. Keeping their health and weight in mind, you can make quick cutlets made with oats, along with beans, that is healthier and will be loved by your children. Soak the beans. Boil the beans, mash them and add the oats. Add finely chopped veggies if you want and mix well. Form the cutlet shapes and shallow fry on a pan with a splash of oil or stick it in the oven. Oats are a great source of fibre and beans too.13. Oat Granola BarsGranola bars are an excellent quick-fix snack you can make in advance for when your child is starting to get fussy and wants to snack and you may not have something that will properly fill their tummy yet. Healthy and wholesome, you can prepare different varieties of oat granola bars to mix things up. These are tasty as well as nutritious in nature which will be enjoyed by children. They are also very easy to carry and will come in handy when and if a hunger pang strikes your child when you are out and about and may not be able to find a place to eat quickly or for an extended period of time.14. Chole and Paneer CutletsChole and Paneer cutlets or patties are healthy snacks that can be prepared quickly with comparatively little effort. Simply boil the chole after having soaked them, and mash the Chole or Paneer and shape into cutlets. Either shallow fry or bake them, or use an airfryer if you have one. These cutlets can be seasoned with coriander and green chillies. You can even serve them with yoghurt based dips or mint chutney. It can be enjoyed in all seasons by your kids as well as your family.15. Moong Dal GujiyaWho does not like gujiyas. I’m sure many of us have fond memories of munching on gujiyas, especially as Diwali came around. A healthier iteration of this audience-favourite snack is made by using Moong Dal in the preparation process which helps up the protein in the snack. Crispy and full of Moong Dal goodness, this will be a perfectly healthy snack for your kids. Prepare baked Gujiyas instead of frying them with heavy oils to avoid the multitude of health problems excessive consumption of oil can bring.16. Non Fried Broccoli PakodeThis snack is extremely nutritious and can help your child deal with his hunger pangs in a healthy manner. The Pakora is just like your average pakora, which is filled with delicious flavours of Saunf and Chaat Masala and is made without deep-frying which preserves the nutrition of broccoli.17. Ragi Masala Oats DhoklaSometimes a simple dish works best with kids. Dhokla is usually kid-friendly food, which you can use to your advantage and substitute the usual ingredients with healthier ones. You can make Ragi Masala Oats Dhokla, in which you use ragi flour to make your dhokla batter, and spices and oats to it. This dish will not only satisfy your kid’s hunger but also fulfil their taste buds. A healthy preparation of Ragi flour and Oats, it can be served along with mint chutney just like the original version.18. Stuffed Paneer Millet CutletsPaneer, steamed green peas and steamed millets make this snack a healthy combination of nutrition and good taste. They are like normal cutlets, but with healthier nutrients that don’t compromise on the taste yet are a healthier option of a snack, for when your children get cravings.19. Moong Dal KachoriIf your kid loves Kachoris, or even other snacks that make use of flour covering and savoury filling, this snack will be appreciated by them. This easy to prepare snack is a perfect combination of nutrition and taste. You can serve it with mint or tamarind chutney along with chopped onions. Moong Dal is incredibly nutritious, and definitely a better option over plain fried kachoris.20. Lemon Frozen YogurtThere is nothing like enjoying a cold and frozen yoghurt in the summer. And it is a much healthier and nutritious alternative to ice cream. It is still something cold and sweet, but frozen yoghurt takes less sugar to be sweet and has probiotics. Gift this tasty and healthy dessert to your kid to satisfy their hunger pangs as well as taste buds. You can serve it with mint as a garnish to add flavour as well.While green vegetables and fruits are a great option to make your child adopt healthy eating habits, sometimes you have to switch things up a bit to keep your child engaged and interested, the best option for this is healthy snacks.Which are the healthy snack options for kids? How to make snack-time fun for kids? Which snacks are nutritious as well as easy-to-prepare? Discuss here.
Children often like snacking, but it can lead to a lot of problems if this habit results in them often munching in things that are unhealthy, and also reducing their appetite for real meals, with healthy food. On the other hand, only eating healthy or even just homemade food all the time also they would get tired of it very quickly and grow even more fussy than usual.
You can make snack-time interesting and change things up, while still going for the healthy option by introducing these 20 ‘real food’ or snacks made of substantial nutritional value to your child. Read about 20 ‘real food’ or healthy snacks for kids right here.
If you have kids, I’m sure you have experienced firsthand how energetic they can be when they are in play mode and may crave food all of a sudden once they have expended all their energy. Kids generally become hungry after school or after playing and may ask you for food at that very moment. Because they still haven’t had a lot of time to get accustomed to their body and its signals, as well as the fact that they are a growing age, hunger sneaks up on them and they get very cranky if they are hungry with no food or snack in sight. Sometimes the time is inconvenient for you or you are too occupied to stir up a fancy meal.
Here are twenty real food snacks for kids that can be made for school or after school to tackle their hunger in a few minutes for the time being, and help manage their hunger until a proper wholesome and nutritious meal is ready.
Without further ado, here are 20 snacks made of ‘real food’ or healthier ingredients than usual readily available snacks.
1. Protein Pancakes
Easy to prepare, you just need selected ingredients such as one teacup Moong Dal, 200 grams white gourd, fresh low-fat yoghurt, green chillies, two tomatoes, chopped coriander, virgin oil and salt to taste to stir this up in a few minutes. Try to use as little oil as possible. These are healthier than the processed varieties found in the market and can provide your child with a nutritious as well as a tasty snack. While the Moong, the gourd and the yoghurt provide protein, tomatoes, coriander and green chillies provide an excellent aroma and flavour. You can serve it hot and as is, or with mint chutney.
2. Spinach Tikki with Green Veggies
To prepare this snack, you need spinach, white radish, carrot and potatoes. Just shred the spinach, grate the radish and carrot and mix it with boiled potatoes and salt to taste. Shape the mixture into the shape of cutlets, drizzle a little oil on the pan and shallow fry them. If you want to go healthier, you can bake these cutlets in the oven with a very sparse layer of oil as well. These are easy to make and are a lot healthier than the fried variety found on the market.
3. Oatmeal Brownies
Oatmeal brownies never go out of style. These not only provide you with nutrition but also please your kids with a sweet tooth. Instead of making chocolate brownies, use oatmeal as the main ingredient. It provides the fibre your child needs in abundant quantities.
4. Homemade Chaat Mix of Dry Fruits
Homemade trail mix makes an excellent snack for kids as it is rich in protein, minerals and fibre. You can make large quantities at a time to save the trouble of preparing again and use an airtight container to store them so it lasts longer. By including soaked and dehydrated nuts, that provide enough nutrients and energy, you can gift a nutritious and digestible snack for your kids and family.
5. Potato Pizza
For preparing this you need 250 grams potatoes, 100 grams tomatoes, one capsicum, boiled corn, chopped onion, 2-3 olives and mushroom. Hardly takes 20 minutes to prepare, it will soon be your kid’s favourite snack and also fulfil their nutrition requirements.
6. Masala Idli
Kids can often struggle with hunger pangs and low energy at times. To make them energetic again and provide them with a healthy snack, you can prepare Masala Idlis for them which will keep them full as well as happy. A chutney prepared with green veggies will make it healthy. Masala Idli is not very different from normal Idli. It is an especially convenient snack to prepare if you have leftover idli. Take a pan, heat it and add a little oil to it. Throw in some finely chopped tomatoes and mash it when it starts to get soft, add finely chopped onions and a little bit of red chilli powder, salt, coriander powder or ginger garlic paste. Once this masala is ready, mix the idlis so the masala coats it evenly.
7. Spicy Roasted Chola Mix
Roasted chickpeas (Chole) are incredibly healthy as well as crunchy in texture which will make it your kid’s favourite new snack in no time. All you have to do is take chole and roast it and then add some spice to it. It is a good snack to replace or substitute the snacks you may get at a store that has spices but no nutritional value.
8. Paneer Wraps
Wraps, rolls or frankies, they have many names but they are loved by all the same. These will win over your children’s hearts and also provide them with a satiated feeling, leaving them full because of their good nutrition value. All you need is 100 grams of grated Paneer, 100 grams boiled French beans, carrots, coriander, chopped onion, Jeera, juice of one lemon, red paprika, virgin oil and whole wheat flour.
9. Methi Pakoda
The bitterness and flavour imparted by Methi (Fenugreek) leaves may be a bit of an acquired taste on their own, but bring out the flavour of the food they are used in. It particularly complements Besan extraordinarily, especially with spices and onions. It takes hardly 15 minutes to prepare, and you can try this if you are looking for a good recipe with a decent health profile for your child.
10. Mysore Bonda (Pan Fried)
Mysore Bonda, a traditional Vada made from Urad Dal, is easy to prepare and delicious to taste. Instead of the traditional deep fry, you can pan fry it instead to reduce the oil content. For the topping, you can also use dairy-free coconut or mint chutney for dressing.
11. Baked Beans and Potatoes Chaat
Extremely filling and nutritious, you should introduce this healthy snack to your kids. All you need is toasted bread which can be topped with homemade beans and mashed potatoes. You can add the beans and mashed potatoes on top of the bread or you can get a little adventurous as well. Take a few slices of bread and cut them up. Heat a pan and add a little olive oil along with finely chopped garlic or dill for flavour and aroma, and then toss in the bread pieces to make croutons. Once the croutons are done, you can add the baked beans and chopped boiled pieces of potato with any fresh ingredient of your choice, like chopped lettuce or peas etc.. and mix it all well in a bowl.
12. Oat Cutlets with Beans
If your child loves cutlets, there is a healthier twist to the fried and processed cutlets which are full of fats. Keeping their health and weight in mind, you can make quick cutlets made with oats, along with beans, that is healthier and will be loved by your children. Soak the beans. Boil the beans, mash them and add the oats. Add finely chopped veggies if you want and mix well. Form the cutlet shapes and shallow fry on a pan with a splash of oil or stick it in the oven. Oats are a great source of fibre and beans too.
13. Oat Granola Bars
Granola bars are an excellent quick-fix snack you can make in advance for when your child is starting to get fussy and wants to snack and you may not have something that will properly fill their tummy yet. Healthy and wholesome, you can prepare different varieties of oat granola bars to mix things up. These are tasty as well as nutritious in nature which will be enjoyed by children. They are also very easy to carry and will come in handy when and if a hunger pang strikes your child when you are out and about and may not be able to find a place to eat quickly or for an extended period of time.
14. Chole and Paneer Cutlets
Chole and Paneer cutlets or patties are healthy snacks that can be prepared quickly with comparatively little effort. Simply boil the chole after having soaked them, and mash the Chole or Paneer and shape into cutlets. Either shallow fry or bake them, or use an airfryer if you have one. These cutlets can be seasoned with coriander and green chillies. You can even serve them with yoghurt based dips or mint chutney. It can be enjoyed in all seasons by your kids as well as your family.
15. Moong Dal Gujiya
Who does not like gujiyas. I’m sure many of us have fond memories of munching on gujiyas, especially as Diwali came around. A healthier iteration of this audience-favourite snack is made by using Moong Dal in the preparation process which helps up the protein in the snack. Crispy and full of Moong Dal goodness, this will be a perfectly healthy snack for your kids. Prepare baked Gujiyas instead of frying them with heavy oils to avoid the multitude of health problems excessive consumption of oil can bring.
16. Non Fried Broccoli Pakode
This snack is extremely nutritious and can help your child deal with his hunger pangs in a healthy manner. The Pakora is just like your average pakora, which is filled with delicious flavours of Saunf and Chaat Masala and is made without deep-frying which preserves the nutrition of broccoli.
17. Ragi Masala Oats Dhokla
Sometimes a simple dish works best with kids. Dhokla is usually kid-friendly food, which you can use to your advantage and substitute the usual ingredients with healthier ones. You can make Ragi Masala Oats Dhokla, in which you use ragi flour to make your dhokla batter, and spices and oats to it. This dish will not only satisfy your kid’s hunger but also fulfil their taste buds. A healthy preparation of Ragi flour and Oats, it can be served along with mint chutney just like the original version.
18. Stuffed Paneer Millet Cutlets
Paneer, steamed green peas and steamed millets make this snack a healthy combination of nutrition and good taste. They are like normal cutlets, but with healthier nutrients that don’t compromise on the taste yet are a healthier option of a snack, for when your children get cravings.
19. Moong Dal Kachori
If your kid loves Kachoris, or even other snacks that make use of flour covering and savoury filling, this snack will be appreciated by them. This easy to prepare snack is a perfect combination of nutrition and taste. You can serve it with mint or tamarind chutney along with chopped onions. Moong Dal is incredibly nutritious, and definitely a better option over plain fried kachoris.
20. Lemon Frozen Yogurt
There is nothing like enjoying a cold and frozen yoghurt in the summer. And it is a much healthier and nutritious alternative to ice cream. It is still something cold and sweet, but frozen yoghurt takes less sugar to be sweet and has probiotics. Gift this tasty and healthy dessert to your kid to satisfy their hunger pangs as well as taste buds. You can serve it with mint as a garnish to add flavour as well.
While green vegetables and fruits are a great option to make your child adopt healthy eating habits, sometimes you have to switch things up a bit to keep your child engaged and interested, the best option for this is healthy snacks.
Which are the healthy snack options for kids? How to make snack-time fun for kids? Which snacks are nutritious as well as easy-to-prepare? Discuss here. 
