Six Healthy, Allergy-Friendly Kids Snack Ideas

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Ok, we're just back from spring break but all I can think of is “I’m so sick of making snacks and lunches”. How about you? I’m guessing there are a few others in the same boat so I thought I'd share with you a few easy, snacks that make simple ingredients extra special.

1. Apple cinnamon slices.

I love how simple these are. The cinnamon not only adds a yumminess but also hides the “browning” of the apples. Cut apples into slices (a fruit slicer works well for this). Mix 1/8 tsp cinnamon with 1/8 tsp white sugar in a small bowl. Place apples in a small sandwich bag and sprinkle with cinnamon mixture. Massage slices to move flavoring around.

2. Spiced pumpkin seeds with raisins or Craisins.

You can buy all sorts of plain or flavoured pumpkin seeds from Newtons No Gluten or Super Seedz. You can, of course, enjoy as is or you can add raisins/cranberries and/or other dry, safe breakfast cereals.

3. Grilled pineapple (with skin left on to use as a “handle”).

I could hardly finish grilling these before my kids came to devour them! There's something about grilling a fruit that makes it a whole, different (yummy) ball of wax. It just makes it so much more delicious. Wash the pineapple well with soap & water and rinse. Cut the fruit into rings and then quarters, leaving the skin on. Brush with oil and sprinkle with brown sugar (optional). Grill on med-high (using BBQ or Grill pan) until there are nice brown marks on each side. Cool and pack.

4. Jicama root.

This was a favourite snack we had in Mexico a few years back. It was perfect for the beach and warm weather! Honestly, I had no idea jicama root existed until then. Jicima can be found here in Canada & North America too, if you know what to look for. They’re brown bulbs and look kind of like a celery root, but smoother (ask in your produce department). All you need to do is peel the jicama, slice into matchsticks, and add a sprinkling of salt, pepper and lime juice for a yummy treat. If your kids like things a bit spicy, you can do red pepper flakes instead of black pepper.

5. Zucchini chips.

These can be a bit tricky to make but worth it! You need to watch for the right doneness. Too much and they’re burnt, too little and they aren’t crispy. You’re looking for a delicious, golden brown. Once you hit that sweet spot of brown yumminess, you’re in for a real treat! Look for the recipe HERE.

6. Granola bar sandwiches.

Grab you or your kiddo's favourite allergy-friendly bars and spread with their favourite nut substitute spread and top with another bar. This is easy enough to do, and it gives a bit more protein to fill up little tummies. You can add dried cranberries or raisins (optional) and cut into bite-size pieces or leave as is.

There you have it. Six easy, allergy-friendly snacks that are healthy with an extraordinary twist! Let me know in the comments if you plan to try any of these!