Who needs pre-packaged snacks when there are healthy homemade snack recipes like these that even your kids can make? All three are no-bake and packed with both flavor and good-for-you ingredients! Enjoy them in the morning, in lunch boxes, for an afternoon snack, or even as an evening movie treat.
All of these healthy homemade snack recipes are dairy free, gluten free, grain free, peanut free, soy free, refined sugar free, and vegan!
Fresh Blueberry Trail Mix Yogurt Parfaits
Sure, dried fruit keeps better when trekking in the wilderness, but at home, why not spring for the extra nutritional benefits of fresh?!
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Makes: 2 parfaits
Ingredients
- ½ to 1 cup low sugar or unsweetened Dairy Free Yogurt*
- ½ cup fresh Blueberries
- 1 tsp Chia Seeds
- ¼ cup large Cashew Pieces
Directions
- Divide half of the yogurt between two small bowls or parfait-style cups.
- Top the yogurt with half of the blueberries, sprinkle with half of the chia seeds and half of the cashew pieces.
- Repeat the layers with the second half of each ingredient.
* For richer varieties (like CoYo), I use just ½ cup total. If I’m in the mood for a sweeter yogurt, I simply stir a few drops of vanilla stevia or a drizzle of honey (agave for vegan) into the yogurt before layering.
Joyful Almond Energy Bites
This magical blend is full of healthy fats and just enough protein, fiber, and sugar to keep active kids and adults fueled.
Prep Time: 10 minutes (+15 minutes to chill) | Makes: 16 bites
Ingredients
- ¼ cup creamy, lightly salted Almond Butter
- 2 Tbsp Honey (or agave nectar for vegan)
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Flour
- ½ cup unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- 2 Tbsp mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ¼ cup Almond Flour or Sliced Almonds, crushed with fingers
Directions
- In a small bowl, stir together the almond butter, honey, and coconut flour. Stir in the coconut and chocolate chips until thoroughly combined. It will be relatively stiff.
- Roll dough into small balls. If too sticky, add just a smidgen more coconut flour.
- Place almond flour or crushed almonds in a small bowl, and roll balls in it, pressing almonds in to adhere as needed.
- Freeze the bites for 15 to 20 minutes. Store them in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container in the refrigerator, and eat when hungry!
Cheesy Chia Popcorn
When we’re craving savory, I make popcorn. Sometimes plain old coconut oil and salt does the trick, but often I like to get creative with nutritious, flavorful toppings like this one.
If you have kids who aren’t old enough to use a spice grinder, they can help measure out ingredients for larger batches, which you can then grind and store (refrigerated) for them to sprinkle on popcorn, rice, or veggies whenever desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Makes: 3 to 4 batches of seasoning (3 Tbsp)
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/8 tsp Garlic Ppowder
- Air-popped Popcorn
- Melted Coconut Oil (I use about 3 Tbsp per mounding 1/3 cup of unpopped kernels)
Directions
- Place the yeast, seeds, salt, onion, paprika, and garlic in a spice grinder and whiz for 30 seconds, or until finely ground.
- Pop popcorn and drizzle with oil, stirring to coat. Sprinkle with desired amount of the nutritional yeast-chia seed topping, and toss to coat.
Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Senior Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. Alisa has three new books in the works, and is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry. Her dietary specialty is dairy free, but she also has expertise in gluten free and allergy friendly.
Thanks, Vicki