What you need to know about children’s snacks: our best ideas

What is a children’s snack?

A snack is a snack that children can have between two meals, especially in the morning, between breakfast and lunch. It’s the morning version of snack which is best enjoyed in the afternoon. Morning snacks were introduced in schools in the 1950s. to combat deficiencies and malnutrition in children “^1. Today, it’s not really done anymore… Its official, “healthy” character is tending to disappear.

However, at home, if your sweet tooth is feeling peckish, there’s nothing to stop you from filling it with a healthy snack. It can be savory or sweet, with fruit, vegetables and/or beverages, depending on your desires and preferences, but should not contain foods that are too rich or too heavy, so as not to spoil your appetite at lunchtime.

Our ideas for fun… and delicious snacks

1. A recipe for iced bananas

For 1 refreshing, gourmet snack, you’ll need (i.e. for 1 child) :

– ½ banana

– 2 squares of dark chocolate

– 5 g grated coconut

– 1 wooden stick (for ice cream)

Melt the chocolate and place in a bowl to coat the half-banana, pricked on a wooden stick. Sprinkle with grated coconut. Place in the freezer for at least 1 hour.

2. Fruit and cereal yoghurt balls

To make this recipe a success, you’ll need a sphere mold, a madeleine mold or, failing that, a silicone ice-cube mold. These yogurt “balls” are best eaten iced. For 6 balls, you’ll need :

– 3 plain yoghurts

– 3 to 4 strawberries, 1 to 2 peaches, 1 to 2 nectarines, 1 pineapple half… the choice is yours.

– 1 tablespoon maple syrup

– ucereal mix such as homemade granola or muesli

– Popsicle sticks

Cut the fruit into pieces and mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Place in the molds and freeze for at least 1 hour. You can place sticks in the molds to make them easier to eat later. Or the kids can enjoy this snack with their fingertips!

3. A low-sugar rice pudding

For 1 gourmand, you need

– 50 g round rice

– ¼ liter of milk

– ½ vanilla pod

– 20 g sugar

Immerse the rice in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Pour the milk into a saucepan, and bring to the boil with the vanilla pod and sugar. Add the drained rice and cook for 15-20 minutes over low heat. When cooked, remove the vanilla pod and leave to cool in the pan. This snack can be eaten in pots with a spoon, or you can form dumplings with a spoon (so you can eat it with your hands!).

4. Popcorn-style popcorn

Not only do kids love popcorn, it’s also a lot of fun to make. Savoury or sweet, you can adapt your recipe. All you need is

– 10 to 15 g of corn per person

– a base of vegetable oil (sunflower)

– a little salt or sugar

Pour a dash of vegetable oil and the corn into a small saucepan with a lid. Place on a low heat, with the lid on. Wait patiently until the popcorn pop (just a few minutes: between 6 and 8 minutes approx.). When it looks finished, you can add a little sugar, a little salt or enjoy it as is.

5. And a fruit skewer, one!

There’s nothing like a fruit skewer to soothe the munchies and indulge yourself. The idea is to slide 2 or 3 different fruits, cut into pieces, onto a skewer. Preferably fresh and in season. This summer, for example, you can mix nectarines, strawberries and bananas. Sprinkle with grated coconut for an extra touch of deliciousness. 1 skewer per child is enough, with 6 to 8 small pieces.

6. Wholemeal bread slices and dark chocolate

Why spend hours thinking up a delicious recipe, when you know you can give pleasure with a slice of wholemeal bread (seed, wheat, other) and two squares of dark chocolate?

Does your child prefer salty foods? You can also offer him a slice of wholemeal bread and a piece of cheese (with or without a little butter): Emmental, Brie, Comté… It’s up to you, or eventually him, to choose and indulge himself.

¹https://www.anses.fr/fr/content/les-collations-%C3%A0-l%E2%80%99%C3%A9cole