15 Summer Snacks to Stop Your Hungry Kids from Raiding the Fridge
These bites will keep the whole crew happy and satisfied.
Whether your family plans to spend summer break picnicking in the park, attending pool parties and birthdays, or getting crafty at home, all that time spent running around in the heat means you’ll have a household full of hungry kiddos come mid-afternoon. While they might reach for sugary packaged treats, offering them one of these homemade summer snacks is a fresher, more nutritious way to tide the crew over until dinner.
From sweet to savory, these summer snacks are simple, good to bring on the go, and all of them are guaranteed to be a hit. Whether it’s a make-ahead batch of muffins, frozen yogurt bark, or a five-minute smoothie, these light bites are easy to prep on a busy afternoon. They’re tasty enough that even picky eaters will love them and they’re satisfying enough to keep everyone fueled for hours. You’ll find plenty of frozen treats to keep the crew cool on the hottest days of the year, plus fruity selections that’ll make the most of all that fresh, in-season produce. And if your family is craving something savory, there are lots of finger foods made in the air fryer to satisfy your taste buds. Whatever catches your eye, these summer snacks are easy to grab at home or pack for camp, and they’re crowd-pleasing enough for both kids and adults!
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
If you have leftover zucchini to use up, throw it in some muffin batter with chocolate chips, and you’ve got a perfectly sweet and satisfying summer snack! Zucchini doesn’t just add nutrients, but it also creates a moist and delicate texture.
Get Ree’s Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins recipe.
Peach Smoothie
You can blend up this peach smoothie in just five minutes! Made with six ingredients, this snack is so simple, yet it’s packed with protein that’ll keep kids full until their next meal.
Get the Peach Smoothie recipe.
Strawberry White Chocolate Granola Bars
With freeze-dried strawberries, chewy oats, and silky white chocolate, these granola bars are a fruity treat made for summer snacking. The recipe yields two dozen servings that’ll keep for up to five days, so you’ll have sweet-tart snacks all week!
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Pickles aren’t just a go-to burger topping! When they’re breaded and tossed in an air fryer, they make a crispy, tangy summer snack. Polish off these crunchy bites with ranch dressing for dunking.
Get Ree’s Air Fryer Fried Pickles recipe.
Mango Salsa
For a snack you’ll crave all summer long, switch up your salsa game by mixing in ripe mangos. The fruity flavor is the perfect complement to the lime juice, diced veggies, and hint of jalapeño. Scoop up this dip with tortilla chips!
Get the Mango Salsa recipe.
Yogurt Parfait
Layered with fresh berries, crunchy granola, and creamy yogurt, these yogurt parfaits are a healthy summer snack that’s anything but boring. While you can always opt for store-bought ingredients, making the granola from scratch can be a fun way to get help from the kids themselves!
Get the Yogurt Parfait recipe.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Who doesn’t love pizza? Topping zucchini rounds with tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni is a lighter, more nutritious alternative. Not only will zucchini bring a burst of freshness, but it’ll also make it acceptable to eat more than one!
Get the Zucchini Pizza Bites recipe.
Homemade Creamsicle Pop
Throw it back to the summers of your youth by assembling and freezing these two-ingredient Creamsicles. These chilled treats will keep the whole family cool on a hot summer afternoon.
Get the Homemade Creamsicle Pop recipe.
Blueberry Bars
Celebrate berry season with these make-ahead blueberry bars. Featuring a buttery crust, zippy berry filling, and crumbly topping, these summer snacks taste like dessert, yet they’re light enough to munch on in between meals.
Get the Blueberry Bars recipe.
Dill Dip
If your kids have trouble getting their veggies down, this creamy dip will make the task a lot easier. It’s full of tangy flavor from the pickle juice, and mayo and sour cream give it a silky-smooth texture. Oh, and it only takes five minutes!
Get the Dill Dip recipe.
Watermelon Smoothie
For another summer smoothie, consider whipping up this one that’s mixed with watermelon, strawberries, and bananas. A squeeze of lime and dollop of Greek yogurt elevate the flavor and texture tenfold.
Get the Watermelon Smoothie recipe.
Frozen Yogurt Bark
Since you can prep this snack a week in advance, every time you start to feel peckish, simply grab a piece from the freezer! Loaded with fruit, seeds, and yogurt, this summer snack is the tastiest way to sneak in a lot of nutrients.
Get Ree’s Frozen Yogurt Bark recipe.
BLT Bites
Turn everyone’s favorite summer sandwich into a bite-sized snack! Tiny pieces of toast are piled high with mayonnaise, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Assemble them on toothpicks, and you’ll feel extra fancy eating these small, open-faced alternatives.
Get the BLT Bites recipe.
Air Fryer Okra
Air-frying summer vegetables is one of the best ways to make them more kid-friendly. Here, okra is breaded and cooked until it turns crispy. Don’t forget to serve them with a spicy dipping sauce!
Get the Air Fryer Okra recipe.
Rainbow Fruit Skewers
While you could mix up a classic fruit salad, arranging sliced fruit on skewers feels a lot more exciting! Load each stick with all your summer favorites: kiwi, strawberries, pineapple. For a fun surprise, add a doughnut hole on the end.
Get the Rainbow Fruit Skewers recipe.
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