Healthy Back To School Recipes

Sammy has begun second grade!

He will continue to attend school for at least a few more years, while I homeschool our two oldest.

In light of his return, I wanted to put together a list of great recipes to keep in mind for the upcoming year.

Quick breakfasts, lunchbox snacks, and after school treats all abound!

This list is full of recipes that are easy to make and that my kids actually like. I hope yours will too if you try any!

Quick Breakfasts

1. Overnight Oats

Nothing comes together faster in the morning than something you prepared the night before, am I right?

My kids all love overnight oats, and they're easy for me to make.

Natalie is a big fan of my Cookie Dough Overnight Oats.

For nut-free tots, try this simple Overnight Oats recipe, made without chia seeds.

This happens to be my favorite!

Finally, if you're a peanut butter lover, this Peanut Butter Cookie Dough version is outta bounds!

This one might actually be my fave...oh, why don't I have three stomachs?? 🙂

2. Granola

Granola is dangerous for me to have around, since I can never seem to stop eating it!

With the proper amounts of sugar and fat, however, it makes for a great, energizing start to a day, especially for a kid.

If you're staying away from grains, this lentil-based granola is awesome. Those red lentils are filled with nutrition and protein, making it more satiating and a bit more balanced for blood sugar purposes.

Another grain-free option is this Chocolate Buckwheat Granola.

I'll admit that buckwheat groats are not exactly as light and airy as the puffed rice version I grew up with, but the kids love the pseudo-grain prepared this way, AND you still get that chocolate-y cereal milk to drink at the end.

If you're searching for more traditional granola recipes, this healthier version is a great pick!

It's nut-free and has less than 10 grams of sugar per serving. Toss in a few raisins and serve it with a good, cold Coconut Milk, and the kids will never know.

The last honorable mention goes to this Peanut Butter Granola recipe.

This is the one that I literally can not stop eating. Crisp-ety, crunchy, peanut butter-y goodness, and quite easy to make!

Granolas are all great to make at your convenience and have on hand when needed, either in the morning with cold milk or in a baggie as a snack.

3. Blender Breakfasts

I love my Vitamix, especially for its ability to blend together a delicious and healthy breakfast for multiple kids. Ultimately, that's why we invested in this powerful machine. The Nutribullet wasn't cutting it for making big-batch smoothies anymore!

So, in asking my kids which smoothies are their favorites, here's how the polls came back:

1. Healthy Chocolate Shake

Is it any wonder that kids chose a chocolate smoothie as first place? This one is so delicious and filling, full of healthy fats. NO banana needed for those with allergies.

2. Vanilla 'Milkshake'

I'm a big fan of this one myself! Creamy with a good hit of vanilla flavor and (again) NO added banana.

3. Strawberry Chia Frosty

This thick and fruity drink tastes like strawberry ice cream and is a big hit over here!

4. Liquid Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Keep this one in mind for the upcoming Fall months. The spices are spot on, and it truly tastes like you're drinking the popular Thanksgiving treat.

And one more to round out the list...

5. Creamy Apple Pear Smoothie

Free of both bananas and nuts, this allergy-friendly smoothie is creamy, filling, and oh so scrumptious.

Lunchbox Snacks

Alrighty, now you've got a complete list of easy and fast breakfasts, let's move on to what the heck to put in those daunting critter-emblemed, middle meal holders...

1. Crackers

My girls (and guy) all loooooooove crackers, but geez la weez, they're expensive to buy!

While I oftentimes give in to buying them, if I find the time to make a batch, this is my go-to cracker recipe.

For a sweet version, these Buckwheat Graham Crackers are a favorite with my kids!

If you're interested, I've recently made these and lowered the sugar to one tablespoon of coconut sugar and one tablespoon of molasses (adding in a bit more water, as needed), and the kids still loved them.

Of course, I've been training their sweet buds for a few years now, so use your best judgment with your own kids.

2. Cookies

These Chocolate Chip Biscuits are my girls' favorite right now.

They're soft and a bit 'cakey' with crisper edges. The hubs also went nuts for these, which pleasantly surprised me!

If you're searching for a good lower sugar oatmeal raisin cookie, you ought give these babies a try!

They're vegan, made with a combination of oat flour and oats, and only have ONE tablespoon of added sugar!

Here's another low-fat chocolate chip cookie that is also low in sugar!

Applesauce and a copious amount of chocolate chips give these cookies all they need in terms of sweetness.

For a good natural protein cookie, these Fudgy Black Bean treats are a great pick.

I am reminded of those gas station Grandma's cookies that come in the two-pack. The kids go nuts over these!

Lastly, these grain-free chickpea flour-based cookies are a reader fave.

A few words to the wise on these: 1) Don't sample the batter (raw chickpea flour ain't tasty); 2) Follow the directions carefully; and 3) Do be sure to bake them completely, (reread 1).

They're worth it though!

Alright, I think you're covered for crackers and cookies. Consider also a good potato chip (made without canola oil!) and some homemade popcorn in your rotation and you're good!

Let's move on to after school treats!

After School Treats

While any of the cookie or cracker recipes above could double as an after-school treat, there are a few other options to look at.

Here are a few things my girls enjoy when they arrive back home.

1. Fruit with Nut/Seed Butter

My mom was huge on this, feeding me a cut apple with sunflower seeds every day after school.

Nat is a big fan of the classic apple and peanut butter combo, and this Pumpkin Seed Butter is a great allergy-friendly alternative.

I'll add in a touch of sweetness to this recipe, as the taste of raw pumpkin seed butter can be a bit off-putting to young palates.

2. Chips and Hummus

I'm a big fan of pairing protein with pretty much everything, particularly quick-burning carbs like chips! Hummus is the perfect balance to tortilla crisps, and it's a snack that my kids love.

Jade's favorite hummus is this black bean variety...

...but the kids also love this more traditional chickpea-based version...

3. Pudding Snacks

These chocolate pudding snacks take a little prep time, but they are far healthier than the packaged kind!

I love to eat this myself, especially with a dollop of real whipped cream.

If you want something a little quicker to put together, this Energizing Blueberry Pudding is a great choice!

Sometimes, I'll even make this for breakfast!

Another healthy and delicious choice is this Avocado Lime Pudding...

This one combines a natural sweetener with stevia, making it a lower sugar choice for hyperactive kids.

4. Popsicles

Another 'pudding' option comes courtesy of these cold Chocolate Pudding Pops!

This is another one that requires a little foresight, but they are so worth it! If you buy a couple of pop molds, you can keep batches of these in the freezer, ready to pass out to sweet kiddies who get all their homework done.

Since kids love anything cold on a stick, these Vanilla Ice Cream Pops are another go-to treat, as are these Peanut Butter Banana Pops. NO sugar needed for the latter!

Well, there you have it! If you click on any of the above pictures, it should take you right to the related recipe.

I hope this give you some ideas for your upcoming school year. If you have any additional ideas, don't hesitate to comment.