Healthy & Fun After-School Snack Ideas

No one's going to argue that being a parent is stressful, especially when it comes to sending your kids back to school. 

Not only do you have to run around Officeworks, making sure they have enough pens, glue sticks, scissors and exercise books to last the year, you also have to pick up their uniform, go shopping for new school shoes and worry about what food to pack in their lunch box.  

As if that's not tough enough, suddenly it's 3:30pm and you have to figure out what healthy and nutritious snacks to make so they have enough energy to do their homework.

We thought we'd give you a helping hand and provide you with some recipes that your child is sure to love! From icy treats to fruity favourites, these recipes are not only easy to make but super yummy to eat! 

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After-school snack recipes 

Mango and Blackberry Yoghurt Ice Blocks 

Take your icy poles to the next level by encouraging your kids to eat fruit in the most delicious way! These mango and blackberry yogurt ice blocks are guaranteed to cool down your kids and give you some brownie points. 

Ingredients
Serves: 10

• 1/2 medium sized mango, stoned, peeled, and coarsely chopped 
• 2 cups (560g) of vanilla or coconut flavoured yoghurt
• 125g of blackberries

Preparation

1. Place the mango and half of the yoghurt into a blender and blend it together until it's nice and smooth. Transfer this to a jug when you've finished. 
2. Place the blackberries and the rest of the yoghurt into a clean blender and blend together until smooth. Transfer it to a separate jug once complete. 
3. Then, pour half of the mango mixture among 10 ice block moulds and top them with half of the blackberry mixture. Continue layering them in this way until you have no more mixture left. Place the lids back onto the ice blocks and place them in the freezer for 3 hours or until they're firm. 

Fruity Jelly Cups 

What kid doesn't love jelly?

These fun & fruity jelly cups are not only a great option to pack in their insulated lunch bags for school but are also the sweetest treat to come home to after a tough day of learning! 

Ingredients
Serves: 8

• 85g packet raspberry jelly
• 100g of strawberries, hulled & chopped
• 85g packet passionfruit jelly
• 150g of chopped seedless red grapes

Preparation

1. Make the raspberry jelly as per the packet directions and set it aside, to cool, for 20 minutes. 
2. Place the strawberries into a food processor and process them until they're nice and smooth. Once smooth, add them to the raspberry jelly, stirring to combine. Place 8 jelly cups onto a large baking tray and pour in the raspberry jelly and strawberry mixture. Pop them into the fridge for 3 hours, or until they're set. 
3. Make the passionfruit jelly following the packet directions and allow it to cool for 20 minutes. Get the jelly cups out of the fridge and place the grapes on top, followed by the passionfruit jelly. Refrigerate them for another 3 hours or until the top layer of jelly is set. Enjoy! 

Ham & Three Cheese Muffins 

Ham & cheese toasties were sooo yesterday, how about some ham & cheese muffins instead? Finished in just three easy steps, this recipe is perfect for little ones. 

Ingredients
Serves: 12

• 2 cups (300g) of self-raising flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground paprika
• 80g of butter, softened
• 6 slices of champagne ham, chopped
• 1 spring onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon of finely chopped chives
• 1 cup (120g) of shredded tasty cheddar
• 1/2 cup (40g) of finely grated parmesan
• 100g of feta, crumbled
• 1 Free Range Egg
• 1 cup (250ml) of milk

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC and line a 12-hole muffin pan with paper cases or butter (so that your mixture won't stick the pan). Then, combine the flour and paprika into a large bowl. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the ham, spring onion, chive, cheddar, parmesan and feta. 
2. Whisk the egg and milk in a jug before making a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Pour in the egg mixture and stir until everything's just combined. Then, spoon the mixture every into the paper cases or the muffin pan. 
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Turn the muffins onto a wire rack to cool completely and serve!