20+ Back To School Snacks

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This post has been sponsored in partnership with Whole Foods Market Devon who has helped us get “road trip ready”.

School is in session and it’s time to plan back to school snacks. When school first starts it can be super easy to pack a lunch or have an afternoon snack waiting at home, but then as time goes by it seems we just run out of ideas. I explored our local Whole Foods Market with an employee and we chatted about great snacks that can meet every need and budget. Are you ready for some of our finds? By the way, back to school snacks also come in handy when you are planning a road trip and want to pack snacks to cut down on stops and food expenses at expensive roadside stops.

Back to School Snack Ideas

• Hummus – perfect with crackers, pita chips, carrots, celery, cucumber or sweet pepper slices
• Annie’s – Cheddar Bunnies, Pretzel Bunnies, Gluten-free Cookies
• Dried fruits, seeds and/or nuts
• Fruit – bananas, apples, peaches, grapes, cherries, berries, pineapple, mangos, and citrus are all great snacks. Make an easy yogurt dip for an added treat. Frozen chunks of fruit and berries are also great healthy snacks.
• Kale Crisps
• Cheese – Jarlsberg minis are a great addition to a bento styled lunchbox or cheese sticks
• Beef sticks
• Fruit leather – I LOVE the 365 organic peach leather. I might not share them with anyone.
• Tortilla chips – 365 Brand Organic tortilla chips are both delicious and affordable. They are a family favorite.
• 365 also has great popcorn, pita chips, and a variety of other chips for a special treat.
• Go Go Squeez applesauce is easy and mess-free. They have all natural and organic options.
• Bearitos – Cheddar puffs made with organic and certified non-GMO corn
• A wide variety of nut and fruit bars
• Breakfast bars that are great any time of day.
• Granola – goes great with fruit and yogurt for a powerhouse snack or lunch box additiond
• Homemade Granola Bars
• School Safe treats that are guaranteed tree nut and peanut free – especially great for no nut zones or school parties
• No Nut butters – in individual containers or full sized containers. These are great to serve with fruit, crackers, or graham crackers.
• 100% fruit juice
• Individual sized dairy-free self stable milk products – Pacifico has a great option with almond, oat, and coconut milk.
• Nu – dairy-free fruit based shelf stable fruit smoothies
• Coconut Water – great to blend with fruit
• Homemade trail mix – nut allergy friendly sweet and salty cheerio trail mix
• Yogurt – our personal favorite is the Stonyfield Yo Squeezes
• Muffins – Our favorites are – Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, Chocolate Banana Muffins, and Egg-free Carob Zucchini Muffins
• Veggie-Go’s Fruit and Veggie Strips

Frugal Back to School Snack Tips

• To eliminate waste from snacks going stale, I put a certain amount of snacks in an organizer on the counter. They can choose from the “fun snacks” and whatever is open in the organizer. Both have to be gone before a new package gets opened.
• I only put small amounts out to choose from so they don’t use all the “good stuff” up at once.
• Mix up the options – give produce only options sometimes.
• I buy fruit in bulk when it is on sale and freeze for frozen fruit treats or snack smoothies.
• Make your own trail mixes – stretches expensive products more and you control what’s in them.
• Choose filling snacks that are well balanced – pair different food groups if they still complain after a small snack and dinner is far away.
• Have a cup of water with snack as a routine. It both hydrates and fills.

What are some of your favorite snack ideas for back to school or road trips?

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