Healthy Vegan School Snacks (easy too!)
Looking for inspiration with those healthy vegan school snacks that you aim to pack every…single…day?
Since my plant-based lunchbox ideas are a fan favorite, I thought some school snack ideas may come in handy for y’all too! After years of endless snack packing, I have honed in on a few successful tips that keep my kids satisfied, minimize packaging waste, and result in their snack containers arriving home empty.
Plus, these healthy kid food ideas can be used as sides or snacks for school lunches themselves, too!
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Packing Tips for Healthy Vegan School Snacks:
- 2 items are enough (kids often only have 5 minutes for snack time anyways!)
- minimize messy foods (like dips)
- aim for one sweet (usually fruit or dried fruit) and one savory choice
- invest in a few high quality, eco-friendly stainless steal and/or silicone containers; for example, individual rectangle containers, round containers, or small bento boxes
- pre-packaged snacks are generally not necessary when you have durable containers (except on those days when you are barely getting by, then they save the day!)
Without further ado, here are some quick & healthy plant-based school snack ideas, including nut-free. Because sometimes all you need is a visual to get inspired.
Pretzel Sticks & Fresh Mango
Pretzel sticks are a no brainer. And mango, while often messy, is super simple to eat on the go when cut this way. Try it!
Pop Oats & Banana
Pop Oats are brand new to the market, and they make delicious snacking healthy! Pop Oats are whole roasted oats that come in a variety of flavors: Simply Salted, Zesty Ranch, Swell Salted Caramel, Chill-Out Chili Lime, and Wild White Cheddar. With no preservatives and no artificial anything, this snack is about as wholesome as they come.
Wanna try Pop Oats? Buy online and use code PLANTPOWEREDLIVIN for 10% off your purchase!
Apple Slices & Plant-Based Cheese
Sliced apples are always a favorite…and plant-based cheeses are getting better and better! The new Daiya mozzarella cheese sticks and the new plant-based Babybel are popular with one of my kiddos. We will keep trying them all as they hit the market too.
Roasted Chickpeas & Fruit Bars/Cookies
Roasted chickpeas are one of the most nutritious snack choices, with plenty of fiber and protein to keep those kids satisfied. The come in various sweet and savory varieties (like honey, ranch, and falafel) to choose from.
And fruit bars (like Fig Newtons*) are available in many fruit flavors these days, like peach, strawberry, and raspberry. I also find them in the bulk section of specialty grocery stores.
Rice Cakes & Dried Mango
Rice cakes have made a comeback in our household recently…ever since I started referring to them “like popcorn cakes.” And dried mango is a huge hit all hours of the day…which is why we buy them at Costco!
Healthy Crackers & Pear Slices
Healthy crackers are a great option for savory, nut-free snacks, ideally ones that include some protein from seeds and grains. And fresh pears when in season!
Banana Chips and Peanuts
Banana chips are nostalgic for me…one of my dad’s favorites. And certainly a treat, as far as fruit is concerned. And peanuts are a classic option that get forgotten these days it seems, but a kid favorite for sure.
Dried Cranberries w/ Pistachios and Popcorn
Dried fruit and nuts are a winning combination of sweet and salty; try any mix that your kids might like. And popcorn is always a kid pleaser…plus, it’s so healthy!
Healthy No Bake Cookies & Pear Slices
No Bake Cookies are about as elaborate as I get when it comes to everyday baking:)! I choose recipes that are full of whole food ingredients and chocolate chips so that my kids will eat them up every time. Savory and sweet, full of protein and fiber, they are a win win win!
There are dozens of recipes online, we have tried many. One of our favorites is Trader Joe’s No Bake Energy Bites, which are printed on the back of the Flaxmeal bag. Recipe is as follows:
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup Organic Flaxseed Meal
- 1/2 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter (salted)
- 1/2 cup Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1/3 cup Maple Agave Syrup Blend
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, then form into 1 inch size balls. Freeze for 1 hour, then enjoy! We store them in our fridge, but they haven’t even lasted more than a day or two around here!
Dried Fruit Strips & Cashews
Just like kids love dried fruit bars (aka Fruit Roll-ups), they love these strips too, made with the ends of the bars after they are cut by Imperfect Foods to salvage the food waste! And cashews are one of the creamy, milder nuts that many kids enjoy: definitely worth a try.
Plant-Based Cheese Puffs
Plant-based cheese puffs like Hippeas* are a fun, crunchy plant-based snack for kids. And fresh grapes are always an easy, healthy addition.
Peanut Butter Pretzels & Fresh Melon
Peanut butter pretzels* may be the most popular snack around for kids and adults alike! And some fresh melon slices are an easy, sweet addition. Cutting slices with the skin/rind on helps keep mess to a minimum.
Sesame Sticks & Berries
Sesame sticks* are another protein and fiber rich snack. Paired with some fresh berries, they are a perfect sweet and savory combination.
Hopefully some of these easy snack ideas sparked some new inspiration for future snack packing! Please share your healthy vegan school snacks too in comments below!
Finally, for more kid-focused plant-based ideas, check out:
- 16 Plant-Based School Lunch Ideas (no nuts)
- Best Vegan Cheese Brands by Category
- 18 Family-Friendly Vegan Dinner Ideas (no pasta)
Cheers!
–Jenn
