50+ Easy Homemade Snacks To Make

Here are some ideas for easy homemade snacks to make that are healthy and kid-friendly. Many can be made ahead of time and are great for eating on the go!

Hi Friends!

Today we’re talking about homemade snacks. As a busy mom of three, I’m well aware that sometimes store-bought snacks are not only easier but just plain necessary. However, I’ve also built up a fairly large repertoire of easy, healthy homemade snacks over the past 10 years.

Each week, I try to spend 1-2 hours doing food prep for the week ahead. (Check out my Food Prep Masterclass if you want to learn how to do this too!) I often focus on component meal prep and snacks so that I have things on hand to feed my kids when they’re hungry after school, sports etc.

Are homemade snacks healthier than store-bought?

As a Registered Dietitian, what I like best about homemade snacks is that you control the ingredients. You can control the amount of added sugar, sodium, etc that you put into the snacks as well as the ingredients you use to make them.

You can add extra nutrient boosts like hemp hearts, chia seeds, flax etc. (Learn about the nutritional benefits of seeds here) and you can customize the ingredients to your preferences of your family.

In addition, making homemade snacks is often cheaper than buying something similar at the store.

Tips For Homemade Snack Success

Some of my best tips for success with making homemade snacks:

Pick 1-2 snacks you know they like that can be made ahead of time and served several times during the week – things like a batch of muffins or bars, some energy bites, homemade trail mix etc. As you get more comfortable with food prep, you can branch out and prep even more!
Use them for other meals too! Often the things you prep for snack time make a great addition to breakfast or to lunch boxes. Once you see how much it helps you have healthy options on hand, you’re more likely to commit to prepping them every week.
Keep it simple – Don’t choose elaborate snacks that require tons of prep or assembly time.
Use your freezer – The freezer can be a great place to stash pre-portioned snacks like smoothies, energy balls, waffles, etc.

Easy Homemade Snacks Recipes

So without further ado, here’s a roundup of some easy homemade snacks for you to try:

No-Bake Homemade Snacks

No-bake snacks are quick and easy, no oven required! Here are some ideas for everything from dips to pudding to energy balls!

Lemon Energy Balls – Or if you’re not a fan of lemon, try my go-to energy balls. If you’re looking for more flavor ideas, here’s a list of 15 Kid-Friendly Energy Balls.
Chewy Granola Bars – Made with just a few simple ingredients and sure to be a hit with the kids!
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip – Serve with veggies for an easy afternoon snack
Berry Smoothie – Smoothies are a great way to pack some protein and even veggies into snack time. You can make a big batch and freeze in glass jars, then microwave as needed
Ham, Cheese & Fruit Kabobs – Keep it simple with just ham, cheese and fruit or jazz up the ham by spreading it with some cream cheese or hummus and chopped veggies and roll it up before slicing into segments
Chocolate Avocado Pudding – Packed with healthy fats and naturally sweetened with dates

Quick 5-Minute Homemade Snacks

No need to spend forever making healthy homemade snacks! Here are some quick ideas that are ready in 5 minutes or less!

Buffalo Ranch Popcorn – Popcorn is super easy to make at home. Try it flavored or make plain healthy microwave popcorn. Or turn it into Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix (use store-bought roasted chickpeas to make assembly faster!)
Microwave Egg Sandwich – Cook the egg in the microwave and then add your favorites like cheese, avocado or other condiments. Or skip the bread and try an egg wrap.
Avocado Toast – My kids love plain avocado toast with salt but you can also jazz it up with smoked salmon or egg for protein, veggies and your favorite seasonings
Turkey Cheddar Rollups – Use your favorite deli meat like turkey, ham or roast beef and whatever cheese you like best!
Yogurt Bowl – Start with a base of plain yogurt or cottage cheese and top with fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, cinnamon and a handful of chocolate chips
Microwave Nachos – A great way to use up leftover protein for a mid-day snack that’s ready in minutes. Or skip the meat and use some canned beans or lentils!

Make-Ahead Snacks for Busy Weeks

Can I meal prep homemade snacks?

Yes! Food prep is the best way to set yourself up for success. Spending just a little time prepping on the weekends allows you to have healthy snacks to quickly grab as needed. Here are some make-ahead snack ideas that you can prep for busy weeks and grab to quickly feed yourself and the kids.

Sweet Potato White Bean Bars – I have tons of healthy muffins and bars that are packed with healthy ingredients like beans and lentils that make great snacks for both kids and adults.
Overnight Oats – They hold up well in the fridge and there are an endless amount of different flavor combinations you can try!
Snack Mix – Any kind of snack mix or trail mix is great to prep ahead of time and portion into smaller bags for a quick grab-and-go snack. Try this Healthy Whole Wheat Chex Mix or this Sweet & Spicy Popcorn Snack Mix.
Hard-boiled eggs – Eat them plain, portion them into snack boxes with cheese and crackers, turn them into deviled eggs, add them to avocado toast, etc.
Homemade Crackers – Try this homemade whole wheat version, or homemade cheez its or even Almond Flour Crackers and pair with meat, cheese etc
Homemade Protein Bars – If you have a store-bought bar you love, there are likely recipes out there for a homemade version like these copycat RX bars!

Kid-Favorite Snacks

Not every healthy snack is kid-friendly but here are a few recipes my kids love to eat when they get home from school after a long day.

Pizza Muffins – A fun change from traditional pizza!
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip – Made with Greek yogurt for extra protein, it’s perfect with their favorite fruits!
Yogurt Parfaits – If your kids don’t like granola, use their favorite cereal! Or if they prefer frozen treats, try yogurt popsicles or frozen yogurt bark.
Apple Nachos – Drizzle sliced apples with yogurt, peanut butter or even melted chocolate, then add toppings!
Mini pancakes – Easy to make some for breakfast and double the batch so you have some for snack time!
Breakfast cookies – Not just for breakfast! Healthy cookies stuffed with wholesome ingredients make a great snack!

homemade snacks for parties and holidays

Homemade Snacks for Special Occasions (Parties & Holidays)

Here are some easy snack recipes that are great for feeding a crowd at your next party or holiday gathering!

Soft Pretzel Bites – These are almost guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. Fun to make and delicious to eat!
Healthy Fruit Pizza – An oat-based crust topped with fruit is always fun for the kids!
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings – Easy to make and taste just as good as the restaurant versions
Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders – A simple way to feed a crowd!
Cheese Straws – A savory option that makes a fun addition to charcuterie boards
Charcuterie Board – Make it kid-friendly or more geared towards adults. Easy to customize for the crowd you’re entertaining

Homemade Snacks for Road Trips

Here are some more snacks that would be great for road trips in addition to some of the ones mentioned above like popcorn, energy balls, protein bars, hard-boiled eggs and more!

Roasted Chickpeas – Crunchy snacks are always great for road trips. Easy to grab a handful while driving. If you don’t want them plain, add them to a trail mix or mix with some roasted nuts.
Mini Muffins – Mini muffins are perfect for road trips because they’re bite-sized! Easy to eat without getting crumbs everywhere.
Fruit Leather – Better than store-bought fruit rollups and a great fruit option for the car because it’s low mess!
Zesty Italian Wrap – Wraps can be great for road trips because they’re easy to hold in one hand and tend to have less crumbs than a traditional sandwich. Or try homemade uncrustables for the kids- you can make a bunch to freeze and let them thaw on the drive.
Baked Sweet Potato Chips – Skip the chip aisle at the store and make some homemade chips! You can do a mix of root veggies or just sweet potato. Pack your favorite dip for scooping.
Homemade yogurt tubes – No spoons required! Just blend plain yogurt and fruit and pour into tubes. Freeze and pack in the cooler!

Gluten-free Homemade Snacks

Many of the snacks already mentioned can be made gluten-free as is or with just a few simple ingredient swaps! Here are some more ideas:

Pumpkin Peanut Butter No Bake Bars – Use certified gluten-free oats if needed and you can easily make almost any no-bake bars, energy balls and/or protein bars gluten-free at home!
Cottage Cheese Bowl – All these components can be prepped ahead of time and thrown together quickly for a savory mid-day snack. Or use cottage cheese as a base and add berries and granola.
Baked Oatmeal Cups – All the goodness of oatmeal in a baked snack that’s quick and easy to eat!
Chicken Salad – You can use canned chicken or tuna or even rotisserie chicken. I’ve found kids tend to prefer chicken salad over tuna salad. Make it creamy with mayo, Greek yogurt or even hummus and keep it basic with just spices or add mix-ins like celery, grapes, chopped apples etc. Serve with gluten-free crackers!

Protein Homemade Snacks

What homemade snacks are high in protein?

If you’re looking to eat more protein, the good news is there are tons of great snack options that are high in protein. And many of them can easily be made at home. Here are 30+ Easy Protein Snacks.

FAQs About Making Snacks At Home

What are the easiest homemade snacks to make?

Most people think that simple snacks that don’t require more than a few ingredients or ones that can be made without an oven are the easiest. However, there are many other snacks, including baked goods, that can easily be made in one bowl with just a few ingredients and require only 5-10 minutes of active prep time before baking.

How long do homemade snacks last?

This depends on the snack but most should be good for about a week. Muffins and bars can be stored in fridge to prevent them from spoiling quickly or you can freeze half and pull them out later in the week. Things like energy balls can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months and snack mix/trail mix can be stored in the pantry in a sealed bag or container for 1-2 weeks.

What homemade snacks are good for kids’ lunch boxes?

Almost all of these snacks would be great additions to a child’s lunch box. Muffins, bars, trail mix, crackers, wraps, popcorn etc can easily be added to lunch box containers with multiple compartments. You can also add things like yogurt, pudding and dips to pair with fruits and veggies!

What are quick, homemade snacks for busy parents?

Easy grab and go protein-based snacks like hard-boiled eggs, tuna salad with crackers, smoothies and homemade trailmix can be great options for busy parents.

How can I make homemade snacks more appealing to picky eaters?

One of the easiest ways to make homemade snacks more appealing is to make them look like their store-bought favorites. Buy some fun goldfish cutters if you’re making homemade cheddar crackers, or use mini chocolate chips and try a copycat granola bar recipe. Even putting a homemade mix of plain yogurt and fruit into reusable yogurt tubes or pouches can be more appealing than just serving it in a bowl.

What are budget-friendly homemade snacks?

Many snacks can be budget-friendly, especially if you’re trying to replicate store-bought snacks. You’re often able to make a larger amount and portion yourself instead of having to buy snacks pre-portioned. Oat-based energy balls, homemade chips, pancakes and crackers can also be inexpensive.