Giving children healthy snacks is a good way to get some nutrition into their growing bodies. Well convenience and packaged snacks may be necessary in moderation. Homemade snacks from fresh ingredients can be made to ensure a balance of healthy fats, whole grains, and lean protein for energy. Since many children are fussy about what they eat, here are a few snack ideas that most kids will gobble down and love:

1. Nutritious granola bars
An ideal combination of fiber, healthy proteins, and fats, this is an ideal snack. Granola bars are healthy and keep one full for longer periods. To make 25-30 of these gluten-free vegan bars, it takes less than an hour. Ingredients required to make the nutritious granola bars are:

  • 3 cups gluten-free oats, dry roasted
  • 3 cups almonds, dry roasted and chopped into halves
  • 1/2 cup chocolate buttons
  • 1/2 cup crisp puffed rice
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup dried raisins and cranberries
  • 1/4 cup cashew nuts, unsalted and dry roasted
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, unsalted and dry roasted
  • 1/4 cup banana chips, broken into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, dry roasted
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds, dry roasted
  • 2 cups date syrup
  • 2 cups almond butter
  • 2 cups maple syrup
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla essence
  • 1 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon powder
  • A pinch of nutmeg powder
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions to make these granola bars include:

  • Line a flat tray with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients like oats, almonds, chocolate buttons, puffed rice, shredded coconut, raisins, cranberries, cashews, walnuts, banana chips, pumpkin and chia seeds, along with salt, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg powders together.
  • Keep these aside.
  • On low fire, in a deep pan, melt almond butter, maple syrup, and date syrup together. Switch off the heat, add in the vanilla essence and the dry ingredient mixture. Stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
  • Quickly transfer this mixture onto the tray with parchment paper and level it down by pressing firmly with a flat ladle.
  • Refrigerate this for about an hour or until it sets. Then cut them into bars or in any shape you like.
  • Store them in airtight containers in the fridge to enjoy crisp, nutritious granola bars anytime hunger strikes.

2. Sweet potato brownies
With 1 cup roasted sweet potatoes made into a puree, 1.5 cups softened almond butter, 3/4 cup maple syrup or dates syrup, 1/2 cup roasted walnut chunks, 1.5 teaspoons vanilla essence, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup coconut powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and a pinch of salt, you can make delectable brownies. Process to make sweet potato brownies includes:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • To a food processor, add the sweet potato and make it into a fine paste.
  • Include the almond butter, dates syrup, vanilla essence, almond flour, cocoa, and coconut powder, and salt to the sweet potato mixture and combine it well.
  • Transfer this to a large bowl, add the baking soda and walnuts, mix gently. Spread it onto the baking sheet.
  • Garnish with chocolate chips.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes and check if it is done. Leave it for an addition 5 minutes if it seems uncooked.
  • Allow it to cool down for a good 5-6 hours, cut into squares, and enjoy these mouthwatering, healthy sweet potato brownies.