3 Simple Afterschool Snack Ideas with Apples

This week on the blog, Sally from Real Mom Nutrition (and our Kitchen Council) is sharing three of her go-to afterschool snack ideas! Each one includes a bite of fresh apples, in order to give kids a healthy snack with fiber, vitamins and more. Use our Lil Snappers^® kid-sized fruits for the perfect apple size to make this delicious snacks. Enjoy!

Along with pencils and notebooks, Stemilt’s Lil Snappers should be on your back-to-school supply list too. Not only are the apples the perfect size for tucking into lunch boxes and backpacks, but they’re also just right for after-school snacks.

Hunger often runs high after school. After all, it’s been a few hours since lunchtime and kids have been hard at work all afternoon. That post-school snack is a great way to add good nutrition to their day, including nutrients that may have been missing from their lunch.

But while I’m a fan of healthy (especially ones that look fun and appealing to kids), I’m not a fan of elaborate munchies that take a long time to assemble. You’ll love how simple these three snack ideas are to pull together—and your kids will love how they look and taste.

Open-Faced Apple Sandwiches

These slices are filling and nutritious, packed with fiber, protein, and crunch.

To serve 3-4 kids, you’ll need:

• 1 medium Stemilt apple (1 Lil Snappers apple for younger kids)
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2-3 tablespoons granola

Core apple and cut crosswise into thick slice (if you don’t have an apple corer, just cut into slices and use a paring knife to cut out the centers). Spread each slice with peanut butter and sprinkle with granola.

Chocolate Dippers

Set out all the fixings, and your kids can build their own.

To serve 2-4 kids, you’ll need:

• 2 medium-sized Stemilt apples, sliced (or 4 Lil Snappers apples)
• ½ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
• Favorite toppings, such as coconut, granola, sprinkles, and chopped nuts

Cook chips in a small, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH until melted, about 30-45 seconds (stop microwave during cooking to stir once or twice). Dip slices into chocolate and sprinkle on toppings of your choice. Eat right away or place on baking sheet lined with wax paper to cool.

Apple & Cheddar Wafflewich

A fun, sweet twist on the classic grilled cheese.

To make 1 sandwich, you’ll need:

• 2 teaspoons butter
• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• 1-2 slices cheddar cheese
• ¼ medium Stemilt apple, sliced thin (or ½ Lil Snapper)

Preheat waffle iron. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Lay one slice of bread (buttered side down) on preheated waffle iron. Layer on cheese and apple slices and top with second slice of bread (buttered side up). Close waffle iron and cook until brown and crispy.