Healthy After-School Snack Recipes

Your kids are going to back to school soon! Can you believe summer is coming to an end already? Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks understand how busy life can feel when your kids go back to school. So, we have compiled a few quick and easy, but HEALTHY back to school snack recipes for you in this week’s blog.

Source: https://iambaker.net/apple-nachos/

Apple Nachos with Peanut Butter

INGREDIENTS

2 apples, cut into thin slices

1/3 creamy peanut butter, melted

1/4 cup peanut butter granola

1/4 cup peanut cut into small pieces

INSTRUCTIONS

Arrange apple slices on a plate.

Drizzle melted peanut butter over apple slices with a spoon, top with granola, and crushed peanuts. Use remaining peanut butter for dipping.

Source: https://www.food.com/recipe/easy-pita-bread-pizza-110067#activity-feed

EASY PITA BREAD PIZZA

INGREDIENTS

1 pita bread

2 tablespoons spaghetti or 2 tablespoons pizza sauce

1⁄4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

spices (oregano, basil, garlic powder) or dried herbs (oregano, basil, garlic powder)

olive oil (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Brush on a little olive oil on the pita.

Spread sauce on top of the pita.

Sprinkle on the shredded cheese.

Sprinkle on pinches of desired herbs and spices, and add any toppings you’d like.

Place on baking sheet, bake for 5-7 minutes at 400°, or until cheese is melted (times may vary).

Slice with pizza cutter and enjoy!

Source: https://www.averiecooks.com/parmesan-ranch-snack-mix/

Parmesan Ranch Snack Mix (no-bake)

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup canola, vegetable, or olive oil

1 one-ounce packet ranch dip seasoning mix powder

4 cups popcorn, popped (2 to 3 tablespoons unpopped kernels)

3 1/2 cups pretzels

3/4 cup peanuts, almonds, cashews, or favorite nuts or mixed nuts, optional

3 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the oil, ranch mix, and stir to combine. Add the popcorn, pretzels, nuts, and optional ingredients (see below). Tip to make popcorn easily – add 2 to 3 tablespoons unpopped kernels to a brown paper lunch bag, fold the top down twice, and heat for about 90 seconds on high power – don’t add oil, butter, or anything else, just the kernels.

Toss to evenly coat the mixture; it may seem a bit on the oily side, this is okay and it absorbs. Heat on high power for 2 minutes, stopping after 1 minute to toss the mixture because the oil has a tendency to pool at the bottom of the bowl. Add the Parmesan and toss to coat evenly. Serve mix immediately. Mix will keep for up to three days in an airtight container or large ziptop plastic bag; but is best enjoyed same day, noting that cheese has been added and some may wish to refrigerate the mix if storing it longer term.

Optional Variations – Can be added instead of or in combination with the other dry ingredients: Coarsely crushed saltines, oyster crackers, Club or Ritz crackers, rye crisps, Asian-style rice crackers, tortilla or potato chips, favorite gourmet or specialty crackers, cashews, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, pistachios. For a spicy version, add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper, to taste.

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