20 Easy & Healthy Snacks to Feed Your Growing Toddler

Snacks are important for your growing toddler to fuel them in between their mealtimes. While most people think of snacks like chips, cookies…junk food…that’s not what we want to be fueling our kids with!

We want to provide snacks throughout the day that provide them with energy and the proper balanced nutrition so they can be healthy and continue to develop and grow!

I’ve put together some of my go-to easy & healthy snacks that you can serve your toddler.

There are snacks on the list that you can make at home or buy at the store. I’ve even included some tips for taking your toddler’s snacks on the go.

Easy and Healthy Toddler Snacks to Make at Home

I always find it easier to offer healthy snacks when we are at home!

I have the whole fridge & pantry to pull from & usually the time to make something nutritious for the little guy to snack on. Need vegan-friendly toddler snack ideas + recipes? Check these out!

If you are needing some easy & healthy snack ideas for your toddler that you can whip and serve at home, here are some of my favorites:

#1: Fruit

Served whole or in slices.

Some toddler favorites are:

• bananas
• berries
• apples
• tangerines

#2: Greek Yogurt with Fruit

I always recommend serving protein or fat when serving your child fruit for a snack. Greek yogurt and fruit are a great way to combine the two.

A toddler favorite is strawberry or vanilla yogurt with sliced strawberries.

#3: Cut Up Veggies

Just like fruit, raw veggies are an easy & nutritious snack to offer your toddler.

Some toddler favorites are:

• carrots (baby carrots work great, you can even steam them if they are too crunchy)
• bell pepper
• cucumber
• olives
• cherry tomatoes

#4: Homemade Trail Mix

Homemade trail mix is a great healthy snack option if you have a picky toddler. You can pick foods you know they like to make a little snack mix.

This is also a great snack option to throw in a container or re-usable bag and take on the go.

Some ideas for your homemade trail mix are:

• goldfish crackers
• pretzels
• veggie straws
• dried fruit
• yogurt covered raisins
• mini chocolate chips
• nuts

I try to include some healthy foods along with some “fun treats” when I make our homemade trail mix. They don’t get their trail mix refilled until it is ALL gone! This keeps them from just eating the sweet treat.

#5 Nutritious Muffins

You can bake up some nutritious muffins that your kiddos like at the beginning of the week and use them as small snacks throughout the week.

Muffins are a great way to hide fruits and veggies for picky toddlers, too.

I personally love these Apple Oatmeal Muffins from Champagne and Coffee Stains! They are super simple to make and can be enjoyed by babies who have started solid foods and your toddler!

#6: Hummus & Veggies

You can add protein to your toddler’s snack when serving chopped-up veggies by serving them with hummus! Bell pepper, carrots, and celery are great veggies to serve with hummus.

#7: Low-Fat Ranch & Veggies

I don’t know what it is about ranch dressing, but it’s a huge hit with the kids! I always say if dipping their veggies in the ranch gets them to eat their veggies then let them do it!!

You can serve the low-fat ranch or avocado ranch alternatives for a healthier fat option!

Carrots, celery, bell pepper, & cucumbers are great to serve with ranch.

#8: Peanut Butter & Celery

Peanut butter is another great protein source to add to your toddler’s snack when serving fruits or veggies. You can make snack time fun by making the traditional ants on a log (celery, PB, & raisins)!

#9: Cheese & Crackers

When choosing healthy crackers to serve your toddler, look for crackers that are:

• whole grain
• low in sodium
• low in added sugars
• no trans fats!

Some of my favorite healthy cracker options for kids include:

• Triscuits Thin Crisps
• Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers
• Late July Organic Crackers

#10: Avocado Spread on Whole Wheat Toast or English Muffin

Avocado toast is one of my family’s favorite snacks (including the one-year-old)!

Avocado is super slippery, so I found it easier to serve to him mashed and served on WW toast or even an English muffin.

#11: Yogurt Melts

You can find yogurt melts in the baby food section at most grocers and retailers, but it is also super simple (and healthier) to make your own at home if you have time!

You can find a ton of recipes for different flavors on Pinterest! I have some of my favorite yogurt melt recipes saved to my Feeding Your Toddler Board on Pinterest.

#12: Leftover Cooked Pasta Tossed in Pesto Sauce

On the off chance, we have leftover pasta from lunch or dinner, I’ll usually throw it in a reusable bag in the fridge. I can easily toss the pasta cold (or warm it up) with some pesto as an easy & healthy snack.

Add cherry tomatoes or other veggies to the left-over pasta snack for added nutrition! I also recommend whole wheat or veggie pasta noodles.

The Best Toddler Snacks to Buy at the Store

I know how busy mom life can be and sometimes we just don’t have the time or energy to throw together a snack at home!

Luckily there are tons of store-bought snack options for your toddler that are just as healthy. Here are some of our household favorites:

#13: Cereal

Cereal is an easy snack for toddlers! Make sure to choose low-sugar and low-sodium cereal options when shopping to keep the snack just as healthy.

You can serve cereal with yogurt or fruit to bump up the nutritional value!

#14: Rice Cakes

Just like the cereal make sure to keep this snack healthy by choosing rice cakes that are low in sugar and salt. Some great options are:

• Quacker Oats Lightly Salted
• Quacker Oats Salt Free
• Quaker Oats Apple Cinnamon
• Lundberg Rice Cakes or Thin Stackers

#15: Cheese Sticks

Cheese sticks are a great on-the-go snack to buy at the store. You can also buy the cheese snack squares.

#16: Granola Bar

You want to be mindful of the added sugar when choosing a granola bar for your toddler to snack on. Great options include:

• Cliff Kid Organic Granola Bars
• Purely Elizabeth Granola Bars
• Mini Lara Bars
• KIND Whole Fruit Bars

#17: Snap Pea Crisps

#18: Veggie Straws or Sticks

#19: Yogurt Pouches

You can find yogurt pouches for kids throughout your grocery store. GoGo Squeeze makes a few yogurt squeezes. Siggi’s is another great option (often in the dairy section).

I prefer to buy the large tubs of Chobani Greek Yogurt for the whole house to eat. So I use the reusable squeeze pouches and fill those with our regular yogurt. I sometimes will add mashed fruit in with it too (raspberries are easy to mash and add!)

#20: GoGo Squeeze Pouches

These are a house favorite (both the one-year-old and the husband)! I tend to buy the fruit & veggie pouches – they have carrots hidden in them!

The pouches are also small enough for tiny toddler hands and easy for them to eat on their own.

Tips for Taking Your Toddler Snacks On-the-Go

I don’t know about you, but I always pack myself and the kids a snack when we leave the house no matter what it is we have planned!

Here are some of my top tips for taking your toddler’s snacks on the go:

• Pack snacks in no-spill containers. Munchkin’s Snack Catchers are my go-to when packing snacks for my little guy. I can pack whatever I want in the container and then offer that during his snack time and not have to worry about him making a mess!

• Pick snacks that are easy for your toddler to handle and low-mess. Often when we are out and about, we are busy and don’t have the ability to sit down at a table and serve them a snack. Something they can eat on their own and not make a mess is best!  

• Pick snacks that don’t need to be refrigerated so they last throughout the outing. Shelf-stable snacks work best. Try and stay away from yogurt or cheese that needs to be kept cool in order to stay good and keep your tiny foodie from getting sick.

• Be flexible and pack a few different options. Packing a few different options when it comes to snacks allows your child the choice in what they want to eat for their snack.

• Pack a balanced snack. Keep the snacks you pack healthy. Healthy snacks are better for your growing toddler & will keep them full for longer. Offer a fruit or veggie with a protein or fat.

Let’s Wrap It Up

Now you should have a good idea of what healthy snacks you can offer your toddler no matter the situation. You have the information to help you pick out nutritious snacks for them at the store…so now what?