Inside: 53 Snack Ideas for Teens {Healthy + Delicious}.
As a parent of a teenager, you’re probably all too familiar with the fridge that seems to be out of everything and the outrageously high monthly food costs. This is undoubtedly evidence that your adolescent is eating more rapidly than you can provide for them.
Let’s face it: from the time they wake up until the time they go to sleep, they never stop eating.
Of course, we all know that teenagers can be picky eaters, so coming up with after-school snack ideas they’ll actually eat can be a challenge. Luckily, we’ve compiled 53 delicious snacks to satisfy your ravenous teenager.
There are many options here for satisfying your teenager’s snacking needs, ranging from the wholesome and fruity to the not-so-wholesome (but, totally delicious) and sweet, and salty.
Easy Snacks for Teens
As the saying goes, “the easiest thing is the thing that is best,” and these simple yet satisfying and energy-packed snack ideas are some of the best standbys for your hungry adolescent.
- Protein-rich hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the fridge, or you can make a frittata with added vegetables for them to snack on all day long.
- Stock up on chopped vegetables and serve them with hummus, guacamole, or tzatziki in small tubs.
- Crackers are delicious when topped with cooked meats like turkey, chicken, or ham.
- Apple slices with peanut butter or a thin slice of cheese make a delicious snack.
- Mango, pineapple, peaches, grapes, kiwi, melon, and strawberries are a few of the many fruits that would be great in a big bowl of mixed fruit salad, which should be kept in the fridge.
- Beef Jerky or meat sticks
- Nuts (peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews)
- Edamame
- Chicken Salad
- Fruit and Granola Yogurt
Best Snacks for Teens
Easy Pretzel Bites: Pretzel bites, those incredibly enticing mall snacks, are loved by all. Even if your teen claims they “don’t know how to cook,” they can make these tasty Pretzel Bites in no time at all after school.
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars: These No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars require only six ingredients and can be whipped up in no time to satisfy your teen’s chocolate and peanut butter cravings. Eating them is even simpler than making them!
Baked Corn Chips with Bean Dip: Bean dip with black-eyed peas, creamy avocado, and juicy tomatoes is another fan favorite. My children will devour it by itself, but I find that serving it with pita crisps or chips makes it a more substantial meal.
Healthy Snack Ideas for Teens
Frozen Yogurt Bites: These Frozen Yogurt Bites are a great, healthier alternative to ice cream that your teen will love. Whole milk yogurt, fresh fruit (and anything else you like; did someone say chocolate chips? ), and freezing will yield a delicious frozen treat. You’ve thought of a quick and healthy snack for your ravenous teenager to eat when they get home from school.
Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips: It’s best to make these delicious Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips on the weekend or the night before because they take some time to bake but only require two simple ingredients. I know they’ll take a while to prepare, but trust me when I say they won’t last more than a few minutes.
Popcorn Mixed with Nuts and Dried Fruit: While low in protein, this snack’s healthy fats and sustained energy make it ideal for pre- or post-game munchies or after-school workouts.
Energy Balls/Bites
Prepare a large batch on the weekend so your teen can snack all week long. Here are some easy recipes that will please even the pickiest of teenagers:
- Chocolate Granola Bars
- Nut-Free Snack Balls
- No-Baked Peanut Butter Balls
- Peanut Butter Quinoa Bars
- Nut-Free Chocolate Chips Oat Bars
- 26 No-Bake Snack Balls
After School Snack Ideas for Teens
Healthy Trail Mix: Sometimes, you have to get crafty when you’re trying to think of after-school snack ideas for teenagers. This Healthy Trail Mix is both delicious and nutritious. Popcorn, banana chips, nuts, cranberries, and chocolate chips are just some of the delicious ingredients packed into this easy snack.
Parmesan Zucchini Fries: These low-cal Parmesan Zucchini Fries, made in the oven with panko bread crumbs and Parmesan, is a delicious alternative to regular fries for a snack after school.
Cream Cheese Apple Dip: Cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract are all you need to make the best (and simplest) snack ever. Apples, pears, and other fruit slices will taste great dipped in this dip.
Fruits and Veggie Snack Food Ideas for Teenagers
Here are some of our favorite ways to get more fruits and vegetables into your teen’s diet, because they’re such an essential part of a healthy diet.
- Applesauce: The minimal effort required to prepare this dish makes it a go-to for us as well.
- Fruit bowls
- Fruit with peanut butter or Nutella
- Melon or pineapple
- Banana with yogurt + granola and nuts
- Cucumbers and carrots with dipping sauce or ranch
- Celery sticks
- Carrots or bell peppers with hummus
- Fruit smoothies
Popular Teenage Snacks
Frozen Berry Yogurt: Despite its impressive appearance, this frozen treat requires only three ingredients and two minutes to prepare, making it ideal as a quick and healthy snack or dessert. When your adolescent suddenly develops a ravenous appetite, whip up some Greek yogurt with some mixed frozen berries and sweeten to taste with honey or agave syrup from the freezer.
Banana Bread: The overripe bananas in your fruit bowl will be put to good use in this low-fat loaf. With a combination of self-raising and wholemeal flour to boost fiber content without sacrificing light texture, and sprinkled with chopped nuts for crunch (which can be omitted if desired). It’s a tasty treat that any adolescent would enjoy, and it’s simple enough that they can try it on their own.
Fruit Pizza: For those teens who need a “sweet fix” when they get home from school, this cookie dough-based dessert layered with cream cheese, marshmallow cream, and fresh fruit is the perfect solution.
More Great Recipes + Meals Your Teen Will Love
Check out some more of our go-to dinner and lunch recipes if you enjoyed these tasty snack ideas for teenagers. The task of feeding and entertaining all of these teenagers is no small one, and we’re happy to offer our assistance in arranging the menu for the week.
- Easy + Quick Dinner Ideas for Teens: Here’s a list of dinner ideas that are simple, healthy, and guaranteed to be a hit with your adolescent. This list is loaded with tasty recipes that are so easy, that even a novice teen cook can make them.
- Lunchbox Ideas for Teens: These days, a typical teenager’s day is jam-packed with school, sports, and extracurricular activities. Use these tasty lunchbox suggestions to keep them energized, fed, and happy all day long. Since we all know how picky teenagers can be, we’ve compiled a definitive list of delicious lunch ideas that will not only please your teen’s palate but also provide them with the energy they’ll need to get through the school day.