This post offers 25 killer after-school snack ideas for hungry teens.
Teenagers are always hungry…
In fact, a new study found that the average teenager spends 135 hours a year thinking about food. That means that from the time they graduate eighth grade to their first year in college, the average teen spends 945 hours thinking about past, present, and future meals. That’s roughly 39 entire days!
If you’re the parent of teens you’re probably not surprised by that statistic at all. Your “always empty” refrigerator and your monthly grocery bill are living proof that your teen is shoveling food in their mouth faster than you can buy it. I mean, let’s face it, from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed, they’re always eating, snacking or munching on something.
But, we all know teens can be finicky eaters and finding snacks they’ll actually eat isn’t always the easiest thing to do, which is why I’ve rounded up 25 killer after-school snack ideas for hungry teens. From healthy and fruity to no-quite-so-healthy (but, totally delicious) and sweet & salty, you’re sure to find more than a few snack ideas for your hungry teen!
Quick & Easy Fruit Pizza
Made with a cookie dough base and layered with cream cheese, marshmallow cream, and fresh fruit, this after-school snack is the perfect remedy for teens who just have to have their “sweet fix” when they get home from school. Recipe HERE: The Gingham Apron
Cheesy (and Easy) Italian Slider Sandwiches
Gooey, cheesy and toasted to a golden brown in the oven, these easy Italian Slider Sandwiches make a hearty snack for any teen who’s totally famished after school. (Hint: if you don’t feel like making a big batch and you want to speed things up a bit, Hawaiian Sweet Rolls work great – just pop them in the microwave!) Recipe HERE: The Salty Pot
Apples, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chips
Kids have been dipping apples in peanut butter for generations. But, this twist on an old classic makes it even better! Chopped apples with a drizzle of peanut butter and a handful of chocolate chips make the perfect after-school-snack idea for hungry teens! Recipe HERE: Society 19
The Easiest Pretzel Bites Ever
Everyone loves pretzel bites – you know, the ones that smell so incredibly good at the mall. Well, these delicious Pretzel Bites are so easy to make, even your “I don’t have a clue how to cook” teen can whip these up in a jiffy after school. Recipe HERE: Budget Savvy Diva
3-Ingredient Easy Tortilla Pizza
Even teens who lack the energy (or desire) to cook something after school can whip up these easy 3-ingredient Tortilla Pizzas. Your teen can go simple with just pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese or they can go a little wild and pile on additional toppings. Recipe HERE: Life Love Liz
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
If your teen is craving some chocolately, peanutty goodness, these No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars come together in no time with only six ingredients. The only thing easier than making them is eating them! Recipe HERE: Sugar Apron
Frozen Yogurt Bites
A healthy alternative to ice cream, these Frozen Yogurt Bites will have your teen asking for more! Just take whole milk yogurt, add fresh fruit of your choice (and anything else you feel like adding – did someone say chocolate chips?), freeze, and voila! You have a healthy, easy after-school snack idea for your hungry teen! Recipe HERE: Because I’m Cheap
Ranch Chex Mix
This zesty Ranch Check Mix is loaded with seasoned pretzels, peanuts, Chex cereal, and assorted crackers tossed in a delicious blend of mustard powder, ranch seasoning and melted butter. This is one hearty snack that might become one of your teen’s favorites! Recipe HERE: Swanky Recipes
Frozen Chocolate-Dipped Banana Peanut Butter Bites
Who could resist the tempting flavors of peanut butter, banana, and chocolate? Plus, what makes these easy-to-make delectable bites so fun is that they’re completely versatile! Try rolling them in nuts or colored sprinkles (just for fun). Recipe HERE: Hip2Save
Crazy Good Feta Dip
This Feta Dip is literally a staple in my house. The blend of crumbled Feta cheese, long green onions, tomatoes and a simple (rather sneaky) ingredient you would never think to add, makes it amazingly good! It’s easy, healthy and my kids absolutely love it! (So do all their friends!) Serve with sliced baguettes. Recipe HERE: The Girl Who Ate Everything
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This is one of the best (and easiest) Strawberry Banana Smoothie recipes ever! It’s made with yogurt and fresh fruit, so it’s healthy, too. Plus, it’s ready to enjoy in less than five minutes! Recipe HERE: Joy Food Sunshine
Savory Cheese Muffins
So basically, these muffins are every cheese-lovin’ carb monster’s dream come true. These savory, garlicky muffins will disappear in minutes! Make a stash for the week or add them to the kids’ lunch boxes. Recipe HERE: Recipe Tin Eats
Easy Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips
These tasty Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips only require two simple ingredients, but they take a bit of time to bake, so you might have to whip these up on the weekend or the night before. They might take a while to make, but trust me… they’ll be gone in a few minutes! Recipe HERE: The Rebel Chick
Garlic-Ranch Pretzels
This grab n’ go snack is great for teens who are always on the run. They’re actually super quick and easy to make (just a few minutes) and once cooled, can be tossed in a baggie so the kids can munch on them on the way to practice, their job or their after-school club. Recipe HERE: My Fearless Kitchen
Turkey Bacon and Avocado Grilled Cheese
This yummy Turkey Bacon and Avocado Grilled Cheese is a fancy twist on a traditional favorite. It’s the perfect sandwich for teens looking for an easy, yet hearty snack to satisfy their after-school hunger pangs. Recipe HERE: Tidy Mom
Healthy Trail Mix
When you’re looking for after-school snack ideas for teens, sometimes you have to get creative! This Healthy Trail Mix is creative AND healthy! It packs in a ton of delicious flavors including freshly popped popcorn, banana chips, almonds, cashews, cranberries and chocolate chips to make a simple treat that’s hard to pass up. Recipe HERE: Mom Spotted
Cream Cheese Apple Dip
Just three simple ingredients – cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla – come together to make the best (and easiest) after-school snack EVER! This dip is perfect for dipping apples, pear slices or any other fruit of your choice. Recipe HERE: Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
These Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels are soft and chewy, buttery and sweet, and amazingly delicious! With nearly 300k shares on Pinterest, this is one recipe your teen (and your entire family) is going to flip over! Recipe HERE: One Little Project
Salami Pinwheels with Bacon and Cream Cheese
Start with salami and layer on cream cheese, bacon (because bacon makes everything taste better), seasoning and black olives. Or, if your tastebuds are calling for something different, tweak the ingredients as you like! It’s that easy! Recipe HERE: 730 Sage Street
Alabama Fire Crackers
When your teen’s tastebuds are calling for a snack with a kick, these Alabama Fire Crackers will get them hoppin’ and ready to tackle their homework. Seasoned with crushed red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, and ranch seasoning, these crackers make a fabulous after-school snack for hungry teens who loves to munch! Recipe HERE: 4 Son’s R Us
2-Ingredient Organic Dark Chocolate Energy Bites
This is seriously one of the easiest snack recipes you’ll find. Delicious dark chocolate topped with your favorite trail mix (they used Whole Food’s Antioxidant Energy Trail Mix here) and let them harden or place in the refrigerator for faster results. It’s that easy. It’s that healthy. It’s that delicious! Recipe HERE: Simply Taralynn
Caramel Frappuccino Pudding Pops
The caramel and coffee blend in these pudding pops will give your coffee lovin’ teen just the boost they need to get through the rest of the day. These pops might look fancy, but with only five ingredients, you can whip ’em up in no time! Recipe HERE: Inside Bre Crew Life
Low-Calorie Parmesan Zucchini Fries
Oven-baked with Japanese panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, these low-cal Parmesan Zucchini Fries are a healthy and easy after-school snack that might just be better than traditional fries. Recipe HERE: Rasamalaysia
Cream Cheese Banana Bread
I know… when you think of banana bread you automatically think “breakfast.” But, take it from a mom who whips up banana bread all the time for my kids, teens love it as a snack! And, THIS banana bread is so incredibly good, your teen is going to flip! Make this on the weekend or the evening before and have it ready when the kids walk in the door. It will be gone in minutes! Recipe HERE: Yummiest Food
Tomato Basil Mozzarella Toasts
These Tomato Basil Mozzarella Toasts are amazingly delicious and make an awesome after-school snack for hungry teens! Melted mozzarella, Roma tomatoes and fresh basil on top of a crusty baguette that’s placed under the broiler for just a few minutes – it’s an awesome after-school snack your teen is gonna love. Recipe HERE: Tastes Better from Scratch
