Cute & creative snacks for kids with bananas! Fun, healthy banana recipe snack ideas perfect for toddlers & kid’s lunches.
The kids are off from school. We’re surrounded with candy and other sugary goodies. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say lately it’s hard to get my kids to eat healthy food.
I have 4 kids who aren’t picky at all, even still, this seems to happen from time to time. I had an idea the other day and I ran with it. The result are 10+ cute little shapes and animals all made from fruit, pretzels, mixed nuts and a few other common foods my kids like.
Oh and M&M’s and mini chocolate chips. You can leave them out if you’d like, but I figure, I certainly like bananas and chocolate together, so I’m sure they will too!
I also need to give a shout-out to my sister-in-law, Rashell. She came over half way through this fun little project and injected a fresh perspective and some additional creativity! Thanks Raz!
FLOWER POWER BANANA SNACK
Flower power… in the form of fruits and nuts!
MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO
This one has a walnut nose and string cheese hair. For the face I used an easter egg cookie cutter to a slice of bread.
BE MY VALENTINE…
Be my valentine… but only if you have strawberry jam. Okay, just kidding! Raspberry will be fine too.
BUTTERFLY AWAY
With jam designs and clementine slices on the wings, this fun treat is fun and nutritious. I cut two slices of bread in half diagonally and used the same corners for symmetrical wings.
TOO COOL CATERPILLAR
I used M&Ms for the body. They’re optional, but really, they’re way more fun. Don’t skip out on the pretzel with fruit snack feet. It’s too cute!
TROPICAL SNOWMEN
Loving the string cheese hair and almond lips. You can stick these tropical snowmen on a popsicle sticks like I did, or simply lay them on the plate.
A BEARY CUTE PICNIC
This one is easy and tasty! Just layer a slice of bread with peanut butter and a few small elements create this cute bear.
BANANA RAMMA CARS
Vroooooooom! You just need a few stick pretzels, slices of banana and a sheet of graham crackers to create these little cars. Let the races begin!
SNEAKY BANANA SNAKE
There’s a snake in my boot! Okay, maybe not. I don’t even like snakes and I think this little guy is cute! This one is great served to a group of kids.
WALL-E BANANA SNACK
Why looky here… it’s Wall-E! One of my kids favorites! I used summer sausage for the rounded wheels for his feet.
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE
This is another easy one, just a few items: banana slices, clementines and a stick of string cheese make tihs super cute sun shine at snack time.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are a simple & delicious banana bar recipe that’s even better than banana bread! They’re the perfect recipe to use that bunch of over-ripe bananas. Great for breakfast, lunch and snacks in between. See the Chocolate Chip Banana Bars recipe here!
You’re going to love these easy Banana Cream Pie Muddy Buddies! The white chocolate and banana pudding mix flavors covering the crunchy Chex cereal make this recipe irresistible! See the Banana Cream Pie Muddy Buddies recipe here!
Double chocolate banana bars made with 5 bananas & double the chocolate for a tasty banana recipe that everyone enjoys. Not too sweet & perfect anytime! See the Double Chocolate Banana Bars recipe here!
Nutella Banana Muffins give you that delicious “treat” taste with the Nutella, in an amazing homemade banana muffin! Perfect for breakfast, snack or treat! See the Nutella Banana Muffins recipe here!
Peanut Butter Banana Bars are packed with bananas, whole wheat flour, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Perfectly sweet, filling & satisfying snack! See the Peanut Butter Banana Bars recipe here!
Nothing says summer like frozen treats and food on a stick. This recipe for Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops is the best of both! Deliciously fun, enjoy them in the backyard or poolside. They are sure to be loved by kids and adults alike. See the Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops recipe here.
So, with that in mind, we were watching PBS Kids during spring break and before each show they have a “fun craft idea” and it was bananas on a stick. And the kids wanted to make it – because they always want to make whatever is shown – and I normally don’t go for it, but I thought why not. So we made them, my kids were all LOVING it. And I thought – time to step it up a notch. If it’s bananas on a stick you want, then game on. See the Banana Peanut Butter Bites recipe here.
Frozen Banana Yoghurt Bites from Eats Amazing
Following on from the hugely popular frozen fruity yoghurt bites recipe from my easy recipes for kids series, today I’m sharing a new version of the recipe with a yummy banana twist – frozen banana yoghurt bites. See the Frozen Banana Yoghurt Bites recipe here.
Sledding Penguins Frozen Banana Snack from Reading Confetti
When I was little, we’d make these “nana pops” weekly during the summer months, rolling the bananas in anything from cinnamon and sugar, to granola and raising, to crushed chocolate chip cookies! The recipe is also great for people who hate to cook – it’s pretty much foolproof! See the Breakfast Banana Pops recipe here.
Banana Split Bites from Momables
These sweet pieces of frozen fruit encased in a chocolate shell is the perfect after school snack your kids will love! Our banana split bites have all the delicious flavors you get from a banana split in bite-size form! See the Banana Split Bites recipe here.
Banana sushi is one of those snacks in my mom toolbelt that is always a home run. My kid happily gobbles down this simple snack and this simple peanut butter and banana snack sticks with her a little longer. Have a kid coming home from school starving? Make this banana sushi for a simple but quick and easy snack that keeps them full. See the Simple Banana Sushi recipe here.
How can I ripen bananas quickly?
Ripe bananas are used in banana bread because they have a stronger, more pronounced flavor. There are several ways to help bananas ripen faster so that you can make banana bread. Here are my preferred methods:
- Ripen bananas in the oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place bananas peel and all on the parchment and bake for 30-40 minutes, until peels are black & shiny. Let cool 1 hour and proceed with banana bread recipe.
- Ripen bananas in a paper bag. If you have more time, place bananas in a paper bag with an apple. Fold and secure closed. I usually leave bananas like this for a full day, then proceed with the Banana Nut Bread recipe.
Cute & creative kid’s snacks with bananas! Fun, healthy banana recipe snack ideas perfect for toddlers & kid’s lunches.
