10 Healthy Snacks for your Toddler

10 Healthy Snacks for your Toddler

We’ve teamed up with Zing Wellbeing Nutritionist Mel to bring you some healthy and easy,  nutrition-packed snack ideas perfect for your growing tots. 

These snacks go beyond just filling them up — they provide essential protein, healthy fats, fibre, and micronutrients to support their growing bodies.

Delicious real-food alternatives compared to ultra-processed snacks, and they’re designed to support their development in a way that’s realistic for busy families.

We also have a BRAND NEW Family friendly meal plan live now!

Healthy snacks for toddlers 

Granola Bars

Servings: 24 

Ingredients:
•    5 cups rolled oats (opt for alternative V, DF or GF if required)
•    4 tbsp ground flaxseed
•    2 cups smooth peanut butter (use tahini for a nut free option)
•    1¼ cups maple syrup
•    ⅔ cup mini dark chocolate chips (opt for alternative V, DF or GF if required)
•    ⅔ cup freeze-dried strawberries, chopped
•    Pinch of salt

Method
1.    Mix oats and flaxseed in a large bowl.
2.    Stir in peanut butter and maple syrup until combined.
3.    Fold in chocolate chips and strawberries.
4.    Press into a lined baking tray and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5.    Slice into bars and store in an airtight container.

Macros per bar:
•    Protein: 4.4g
•    Carbs: 16.7g
•    Fibre: 2.1g
•    Fat: 6.3g
Calories per bar: 137

Health Benefits:
•    Gut Health: Oats and flaxseed support digestion with soluble fibre.
•    Hormone Balance: Peanut butter and flaxseeds provide healthy fats.
•    Sustained Energy: A great snack to keep energy levels stable.

Chocolate Strawberry Bark

Serve: 4

Ingredients:

  • 200g strawberries, sliced⁠
  • 300g greek yoghurt
  • 100g peanut butter ( tahini or 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup for nut-free option)
  • 150g dark chocolate, melted ⁠
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil⁠

⁠Method:⁠

Spread the strawberries across a lined baking tray. ⁠

⁠Mix peanut butter and greek yoghurt and spread over the strawberries. 

Melt chocolate with coconut oil and pour over the peanut yoghurt evenly. 

Sprinkle sea salt. ⁠

⁠Place in the freezer for 30 minutes or until set. ⁠Enjoy! 

Macros Per Serving

  • Calories 360
  • Protein 10g
  • Carbohydrates 20g
  • Fats 26g
  • Fibre 2g

Health Benefits 

Strawberries are high in vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants like ellagic acid. Support skin health and may help reduce inflammation.

Greek Yoghurt is an excellent source of protein and probiotics for gut health. High in calcium and B12, supporting bone and brain health.

Peanut Butter is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and magnesium. Good source of plant-based protein and supports satiety.

Dark Chocolate is packed with flavanols that improve heart health and cognitive function. Contains iron, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Chocolate Bliss Balls

Serves 16

INGREDIENTS
• 12 Medjool dates
• 1 cup almond meal
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup cacao powder
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/3 cup extra desiccated coconut for rolling

METHOD

  1. Place dates in a medium bowl and cover with water. Stand for 1 hour. Drain and discard seeds.
  2. Process dates, almond meal, coconut, coconut oil, cacao powder and chia seeds until mixture comes together.
  3. Transfer to a bowl and stand for 20 minutes for chia seeds to soften.
  4. Place the coconut in a shallow dish.
  5. Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls. Roll in the coconut to coat.

Benefits
These chocolate bliss balls also provide a high amount of magnesium, important for muscle and nerve function, with stress relieving properties.

CALORIES + MACRO NUTRIENTS per serve
FAT 13.2g
CAL 145
PROTEIN 1.8g
FIBRE 2.2g
CARBS 4.2g

Homemade Chicken Nuggets 

These are great for school lunches, or as an after school snack. Chicken is among the highest of protein when it comes to meat with up to 31% protein making it an excellent source of amino acids. Protein and the amino acids that make it up are essential for growing bodies, hormone production and will assist with muscle tissue repair and bone health.    

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain flour

  • 1 tsp chia seeds 

  • 1/2 tsp paprika

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (740g)

  • Grapeseed oil for frying 

Method

  1. Mix flour with chia seeds, paprika and salt and pepper on a large plate.

  2. Dip chicken pieces into flour mix and coat well. Heat grapeseed oil in a small saucepan.

  3. Once hot enough drop in chicken pieces and cook for a few minutes or until cooked through. 

  4. Do this in small batches so as not to overcrowd the pan. 

Nutritional value Per Serve

  • 341 Kcal 

  • 12g Fat 

  • 29g Carbs

  • 2g Fibre

  • 28g Protein 

Veggie hummus wraps 

Loading up with veggies is essential for growing teens as they provide essential vitamins and minerals needed for growth, development and maturity. This wrap is packed with vitamin C, calcium, potassium, antioxidants and fibre. Hummus is rich in protein, fibre and healthy fats and contains iron, magnesium and folate – vital for growth!  

Ingredients

  • 1 wholemeal wrap

  • 2 tbsp. hummus or greek yoghurt

  • 1/4 cup shredded carrot

  • 1/4 cup cucumber slices

  • 1/4 cup baby spinach 

  • ¼ cup shredded cheese

Method

  1. Spread the hummus evenly over the tortilla.

  2. Layer the veggies and cheese.

  3. Roll up tightly and slice into small rounds or eat as a full wrap.

Nutritional value Per Serve

  • 220 Kcal 

  • 8g Fat 

  • 30g Carbs

  • 6g Fibre

  • 7g Protein 

 

Choc Banana Ice block

Banana satisfies the sweet sweet cravings of all teens and this frozen treat will not disappoint! Using dark chocolate is a healthier option than milk chocolate as it contains higher cocoa content which is rich in flavonoids which may help reduce inflammation, it generally has much less sugar, higher nutrient density, including iron, magnesium and fibre and is lower in fat and overall calories. 

Makes 2

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe bananas

  • 2 paddle pop sticks 

  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips 

  •  ¼ cup  shredded coconut

Method

  1. Peel the bananas and press a paddle pop stick or skewer into one end, leaving a little hanging out as a handle, and set aside.

  2. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl using 30 second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth.

  3. Dip the banana into the melted chocolate and then sprinkle over the coconut.

  4. Place in the freezer on a plate or tray lined with baking paper for at least 2 hours until set and the banana is frozen through.

Nutritional value Per Serve

  • 94 Kcal 

  • 5.2g Fat 

  • 12g Carbs

  • 1.2g Fibre

  • 0.9g Protein 

Apple Nachos

Peanut butter is among the highest of plant based proteins and is packed with healthy fats. Grabbing a natural one avoids additives and high sugar content. Adding granola adds crunch plus nutrients from the nuts and seeds and blueberries pack a punch of antioxidants as well as fibre. 

Serves 1

Ingredients

  • 1 apple

  • 1 tbsp. natural peanut butter (alternative: greek yoghurt or tahini)

  • ¼ cup granola

  • ¼ cup blueberries

Method

Arrange apple slices on a serving plate. Drizzle peanut butter and sprinkle granola and blueberries over top.

Nutritional value Per Serve

  • 361 Kcal 

  • 16g Fat 

  • 50g Carbs

  • 9g Fibre

  • 8g Protein  

The combination of nut butter, hemp seeds, chocolate and banana provides a balanced mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. This balance can help maintain steady energy levels throughout the day. Additionally, the B vitamins present in these ingredients play a key role in converting food into energy and maintaining a healthy metabolism.  

Banana sushi

Serves 1

Ingredients

  • 1 banana

  • 2 tbsp. peanut butter (or nut free option use tahini)

  • 1 tbsp. hemp seeds

  • 1 tbsp. dark choc chips 

Method

Peel banana and lay onto a plate. Spread  nut butter over the top and sprinkle with hemp seeds and choc chips. Slice into thick ‘sushi’ slices and enjoy.

Nutritional value Per Serve

  • 425 Kcal 

  • 29g Fat 

  • 42g Carbs

  • 6g Fibre

  • 9g Protein

 

Fuel Bites

These balls are versatile and the ingredients can be changed to suit taste buds.

Oats are a great source of calcium and B vitamins which are essential for nervous system health and cashews are high in protein, zinc and healthy fats – all essential for growing hair, skin, nails and bodies in general.  

Approx. 12-16 balls

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats

  • 1/2 cup cashew butter (or nut free option use tahini)

  • 1/3 cup maple syrup

  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips 

  • 1/4 cup chia seeds 

  • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted

  • 1 scoop Kids Zing Wellbeing chocolate protein powder

Method

In a bowl, mix all ingredients until combined. Roll the mixture into small balls. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutritional value Per ball

  • 179 Kcal 

  • 11g Fat 

  • 19g Carbs

  • 3g Fibre

  • 6g Protein 

 Greek Yoghurt Bark

Yoghurt provides probiotics to add to a healthy microbiome as well as fat, protein and calcium. Blueberries are high in vitamin C which is essential for immune health, collagen production, iron absorption and heart health. They are also high in fibre, vitamin K, manganese and phytonutrients like anthocyanins. 

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Greek yoghurt

  • 1/2 cup frozen blueberries or mixed berries

  • 1/4 cup almonds, roughly chopped (or nut free option use dark choc chips)

  • 1 tbsp honey 

 Method

  1. Spread Greek yoghurt evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  2. Top with berries, nuts, and a drizzle of honey if desired.

  3. Freeze for 2-3 hours, then break into pieces.

 Nutritional value Per serve

  • 140 Kcal 

  • 8g Fat 

  • 15g Carbs

  • 3g Fibre

  • 9g Protein

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