Be ready when the kids drop their backpacks and make a beeline to the kitchen. Before they devour the cookies and chips, let them go to town on one of these healthy after-school snacks. From Crispy Roasted Chickpeas to Homemade Granola Bars, these snacks will satisfy their hunger without ruining dinner.
Homemade refrigerator pickles are incredibly easy. All you do is slice the cucumbers into spears, cover them with a brine, tuck them in the fridge and they're ready to eat in 24 hours. GET THE RECIPE
When you roast chickpeas at a high temperature, they become golden and crisp on the outside and buttery and creamy inside. They're as addictive as French fries! GET THE RECIPE
Refreshing smoothies make a perfect afternoon snack. These are made with frozen fruit and store-bought mango nectar, so you can whip them up in a flash. GET THE RECIPE
AKA "kale crack" because they're so addictive, these crispy chips are made from one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet. They're salty, sweet and spicy. And the sesame seeds add nutty flavor and heft. GET THE RECIPE
For me, this is the end-all, be-all granola bar. The secret ingredient, believe it or not, is Rice Krispies, which make the bars wonderfully light and crispy. If you can imagine what a cross between a granola bar and Rice Krispy Treat would taste like, this is it. GET THE RECIPE
Homemade applesauce is richly flavored, tart and sweet -- almost like apple pie filling -- and a world apart from store-bought. Traditionally it's made on the stovetop but I prefer to bake it for a more intense apple flavor. GET THE RECIPE
Perfect for snacking out of hand, this recipe was inspired by the homemade granola served at The Inn at Occidental in Sonoma County, CA. With clusters of old-fashioned oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits and wheat germ, it's delicious and nutritious. GET THE RECIPE