Quick and Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids

Parents know how essential it is to feed their children healthy foods as much as possible. There are times, however, when every parent falls short in this area. Life is busy.

Sometimes you’re rushing out the door with your hands full and grab whatever quick snack ideas for kids you can think of to keep your little ones satisfied while you run your errands. A bag of chips, a few cookies, or a can of soda might be the easiest types of snacks for your grab-and-go moments.

This is common for many parents and if it sounds familiar to you, then know you’re not alone. There is a healthy solution that won’t interfere with your schedule, however, and you should know about it!

Dehydrated snacks are easy to make and quick snack options for when on the go or when tied up with busy life activities. You might not always have the time to put together a 5-star nutritious meal, but you can offer your children these healthy snacks listed below!

Dehydrated Fruit Chips

Think of your children’s favorite fruits to munch on. These fruits are healthy and can be convenient at times, but fresh fruit only lasts for so long and can make quite the mess when on the go.

Instead, consider taking your children’s favorite fruits and dehydrating them! dehydrated fruits, when cut into slices, create fruit chips. These fruit chips taste just like candy, and you might find that your kiddos enjoy the dehydrated version of some fruits better!

For those who love sweet snacks, consider dehydrating strawberries. For those who enjoy sour snacks, you can dehydrate kiwis.

Wash your fruit and slice them into round pieces. Place them on a dehydrator tray without overlapping them. Dry on high for several hours until the fruit is completely dried out.

Mango Slices

You might have seen dehydrated mango slices in the store before, but it’s important to keep in mind that the ones bought in the store are smothered in sugar and preservatives. Making them at home in your own dehydrator is much healthier for your little ones.

Cut your mango into 1/4 inch slices. If you want a chewier slice, you can cut them thicker. Keep in mind that the thicker the slices are, the longer they’ll need to dehydrate them for.

Lay the slices on the tray and dehydrate for 10-12 hours at 135°.

Apple Cinnamon Fruit Rollups

If your children are like most kiddos, then they enjoy a yummy fruit rollup every now and then. Rather than giving them unhealthy fruit rollups from the store, consider making them at home in your dehydrator. It’s simple!

Take the dehydrator tray and place a piece of parchment paper on top of it. Take unsweetened apple sauce and evenly spread it over the parchment paper. Lightly sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

Dehydrate for 8-10 hours at 135°. The end result is your very own healthy fruit rollup snacks!

Kale Chips

Fresh fruits might be more popular than fresh veggies with your children, but when you dehydrate veggies, they’re scrumptious! Kale chips are a great way to introduce your little ones to some greens.

Take your kale and wash it. Pat it dry and break it into bite-size pieces. Place in a bowl and add 1tsp salt, turmeric, and olive oil. Evenly coat the kale bites and place them on a piece of parchment paper on a tray.

Dehydrate for 8-10 hours at 135°. You can then place them in little baggies and grab a bag for your children as you head out the door. They’re delicious and filled with health benefits!

Watermelon Jerky

Watermelon jerky is like sinking your teeth into delicious candy pieces. It takes longer to dehydrate watermelon because of its high water content, but you’ll love the end result.

Take your watermelon and cut it into wedges. Cut the rind off and slice into 1/4 inch slices. Place them on a piece of parchment paper on a tray and place in the dehydrator for 18-24 hours at 135°.

If desired, you can also splash some lime onto the watermelon slices before placing them in the dehydrator.

Pickle Chips

Some children love them and others despise them. They’re pickles! If your children love pickles, then they’ll really love pickle chips.

The first step is to drain your pickles and rinse with water. Pat them dry and place on a tray without overlapping them. Dehydrate for 8 hours at 135° or until fully dried out and crispy.

Dehydrated Fish

Dehydrated salmon is high in vitamin D, B12, omega 3, protein, and more. If your children already eat fish, then they’ll enjoy fish jerky on the go. Take a fresh cut of salmon and place it in the freezer for about 30 mins.

Remove from the freezer and slice into 1/4 inch slices. Be sure to remove all skin as well. In a bowl, mix together the following ingredients:

  • ½ cup raw apple cider vinegar
  • 1 T paprika
  • 1 T organic lemon juice
  • ½ T onion powder
  • 1 ½ tsp sea salt
  • 2 T coconut aminos
  • 1 cup of filtered water
  • ½ T garlic powder

This will make the brine. Place the salmon slices in the brine, mix together, and let it sit for 12 hours in the fridge. Remove from the fridge and place on a paper towel to help soak up the extra liquid.

Then place the slices on a tray. Dehydrate for 3-4 hours at 145° or until a dark red-brown color.

Which Snack Ideas for Kids Will You Try?

There are so many different healthy yet yummy snacks that you can create in your dehydrator. There’s something for every child! With so many options to choose from, which snack ideas for kids will you try?

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author avatar
Danny
Hey there, since 2016, my mission has been to provide you with the information and guides you need to make food dehydrating simple and fun. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, my site offers helpful guides, reviews, and recipes to enhance your dehydrating experience. I take pride in only recommending products I believe in, ensuring my readers' trust. As an affiliate of various programs, including Amazon Associates, your support helps me continue providing quality content. Thanks for stopping by, and happy dehydrating!