When it comes to keeping your busy kids’ hangries at bay, the magic word is snacks. We’ve been diligently trying some of the best healthy snack foods for kids of 2020 and here are our top picks for store-bought snacks ideal for lunches, after school bites or to just keep stashed in your purse.
Once Upon a Farm Dairy-Free Yogurt & Overnight Oats
Once Upon a Farm’s two newest releases, Dairy-free Yogurt and Overnight Oats, has us totally hooked (case in point: our toddler who is so obsessed with these new products that they’re hidden in the back of the fridge so he doesn’t eat them all in one sitting). Choose from strawberry, blueberry or raspberry Dairy-free Yogurts, all which boast 5 grams of plant protein. Their Overnight Oats are packed with healthy proteins to start your day right like oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, flax seed and blueberries or apples. We love that Once Upon a Farm never adds any sugar and because they are cold-pressed, we know our kids are getting real food packed with nutrients.
GimMe Snacks Sea Salt & Avocado Oil Seaweed
When our tot sees a box of GimMe Snacks Seaweed he jumps up and down and screams, open right now (yes, we’re still working on those manners). The brand’s newest flavor also has us parents jumping for joy. Each serving is 25 calories and is USDA organic and non-GMO project verified. The snack features just three simple ingredients, includes no added sugar and is packed naturally full of vitamins and minerals. Now, if only our toddler was as enthusiastic about saying “please” and “thank you”, we’d be set.
Healthy Crunch Granola Bars
When you need a grab-and-go snack (even if it’s just to ward off the hangries in the play room before dinnertime), reach for Healthy Crunch’s granola bars. Not only are they school-approved and allergen-friendly, peanut-free, gluten-free, vegan and Non-GMO, but they each only include 2 grams of sugar per bar (how many labels can claim that?!). Each bar contains 1 serving of fruits and vegetables and 1 billion active probiotics.
Bonus: check out Healthy Crunch’s line of seed butters—they’re the first-to-market, keto-certified and allergen-friendly spread that contains MCT oil and has 50% less sugar than other spreads on the market. We’re converts!
Quinn Pretzel Chips
Leave it to ever-popular Quinn Foods to combine two of our fave foods: pretzels and chips. Their new pretzel chips are grain- and gluten-free (the secret ingredient is cassava flour!). They’re baked to perfection and topped with rock salt for the perfect amount of salty crunch.
Bonus: simply enter the batch number of your package on the Quinn Foods website and find out where your snack was grown. Now, that’s transparency at its finest.
Bare Simply Pineapple Chips
The newest addition to Bare Snacks’ fruit chip portfolio, Simply Pineapple Chips are real pineapples baked into crave-ably crunchy chips. Kids will love this perfectly-sweet snack and parents will love that they have no added sugar. Win-win!
Bonus: Bare now sells snack bags in variety packs. Each snack pack is just .53 ounces, which we think is the perfect serving size for snacking tots. Packs include coconut chips, banana chips and the classic apple chips.
Get your six-pack here, $23.99
MadeGood Foods Soft-Baked Cookies
For a sweet bite without the sugar overload, turn to MadeGood Foods. The allergy-friendly company introduced three new flavors to their soft-baked cookie line: Red Velvet, No Nut Butter and Snickerdoodle. Each pack comes with bite-sized morsels of goodness and packed with the nutrients of a full-serving of veggies. Bonus: all MadeGood products are produced in a dedicated nut-free facility and are vegan, non-GMO and free of the top eight allergens.
Life's Grape Vine Dried Grapes Peanut Butter
Life's Grape "vine dried grapes" might seem like a fancy term for raisins, but after sampling three different products, including dark chocolate and the NEW peanut-butter covered, we are here to say not all raisins are created equal. These are not the shriveled, sticky snacks of your childhood. They are plump, juicy and the peanut butter ones are like tiny little PB&Js. These were so good our editor hid a bag just for herself (which her son found and devoured).
You can get three 10 oz. packs for $29.99 here.
Three Dads Cheezy Superfood Popcorn
Cheese popcorn, vegan style? Yes, Three Dads has managed to create a delicious cheddar superfood popcorn that’s got extra protein, fiber and vitamins like B1, B2, B12 and more, while still tasting like the popular white cheddar popcorn snack. With all those added nutrients, you’ll be able to serve this up without guilt.
Buy some here, $26.98 for a 6-pack.
The ‘Lil Pops
If you’ve never heard of sorghum, we’re to tell you that this ancient grain will give you a fresh look at snacking. The ‘Lil Pops are crunchy bits of grain, clustered together and dressed up in flavors like sweet cocoa, sweet & salty and sweet cinnamon. It’s like popcorn, but without all the husks! It’s GMO-free, with no corn syrup or additives, and it’s a sustainable crop, too!
Buy it here, $13.92 for a 3-pack.
Super Pop Snack Bars
These tasty plant-based bars pack a punch (10g of protein in each one!). They are also a gluten-free, nutrient-dense snack you can feel good about feeding the kids, especially while you’re on the go. Flavors include Almond Chocolate, Almond Blueberry, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Honey and Churro.
Buy them here, $9.99 for a 5-pack.
AshaPops Popped Water Lily Seeds
If you’re looking to branch out beyond the typical snack food, consider AshaPops’ popped water lily seeds. It might sound a little different, but each pop is light and airy, but with crunch, and the flavors are something both kids and parents can enjoy. Plus, there’s a lot of magnesium in water lily seeds, which is a natural sleep aid. They are also free of gluten, soy and corn, as well as being Paleo approved. Our editor’s favorite flavors were dark chocolate and turmeric garlic!
Buy it here, $29.99 for a 6-pack.
Pop Zero Popcorn
Pop Zero Popcorn has a new lineup and it's packed with pea protein! The complete protein is rich in iron and is dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan. It contains all 9 essential amino acids that bodies cannot create and is a great source of branched-chain amino acids. Most importantly? It tastes great and comes in delicious flavors that include Cinnamon Toast and Simply Cinema.
Available at popzeropopcorn.com
Organic Ice Wands from DeeBee's Organics
Kids will flip over these Organic Ice Wands featuring Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen 2 and the plant-based Organic SuperFruit Freezies that were released from DeeBee's just in time for the summer heat. DeeBee's Organics shelf-stable freezies are made from premium organic fruits with zero added artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives and are allergen-free of nuts, dairy, fish, wheat and soy. You can feel good serving them every afternoon this summer!
Kalahari Crisps
We love these super-thin beef crisps for a high protein snack that's great for on the go. Made from the brand’s beloved South African inspired biltong, Kalahari Crisps are simply spiced top round beef, sliced and roasted to reach the perfect crunch. Available in three delicious flavors—Original, Southwest Verde and Rosemary Citrus—each bag is packed with 20g of protein, 0 carbs and 0 sugar and enough flavor and crunch to satisfy all of life’s cravings.
Get them here, $14.99 for a three-pack.
Bubbies Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bites
Combine two of your favorites—cookie dough and ice cream—in one bite with these sweet treats from Bubbies. Available in four varieties including Brownie Batter, Strawberry Sugar Cookie, Birthday Cake and Vanilla Chocolate Chip, these perfectly-portioned treats are gluten-free, non GMO and made from only real ingredients. Kids will love them and so will you!
Find them at a store near you.
Calypso Light Lemonade
New and refreshingly delicious, Calypso Light contains zero sugar and just five calories per bottle and is available in four mouthwatering flavors—Original Lemonade, Ocean Blue Lemonade, Southern Peach Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade. You'll feel like you are on vacation after just one sip!
Get yours here.
Old Trapper Deli-Style Beef Sticks - Original, Teriyaki & Jalapeno
The perfect to-go option, Old Trapper Deli-Style Beef Sticks offer a high-protein, no mess snack. We love them for road trips and days at the lake as they are snackable any time of day. The new Teriyaki flavor combines the delicious spice of Old Trapper’s famous smoked beef with the tangy flavor of soy sauce. The Jalapeno Deli-Style Beef Sticks start with the same wood-fire smoked beef with the added bonus of jalapeno spiciness.
Get yours here, $14.69.
Chloe’s Coconut Dipped Pops
Crafted with creamy coconut and dairy-free dark chocolate, Chloe’s Coconut Dipped Pops are the latest in the brand’s dipped line and an irresistibly sweet snack. Kids will love the taste and you'll love that they are made from simple ingredients. The Coconut Dipped Pops are the perfect treat in which to indulge while still being mindful of ingredients. We also love their Oatmilk line with flavors like mint chip and salted caramel.
Get yours here, or at a store near you.
Once Upon a Farm Protein Smoothies
Available in three flavors: So Strawberry, Banana Berry and Perfectly Pineapples, Once Upon a Farm's first cold-press drink is non-dairy, packed with protein (six grams), probiotics and good fats for healthy brain development. Plus, there's no added sugar. Ideal for kids ages five and up, the packaging is recyclable and perfect for on-the-go snacking.
Buy it at Target, $3 and up.
KidsLuv
Regular juice products are packed with sugar, but KidsLuv vitamin enhanced beverages are the opposite! The kid-friendly drink contains zero sugar, is vegan and contains Vitamins A,B,C and more! Enjoy flavors like Flying Fla-Mango, Starstruck Coconut, and Peach Me, I'm Orange that are sold at over 2,000 locations.
You can find KidsLuv at Thrive Market, Walmart, Amazon and kidsluv.com.
Country Archer Provisions Zero Sugar Beef Jerky
It won't take much convincing to get the kids on board with these new, high-protein snack options from Country Archer. In three chef-inspired varieties including Spicy Sesame Garlic, Mustard BBQ and Classic, this new line of mouthwatering jerky is not only sugar-free but also free of soy, gluten, nitrates, preservatives and MSG. Crafted with 100% grass-fed and-finished beef, you can feel good adding these to your snacking routine.
Get yours here.
Elmurst Milked Oats and Plant Milks
If you need a milk substitute that the kids will love, look no further. Elmhurst's line of plant milks come in cashew, almond, walnut, hazelnut and oat varieties with sweetened and unsweetened options. Use them to blend up your new favorite summer treat, the Chunky Monkey vegan ice cream. Single-serve oat milks with yummy flavors like chocolate and blueberry are the perfect summer road trip treat.
Get them here.
Zeek Bars
Not your average kids bar, Zeek Bars have 40% less sugar than the leading kids bar and are packed with 9g of protein to keep kids fueled longer and stronger! Available in two awesomely delicious flavors, Cosmic Cookie Dough and Brownie Blast Off, Zeek Bars are loved by kids and won’t leave them feeling deprived or on a sugar high. Instead, they will feel powered by protein.
You can purchase Zeek Bars here.
Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water
Harmless Harvest, best known for its iconic pink organic coconut water, now has three new flavored coconut waters, made with a hint of organic juices and herbal teas. These new products, Watermelon, Cucumber Mint and Strawberry Rose, add a splash of flavor to the original best-selling coconut water, for a hydrating drink anytime.
Find them for sale near you.
ICONIC Kids
If you're looking to add some protein to your little's diets, check out ICONIC Kids protein drinks. With three flavors that include Fruity Fiesta, Chocolate Carnival and Vanilla Vacay, your kids will get 8 grams of protein and four grams of fiber per serving. ICONIC Kids is the only kid-focused line of ready-to-drink products with zero grams of sugar and one complete serving of organic greens!
Head to the ICONIC Kids website or visit Amazon to purchase.
Lesser Evil Summer Organic Popcorn
Lesser Evil's famous organic popcorn got a summer makeover! Coming in Pink Grapefruit, Watermelon Hibiscus and Lemonade, the limited-edition flavors just 110 calories per serving, and made with organic fruit seasonings, clean ingredients and healthy fats.
Shop the new flavors at lesserevil.com. You can also find the Lemonade and Pink Grapefruit flavors at select Whole Foods Markets and on Amazon!
Bananas Foster UnGranola from Bubba’s Fine Foods
Inspired by the decadent dessert of bananas and vanilla ice cream, Bubba’s Bananas Foster UnGranola is a nostalgic twist on breakfast. Crafted to indulge your taste buds just like your favorite cereals when you were a kid! Bubba’s Bananas Foster UnGranola is sweetened with banana puree and features their addictively-crunchy and prebiotic-packed green Saba bananas, delivering a robust taste bud experience that’s dialed in for restrictive diets.
Buy them here.
Beanfields Vegan Cracklins
Beanfields Cracklins pack a crunchy punch. Each serving offers three grams of fiber and four grams of protein, and is gluten-free, grain-free, allergen-free and Kosher, Made with beans, cassava flour and chickpea protein, kiddos will enjoy flavors like Chile Limon, Ranch, Korean BBQ, Cheddar and Spicy Nacho.
Shop the entire lineup at beanfields.com.
ONE PLANT Bars
Kiddos with a sweet tooth will enjoy snacking on a ONE PLANT bar. New to 2020, the Churro and Carrot Cake flavors provides 12 grams of plant protein and only 1 gram of sugar and are non-GMO Project verified, vegan, gluten and dairy free.
Check out the complete line at one1brands.com.
Quevos
All-new Quevos are perfect for little snackers. The high-protein, low-carb, gluten-free chip are made from egg whites that provide five to eight grams of protein in every bag! Choose from flavors that include Dill Pickle, Cheddar, Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper, Sweet BBQ, Quevos Rancheros and Sour Cream & Onion.
Learn where to buy at quevos.com.
Jojo's Raspberry Dream & Goes Hawaiian Bars
Your fave guilt-free chocolate bars just got two new flavors! Jojo's has added Raspberry Dream and Goes Hawaiian to their lineup of Keto, Soy Free and Gluten Free bars––and they're irresistable! The bars are made with dark chocolate, are less than one gram of sugar and 150 calories or less.
Shop them at jojoschocolate.com.
Skinny Dipped Super Dark Chocolate Almonds
Not only are these bad boys delicious, but they are also dairy-free and vegan. Almonds dipped in ethically sourced artisan dark chocolate with a hint of salt, they are also Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free and free of artificial colors or flavors. Our kids devoured them so fast, we recommend getting the 5-pack and stashing one just for mom!
Shop then at skinnydipped.com, $24.99 for 5 3 oz. packs
siggi's Kids Pouches
If you and the kids don't already love siggi’s, you're about to! Starting in January 2020 siggi's debuted their first-ever yogurt pouches. With 50% less sugar and 30% fewer ingredients than leading kids’ yogurts, the launch flavors are Strawberry & Banana and Blueberry. 100% toddler-approved.
Learn more at siggis.com
ALOHA Plant-Based Protein Bars
When someone told us these plant-based protein bars tasted like a Girl Scout cookie we had to try them. The chocolate mint flavor is the one to choose when you are looking for a little indulgent Thin Mint flavor with 14g of protein. Bring the chocolate chip cookie dough bar along on your next hiking adventure to go from hangry to hiking in no time. Good news: these have just started showing up at your local Trader Joe's (or you can buy them online).
Learn more at aloha.com
Dairy-Free Oui by Yoplait
Yoplait's French-style yogurt has gone dairy free! New Oui Dairy Free Coconut Dairy Alternative is made with a coconut base and comes in flavors that include vanilla, strawberry, mango, and raspberry. The signature glass pot comes with a teal label so it stands out from Oui's dairy version and is perfect for an afternoon craft session once you're done enjoying. The size is perfect for an after-school snack and healthy to boot.
Learn more at ouibyyoplait.com.
Bobo's Nut Butter Protein Bars
Bobo's brand new gluten-free protein bar are delicious and filling. The four new flavors that include almond butter, banana peanut butter, cherry almond and chocolate chip peanut butter are made with organic whole grain oats and are packed with 10-11g of plant-based protein each.
Buy at eatbobos.com.
Pretzel Rounds
If your kiddos love a salty snack, they'll jump at the chance to try Snyder's of Hanover new Pretzel Rounds. The bite-sized snack comes in sea salt and butter flavors, are perfectly portioned and are non-GMO verified.
Find out more at snydersofhanover.com and shop wherever you buy your fave pretzels.
Yasso Dipped Greek Yogurt Bars
Greek yogurt masquerading as ice cream? Sign us up! Yasso's four new flavors of frozen Greek Yogurt include Mint Chocolate Crunch, Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch, Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Crunch and Vanilla Chocolate Crunch. Expect to taste smooth and creamy Greek yogurt dipped in a chocolate coating and crisped quinoa. Each bar features 5 grams of protein and ranges from 140-160 calories.
Find out where to find them at yasso.com.
Brainiac Kids Applesauce
Applesauce that's packed with an added boost of brain-building ingredients? Meet your new favorite go-to squeeze pouch. Brainiac Kids’ applesauce comes in three different flavors—strawberry, cinnamon and regular—but also includes Omega-3s and Choline.
Order a box here, $11.99.
Magic Spoon Cereal Mini Boxes
Not only does this protein-rich cereal come in four yummy flavors—fruity, frosted, blueberry and cocoa—but now you can snag a snack-sized variety pack. With zero grams of sugar (yes, seriously!) and gluten-free ingredients, this cereal is a game-changer. Our editor's kid especially loved the cocoa cereal!
Buy it now, $29 for a 12-pack.
Sweet Earth POGO Bars
A healthy pop tart? Yup! These new toaster snacks are filled with all sorts of healthy ingredients, including probiotics (1 billion CFUs), protein (10+ grams) and fiber (5+ grams), and offered in six flavors, including Blackberry, Chocolate, Chai, Dulce, Figgy and Lemon Poppy (our favorite was Dulce.). You can also let them thaw, and eat them at room temperature.
Available at supermarkets nationwide, $2.29.
Kate’s Real Food Granola Bites
Kate’s Real Food has launched a snack-size version of their popular granola bars. Made in the same three great flavors as the original bar but with easy on-the-go capabilities, these will be a favorite among your family.
Buy it here, $20.99 for a 3-pack.
Woke Bars
Here's a new snack for us, parents! This new paleo-friendly protein bar is made from cage-free eggs and ghee is packed with almost 12 grams of protein. It comes in three flavors and is certified gluten free and is made with non-GMO ingredients.
Buy them here or at Sprouts nationwide, $3.99.
Heirloom Snack Crackers from Pipcorn
These brand-new crackers are at the forefront of modern snacking. Made sustainably with leftover corn flour from another one of Pipcorn’s products, these crackers are gluten free, made from whole grain and come in three flavors: Cheddar, Sea Salt and Everything. The packaging will be made from 100% recycled materials.
Available April 2020 in Whole Foods Stores nationwide, $4.79.
Chef's Cut Zero Sugar Sticks
New from Chef's Stick, this easy on-the-go snack is made with 100% beef and pork. It also skips out on the high sugar content that you tend to see in other protein snacks. Yum!
Buy a box here, $23.95.
––Erin Lem, Gabby Cullen & Karly Wood
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