If you’re anything like me, snack time can feel non-stop. Whether you’re rushing out the door, trying to keep them happy in the pushchair, or need a peace-offering after nursery, snacks are a must.
And while I’m all for the occasional shop-bought option, there’s something reassuring about knowing exactly what’s in your toddler’s snacks — especially if you’ve got allergies, picky eating phases, or just want to avoid too much sugar.
Here are five tried-and-tested snacks I’ve come back to again and again — quick to prep, easy to batch, and toddler-approved.
1. 3-Ingredient Homemade Crackers
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1/3 cup plain yoghurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
Mix, roll out, cut into shapes, and bake at 180°C for 10–12 minutes. Perfect for dipping or munching on the go. You can mix in a little grated cheese or dried herbs to switch up the flavour. Let your toddler use cookie cutters to help make shapes!
2. Veggie Muffins
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1 cup grated courgette (squeeze out excess moisture)
- 1/2 cup grated cheese
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup olive oil or melted butter
- Optional: pinch of herbs or garlic powder for flavour
Preheat your oven to 180°C and grease or line a muffin tin. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until just combined. Spoon into the muffin tin and bake for 18–22 minutes or until golden and firm to touch.
They’re brilliant for adding a bit of veg without a battle. I often bake these on a Sunday evening and freeze half for midweek snacks or quick breakfasts.
3. Banana Pancake Bites
- 2–3 bananas, sliced
- 80g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 120ml milk
Mix the flour, baking powder, and milk in a bowl to form a pancake batter. Dip banana slices into the batter and cook on a pan until golden brown on each side.
For a fun twist, try sandwiching two banana slices together with a little peanut butter before dipping them in the batter. These mini bites are delicious warm or cold and make a brilliant finger food for toddlers — soft, sweet, and filling!
4. Oat Bars
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free)
- 1/4 cup raisins or chopped dates
- Optional: cinnamon or vanilla extract for flavour
Preheat oven to 180°C. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Press into a lined baking tin and flatten with a spatula. Bake for 20–25 minutes, then cool and slice into bars.
These are perfect for the nappy bag or car journeys. Want to make them nut-free? Use seed butter or mashed apple instead.
5. Healthy Cookies
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup rolled oats
- Optional add-ins: blueberries, grated apple, raisins, chopped nuts, or dark chocolate chips
- Optional spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 180°C. Mix everything in a bowl until it comes together. Scoop spoonfuls onto a lined baking tray and flatten slightly. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until lightly golden and set.
These are a great way to use up ripe bananas and can be easily customised to your toddler’s tastes. They store beautifully in an airtight tin or freezer bag.
A Few Bonus Snack Tips
- Keep a small snack basket in the fridge with ready-to-go pots of fruit, cubes of cheese, or chopped veg
- Get your toddler involved in prep — they’re more likely to eat it if they helped make it!
- Use reusable snack pots or silicone pouches for easy portioning and less waste
Making your own snacks doesn’t have to be complicated. A little planning goes a long way — and knowing exactly what’s in their food gives such peace of mind. Plus, they taste good enough that you’ll want one too.