I’ve said this before I’m sure, but I call my kiddos little snack monsters when they come home from school. It’s like a mini tornado in our house as backpacks get dumped, papers and homework come out, and little hands go straight for the fridge and pantry. Creating routines and setting out pre-made snacks is the best way I know how to handle these tornados!

Creating Routines:

First up, they all know to empty their backpacks and put important papers, lunch boxes and water bottles on a certain spot on our kitchen counters. This corrals it to one area and I can go through it while they are eating their snack. Then shoes and backpacks are to be put away in their designated spots and then it’s time for snack! Does it always work perfectly? Of course not, they’re children, haha!! But they do know the routine and knowing it is half the battle!

Pre-Made Snack:

It’s also so much easier to have a snack either prepared or at least in mind ahead of time. One of their favorites are these peanut butter oat snacks. I can make them quickly before school pick up, pop them in the fridge, and they’re all set to go when we get home. I’ll slice up some apples or strawberries and it’s a well balanced snack!

Peanut Butter Oak Snacks

These no bake snacks are super quick and easy….assemble them, pop them in the fridge for 10 minutes, and your kids will be happy snackers after school!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup dry oats

2/3 cup coconut flakes (I use these)

1/2 cup natural peanut butter (Trader Joe’s is our favorite!)

1/2 cup ground flax seeds

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon. Next pop the mixture into the fridge for about 20 minutes. Once chilled roll into balls (I use a mini ice cream scoop to get each one roughly the same size, but you can make them any size you want). Once formed, put them on a lined cookie sheet and pop them back into the fridge to chill again for 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

I’m also known to quite often skip the first chilling….the mixture is a bit sticky to roll, but it does work and it’s faster 😉

mixing bowls / my favorite wooden spoons / mini ice cream scoop / ramekins / sheet pan liners / storage containers (keep an eye out for these at Home Goods!)