Your kids eat a significant amount of their meals at school, so it makes sense to give them healthy, delicious meals that provide them with energy throughout the day, right? Even the so-called 'healthy' options at the tuck shop can be loaded with sugar or preservatives, which is why I prefer to make my own for the lunchboxes. 

When it comes to cooking simple, delicious yet healthy recipes for the kids, I usually stick to the recipes from My Kids Eat 2 recipe book. With over 65+ kid-approved recipes, there’s literally a recipe in there for whatever mood they’re in haha!

Your lifestyle and eating habits directly transfer onto your little ones. That goes for what you keep in the pantry, prepare at home and send them off to school with. Making your children healthy meals from My Kids Eat 2 is one of the first steps you can take in providing them with the best start to their lives. 

HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE HEALTHY SNACKS FOR KIDS  - CLASSICS WITH A TWIST BUT EQUALLY AS DELICIOUS.

Pikelet Faces

Makes 15

INGREDIENTS:

• 150g Wholemeal Spelt Flour
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• Pinch of Bicarbonate Soda
• 2 tbsp Honey or Pure Maple Syrup
• 1 egg, beaten lightly
• 180ml Milk
• Cream Cheese and Fresh Fruit to decorate

METHOD:

1. Sift dry ingredients into a medium bowl. Make a well in the centre, gradually stir in honey, egg and enough milk to make a smooth, creamy, pouring consistency. 
2. Drop dessert spoons of batter from the tip of the spoon into a heated greased frying pan, allowing room for spreading. When bubbles begin to appear, turn pikelets over and cook until golden.
3. Decorate spikelets with butter, cream cheese and fresh fruit to resemble faces.

Salted Date Caramels

Makes 15

INGREDIENTS:

• 310g Fresh Dates, pitted
• 150g Coconut Oil
• 25g Cacao Powder
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2 tbsp Coconut Oil, extra, at room temperature
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt Flakes
• 50g Coconut Flour

METHOD:

1. Place dates in a medium bowl. Cover with boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes to soften. Drain dates and scared water. 
2. Meanwhile add melted coconut oil with sifted cacao in a small bowl and leave to one side to thicken slightly. 
3. Process dates, vanilla extract, extra coconut oil and salt until smooth. Transfer mixture to a small bowl, cover and freeze for 30 minutes or until firm. 
4. Line an oven tray with baking paper. 
5. Using damp hands roll tablespoons of the date mixture into balls. 
6. Place flour in a small bowl. Roll the balls in the flour first and then the cacao mixture before placing on a baking tray. 
7. Sprinkle with extra salt flakes and freeze for 10 minutes or until set. 

Sausage Rolls

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 rye flat breads
• 250g good quality chicken or steak
• 1/4 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon mixed/dried herbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup coriander, finely chopped

METHOD:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.
2. Mince the meat in a food processor.
3. Add in the onion and stir to combine.
4. Knead the mixture with the herbs, coriander and egg in a bowl.
5. Wrap your sausage rolls up and bake them in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until brown!
6. Push the mixture into the tin. Make sure it is compacted and evenly distributed.
7. Bake for 15 minutes. Once baked, leave to cool before removing and slicing into bars.

Some of the kids other favourite healthy snacks include:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge Fingers

• Chicken Sushi Rolls

• Berry Bircher

• Rhubarb & Raspberry Morning Loaf

Let me know below which one is your littles one's favourite recipe!

Sophie x