6 Fast and Fun After-School Snack Ideas

Reading, writing, arithmetic and so much more - school days are busy for kids. Lunch period provides a welcome break, but some schools schedule lunch as early as 10:30. By the end of the day, kids are famished. When your star students arrive home asking for a snack, you don't have to reach for junk food. Here are some quick, simple and fun ideas for after-school snacks that are tasty and your kids will love. Savory popcorn bar Popped corn is 100 percent whole grain with plenty of fiber to help keep kids satisfied until dinner. Skip the processed microwave varieties and opt to pop on the stove or in an air popper. Then create a popcorn buffet by setting out small bowls and a variety of savory toppings such as finely shredded Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Kids can serve themselves and customize to their taste. Nice cream When the kids want ice cream, but you want a healthier snack, nice cream comes to the rescue. This simple ice cream alternative can be made by freezing sliced ripe bananas. When kids get home from school, blend these banana pieces until smooth for a cool, creamy treat. You can experiment with different flavors by adding a dab of peanut butter or a few strawberries to the blender. Quick and easy pizza bagels With pepperoni and tomato, pizza bagels are a quick, cheesy fix to after-school hunger pangs. Start by turning the oven to the broiler setting. Then on a baking tray, place a split Thomas' Plain Mini Bagel with the cut sides facing up. Spread tomato sauce on each bagel half and sprinkle each half with cheese. Add pepperoni halves and cherry tomato quarters. Place under broiler until cheese is melted. Awesome apple slices Reinvent boring sliced apples with nut butter and granola. Simply slice apples, smear with your nut butter of choice, then roll in granola. For an extra treat, add a drizzle of raw honey, a few mini dark chocolate chips or a quick dash of rainbow sprinkles. Ants on a pond Parents grew up munching ants on a log, the snack that takes a celery spear smeared with peanut butter and lines raisins on top to look like ants. Give this classic a modern twist by slicing a Thomas' Plain Mini Bagel in half, adding peanut butter and topping with chopped celery and raisins. This sweet-salty delight is guaranteed to get devoured. Apple and brie mini bagel appetizers Sweet and simple, this cheesy appetizer is the perfect snack after a long day of school. Creamy brie is the perfect pairing with juicy apples. Even Mom and Dad will want to snag a few of these. Ingredients: 2 Thomas' Plain Mini Bagels, toasted 1 tablespoon of butter 1 wedge Brie cheese 1 Granny Smith apple 1 teaspoon cinnamon Directions: Split and toast two Thomas' Mini Bagels until golden brown. Spread butter on each bagel half then slice in half again to create quarters. Slice the wedge of Brie cheese into eight equal portions and place one on each bagel quarter. Cut the apple into eight slices and place one slice on top of cheese. Sprinkle with cinnamon to taste. For more simple after-school snack ideas featuring mini bagels and more, visit thomasbreads.com/recipes.