Parents of toddlers know all too well that when the hunger pangs strike, there had better be some snacks at hand or a meltdown is what you might get! It’s natural for little ones to get all cranky and hungry in between mealtimes, and this is when some healthy, wholesome munch-ables would do nicely!

Here, we share six such recipes that are guaranteed to please your little one’s tastebuds!

Let’s have Pudding!

Everyone loves a good pudding, but moms naturally detest the amount of artificial ingredients that go into conventional store-bought puddings, even the types meant for little ones! Well, here’s a recipe that uses nothing but the good stuff. It tastes so yummy, you might want to whip up a little extra for yourself or you’ll be drooling over your bub’s share!

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup real maple syrup or organic honey
  • 4 tbsp arrowroot powder (or organic corn starch)
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Method:

  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, egg yolks, maple syrup, arrowroot powder and salt.
  2. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until pudding begins to thicken.
  3. Stir over the heat for about 15 more seconds. Remove immediately from the heat, and continue to stir until pudding is creamy.
  4. Add butter and vanilla and continue to stir until mixed.
  5. Pour into serving dishes or cleaned-out egg shells and serve warm, or chill for two hours and serve cold.

Apple chips

Well, well… There’s store-bought chips laced with salt, MSG and the works… and then there’s healthy, yummy apple chips with the apple, the whole apple, and nothing but the apple! These are so easy to make too.

Ingredients:

  • 2 apples
  • A pinch of cinnamon powder

Method:

  1. Remove apple core.
  2. Thinly slice the entire apple.
  3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place apple slices on it.
  4. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
  5. Bake at 275°F for two hours. At the end of hour one flip them over so they bake evenly.
  6. Serve warm!

Watermelon popsicles

In hot, sweltering weathers, what could possibly be more gratifying and enjoyable to kids than a juicy, fruity popsicle! If it’s homemade with fresh fruit such as this one, moms will be smiling too!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups fresh chopped watermelon flesh
  • 1/2 cup honey or agave syrup
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Method:

  1. In a food processor, or blender combine the watermelon, honey and lemon juice.
  2. Process until smooth.
  3. Pour puree into molds and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours.
  4. Enjoy!

Yogurt with fruits at the bottom

If your kiddo loves yogurt, he or she is going to love this one!

Ingredients:

  • 250g fruit (1/2 lb), peeled and chopped
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • pinch salt
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp cold water
  • 1 3/4 cups plain yogurt, sweetened with 1 tbsp honey, or to taste.

Method:

  1. To make compote, place fruit, honey and salt in a medium sized saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Stir together cornstarch and water until cornstarch is dissolved.
  2. Pour into fruit mixture. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring often, until thickened and no longer cloudy. Allow to cool.
  3. Add two tablespoons fruit compote to a sealable jar or plastic container. Top with 1/4 cup yogurt. Serve.
  4. Can be stored refrigerated up to five days.