“12 healthy party snacks for vegan kids” is a collaborative post.
Snacks for kids can be complicated, especially when we’re talking about birthday party snacks. Vegan party snacks can be even more challenging as your children are surrounded by non-vegan playmates that may be given unhealthy snacks for convenience’s sake.
Another problem can be picky eaters and kids can be notoriously picky. Nonetheless, if you are planning a party for your child and you want healthy vegan snacks that are tasty and fun, you do have quite a variety of options.
Are party snacks a good idea for kids?
Absolutely! Children have smaller stomachs meaning they will naturally eat smaller meals. It’s fair to say that at some point between meals, children do become hungry, so party snacks are a perfect means for keeping children happy rather than hungry during the festivities. Providing children with healthy snacks that are kid-size is a perfect solution when organising an afternoon party.
Sweet and savoury party snacks for vegan kids
1. Vegan Yogurt Fruit Parfait
Mix tiny pieces of fruit or berries in cups of yogurt and top with our favourite muesli mix for a sweet but healthy snack.
2. Mini Vegan Zucchini Muffins
Sweet, soft, and healthy, these kid-sized muffins have the double function of a snack or a dessert. Set your oven to 190°C and prepare your muffin tray. Shred a medium zucchini to obtain 1.5 cups and a half cup of carrots. Blend 1.5 cups of whole wheat flour, a half cup of rolled oats, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, a tablespoon of milled flaxseed, a teaspoon of baking powder, and a half teaspoon of baking soda and salt in a bowl. In the centre of the dry mix, create a hole and add a half cup of applesauce, a quarter cup of maple syrup, and a tablespoon of vanilla extract and gently combine without over mixing. Add in the grated carrots and zucchini and gently blend. Place a large spoonful in each muffin form and bake for about twenty minutes. To sweeten your mini muffins consider adding in chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit pieces, or raisins.
3. Hummus Cucumber Bites
Toast bread slices and spread on hummus. Position four cucumber slices on the toast and cut them into four squares.
4. Nut Butter Apple Slices
Prepare apple slices that can be dipped in your child’s favourite nut butter.
5. Fruit or Veggie Kebabs
Design your own fruit kebabs with a combination of fruit slices such as banana, kiwi, cantaloupe, strawberry, raspberry, pineapple or blueberry. You can include vegan yoghurt as a dipping sauce. The same principle can be applied to a kebab made with vegetables. Consider using cherry tomatoes, olives, bell pepper pieces, and cucumber or zucchini slices.
6. Kid-Sized Pita Pizzas
Make or buy mini pitas. Coat with tomato or marinara sauce and top off with vegan cheese. Warm and brown under an oven broiler and serve.
7. Strawberry Popsicles
Place 3 cups of frozen strawberries, a half cup of freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of lime juice in a medium saucepan on a medium-high stove top burner. Allow the fruit to boil down and remove it from the heat source. Allow to cool somewhat and mix in a blender or using a hand blender. Pour the liquid into popsicle forms. Place in your freezer for at least six hours. Makes 6 fruity popsicles.
8. Popcorn
Popcorn can be purchased but you will need to read the ingredient list. There are some really fun vegan popcorn flavours available nowadays, like birthday cake drizzled popcorn or chocolate drizzled popcorn. As an alternative, you can pop your own popcorn and decide to use a vegan flavouring of your choice to spice it up.
9. Peanut Butter and Jelly Burritos
If you want to try a new twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, try a PB&J burrito. There will be less bread involved. Spread peanut butter and your child’s favourite jelly on small flour tortillas. Roll your tortilla up and your snack is ready to enjoy.
10. Vegan Milkshakes
If you want to boost your child’s nutrient intake, you can opt for a vegan milkshake using ice cream powder for a plant-based yet delicious milkshake. This is an especially good option for picky eaters to ensure children are getting their daily nutrients thanks to a favourite treat.
11. Organic Chickpea Puffs
Want a healthy alternative to Cheetos? Hippeas makes baked puffs available in a cheesy flavour as well as other options. If your children’s friends are fans of junk food, this healthy alternative should satisfy taste buds and the kids may not even notice the difference.
12. Pea Chips
Harvest Snaps offers a variety of sticks, rings, and puffs that are entirely plant-based in flavours like sour cream and chives, Thai sweet chilli, or salt and vinegar for some delicious completely vegan snacks.
Tips for organising healthy vegan party snacks
You won’t want to be preparing snacks during the party, so it’s important to get organised ahead of time. Consider these tips to ensure your party snacks are ready for your little guests to enjoy.
- Prepare a selection of ready snacks to serve so that they can be placed on tables where the children can enjoy them whenever they are hungry. Plates or bowls of treats such as nuts, vegan popcorn, or puffs can be placed on children’s tables making them easily accessible.
- If you have decided to bake vegan cookies, cakes, or muffins, make a double batch and store half in your refrigerator or freezer so if you need more, they are ready at a moment’s notice.
- Depending on the age of the children at the party, choose appropriate party snacks. Children under the age of four are more at risk for choking, so some treats like popcorn, nuts, or grapes should not be available without supervision.
