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Kids across Arkansas are heading back into the classroom for the 2024-2025 school year, and as a teacher and a mom of a growing boy, I understand the importance of providing snacks that kids will love. My son George is always starving at the end of the school day. He always comes home hungry no matter how big a lunch I pack for him or how many snacks I include. Having some healthy yet kid-friendly after-school snacks available when he gets home tides him over until dinner and allows us to talk about his day.
A few years ago, we featured some of Penny Pockets’ favorite kid-friendly snacks in the first volume of What’s Cooking at First Security Bank. Today, I am excited to highlight a few of our favorite kid-approved snacks from Volume 2. These snacks are perfect for after school but also great for kids’ parties, lunchtime, or even a fun, kid-themed dinner. Let’s dive into these delicious and nutritious options that will keep your little ones satisfied and happy.
Dill Dip
We serve this dip with baby carrots, celery and cucumbers, but you could also serve it with chips and pretzels.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon dill weed
- 1 Tablespoon minced onion
- ½ Tablespoon season salt
- 1 Tablespoon parsley flakes
Directions
Combine all ingredients and refrigerate overnight.
Granola Bites
We love that this recipe is so versatile. You can easily add dried fruits, candies, puffed rice cereal, pumpkin seeds and more.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 cup almond or peanut butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans or almonds
- ¼ cup honey
Directions
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined. Form small balls using your hands or a small cookie scoop. Roll and refrigerate. Store in an airtight container.
Frozen Banana Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 4 bananas sliced into 1-inch rounds
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 1 Tablespoon shortening
- ⅓ cup toffee baking bits
Directions
Spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the slices of banana. Insert a toothpick through the peanut butter layer and into a banana and arrange on a baking sheet. Freeze the sheet for 30 minutes to overnight. Melt the chocolate and the shortening in a double boiler. Coat the banana bites in chocolate and sprinkle with toffee bits, return them to the baking sheet and freeze again until set, at least 1 hour. Store in an airtight container in the freezer. Allow the bites to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.
Watermelon Slushies
Ingredients
- 6 cups seedless watermelon
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Sprite for serving (We prefer to use sparkling water)
Directions
Blend watermelon in a food processor or blender until smooth. Strain to remove the pulp, reserving the watermelon juice. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice until fully dissolved. Place the bowl into the freezer for 2-3 hours. Stir every 45 minutes to break up the ice crystals. When ready to serve, scrape the watermelon mixture into a slush with a spoon. Fill a glass ¾ full with the slush mixture and top with Sprite. Stir and serve.
If you aren’t familiar with Penny Pockets, she’s the mascot for First Security Bank’s Kids Club Savings program. She regularly makes appearances at fairs and festivals and helps kids learn about spending, saving and sharing. Learn more about Penny Pockets.
Thank you to Dana Watkins, Amanda Cofer and Avery McCuan for sharing these recipes. There are over 800 recipes in the “What’s Cookin’ at First Security Vol. 2,” all submitted by employees and customers. Proceeds from the sales go to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance to help feed people across the state. You can purchase the cookbooks for $20 at any First Security Bank location.
For more recipes from the cookbook, click here
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