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    MJ & Hungryman » Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

    Ultimate Snack Tray Ideas (for Lunch or Dinner)

    By Min On June 13, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    A four image collage showing unique snack trays.

    Here are some easy and healthy snack tray ideas you can put together FAST with whatever you have on hand. These are especially perfect for toddlers and kids. Serve for after school snacks or as a snack lunch or dinner!

    A four image collage showing unique snack trays.

    Thanks to Cabot Creamery for sponsoring this post. I only work with companies that I love and believe in. All opinions are my own.

    Jump to:
    • Snack tray
    • Favorite Supplies
    • Healthy Snack Tray Components
    • Cheese
    • How to Build a Snack Tray
    • Tips for Making the Perfect Snack Board
    • Snack Dinner
    • Themed Snack Trays

    Snack tray

    Snack platter, charcuterie board, muffin tin snack tray, snacky lunch, snack dinner, or whatever you want to call it, the idea is the same - it's a clean-out-the-fridge or pantry meal that requires very minimal prep work and no cooking.

    And you don't need to try and go all out preparing these elaborate, overflowing snack boards or snack trays that you may see online (unless you want to).

    They also may not be ideal for toddlers, as seeing too much food can be very overwhelming for them.

    BUT simply changing the way you plate your child's food can invite more fun and encourage your perhaps fussy or picky eater to try a greater variety of foods without much effort on your part!

    Favorite Supplies

    yogurt with an assortment of toppings in ice cube tray.

    Besides all the snacks, deciding where to place them is half the fun! Here are some of my favorites!

    • A large cutting board - Can cut up all the foods and serve right there. Who can say no to less dishes?
    • Muffin pan - This is a perfect toddler snack tray! I've found 6 cups to be most ideal, but you can use 12 cups if you wish. Just add small portions. This silicone one is really great. It also comes with a lid, allowing you to easily make ahead and store in the fridge or take it to go.
    • A mini muffin tray - these are really great for babies and young toddlers. It also doubles as a popsicle mold!
    • A large plate - any will do!
    • Ice cube tray - Similar to the muffin pan but smaller, and again, it's a way of inviting fun to snack and mealtimes.
    • Lunch box - It’s not just for school! Your child will love opening up their lunchbox at home and enjoying it with you. Here are the best lunch boxes for toddlers and kids.

    In addition, if you have a picky eater, here are some eating utensils and tools that can really help spark their interest.

    • Food cutters - These are what helped both of my kids to eat their raw vegetables. While you are at it, cut out a whole bunch at once and enjoy throughout the week!
    • Food picks - Stick these into their foods and watch their face light up!
    • Tongs - It may sound silly but they totally work!
    • Spoons and forks - Try either going really small or big. My 5 year old loves it when I give him his 1 year old sister's spoon or a big spatula.

    Healthy Snack Tray Components

    Choose 1-2 from each of these categories for a well-rounded snack or meal.

    Protein

    • Beans
    • Beef
    • Cheese
    • Chicken
    • Edamame
    • Eggs - Hard-boiled, scrambled
    • Peanuts and peanut butter
    • Nuts
    • Sardines
    • Seeds
    • Shrimp
    • Tofu
    • Yogurt

    Also try any these freezer-friendly recipes:

    Chickpea Patties (gluten free)
    These flavorful chickpea patties with quinoa are easy to make with simple pantry staples. Shape them into patties or even nuggets
    Get the recipe
    a toddler's hand dunking the chickpea cakes in pizza hummus
    Mini Baked Canned Salmon Patties
    These mini baked salmon patties with canned salmon are packed with vegetables and full of flavor! Perfect for baby led weaning!
    Get the recipe
    baked salmon patties on parchment paper with mango yogurt sauce in a white bowl.
    Omelette Pizza
    Pizza eggs - your favorite pizza toppings, flavorful sauce, protein-rich eggs, and cheese all cooked to perfection in one pan. Enjoy for breakfast or any time of the day!
    Get the recipe
    Toddler's hand grabbing a slice of pizza eggs.
    Vegetable Omelette
    Nutritious and easy to make, this baby-friendly omelette made with whatever veggies you have on hand is the perfect breakfast/snack for babies and toddlers!
    Get the recipe
    a lunchbox with omelette strips, freeze dried strawberries, roasted orange and purple sweet potatoes.
    Easy baked shrimp cakes
    Super juicy and tender, these baked Asian shrimp cakes are baby and kid-friendly! Of course, the adults can enjoy them too.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of cooked shrimp tofu cakes on parchment paper
    Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies
    These super moist sweet potato cakes made with just 5 simple ingredients, including chickpeas, oats, and chia seeds, are perfect for babies and toddlers.
    Get the recipe
    three sweet potato cookies for babies stacked on a wooden board
    Spinach Pancakes
    These spinach pancakes are super easy to make with just a handful of wholesome ingredients. These dye free green pancakes are the perfect finger food for babies and toddlers, especially!
    Get the recipe
    Stacked spinach pancakes on a white plate.
    Mini crustless quiche
    Packed with protein and vegetables, this mini crustless quiche is so easy to make! Enjoy as a make-ahead breakfast, snack, or pack for lunch boxes.
    Get the recipe
    cooked salmon quiche in a white oval plate with a toddler hand
    Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookies
    Made without flour and sugar, these peanut butter chickpea cookies are so easy to make with just 5 ingredients.
    Get the recipe
    Baked cookie with a bite taken out of it.

    Fruits

    • Apples (and applesauce)
    • Avocado
    • Banana
    • Blueberries
    • Clementines
    • Grapes
    • Grapefruit
    • Kiwi
    • Mandarin oranges
    • Mangoes
    • Melons (honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon)
    • Oranges
    • Peaches
    • Pears
    • Pineapple
    • Strawberries
    • Raspberries
    • Watermelon
    • Freeze-dried fruit and canned fruit in 100% juice
    • Fruit and Veggie Yogurt Smoothie Melts - use the code MIN5 for $5 off your order

    Vegetables

    • Bell peppers
    • Beets
    • Broccoli
    • Butternut Squash
    • Carrots
    • Cauliflower
    • Corn
    • Cucumber
    • Peas
    • Snap peas
    • Sweet potato
    • Tomatoes
    • Zucchini

    Carbohydrates

    A muffin with zucchini, watermelon, edamame, and veggie straws.
    Yogurt muffin, zucchini, watermelon, edamame, veggie straws
    • Bread - sandwich, naan, pita, dinner rolls
    • Cereal
    • Crackers
    • Granola bars
    • Muffins
    • Rice cakes
    • Tortilla

    You may also be interested in these easy finger foods:

    Savory French toast
    This savory vegetable French toast or eggy bread is an EASY and fun way to use up leftovers. Suitable for babies 6 months and up!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of baby French toast strips as well as bite-sized pieces on a parchment paper
    Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
    These healthy oatmeal pumpkin bars are high in protein and low in sugar. A healthy no fuss breakfast or snack for your baby and toddler.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of sliced bars
    Peanut Butter Cheerio Cereal Bars
    These no-bake peanut butter cheerio bars are so easy to make with pantry ingredients! They are the perfect breakfast or snack for kids.
    Get the recipe
    a square cereal bar placed on toddler's palm.
    Baked Veggie Nuggets
    These baked veggie nuggets are an easy and fun way to get more vegetables into your child's diet! Made with four vegetables, they are perfect for lunch or snack!
    Get the recipe
    A toddler's hand dipping one of the nuggets in beet hummus.
    Baked Sweet Potato Tots
    These oven-baked sweet potato tots are made with just 4 ingredients and are a healthy snack or side dish for the entire family!
    Get the recipe
    tots plated on a white plate with toddler's hand dipping one into green hummus.
    Healthy Blueberry Muffins for Babies
    These blueberry baby muffins are sweetened with fruits only and loaded with nutrition! They're soft and moist, making them perfect for babies
    Get the recipe
    A close-up of muffins on a wire rack
    Healthy Carrot Banana Muffins
    These banana carrot muffins are perfectly moist, healthy, and flavorful! Made with all natural ingredients, they are a great breakfast that even your baby and toddler can enjoy!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot sliced muffin on toddler's hand.
    Healthy Yogurt Muffins
    Light, fluffy, and incredibly moist, these whole wheat greek yogurt muffins are made with just a handful of ingredients and can be flavored in so many ways!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of sliced yogurt muffin.
    Moist Spinach Muffins
    These healthy spinach muffins with banana are fluffy and moist in texture and packed with nutrition. They are perfect for babies and kids.
    Get the recipe
    Spinach muffin with a bite taken out.
    Strawberry banana pancakes
    Made with simple, healthy ingredients, these strawberry banana pancakes are light, fluffy, and delicious! They contain no added sugar and are a delicious breakfast for the whole family!
    Get the recipe
    Stacked pancakes with slices cut out to show the inside.
    Vegetable Waffles with Peanut Butter
    EASY to make, healthy peanut butter vegetable waffles for babies and kids! A great way to enjoy more protein, fat, and veggies for breakfast.
    Get the recipe
    three stacked peanut butter waffles topped with banana and raspberries

    Dips/Sauces

    Carrots, beet hummus, cheese, cucumber, waffles, and broccoli in a muffin tray.
    peanut butter waffles, broccoli, beet hummus, cucumber, carrots, cheese

    Not a must category but are great to include, especially if your child loves to dip and it encourages them to try more foods.

    • Cottage cheese
    • Cream cheese
    • Guacamole
    • Hummus
    • Pesto
    • Salsa
    • Yogurt
    • Chocolate avocado pudding - this may sound strange but my kids love to dip their apples, waffles, pancakes, cereal...so fun!

    Cheese

    5 different Cabot cheddar cheese showcased with various snacks.

    Cheese is such a beloved and wonderful addition to snack trays. It's a great source of protein and calcium and can easily elevate any meal or snack. My family loves all cheese, but cheddar cheese is what we mostly gravitate towards.

    I've been obsessed with award-winning Cabot Creamery cheese from the very first bite, and here I am 7 years later enjoying it with my preschooler and 1 year old.

    They both love all the varying degrees of sharp cheddar cheese that Cabot has to offer but if you want to err on the side of caution, start with their mild and medium cheddar cheeses.

    They also have Monterrey jack, Colby jack, Swiss, and Mozzarella!

    How to serve cheese to babies and toddlers

    Cutting into thin slices is the safest way to offer cheese as cubed cheese is a choking hazard. For 12+ month old, you can start cutting the thin slices into bite-sized pieces.

    And depending on your child's chewing and swallowing abilities, you can start offering cubed cheese, usually around 18 months.

    How to Build a Snack Tray

    It's truly so simple and that's the beauty of this concept!

    1. Open your refrigerator, freezer, pantry, and grab 1-2 items from each of the food categories.
    2. Choose your snack tray.
    3. Arrange all the foods and dig in!

    Tips for Making the Perfect Snack Board

    animal crackers, broccoli, bell pepper, lentil bar, hard boiled egg, and cheese.
    Hard-boiled egg, cheese, bell pepper, pumpkin oatmeal bars with lentils, broccoli, animal crackers
    • Don't overthink it. Our best ones were a random hodgepodge of snacks that surprisingly tasted really good together.
    • Keep it to no more than 6-8 different items. This is such a fun and easy way to incorporate more variety into your child's snacks or meals. But don't go overboard. It's not just the amount - Having too many choices can be overwhelming for your child, also.
    • Consider your child's appetite. You can always offer more food so don't be tempted to fill up their trays too much.

    Snack Dinner

    Dinner times can feel so exhausting and stressful. They’re usually when the kids are overtired, whiny, and less interested in eating.

    Enter Snack dinner! We do this a lot on Friday nights, and it is totally a form of self care for me.

    There is no need to cook anything and you can get a well-balanced meal on the table in 5 minutes!

    You can place a bunch of favorite snacks onto your child's plate or on a big platter (like a wooden board, food tray, baking sheet pan) for the whole family to share.

    Just be sure to cut up the foods according to your child's chewing ability. It's also a great way to use up any leftovers, thereby reducing  food waste.

    Related: 30+ Easy Dinner Ideas for Toddlers

    Themed Snack Trays

    Like I said, you don't need to put too much thought into this. But if you want to invite a certain theme, here are some easy ideas for inspiration.

    Mediterranean

    A mediterranean themed snack tray.

    Hummus, yogurt, chickpeas, cucumber slices, diced tomatoes, quartered tomatoes, and naan.

    As mentioned earlier, serving the board with fun tools, like tongs, can really spark your child's interest and encourage them to try new/disliked foods. Give it a try!

    Asian

    Asian themed snack tray.

    Seaweed sheets, Asian pear, chicken bulgogi, zucchini, rice crackers, roasted chestnuts

    Mexican

    Mexican themed snack tray.

    Pinto beans, corn, cheese and crackers, salsa, mangoes

    I hope all the ideas I shared in this post inspires you to enjoy more snack trays with your family! They are sure to save you time, energy, and your sanity! Your kid(s) will love it too ;).

    More Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

    • Fluffy Vegetable Rice
    • How to Freeze Yogurt
    • Creamy Chicken Orzo
    • Custard Yogurt Toast (Sweet and Savory)

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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah says

      December 13, 2022 at 5:46 am

      I'm really enjoying your emails & love this idea of food snacks. We've been blessed with 3 grandchildren, 14mths, 11mths & 3mths old. 3 all within 1yr 😇.
      How things have changed from when my 3 were babies. So I've been doing lots of researching. We're also doing childcare for all 3 when our youngest mama returns to work. It's a joy and delight.

      I'v made a few of your recipes in advance on childcare days which have been superb. Thank you xx

      Reply
      • Min says

        December 13, 2022 at 5:10 pm

        Hi Sarah! I'm so happy to connect with you and my goodness! You most certainly have your hands full! So glad to hear that my recipes are helping ease your load!!

        Reply

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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