Blooming Early Years

Are you looking for easy and healthy snack ideas for your toddler? You are in the right place! Many parents want tasty, toddler-friendly snacks without sugar. It can be hard to find them at stores. Many packaged snacks hide a lot of sugar.

Sugar can make toddlers very hyper. It can also lead to health problems later. That is why natural and healthy snacks are important. These snacks help your child grow strong and happy. They also protect their little teeth!

In this article, you will find easy ideas for toddler-friendly snacks without sugar. You will also see simple homemade recipes. These snacks are not only healthy. They are also very yummy! Even picky eaters will enjoy them.

Get ready to learn new and fun snack ideas for toddler-friendly snacks without sugar. Your toddler’s tummy will thank you. Plus, you will feel good knowing they are eating the best foods.

The Importance of Toddler-Friendly Snacks Without Sugar

Choosing toddler-friendly snacks without sugar is indispensable. It helps toddlers stay healthy and happy every day. Many snacks sold today are full of hidden sugars. Even foods that seem healthy can have too much sugar.

Too much sugar can cause many issues for young children. It can make them hyper and moody. Also, sugar can hurt their tiny teeth very quickly. In fact, early tooth decay is very common in toddlers who eat sugary foods.

Moreover, high sugar intake leads to poor eating habits. When toddlers eat sweet foods often, they may refuse healthier options. They might start asking for only sweets and junk. Over time, this can affect their growth and learning.

On the other hand, toddler-friendly snacks without sugar support steady energy levels. They help toddlers feel full longer. This means fewer tantrums and better focus during playtime and learning activities.

Healthy snacks also support brain development. Foods rich in natural nutrients help toddlers think, learn, and grow stronger. Without added sugars, their little bodies can better absorb vitamins and minerals.

Another big reason to pick sugar-free snacks is to build lifelong habits. Early food choices shape how children eat later in life. When they enjoy natural foods young, they are more likely to stay healthy as adults.

Parents, teachers, and caregivers all play a big role. By offering the right snacks, they show toddlers that healthy food can taste great. Simple changes today can bring big health benefits tomorrow.

To conclude, toddler-friendly snacks without sugar protect health, build strong bodies, and create good habits for life. Choosing wisely makes a big difference for every growing child.

The 10 Best Toddler-Friendly Snacks Without Sugar

To make it simpler for you to find snack recipes in this article that are easy to prepare without any added sugar, I put together this list of toddler-friendly snacks without sugar.

These ideas are great for easy baby snacks, tasty toddler treats, and quick bites that depend on natural ingredients for sweetness, or are savory instead.

A few of these healthy recipes for toddler-friendly snacks without sugar include an option to add a little honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness, but you can easily leave that out if you prefer.

You can use these snack ideas for toddler-friendly snacks without sugar in preschool snacks, after-school munchies, or even as part of a toddler’s lunch. Be sure to check each recipe for tips on allergy-friendly swaps and how to store them properly.

Here are some simple and enjoyable snack ideas for toddler-friendly snacks without sugar – read what top children’s nutritionists are saying (note: I’m just the author. So, I am just gathering together what expert nutritionists said on this topic and giving it to you):

1. Favorite Bliss Balls

These no-bake Bliss Balls have bright berry flavor, are packed with protein and beneficial fats, have only 5 ingredients, and store ridiculously well in the fridge for weeks. They are a satisfying snack to share with the kids.

I am a huge fan of no-bake snacks, including all manner of Energy Bites and energy balls, and these Bliss Balls are 100% my newest favorite. The berry flavor in these is seriously the best—it kind of reminds me of the intense berry flavor of a strawberry milkshake.

The beauty of this recipe is that after you soak the nuts to soften them, the rest of it comes together in minutes. And then the vegan snack can hang out in the fridge for weeks, ready whenever your family needs it. They are also easy to customize with different nuts, seeds, or fruit, so you can make them exactly the way your family prefers.

These are gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and a great source of beneficial healthy fats and protein. I love them since they are easy to adapt for families with food allergies.

What are Bliss Balls?

Bliss balls are similar to energy bites and energy balls in that they are a bite-size snack that typically has nuts or nut butter, oats or coconut, and fruit or chocolate. They may also be called protein balls, depending on the ingredients in the specific recipe. This bliss ball recipe is great for kids but also adults, particularly as a pregnancy snack, breastfeeding snack, or just an easy snack whenever you need it.

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a look at the pantry staples you need to make this easy homemade snack recipe.

• Cashews: I use roasted unsalted cashews in this recipe since they have a mild flavor and blend easily after briefly soaking in water. You can also use roasted unsalted almonds or roasted unsalted sunflower seeds. Use the latter option to make them nut-free.
• Medjool dates: Look for this variety of dates in the produce aisle as they are often sold refrigerated or near the produce. If they have pits, you’ll want to remove them before you start the recipe. These provide stickiness to help the batter hold together and natural sweetness.
• Vanilla: A little vanilla extract adds flavor that combines really nicely with the berries.
• Rolled oats: I add rolled oats (which are sometimes called “old-fashioned oats” to help ensure the balls aren’t too sticky. It also adds a little fiber, which is a nice bonus.
• Shredded and unsweetened coconut: Adding a small amount of shredded coconut to the mixture adds flavor and, with the oats, helps ensure the mixture is easy to form into balls. (If you prefer, you can use all oats or all coconut.)
• Freeze-dried fruit: I’m showing this recipe with strawberries, but you can also use blueberries or raspberries. Using freeze-dried fruit blends right into the mixture, adding intense flavor that you can’t get from fresh fruit. Look for it in your supermarket near dried fruit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Below is an overview of how to make this bliss balls recipe so you know what to expect.

1. Place the cashews in a medium bowl and cover with water. Let sit briefly to soften. Drain and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Remove the pits from the dates, if needed. Add the cashews to the bowl of a food processor with the rest of the ingredients.
3. Pulse, stopping to scrape down the sides often, until ground into a relatively smooth paste-like dough.
4. Roll out balls of dough. Press into additional shredded coconut if desired. (If the batter becomes sticky, wash your hands and start again. You can serve these chilled or at room temperature.

How to Store

Store the bliss balls in an airtight sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. They can be served cold right out of the fridge or at room temperature if you want to take them on the go.

You can also freeze them for longer-term storage in a freezer bag, but honestly, they stay fresh in the fridge for so long that you may not need to. If you freeze them, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.

Best Tips for Success

• You can use almonds or sunflower seeds instead of cashews. Raw or roasted work, just be sure to choose unsalted.
• You may want to cut them up into smaller pieces if your little one tends to stuff big bites of food into their mouth, or make slightly smaller bite-sized balls.
• Roll each in extra coconut if desired.
• Use all rolled oats instead of the coconut if you prefer. (Or all coconut instead of oats and coconut.)
• Use whichever type of freeze-dried fruit your family prefers. We love them with strawberries.

2. Fruit and Nut Bars (Copycat Larabar)

With just 5 simple and nutritious ingredients and no baking, these Fruit and Nut Bars taste like store-bought Larabars but for less cost. You can customize the flavors, adjust for allergies, and store them in the fridge or freezer for weeks.

Larabars have forever been one of my go-to toddler snacks, but since they stopped making the mini ones that were a perfect size for kids (and because they can be expensive), I started making this recipe. And while I don’t exclusively make homemade snacks—we still do buy healthy snacks for kids, including bars—this has been an easy option to have in the mix. I love that I can buy the ingredients and stash the bars in the fridge for filling snacks for weeks.

(When you buy the ingredients, know that they will make at least two batches of these, so keep them in the pantry until you’re ready to make the recipe again. Or you can make these No-Bake Chocolate Balls, which have similar ingredients.)

These fruit and nut bars are a great preschool snack (there’s a nut-free option if needed), a great after-school snack, and are also wonderful as a pregnancy snack. My whole family enjoys them!

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to have on hand to make this easy snack idea to share with the kids.

• Cashews or almonds: You can use either of these as the base of the fruit and nut bars. Either raw or roasted and unsalted works. If you want or need to make them nut-free, use roasted sunflower seeds.
• Pitted dates: Fresh dates, either the Medjool or Deglet Noir variety, work here to help hold the bars together. They are typically sold in the refrigerated aisle near the produce.
• Dried fruit: Dried cherries, dried apples, dried apricots, raisins, or prunes all work here as flavor options. Do one flavor or a combination.
• Shredded unsweetened coconut: A little bit of coconut adds flavor and helps the bars have a little structure.
• Rolled oats: Old-fashioned oats help the bars have a little structure, so they are easy to slice and pick up to eat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Below is an overview of this fruit and nut bars recipe so you know what to expect.

Step 1. Place the fruit and nuts into a medium bowl and cover with hot water.

Step 2. Let it sit to soften. Drain. Add to a food processor with the rest of the ingredients.

Step 3. Grind into a batter, starting on low and working up to high. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed to help the mixture move thoroughly.

Step 4. Press into a silicone mold (I use a 1 cup Souper Cube) or an 8×8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate briefly, then slice into bars.

TIP: You can also roll them into no-bake energy bites.

How to Store

Store Fruit and Nut Bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month, either wrapped individually in plastic wrap or separated with parchment paper. You can also freeze for up to 6 months. These are best if stored in the fridge, but hold up fine at room temperature to take them on the go. (I usually pack with an ice pack if we’ll be out for many hours in the heat, though.)

Best Tips for Success

• When you start the fruit and nut bar mixture in the food processor, it will seem like it’s not going to work. Let the machine keep running, as it can take about a minute before the mixture will start to naturally hold together like cookie dough.
• Use all coconut or all oatmeal, as you like.
• Use roasted sunflower seeds instead of the nuts to make these a nut-free snack. You can skip the soaking step, or soak for just 5 minutes.
• Use one dried fruit or a mix of them.
• Add 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder to make a chocolate version of the Fruit and Nut Bars.
• Dice up as a nutritious baby snack.

3. Favorite Chocolate Balls (No-Bake)

Keep a batch of these SO-yummy Chocolate Balls on hand for when the next chocolate craving strikes—or simply when you want to share a yummy snack or dessert with the kids. They have only 5 ingredients and store ridiculously well in the fridge for weeks.

I love an easy recipe that doesn’t require turning on the oven, and this one is seriously satisfying. These easy cookies for kids are so easy to make and basically taste like a brownie bite. They have a not-too-sweet cocoa flavor and store so well in the fridge, so you can pull out one (or a few!) whenever the mood strikes.

These are yummy with vanilla milk, healthy homemade hot cocoa, or with a simple side of berries. Or you can enjoy them on their own, of course.

These cookies are sweetened with dates and have a pleasant cocoa flavor. I’m always surprised at how delicious these are, even though they have so few ingredients. (My oldest daughter has renamed these “brownie bites” in our house!)

And most importantly, they don’t even need to be baked!

Ingredients You Need

To make these chocolate balls you’ll need the following ingredients on hand.

• Medjool dates: Choose pitted ones to save a step. These are often sold in the produce section. I don’t always have dates on hand, but one package usually makes two batches of these—and they last for months in the fridge, so I don’t have to worry about wasting them.
• Raw cashews: When raw cashews are soaked in water, they soften and become easy to blend. They also have a subtle flavor that is nice in the mix with other ingredients here.
• Cocoa powder: Opt for unsweetened cocoa powder from any brand you prefer. I usually buy SACO or Hershey’s Special Dark.
• Vanilla extract: A little vanilla extract adds flavor to this recipe, so do add it.
• Shredded unsweetened coconut: These ingredients help the cookie bites to have the texture of cookie dough and not be too sticky. If you aren’t a fan of coconut, substitute rolled oats.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s an overview of how to make these easy no-bake chocolate balls so you know what to expect from the process:

Step 1. Soak the cashews in water to soften. This is one step you’ll need to plan ahead to do before you’re ready to make the rest of the recipe.

Step 2. Remove the pits from the dates.

Step 3. Drain and add to the bowl of a food processor with the rest of the ingredients.

Step 4. Pulse to start to grind, then grind on high to make a cookie-dough-like batter. You’ll know that the dough is ready when it easily sticks together in your fingers.

Use a measuring spoon to portion out the dough and roll into balls. You can press some sprinkles into the top of each to add some color if you like. If the dough starts to get too sticky while rolling it, pop it into the fridge to chill, or simply wash your hands and start again.

How to Store

These no-bake chocolate balls will stay fresh for up to a month in an airtight container in the fridge. I recommend serving them cold, as they soften a bit at room temperature. (They hold together fine at room temperature but will last longer if chilled.)

Best Tips for Success

• Soak the nuts so they’re soft and easy to blend in the chocolate balls recipe.
• Chill the mixture if you find it too sticky to roll into balls, or wash your hands halfway through.
• Roll in cocoa powder or shredded unsweetened coconut if desired.
• Press into silicone mini molds to make fun shapes such as hearts or stars.
• Roll them into balls or flatten them slightly into cookies, depending on how your kids might like them best.

4. Yogurt Pouches (Yogurt Tubes)

Transform simple, affordable ingredients into Yogurt Pouches for a snack or breakfast. This easy yogurt tube recipe can be made in about 5 minutes, then stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Yogurt Pouches and yogurt tubes are such an easy kids’ snack to have on hand. I often save a little money on store-bought pouches and make a batch myself. I love this recipe because it’s so easy to make with ingredients I usually have on hand, and the resulting yogurt mixture is thick and yummy.

Our favorite flavor is strawberry, but I have a few variations at the end of the post, too. Know that you can make this recipe with reusable pouches or with disposable popsicle sleeves. And you can serve it at home or pack it with an ice pack to send to daycare or as a snack for preschool or big kid school.

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to have on hand to make this easy yogurt tube recipe.

• Strawberries: You can use fresh or thawed frozen berries, conventional or organic strawberries in this recipe.
• Plain whole-milk Greek yogurt: This type of dairy yogurt produces the creamiest results and is a good source of calcium, probiotics, and protein. If you only have regular yogurt on hand or prefer to use nondairy, you can use that here instead. Though the mixture may be a little thinner.
• Maple syrup: Adding a little sweetener is optional but recommended to balance the flavors. (If you prefer not to add it, taste the fruit and yogurt mixture to be sure it tastes good to you.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Below is an overview of the process of making this yogurt pouch recipe, so you know what to expect from the process.

Step 1. Clean the berries and remove the stems. Add to a blender.

Step 2. Blend berries until smooth.

Step 3. Stir in the yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla.

Step 4. Add to a pouch.

Store prepared yogurt pouches in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. From the freezer, you can either serve them frozen as fruit ice pops or Strawberry Popsicles or let them thaw to normal yogurt tube consistency.

Best Reusable Pouches

I prefer the Squeasy Gear Pouch since it’s the hardest for little kids to spill on purpose or by accident. I also like the WeeSprout pouches, which can be purchased as a set to prep pouches for the week, or the disposable tube sleeves, which can be used to make ice pops or yogurt tubes.

Best Tips for Success

• Use mango, banana, or blueberry in place of the strawberry to vary the flavor.
• Use a small funnel to help make filling the yogurt tubes easier.
• Sweeten to taste. The amount of maple syrup you need will depend on the sweetness of your fruit and the preferences of your family.
• Greek yogurt makes for the thickest texture that is most similar to store-bought pouches. You can use regular yogurt, too, though it may be a little runnier. (Both thicken slightly as they sit in the fridge, though.)
• Use dairy-free yogurt to make these nondairy. For best results, use a Greek-style one that is thicker.

5. Toddler Smoothies

This yummy toddler smoothie method is simple to blend up and even easier to customize for breakfast or snack time. It’s a perfect smoothie for kids since it’s naturally sweet, loaded with nutrition from fruit and veggies, and tastes great! Plus: The one master recipe can be made 10 easy ways.

One of the best ways to help your toddler and older kids eat more fruits and vegetables is to pack them into smoothies. By starting with one master smoothie recipe and varying it based on what your kids like (and for any food allergy concerns), you can increase the likelihood that they will actually drink it—which is clearly key!

This recipe is flexible and versatile. To be completely honest, my oldest has never been a fan of smoothies. Because of that, I tried very hard to get my second and third kids to like them right from the start. I make them smoothies a few times a week, so they are familiar, and I’m happy to report that she’s a total fan.

We love smoothies for healthy breakfasts and snacks. And it’s nice that you can keep almost all of the ingredients on hand in the freezer or pantry.

One of my best tips for helping kids like smoothies is to avoid packing them too full of extras. Because if you go overboard on veggies and things like chia seeds, a kid smoothie can taste like sludge really fast. But thankfully, you can still make a healthy smoothie that’s packed with nutrition if you know how to balance the ingredients.

TIP: If your toddler regularly drinks milk at breakfast, try switching to smoothies some days. This has the benefit of allowing you to fill their bellies with a range of nutrition and flavors.

Ingredients You Need

There’s one master recipe here, but you can pick which fruits and veggies to use so you can customize it for your child.

Generally, you’ll need:

• Milk (I prefer non-dairy)
• Fruit
• Veggie
• Frozen banana
• Optional add-ins

TIP: I like to do half frozen fruit and half fresh fruit to avoid having a smoothie that’s a nice and easy thickness for toddlers to drink.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in making smoothies for kids.

1. Add the milk to the blender. (We prefer nondairy milks since they seem to have a slightly better consistency and less of a tendency to separate after blending.)
2. Add the fruit and veggies.
3. Add any optional ingredients.
4. Blend the smoothie really well to ensure that it has a very creamy texture.
5. Serve it in a reusable pouch, a small open cup, or in a sippy cup, depending on what your kid likes best.

TIP: To help ensure a good texture and flavor in our veggie smoothies, we pick just a few ingredients each time and keep the flavors simple.

Smoothies for Toddlers with Food Allergies

If your toddler has food allergies, it’s easy to adjust a smoothie for them. If they are allergic to bananas, use 2 tablespoons of avocado instead, or try a teaspoon or two of nut butter. Use whichever type of milk you prefer—almond, flax, coconut, rice, dairy, or even kefir.

Kid-Friendly Constipation Smoothie

If your toddler has frequent constipation or a sudden bout, a smoothie with hidden veggies can help. Consider adding chia seeds or hemp seeds, and a small spoonful of coconut oil, flaxseed oil, or avocado. You can also use full-fat coconut milk as the base.

The healthy fats can coat the digestive tract, making it easier for food waste to pass through. And, since the foods in toddler smoothies are already blended, it’s much less work for their digestive systems!

TIP: This is my best Constipation Smoothie recipe.

Smoothies for Toddlers to Gain Weight

If your doctor has told you that your toddler needs to gain weight, a smoothie can be a helpful mealtime tool. Consider adding nut butters, avocado, healthy oils (flax, fish), full-fat yogurt, hemp seeds, and offering a serving of a toddler smoothie at snack time, mealtime, or as a bedtime snack.

Use those in-between times to get in a little extra nutrition and calories (though remember that we can’t impact how hungry our kids feel).

TIP: Find more foods to help toddlers gain weight here.

Here are some tips to consider when making a fruit and veggie smoothie for your kids.

• If you can freeze the greens ahead of time, the finished product will taste much less “green” but will have the same nutrition. Just make sure the greens are dry, then put them into a zip-top freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Blend really (really!) well to get a very smooth consistency, adding a little more milk (or even water) as needed to thin.
• You can get a less thick texture in toddler smoothies, which some kids prefer, by using fresh fruit rather than frozen, and this is also a good option for winter days when a frozen drink is less than ideal.
• You can use yogurt in place of milk if you add a fruit with a lot of liquid, like a clementine or an orange.
• Try using half milk and half yogurt for a creamier texture, some toddlers may prefer.
• Serve toddler smoothies in a reusable pouch (we like Squeasy Gear!) or a cup with a straw.
• You can also offer small tastes with a spoon if you have a child who isn’t yet a fan. Consider even a small sampling a success!
• Sprinkle on some granola or a favorite cereal and serve as a smoothie bowl for a fun variation.
• And if nothing else works, freeze them into popsicles!

6. ABC Baby Muffins (Apple, Banana, and Carrot)

Made with a nutrient-packed ingredient list, these tender Baby Muffins are a perfect first muffin. They are easier to chew than a regular muffin, have three kinds of produce, are sugar-free, and they boast a solid dose of healthy fats—exactly what the children need!

I am a super fan of muffins for kids since they are so convenient and endlessly versatile. And they can be a helpful way to offer foods the kids aren’t always interested in eating straight up. But when making muffins for babies, there are a few specific considerations I like to keep in mind. Here’s what makes these special:

• These have healthy fats from eggs.
• The tender muffins are easier to chew than traditional ones as they are moister. (Bready textures can be tricky for some kids)
• The flavor and sweetness come from fresh bananas, apples, and carrots.
• These are made without added sugars, which is recommended for babies.
• They freeze well, so you can store half of the batch for a future week—yay for easy meals

TIP: I am usually very straight forward in the way I name recipes, but I did think “ABC” was fitting here, and it’s a helpful way to remember what’s in the muffins (Apples, Bananas, and Carrots…see? Fun!)

You can, of course, totally serve these muffins to a toddler and they are great for one year olds I’ve been making them for my two younger kids and we top them with a little jam to add some sweetness (which is just their preference, you can try them plain first if you want!).

Ingredients in Baby Muffins

Here’s a look at what you need to make these muffins.

• mashed very ripe banana (about 2 small bananas)
• shredded apple (about 1 small apple)
• shredded carrot (about 1 small carrot)
• milk (dairy or nondairy)
• egg
• melted butter, slightly cooled
• pure vanilla extract
• whole wheat flour
• rolled oats
• cinnamon
• baking powder
• baking soda
• salt

TIP: To make these dairy-free, use melted coconut oil. To make them gluten-free, use cup-for-cup gluten-free flour.

How to Make Baby Muffins Step-by-Step

Here’s a look at the process involved in making this recipe.

1. Preheat the oven and grease a mini muffin tin. Mash the banana and shred the apple and carrot on a box grater.
2. Stir together the ingredients until uniformly smooth.
3. Divide among the prepared muffin tins.
4. Bake!

TIP: Serve diced to babies 9+ months. You can also serve a whole muffin to a BLW baby for them to munch on.

What’s the texture of these muffins like?

These are deliberately very moist (and moister than regular muffins) to ensure they are easy for the baby to chew and swallow. They will be moist and very tender when fully cooked, so know that is on purpose! (My middle kiddo didn’t master breaded foods easily until she was well over 1 year old, so I am mindful that this texture is trickier for some kiddos and did my best to make these very appropriate for little eaters.)

Finger Foods for Babies

I love having easy prep-ahead recipes that I can use for baby meals, and these muffins work well for breakfast, lunch, or snack time. You can pair them with diced fruit, applesauce, scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, or any other favorite finger food or puree.

Can I freeze these muffins?

You sure can! Freeze, once fully cooled, in a freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature. You can also store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

TIP: You can serve these chilled, at room temperature, or slightly warmed. Diced up, they make a great baby snack!

Tips for Making the Best Baby Muffins

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Serve chilled, at room temperature, or slightly warmed.
• Freeze, once fully cooled, in a freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
• To make these dairy-free, use melted coconut oil.
• To make an egg-free version, see this similar Sugar-Free Banana Muffin.
• Be sure to use a very ripe banana for the best natural sweetness—there are no added sugars in these muffins, so you need those natural sugars.
• You can serve it topped with butter, applesauce, apple butter, or jam (especially for older kids!) to add more sweetness.
• If you want to make these sweeter, you can add ¼ cup sugar to the batter.
• Serve the baby as many muffins as they want according to their appetite.

7. Sugar-Free Banana Muffins

Mix up a batch of these easy-to-make Sugar-Free Banana Muffins to share with your baby or toddler come breakfast or snack time. You don’t need any special ingredients, and they are super moist and flavorful. (P.S. There’s a vegan option too!)

Sugar-Free Banana Muffins

When we’re feeding babies or toddlers (or ourselves) and looking to minimize added sugars, it can be hard to find homemade snacks and breakfasts for kids that still taste great. So I did my best to ensure that these muffins are delicious in their own right and just happen to have zero added sugars. I’ve made these a handful of times now, and both of my girls enjoy them (aged 3 and 7), as well as the baby. And I do too!

Ingredients in Sugar-Free Banana Muffins

To make these healthy banana muffins, you’ll need:

• mashed banana
• egg
• coconut oil
• milk
• pure vanilla extract
• whole wheat flour
• rolled oats
• cinnamon
• baking soda
• baking powder

TIP: You’ll want to be sure to use very ripe bananas with a lot of brown spots to ensure that the muffins are flavorful and naturally sweet.

How to Make Sugar-Free Banana Muffins Step-by-Step

Here’s a look at the process involved in making this recipe.

1. Mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
2. Add to a bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
3. Stir together.
4. Divide among a mini muffin pan and bake!

Dairy-Free Banana Muffins

To make these muffins dairy-free, use nondairy plain unsweetened milk.

Egg-Free Banana Muffins

To make these egg-free, you’ll simply omit the egg and add additional oil. So easy and delicious!

Gluten-Free Banana Muffins

To make these muffins gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend. I like the one from King Arthur best.

Will my older kids like these too?

I like to make these with half topped with mini chocolate chips and half plain to make them delicious for all ages. My girls love them with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips (and I do too!) though you don’t have to do that—they’re impressively sweet on their own (though clearly not as sweet as a traditional banana muffin with added sugar.)

Baby Muffins with Bananas

Babies and toddlers under two are advised not to have added sugars, and while that recommendation isn’t always possible to follow, these muffins are a great option for little ones. The textures is moist, so if you break them up into little pieces, babies eating finger foods can eat them too.

TIP: If your baby seems to have a hard time moving bready textures in their mouths, try topping each bite with a little applesauce or plain yogurt. And offer sips of water too.

Tips for Making the Best Sugar-Free Banana Muffins

• Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
• Gluten-free: Swap in a gluten-free flour blend for the whole wheat to make them gluten-free.
• Egg-free: Omit the egg and use ½ cup total coconut oil.
• Use melted butter or canola oil instead of coconut oil if needed.
• Be sure to stir your batter together thoroughly. If you can see the oil, you need to stir it more. It should be uniformly mixed.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 24 hours or in the fridge for 3-5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To serve from the fridge, warm for 5-10 seconds in the microwave to soften slightly.

8. Banana Oatmeal Bars

With just five ingredients and a texture and flavor that’s similar to a soft oatmeal cookie, these Banana Oatmeal Bars are a nutritious (and yummy!) make-ahead breakfast or snack.

I am so happy to share this recipe today because it has become a new staple weekday breakfast in our house. It’s been amazing to have this option to make-ahead breakfast for kids and stash in the fridge to grab on mornings when the kids need a little more time to sleep…and still need a substantial breakfast.

These are easy to take on the go, you can cut them into sticks or squares, and they can be eaten chilled out of the fridge or warmed up slightly. It’s basically like eating a bowl of oatmeal, but in bar form! You can pair this easy breakfast recipe with Flavored Milk, Yogurt Drinks, or a Toddler Protein Shake.

Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to have on hand to make this recipe, so you know what to grab from the pantry or store.

• Bananas: Very ripe bananas are key to the sweetness and flavor in this recipe. They should have lots of brown spots, which indicate natural sugars.
• Instant oats: You can use store-bought instant oats or quickly grind up rolled oats in a blender or food processor. You can also use oat flour. All work to make an oatmeal bar with a nicely uniform consistency.
• Peanut butter: Peanut butter adds protein and beneficial fats to help the bars keep us satisfied. It also helps the bars hold together easily without using eggs. To make these nut-free, use sunflower seed butter. (You can also use almond butter if you prefer.)
• Milk: I usually use whole milk in my baking, but any kind of plain unsweetened milk will work here.
• Chocolate chips (or dried fruit): We love these topped with chocolate chips, but you could also use dried fruit or fresh or frozen blueberries if you prefer.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Below is an overview of the process involved in making this Banana Oatmeal Bars recipe, so you know what to expect.

1. Preheat the oven and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. (I allow 2 inches to hang over the edges on either side so the bars are easy to lift out and slice.) Add the ingredients to a medium bowl.
2. Stir well to combine thoroughly.
3. Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing evenly. Add chocolate chips.
4. Bake until firm to the touch and lightly golden around the edges.

How to Store

Store leftover Banana Oatmeal Bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Enjoy cold or warmed slightly according to how you prefer to eat them. (We like them both ways!)

Best Tips for Success

• Use rolled oats that have been ground up in the blender, instant oats, or oat flour.
• Leave out the chocolate chips or add dried fruit instead if you prefer.
• Use gluten-free oats to make this gluten-free.
• Use sunflower seed butter to make this nut-free.
• Add ¼ cup of honey or maple syrup to make this sweeter if your family prefers.

9. Favorite Baby Cookies

Bake up a nourishing snack to share with the littles with this super easy Baby Cookies recipe. With a few flavor options—and a chance to use up lingering baby food purees including sweet potato, apple, and banana!—these cookies are both nutritious and yummy.

Made with just a few wholesome ingredients, these healthy oatmeal cookies are a great baby snack. They’re also a perfect way to use up homemade baby food purees, which can be handy if you find yourself with extra.

I have three main flavor options—banana, sweet potato, and apple—but you can really use any flavor of puree that you or baby likes.

With a simple method and quick cooking time, you can meal prep this snack to have on hand (in the freezer, even) for babies and one-year-olds. I even recently bought the “wrong” flavor of applesauce pouch for my kids and used them up in these cookies. Hooray!

To make this Baby Cookies recipe, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.

• Mashed banana, sweet potato puree, or applesauce (or other baby food puree) to add moisture and naturally sweet flavor.
• Quick oats: The finer texture helps the batter hold together better. Or you can grind up rolled oats in the food processor.
• Egg: Or you can use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or peanut butter.
• Baking powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

TIP: You can really use any baby food puree, pouch, or flavor of applesauce you want. As long as it’s about the same consistency as applesauce or mashed banana, it will work.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at how to make this baby cookie recipe.

Step 1. Mash the banana or sweet potato, if needed. Stir the dry ingredients together.

Step 2. Stir the dry ingredients together with the wet ingredients.

Step 3. Portion out batter into balls and press flat.

Step 4. Bake until the bottoms are lightly golden brown.

TIP: These cook quickly but don’t brown much, and they remain pretty soft to the touch.

How to Store

Store these Baby Cookies, once fully cooled, in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge or at room temperature. Alternatively, let cool to room temperature, then freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer bag; thaw at room temperature.

Best Tips for Success

• Be sure to use very ripe bananas with a lot of brown spots for the best flavor.
• If you’d like to make these cookies a little sweeter, you can add 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup to the batter.
• You can use an egg, nut, or seed butter that’s at room temperature (or warmed very briefly so it’s easy to stir). The only difference is that the egg version is slightly softer.
• If you have only old-fashioned rolled oats, you can grind them briefly in the food processor or blender to make quick oats.
• Serve cookies with a drink, and dice them up if needed for your child if they need help taking bites.

10. Easy Cheese Crackers

Mix up this easy-to-work-with cracker dough, then let the kids help roll and cut their way to the yummiest homemade Cheese Crackers recipe. These crackers have whole grains and a delightfully crisp texture. So good!

I don’t always bake with my kids, and I don’t always make homemade versions of foods we can buy at the store, but there are times when I do both—and this recipe is one of them!

The dough is easy to make. My girls love to roll it out and cut shapes … and then eat the batch for snack time.

The method for making this dough uses the food processor, which turns the ingredients into a smooth dough that’s perfectly pliable. The dough is not too sticky, so it’s a good one for kids to help cook since they can easily participate in each step. (Or just the cutting out step if you want to simplify.)

There are no fancy ingredients or methods here, so you might even be able to make these with ingredients you already have in the house. Plus, the whole grains from the flour and oats add complex carbohydrates and fiber to the snack. Paired with the protein from the cheese, these whole wheat crackers are a nicely balanced food all on their own.

We like to make them midmorning or after nap time to enjoy as a snack when they’re fresh out of the oven.

Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand. (Most are pantry staples, so you may have them all already!)

• Shredded cheese: I like to use mild or sharp cheddar cheese. White or orange will both work. You can use shredded mozzarella if you prefer, too.
• Rolled oats: These are sometimes called “old-fashioned oats” at the store and add whole grains to the batter.
• Whole wheat flour: Or you can use a gluten-free flour blend or all-purpose flour.
• Milk: I use whole milk, but any kind will work fine.
• Butter: I prefer to bake with unsalted butter.
• Salt: You can omit this if you like, though a tiny amount helps them have the best flavor.
• Dried rosemary: This is optional for an extra flavor note.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in making this toddler snack:

1. Add all ingredients to the food processor.
2. Blend until it sticks together into a batter. You may need to pulse it a few times, as the mixture is a thick batter.
3. Roll out the dough between two pieces of parchment paper coated with a little flour to prevent it from sticking.
4. Use cookie cutters, a knife, or a pastry wheel to cut out crackers.
5. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or use a silicone baking mat.
6. Bake until golden brown.

TIP: Re-roll the dough and repeat the process to use all of the dough. If the dough is ever too sticky to roll, place in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to firm up. You can also make the dough ahead, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator until ready to make the crackers.

How to Keep Homemade Crackers Crisp

These crackers are best eaten soon after they come out of the oven—they’re small so good I don’t know how you’d resist!—But you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day or two.

They start to soften as they sit, so if you’re worried about eating the whole batch, make half and store the rest of the dough in a zip-top bag in the fridge or freezer, and when ready to make more, bring the dough to room temperature and bake!

How to Store

These crackers are best eaten on the day they’re made, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two.

Best Tips for Success

• To make these gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free rolled oats.
• Use the rosemary to add a little extra flavor, or omit it if you prefer. Or try garlic powder or black pepper for other flavor variations.
• If your dough is sticky at any point, place it into the fridge for a few minutes to firm up. If your dough does not seem to come together when it’s in the food processor, add a few additional drops of milk.
• Set the timer for the lower end of the baking range to start, then add another minute until the edges are lightly golden brown. The edges can get very brown really fast at the end.
• To make a smaller batch, place half of the dough into a freezer storage bag, seal, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, roll out, cut out shapes, and bake whenever the urge strikes!
• You may also like my go-to Store-Bought Snacks.
• Dairy-free: Use nondairy cheese and softened coconut oil in place of the cheese and butter.
• Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 style of gluten-free flour blend like the one from King Arthur Flour.

Other fun and easy snack ideas, all free of refined sugar that you can try:

Conclusion

Children enjoy snacking, and they are usually attracted to sweet, chewy, and sticky foods that, honestly, aren’t the healthiest options! While it’s clear that sugar is harmful, the question is: what snacks are good for kids?

Some foods, such as yogurt, nuts, and crisp vegetables, can actually help strengthen teeth and gums while offering important vitamins needed for growing mouths. But how can you get kids excited about eating sugar-free, healthy snacks that satisfy their hunger without hurting their teeth? The secret lies in making it fun and exciting.

Finding toddler-friendly snacks without sugar is easier than you think. With the right ideas, your little one can enjoy every bite. Healthy snacks keep toddlers full of energy and joy. They also help build strong bodies and happy minds. Best of all, you can make many of them at home! No need to spend extra money on store-bought snacks full of sugar.

Start by picking easy recipes. Use fresh fruits, oats, and nuts when you can. Always keep a few healthy snacks ready in your fridge or bag. This makes busy days so much easier.

Remember, simple steps lead to big health wins. Pick the best for your toddler’s future and choose the best toddler-friendly snacks without sugar among the options we have given you on various toddler-friendly snacks without sugar. Start today by trying one homemade snack recipe. You and your toddler will love the results!