Time is so important. I have realized this more and more with each child I have. I would much rather spend time with my children and other more important things than on food prep. So, I make snacks in bulk to spend time where it is truly important.

Carrot Sticks

Preparing the Carrot sticks

These are pretty easy to prepare and a favorite grab-and-go snack. They are very nutritious and can be eaten alone or with various dips. Though it is more cost effective to buy bags of large carrots to peel and chop, it is also more time consuming. They do sell bags of pre-chopped carrots at some stores but, this can be more expensive, or you can opt for baby carrots.

Want an excellent hack for keeping your carrots crunchy?

I will spare you the scientific detail, however when you put your carrots into water it keeps them hydrated. Carrots that are stored out of water will lose their water, and become limp. So, this keeps them fresh longer and prevents them from losing their crunch.

You can also restore the freshness of limp carrots at home by submerging them into cold water or ice water, allowing them to sit for a while. The carrots should be crunchy once again. Chopped carrots are generally around 20 minutes, while whole carrots will take an hour or more.

Some of our favorite dips for carrots:

• Ranch dressing
• Hummus
• Honey mustard
• Cream cheese with chives

Trail Mix

I love trail mix! My love for trail mix goes back to when I was a child. My family and I would go camping every year often multiple times per year. I remember all of us packing our backpacks and canteens for a day on the hiking trails. Nothing tasted better than trail mix when we were hiking. Now as an adult, anytime I hit the trails, I make a much healthier version of this trail mix to take along for the hike.

Making It in Bulk

I make a large batch out of convenience. I pack individual snack bags for my kids that they can grab when they want something quick. They are also easy to throw into a lunch bag, purse or diaper bag. The one pictured below isn’t one I make often because I had a random bag of Muddy Buddies that we never buy, but the kids gobble it up, and it is a favorite!

Other Additions

• Raisins
• Dried cranberries
• Chocolate morsels
• Coconut flakes
• Cashews
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Peanuts
• Flax seeds
• Sesame sticks
• Banana chips
• Apple rings
• Other dried fruits
• Other nuts and seeds

Peanut Butter Power Bites

This is another snack that I love to make in bulk. This yields roughly two dozen; I like to make a lot more than that, so I just keep adding to this recipe to make an XXL batch. I like to keep it in my freezer but, they don’t last very long here.

To thaw them, put a bag in the fridge overnight and they will be ready by morning. You can also put a few on the counter on a plate or in a lunch bag to thaw before snack or lunchtime. My children even enjoy them frozen.

Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops

These delicious snacks are packed full of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. Don’t tell your kids they are actually good for you and a better alternative to sweet popsicles that will leave kids zipping through the house. They are coated in greek yogurt and, for fun and a bit of color, bit of sprinkles.

Kids love helping with this no-bake recipe. They enjoy everything from peeling bananas to putting the sprinkles on. They love eating them even more! My 2-year-old enjoys them also. For hers, I use plain Greek yogurt and no sprinkles.

How to make Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops

Step 1: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cut the bananas in half and peel them.

Step 3: Put a lollipop or Popsicle stick into each banana.

Step 4: Use a butter knife to smooth the yogurt to cover the banana (I use greek).

Step 5: Put toppings of your choice on the bananas. Some options are sprinkles, nuts, raisins, and chocolate shavings. Get creative.

Step 6: Place the cookie sheet into the freezer for about 1 to 2 hours and enjoy! Store the Frozen Yogurt Pops in a freezer bag for another day or as soon as they are frozen. My kids usually can’t wait to have them.

English Muffin Mini Pizzas

Making mini pizzas is very easy. These are one of my freezer bulk meals/snacks that I like to keep on hand. They also work really well for a fast and simple lunch for kids when you’re short on time. You only need a few basic ingredients you likely already have around – it’s a fun and easy recipe.

I hope you enjoy these snack ideas. Check out these yummy Amazing Chocolate Cookie Recipe: With Marshmallows to add sweetness to your life!

Or this delicious Chai: How to Make Copycat Dunkin Vanilla Chai Powder This recipe is a copycat of the chai before they changed to a syrup pre-2017.