Does your child seem to exist solely off of snacks? My four year old is a snack fiend. The only problem is that those snacks are often individually wrapped in layers of plastic. In this article, we’ll take you on a delicious journey through 8 zero waste snacks for children. As a busy mom, I don’t want to sacrifice convenience or have to make elaborate recipes (there are enough dishes from meal times, right?), so I tried to stick to ideas that are easy and satisfying. While some of these plastic-free snacks may require a little bit of prep work up front, you’ll find that they are healthier and fresher than packaged snacks. And they will be gobbled up by snack lovers of all ages in no time.
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Popcorn
I may have titled this “zero waste snacks for children” but I’ll be the first to admit that popcorn is my go-to snack. I eat a bowl of popcorn almost every night, and my husband jokes that I have a popcorn stomach in addition to my regular stomach. Popcorn is fast, easy, and delicious. What’s not to like? It is great for picking toddlers since it can be customized to suit your taste buds in preferred flavors. The caveat is that popcorn can be a choking hazard, so make sure your child is developmentally ready and chews it well.
To eliminate single-use plastic from my popcorn routine, I buy the kernels in bulk at my local grocery store. I use my Pampered Chef Microwave Popcorn Maker to pop the kernels. Once you have your popcorn base, the possibilities are endless. You can sprinkle it with sea salt for a simple and satisfying snack, or get adventurous with a variety of seasonings and toppings.
For a savory twist, try adding nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and dried herbs like rosemary or thyme. These ingredients not only add flavor but also provide additional nutrients. If you have a sweet tooth, consider tossing your popcorn with a mixture of cinnamon, cocoa powder, and a touch of honey or maple syrup. You can also add in your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or dark chocolate chunks for a trail mix-inspired popcorn blend.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
One of the best zero waste snacks for children is fresh produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables not only provide essential nutrients and vitamins but also come in their own natural packaging – their skins! By choosing whole, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, you eliminate the need for plastic packaging that often accompanies pre-packaged snacks. Giving my one year old an apple at night is like striking gold. She will gnaw on a single apple for at least 15 minutes. That’s 15 minutes of occupied time and a healthy, inexpensive snack.
When selecting fresh produce, aim for items that are in season and locally grown. Not only will these fruits and vegetables taste better, but they also have a lower carbon footprint due to less transportation and storage requirements. Plus, supporting local farmers helps sustain the local economy and promotes a sense of community. Pick-your-own places and farmers markets are fun to visit as a weekend family activity. Don’t forget to bring your own containers and produce bags.
To make fresh produce more convenient as a snack, consider washing and prepping your fruits and vegetables in advance. Cut up celery sticks, carrot sticks, and cucumber slices, and store them in reusable containers in your refrigerator. Portion out berries, grapes, or cherry tomatoes into reusable snack bags. This way, when hunger strikes, you can quickly grab a healthy and waste-free snack without relying on single-use plastic wrappers or containers.
Freshly Baked Bread
The smell of fresh baked bread is mouthwatering and I find the process of making bread to be very relaxing. With having two small kids, I don’t have as much time to make fancy breads like I used to, but it takes only 5 minutes to mix up a simple no-knead bread dough to bake the next day. Just combine 3 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of yeast, and ¼ teaspoon of salt in a bowl. Add 1 ⅓ cups of room temperature water and stir until you get a shaggy, sticky goop. Cover it tightly and let it sit for 12 hours on your countertop. The next day, form the bread into a ball. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Shape the dough into a rough ball and place it in a lightly oiled dutch oven. Cover it and cook for 30 minutes, then uncover it and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. You should really wait until the bread cools to cut into it, but I never quite seem to have the self control for that.
Of course, if you prefer you can buy bakery bread from the store! To keep the bread fresher for longer, consider storing it in a reusable bread bag.
No Bake Energy Balls
Making your own energy balls is an easy snack to prep in advance and pull out of the freezer when you need it. They are a great zero-waste alternative to traditional granola bars. Plus you can easily customize them to fit your tastes. There are a lot of flavor variations – this post alone lists 10 different ingredient combinations you can try.
Cheese or Meat from the Deli
Cheese and meat are filling and versatile which makes them great zero waste snacks for children. You can add them to your fresh bread or have them on their own. Cheese and meat often comes in plastic, but a stop by your local delicatessen can turn these easy snacks into a zero waste win. Go to the grocery store armed with a container and ask your local delicatessen worker if they can place the slices directly in there.
Trail Mix
When buying store trail mix, I often find myself picking through it for the pieces (ahem, chocolate) that I like. Bulk bins offer a solution. You can often find dried fruit and nuts in bulk bins at the grocery store, and you can use these to personalize a trail mix with the exact ratios you want. Never been bulk bin shopping before? You can check out my step by step guide for how it’s done.
Nut butter and Jelly Sandwich
See if you can find your favorite nut butter in a glass jar. You can also likely find a wide variety of jellies and jams in glass containers. Put them together with some bread and you have a classic child-approved combination. Or use peanut butter, honey, and banana to mix it up.
By supporting products in plastic-free packaging, you encourage companies to prioritize sustainable packaging options. This change may seem small, but every effort counts in our journey to minimize plastic waste and protect our environment.
Eggs
Eggs are easy and quick to prepare in many different styles. You can even have your kids help you cook them. My four year old can crack the egg, mix it in the bowl, pour it in the pan, and try to flip it. I think it helps her to eat the food when she participates in cooking, which is why I included it on my list of tips for reducing food waste from toddlers. Consider buying eggs that come in cardboard cartons since they are more likely to be recyclable than plastic cartons (and the styrofoam ones go to the landfill).
In conclusion, these 8 zero waste snack ideas for children offer a delicious and eco-friendly solution to reducing plastic waste. From homemade energy bites to fresh fruit, there’s a wide range of options for everyone. By embracing sustainable snacks, we can make a significant impact on minimizing our plastic consumption. What is your favorite zero waste snack?
