Coming home from school is the best part of the day for a lot of kids, but it’s also the time when they’re tired, cranky and, most of all, hungry. Get ahead of the after-school hunger with these creative and delicious after school snacks your kids will love.

Strawberry cheese french toast

Breakfast for dinner is a popular dessert but have you tried it for an after-school snack? French toast combined with a hint of savoury cream cheese and the sweetness of National Strawberry Spread will take your kids from hangry to happy in no time at all.

After-school charcuterie

Sometimes it’s a play date, sometimes you’ve got three kids and it feels like you’re feeding 20. If your kids are extra hungry or you know it will be a while until dinner, serve up an after-school charcuterie board.

This is a great place to add some adventurous choices to some already loved foods. To make a kid-friendly charcuterie start with a big platter or cutting board. Cut up cheeses, veggies and fruits. Add crackers, nuts and a few cookies or Sawayyan Bites (a sweet and delicious South Asian inspired square made with rice vermicelli and condensed milk). Add some dips like hummus and plum chutney. Place in the middle of the table and watch it disappear!

Cinnamon apples

Sometimes you need something creative but quick and easy for after-school. For cinnamon apples, cut apples in half and core them. To each half add 1 tbsp of butter, 1 tbsp of brown sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes and you’re done!

Spaghetti with chapli meatballs

Spaghetti with meatballs is a quick and nourishing dinner but it can also easily be made into a fun and delicious after-school snack. One half kg of beef mince, 2 bread slices and ½ a pack of National Chapli Kabab Mix are blended in a food processor, made into balls and pan fried over oil. Spaghetti is cooked according to package instructions while you make a quick sauce. In a pan heat 1 tbsp of oil, add 2 tbsp of ginger garlic paste, 2 tbsp National Soy Sauce, 1 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp chicken powder, 1 tbsp National Chili Sauce, 1 tbsp crushed red chilies, 1 cup National Corn Flour dissolved in stock and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Stir cooked spaghetti into sauce. Add in fried meatballs. Serve spaghetti and a meatball on individual skewers for a delicious and protein packed after school snack.

A creative after-school snack can be quick to make and does not have to sacrifice flavor. Try one of these ideas and transform your after school experience into a fun and delicious time for your whole family.