Back-to-School Recipe Roundup

It’s that time of year again: You need breakfasts that are quick to make and eat, lunches you can pack the night before, and after-school snacks that will keep kids going strong till dinnertime. To get the school year off to a healthy start, we’ve rounded up some great ideas and easy-to-make recipes that will help get you and the kids out the door on time.

 

Breakfast in a Hurry

Pumped-up pancakes: Add some shredded kale and apples to your regular pancake batter for an extra dose of nutrients.

Yogurt parfait: Layering plain or vanilla yogurt with fresh fruit and granola makes this fun breakfast a complete — and filling — meal.

Overnight oats: Prep these the night before and your kids can dig in as soon as they get up.

Breakfast burritos (pictured above): These wraps are a hearty and healthy breakfast — perfect for kids who are extra-hungry in the morning. And if you’re really in a rush, simply wrap a scrambled egg in a tortilla and hand it to your kid on his way out the door.

Frittata: Make this yummy dish on Sunday and your kids can eat it for breakfast all week long.

Packable Lunches

Waffle sandwich: Make extras next time you have waffles for breakfast and turn them into a fun sandwich by spreading them with peanut butter, honey and sliced banana.

Sampler platter: Finger foods are especially appealing to little hands, so put together a mix of cheese cubes, deli meat slices, raw veggies, crackers and a dip (such as hummus or ranch dressing).

Fun-shaped sandwiches: If you make a sandwich on bread, use a cookie cutter to turn it into a flower or a fire engine. Take a sandwich wrap and cut it into pinwheel-shaped slices.

Pasta salad (pictured above): This is a great make-ahead recipe that can fill lunchboxes all week long.

Quesadillas: Make a cheese-and-veggie quesadilla the night before and pack it with a side of salsa or guacamole for dipping.

After-School Snacks

Banana walnut smoothie (pictured above): This healthy smoothie is indulgent enough to make your kids feel like they’re drinking a milkshake.

Graham crackers with peanut butter and banana slices: This combo makes the perfect power snack, with just enough sweetness.

Trail mix: A blend of your kid’s favorite nuts, seeds and dried fruit makes a great on-the-go snack when shuttling between after-school activities.

Energy balls: Replace the cliched cookies and milk with these protein-packed no-bake treats.

 

Sally Wadyka is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist who writes about nutrition, health and wellness.

from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/2brAIrI