15 Healthy Toddler Snacks They're Sure to Love

Parents, be honest: there’s nothing more frustrating than feeding your little one. We love ‘em, but sometimes they’re picky! With oodles of snacks at their fingertips, it’s challenging to find healthy, yet exciting treats. Adding healthy toddler snacks and fiber-rich foods into your toddler’s diet is an ideal way to keep them happy and of course, healthy.

While you might have a handful of these healthy snacks in your pantry, a quick trip to the grocery store is always fun! There’s no shortage of toddler-friendly snacks that are loaded with nutrients like vitamin C, fiber and protein.

These snacks are perfect for your little one’s lunchbox or if you need convenient options. Bonus points if they’re healthy packaged snacks!

What to look for in the best healthy toddler snacks

Age is a key element in finding the best snacks for your little ones. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, snacks for toddlers under two shouldn’t have any added sugars, while toddlers over two can have up to 25 grams per day.

A nourishing toddler snack has few ingredients, is convenient, because we are all busy parents, and is tasteful for the toddler,” says Bethany Ferguson, owner, dietitian and lactation consultant at Nourishing Babes.

“I’m looking for snacks high in key nutritional ingredients such as omega-3 to boost brain development, iron for blood cell development and satisfying nutrients like protein and fat.”

Jaw development is an equally important factor when choosing healthy snacks for toddlers. “Think raw foods they have to chew on to help promote proper jaw formation,” says Ferguson.

Ferguson advises parents to avoid foods with artificial sweeteners, which can disrupt the gut microbiome. “Toddlers don’t need to be exposed to additional sugars so that can be something to watch out for on the label.” This includes low-fat products because they have higher sugar and are less satisfying for kids.

The best healthy toddler snacks right now

Cheese Sticks

Cheese can form part of a healthy, balanced diet for young children because it provides calcium, protein and lots of vitamins. For toddlers, finding one that’s low in sodium, pasteurized and made with whole milk is ideal. This is important for brain development and healthy bone growth.

With a wide variety of cheese types available—including mozzarella, swiss and ricotta—your little one can choose their favorites to enjoy.

These simple cheese sticks include five grams of protein and no added sugar! It’s the perfect addition to contribute to your toddler’s balanced diet.

We love how loaded with protein and calcium these fun-for-them sticks are.

Prunes

Struggling with constipation? Prunes are a tried-and-true snack. Known for their natural laxative effect, they're your little one’s best bet to get things moving. With three grams of fiber in each handful, prunes contain other nutrients including iron, calcium and potassium — kids chew this easy toddler snack without needing any reason.

Toast

Toast made from nuts, seeds and whole grains often packs more fiber than those made from refined flour. Not only that, but it helps avoid spikes and crashes in blood sugar and insulin levels.

Look for varieties made from whole wheat, oats or flaxseeds — and ensure they’re listed as one of the first two ingredients!

Apple sauce

You might think apple sauce is packed with sugar, but not every pack is. Ideal for on-the-go moments, apple sauce includes a high concentration of pectin which helps with digestion and removing waste from the body — if you catch our drift. Simultaneously, it promotes the growth of probiotics.

The best apple sauce boasts omega-3, choline and immunity-boosting Vitamin C to benefit your little one — Brainiac’s apple sauce packs are right up their alley!

Smoothies

If you’re dealing with a picky eater who won’t touch fresh fruit or veggies, smoothies are your new best friend. They’re sweet and creamy like a milkshake, and when done right, are high in fiber too. You can use almost any fruit or mild-tasting veggies like zucchini and spinach.

Freeze leftover smoothies in popsicle molds for a refreshing treat!

Popcorn

Popcorn is the perfect high-fiber snack food to include in school lunches and at snack time. With four grams of fiber per serving, the salt and crunch are mouthwatering.

Consider air-popping it on the stovetop and experimenting with various seasonings, like parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast or cinnamon sugar. Be sure to chat with your doctor about this one first—for younger toddlers, popcorn may pose a choking hazard.

Chickpeas

Enough of bean jokes — chickpeas are here to save the day. Yes, these may cause a little gas, but that just means they’re doing their job. Packed with fiber and super versatile, you can throw them into a food dip or a salad for extra veggies.

These chickpea puffs have three grams of protein and two grams of fiber per serving. This pack includes four stellar flavors including vegan white cheddar and bohemian barbecue for exciting lunchbox-ready snack options.

Apples

Nearly everyone loves this luscious, red fruit, especially toddlers. Apples are packed with vitamin C, fiber and carbohydrates, making them a nutritious choice. They’re essential for little ones to capture the energy they need to stay active all day.

The antioxidants and nutrients found in apples are good for vision, balance sugar levels and help combat symptoms of asthma. After all, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Jazz it up some peanut butter! With three grams of fiber per serving, it’s a convenient option when you're aiming to add some extra fiber to your child’s diet.

Crackers

The best crunchy goodness made from whole grains, nuts, and seeds usually often packs more fiber crackers made from refined flour. Look for varieties made from whole wheat, rolled oats, almond flour or flaxseeds, and ensure they’re listed as one of the first two ingredients.

These crackers have three grams of fiber per serving and are made with brown rice, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. We love that each serving boasts soluble and insoluble fiber, to get healthy guts moving.

Top with sunflower seed butter or sliced boiled eggs if you're feeling extra adventurous and looking for more protein than plain crackers or a ho-hum granola bar.

Raspberries

These little berries are not only delicious and versatile, but they're also packed with fiber, featuring eight grams per cup. When your little ones manage to clean out a whole carton in minutes, rest assured they're getting a healthy dose of fiber.

Add raspberries to overnight oats or breakfast parfaits, or mash them up into homemade jam for more healthy snack ideas!

Hummus

A two-tablespoon serving of hummus packs quite a nutritional punch, including heart-healthy fat. With two to three grams of protein per serving, hummus is full of key nutrients including calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. It includes three grams of fiber, which helps your little one maintain a healthy weight.

Lay out a bowl of hummus and serve with a plate of veggies, crackers, or pita bread and let your toddler experiment with different textures and flavors. We even love spoonfuls of hummus and rice for baby and toddler high chair meals.

Dates

With three grams of fiber per serving, dates provide a quick fiber boost when you’re on the go. They don’t require refrigeration and have a long shelf-life so you can conveniently pack them in travel bags. Dates are tasty, sweet sources of fiber that look, taste and feel a lot like candy.

Add these fiber-rich dried fruits to cereal or pack them with nut butter.

Pretzels

Available in fun shapes and sizes, organic pretzels are filled with carbohydrates to keep their energy levels in peak shape. Commonly made of wheat flour, pretzels are enriched with iron and some B vitamins, including thiamine. If your little ones are too small to chew, let them suck on the pretzels to break them down.

These organic pretzels include two grams of fiber and three grams of protein per serving.

Make your own trail mix with mini pretzels, chocolate chips and chopped-up dried pineapple.

Sugar snap peas

Don’t let the name fool you, sugar snap peas are a non-starchy vegetable with tons of great benefits. The edible pod pea is a good source of folate and vitamins B6, C and K, which collectively support neurodevelopment, metabolism and immune function.

Plus, they offer two grams of fiber per serving, which works for the digestive health and iron levels of your little one’s red blood cells. We love this healthy school snack in bento boxes, too.

Freeze-dried strawberries

While we all love fresh, juicy strawberries, these single-serving packs of freeze-dried strawberries offer three grams of fiber, and a great source of vitamin C, without the usual mess and stains. With its crispy and crunchy texture, adding them to their yogurt or oatmeal is a breeze!

These can be store-bought or made with a food dehydrator at home for easy, candy-like lunch box treats.