I’ve made it my mission recently to make more homemade treats for my little one. If there’s one thing he loves, it’s snacks, and I found myself giving him a plethora of shop-bought goodies without really understanding the nutritional value of them. I decided to look into some homemade toddler snack ideas that are easy to make and cut down on the one thing I am trying to keep under control, sugar intake. This list includes recipes that I’ve found online and in books, but slightly tweaked to work for us, as well as simple substitutes.
Breadsticks with cream cheese
I decided to substitute and cut down on the amount of toddler crisp snacks I was giving my little one. After doing some research, I swapped them out for breadsticks with some soft cream cheese from the supermarket, which don’t include loads of ingredients. This is also perfect for packing in their bag for snacking on the go.
Carrot sticks with hummus
A fresher treat that also doubles up as a great soother for teething bubs, this is great for giving on the go.
Egg-free oat and sultana cookies
These cookies are the perfect sweet treat; they require minimal effort to make and are great for storing away. I use less sugar than the recipe instructs because I found that the sultanas added a lot of sweetness. It’s also worth saying that these are a great treat for adults too. Check out the full baking video on our Little Bub and Me Instagram page.
Fruit salad
Admittedly, this is a work in progress with my little one, but I love preparing a plate with a couple of fruit options for him to pick at.
Watermelon, banana and mango ice lollies
These are especially good for teething bubs. These yummy lollies are super quick and easy to make, plus your little one will get even more exposure to fruit. Head to our Instagram page to follow along and make them. You’ll need a blender, I used the Tommee Tippee Quick Chop and some ice lolly moulds.
Frozen yoghurt cups and bark
Both of these recipes require little effort, and they’re great to keep in the freezer. Simply put some full-fat Greek yoghurt into cupcake moulds (I like to mix the yoghurt with some homemade berry compote) and top with fruit and some biscuit crumbs for added texture. The bark is equally as easy, spread the yoghurt on a tray lined with greaseproof paper and top with the fruits of your choice, then place in the freezer.
Jam tarts with reduced sugar
Reducing and cutting out sugar is an area that I have prioritised when baking fresh treats for my little one. These jam tarts are a great little sweet treat that doesn’t contain a lot of sugar. After a bit of research, I used the Fearne and Rosie Raspberry Jam, which contains more fruit and less sugar than other options on the market. Check out the recipe over on our Instagram.
Sugar-free banana and blueberry muffins
These sugar-free muffins are a perfect afternoon treat for little bubs; they’re naturally sweet thanks to the addition of the bananas and frozen blueberries, and they’re quick to make. Follow along on our Instagram.