It's time to think outside the box for healthy snacking! Whether you're looking for after school snacks, on the go treats or something in between, these unique ideas for healthy snacks might just be what you're searching for!
Disclosure: Del Monte Fresh provided me with an assortment of fresh Honeyglow® Pineapples, avocados and plantains in order to come up with some fun recipes for you, but I was not otherwise compensated for this post. All ideas and opinions are my own.
What Are Plantains?
If you've never tried a plantain, you're in for a treat. Plantains look like large bananas but they have a bit of a different flavor and can be cooked like a vegetable. Plantains are usually larger than bananas and have a tougher skin. They can be green, yellow or dark brown.
Plantains are sources of magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin K. They also supply some vitamin C and B vitamins, such as thiamin and riboflavin. A half-cup of plantains has about 2 grams of fiber, compared with less than 1 gram in white rice (okay, so I'm not a nutritionist and I got all of that info from an internet search, but it's true). Anyway, here's a super easy and yummy snack using plantains. My baked plantain chips are a cross between salty and sweet and can be stored up to one week, refrigerated, in an airtight container. For a printable version of this recipe, scroll below!
Baked Plantain Chips
-one large ripe plantain (look for yellow with brown spots- LOTS of brown spots)
-1 Tbsp olive oil (you can also use coconut oil)
-1/2 tsp salt (I used kosher salt but any kind of salt to your liking is fine)
-parchment paper (needed because plantains are sticky)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Carefully peel off plantain skin and slice (not too thin, as they will burn in the oven). Place on parchment paper on baking sheet.
Sprinkle the plantains with olive oil (both sides) and salt to your liking (you can also salt more after baking if you find they need it)
Bake the plantains at 425 degree oven for ten minutes. Remove from oven and flip plantain chips over. Bake for another ten minutes or until they start to turn golden and crispy. Allow to cool or eat warm!
Best eaten immediately but can store up to one week, refrigerated, in an airtight container.
Jersey Momma Tips:
-don't drench them in oil or they'll turn out greasy. Drizzling is key!
-to properly peel a plantain, slice off both ends and score a line down the center. This will help when peeling off the skin.
-you can also sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg. If you like a saltier version, try garlic, cayenne pepper or other spices to your liking.
For a printable version of this recipe, click here!
Why Serve Avocados?
Avocados are loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. They're also a great source of nutrients, including Folate, Magnesium, Potassium, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), and Vitamin C. Plus, they're super cute and chubby and are the subject of many cartoon drawings! 😁 A simple guacamole is one of the best snacks for kids. You can serve it with tortilla chips, crackers, vegetables or even pretzel sticks. Some kids even like guacamole spread on toast.
*How to tell if an avocado is ripe (
because to me, this is the hardest thing about avocados!!): According to the internet, "if the avocado yields to firm gentle pressure you know it's ripe and ready-to-eat. Ripe, ready to eat avocados may have a darker color but color can vary so it is best to go by feel as well as color. It will feel lightly soft but it will not feel mushy to the touch."
Small Batch Easy Guacamole
The best thing about guacamole is that it's easy and fast to make, and you can customize the ingredients to your liking. This recipe is for a small batch (good for one or two people), but you can double it to make more. For a printable version of this recipe, scroll down!
You Will Need:
1 avocado
1tsp minced garlic
1/2 lime, juiced
1/2 tomato, chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 onion, chopped
Directions:
In a medium serving bowl, peel and mash avocado. Stir in onion, garlic, tomato, lime juice, salt and pepper. Chill for half an hour or eat right away (best flavor chilled).
For a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Jersey Momma Tips:
-you can change this entire recipe to your liking and don't really need to measure much. Add ingredients to taste!
-use pre-squeezed lime juice, refrigerated minced garlic, canned chopped tomatoes, and frozen chopped onions (thawed) for an even faster recipe (although fresh is best).
Simple Pineapple Kabobs
One of the easiest ways to 'jazz up' pineapple snacks is to serve them as finger foods. Present them on a tropical plate or platter by cutting up fresh pineapple and making mini skewers or kabobs. Cut pineapples into chunks and use a toothpick to layer fresh pineapple and ham. You can even add cheese or pickles! They fit perfectly in a snack box, Bento box or lunch box, too. If a ham/pineapple combo is not your favorite choice, try these other skewer ideas by adding:
-melted chocolate
-marshmallows
-other fruits such as grapes or strawberries
-pound cake
For more easy fresh pineapple snack ideas, click
here.
