If you have a toddler, you know that meal-time can be an incredibly hectic time of the day. Finding healthy, dairy-free snacks to serve your toddler which are also quick and tasty can also be a daunting task. That’s why I’m here to provide you with ten top healthy, quick and delicious dairy-free snack ideas for toddlers to make meal times easier!

2. Why Dairy-Free Snacks?

As a mother of two boys, I have thought a lot about what foods to give them to keep them healthy and nourished. I work full-time and my husband works FIFO, at times our kitchen becomes a little hectic. Finding snacks for my fussy, rapidly growing boys can be a challenge.

Initially, I looked for options that are quick and easy to make, but then I started to think about what else I could be providing for them. Being an avid quilter and a cook, I am a big believer in providing my children with wholesome and nutritious foods, rather than processed and pre-packaged snacks.

One way to upgrade the snacks I provide is by making them dairy-free. Dairy is one of the top food allergens, so by avoiding dairy I’m helping to keep my children safe. And as it turns out, some of their favourite snacks are great without any dairy at all.

Aside from the health and safety benefits, there are some other reasons why I love dairy-free snacks. They’re a great way to introduce my children to new and exciting flavours, as many dairy-free snacks are made with ingredients I might not use normally. They’re often packed full of healthy ingredients that are necessary for my rapidly growing boys and, best of all, they’re often packed with flavour, with ingredients that create a delicious, irresistible snack.

So if you’re looking for tasty, nutritious and dairy-free treats for your toddlers, look no further! Head over to Toddler Recipes Australia to discover our top ten healthy, quick and delicious dairy-free snack ideas for toddlers.

3. Benefits of Plant-Based Snacks for Toddlers

It’s easy to see why so many parents are turning to plant-based snacks for their toddlers. There are so many benefits to plant-based snacks that it’s hard to ignore them!

One of the first benefits to consider is that plant-based snacks are naturally dairy-free. This makes them ideal for children with allergies or intolerances to dairy products, as well as parents who are looking to reduce the amount of dairy their children consume.

Plant-based snacks are also a great way to get in essential vitamins and minerals into your child’s diet. Most plant-based snacks are made from nutrient-rich ingredients like nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. This means that your toddler will be getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy.

Finally, plant-based snacks are also generally low in sugar and high in fiber. This makes them a nutritious, filling snack option for both children and adults alike. They are also much better for your teeth than traditional sugary snacks, as low-sugar snacks don’t stick to the teeth and cause cavities.

Several of the snack recipes we have included on our list are plant-based. Keep reading to learn more about our top ten dairy-free snacks and how to make them!

4. Cooking with Kids

Having two boys aged 3 and 7, I’m a strong advocate of getting the kids involved in the kitchen. I’ve found that they love getting to join in the cooking - plus it’s a great teaching opportunity, as kids can learn so much from being in the kitchen.

I make sure to choose recipes that are simple enough for them to understand and help out - that way, they can learn how to measure ingredients, read a recipe, and be part of the process. That also means that I can trust them to help out in the kitchen even when I’m not around.

One of our go-tos are these dairy-free snacks, which are easy and quick to make. Of course, safety is the number one priority - I monitor them closely when they help out, and ensure that there aren’t any sharp edges or hot surfaces that could have them getting injured.

I usually have them help me with the prep and measuring of ingredients. For example, they can help me chop up banana slices, crack open and crack eggs, add ingredients to the bowl, or mix things up. With some of the recipes, they can even portion them out into small bites before they’re cooked.

It’s quite the rewarding feeling when the kids take part in the cooking and when they get to eat the food they have helped to make. Plus, with these dairy-free snacks, they can have a healthy snack without feeling deprived - and they are sure to love them!

Do you have kids who are keen to help out in the kitchen? Toddler Recipes Australia has plenty of easy and delicious dairy-free snacks that kids can help make. Check out our Top Ten list of healthy, quick and delicious dairy-free snack ideas for toddlers now!

5. Top 10 Healthy and Delicious Dairy-Free Snack Ideas for Toddlers

It’s no secret that toddler’s energy levels often mean that they get through snacks faster than their stomachs can handle! If your family needs to keep dairy out of the snack lineup, here are my, Olivia’s, top 10 favorite dairy-free snack ideas that my two boys (3 & 7) and I like to make and enjoy together:

1. Banana Muffins: These are great for a grab-and-go snack; they’re big enough that toddlers won’t need a couple to feel satisfied, but small enough that they won’t get too full right away.

2. Trail Mix: You can customize trail mix to fit whatever your toddler may prefer; I stick to something with nuts, dried fruit, and a few chocolate chips for the boys.

3. Baked Apples: Core and bake an apple for each person, then top with cinnamon and a little bit of brown sugar for sweetness.

4. Graham Crackers with Sunflower Butter: A great-tasting snack that’s both healthy and filling; a win-win situation!

5. Oatmeal Bites: Preparing oatmeal bites ahead of time can be a real lifesaver! The combination of oats, nuts, dried fruit, and seeds can fill your child up without leaving them too full.

6. Smoothies: Throw together some frozen fruit, juice and/or nut milk, and ice for a refreshing smoothie.

7. Homemade Granola Bars: Homemade granola bars are an ideal snack with no added sugar; we like to make our own with muesli, honey, and a little bit of coconut oil.

8. Roasted Chickpeas: Chickpeas are a great veggie-based snack, and adding a little bit of olive oil and your favorite spices before roasting in the oven gives them a bit of a crunch.

9. Fruit Kabobs: Let your toddler pick out their favorite fruits to use. Thread them onto skewers and dip in almond butter or yogurt for an extra treat.

10. Veggies Sticks and Hummus: Cut up some celery, carrots, cucumber, and/or bell pepper and serve with your favorite hummus.

Hopefully my top ten list gave you some simple, dairy-free snack ideas to think about implementing in your home. My boys and I definitely appreciate the snacks that are both easy to prepare and healthier than those store-bought alternatives!

Additional Recipes That My Family Love

6. No-Bake Energy Bites

I love no-bake energy bites as they are a delicious way to get your toddler snacking without having to do any cooking. These energy bites are full of oats and almond butter, which provides a high protein content - perfect for hungry little tummies! These energy bites are also sweetened with only honey and no added sugar, meaning they are super healthy too.

My boys love helping to make these no-bake energy bites. They love measuring the ingredients, mixing them together and rolling the mixture into balls. It’s a great activity to do together, and my boys get to enjoy eating their creations afterwards!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the oats, almond butter, honey and vanilla extract.
2. Mix until all the ingredients are combined.
3. Take a small amount of the mixture and roll into a ball using your hands.
4. Place the balls into an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze.

These no-bake energy bites are a great dairy-free snack option that are sure to satisfy your little one’s hunger. Quick to make and packed full of goodness, these indulgent bites are sure to become a regular part of your toddler’s menu.

7. Apple Cinnamon Dip

Growing up, I remember having apple slices with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar. Now my own boys love it, but with a slightly healthier twist. I replace the sugar with a few drops of honey and serve with a yoghurt-based dip.

To make the dip, I blend together low-fat plain yoghurt, a bit of honey, and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. If my boys are feeling adventurous, I also add a drop of vanilla extract.

It’s a delicious and healthy snack that takes less than five minutes to make and my boys love it. We usually enjoy it with sliced apples for a snack, or with a few crackers for a light and healthy breakfast.

You can even give it a new twist by adding a sprinkle of ground nutmeg or cardamom to the dip.

My boys are never short of ideas when it comes to snacking, and adding this healthy twist to their favourite snack has become a regular occurrence in our house!

8. Dates and Almond Butter

My 7 year old loves helping me make this one. This dairy-free snack is a quick, nutritious, and delicious source of healthy energy for toddlers on-the-go.

Ingredients:

• 10 pitted dates
• 2 teaspoons of almond butter
• ½ teaspoon of cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Place the dates into a bowl.
2. Drizzle the almond butter over the top.
3. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the top.
4. Serve and enjoy!

These little balls of bliss are high in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They also provide long-lasting energy to get through any day. These tasty treats are sure to become a go-to snack in your household.

9. Veggie Nachos

If you’re looking for something that’s not only easy to make but also tasty and easy to snack on then veggie nachos are ideal. This delicious dairy free dish can be enjoyed as a healthy snack, light meal or side for your little ones.

To make these scrumptious little treats, start by prepping some vegetables of your choosing. Some great suggestions include bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, carrots, sweetcorn and black beans. Get your little ones involved in the prep, and let them be creative with their veggie combinations.

Once your vegetables are prepped you’ll want to lightly saute the mixture in a touch of oil of your choice. Once the vegetables are tender you’ll want to place them onto a plate or tray and sprinkle with a combination of your favourite herbs and spices. Some great ones for snacking are cumin and chili powder for a little bit of kick.

Once the vegetables are coated in your herbs and spices, you can sprinkle with dairy free cheese or top with lime and a dollop of sour cream. This is sure to be a hit with your little one, as it offers some delicious Mexican inspired flavours. Enjoy!

10: Chickpea Fries

These delicious oven-baked vegan-friendly fries are a perfect choice for a quick and easy dairy-free snack for toddlers. Plus, chickpeas are a great source of protein, which is a great way to fuel your little one’s growing body and energy levels!

To make, simply preheat your oven to 200 C (400 F) and drain and rinse a can of chickpeas. Place the chickpeas on a lined baking tray, sprinkle with a little sea salt, some dried herbs such as oregano, basil, or thyme, and some olive oil. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and crunchy.

For an extra tasty treat, serve with a dollop of avocado dip or dairy-free ranch dip. My boys especially love dipping these in a little ketchup!

By making these simple and delicious fries, you can be sure that you’re giving your toddler a healthy and nutritious snack that’s also lots of fun to eat. Enjoy!

11. Sweet Potato Crackers

If you’re looking for a tasty and healthy dairy-free treat for your toddler, then why not make your own sweet potato crackers! This clever idea motivates both my boys to help in the kitchen - the 7 year-old loves to measure out the ingredients and the 3 year-old loves to help with rolling out and cutting the crackers.

Making your own sweet potato crackers is both quick and easy to do. Here’s my guide to make them:

• Preheat your oven to 180C/ 350F.
• Peel and dice 1 medium sweet potato into small cubes.
• Place the cubes into a medium bowl and mash roughly with a fork.
• Add 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour to the mashed sweet potato, along with a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil.
• Mix everything together with a wooden spoon until the ingredients combine together and form a stiff dough.
• Place a sheet of non-stick baking paper onto a flat surface and lightly dust with flour. Place the dough onto the baking paper and roll to about 1/4 inch/ 0.5 cm thick.
• Cut the dough into small shapes or crosses with a cookie cutter.
• Place the crackers onto a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
• Allow the crackers to cool down before giving them to your toddler to enjoy.

These delicious sweet potato crackers make the perfect tasty snack for your little one, and are a great way to get them involved in the cooking process too!

12. Guacamole Hummus

I’m not sure what it is about combining two favourites of many, but my two boys absolutely love guacamole hummus! It’s so easy to make and is such a great way of getting some healthy veggie snacks in.

To make it, all you really need is a ripe avocado, some canned chickpeas, a splash of olive oil, lemon juice and some garlic. Of course, you can also add a few other seasonings such as sea salt, pepper and cumin to give it some extra flavour.

Simply give everything a whiz in the food processor until it’s smooth, and you’re done!

This is a great snack for either dipping some yummy cut up vegetables in, or even just having it as a delicious spread on some gluten-free crackers. No matter what, your toddler will love it!

13. Smoothie Popsicles

Making popsicles with a healthy smoothie is a great way to get toddlers to get more fruit, vegetables and other nutritious ingredients into their diet. Not only are they delicious but they’re dairy-free and fun to make - an activity that’s great to do with the kids.

To make these awesome smoothie popsicles all you need are a blender, popsicle moulds, and your choice of fruits, vegetables, nuts and/or seeds. I like to add a bit of honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness. My boys love helping to select the ingredients and pour them in the blender’s this gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Once you’ve combined the ingredients in your blender and the smoothie is at a consistency you like, it’s time to pour the mix into the popsicle moulds. Then into the freezer for three hours or until frozen.

When you’re ready to serve the smoothie popsicles to the kids, let them out of the moulds by running them under lukewarm water for 30 seconds and they’ll be ready to enjoy! What’s more, these can be easily customised to whatever flavours your kids prefer.

Smoothie popsicles are an easy and delicious alternative to store-bought ice creams and icy poles - plus, you know exactly what’s gone into them. Enjoy!

14. Fruit and Nut Bars

Fruit and nut bars are an excellent dairy-free snack option for toddlers. I love making this snack for my two boys because it’s an easy, no-bake recipe. Plus, both of them love eating the bars.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• ½ cup almond butter
• ½ cup coconut oil
• ½ cup of honey, maple syrup or rice malt syrup
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 soaked and diced overripe banana
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, diced
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup of your favourite nuts such as walnuts, almonds or cashews
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut

Instructions:

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix the oats, almond butter, coconut oil, honey, chia seeds and cinnamon.
2. Fold in the banana, dried apricots, raisins, nuts and shredded coconut.
3. Line a rectangle baking tray with parchment paper and spread the mixture evenly.
4. Refrigerate for around 1 hour.
5. Cut into bars and enjoy!

As a proud mum of two, I’m always looking for healthier snacks for my littles ones. Fruit and nut bars tick all the boxes: easy to make, no baking required, and healthy and delicious. My boys love helping out in the kitchen, which makes making these bars even more enjoyable. Give it a try – your kids will love them! :smile:

With all the options, finding dairy free snacks for toddlers doesn’t have to be hard anymore! Whether you are looking for foods to include in school lunches, to bring along to appointments or just a snack while they play - We hope you have been inspired to try these top ten healthy, quick, and delicious dairy-free snack ideas for toddlers.

My two boys are loving the new additions to their snack repertoire and I am loving the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are getting the nutrition they need while enjoying a snack they love.

Cooking with your toddler is a great way to form a bond through food. Not only can you take advantage of the nutrition benefits of fresh ingredients, you can also reassure yourself that your children are having a healthy balance of whole foods, fats and of course plenty of plants!

Cheers, Olivia

Toddler Recipes Australia