Category Archives: Snacks

Snickerdoodle Puppy Chow

Back to school is almost here for my kiddos! I’ve been working on a list of snacks to make for them since I know they’ll both need something during the day and then something after school. The camp they go to provides breakfast and two snacks daily, so I’ve gotten off pretty easy this summer. Now with less than 2 weeks until school starts, I need to get back to making sure they have something nutritious and healthy to eat throughout the day.

My kids love snacks. They’d rather eat snacks instead of meals, so I need to get creative with my recipes. I decided to whip up a batch of puppy chow for them to enjoy. While it’s not the healthiest snack, it’s a little sweet treat and after a small bowl, they’re usually good. I enjoyed the snickerdoodle flavor and was a nice change from the puppy chow I’ve made in the past.

Snickerdoodle Puppy Chow | Join Us, Pull up a Chair

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Brownie Energy Bites

How is it already July 6th? It’s crazy that my daughter has been on summer break for a month and back to school items are popping up in stores. I know she’s not ready to start 5th grade and I’m definitely not ready since my little guy is starting kindergarten. How is my baby oldest enough to be going to school?!? I know he’s going to love it, but it’s a big change for me. There will definitely be tears on his first day.

You’re probably wondering why I’m talking about school in July, well….it’s time to Fill the Cookie Jar and this month’s theme was “Back to School”. I’m going to up my after school snack game since I’ll be having two ravenous kids coming home in the afternoons. My kids love energy bites and I love that they’re easy to make and good for them. I decided to go with a brownie version for today’s reveal. They’re rich like fudge, but not too sweet and will keep my kiddos full. They’re great for moms and dads who need a 3 pm snack too! 🙂

Brownie Energy Bites | Join Us, Pull up a Chair #FilltheCookieJar
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Peaches and Cream Fruit Gummies

Happy first day of summer! It’s finally feeling like summer here in PA and we’ve been able to go swimming already – which my kids absolutely love! Do you have any vacation plans this year? We’ll probably do a couple of day trips to the shore and my kids are begging to go to Hershey Park.

Today is also June’s Fantastical Food Fight! Each month, there will be a theme or ingredient to be featured and anyone participating the challenge will share their recipes with everyone else. Check out the blog hop below the recipe!

This month’s theme was peaches and cream. I didn’t want to make something that I would normally make and wanted to try something different. This was the first time I ever used gelatin. Add on the fact that I don’t care for foods with jello like texture – but I was surprised these gummies are good! They’re different from what my kids are used, but the peach flavor was perfect – not too strong and enough to taste it. I had a little trouble getting the gummies to release from the pan to cut into small squares, so I used a mini cookie cutter to make star shapes! These gummies don’t have a long shelf like, so I sent them to camp with my daughter for her friends to enjoy! Another thing I like about the recipe is that the flavors can be changed to whatever you like. I bet mango and strawberry would be delicious!

Peaches and Cream Fruit Gummies | Join Us, Pull up a Chair

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Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites

My kids are eating me out of house and home. Non-stop snacking….does it ever stop? They are constantly “starving” especially after having dinner. I don’t get it? Are anyone else’s kids like this?

I decided to make some energy bites to hopefully fill them up and at least slow down the emptying of my pantry every week. These bites are tasty and my daughter loves them! My son is picky and won’t even try one…that’s another battle I need to work on. These snacks are quick and easy to make and taste delicious. The apple and cinnamon really come through and don’t worry, you’ll never know they’re made with dates. I’m going to use the base of this recipe to experiment with other dried fruit.

Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites | Join Us, Pull up a Chair

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Chunky Monkey Trail Mix

My kids are growing like weeds! I’ve been noticing their pants are getting shorter and they’ve been complaining their shoes are too small. It might explain all the snacking they’ve been doing! I wanted to make something that would be packed with protein, but still have a little bit of sweetness and found this delicious recipe for trail mix…. made in the crockpot! It makes a big batch and we’ve all been snacking on it all week. I love the crunchy banana chips, toasted coconut and of course the dark chocolate chips. YUM!

Chunky Monkey Trail Mix | Join Us, Pull up a Chair
2 1/4 cup raw walnuts (chopped)
1 cup raw cashew halves (chopped)
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/3 cup coconut sugar
4-5 Tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cup unsweetened banana chips
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

In a slow cooker, mix the walnuts, cashews, coconut, sugar, vanilla and coconut oil. Mix together until combine. Cook on high for 45 to 60 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure the coconut doesn’t burn. Reduce heat to low for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet to allow to dry out. Add in the banana chips and chocolate chips. Store in an air-tight container.

Source: Cotter Crunch

Ranch Roasted Chickpeas

Are you kids like mine and ask for snacks all.day.long? OMG…you would think I never feed them! I’ve been gathering up snack type recipes to make instead of them constantly raiding the pantry. These ranch roasted chickpeas were a HUGE hit…and were gone in 15 minutes. Yes, 15 minutes! I guess I should have made a double batch.

I love the ranch flavor and they’re so simple and easy to make. I’ll be having my daughter make the next batch.

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Chewy Almond Vanilla Bars – Simple Sesame Blogger Challenge

I’m excited to share a recipe I created for the Simply Sesame Blogger Recipe 118956612Challenge!
As part of the challenge, I received three flavors of Simply Sesame to try: Vanilla with Almond Bits, Pistachio Morsels with a hint of Cardamom and Pure Roasted Sesame. I immediately knew I wanted to make experiment and make a recipe for granola bars. My kids are big fans of snacks and these would make great after school snacks for them.I loved that all three were 100% natural, non GMO and low in calories, sugar and salt – and it makes a great alternative to peanut butter or hazelnut spread. It’s also gluten-free and vegan!

I love the vanilla and almond flavor of the bars and hint of sesame. The bars held up well and can be cut into whatever size you’d like. I did rectangles for my oldest and then smaller bite sized pieces for my youngest. The spread was great to use and I loved the flavor. I can’t wait to try the regular variety to make a batch of hummus! There’s so many possibilities with these products and are great substitute for those of us with food allergies.

Visit Simple Sesame over on their website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram  or Twitter for more delicious recipes and find out where you can get your own Simple Sesame spreads!

Chewy Almond Vanilla Bars | Join Us, Pull up a Chair
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Graham Crackers – #FilltheCookieJar

Happy December! I can’t believe how quickly this year and flown by and I know the next four weeks are going to be gone in a blink. I’m excited to share this recipe for graham crackers as part of December’s Fill the Cookie Jar group. They were so easy to make and my kids LOVE them! They have asked to have them in their lunch and snacks after school. They’re a winner and I’ll be making them often. If you have kids or grandkids, you’ll need to try this recipe.

If you’re not familiar with the Fill the Cookie Jar group, we’re a bunch of bloggers who get together on the first Thursday of each month and share a recipe that can fill your cookie jar. I mean who doesn’t love cookies and sweets!?!

Graham Crackers #FilltheCookieJar | Join Us, Pull up a Chair

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Pumpkin Energy Bites – The Secret Recipe Club

Happy Halloween! I can’t believe it’s already Halloween…where did fall go? My kids are so excited to go trick-or-treating tonight. Madeline is dressing up as Cleopatra and Cooper is going as Batman. I’ll be looking forward to them going to bed as soon as we’re done. I’m not looking forward to the sugar high…and then sugar crash.

Today’s recipe is the Secret Recipe Club‘s special themed reveal for Fall Dishes. My assigned blog was, Cooking with Traci. She has so many great recipes and is currently doing 31 Days of Slow Cooking…so many great ideas that I’ll be borrowing this winter! I decide to go with her recipe for Pumpkin No Bake Energy Balls…except make it into bars since my kids make a mess with energy balls. Bites are much easier for them and not as messy! These had the perfect pumpkin flavor and they’re the perfect treat for them for after school.

Pumpkin Energy Bites #SecretRecipeClub | Join Us, Pull up a Chair

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Bars – #FilltheCookieJar

It’s the first Thursday of the month and that means it’s time to Fill the Cookie Jar! This month’s theme is fall or halloween. Fall for me usually means pumpkin, apple and comfort food, but lately it’s been running here, running there, and running everywhere. So, when I decided on a recipe, I needed something that my kids could eat on the go. These chocolate peanut butter chia bars were perfect for that!

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