Healthy Snacks (Kid Approved)

Here are some recipes that we love in my family. These are all recipes that my kids love to have in their lunches or take as a snack for school. It is hard to find good healthy snacks that my kids will actually eat. I have also been trying to find less sugary and fatty treats for the kids lunches. I love these as well since I am always hungry now. I usually make a double batch of all and just put in the freezer. Then I can just grab and go. I hope you all enjoy.

(These cookies I usually do 1/2 cup of splenda for the regular sugar and then the regular amount of brown sugar. I have also made these with white chocolate chips and craisins or just raisins instead of chocolate chips. All really good.)

Low Fat Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Servings: 15 • Serving Size: 2 cookies • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 190 • Fat: 6.3 g • Protein: 2.6 g • Carb: 34.2 g • Fiber: 2.0 g • Sugar: 19.3 g

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups quick oats
• 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°; line two baking sheets with parchment paper or use a silpat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a large bowl, with a mixer, cream together the butter and the sugars on medium speed.

Add the egg, followed by the applesauce and vanilla extract.

Working by hand, stir in the flour mixture and the oats until just combined and no streaks of flour remain; stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop heaping tablespoonfuls (approx 1 tbsp each) of the dough onto prepared baking sheets, flattening each cookie slightly (I forgot to do this). Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until cookies become light brown at the edges.

Let cool on baking sheet for 3 or 4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container so you don't eat them all in one sitting!

Makes about 30 cookies roughly 1 tbsp each.

(These brownies are also fun to make into mini muffins for lunches.)

Double Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup splenda

1/4 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet)

Butter-flavored cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 inch non-stick cake pan with spray.

In a medium mixing bowl, using a sturdy whisk or spatula, mix the applesauce, vanilla, egg whites and sugar until they are well combined.

Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir the mixture until it is just combined and no lumps remain. Pour it into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the chips evenly over the top. Bake the brownies for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry (a few crumbs are okay).

Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and allow them to cool 5 minutes. Cut into 12 equal brownies. Makes 12 (1 brownie) servings.

(These power cookies are a great substitute for store bought granola bars. Great for breakfast or a snack…One will do you.)

POWER COOKIE

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tbls almond paste

5 tsp. splenda

1/4 cup agave nectar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

2 cups oats

1/2 cup craisins

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees, beat together applesauce, almond paste,splenda and agave nectar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour , baking soda, salt, pepper and protein powder. Beat thoroughly. Stir in oats, craisins and almonds. Mix well. Drop the batter by large tablespoons onto cookie sheet that has been sprayed. Divide dough so that you have 18 cookies. Flatten each cookie with a spoon. Bake8-10 minutes or until brown. Remove from oven. Cool and store in plastic container.

(Last time I made these protein bars I made them into muffins instead of in a pan. It made about 12 muffins and only baked for about 15 min. They are really good with a little peanut butter on them. You can also use regular whole wheat flour instead of oat flour.)

Chocolate Protein Bars

Calories: 96 Fat: 1.4 grams Carbs: 12 grams Protein: 10 grams

Ingredients:

1 cup Oat Flour

4 Egg Whites

2 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder (or chocolate protein powder)

½ cup Splenda, Truvia, or Ideal

½ tsp Baking Soda

¼ tsp Salt

1 cup applesauce

3 tbsp Baking Cocoa

4oz Water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix dry ingredients (oat flower, vanilla protein, baking soda, salt, baking cocoa) together in a large bowl.

3. Mix wet ingredients (egg whites, Splenda, applesauce Food,Water) together in a medium sized bowl.

4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together.

5. Spray cooking dish with a non stick butter spray and add batter to dish.

6.Bake 20-30 minutes in oven.

Makes 16 squares, serving size=2 bars.