As every busy parent knows, the hour before dinner can be rough. The kids are hungry — too hungry to wait — but over-snacking nearly always guarantees a failed supper. The ideal premeal snack satisfies without being too filling; it should be relatively healthy and quick to make from ingredients you have on hand. These 10 tiny, alluring insta-snacks fill the bill.
Photography by Heather Ramsdell
Watermelon Towers
For a filling snack that won't ruin dinner, top cubes of watermelon with a mixture of cream cheese and feta; crown with an alfalfa sprout hat.
Pizza Skewers
For a satisfying and speedy bite, thread a cherry tomato, 2 slices of pepperoni, 1 bocconcini ball and basil leaves on a small wooden skewer.
Corned Beef Column
This tiny snack provides just the right dose of protein and healthy fat. Roll up an avocado chunk in a thin slice of corned beef and top with sprouts.
Frozen Yogurt Dots
To make these frosty snacks, swirl blueberry jam into vanilla or plain yogurt. Spoon bite-sized dots onto a parchment-lined sheet and freeze until solid.
Fun Fruit
Crackers provide a pleasing punch of salt and crunch to sweet fruit. Here we've used saltines and fresh figs topped with sweetened sour cream.
Cornbread Dots and Jam
Corn muffin mix is easily made into tiny bite-size cookies. Serve them with jam for a filling — but not too filling — sweet treat.
Crunchy Apple Chips
Kids can add extra crunch to apple crisps by topping them with granola. Peanut butter helps them stay satisfied and full.
S’more Singles
For a mini s'more stack, sandwich marshmallow creme in between graham crackers dipped in melted chocolate chips.
Mini Waffle
For a quick bite that satisfies, warm a mini whole-wheat frozen waffle and top it with cream cheese and berries.
Cracker Stack
Lentil crackers provide a bit more fiber and protein than the standard variety. Use them to sandwich hummus and a cucumber slice.
