Serve up these sweet or savory yogurt-based snacks after school to your kids and teens. They’ll love the incredible variety of flavors and you’ll love how these healthy snacks power them through homework and activities.  

(Updated March 2022)

As soon as the school bell rings, I feel like we hit the ground running to make it to dance, gymnastics and other activities on time. The girls and I usually have just enough time to swing by the house to change clothes and grab a snack before we’re headed out again. Because Frances and Ellie both eat lunch early in the day (10:30am and 11am, respectively), they are “staaarrrvvviiinnnnggg!” when carpool rolls around. Some days I feel like I’ve barely pulled the car into the garage before they’re running upstairs and raiding the kitchen. Because of this, I make sure to keep my kitchen stocked with nutritious snack options that are filling, satisfying and, of course, taste delicious. The one snack that I consistently rely on to deliver big nutrition and big flavor is yogurt.

Yogurt for Optimum After School Nutrition

Yogurt has been a staple in our house for the entirety of the girls’ lives. It was one of their first foods to eat as a baby because it delivered protein, calcium and, in some cases, vitamin D to their growing bodies. Yogurt and yogurt-based snacks are quick and easy and I feel good continuing to serve them now that they are older because the carbohydrates and protein keep them fueled through their various activities. Plus, it is an affordable, nutrient-rich snack that continues to support their growing muscles and bones.

Thankfully, on most days we have enough time to come home, eat a snack and change clothes before their activities start. In these cases, I love getting creative and using yogurt (both plain and sweetened) in new fun ways. I’ve shared 12 of our super simple yogurt-based snacks below. On the occasion that we don’t have time to come home, I rely on the individual cartons and tubes of yogurt to fuel the girls. Thankfully, it takes me less than a minute to pack an insulated lunch bag with yogurt, an ice pack and spoons.

Whether the girls are eating after school snacks on-the-go or at home and whether they’re choosing presweetened or plain, yogurt consistently delivers key nutrients.   

Fuel Up After School with 12 Yogurt-Based Snacks

Because you know we love getting creative in the kitchen, the girls and I are sharing 12 of our favorite sweet and savory yogurt-based snacks. Let me know which one you would try first!!

Savory Yogurt Snacks

1. Coat 1-inch pieces of chicken breast with plain yogurt then dredge in seasoned breadcrumbs to make yogurt-marinated chicken bites. Serve with Honey Mustard Yogurt Sauce. See the full recipe for Yogurt-Marinated Baked Chicken Bites with Honey Mustard Yogurt Sauce !

2. Give a can of tomato soup a creamy kick by stirring in plain yogurt.

3. Stir together plain yogurt, chopped cucumber, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, chopped fresh mint and chopped fresh thyme. Serve Tzatziki dip with pita chips or crunchy veggie sticks.

4. Combine plain yogurt with store-bought pesto for a simple yogurt pesto dip to pair with veggies. (Check out the video to learn how to make it!!)

5. Lighten up egg salad by swapping in plain Greek yogurt. Serve with toasted bread rounds or stuff in a pita.

6. Create a savory yogurt snack bowl by topping plain yogurt with chopped tomatoes, chickpeas,  fresh dill, olive oil, red onion and red wine vinegar.

Sweet Yogurt Snacks

7. Make individual pumpkin trifles by layering pumpkin-flavored yogurt, a sprinkle of cinnamon and cubed angel food cake in a Mason jar. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. (Check out the video to learn how to make it!!)

8. Slice apples crosswise into rings and remove core to make “apple donuts.” Spread a layer of yogurt on each apple and sprinkle with dye-free sprinkles.

9. Drizzle yogurt over a toasted waffle or mini pancakes then top with fresh fruit and chopped nuts.

10. Roll a banana in yogurt, sprinkle with rice cereal then add pretzels for legs and a berry for a head to make Banana Caterpillars.

11. Stir together peanut butter, vanilla yogurt and cinnamon for an easy peanut butter yogurt snack or fruit dip.

12. Set up a yogurt bar by placing 2 flavors of yogurt in individual bowls and then surround with pretzels, graham cracker sticks, carrots, sliced pears, and other favorite dippers.

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What are some of your favorite easy and healthy after school snack ideas?