Spiced Cinnamon Banana Crunch

If you love bananas, check out my vegan chocolate chip banana bread, banana bread overnight oats, or this peanut butter banana smoothie.

Finding an easy and healthy snack can be quite a challenge — especially with kids.

As a health-conscious mom, I strive to keep my pantry stocked with mostly healthy choices. It’s not always easy, but it is possible, especially with so many options.

This spiced cinnamon banana crunch is a tried and true favorite we've enjoyed for years, and come back to again and again.

For those of you who want to start moving toward healthier snacks for your family, I’ve also provided some tips that helped our family make the transition.

Pantry clean-up

Way back, when I first started including more plant-based foods, I cleared my cupboards of all our snack foods. At first, it wasn’t easy for any of us. I mean, back then, Doritos and cheesy salsa were staples. Oreos and milk were on our weekly grocery list. And I can’t even begin to tell you how many bags of Cheetos we went through.

But once I made up my mind that I wanted to create a change, I knew I didn’t want these available as our go-tos. They’re not forbidden; they’re just considered a once-in-a-while food.

But in order for that to happen, I had to do a pantry clean-up.

Tips

• Remove processed snacks and sugary treats from the pantry.

• Replace them with nutritious options like fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole-grain snacks.
• Keep healthy dipping sauces handy for a delicious twist to raw vegetables and fruits.

Transitioning with delicious alternatives

It wasn’t easy, and it took a few weeks for the kids to come around, but they got used to it. During those few weeks, I made sure to have lots of healthy treats for them. I always had fruit and veggies on hand with some type of dipping sauce. Fruit with creamy vegan fruit dip, dairy-free strawberry milkshakes, this blueberry smoothie recipe, oat bran muffins, and so on.

Some of it was a bit of work up front with meal prep, but it made the transition for us much easier. One of our go-to make-ahead snacks was (and still is!) this high-protein chia pudding — it’s easy to prep the night before and keeps everyone full between meals.

And once it became our new norm, everything became easier. We all started to prefer healthier snacking options.

Tips

• Experiment with homemade versions of favorite snacks using healthier ingredients.
• Prepare easy-to-make treats like homemade vegan banana bread, fruit, or smoothies.
• Involve kids in meal prep to spark their interest.

Spiced Banana Cinnamon Crunch: A Kid-Approved favorite

One of my kids’ favorite snacks is this Spiced Banana Cinnamon Crunch. It quickly won their hearts with its irresistible blend of flavors.

Tips

• Slice bananas and sprinkle with cinnamon for a yummy and nutritious base.
• Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and healthy fats.
• Drizzle a touch of maple syrup for a natural, sweet finish.

Healthy and delicious: a snack for the whole family

Healthy can be simple and delicious.

Spiced Banana Crunch has become a go-to favorite, satisfying the urge for that little something sweet. It’s so easy, too, taking less than 5 minutes. Incorporating more plant-based options into our snacking routine has been a powerful transformation for our family.

Tips

• Encourage kids to get creative with toppings, like adding a dollop of almond butter and a sprinkle of chia seeds to sliced apples.
• Create smoothie bowls by blending a thick and creamy smoothie and topping it with fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, and granola.
• Make homemade cheesy popcorn using whole kernels and a little coconut oil. Top it with nutritional yeast for a satisfying whole-food snack.

12 ideas for healthier snacking with kids

1. Rainbow platter: Create a snack platter with colorful fruits and/or veggies. This is my favorite Vegan Fruit Dip to use with fruits.
2. Frozen fruit pops: Make popsicles using pureed fresh fruits. They’re perfect for warm days and contain no added sugars.
3. Trail mix: Let kids put together their own trail mix by providing a variety of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and some dark chocolate chips for a sweet touch.
4. Veggie dippers: Slice veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and cauliflower and serve with hummus or yogurt-based dips.
5. Yogurt Parfaits: Layer yogurt with fresh berries and granola. 
6. Frozen grapes: Wash and freeze grapes to create naturally sweet frozen treats. They’re a great way to introduce kids to different fruit varieties.
7. Smoothie creations: Set up a Smoothie Station. Let kids blend their own smoothie concoctions for a delicious and nutrient-packed snack.
8. Apple nachos: Slice apples thinly and arrange them on a plate. Drizzle with almond butter and sprinkle with granola, coconut flakes, and a few dark chocolate chips for a yummy pick-me-up.
9. Whole grain mini pizzas: Use whole-grain pita bread or tortillas as pizza bases. Top them with easy pizza sauce, veggies, and a drizzle of Plant-Based Cheese Sauce.
10. Fruit kabobs: Thread various colorful fruits onto skewers for portable fun.
11. Peanut Butter Bites: A quick throw-together treat perfect for that little something sweet. They take 5 minutes to put together, and no baking is required. 
12. Frozen yogurt bites: Spoon dollops of yogurt onto a baking sheet and add fresh fruit pieces on top. Freeze for a few hours to create frozen yogurt bites.