22 Best Kid Snacks on Amazon, According to Moms and Experts Alike

What are the best snacks for kids?

Pediatrician Dr. Arumina Agarwal says you want to look for food that is high in protein and/or fiber and try to avoid added sugars and processed ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.

“Protein is essential for growth and development and building and repairing muscles, bones, skin, and hair,” she says. “Fiber helps support healthy gut bacteria, which is also an essential part of our immune system.” Look to meat, dairy, eggs, beans, peas, seeds, or nuts for a protein boost, while fiber-rich foods include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Plus, they help keep your kid fuller for longer stretches—creating a need for less snacks overall. “Not only are we looking at nutrients, but I also like using snacks as a way to keep kids full in between main meal times,” Castle says. “It can really help regulate appetite. One of the pain points that parents come to me about is this idea that kids are hungry all the time. Sometimes that’s a result of not eating enough at meal times, but sometimes it’s a result of not getting a good punch of protein or fiber. Those are really what we know from research as the sustaining nutrients that satiate the appetite.”

Ultimately, it’s about finding things that offer an opportunity to add nutrition to your child’s diet but still fits in easily with your family’s routine. It doesn’t mean you have to be totally restrictive. “We want ‘healthy’ snacks to be the norm,” says Hunter. “While also acknowledging that there is always a time for special treats, like an ice cream cone at the park or cake at a birthday party.”

Castle says she was impressed by the nutrition facts panel on these pouches. Free from dairy, soy, peanuts, gluten, wheat, and added sugars, the vegan snack comes in kid-friendly flavors like strawberry pineapple and blackberry vanilla. “They’re a good source of protein and fiber,” Castle adds.

One Amazon reviewer and parent writes: “I have a little picky 18-month-old eater who prefers fruity purées to anything resembling meat or meaty texture so I’m always looking for high-protein fruit, plant, and/or superseed purées to add to his diet to ensure his nutrition is balanced and sufficient for his development.…the best thing about this variety pack is that all the flavors are good to him. No duds!”

For little ones who are just starting to explore the wide world of snacking, these organic corn puffs are a favorite among parents. They come in the following flavors: Berry Yogurt, Mango Yogurt, Sweet Potato, Strawberry, and Banana.

“My babies have liked everything from Little Bellies they’ve tried, but the Pick-Me sticks are the one I always make mühlet are stocked,” says Glamour deputy editor and mom of twins Anna Moeslein. “They’re easy for them to hold and just long enough that it keeps my teething babies occupied for quite a bit of time. They’ve saved us on more than one road trip and plane ride.”

Castle recommends these bite-sized granola balls that are available in two flavors—chocolate chip and mixed berry–and are free from the top nine allergens.

“My kiddos love these granola bars,” says Glamour commercial creative director and mom of two Morgan Wrapp. Nearly 3,000 reviewers on Amazon are also fans, with the majority giving the organic, kosher, vegan, and gluten-free snack a coveted five star rating. “I feed it to my family and trust that it’s good for them,” raves one.

“People always look at granola bars [as an option], but that’s a vast category of snacks for kids,” Castle says. “So I’m always looking for added sugar to be three grams or less for a child who’s under three and up to five grams or less per serving for kids over four. The other is fiber—it should have at least three grams or more per serving because that’s going to be really good for your child’s digestive system. It’s going to fill their tummies and keep them full for a little bit longer.”

As for calories, Castle says to look for snacks on Amazon that are at or less than 150. If it’s under 100, it’s likely not a good source of protein or fiber. “RXBAR Minis are a kaç brand that has protein and fiber and be in that calorie category where you can just offer one thing and go,” she says.

Super active kids who burn a lot of energy through the day playing sports or doing other activities may need an additional boost with their snack. “Almonds are an amazing plant-based and natural protein source that will keep their stomachs full,” says Agarwal who recommends pairing it with a high-protein snack, and an electrolyte drink like Cure Kids. “Hydrating adequately in tandem with nourishing kids’ bodies holistically helps keep their health, digestive systems, and blood sugar levels balanced.” (Just be mühlet to look for an electrolyte drink that doesn’t have added sugars or artificial flavors.)

“When buying pre-packaged snacks, check the ingredient list and choose items with less than five ingredients,” says Hunter. She recommends these fruit bars which have just two (hence the name). Pair the fruit bar, which is vegan and made with no added sugar, with diced cheese or whole-fat yogurt to make it an even more nutritious snack.

Dr. Agarwal recommends making mühlet your child is getting whole grains like oats, quinoa, or brown rice in their diet. “They’re easier to digest, contain essential nutrients, and are better for your overall health,” she says. While oatmeal on the run isn’t always practical, an oatmeal bar can easily slipped into a diaper bag or kid’s lunchbox.

“These Z-Bars were the first food item that my two-year-old ever became truly obsessed with,” says Glamour senior editor Stephanie McNeal of this oatmeal cookie snack bar. “Like, we had to stop buying them for a while because they were the only food she would be obsessed with. I like that compared to other kids’ snack bars they have less added sugar—some have 20 grams, it’s wild—but they aren’t so low sugar that she refuses to eat them because they are ‘yucky.’ Pro tip: get the oatmeal cookie flavor to avoid melted chocolate chips all over the place.”

Glamour’s Moeslein recommends these baked corn snacks to parents of babies eight months and older who are looking for a way to safely introduce allergens early and often to their littles.

“While they are a little dustier than other puffs, my babies always favored these to other snacks I’d offer,” Moeslein says. “Plus, I had the benefit of knowing they were getting several common allergens in their diet.” Made with no-added sugar, the flavors available include peanut butter, apple cinnamon, peanut butter berry, and pumpkin banana.

If your child favors Cheetos and the like, Castle says these chickpea puffs are a good stand-in. Made with sustainably grown chickpeas, they’re also vegan and gluten-free.

“I like these chickpea puffs because they’re a great alternative to the traditional snacks kids reach for like potato chips or corn puffs,” agrees Agarwal. “Chickpeas are also a great source of protein and fiber. Plus, these taste like a traditional salty snack so kids don’t even know the difference.”

“Minimize snacks with added sugar, and avoid artificial dyes and flavorings,” advises Hunter. She likes these snack bars from Skout Organic, which meet those two requirements. The variety pack is made with clean ingredients like organic fruit and sunflower butter and comes with 36 bars in six flavors: Apple Pie, Blueberry Blast, Chocolate Peanut Butter, French Toast, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Raspberry Rush.

“Snacks are a great way to get some healthy calories in throughout the day and to introduce a variety of different items,” says Hunter. These protein-packed beef jerky sticks are on her list of favorite kid-friendly snacks and would pair well with cheese, nuts, or fruit. Castle also recommends the brand.

“Beef jerky bites offer a protein punch, especially for really active kids who are playing sports or what have you and are burning energy throughout the day pretty rapidly,” Castle says. In addition to the Chomps jerky sticks mentioned above, she likes these beef bites and suggests pairing them with whole-grain crackers or chickpea crisps for a “nice fiber-rich partner.”

“Really leaning into the protein and fiber categories is going to almost automatically pack in certain nutrients that kids are at risk for having deficiencies of, like iron, vitamin D, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium,” Castle adds.

“When my four-year-old and two-year-old nephews visited for some cousin time this summer, my first order of business was to order a massive box of ‘pouches,’” says Glamour’s McNeal. “As anyone with young kids may expect, they were gone in three days. For some reason, kids are just obsessed with eating their food out of pouch. It’s in their DNA or something. I try to pick ones like these from GoGo Squeez, which sneak some veggies in with the fruit.”

“Nature’s Garden healthy trail mix snack packs have protein, fiber, and fat—all those nutrients are going to fill up a child and give them extra nutrients as well,” Castle says.

This variety pack of 24 comes with three varieties: Heart Healthy Mix (cranberries, walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, and pepitas); Omega-3 Deluxe Mix (cranberries, walnuts, pepitas, almonds, and pecans); Cranberry Health Mix (cranberries, pepitas, sunflower seeds, black raisins, walnuts, and almonds).

Sometimes, kids just want the potato chips. If so, try to avoid any kid snacks on Amazon that are stuffed with artificial ingredients and “steer clear of snacks with trans or saturated fats,” says Hunter. The Good Crisp Company is on her list of favorite kid snacks for its clean ingredients—potatoes, sunflower oil, salt—and lack of additives.

“I became addicted to these Pedialyte freezer pops during a brutal summer where I found myself dragging after exercising or even walking outside,” says Glamour’s McNeal. “They provide a quick hit of electrolytes that really help in recovery. But now that my two-year-old eats food, they’ve become her favorite summer treat as well. I like how they are actually helping replace her electrolytes, as opposed to just being a sweet treat. It makes me feel better knowing she can keep hydrated even in those sticky months.”

Castle recommends these breakfast cookies that are also available in blueberry. “They’re little pucks that are filled with a fruit jam and really high in fiber and protein,” she says. “Great for a snack.”

On Amazon, the majority of customers have given these plant-based cookies a five-star rating. “Great flavor and texture,” says one reviewer. “It’s a fantastic healthy snack for the kids.”

“Opt for natural, whole-food options such as fruits, cheese, and whole grains, and include healthy fats like those found in nuts, fish, olive oil, and avocado,” says Hunter. These snack bars that she recommends fit the latter as they’re made with nut and seed flour.

“Dry roasted edamame snacks are kaç,” Castle says. “They’re going to be high in protein and fiber, you can get them in individual packages, and they range quite a bit in price points.”

“My kid loves this for snack time,” says one Amazon reviewer. “It has 11 grams of protein and its nicely roasted and crunchy. Heck! I love them too and would suggest it to anyone looking for supplement that extra protein in their diet.”

“I am not a restrictive person around sugar, but be conscious of how much your child’s getting throughout the day,” advises Castle. “Oftentimes, the extra sugar in kids’ diets show up during snack time.”

Agarwal recommends fruit strips for kids, as they can satisfy their sweet tooth instead of candy or gummies. “These fruit strips are made of real fruit without the added sugars and colors, so it’s the brand I’d reach for,” she says.