Yummy backpack friendly snacks like cookies, bars, snack cakes and more, homemade with love from your kitchen ~ because they deserve it!
As a mom I’ve always operated from the point of view that school is hard. No matter whether yours is an A+ student (or not!) school is taxing, and any child who willingly trudges through that long day deserves high praise…and a treat. Homemade if possible. A carefully wrapped backpack treat is a delicious little thread that connects them back to the comfort and safety of home. Of course you’re going to pack a healthy lunch and snack, but along with those carrot sticks and cups of yogurt, sneak in a little treat, every day!
the science of packing back to school treats
(Fyi any of the school treats featured here can be used for bake sales and care packages. They can also serve as after-school-treats!)
- Pack sweet treats with lunch, not as a snack: the sweet shouldn’t be the main event.
- Practice portion control: teach your kids good habits and pack a small treat with their lunch.
- Avoid soft frosted items (firm glazes are ok): frosting is near impossible to pack, it’s messy to eat, and tends to melt in warm temperatures.
- Avoid thin or crumbly cookies: go for thick sturdy cookies that won’t crush, and wrap snugly in plastic wrap or foil.
- Pack straight from the freezer: cookies and bars can be popped straight from the freezer to backpack. They’ll thaw perfectly in a couple of hours.
- Freezing treats allows you to keep things interesting: wrap bars and cookies in individual portions to freeze. That way you can change things up every day!
- If you don’t want to send something sweet every day: pick a special ‘treat’ day your kids can look forward to (how about Monday or Friday?)
how to substitute peanuts and tree nuts for allergy restrictions
If your school prohibits peanuts and tree nuts due to allergy concerns, here are some common substitutions you can use in back to school treats. Use a 1:1 ratio in most recipes. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of peanut butter, you can use 1 cup of the chosen seed butter.
- Sunflower Seed Butter: Sunflower seed butter is a popular alternative to peanut butter or other nut butters. It has a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor, making it a great choice for baking.
- Soy Nut Butter: Soy nut butter is made from roasted soybeans and can mimic the texture and flavor of peanut butter. It’s a good option for those looking for a nut-free alternative.
- Other seed Butters (Tahini, Pumpkin Seed Butter, etc.): Various seed butters can be used in place of nut butters. Tahini (made from sesame seeds) and pumpkin seed butter are examples. They may have distinct flavors, so be sure to take that into account.