These Fruity Snacks Will Have Your Kids Begging for More

We put tons of thought into the food we serve our families – we know that a favorite, comforting dish can ease the pain of a rotten day, and that meals eaten together are meaningful. We are also aware that food can have some unwelcome effects on our kiddos. We worry about issues such as tooth decay, childhood obesity, and more. In our family, we have one member who suffers miserably for ingesting even a crumb of bread, and another who will go into meltdown mode after just a few drops of artificial food dye.

Maria Koutsogiannis is also concerned about the food she prepares. Initially, she sought to “eat clean” for fitness and athletic purposes. A diagnosis of IBS made her pursuit of healthful eating even more imperative. On her blog, Food by Maria, she shares recipes based on her belief that food can either feed or fight disease (opting for the latter, of course!) and devotes an entire category to moms and tots.

Many of these treats include fruit presented in the most fun ways imaginable. These fruity snacks are so enjoyable and delectable that your brood won’t just tolerate them, they’ll actually request them! Check out these tasty treats that you can feel good feeding your bunch:

Banana Cacao Pops

There is something special about chocolate and bananas together, especially when they’re cold. Anyone else remember those banana fudge bomb pops you used to get from the ice cream truck? Well, these fruity snacks are reminiscent of those fudgy banana frozen treats, but without all of the worrisome, hard-to-pronounce ingredients and added sugar. Better still, they are so fast and easy to make.

Simply peel bananas, slice them in half and put them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Push a popsicle stick into each one and set them aside while you make chocolate sauce, which is similar to the chocolate used for the watermelon pizza. It contains cacao powder, coconut nectar, almond milk, chocolate chips, and just a pinch of salt.

Once you have melted the ingredients into a rich, chocolaty sauce, you can dip the bananas into it or drizzle it over them, whichever you choose. Sprinkle them with fun but healthful toppings, like chopped seeds, groats, goji berries, or shredded, unsweetened coconut. Pop them in the fridge to cool and set, then sit on the porch together and dive in.

Chocolate Watermelon Pizza

Chocolate and pizza are a combination most kids will be thrilled to receive. These chilly pies are a sweet, fruity summer treat option that your children can help you assemble.

Two make two pizzas, you will simply cut a couple of thick, round melon slices. There is a bit of cooking involved, but nothing too difficult. You will need to melt together cacao powder, coconut oil, sweetener, butter, and chocolate chips (Maria uses vegan options, but you can use whatever you prefer).

Once the chocolate sauce is melted, set it aside to cool and prep the yummy fruit toppings. Maria suggests chopping and slicing blackberries, oranges, strawberries and mangos, and zesting a lemon.

Here is where it gets fun: Drizzle the chocolate sauce onto the watermelon rounds and let the kiddos pile on the fruit pieces. The chocolate will quickly cool and harden, so topping the melon promptly will help the fruits stick to the pizza. Sprinkle the completed pies with lemon zest, slice into triangular pieces, and munch away.

“Candy” Caramel And Cacao Coconut Apples

When I was a kid, I begged for a candy or caramel apple every time we went to the fair or a street carnival. Those shiny, fire engine red and creamy golden apples on sticks were so tantalizing. On the occasions when my parents gave in and bought the treats, I rather regretted it. Although they tasted good, they were so difficult to eat. Sticky, messy, and hard on your teeth.

That’s one of the (many) things I love about Maria’s coated apples. They have the appeal of the teeth-sticking traditional candy apples, without the pain and mess. Of course, they are so much better for you as well, free of refined sugar, gluten, trans fat, and dairy.

Instead of a hard cinnamon shell or gummy caramel coating, kids have a choice between an almond and date “caramel” spread or a chocolaty cacao and coconut coating. You can sprinkle the fruity treats with chopped or slivered nuts, coconut, or other tempting toppings. They will keep in the fridge for about a week, but they probably won’t be around long enough for you to find out. Enjoy!

Which of these fruity snacks from Food by Maria do you think your kids will enjoy most? Share your own tasty recipes with us!