30 Dairy-Free Snacks for Kids & Preschoolers That They’ll Love

Feb 12 2025

Dairy sensitivities and allergies are becoming increasingly common among children, making it essential for parents to find nutritious alternatives. For many kids, a dairy-free diet can improve digestion, reduce allergies, and promote overall well-being. However, finding snacks that are both dairy-free and kid-approved can be a challenge. This blog post aims to make life easier for parents by sharing 30 delicious and easy-to-make dairy-free snacks that little ones will love.

1. Banana Oat Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed

• 1 cup rolled oats

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.

• Scoop small portions onto a baking sheet.

• Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.

2. Apple Nachos

Ingredients:

• 1 apple, sliced

• 2 tbsp peanut butter

• 1 tbsp dairy-free chocolate chips

Directions:

• Arrange apple slices on a plate.

• Drizzle peanut butter over the apple slices.

• Sprinkle with chocolate chips and serve.

3. Homemade Trail Mix

Ingredients:

• ½ cup almonds

• ½ cup raisins

• ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips

• ¼ cup sunflower seeds

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

• Store in an airtight container.

• Serve as a grab-and-go snack.

4. Avocado Toast with Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 slice whole grain toast

• ½ avocado, mashed

• 3 cherry tomatoes, sliced

Directions:

• Toast the bread until golden.

• Spread mashed avocado on top.

• Arrange cherry tomato slices over the avocado.

• Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and serve.

5. Coconut Yogurt with Berries

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dairy-free coconut yogurt

• ½ cup mixed berries

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

Directions:

• Add coconut yogurt to a bowl.

• Top with mixed berries and chia seeds.

• Serve immediately.

6. Frozen Banana Pops

Ingredients:

• 2 bananas, peeled and halved

• ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips

• ¼ cup crushed nuts or shredded coconut

Directions:

• Insert popsicle sticks into banana halves.

• Melt chocolate chips and dip bananas in chocolate.

• Sprinkle with nuts or coconut and freeze until firm.

7. Hummus and Veggie Sticks

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hummus

• 1 carrot, sliced

• 1 cucumber, sliced

Directions:

• Arrange veggie sticks on a plate.

• Serve with hummus for dipping.

8. Rice Cake with Almond Butter & Banana

Ingredients:

• 1 rice cake

• 1 tbsp almond butter

• ½ banana, sliced

Directions:

• Spread almond butter on the rice cake.

• Top with banana slices and serve.

9. Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

• 1 sweet potato, cut into strips

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp salt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Toss sweet potato strips with oil and salt.

• Bake for 20–25 minutes until crispy.

10. Chia Pudding

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp chia seeds

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients in a jar.

• Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

• Stir and serve chilled.

11. Crispy Roasted Chickpeas

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp salt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Toss chickpeas with olive oil and salt.

• Roast for 25–30 minutes until crispy.

12. Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• ½ cup peanut butter

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• ¼ cup dairy-free chocolate chips

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.

• Roll the mixture into small bite-sized balls.

• Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

13. Fruit Kabobs

Ingredients:

• 1 banana, sliced

• 1 cup strawberries, halved

• 1 cup grapes

• 1 cup pineapple chunks

• Wooden skewers

Directions:

• Thread the fruit pieces onto skewers in a fun pattern.

• Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

14. Dairy-Free Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond milk

• ½ banana

• ½ cup frozen berries

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

Directions:

• Blend all ingredients until smooth.

• Pour into a glass and serve immediately.

15. Cinnamon Apple Chips

Ingredients:

• 2 apples, thinly sliced

• ½ tsp cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).

• Arrange apple slices on a baking sheet.

• Sprinkle cinnamon over them.

• Bake for 2 hours, flipping halfway.

16. Guacamole & Crackers

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado, mashed

• ½ lime, juiced

• Salt to taste

• Dairy-free crackers

Directions:

• Mash avocado with lime juice and salt.

• Serve with crackers.

17. Carrot & Cucumber Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced

• 1 carrot, julienned

• ¼ cup hummus

Directions:

• Spread hummus on cucumber slices.

• Place carrot strips on top.

• Roll up and secure with a toothpick.

18. Popcorn with Coconut Oil

Ingredients:

• ½ cup popcorn kernels

• 1 tbsp coconut oil

• Salt to taste

Directions:

• Heat coconut oil in a pot over medium heat.

• Add popcorn kernels, cover, and shake occasionally.

• Once popping slows, remove from heat and sprinkle with salt.

19. Frozen Grapes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grapes

Directions:

• Wash grapes and pat dry.

• Place on a tray and freeze for at least 2 hours.

20. Apple & Almond Butter Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 apple, sliced into rings

• 2 tbsp almond butter

Directions:

• Spread almond butter on one apple ring and top with another.

21. Dairy-Free Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups rolled oats

• ½ cup peanut butter

• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup

• ¼ cup dairy-free chocolate chips

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients and press into a lined baking dish.

• Refrigerate for 1 hour, then cut into bars.

22. Cinnamon-Spiced Pear Chips

Ingredients:

• 2 pears, thinly sliced

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp coconut sugar (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C).

• Arrange pear slices on a lined baking sheet in a single layer.

• Sprinkle with cinnamon and coconut sugar.

• Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, flipping halfway through, until crisp.

• Let cool before serving.

23. Dairy-Free Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

• Blend all ingredients until smooth.

• Chill before serving.

24. Zucchini Chips

Ingredients:

• 1 zucchini, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 225°F (110°C).

• Toss zucchini slices with olive oil and salt.

• Bake for 2 hours, flipping halfway.

25. Nut-Free Sunflower Seed Butter Dip

Ingredients:

• ½ cup sunflower seed butter

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients together.

• Serve with sliced apples or celery.

26. Coconut Rice Pudding

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked rice

• 1 cup coconut milk

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• ½ tsp cinnamon

Directions:

• Heat coconut milk and rice in a saucepan.

• Stir in maple syrup and cinnamon.

• Simmer until thickened.

27. Dairy-Free Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Ingredients:

• ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips

• 1 cup fresh strawberries

Directions:

• Melt chocolate chips.

• Dip strawberries into chocolate and place on parchment paper.

• Refrigerate until set.

28. No-Bake Coconut Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded coconut

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• ¼ cup almond flour

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients together.

• Roll into small balls.

• Refrigerate until firm.

29. Peach & Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1 cup almond milk

• ½ cup mashed peach

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Mix all ingredients and pour into muffin tins.

• Bake for 20 minutes.

30. Berry Oat Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups rolled oats

• ½ cup mashed berries

• ¼ cup maple syrup

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Mix all ingredients and press into a baking dish.

• Bake for 20 minutes.

Tips for Successful Dairy-Free Snacking

1. Label Reading

Always check ingredient labels for hidden dairy, such as whey, casein, and lactose. Many packaged snacks may contain dairy-derived additives.

2. Meal Planning

Planning snacks in advance helps ensure kids always have nutritious options available, reducing reliance on processed foods.

3. Involving Kids

Let kids help choose ingredients and prepare snacks to make them more engaged and excited about eating dairy-free.

4. Creative Presentation

Cut fruits into fun shapes, arrange vegetables into colorful designs, or use vibrant plates to make snacks more appealing.

5. Substitution Guide

Dairy-free yogurt: Coconut, almond, or soy-based yogurt
Dairy-free milk: Almond, oat, coconut, or cashew milk
Cheese substitutes: Nutritional yeast, cashew cheese, or store-bought vegan cheese

6. Pantry Staples

Stock up on essentials like nuts, seeds, dried fruits, dairy-free chocolate, oats, and nut butters to make snacking easier.

Conclusion

Finding dairy-free snacks for kids doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little planning and creativity, you can offer delicious, nutritious, and kid-approved options. Try these snacks and see how they bring joy and health to your child’s diet!

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