School's In: 5 After-School Snacks That Kids Can Prepare Themselves

Snack food should be fun food. That’s why we’re sharing with you and your budding young chef five quick, beginner recipes that let them get in on the action. The best part? All of these after-school snacks easily double as sleepover party nibbles.

We created America’s Test Kitchen Kids to show the young ones (and grown-ups!) that cooking is truly something everyone can do. America’s Test Kitchen Kids—our newest addition to the family—has everything from kid-tested and kid-approved recipes to hands-on activities. The goal? To help raise a new generation of empowered cooks, engaged eaters, and curious experimenters.

Let’s start with some tasty snacks.

Quesadillas might just be the perfect after-school snack. Your young chef will need just three ingredients—flour tortillas, cheese, and some vegetable oil—to make this recipe come together quickly.

Kid-Approved Test Kitchen Tip: To make this recipe extra simple, use shredded cheese. [GET THE RECIPE]

Microwave popcorn is a great idea . . . in theory. Most packaged options have a long list of unnatural ingredients and don’t taste very good. This fun recipe takes a plain old brown paper bag and turns it into a microwave-safe package for popping corn kernels. 

Kid-Approved Test Kitchen Tip: Be careful when opening the bag with the popped kernels—there will be a lot of steam in the bag, so open it away from your face or hands. [GET THE RECIPE]

These rich-and-gooey chocolate mug cakes make for the perfect after-school treat. The best part? The recipe takes only 15 minutes to prepare and it uses the microwave, so there's no need to be reaching into a hot oven.

Kid-Approved Test Kitchen Tip: Add whipped cream or a small scoop of ice cream for a deluxe treat. [GET THE RECIPE]

If they already know where to find the chips in the cupboard, it’s time they learn how to whip themselves up a good batch of chunky guacamole dip. This recipe uses fresh ingredients such as tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, and avocados to hold them over until dinner time rolls around.

Kid-Approved Test Kitchen Tip: To test the ripeness of everyone's favorite green fruit, place the avocado in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze—it should be a little soft. [GET THE RECIPE]

Introduce them to the dipping life with this creamy spread, which is made with pureed chickpeas, tahini (it’s similar to peanut butter but is made from sesame seeds), lemon juice, and spices.

Kid-Approved Test Kitchen Tip: Use baby carrots, slices of cucumber, whole cherry tomatoes, crackers, pita chips, or tortilla chips (you can find our recipe for them in The Complete Cookbook For Young Chefs) as your "scooper" and you're good to go. [GET THE RECIPE]

What does your kid normally like to eat as an after-school snack? Let us know in the comments!