The thought of a cup of hot chocolate is enough to have many people rushing inside after being out in the cold. And, if we feel that way about a hot drink, think about how good a healthy, warm snack would sound on those cold winter days. Kids at a preschool in preschool in Silver Spring enjoy eating a variety of snacks, but when it comes to warming up at home, these healthy warm snack recommendations are perfect.
If you’ve just experienced the latest snowstorm or if it’s simply a bit colder than you’d like, we have exactly what you need. Warm and cozy winter snacks that will fill you up and keep you nice and toasty.
Cinnamon toast is a beloved comfort food for kids of all ages, and this delightful recipe includes apples, creating a perfectly balanced snack with just the right amount of sweetness and spice.
To make apple toast, you need bread, apple slices, butter, and cinnamon. Spread the butter on one side of the bread and top with apple slices. Sprinkle some cinnamon over the apples, then put the bread on a baking sheet. With the oven set to broil, toast the bread for two minutes.
This snack is so tasty and crunchy, and you can totally customize the seasoning to match your preferences! All you need is a can of drained and rinsed garbanzo beans, some olive oil, and your preferred seasonings.
After rinsing the beans, spread them out on a baking sheet and pat them dry with a paper towel. Bake them in the oven at 425 degrees for 22 minutes, stirring them after 11 minutes. Remove them from the oven, but do not turn the oven off.
Toss the garbanzo beans with some olive oil and your preferred seasonings. Spread them back out on the baking sheet and bake for another 22 minutes. Again, you want to stir them up about halfway through.
Who doesn’t love French fries? This recipe lets you whip up some healthy fries, a classic favorite for kids, for your snow day crew without the hassle of a mess. And this is just one way to make healthy fries!
To begin, you will need to gather together some Yukon gold potatoes, a tablespoon of white sugar, ¼ cups of olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and, of course, pepper. Before you can start making the fries, though, you need to line a baking sheet with foil and coat the foil with cooking spray.
Cut the potatoes into thick fries, place them in a colander, and sprinkle them with sugar. Place the colander in the sink and allow the potatoes to drain for 30 minutes. Use paper towels to dry the potatoes well.
Place the potatoes, oil, and seasonings inside a plastic Ziploc bag. Mix everything together until the fries are well coated. Spread the fries out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake inside a 425-degree oven for 20 minutes. Flip the fries over and then bake for another 20 minutes.
Mozzarella sticks are traditionally deep-fried. However, this variation gets its signature crunchy outside and cheesy inside from oven baking. A toaster oven works best for this recipe, but you can also use a regular oven.
To make your baked mozzarella sticks, you will need some string cheese cut in half, Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, a large egg, cooking spray, and toothpicks. Preheat your toaster oven to the broil setting and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Beat the large egg in a small bowl and pour the breadcrumbs into a second small bowl. Insert a toothpick halfway into each cheese stick. Dip the cheese in the egg and then the breadcrumbs. Press breadcrumbs onto the cheese stick to ensure it’s coated. Repeat this for all of your cheese sticks. Lay the cheese sticks on the baking sheet, lightly spray them with cooking spray, and broil them for 5 minutes or until golden brown.
Popped sorghum is a delightful and lighter option compared to classic popcorn. Its naturally earthy flavor pairs wonderfully with cinnamon and sugar. This recipe is perfect for a cozy snow day movie marathon snack!
To make this satisfying snack, you need two tablespoons of popping sorghum, a teaspoon of canola oil, some white sugar, and some cinnamon. Add the sorghum to a brown paper bag, fold the top down, and microwave on high for about 1 minute 30 seconds. Pour the popped sorghum into a bowl, drizzle with oil, and then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Gently toss the popped sorghum to coat the pieces.
Brighten your day with some delicious homemade cheese crackers! For this warm and healthy snack, you will need eight ounces of grated sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup of flour, a quarter of a cup of butter cut into cubes, two tablespoons of cold water, and three-quarters of a teaspoon of salt.
Add cheese, salt, flour, and butter to a food processor. Use the pulse setting to form a dough. The dough should have the same consistency as sand. Then add one tablespoon of water and mix. Add the second tablespoon of water and mix to moisten the dough.
Remove the dough from the food processor and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it on a lightly floured surface. You can use cookie cutters to make specific shapes or cut out squares. Place the shapes onto the baking sheet and cook in the oven for 16 minutes.
Winter is a lovely time to snuggle up inside with tasty and healthy snacks that will keep your kids happy at home. Caregivers working at a Silver Spring preschool love encouraging healthy eating habits for children, particularly during the chilly months when they need extra warmth and nourishment. These are only a handful of healthy and hearty winter snack ideas that are bound to please your kids’ appetites while offering essential nutrients for their growing bodies.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.
