Back To School Snack Ideas from Food Network Magazine

White House Snack Attack

Sam Kass, a White House chef and Michelle Obama’s adviser for her Let’s Move! program, says that the White House is always stocked with fruit in case Sasha or Malia needs a bite. But Kass knows that kids don’t always come home from school begging for healthful stuff, so he offered up these smart swaps for some favorite after-school treats.

Instead of a candy bar, drizzle chocolate on pretzels or apples.

Chop 1/2 pound dark chocolate. Microwave three-quarters of the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring, until mostly melted. Stir in the remaining chocolate until smooth. Drizzle over mini pretzels or apple slices and let harden.

“There is no substitution for chocolate!” Kass says. “The key is moderation.”

Instead of packaged peanut butter crackers, make almond butter.

Blend 2 cups almonds and 2 large pinches kosher salt in a food processor for 5 minutes. Pulse in 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons honey. Spread on whole-wheat crackers.

“Almond butter is really simple to make and fun to do with kids,” Kass says.

Instead of potato chips, make kale chips.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the stems from 1 bunch kale and tear the leaves into bite-size pieces. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake until crisp, about 30 minutes.

“Kale chips are great,” Kass says. “Kids don’t expect them to taste like potato chips, but they do.”