Fruit and Nut Toddler Snacks

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Do you want a snack idea for your toddler or kid that’s healthy and easy?  Then you should try these Fruit and Nut Toddler Snacks!

These Fruit and nut toddler snacks are a healthy and simple recipe for kids and toddlers and took me under 10 minutes to make – including getting everything out and putting the dishes in the sink.

All three of my boys love these homemade snack bites.  

I started making them when my 10-year-old was 3.  He has always liked them so I decided to make them for my 2-year-old twin toddlers.

These are such a healthy and easy snack alternative to store-bought bars. 

Always ask your pediatrician when it’s best for your toddler to start eating nuts.  And never give them whole nuts because it can pose a choking hazard.

Ingredients:

• Dates
• Walnuts
• Mini M&Ms or chocolate chips (optional)

I use dates and walnuts because they blend together nicely to form balls or bars, they taste good together, and are so healthy!

Date Benefits:

• Full of fiber
• High in antioxidants
• Good for brain health (source)
• And more!

Walnut Benefits:

• Good source of vitamins and minerals (copper, folic acid, phosphorus, vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin E)
• Good for brain health
• High in antioxidants (more than any other common nut)
• Promotes a healthy gut
• Omega 3’s (higher than any other nut)
• And more! (source)

Related: Healthy Toddler Snack Ideas for Daycare or On-The Go

How To make these Fruit and Nut Toddler Snack Bars:

I first pre-chopped dates using kitchen shears to make blending easier (my dates were a little on the hard side).

The ratio for this recipe is 2:1.  2 parts Dates to 1 part Walnuts.

I added 1 cup of dates to 1/2 cup walnuts to my blender. 

Blend until dates and walnuts are fine – I used my milling blade. 

I blended for about 30 seconds with this blender.

If they’re too sticky add a little more walnuts and blend, if they’re too dry, add a little more dates and blend.

I stired in a small handful of mini M&Ms but this is optional and they are good just on their own, too!

You should be able to easily mould them into balls or flatten them out into bars with no risk of choking hazard from the nuts and dates. 

Store these in the refrigerator. 

Related:  Quick and Healthy Toddler Snack Ideas

Superfood Add-ins (Optional)

I only add in a small amount – about 1/2 teaspoon. Blend with the walnuts and dates.

• Chia Seeds (high in antioxidants, fiber and protein)
• Groud Flax Seeds (high in Omega 3s, antioxidants and fiber)
• Hemp Hearts (good source of protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants)
• Chlorella or Spirulina (Protein, Omega 3s, Vitamins and minerals) 
• Dried cherries, prunes, raisins, blueberries, apricots, shredded coconut for different flavors.  Really any dried fruit would work well in this.  You may have to add more walnuts if you add in extra dried fruit besides the dates.

Do not give if any known allergies to these ingredients.  When I first gave my twins walnuts they were about 20 months and it was a minimal amount to see if they would have a reaction.  The walnuts were ground up so didn’t pose a choking hazard.  Ask your prediction when your child is ready for nuts.

These are also a healthy snack for the whole family, not just toddlers, so make extra!

I can eat these date bites all day long and are they great for a quick and healthy snack or add them to lunches.  

Make sure your toddler is chewing solids well before serving these to them.  My twins were 28 months when I introduced these to them.

These fruit and nut bites are a staple in our house for healthy homemade snacks for the toddlers and big kids (and the parents). 

They are quick, easy, and healthy!  It’s an easy way to get walnuts into their diets, which I don’t have too many other recipes they will eat with walnuts.

 What do you do for quick and healthy toddler snack ideas?  I would love to hear!

Looking for more quick and healthy toddler food ideas?  Try these!

• Quick and Healthy Toddler Breakfast Ideas
• 2 Ingredient Healthy Toddler and Baby Yogurt Pops
• What My Twins Ate for Breakfast for the Week

Follow My Toddler Meal Board on Pinterest for Easy and Healthy Toddler Food Ideas