Snacks are a really important part of our diet - particularly for children, but having a healthy option on hand isn’t always easy. That’s where your freezer comes in! The good news is that preparing snacks for your family doesn’t have to be time consuming – with a little planning and organisation you can have freezer drawers full of snacks! So you’re extra prepared when you hear the familiar “I’m hungry!!”
Muffins:
As you know at Mummy Cooks, muffins are a HUGE favourite of mine and they are the perfect option for a snack. When making a batch, the best thing to do is to double up on the ingredients and batch cook so you’ll have extra to pop in your freezer. Muffins freeze very well and can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To defrost:
- Remove from the freezer and allow to defrost in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, defrost using the microwave.
- Heat through in the microwave or oven before serving and offer warm or cold.
For a baby as they get older, from age 1 they should be having two snacks as well as their meals, one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon, and a muffin is a great option as a finger food.
These are some of my favourite muffins recipes for the freezer - and you’ll find lots more in my 20 Muffin Recipes E-Book:
Banana and Berry muffins - A regular snack in my house! When I am reheating I simply defrost in the microwave or overnight in the fridge then reheat by microwaving or lightly baking.
Spinach and Feta muffins - The great thing about muffins is that they can be packed full of veggies too, and these muffins are really tasty and a great option to freeze.
Smoothies:
Smoothies are one of my favourite healthy snacks to enjoy year round - and they are suitable for all the family. A great idea is to have the ingredients for a smoothie ready in the freezer and then it’s super quick to make it. This is also a great way to use up leftover fruit. - simply wash and dry the fruit, and portion the ingredients into a portion pot. Then when you need a snack, throw all the ingredients into your blender.
Very Berry Smoothie - A great option to have as a smoothie pack - uses up any berries you’ve got in the freezer and is a super option for a refreshing, healthy snack
It’s important to remember how to freeze and defrost food safely. Try to eat frozen food within 3 months - and always make sure you only place cold food into the freezer.
Waffles and Pancakes:
Waffles and pancakes are a great option as a freezer friendly snack. They’re also a great idea to get some extra fruit into your child. They are a very adaptable snack - with savoury and sweet options, there are so many choices for everyone to enjoy.
Potato & Carrot waffles - this is a great recipe to get extra veg in and it freezes so well. To serve as a snack, I just defrost and pop in the toaster.
Pancakes for all the family - lots of options here for freezing and heating up to store in a food flask
Check out my blog on freezing food rather than throwing away!
At Mummy Cooks, we have a wealth of advice on feeding your family. We cover everything from meal prep and slow cooker recipes to moving baby on to family foods and preparing food safely. So whether you're looking for quick and easy meal ideas or want to learn more about healthy eating, we've got you covered - Feeding the Family Advice page
