My Go-To After-School Snacks Include 29 Fall Treats

School ends, and within minutes, the snack requests start rolling in like they’re running a diner. That’s when variety saves the day. With 29 fall treats ready to go, the complaints disappear faster than shoes in the hallway. It’s simple, fun, and gives everyone just enough fuel to get through homework without negotiating for pizza at 4 p.m.

Close-up of a partially eaten burger with cheese in a bun, showing the meat patty's texture.
Cheeseburger Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Caramel Apple Fudge

A stack of green and brown swirled fudge cubes. The top cube has a bite taken out of it.
Caramel Apple Fudge. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Kids reach for slices after homework is finished, before starting on chores. Sharing Caramel Apple Fudge makes the afternoon feel special for everyone around the table. Small squares are packed into lunchboxes for the next day. Leftovers usually last only a few hours.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Fudge

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

A close-up of Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies, held together with toothpicks and cooked to a crispy finish.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Friends argue over the last bite as fingers grab skewers off of snack trays the minute school lets out. Plates holding Bacon Wrapped Smokies clear out fast during group projects or movie nights. Even adults sneak a piece for a quick snack. Requests for more come every week.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Mozzarella Sticks

Someone pulling a mozzarella stick apart and showing the stretchy cheese.
Mozzarella Sticks. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Pulling apart each piece delivers enough melted cheese to keep everyone happy until dinner. Bags filled with Mozzarella Sticks are emptied as soon as they hit the kitchen counters. Siblings race to the kitchen when they hear what’s inside. Nothing beats that cheese pull.
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella Sticks

Easy Chicken Tenders

Breaded chicken tenders served on a plate with dipping sauce.
Easy Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Dinner waits while plates pile high with crisp strips after practice or club meetings. Extras of Easy Chicken Tenders are gone quickly from the fridge. Kids trade for more on busy nights. These are never skipped when friends come over after school.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Tenders

Cheese Quesadilla

A person lifts a cheesy quesadilla slice from a wooden board. Nearby are bowls of guacamole and salsa on a light-colored table.
Cheese Quesadilla. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Even the pickiest eaters agree on what to grab when simple is what’s needed fast. Wedges of Cheese Quesadilla heat up well after sports or late bus rides. Dipping sauces get requested by everyone. There is always someone reaching for another piece.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Quesadilla

Buckeye Brownies

Several squares of chocolate cake with a layer of peanut butter filling and a chocolate topping are arranged on brown parchment paper.
Buckeye Brownies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Trays draw a crowd as soon as the first square comes out after class. Chilled Buckeye Brownies end up on homework desks and in backpacks for snacks on the go. Leftovers are packed up for lunch treats. The chocolate always gets a smile.
Get the Recipe: Buckeye Brownies

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Close-up of a baked spinach and artichoke dip in a dark dish, showing a golden brown, bubbly cheese topping with a portion scooped out, revealing the creamy interior.
Spinach Artichoke Dip. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Big scoops disappear while friends gather for a game or quick study session after school lets out. Everyone dips into Spinach Artichoke Dip several times before thinking of something else. Crackers and chips are gone well before the dip. No one leaves until the bowl is empty.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip

Gooey Pumpkin S’mores Cookie Cake

Two slices of pumpkin s'mores pie on a white plate, topped with chocolate chips, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows.
Gooey Pumpkin S’mores Cookie Cake. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Plates empty within minutes of cutting thick squares once homework is finished. Gooey Pumpkin S’mores Cookie Cake makes after-school time feel like a treat. Friends ask what’s in it and line up for seconds. Kids remember it for next time.
Get the Recipe: Gooey Pumpkin S’mores Cookie Cake

Sweet Potato Fritters

Sweet potato fritters in a stack.
Sweet Potato Fritters. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Crunchy bites vanish fast while everyone debates who gets the last one at the table. Stacks of Sweet Potato Fritters work perfectly as a holdover before dinner. Even picky eaters want in. Teachers ask for the recipe when it shows up in lunchboxes.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters

Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

Close-up of sliced chicken wraps with lettuce, cheese, and a creamy sauce, next to an open jar of mustard on a wooden surface.
Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Slices help curb hunger after sports as backpacks hit the floor. Each Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap packs up easily for club meetings or music lessons. Kids offer trades for extra bites. They stay fresh for after-school events and outings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

Pumpkin Pecan Pie Bars

A square piece of pumpkin dessert bar topped with a swirl of white frosting and pecans sits on a cooling rack.
Pumpkin Pecan Pie Bars. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Dessert bars start fights over who gets the bigger piece when plates hit the table. Baking up Pumpkin Pecan Pie Bars means no one misses dessert even on school nights. Snacks disappear during homework time. Everyone grabs one before heading out again.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pecan Pie Bars

Copycat Savvy Slider

A hamburger with cheese and lettuce on it.
Copycat Savvy Slider. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Small sandwiches fill stomachs fast when everyone wants something different after long days. Stacks of Copycat Savvy Slider are passed around for group study sessions. Leftovers end up as evening snacks. Even parents grab them for quick dinners.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Savvy Slider

Chicken Salad Sandwich

A shredded chicken salad sandwich with lettuce, raisins, and a creamy dressing served in a brioche bun.
Chicken Salad Sandwich. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Easy to pack up or eat at the counter when homework runs late. Kids enjoy Chicken Salad Sandwich for the mix of soft bread and crunchy filling. Grownups ask for a share when home from work. Sandwich halves vanish quickly from lunchboxes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad Sandwich

Steak Fajita Nacho

A tray of loaded nachos topped with sliced beef, red and green peppers, jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, and lime wedges on the side.
Steak Fajita Nacho. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Chips pile up with toppings perfect for sharing between friends right after they walk through the door. Pans of Steak Fajita Nacho get wiped clean after big days. People gather for movie night with these every week. Even the last crumb gets fought over.
Get the Recipe: Steak Fajita Nacho

Pumpkin Bars

A group of pumpkin bars with icing on top.
Pumpkin Bars. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Slices make snack time fun when everyone crowds the kitchen to see what’s new. Kids always find the pan of Pumpkin Bars before heading to activities. Adults even request some for after-dinner coffee. These snacks go fast at every gathering.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bars

Grilled Cheese

Close-up of two stacked grilled cheese sandwiches made with multigrain bread and melted cheese oozing out.
Grilled Cheese. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Warm sandwiches win over even picky eaters during afternoons when there’s no time for cooking. Grilled Cheese comes out golden and crisp for quick snacks. There are always crumbs on every plate. Kids sit down just for a bite.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Cheese

BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Quesadillas stacked on a plate, topped with sliced jalapeños, cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream.
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Folded slices land on plates as soon as shoes come off by the door. Whole families line up for BBQ Chicken Quesadilla after band or dance practice. These come out for snack time at least twice a week. There are always requests to make them again.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Whipped Feta Dip

A bowl of creamy dip garnished with chopped black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, rosemary, olive oil, and black pepper.
Whipped Feta Dip. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Homework sessions become more fun when a smooth spread appears alongside crackers. Friends compete to scoop up more Whipped Feta Dip during study groups. There’s never enough for a second round. Someone always asks for the recipe by the end of the first snack.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Feta Dip

Pizza Rolls

Freshly made pizza rolls stacked on each other.
Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Trays vanish right after the oven is set down because everyone wants crispy bites fast. Layers in Pizza Rolls fill up snack plates on busy afternoons. Friends hang around for extra helpings. Any leftovers make an easy next-day treat.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls

Crunchwrap Supreme

Three folded tortillas filled with seasoned ground meat, diced tomatoes, and melted cheese.
Crunchwrap Supreme. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cuts into wedges for an all-in-one snack when kids need something filling but fast. Each Crunchwrap Supreme holds together on the run between activities. Friends rave about the crispy outside. Sometimes the batch is gone before dinner starts.
Get the Recipe: Crunchwrap Supreme

Strawberry Brownies

Two pieces of chocolate brownies with a swirl of red fruit, possibly raspberry or cherry, stacked on a surface with more brownies in the background.
Strawberry Brownies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Pink squares light up snack breaks and add some color to homework time. Strawberry Brownies find their way into lunchboxes and after-dinner treats. Kids, big and small, love them for surprise desserts. Most ask for these at every celebration.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Brownies

Roast Beef Sliders

Close-up of a fork lifting a beef sandwich topped with sesame seeds on a soft bun, with more sandwiches in the background.
Roast Beef Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Every tray empties before dinner since these are fast to grab and easy to eat. Sharing Roast Beef Sliders keeps afternoons less hectic for both kids and parents. No complaints about boring snacks. Younger siblings keep asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Sliders

Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Close-up of a freshly baked muffin topped with chocolate chips and oats, wrapped in a paper liner. A blurred drink and other baked goods are visible in the background.
Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Lunchboxes gain a tasty update with a quick grab on the way out the door. Baked Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins manage to disappear before study time is over. Teachers see these pop up at snack time. Second helpings are expected without asking.
Get the Recipe: Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Close-up of fluffy cheddar biscuits topped with herbs on a metal tray, with leafy greens in the background.
Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cheesy rolls make snack time feel like a treat from a favorite restaurant. Plates filled with Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits do not last through homework sessions. Siblings fight over who gets the last one. Parents sneak their own after meetings.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Spiced Apple Cookies

Close-up of three stacked cookies topped with a chunky fruit filling and a sprinkle of crumbs, placed near an apple.
Spiced Apple Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Friends go straight to the jar for a quick treat on rainy afternoons. Delicious bites of Spiced Apple Cookies are also perfect with milk after class. No one waits for dessert to grab one. The jar empties by the week’s end.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Apple Cookies

Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings

Close-up of grilled chicken wings with a crispy texture, next to a red bowl of creamy dipping sauce.
Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Game days and study groups both get better once trays are loaded up and hot. No one skips a chance at Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings, no matter how much homework waits. The wings pull everyone to the kitchen. Cleanup is easy because the bones are all that’s left.
Get the Recipe: Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

A close-up of several oatmeal cookies stacked and scattered on parchment paper, with one cookie broken in half to show the inside texture.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Warm cookies get eaten fast as kids look for comfort after a long day at school. Moms know Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies fill bellies and keep moods up. The mixing bowl is empty before the oven cools. Soft cookies are split between friends and family.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Zucchini Fritters

A stack of zucchini fritters topped with sour cream, thinly sliced shallots, and a sprig of dill.
Zucchini Fritters. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Plates fill up with crunchy snacks that everyone can agree on after gym or rehearsals. Hot Zucchini Fritters work as a shared snack before heading off to clubs. Kids pack extras for lunch. No one needs much convincing to try a bite.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Fritters

Cheeseburger Sliders

Close-up of a partially eaten burger with cheese in a bun, showing the meat patty's texture.
Cheeseburger Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Small sandwiches get handed out to tide kids over when dinner is running late. Cheeseburger Sliders pack up for sports practice or group study snacks. There are only empty plates left after snack time. Parents are quick to sneak one too.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Sliders

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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