Growing children get hungry often. Providing them packaged goodies off the grocer’s shelf is the easiest option for busy parents. But are they healthy? Does your child gain any nutrition from these processed foods? A host of synthetic coloring, additives, and preservatives presented in attractive packages only harm your child’s health.

However, with the help of some easily available ingredients, one can make a healthy yet yummy snack for kids which they are bound to love:

1. Baked plantain chips
Ingredients for these baked, naturally sweet snacks contain 6 unripe green plantains, 2 tablespoons olive/sesame oil, and salt to taste. Follow this cooking method:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
• Get a baking sheet ready and place parchment paper over it. Keep this aside.
• Use a vegetable peeler and peel away the skin of the plantains. Dunk the peeled plantains in a bowl of cold water to prevent oxidation of the vegetable.
• Take each plantain and thinly slice them using a slicer. Make them thinner if you like crispy chips.
• Arrange the plantain slices on a baking sheet.
• Smear them lightly with oil and sprinkle some salt over them.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then turn the slices over and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
• When the plantain appears golden and crisp, it is done.

2. Keto cheese crackers
Ingredients for these keto-friendly crackers include 2 cups blanched almond flour, 3 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 large egg, and 3-4 tablespoons additional almond flour for flattening and dusting the dough. To prepare these keto crackers:

• Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Place a baking sheet lined with parchment paper ready.
• In a large bowl, mix the almond flour, cheddar cheese, paprika powder, olive oil, onion powder, sea salt, baking soda, and egg thoroughly to form a dough.
• Dust the dough with a little almond flour, cover it and refrigerate for an hour.
• On a clean, level surface, roll out the dough into a large square or rectangle with a rolling pin. Do not roll it too thick or too thin, as it will make the cookies either chewy or cause it to burn.
• Use cookie cutters to cut unique shapes from the flattened dough.
• Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cookies turn brown.
• Remove from the oven and place them on a cooling rack.
• Enjoy freshly baked Keto cheese crackers.

3. Trail mix
Trail mix can be a combination of any nuts, seeds, and dried fruits you like:

• 3 cups plain nuts: almonds, pecans, cashews, peanuts, macadamias, pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts
• 2 cups raw seeds: sunflower and pumpkin seeds
• 2 cups naturally sun-dried fruits: cherries, raisins, dates, bananas, cranberries, and mango,
• 1 cup crisp puffed rice
• 1 cup semi-sweet dark chocolate bits
• 1 cup plain pretzels
• Sea salt to taste
• Cinnamon powder for flavor

To prepare, scatter dry roast all the nuts and seeds individually on a hot pan, allow them to cool down, and mix these along with the rest of the ingredients, and enjoy.