Picky eater? We swear by these guilt-free kids’ snacks

I know I’m not the only parent who’s ransacked the kitchen pantry, desperately searching for anything to appease a screaming, hangry baby.

When you have a picky eater on your hands, it can feel impossible to find something they actually enjoy snacking on. In fact, sometimes, I feel like I spend more time cleaning up my toddler’s spilled food than she spends eating it.

I’ll admit, she had a pretty refined palette from the get-go. The first few stages of our eating journey were mostly spent spitting, fist-slamming, and spewing food on the floor, especially anything that slightly resembled healthy food. A vegetable. How dare I even try?

Her eyes have always been on the bright colors, fun shapes, and sweet-salty combos, and really, I can’t blame her. Kids want delicious snacks, and health-conscious parents hope that some wholesome, nutritious ingredients are packed into the mix. Landing on something that meets both marks is a challenge. But, fortunately, there are plenty of high-quality baby snacks out there — you just have to know where to look for them.

Through plenty of trial-and-error and assistance from the toughest critic (my almost two-year-old), we’ve tried a few brands that we can vouch for. Little Spoon’s diverse menu of organic baby bites and ready-to-eat snacks was a game-changer in our house. My daughter loves the flavor combos, unique shapes, and textures, and I love the fact that she’s never noticed all the hidden fruits and veggies in their recipes.

Other popular brands, like Cerebelly and Simple Mills, also offer great on-the-go options, from bite-sized puffs to smoothie melts that should (hopefully) reduce the mess when you’re on the move. Of course, you could also go the meal-kit route, especially if you have multiple mouths to feed.

Below, I’ve rounded up some of our favorite toddler-and-mom-approved snacks that are tasty, easy, and hopefully won’t land on the floor.

Best healthy snack: Little Spoon Banana Pitaya Meltable Baby Rings

Little Spoon

Crunchy, melty, and easy for tiny hands to handle, these Little Spoon organic banana pitaya rings put Cheerios to shame. They were crafted in collaboration with a speech pathologist and shaped specifically to support first-stage snacking, so you know your little ones’ needs are being met just where they’re at. Key ingredients include ancient grains like quinoa and sorghum, as well as seasoned fruits and veggies for a pop of flavor and brain-boosting benefits. They’re a hit with tiny tastebuds, filled with all the good stuff, and free of the junk that health-conscious parents want to avoid. An easy snack to keep on hand.

Key Ingredients: Quinoa, Sorghum, Banana, Pitaya | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-Free | Key Allergens: N/A

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Best teething snack: Little Spoon Kale Apple Meltable Baby Curls

Little Spoon

The teething phase is tricky, but Little Spoon’s Kale Apple curls are a lifesaver. They’re airy and super soft on sensitive gums, which makes them a great choice for teething toddlers. Plus, they’re packed with hidden kale, so even the veggie-averse kiddos can enjoy them. Naturally sweetened with apples and filled with more fiber-filled ingredients, these snacks have a satisfying flavor profile and texture suited for even the pickiest littles. Just one small warning: You’re likely to steal a few of these for yourself. They’re just that addictive.

Key Ingredients: Quinoa, Sorghum, Kale, Apple | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-free | Key Allergens: N/A

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Best mess-free snacks: Once Upon a Farm Tropical Greens Smoothie Melts

Once Upon a Farm

Like a smoothie, but make it mess-free – the Once Upon a Farm Smoothie Melts are silky smooth, melt-in-your-mouth bites made with organic whole milk, coconut cream, fiberous fruits, and various veggies. They’re packed in a portable resealable bag, ideal for snacking on the go. The new tropical greens flavor packs a punch, with added lime juice, and a swirl of dates, zucchini, and banana for a super smoothie-like taste adventure.

Key Ingredients: Whole Milk, Mango, Apple | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-free | Key Allergens: Contains Milk, Coconut

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Best sweet snack: Little Spoon Chocolate Chip Oat Bake

Little Spoon

We probably shouldn’t gobble down Grandma’s freshly-baked cookies every day, but these oat-based chocolate chip bars are a much healthier alternative — and still likely to leave your kiddo begging for more. The drool-worthy recipe is not so secret; they’re baked in coconut oil, sprinkled with gooey chocolate chips, filled with hearty oats, flax, and chia for texture, and disguised with hidden zucchini for the kids who normally fight their daily dose of veggies. These indulgent, soft-baked snacks make a great guilt-free surprise to satisfy your kids’ sweet tooth.

Key Ingredients: Oats, Zucchini, Chia Seeds| Dietary Friendly: N/A | Key Allergens: Contains Soy

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Best organic: Cerebelly Organic Baby Food Pouches

Amazon

Happy bellies start with Cerebelly. No joke, these baby food pouches are packed with the good stuff — like selenium and zinc for brain development, Vitamin B12, and B6, as well as flavor-packed fruits and veggies like white beans, pumpkin, chickpeas, sweet potato, and more superfoods for the early stage feeding. They’re expert-backed, too — developed by a practicing neurosurgeon, who spent years testing out different recipes before perfecting these science-backed, squeezable snacks.

Key Ingredients: Organic Beans, Sweet Potato, Chickpeas | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-free, Nut-free | Key Allergens: N/A

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Best protein snack: Little Spoon Mac + Cheesy Veggie Loops

Little Spoon

Little Spoon loves to put a spin on a classic, and these mac and cheese-flavored veggie loops are no exception. Made for munching, these tasty, crunchy snacks are big kid-approved and the perfect bites for school lunches, roadtrips, or an afternoon pick-me-up. They double as cool, edible rings — because what kid doesn’t want to lick their fingers? The ingredients are pretty solid, too. Chickpeas bump the protein count to 3 grams per serving, hidden carrots help bolster the veggie intake, and avocado oil provides some antioxidants.

Key Ingredients: Chickpeas, Carrots, Avocado Oil | Dietary Friendly: N/A | Key Allergens: Contains Milk

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Best gluten-free: Simple Mills Nutty Banana Bread Soft Baked Almond Flour Bars

Amazon

Simple Mills is well-known for wholesome, nourishing snacks that are also gluten-free. The popular Soft Baked Almond Flour Bars are a big hit with little ones; soft, sweet, and supposedly even more delicious when they’re heated up in the microwave or oven. There are a variety of yummy flavors to choose from, including nutty banana, spiced carrot cake, and even a decadent chocolate brownie. The kids won’t be disappointed.

Key Ingredients: Nut and Nut Flour blend, Coconut Nectar | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-free | Key Allergens: Contains Nuts, Coconut

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Best snack for travel: Little Spoon Strawberry Smash Fruit Ripper

Little Spoon

Berries are delicious, but they sure can make a mess when you’re on the move. If you’re tired of dealing with sticky, sugary clothing stains, these strawberry smash Fruit Rippers are the perfect fix. Bursting with flavor and just the right amount of sweetness, kids will love peeling apart each soft, chewy strip. Sharing is easy too, with six pieces to split between kiddos. And when it comes to nutrition, there’s no compromise. Fruit Rippers are made with 100% real fruits and zero artificial additives — the best way to make kids say “yes!” without the mess.

Key Ingredients: Apple, Strawberry | Dietary Friendly: N/A | Key Allergens: N/A

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Best high-fiber: Once Upon a Farm Rasp-Berry Beet & Kale Smart Wheels

Once Upon a Farm

Another toddler-friendly snack, the Once Upon a Farm Smart Wheels, was formulated especially for growing bodies. The raspberry, beet, and kale recipe is combined with prebiotic fibers for gut health, zinc for brain health, and zero added sugars (so your kid reaps the benefits without the crash). Earthy yet balanced, they’re a great starter snack to help form healthy palates.

Key Ingredients: Raspberry, Beet, Kale | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-free | Key Allergens: Contains Coconut (Made with equipment that processes tree nuts and peanuts)

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Best snack box: Little Spoon Brownie Batter Dip + Cookies Dipster

Little Spoon

Here’s one to blow your mind — spinach, sweet potato, and oats disguised as brownie batter. Leave it to Little Spoon to create this ooey, gooey, chocolatey-explosion that has some secret veggies tossed in the mix. Made with olive oil, coconut oil, and sweetened with maple syrup, it’s a much cleaner take on the delightful, dippable dessert that we know and love. Plus, it still packs in a couple of grams of protein as an added bonus.

Key Ingredients: Organic Oats, Olive Oil, Spinach | Dietary Friendly: N/A | Key Allergens: Contains Wheat, Milk, Gluten, Eggs

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Best tasting: Once Upon a Farm Apple & Oat Soft Baked Bar

Once Upon a Farm

If you’re willing to pay the premium, make sure it’s spent on something with clean ingredients. Jennifer Garner’s Once Upon a Farm brand is setting out to push higher standards in the kids’ snacking department, and these soft-baked bars are among their biggest hits. Fueled by 100% organic whole grain oats, sprinkled with cinnamon and pumpkin for antioxidants and immunity, these tasty chews are just as irresistible as the homemade stuff.

Key Ingredients: Oats, Dates, Coconut | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-free | Key Allergens: Contains Coconut (Made with equipment that processes tree nuts and peanuts)

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Best for school lunches: That’s it. Fruit Crunchables Variety Pack

That's It

100% fruit, that’s it. Fruit is the only ingredient in these plant-based crunchable snacks, which makes it easier than ever to eliminate the junk. Not to mention, the cute, colorful, easy-to-open bags are just the right size to grab and throw in a school lunch or pack for an impromptu picnic snack. The variety pack includes flavors like apple cinnamon, strawberry, blueberry, and more, so your kiddo never gets sick of them. Considering that they’re shelf-stable for two years, it’s not a bad idea to stock up.

Key Ingredients: Apple, Strawberry, Cinnamon | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-free | Key Allergens: N/A

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Best dye-free: Amara Smoothie Melts

Amazon

More bite-sized melts that help with hand-eye coordination! Amara’s 100% organic and non-GMO smoothie snacks bet on simplicity, made with five or fewer wholesome ingredients that kids and parents can agree on. The sweet green flavor packs in apple, mango, coconut, spinach, and spirulina for that naturally bright color that little ones love. They’re also perfectly sized for babies’ hands, so they can practice their pincer grip — a key phase of development.

Key Ingredients: Organic Mango, Organic Apple, Organic Coconut Milk | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-free, Nut-Free | Allergen Friendly: Contains Coconut

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Best Nut-free: Little Bellies Organic Round-a-Bouts Variety Pack

Amazon

You may call them rings, loops, or wheels, but Little Bellies calls them Round-a-bouts, and these fun, delicious circular snacks are made just for mini mouths and fingers. They’re super puffy, dissolve quickly, and are well-seasoned, according to customers who rave about them. Unsweetened and only 50 calories a bag, they’re perfect to take as a quick bite to munch on while heading out the door in a hurry.

Key Ingredients: Yellow Corn Meal, Pumpkin, Carrot | Dietary Friendly: Gluten-free, Nut-free | Key Allergens: N/A

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Best for parties: Cheez-It Cheese Crackers

Amazon

Sometimes life calls for a little treat, and if that time is near, Cheez-Its are the way to go. They may not be the cleanest snacks on the market, but they do offer some beneficial vitamins, including B1 and B2, as well as reduced iron. The crisp, crunchy texture and cheesy flavor profiles appeal to kids’ budding palates, even if you have a picky eater on your hands. Some say they’re on the salty side, but if you’re okay with letting it slide once in a while, it’s certainly a lesser of some other junk food evils.

Key Ingredients: Enriched Flour, Skim Milk | Dietary Friendly: Kosher | Key Allergens: Contains Milk, Soy, Wheat Flour, Gluten

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Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.

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