I’ve been in denial for weeks that summer is ending, and yet, here we are. Back to School season is in full swing, and I’m slowly accepting that I have to say goodbye to another glorious summer.
The good news is, I love packing lunches. Unfortunately, I don’t have any children of my own to pack schools lunches for, but I’ve done my fair share of lunch-making for my sisters, husband, and myself over the years. One thing I know for sure about packing lunches, whether they’re feeding tiny tummies at school or adults at work, is that snacks are key. So, to keep life interesting, I’ve rounded up 10 of my favorite snack recipes that are great for getting you through a long day at work, school, or wherever life may take you these days.
1. No Bake Almond Butter Granola Bars These might be my favorite granola bar, ever. They’re perfectly sweet, full of crunchy sunflower seeds, and so simple to make. 
2.Whole Wheat PB&J Bars I love PB&J but find the sandwich itself doesn’t always satisfy me for lunch. So, instead, I like packing a more savory sandwich and leaving the PB&J for a treat afterwards!
3.Whole Wheat Fig Bars These are everything the hard, dry store-bought cookies wish they could be: thick, tender, loaded with figs, and made from simple pantry staples like whole wheat flour and almond butter.
4.Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Don’t let the name fool you- these cookie bars are still a healthy treat worthy of being packed into anyone’s lunch box. They’re vegan and gluten-free, too, if that makes a difference to you!
5.Cashew Butter Breakfast Cookies I love these breakfast cookies as a snack, too! They’re small, not too sweet, and loaded with chunks of walnuts, dried cherries, and dark chocolate. Feel free to use whatever nuts and dried fruit your family loves instead!
6.Peanut Butter Oat Balls I can’t write a snack roundup without including these all-time-favorites. I just made a batch yesterday to take on a hike, and my husband is taking the rest to work this week in his lunches. My life just isn’t complete without peanut butter balls. 
7.Basic Maple & Olive Oil Granola This granola is loaded with clusters thanks to a low-and-slow bake in the oven and no stirring whatsoever. Thus, even though it’s great on a bowl of yogurt for breakfast, the big clusters make for a perfect snack, too! I love packing a little container or granola to munch on in the afternoons. 
8.Simple Green Smoothie As long as you have a Thermos, insulated bottle, or access to a fridge, smoothies are a great option for snacking. Making a green smoothie ensures that you’re getting a boost of veggies and fruit in your day, as well. Be sure to shake up your smoothie before drinking it, as they tend to settle after a few hours of sitting in a bottle. 
9.Rosemary & Olive Oil Crackers I know crackers are easy to pick up at the grocery store (I have 2 boxes of Cheddar Bunnies in my pantry as we speak…), but homemade crackers are fun to make and so, so tasty. Pair them with a few slices of cheese for the ultimate snack situation.
10.Homemade Hummus Homemade hummus is leagues ahead of the store-bought stuff in terms of taste, and it’s cheaper, too. If I’m packing lunches for the week, I like to portion out individual servings of hummus in my smallest mason jars, then nestle a bunch of carrot sticks, cucumbers, or sugar snap peas into the hummus and put on the lid. Then I can just grab a jar of hummus and veggies out of the fridge in the morning and toss it into my bag for a quick, easy snack.
Tell me: what are your favorite snacks to bring to work, school, etc?