Vegan Snacks for Kids That Actually Get Eaten

Let’s be real—no one has time to whip up Pinterest-perfect snacks every day, especially during the school rush. And few things sting like unpacking a lunchbox full of uneaten food after a long day. If you’ve ever asked, “Why won’t my kid just eat the snacks I pack?”—mate, you’re not alone.

As a busy vegan dad with two young kids, I’ve been through the trial and error of snack packing more times than I can count. What I’ve learned? Simple, tasty, and finger-friendly is the way to go. These vegan snacks aren’t just healthy—they actually get eaten (and asked for again).

Here are 7 kid-approved vegan snacks that are perfect for school lunchboxes or after-school munchies—and no, none of them require a spiraliser or hours in the kitchen.

1. Bliss Balls

Oats, dates, seeds, cocoa—rolled into magic. Bliss balls are the ultimate bite-sized snack that feel like a treat but are secretly packed with nutrients. What I like about bliss balls if that the flavour combinations are honestly endless - think peanut butter bliss balls, chocolate, or even, my favourite, delicious vegan lemon bliss balls!

I make a big batch at the start of the week and freeze them. They’re lunchbox-safe, don’t crumble, and hold up well on hot school days.

Dad tip: Add a few choc chips or roll them in coconut to keep it fun.

2. Veggie Chips

Air-dried or baked veggie chips are a crunchy win. Kale, sweet potato, or beetroot – you can make your own or there’s quite a few brands making delicious veggie chip options such as Vege Chips. Veggie chips are a salty, satisfying snack, and a great way to sneak in extra veg.

Shortcut: Pop them into a little reusable pouch for easy snack-packing.

3. Fruit + Dip

Apples with sunflower butter or strawberries with a little vegan yoghurt — it’s the simplest combo, but it always works. You get a great balance of natural sugars for energy, healthy fats for satiety, and fun textures that keep snack time interesting.

And here's the thing — most Aussie kids aren't eating enough fruit. According to national health surveys, only around two-thirds of Australian children meet the recommended daily fruit intake, and the numbers drop even lower as they get older. That’s a big worry, considering fruit is such an easy and natural source of vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants.

The good news? It doesn’t take much to turn fruit into something your kids actually look forward to. Dips are the secret weapon. Whether it’s sunflower seed butter, almond butter (if allowed), or even something fun like a vegan chickpea cookie dough, adding that extra element makes snack time feel like playtime.

Bonus: Let them help pack it — kids are more likely to eat what they’ve helped choose or prepare. Keep cut fruit in airtight containers or dip-proof bento boxes to keep things fresh till lunch or recess.

4. Rice Paper Rolls

Hear me out—rice paper rolls sound fancy, but they’re honestly a fun weekend prep item. Fill them with crunchy veg like cucumber, capsicum, and lettuce, and add tofu or vermicelli noodles for a more filling bite. Kids love the texture and dipping them in tamari or soy sauce makes it even better.

Time-saving tip: Wrap them tightly in cling wrap to keep them fresh and lunchbox-ready.

5. Roasted Chickpeas

This one is a favourite to make. Roasted chickpeas are crunchy, salty, and packed with plant-based protein. This item is another one of those ideas that has a lot of versatility in how you can flavour them - you can add a bit of sweet paprika, lemon flavours or even this incredibly simple combination from my crispy air fryer chickpeas recipe. Crispy air fryer chickpeas are so easy to whip up too, and they're a great alternative to chips or nuts (which aren't allowed in many schools).

Pro tip: Bake or air fry until super crispy and store in an airtight jar so they stay crunchy all week.

6. Vegan Muffins

You can’t go wrong with vegan banana muffins, fluffy vegan blueberry muffins or even some incredibly tasty vegan pizza muffins. They’re naturally sweet, freezer-friendly, and perfect for sneaking in extra goodness without your kid even noticing. I bake a big batch on Sunday and these stay perfect for the whole week. You can even freeze vegan muffins and pop one in the lunchbox frozen—it’s defrosted by recess.

Dad hack: Add a few mini choc chips on top to make them extra appealing.

7. Popcorn

The old faithful. Air-popped popcorn is a cheap, easy snack that feels like a treat. Skip the butter and drizzle with olive oil and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour without the dairy.

Extra fun: Add a pinch of cinnamon and coconut sugar for a sweet version.

The Real Trick? Make It Easy for You Too

It’s not just about what your kids might eat—it’s about what you can actually keep up with. These vegan snacks are all ones I regularly use in my boys’ lunchboxes because they hit the sweet spot: they’re tasty, nutritious, and doable.

If you’re after a full week-by-week guide to lunches AND snacks, I’ve created a 7-Week Kids Vegan Lunchbox Guide just for parents like us—busy, trying to feed our kids well, and keen to avoid the dreaded full lunchbox return.

Feeding vegan kids doesn’t have to mean fancy prep or complicated recipes. Just keep it real, keep it tasty, and keep it simple. And if one snack flops? No worries—next week’s another go.