Disney-Inspired Snacks [Back-To-School Series]

Summer is out and school is in! I don’t know about you, but part of having a great back-to-school day (besides looking like my favorite character) is keeping my appetite satisfied well throughout the day, especially to avoid an obnoxiously loud grumbling tummy during a lecture or exam. Here are a few simple healthy (and tasty) snack recipes that are great before, during, and after school, inspired by some of your favorite back-to-school Disney films!

1. Apricot & Brie Cracker Bites

Finding Nemo

The first day of  school isn’t always easy, whether it be for the child or parent. There’s no hiding that Nemo anxiously can’t wait to meet new friends and find out how old sea turtles can live, while his overprotective clownfish dad Marlin, shows a bit (okay, maybe a lot) of separation anxiety as they leave their anemone and head to school. Since fish are friends, not food, I’ve decided to substitute anything fishy for apricot in this back-to-school snack to remind me of Nemo. If you know me well, there’s no surprise that I absolutely LOVE cheese and pairing it with this sweet apricot preserve definitely deserves an A+ in my book.

Ingredients:

(makes 5 crackers)

• 1 Wedge Brie Cheese

• About 2 Teaspoons Apricot Preserve

• 5 Wheat Crackers

Directions:

1. Cut thin slices of brie cheese and lay on top of wheat crackers.

2. To get a striped pattern like Nemo, dip a fork into apricot preserve and gently scrape over slices of brie.

2. Peanut Butter, Greek Yogurt & Dried Fruit Apple Slices

The Incredibles

Dash and Violet surely didn’t feel incredible when they entered middle and high school. Their powers made them feel out of place when all they wanted was to be “normal” and fit in. In the end, they realized that it’s okay to be “different,” just like the combination of these ingredients to make these apple slices. The thought of combining Greek yogurt, peanut butter AND adding dried fruit to the mix (I’m not a big fan of raisins) was a bit odd for me, but it WORKED! The colors remind me of their infamous superhero outfits and they taste absolutely incredible, so pack these in your lunchboxes and give them a try!

Ingredients:

(makes about 10 apple slices)

• 1 Apple (I used a Gala apple)

• 4 Tablespoons Plain Greek Yogurt

• 4 Tablespoons Peanut Butter

• 4 Teaspoons Golden Raisins

• 4 Teaspoons Dried Cranberries

Directions:

1. Cut apple into 1/4″ slices.

2. Combine Greek yogurt and peanut butter together.

3. Spread apple slices with yogurt and peanut butter mixture.

4. Top with golden raisins and cranberries.

3. Green Alien Juice

Toy Story 3

A large part of life is growing up and that’s exactly what Andy did as he gave up his childhood toys and went off to college in Toy Story 3. Going off to college can be rough sometimes, especially when time isn’t always on your side and you’re dedicating it to your studies. For a quick pick-me-up, I love blending these fruits and veggies together, which I’m sure that young Andy and grown-up Andy would approve of.  No matter how grown-up you are, you still have to eat your fruits and veggies!

 Ingredients:

(makes about 3 servings)

• 2 Cups Kale

• 2 Cup Spinach

• 3/4 Cup Frozen Strawberries (I used puréed strawberries)

• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice (Thin Lemon Slice optional)

• 1/2 Granny Smith Apple (not pictured)

• 1 Frozen Banana

• 1 Frozen Pineapple Spear

• 1/2 Cup Pineapple Juice

• 1/4 Teaspoon Sliced Ginger

• 1 Cup Ice

• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Protein Powder (Optional)

Directions:

1. Prepare fruits and veggies. I like to use frozen fruits to lessen the amount of ice added — perfect for a more flavorful, thicker consistency.

2. Add veggies at the bottom of a high speed blender followed by the rest of the ingredients and ice.

3. Blend until liquid smooth.

4. Blueberry & Pistachio Greek Yogurt Bars

Monsters University

Mike and Sulley didn’t always start out as bff’s during their college experience at Monsters University, but they would be the perfect mismatched duo in monster history. With a bit of teamwork, and putting their differences aside for the Scare Games, they eventually became inseparable, just like the blueberries and pistachios are in this yogurt bar recipe! These can be made well ahead of time and are convenient for on-the-go or a cooling after school treat.

Ingredients:

(makes about 2-3 servings)

• 1/2 Cup Blueberries

• 1/4 Cup Pistachios

• 1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt

• 1 Tablespoon Honey

Directions:

1. Prepare a cookie sheet or container with plastic wrap or wax paper.

2. Combine Greek yogurt and honey. Pour into container.

3. Add blueberries and pistachios.

4. Freeze until completely solid before cutting into smaller pieces.

5. Eggnog Fruit Tart

Inside Out

Going to school can be quite an emotional roller coaster ride.  Getting to school on time, acing that math exam, or even transferring to a new school for the first time like Riley did from Disney Pixar’s Inside Out can be tough!  Here’s a fruit tart of all the different emotions that we could all relate to, whether it be joy, sad, anger, fear or just plain disgusted about school!

Check out fellow DisneyExaminer, Kathrina Luistro, on her interpretation of this fruity dessert — it’s perfect for an after school snack (I would totally eat this for breakfast if I could)!  Click HERE for the complete recipe and directions.

∗∗∗

I hope you enjoy these back-to-school recipes just as much as I do. Get the kids involved and feel free to get creative if you don’t have the exact ingredients on hand. Have a great day at school!