Peanut Free Snacks for Allergy-Friendly School Options

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the prevalence of peanut allergy has doubled in Western countries over the past decade. For children with peanut allergies, even a small exposure to peanuts can trigger a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction.

It’s no wonder daycares and schools are implementing stricter peanut free snacks policies that create peanut free snacks zones to ensure the safety of all children. While meals like lunch are important, snacks in a daycare or school environment provide important fuel throughout the day, allowing kids to stay focused and engaged.

Having a variety of peanut free snacks to choose from allows you to easily pack nutritious options for your child's lunchbox, letting you simplify your morning routine. Additionally, providing peanut free snacks for school promotes inclusivity and a sense of belonging among all students. However, finding peanut free snacks can be tricky due to the prevalence of peanuts in many packaged foods. 

Let’s discover a wide range of peanut free snacks for school specifically tailored for a variety of settings, offering both convenience and peace of mind for parents and teachers alike.

Granola bars

Granola bars are convenient and delicious peanut free snacks for kids. However, it’s important to read the label to ensure that the bar is made in a dedicated nut-free facility. Some granola bars that make great peanut free snacks for school children include MadeGood Granola Bars, Nature’s Bakery Bars, and Annie's Dipped bars.

Cheese

Cheese is another great option as far as nutritious and peanut free snacks for school are concerned. It provides protein and calcium for their growth and development. Additionally, cheese is a convenient grab and go option for busy mornings.

Rice cakes

Rice cakes are excellent peanut free snacks for school kids as they're crunchy, portable, and incredibly versatile. Top rice cakes with avocado, cream cheese, or sliced cheese for  delicious and satisfying peanut free snacks that’s sure to please.

Fruit cups or fruit pouches

Pre-packaged and convenient, fruit cups and fruit pouches make easy peanut free snacks for school kids that are busy and on the go. They also provide natural sweetness and a variety of vitamins and minerals to support growing bodies. Furthermore, fruit cups and fruit pouches are mess-free, reducing the likelihood of spills or sticky fingers at school.

Vegetable chips

Next on our list of peanut free snacks for school kids are vegetable chips. You’ll find ones made from a variety of different veggies that offer a crunchy texture and savory flavor similar to traditional potato chips, but without all of the unhealthy fat and salt. These chips also provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals and are naturally peanut free. Additionally, they come in convenient single-serve packages, making them easy to pack in lunchboxes for a fun yet healthy treat.

Pretzels 

Pretzels provide a crunchy texture and are typically made from simple ingredients like flour, water, and salt, without the use of peanuts or peanut-based ingredients. Some pretzel brands that offer peanut free snacks for school kids include Newman’s Own, Snyder's of Hanover, and Rold Gold. 

Chomps meat sticks

Made from high-quality, grass-fed beef or free-range turkey, Chomps Meat Sticks make excellent peanut free snacks for school children. They’re individually wrapped and free from artificial preservatives, additives, and gluten. Whether you’re feeding them our regular or mini meat sticks, Chomps are a safe and wholesome choice for active kids.

Roasted chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas deliver a crunchy texture and nutty flavor without containing any peanuts or peanut-based ingredients. These peanut free snacks for school kids are packed with protein and fiber, making them a nutritious and hearty choice for hungry kids.

Yogurt

Rich in protein, calcium, and gut-friendly probiotics, yogurt makes for easy and nourishing peanut free snacks for school that kids love. Some yogurt brands that are processed in a nut-free facility include Stonyfield Farm yogurt, Chobani yogurt, and Fage yogurt.

Popcorn

Packed with fiber, popcorn is healthy, tasty, and a fun peanut free snack for kids. It’s important to avoid packaged popcorn with added peanut ingredients to ensure it’s truly safe for children with peanut allergies. Brands of popcorn that make great peanut free snacks for school children include Smartfood, SkinnyPop, and Utz.

Sliced fruit

Brimming with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, fresh fruit is naturally sweet and peanut free making it a popular choice for kids and parents alike. Sliced apples and pears pair well with cheese. As far as peanut free snacks for school kids go, this combination is a hearty and balanced option.

Crackers

Crackers are versatile, peanut free snacks for school kids that come in a variety of flavors and textures. While brands like Annie's Homegrown, Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, and Mary's Gone Crackers are peanut free, it’s important to check labels carefully to ensure that the crackers you purchase are manufactured in a peanut free facility and do not contain any peanut-based ingredients.

Fruit leather

Fruit leather, made by pureeing fruit and then drying it into thin sheets, is a delicious, convenient, and peanut free snack that kids on the go love. Fruit leather offers natural sweetness without added sugars or artificial ingredients, making it a healthier alternative to non peanut free snacks for school kids.

Cookies

For peanut free treats, cookies can make a superb choice. Brands like Enjoy Life and MadeGood offer healthier options made with wholesome ingredients that are also peanut free.

Green pea snacks

Crunchy peanut free snacks for school kids made from dried peas like Harvest Snaps make a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips. They also provide a nice amount of plant-based protein to support rapidly growing kids.

Key Takeaway

Ensuring that snacks for daycare and school are peanut free is critical for the safety of children with peanut allergies. It's always important to check the label for allergen information and manufacturing practices to confirm that the snack is safe. 

Our peanut free snacks list can be your helpful guide for choosing safe and delicious snacks that can be enjoyed by all children in daycare and school. By carefully reading food labels, you can help create a safe and inclusive environment where all children can learn and thrive.

When in doubt, you can always turn to Chomps. Our beef flavor, in both original and mini sizes, is a favorite of kids, parents, and teachers alike.