Favorite after-school snacks

I am always on the search for healthy snacks for the kids and have recently found some great ones that I wanted to share. We usually have a snack in the late afternoon when John gets home from school, and I try to have the snack be one that is satisfying but not too filling so they'll be hungry for dinner. Here are a few of my favorites:

Homemade Kettle Corn


Ingredients:
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Start with 3 kernels of corn in the oil, and when they pop add the rest of the kernels and sugar. Give everything a quick stir and then cover with lid. Once popcorn starts popping, pick it up and give it a quick shake every few seconds until popcorn slows down. Remove immediately from heat and pour in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and serve! This ended up being enough popcorn to feed our little family of 5 during a movie night. No one could stop until it was gone!

Apples With Homemade Caramel Dip


We recently went apple picking and came home with enough apples to last the winter! Seriously. I was wanting to try them with something new and found a recipe for this homemade caramel dip. It made a TON, we still have a big bowl full in our fridge. But the best part is that leftover carmel tastes almost as good as it does when first made, you simply pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds or so. The caramel isn't super healthy, but you eat it with apples right? :)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk

Directions:
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the remaining ingredients, raise heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly (will take 5-10 minutes). Lower heat to medium and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, let cool and serve with apple slices.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus


Ingredients:
1 can (15-oz) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic
1/3-1/2 cup chopped roasted red bell pepper
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Tahini
juice of half of a lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon cumin

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. If additional liquid is needed, you may add a tablespoon or two of water. Serve with crackers, cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, or whatever you have on hand. Healthy? Very!

What are your favorite snacks?