Banana Sushi (a fun & healthy snack for kids)
After school snacks are essential at our house. This quick and easy, protein-rich banana sushi is a favorite healthy snack your little monkeys will love!
Almost every day, the first thing my son says to me when I pick him up from school is “Mom, I’m really hungry.” Now, keep in mind, he eats a full lunch at school, and he has a small snack about 20 minutes before I pick him up. But this kid has the metabolism of a marathon-running cheetah…so he is ALWAYS hungry (send HELP when he becomes a teenager).
Consequently, afternoon snacks are essential at our house. And it can’t just be a piece of fruit and a few crackers. Nope. Not gonna cut it. We need protein. We need complex carbohydrates. We need serious calories.
We have several healthy snack foods we eat regularly and enjoy, like these granola bites and these mini blueberry muffins. We also love dipping fruit or pretzels in this super simple dip. But sometimes we need a little more variety.
Enter banana “sushi”. Let’s be clear, this snack really has nothing to do with sushi, except that it’s rolled up and sliced like a California roll. Which is good, because I’ve never really understood the appeal of raw fish. Sorry, real sushi lovers. Don’t hate me. But this version we can hopefully all agree to love.
This healthy snack only takes a few minutes to pull together, and it’s packed with good-for-you ingredients to get kids from after school until dinner time without falling on the floor from hunger pangs…real or imagined (not that we’re ever that dramatic at my house…oi).
Whole grains, fruit, protein…and just a dash of sweetness from a bit of Nutella. Because it is a truth universally acknowledged that everything is better with Nutella.
Are they really healthy?
I’ll be the first to acknowledge that Nutella is certainly not health food, but I use a pretty small amount down the middle of the tortilla (probably about a teaspoon), so we’re really not getting a lot of sugar. We are, however, getting a healthy serving a protein, fruit, and (if you use a wheat tortilla) whole grain. I’m of the opinion that a little sweetness goes a long way in making kids excited about eating otherwise healthy food. You get to decide what is best for your family, but this is a snack I feel good about serving to my own kids.
Allergy note: You could certainly use a different type of nut or seed butter instead of peanut butter if that’s an issue around your house. That’s the great thing about super simple recipes like this one…they are completely adaptable!
Here’s what you need to make your own completely-NOT-Asian sushi snack:
Banana Sushi
This quick and easy, protein-rich banana sushi is a favorite healthy snack your little monkeys will love!
Ingredients
- 1 flour tortilla (I like to use whole wheat, but you can use white, too)
- 1 banana, peeled
- 2-3 Tablespoons peanut butter
- a small smear of Nutella
Instructions
- Spread peanut butter on one side of a tortilla. Add a thin line of Nutella.
- Peel banana and straighten it a bit (it’s okay if it cracks a little). Place on top of Nutella.
- Roll tortilla up around the banana, trying to make it as tight as possible.
- Slice your “sushi” roll into 1/2-1 inch rounds and serve.
Want more after school snack ideas? Try these!
My kids would eat this right up! They love anything with Nutella so I think I’m going to try this out today as an afternoon snack! I actually have everything to make it too!
I am not a sushi lover either, but these look like a win in my book! My older two refuse to eat bananas, but my youngest would love this. Especially with the Nutella!
My daughter would love this. She really likes Nutella and bananas are one of her favorite snacks. I like whole banana sushi idea!
Nutella and bananas really are a match made in heaven.
I’m always looking for healthy snack ideas for my kids, thank you!
I just showed my daughter who has started making her own lunches recently. She can’t wait to try these! Thank you!
I’m so glad! They are a great recipe for kids.
This looks like a delicious snack even for adults! Full of protein and potassium! YUM!
Absolutely! I usually eat some too whenever I make it for my kids.
One of my boys loves bananas and sushi so would think this is such an awesome combination. I needed new snack ideas. Thanks!
What a fun idea! I know my two kids would love this treat!
Glad to hear it! Simple snacks are the best.
Haha. This is such a cute little treat!!! My son would have so much fun with this! <3
Would this be something good to pack in her snack bag for school… or better to make and eat right away?
We’ve always eaten it right away, but I bet you could pack it in a lunch. Nothing in it needs to be refrigerated. Maybe try packing it so the cut sides of the banana are touching each other to prevent browning, though. Let me know how it goes!
I have a question…
Do you have to cook the tortilla before you put all the ingredients?
I typically keep precooked tortillas on hand. If you have uncooked tortillas, I would definitely recommend cooking them first.
This looks delicious, thank you for sharing!
Made this today with my 1st graders over a Zoom cooking lesson. It was a huge hit! Super easy for kiddos to do on their own(ish) and using ingredients that people have on hand anyway. Thank you!!
I LOVE that you were able to do this with your whole class. You must be an amazing teacher!
I didn’t have nutella so I subbed it in for chocolate sauce. SO GOOD! Highly recommend for anyone bored at home like my family and I. I ate the whole thing!
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Can this be made ahead of time to send for a snack at school?
Yes, you can make it ahead of time! I would recommend packing it so the cut ends of the banana are together (like a sushi roll) so that the banana doesn’t turn brown from being exposed to the air.
This loosk so good! What a fun and healthy snack to make for kids!
Thanks of sharing! how far ahead of time can we make it?
Love the sushi banana rolls, can’t wait to make them. Thanks so much for putting it on this sight.
This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing. Though I used another brand similar to Nutella, so it’s better for the environment (because Nutella has palm oil, which comes from the tropical rainforest). But otherwise this is a healthy after school snack and definitely recommend it!
I love this and add a sprinkle of granola to mine!!
Granola is a great idea!
Thank you so much for the snack ideas! I am looking for some good healthy snacks for my kids after visiting the children’s dentist this week haha. Thanks again for sharing!
You’re so welcome, Jackie!
I had about 3 mental breakdowns trying to makes these. Once I sliced my roll it mushed and fell apart. Was not easy unfortunately but would be yummy if I could do it.
Kayla, I’m sorry you had a hard time! Make sure that you roll the tortilla pretty tightly around the banana, and then use a really sharp knife when cutting (use a gentle sawing motion to prevent the bananas from getting smashed. I hope that helps!
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Waw.. that was incredible idea..
My kids gonna love it!
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