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 amoung 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.