What do most people think of whenever they think of Valentine's Day? Candy. It doesn't matter if it's chocolates, conversation hearts, themed Peeps, marshmallow cereal treats, or some other sweet confection: Valentine's Day isn't exactly known for its healthy fare. But there are ways to keep Valentine's Day fun and festive without having to forego all food groups except sugar and candy. Healthy ingredients, such as fruit and yogurt, can do some heavy lifting to lighten up favorite treats and make them more nutritious while still keeping the holiday packed with celebratory foods. And that's what these 40 super easy, creative, and healthy Valentine's Day snack recipes are all about.
These soon-to-be-favorite snack and treat recipes are full of nutritious ingredients such as fruit, nuts, oats, honey, yogurt, and even goji berries. They include healthier versions of indulgent treats such as muffins and truffles, but also healthy and savory snacks packed full of vegetables, protein, and fiber. Whether parents are looking for healthy Valentine's Day food options for themselves, planning the snacks for a holiday class party, or trying to figure out how to balance out all the sugary treats kids are going to be eating at daycare and school, these Valentine's Day snack ideas will do the trick.
The best part is that a lot of these recipes are easy enough to let kids lend a helping hand in the kitchen. They'll love celebrating with mom and dad and getting to prepare some tasty themed foods almost as much as they'll love eating these snacks once they're done. Click through to check out all 40 healthy Valentine's Day food ideas perfect for holiday lunches, parties, snacks, and desserts.
Valentine's Day Trail Mix
Themed trail mix is a healthy way to celebrate without binging on candy. This trail mix from Haute and Healthy Living has all the sweet flavors of Valentine's Day — like chocolate and strawberries — in healthier portions with a lot more protein.
Tomato Hearts
These little tomato hearts are so easy to make! The skewers could also include some cucumbers or little mozzarella balls. Anything will look festive next to these little red hearts.
Strawberry Popcorn
The key ingredient in this unique popcorn snack? Freeze-dried strawberries. It gives the popcorn a cute color and a sweet taste without any added sugar.
Fruit Pops
Cantaloup, watermelon, and pineapple combine for these adorable fruit pops. The fun heart shapes make them super festive but they're still healthy and candy-free.
Finger Food Heart
Candy heart, schmandy heart. Grab a heart-shaped container and fill it with kids' favorite healthy snacks instead. The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing what to include.
Berry Bark
Bark isn't just for Christmas. Root to Stem Nutrition has the recipe for this yummy frozen bark that combines yogurt and delicious fruit. It's also dairy-free and free of added sugar.
Pretzel Sticks
Yes, these are dipped in chocolate. But it's a small amount, and this is a lightened up sweet treat that will satisfy everyone without having to bring out a bucket of Valentine's Day candy.
Heart 'Beets'
Cut beets into heart shapes and roast them with herbs. Any flavor combination will work for these, and they're great on their own or as part of a larger meal. Plus, beets are sweet so they feel like a treat.
Strawberry Salsa
Pass the chips because this strawberry salsa looks too good not to try. The salsa recipe combines sweet and savory ingredients for a yummy snack. And it's not spicy so kids can try some too.
Love Bugs
A few chunks of yummy fruit, a little chocolate drizzle, and suddenly, it's a love bug! These are the perfect treat for young kids and such a simple but fun idea for Valentine's Day.
Strawberry Popsicles
Strawberries are the perfect popsicle ingredient. These are a super healthy version of a classic sweet treat. Check out the recipe on Instagram.
Lemon Goji Bites
Six ingredients and no need to bake? It really doesn't get better than these lemon goji bites from Hello Wholefoods. And kids will love working with new ingredients.
Apple Roses
This one is a little more time consuming, but actually not that hard! This apple rose tutorial on YouTube shows how its done. The most important requirement is having a sharp knife.
Melon Hearts
Cookie cutters can be used on fruit to make cute creations that are super fun to eat. This one includes different types of melon and adorable heart-shaped strawberries, but any combo of favorite fruits will work.
Heart Eyes Toast
This is peanut butter toast with personality. The best part is, it can be customized any way parents want. Maybe choose white chocolate or nuts instead of chocolate chips. Maybe use Nutella or almond butter instead of peanut butter. No matter what, it's sure to be a hit.
Sweet Potato Fries
This easy sweet potato fry recipe can be used any time of year, but it's even better when the sweet potatoes look like hearts. These are a festive snack or a yummy side to eat with a Valentine's Day dinner.
Emoji Snacks
Heart eyes! These emoji snacks are so cute, no one will even miss the candy. What Moms Love has the easy DIY for crafting emoji snacks. They're sure to be a hit at any Valentine's Day party.
Cupid's Arrow String Cheese
String cheese just got an adorable makeover, thanks to Arts and Crackers. These super simple snacks are great for a packed lunch or a class party, and they don't require too much work.
Cheeseball Love Bugs
These little love monsters are so fun to look at and so easy to make. It'd be a fun activity to do with the kids on Valentine's Day. Mommy Moment has the super easy how to.
Conversation Cuties
Conversation Hearts are old news but conversation Cuties are here to fill the void. Come up with fun custom messages and surprise the kids at lunch or at snack time.
Veggie Snack Bouquets
These are easily the cutest vegetable bouquets ever. Super Healthy Kids has the tutorial for putting together these dreamy snacks. They're almost too perfect to eat.
Chocolate Bananas
For a sweet treat that isn't a total sugar bomb, try some chocolate-covered bananas. Whipped cream and sprinkles are optional, but kids would love seeing those come out of the fridge after dinner.
Fruit Kebabs
Fruit kebabs are some of the easiest and prettiest healthy snacks. And there are so many creative ways to make them. These incorporate hearts and look like little cupid arrows. Perfect!
Frozen Fruity Yogurt Bites
These four-ingredient snack cups on Crafty Morning are frozen and sweet but still healthy. They're easy enough for kids to help make, and the sprinkles can be swapped out for extra fruit to make them even healthier.
Applesauce Bots
For a Valentine's Day party, try these easy applesauce bots. All it takes is some sugar-free applesauce, raisins, juice, and a little hot glue. Oh, and googly eyes — the most important part!
Chocolate Clementines
Move over, strawberries. These chocolate-covered clementines are yummy and kid-friendly. Young ones could even help dip them!
Heart Fruit Salad
Fruit salads are so easy to make, and this themed one is no different. All it requires is whatever red and white ingredients you have in the house and some simple food cutters. It's the perfect side or after school snack.
Strawberry Heart Pops
Strawberry heart popsicles? Yes, please! These pops are super healthy and only require five ingredients. Erin Palinski Wade has the how-to on her Instagram.
Coconut Pom Hearts
These yummy frozen treats are made with coconut yogurt, pomegranate seeds, and shredded coconut. They satisfy a sweet tooth without any candy or sugar. And kids will love the colors and shape.
Oatmeal Heart Muffins
Elysia from Haute and Healthy Living is the mastermind behind these wholesome and yummy muffins. Raspberries, cinnamon, and bananas provide the sweetness, and other healthy ingredients in the mix make these kid-friendly and so good.
Healthy Truffles
Truffles can be healthy? Yes. Yes, they can. These chocolate hazelnut truffles from Culinary Nutrition are made with mostly raw ingredients, such as almonds and hazelnuts, and have less sugar than a normal truffle.
Strawberry Banana Bars
Kristin's Healthy Living has the recipe for these strawberry banana oatmeal bars. They contain oat flour and fresh fruit for a healthy snack that feels like a real treat. Cut them into hearts to be even more festive.
Banana Bars
This easy treat is kind of like a banana split, without the added calories from the ice cream. This is a good one to do with kids because they'll have fun lathering on Nutella (or peanut, almond, or some other nut butter) and adding their favorite toppings.
Pink Pancakes
Pancakes + pink? Yes, please. These pancakes are actually made with roasted beet puree. Check out the recipe on Instagram.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This strawberry banana smoothie by Erin Palinski Wade is the perfect treat to provide some sweetness and a nutrient boost. It has strawberries, bananas, walnuts, chia seeds, and some other good stuff. And it's so easy to make!
Chocolate Stuffed Raspberries
This is so simple we almost can't believe we didn't think of it. Everyone loves the combo of chocolate and raspberries, right? Well, put chocolate chips inside the raspberries. So easy!
Healthy Strawberry Muffins
The Instagram Ask Dr. King has the recipe for these healthy muffins. They contain real strawberries and other natural ingredients for a healthy snack moms and dads can feel good about.
Peanut Butter and Banana Hearts
Graham crackers, peanut butter, and bananas are a recipe for a good snack any day. But on Valentine's Day, we cut out heart bananas for some extra love.
Vegetable Tulips
Vegetables are better when they're cut into fun shapes, right? Kids will love nomming on these adorable flowers. Add some dip for a balanced snack.
Avocado Heart Toast
Grab a few heart food cutters and surprise the kids with heart avocado toast. Whole wheat bread ups the health factor. Add a dash of salt and pepper for some extra flavor.
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