8 Sassy School Snacks From Around The World

Looking for some fresh (and mostly healthy) school snacks inspo, mama? Check out these can’t-miss faves around the world (and find out where to get ’em in Singapore)!

As we mamas shake ourselves out of our sleepy summer slumber, not so gracefully bolting into a new school year, the eternal question looms over us daily…What to put in that snack box?

Most kids need to take two snacks to school every single day and boy is it hard to come up with new and fresh snack ideas! We have pretzels, cheese and crackers, carrotsticks and apple slices on repeat over here…so I thought it might be a good idea to peek into some snack boxes from around the world to see what kids from different countries and cultures are snacking on. The best part is that I didn’t have to go too far to discover global snacks because we are so fortunate to live within an extremely diverse international community right here in Singapore! A big thanks to my international friends and neighbors who helped contribute to this piece.

Lead image by Melissa via Flickr

This is a traditional snack that most Malaysian children have grown up with. It is mainly produced in the fishing villages of Terengganu, on the east coast of Malaysia. The keropok is made of a mixture of fish (sardine or herring), flour and salt. The mixture is kneaded into a dough, boiled, sliced thin and then sun-dried. These sun-dried pieces are then usually fried in oil and will expand into light crunch fish crackers. For a healthier version, many families now air-fry them or bake them in the oven instead (the same light crunch texture is achieved.)

The good news is that you can buy these fish crackers here in Singapore – we spotted some in the corner of Robinsons B1 (although they are usually almost already fried) and you can also buy the dried ones online.

Image by cegoh via Pixabay

Most kids in Austria have this little sausage bite snack in their backpack! It is one of Austria’s most popular snacks and a handy little invention for on-the-go protein. Made from lean beef, pork and spices, each sausage is individually packaged and does not require refrigeration!

You could try ordering some online, or look for similar products at Hubers in Dempsey. This might be one product that you’ll have to make a trip to Austria for!

Image sourced via Amazon 

A peanut-butter flavored snack that’s popular with kids (and adults too!) and comes in a handy snack pouch, this is one of the most popular snacks in Israel that was created in 1964! According to Wikipedia: Bamba is made from peanut butter-flavored puffed maize. Bamba contains no preservatives or food coloring, is enriched with several vitamins. Some describe it as “Cheez Doodles without the cheese.”

The best part is, Bamba is available here in Singapore at the Kosher Shop at the Synagogue at 24 Waterloo Street. (Call ahead to confirm availability — it is VERY popular,)

Image by beth h via Flickr

A favorite among Italian kids and adults alike, these adorable little cookies (or biscotti as the Italians prefer to call them) cannot be resisted! The perfect size (not too big, not too small), the cookies feature cocoa and hazelnut with icing stars and are a great treat for kids.

Hurrah! They are available on Redmart for a really great price!

Image courtesy of Redmart 

These delicious crunchy toasts are very popular in Germany (and all over Europe in fact) and can be soaked in milk or eaten with a spread or Nutella (yum!). These twice-baked rusks are also a popular first food for toddlers and teething infants.

Available at German Market Place.

Image by Brandt Zwieback via Facebook

Hotteok are small pancakes adored by kids (and adults) in Korea. Typically eaten warm, these pancakes typically have a sweet filling and are popular during the cold winters in Korea where they are sold at carts on street corners.

In Singapore we are lucky to have Shine Supermarkets around the city where these wonderful snacks/treats can be found in the frozen section, or you can even buy the mix online.

Image by Charles Haynes via Flickr

Greek kids snack on healthy yogurt and honey! The yogurt is plain and the honey is sweet –what’s not to love! In Greece, small kiosks can be found everywhere selling fresh, thick yogurt but here in Singapore we have to make due with the imported variety.

Try the Greek yogurt brand ‘Delta’ imported by Agora Products and available on Straits Market for a taste of the real deal!

Image by Janine via Flickr

Light and crunchy, this ‘once you pop you can’t stop’ snack is super nutritious for your little ones! Makhana is actually lotus seeds and not only produced in India but also in Japan, Korea and parts of Russia as well! These nuts (well, technically seeds) are typically roasted to make them puffy and crunchy. This snack is delicious and super healthy as well (superfood alert!), high in protein and low in fat.

Makhana can be easily found at Mustafa in plain, salted or flavored varieties.

Image by Talupu via Wikimedia Commons