In the ’90s, after-school snacking was a wild frontier where kids grabbed whatever they could find before plunking down in front of the TV. Much of it came in tubes: frozen sleeves of freezer-burned yogurt, microwavable pizza rolls, and lava-filled pockets of molten cheese that scalded the roofs of impatient mouths.
How ’90s kids survived is anyone’s guess—but they emerged stronger, and maybe hungrier for better. And now that they’re parents, they’ve realized their kids can snack smarter. With a little meal prep, some (age-appropriate) kitchen training, and a push toward better ingredients, the after-school snack has evolved. And today’s kids have a secret weapon: our tasty, juicy, better-for-you sausages.
Below you’ll find protein-packed snack ideas perfect for busy weeknights, after-school playdates, and sleepovers. For parents, they’re quick crowd-pleasers. For kids who are cleared to cook, they’re confidence-building projects. Could a future James Beard winner credit “Chicks in a Quilt” as their spark? Probably not. But we’re not ruling it out.
Hasselback Sausage Bites
Scoring sausage like a hasselback potato lets Dijon mustard and honey seep into every groove, making a sweet-salty bite. Tuck cheese, apples, or other surprises into the cuts for a mini treasure hunt.
Make it yourself: Front Porch Life’s take looks like a plate of delicious, edible Slinkys
Chicks in a Quilt
If there’s any dish that screams snack, it’s pigs in a blanket—or in our case, Chicks in a Quilt. Just wrap our sausages in store-bought dough and bake. While they puff up, whip together a Dijon dipping sauce to tie it all together. Fun for kids to assemble, easy for adults to prep ahead and reheat. They even freeze well, despite the built-in quilt.
Make 'em yourself: Our recipe’s a guaranteed hit every time
Sausage Phyllo Cups
Store-bought, pre-made phyllo cups make this snack incredibly easy to prep in advance. Simply fill each cup with a mix of sausage, cream cheese, and canned diced tomatoes and green chiles. Think of them as mini Rotel dip tarts—cheesy, savory, and impossible to resist.
Make it yourself: Best Appetizers really makes good on its name
Pizzadillas
A cheese quesadilla is fine. A pizzadilla? That’s next-level. Load a tortilla with cheese, sausage, peppers, and onions, then serve with marinara for dipping. Bonus: Try mixing cheeses like pepper jack for an extra kick.
Make it yourself: Food Network's version is like a foldable supreme pizza
Mac and Cheese Cups
Got leftover mac and cheese that you want to transform? Mix it with egg and extra cheese for structure and crumbled sausage for, uh, sausage, then spoon it into a muffin tin. Bake until golden and—Bam! Mac & cheese muffins. Science!
Make it yourself: Follow our recipe for the mac, then let Kitchen at Hoskins guide you through making golden cups
Portable Snack Board
Think of it as a DIY “adult Lunchable.” Grab a divided container, add sausage coins, cubed cheese, crackers, pickles, and fruit, then let the kiddo take it to their desk, fort... wherever. It’s an individual charcuterie party—low effort, high payoff, and zero chance of creating a huge mess. And yes, this is also just a strong case for investing in a good bento box.
Make it yourself: You don't really need a recipe, but here are some tips for building the perfect box
Pizza Bagels
For those over 30, the combo of pizza and bagel is as satisfying as the song that just got stuck in your head is inescapable. Pizza bagels will never go out of style, and you don’t have to be a kid to appreciate the magic, and ease, of making one. Simply top halved bagels with red sauce, cheese, and the toppings of your choice (Italian Herb sausage, obvs. Pop the entire thing in a toaster oven or air fryer for a quick broil. Truly, you can eat pizza any time. But after school is when these taste best.
Make it yourself: Simply Recipes makes this recipe, um, simple
Keep the Snacking Going Any Time
The best part about these after-school snack ideas? They’re not just for after school. Our chicken sausages make it easy to eat better all day long. With just a little prep—and the right sausage—you’ll have delicious, high-protein meals ready whenever hunger hits. That includes breakfast-on-the go, too... with a little willpower and a pack of sausage, you're already on your way to hacking tomorrow's breakfast!