The Easter Bunny is known to bring all things chocolatey, sweet, and delicious to kids, but waking up to a basket of colorful candies is a sure-fire way to ensure they’ll have a sugar crash before lunchtime. We’re here to help you rethink this year’s Easter treats with 5 healthier swaps for your favorite basket-stuffers. Plus, we’ve included a handful of non-food options for sugar-free fun.
Healthy Treat Swaps
1. Instead of Reese’s Eggs, Try Homemade PB & Chocolate Treats
Reinvent the heavenly chocolate and peanut butter combo with a homemade recipe that allows you to control the amount of sugar, type of chocolate coating, and size of your eggs. This version from The Kitchen McCabe uses dates as a sweater for a sneaky fruit-based treat.
2. Instead of Candy Bars, Try Granola Bars
The many inventive granola bar flavors on the market make great candy bar alternatives, whether you like the cookie crunch of Twix or Snicker’s gooey caramel center. Kind offers flavors like salted caramel and dark chocolate mint. Can’t find what you’re look for? Use this recipe as a base for your own healthy creation.
3. Instead of Jelly Beans, Try Fruit Leathers
Sure, a handful of jelly beans may pop with the sweetness of strawberries and apples, but they’re a far cry from the real thing. Fruit leathers like these from Stretch Island use real fruit to create all your favorite Jelly Belly flavors. You can even make your own with this recipe from Food Network and cut them into flower and bunny shapes using cookie cutters.
4. Instead of Peeps, Try Homemade Rice Crispy Treats
Yes, they’re iconic, but just two Peeps contain more than 30 grams of sugar! Satisfy your gooey fix with homemade rice crispy treats decorated for spring with colorful sprinkles or shaped into mini Easter baskets like these from The Spruce.
5. Instead of Chips, Try Popcorn
Don’t worry, we have a solution for those of you who crave all things salty. Replace chips and cheese puffs with popcorn for a lower fat and calorie option that provides the same satisfying crunch. Pop your own and season to your liking or check out Boomchickapop’s flavors that include typical flavors like sea salt, butter, and even cheddar as well as unique options like Chile lime, cinnamon roll, and milk chocolate peanut butter.
Bonus: Non-Food Basket Treats
The easiest way to prevent a sugar-overload on Easter is to limit the amount of candy in your basket all together. Fill your baskets with small and inexpensive toys and accessories that also encourage play and creativity. Our favorite ideas are below.
- Sidewalk chalk
- Bubble bottles
- Jump ropes
- Lip balm
- Activity books
- Art supplies
- Playing cards
- Nail polish
- Puzzles
- Play-Doh
- Temporary tattoos
- Frisbees
Have any other healthy Easter basket ideas? Let us know in the comments below.
