Trail mix

This healthy snack is packed full of nutritious nuts and seeds with chocolate bits and dried cranberries for a touch of sweetness. Store a batch in an airtight jar so you always have some to hand.

Chocolate banana bread

Banana bread is a great way to use up bananas that have seen better days and this version, studded with chunks of dark chocolate, is a sure fire winner. Serve warm for afternoon tea or slice and freeze to pop into lunch boxes.

Parmesan toasts

My kids love these toasts in their lunch box. They go particularly well with a little container of hummus. I love to add rocket and prosciutto to mine and it becomes a sudden lunch or great with a wine

Vegetarian pasties

These cheesy, veggie-packed pasties make a nice change from sandwiches in the kids' lunch boxes. No need to fiddle around with puff pastry either when there are great supermarket versions available. Easy as!

Chocolate brownies

You get a double choc hit with this deliciously fudgy chocolate brownie recipe, thanks to the cocoa and choc chip components. Bake until they're just cooked to make the most of the squidgy centre that's melt-in-the-mouth good.

Apple muffins

Apple muffins are an incredibly healthy snack young children will love. Using natural yoghurt and grated apple and dates, this muffin recipe is deliciously scented with cinnamon and is just as good served hot or cold.

Cauliflower tots

These cheesy tots are so delicious that no one will even know their main ingredient is cauliflower. Rustle these hidden-veg morsels up for a tasty snack or lunch box treat your littlies will love.

Sugar and spice slice

This old-fashioned slice recipe uses pantry ingredients and is so easy to make, the kids could do it. Flavoured with nutmeg and cinnamon and with a nutty filling, it's a great one to have in the cake tin come the weekend.

Banana bread

Moist and delicious banana bread is easy to make with this mum-tested recipe from Kidspot. It can easily be toasted to serve with butter or transformed into a gluten-free recipe by substituting the flour and baking powder for a gluten-free variety.