Are you a self-proclaimed Francophile? Do you like your snacks to be simple but still excite your taste buds?

If you answered yes to both, then head over to your kitchen to make these awesome French snacks!

While the French are not well-known for their adult snacking habits, they have something called "Le Goûter," the French version of afternoon snack time. This is usually eaten by kids at 4:30 pm, right around the time they come home from school.

French adults don’t usually have Le Goûter, but perhaps we can make some exceptions!

Try your hand at these recipes for a fun French-inspired afternoon snack time for the kids (and yes, even adults, too!).

CRÊPES

When it comes to a quick and delicious French snack, the first thing that comes to mind is a French crepe! Crêpes are a great gateway to French food. Why? It’s accessible, easy to make, and you can customize it with any filling your heart desires. To make basic crêpes, you only really need six ingredients. For the toppings, it’s up to you, but we recommend trying out the classic lemon with sugar.

BASIC CRÊPE WITH LEMON AND SUGAR

YIELD: 2 | TOTAL PREP & COOKING TIME: 35 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

70g plain flour

1 large egg

½ tbsp. caster sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

180ml milk (we prefer whole milk, but milk substitutes like soy works as well)

½ tbsp. butter

TOPPINGS:

Half a lemon, cut into wedges

¾ - 1 tbsp. vanilla sugar or caster sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients first (flour, sugar, and salt). Create a well in the middle where you will add one large egg. Slowly whisk the ingredients.
Gradually add the milk while whisking to completely combine all the ingredients. Let the batter rest at room temperature for around 10-15 minutes to let the flour absorb the liquid for a more delicate crêpe texture.
Place a small pan over medium heat. Melt the butter and then add 60ml (or 1/4 cup) of the batter to the pan. Gently swirl to evenly cover the surface of the pan.
Cook for 1.5–2 minutes before flipping. Cook for another minute, then using a spatula, carefully fold halfway, then fold again to make a triangle.
To plate, place the crêpes on a small plate, then dust with vanilla or caster sugar. Place the lemon on the side for presentation or for squeezing when ready to eat.

Kids can enjoy crepes with their favorite juice or milk, while adults can amp up their afternoon treat with freshly-made coffee or wine.

RIZ AU LAIT

Riz au lait (literal translation: rice with milk) is basically a simple but lovely rice pudding. Unlike other pudding recipes (see: vanilla or chocolate), this one does not contain eggs and can be topped off with fresh fruits that are rich in vitamin C, so you can still have it even when you’re sick or have sensitive skin.

RIZ AU LAIT OR FRENCH RICE PUDDING

YIELD: 4 | TOTAL PREP & COOKING TIME: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 liter whole milk

100g short-grained rice, uncooked but washed

4-5 tbsp. white sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

a pinch of salt

a pinch/sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg

TOPPINGS:

any fruit like berries or sliced ripe mangoes

INSTRUCTIONS:

Boil the milk with sugar and vanilla extract in a large saucepan.
Once the mixture has reached a boil, reduce the heat to medium. Put in the uncooked rice.
Cook the rice for approximately 30 minutes, stirring gently and frequently to prevent it from sticking at the bottom.
When the rice looks cooked and is tender, turn off the heat and let it cool.
Spoon into separate bowls, then add fruits before serving.

With pantry essentials like milk, rice, and sugar, you can easily make yourself some riz au lait and pretend you’re in your grandma’s cottage in the French countryside.

FRUIT JAM AND CHEESE COMBO

You can never go wrong with French cheeses. A full-on charcuterie board may be too much for a fun afternoon snack with the kids, so why not try some simple crackers topped with kid-friendly brie and some jam? The soft cheese goes well with dried fruits, but you can also pair it with your favorite fruit jam for a convenient snack.

BAKED BRIE AND JAM ON CRACKERS

YIELD: 6-8 | TOTAL PREP & COOKING TIME: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 Brie round (14 or 16 oz.) – We recommend removing the top rind before baking.

1 tbsp. honey

Fruit jam

Crackers – You can choose from a wide selection, from melba to white to multigrain.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place the brie in a lined baking pan and bake for 10 minutes, or when you notice the cheese starting to melt.
Remove the brie from the oven and transfer it to a serving plate or tray.
Drizzle the honey on top of the brie.
You can spoon the jam on the side of the cheese along with the crackers, so you can easily create your own cheese-jam-cracker ratio.

If you have more than one type of jam in your kitchen, you can turn your simple afternoon snack into a mini brie and jam tasting session with the kids or your friends. If you want an upgraded snack time for less, why not add walnuts on top of your baked brie?

With these recipes, you can explore another side of French cuisine that the culinary world has been raving about.

What are you waiting for? Head on over to your local farmer’s market or get fresh ingredients delivered to your doorstep today!

This lovely article was written by Sophia Young. She is a content writer covering lifestyle and fashion topics. She’s actively participating as a contributor for various lifestyle blogs and has been co-authoring some articles of her colleagues. She’s currently enrolled in a content marketing course hoping to expand her knowledge in digital marketing.