This 2024 cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between household food security and quality of life among 366 children aged 7–18 years in Herat, Afghanistan. The objectives were to determine household food security status, assess children’s quality of life across dimensions, and explore their relationship. Data were collected using multistage cluster sampling from four districts, employing the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module and PedsQL 4.0 instruments. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Results showed that 43% of households had severe food insecurity. Food security was significantly associated with better quality of life (p <.001), highlighting policy implications.