Preparing school lunches can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be! Balanced lunches are very possible and these ideas can help reduce planning time on your end! Packing lunches can be easy and quick, but also healthy and delicious. Easy snacks like carrots with ranch dip and other finger foods are great options for favorite school lunch recipes.
Check out these 33 lunch ideas, some are even ideal for bento boxes!
1. Chicken Salad Pinwheels
No kids' cutlery is needed for this healthy bento box lunch. This is a perfect lunch with a mix of fruits, veggies, and a snack. Fresh fruit kabobs, cheese crackers, chicken salad wraps, and ribbons of cucumber and carrots are a great selection for this healthy lunch. Look at these other favorite school lunch recipes.
Learn more: Feel Good Foodie
2. Ham and Cheddar Lunch Box Muffins
Keep things different with these ham and cheddar cheese muffin cups. Use these in place of a boring sandwich and pair them with some fresh fruit or veggies. These can be served hot or cold and can be dipped in sauce or eaten plain.
Learn more: Kitchnn
3. Wonton Taco Cups
Think outside the box with creative lunches like this one. These wonton taco cups are delicious and bite-sized. Fill with taco meat, cheese, taco sauce, and toppings of your choice, like olives or tomatoes. Add carrots with ranch dip. These go well with a small salad and are a great choice for lunchtime!
Learn more: Healthy Family Project
4. Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
Good ole' turkey and cheese sandwiches are a great option. Easy to make and add to a bento box, these sandwiches are great for a quick fix. Add celery sticks and raisins, along with pretzels and fruit to make a favorite lunch box hit!
Learn more: Feel Good Foodie
5. Hummus
Hummus is a big hit for easy lunch box options! You can even choose regular hummus or avocado hummus, as well as other flavored hummus choices. Pair with crackers and veggies for dipping. You can add some trail mix or fruit leather to complete this perfect lunch!
Learn more: Bless This Mess Please
6. Peanut Butter and Jelly
Old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are still a favorite for kids everywhere! Be sure to check and make positive that your child's school does not have a food restriction before making this. Add some edamame beans, cereal, and fruit to make a favorite lunch box option.
Learn more: Feel Good Foodie
7. Scrambled Eggs and Toast
Dress up your bento box with some scrambled eggs and toast. Cut the toast into small squares to fit into a compartment. Choose fruit and veggies or cheese crackers to complete the perfect lunch. Add a sweet treat, like mini dark chocolate chips for a quick pick-me-up.
Learn more: Feel Good Foodie
8. Cowboy Cavier
Another unique option is cowboy caviar. Make this ahead of time and add a scoop for lunchtime! Throw in some tortilla chips, pita chips, or crackers for scooping. Add some fruit and a protein bar for some added substance.
Learn more: Family Fresh Meals
9. Egg Salad Sandwiches
Every cute lunch box needs a yummy lunch inside. Egg salad sandwiches are a great option! Serve on toast or a croissant and pair with chips, fruit, or veggies for a well-balanced, healthy option. This is a perfect lunch that is not the same old type of sandwich option.
Learn more: Taste of Home
10. Hasselback Tomato Clubs
Think outside the sandwich box! You don't need bread for this one. Slice a tomato but don't cut all the way through. Between each slice, add bacon, turkey or ham, lettuce, cheese slices, or avocado. You could even add some avocado hummus.
Learn more: Taste of Home
11. Ham Cesar Salad
Salads are a great option for the perfect lunch! Lettuce or other greens, topped with veggies or meats of your choice, croutons, fruits, and dressings make a perfect combo! Add some cheese or nuts for the perfect lunch that is also healthy. Toss this in a bowl and put the bowl into a cute lunch box, and you are all set! Include ranch dressing or olive oil-based dressing.
Learn more: Taste of Home
12. Apple and Peanut Butter Sandwiches
This one is great for a kids' lunchbox, but can also be enjoyed by adults. Apple slices, topped with nut butter, along with nuts and berries, plus carrot sticks and celery sticks, and some hard-boiled eggs make for a yummy lunch. You could even add cottage cheese. This one is very nutritious and provides plenty of protein to help you stay full.
Learn more: Bless This Mess Please
13. Banana and Peanut Butter Roll-Ups
Bananas and peanut butter wraps are a yummy alternative to a traditional sandwich. Add some edamame beans, veggie slices, carrot sticks, and fruit. Think about dried fruit, like apple and banana chips to add a sweet and healthy option to your kid's lunchbox.
Learn more: MJ and Hungry Man
14. Vegetable Oatmeal Balls
Vegetable oatmeal balls are a great option for hot lunch or cold! Veggie patties are also a great choice! Add chickpeas or grape tomatoes, fruit or cucumber slices, and baby carrots to make this packed lunch a healthy and appetizing mix of tasty foods.
Learn more: MJ and Hungry
15. Muffin Pan Deep Dish Pizza
These pizza-flavored muffin bites are super yummy. You can add veggies to them and even cut them into a star shape or heart shape with a cookie cutter. Serve these with carrot sticks or even a full salad. Be sure to include some ranch dressing on the side for dipping!
Learn more: Kitchnn
16. Barbeque Chicken Taquitos
Homemade barbeque taquitos are the main dish in this meal. Add some salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping. Fresh fruit, carrot sticks, or other small finger foods are a great addition to this box for school. This is a great option for a nut-free snack.
Learn more: Healthy Family Project
17. Peanut Butter and Jelly Skewers
As long as there are no food restrictions, choose these adorable peanut butter and jelly kabobs. Add some bite-sized sandwich squares to a skewer and add some fresh fruit in between. You could even use cookie cutters to make a fun star shape or heart shape. This is a fun and yummy treat and kids will enjoy eating this.
Learn more: Healthy Family Project
18. Stuffed Bagels
Stuffed bagels are full of options. A bagel with cream cheese is a great option, but it can also be stuffed with many other things. For a nut-free snack, add a chicken salad or veggie patties. You could also add peanut butter and jelly, pimento and cheese, or egg salad. Add some carrot sticks, strawberries, or other fruits and veggies.
Learn more: Family Fresh Meals
19. Taco Salad Bowls
Taco salad bowls are yummy and easy! Salads with taco meat, topped with salsa and cheese, are delicious. Add black olives or cherry tomatoes or sour cream. Drizzle with taco sauce to complete this appetizing meal. You will need to add kids' cutlery for this kid's favorite. This is a great nut-free snack as well.
Learn more: Prudent Penny Pincher
20. Pepperoni Pizza Buns
Pepperoni pizza buns are easy to make and serve. Add some pretzels and carrot sticks, along with cucumber slices and fresh fruit for a packed lunch box for school. For a special added touch, add some fruit and veggies with star shapes or heart shapes. Use a cookie cutter to get this!
Learn more: Prudent Penny Pincher
21. Cheese Quesadilla
Make this simple cheese quesadilla, cut it into small pieces, and pair it with healthy sides. Add hard-boiled eggs for extra protein. Carrot sticks, fresh fruit, or other veggies to add some nutritious options to your box for a great lunch at preschool or for any other little eater! Use cookie cutters to get heart shapes or star shapes for a fun surprise.
Learn more: The Lean Green Bean
22. Mini Pizza
Cut bite-size pieces of this mini pizza and pack them for your elementary school-aged kids. Cookie cutters make for some fun star shapes or heart shapes. Add some celery with peanut butter or carrot sticks with Greek yogurt-based ranch dressing. Add some crackers and a cheese slice or some fresh fruit options and this will be a favorite lunch at preschool, middle school, or for adults. This is also a great option for including veggie patties.
Learn more: The Lean Green Bean
23. Chicken Waldorf Salad
Chicken Waldorf salad is always a great option for lunch boxes, as it is the perfect bite-sized finger food. Add cucumbers with ranch, baby carrots, cheese slices, or fruit leather to complete this meal. For extra protein, add a protein bar. Cut fruit into fun little star shapes! You could also pair this meal with pot vegetarian soup recipes.
Learn more: The Kitchnn
24. Deconstructed Pizza
Bite-sized finger food, this deconstructed pizza box is a great option for something different for your bento lunch. Use mini containers to separate each item, like cheese slices, pepperoni, and olives. Add a mini container of pizza sauce to build tiny pizza bites on gluten-free crackers.
Learn more: Eazy Peazy Mealz
25. Mini Taco Hand Pies
This bento lunch is perfect for something with a little kick! Pair mini taco hand pies with guacamole or salsa. Throw in some beans or rice to bring this southwest lunch for school to a close. These mini taco hand pies are also a great healthy snack.
Learn more: Prudent Penny Pincher
26. Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad is a great option for a packable lunch. It is a mix of broccoli, cheese, onion, bacon, and dressing. It is packed full of nutrients and is super healthy. Add some tortilla chips or gluten-free crackers. It can be a great side to an English muffin sandwich. Add some fruit or veggie chips to finish off this packable lunch!
Learn more: Everyday Family Cooking
27. Spinach Pancake and Cream Cheese Sandwiches
This super healthy lunch is a great choice if you are looking for quick and easy. Cream cheese spinach sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, avocado hummus or guacamole, carrot sticks, or cucumber slices make this the perfect packable lunch.
Learn more: MJ and Hungryman
28. Pickle Reuben Sandwich
You don't need bread for this sandwich! Add a mini container with mustard to dip! Pack this with a protein bar for extra protein. Include some fruit or tortilla chips and salsa for a well-rounded and balanced meal. You could also pair this meal with pot vegetarian soup recipes.
Learn more: Good Housekeeping
29. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi
Peanut butter and jelly sushi are a fun alternative to traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Add these bite-sized finger foods to a bento lunch, with some cottage cheese, carrot sticks, cheese slices, or fresh fruits.
Learn more: Good Housekeeping
30. Cobb Salad Sushi
Cobb salad roll-ups are a great option for lunch at school or a healthy snack at home. Bacon wrapped around a salad mix makes for delicious bite-sized finger food. Make your own ranch dressing from Greek yogurt and you have the perfect dip for these tasty bites.
Learn more: Good Housekeeping
31. Muffin Pan Mac and Cheese Cups
Easy to make, mac and cheese cups, are perfect for a kids' lunchbox. These can be served cold or hot. Add prepared mac and cheese to muffin tins and bake for a crunchy top. Serve these with baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes for a healthy snack-type lunch. You could also pair this meal with pot vegetarian soup recipes.
Learn more: Taste
32. Pasta Salad
This pasta salad recipe allows for some freedom with veggies and dressing. Choose ham, grape tomatoes, peppers, or other veggies. Drizzle with some vinegar-based dressing and top with nuts. Choose fruit or trail mix with these filling pastas!
Learn more: Bless This Mess Please
33. Avocado Shrimp Salad
This is perfect for adult lunchboxes, but some kids will enjoy this as well. Add shrimp, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado chunks. Toss with olive oil and spice or dressing. Put this on top of salad and pair with gluten-free crackers and olives or cheese slices. You could also pair this meal with pot vegetarian soup recipes.
Learn more: Family Fresh Meals
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