school lunch recipes

Over 30 best most popular school lunch ideas that are easy, healthy, and kid-friendly -- including sandwiches, crackers, dips, pasta, and more. 

30 School Lunch Ideas

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Prep ahead of time. When it comes to packing a school lunch, try to do it the night before. This saves so much time on busy mornings when you are trying to wrangle the kids together and get them ready for school. If you can't make something the night before, try to at least prep the ingredients and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

How to pack lunch. When it comes to school lunches, the container that you pack them in might be one of the most important parts. There are so many options that you can choose from. Here are my favorites: bento-style lunch box, insulated lunch bag, kids cutlery, and toddler cutlery.

Opt for foods that aren't super messy. This one is self-explanatory. 🙂

Use these specific ideas for packed lunches or consider them inspiration for packing ones unique to your child. Nutrition info will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.

10 Easy No-Cook School Lunch Ideas

whole grain crackers

cheese

pepperoni

mango

snap peas

whole grain bagel

tbsp cream cheese, nut

fruit salad

cucumbers

tortilla

tbsp bean dip, nut turkey and cheese

grapes ((halved

tomatoes and bell peppers

yogurt

granola ((remove whole nuts

cherry tomatoes ((halved if needed))

strawberries

whole grain bread

nut butter

clementine

cucumber sticks

bread

tbsp nut or seed butter

tbsp jam

kiwi

salami

snap pea crisps

berries

cucumber

crackers

tbsp hummus

watermelon

yogurt tube

tbsp maple syrup, jam, nut or seed butter or cream cheese

applesauce pouch

carrot

edamame

Cheese and Crackers Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack. 

Bagel Sandwich Lunch: Lightly toast the bagel if desired (it's optional). Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack. 

Tortilla Triangles: Lightly warm the tortilla if it's super stiff. Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack. 

Yogurt and Granola Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Use a thermos or compartment or container that seals tightly for the yogurt to avoid any spills. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack. 

Simple Sandwich Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack. 

Freeze-Ahead PB&amp;J: Cut the bread with a 3-4 inch round cookie cutter. Spread the nut or seed butter and the jam onto the bread and wrap with plastic wrap. Make as many as you want and store in the freezer in a freezer storage bag for up to 3 months. Place one directly into a lunch box in the morning and it will thaw by lunch. 

Snack Box Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack. 

Hummus and Crackers Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack. You can freeze the yogurt tube to be an extra ice pack and it will thaw by lunchtime. 

Pancake Lunch: Warm the pancakes if desired for 30 seconds in the microwave and pack in a thermos to keep warm, or send them to eat at room temperature.

Top 2 school lunch recipes recipes from across the web

The most viewed school lunch recipes recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

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30 School Lunch Ideas

10 Easy No-Cook School Lunch Ideas

Top 2 school lunch recipes recipes from across the web

The most viewed school lunch recipes recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

30 School Lunch Ideas

10 Easy No-Cook School Lunch Ideas

The most viewed school lunch recipes recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine