Save this list of kids lunch recipes to make packing and serving healthy kids lunches easy each week. With make-ahead and freezer-friendly options.
Kids Lunch Recipes
Making healthy foods ahead of time and packing them (or serving them!) at lunchtime is one of the best ways to ensure our kids are eating well throughout the week. These recipes are great to meal prep and can be served to toddlers and big kids alike.
- Apple Cinnamon Bread with Oats
- Applesauce Muffins
- Apple Quesadillas
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Blueberry Banana Zucchini Muffins
- Baked Chicken Nuggets
- Breaded Chicken Tenders
- Broccoli Pesto Pasta
- Broccoli Tots
- Butternut Squash Hummus
- BLT Salad Lunchbox
- Carrot Hummus
- Carrot Cake Muffins
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Cauliflower Tots
- Cheesy Meat Buns
- Chicken Nuggets with Sweet Potato
- Chocolate Protein Muffins (with Hidden Veggies)
- Egg Muffins with Spinach
- Egg Muffins with Cheese and Veggies
- Freezer-Friendly Beef Burritos
- Grilled Cheese with Mashed Roasted Sweet Potato
- Grilled Cheese with (a little) Chopped Spinach
- Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
- Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
- Healthy Meatballs (with Hidden Veggies)
- Homemade Lunchables
- Homemade Uncrustables
- Hummus (without Tahini)
- Pan-Seared Chicken
- Pizza Rolls with Spinach
- Pepperoni Rolls
- Pesto Pizza Rolls
- Pesto Tortellini
- Pita Pizza
- Pizza Pockets with Broccoli and Cheese
- Puff Pastry Tarts with Veggies
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Refried Bean Taco Roll Ups
- Sandwich Kabobs
- Sandwich Sushi
- Soft-Roasted Chickpeas
- Spinach Banana Muffins
- Spinach Pesto Pasta with Peas
- Spinach Quesadillas
- Smoothies with Hidden Veggies
- Tomato and Tortellini Soup
- Wild Salmon Sandwiches
- Veggie-Loaded Marinara with Pasta
- Zucchini Fritters
Tips for Sending Leftovers in a Lunchbox
Packing leftover chicken, meatballs, pasta, and more can bring up some questions, so these tips should help!
- Pack leftover cooked chicken, chicken nuggets, or tenders to be eaten chilled or warm in a thermos.
- Pack quesadillas, burritos, or any other dish that’s better warmed in a thermos.
- Cut up muffins, sandwiches, and any other baked goods or breads into cubes if it’s easier for your child to eat them that way.
- Pack smoothies in a reusable pouch or make them right before lunch.
Kid-Friendly Lunch Ideas for School
Packing lunches for kids has to have the unique child at the center, so do keep in mind the preferences of your kiddo and adjust your lunch plan accordingly. I try not to send any brand new foods in a lunchbox since the kids don’t have much time to eat them AND they are likely very busy chatting with friends.
Lunch Ideas for Kids at Home
With kids who are homeschooled or not yet in school, having this stash of healthy recipes to make ahead of time can be a big win. I always find that lunchtime comes so quickly when I’m home with my kids, so the more I can have at least one healthy option ready and waiting, the better able I am to serve them healthy lunches.
School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
One last consideration for pickier kids: Keep their lunches simple. It’s also okay if they don’t have a huge variety at their midday meal since they may also be dealing with the demands of socializing—which is a lot of work for some kids! You don’t need to make Pinterest-worthy lunches. Just ones that your kids will eat and enjoy!
I love this list but I do have a question about packing non liquids in a thermos to keep warm. I’ve read it is not safe because the thermos cannot keep foods at a safe temperature unless it’s liquid.
Interesting—I’ve not heard that. Do you remember where you heard it? I’ll look into it though!
Per the USDA, hot foods packed in a thermos should be safe if they are put into an insulated lunch bag and kept closed until lunchtime (the temp should be 140 degrees F so it should be hot when it goes in). There’s more here