Ah the Lunch Box…we have always seen September as the start of a “new year”. Getting back to school, routine and sports activities. New pencils, fresh sneakers and a wardrobe can all feel very exciting. Figuring out what our kids will actually eat every day can feel like a chore.
As Chefs and moms, we have packed our fair share of lunchboxes. School lunches don’t have to be complicated. Our goal is to create meals that are nourishing, satisfying and actually eaten (instead of being brought back home at the end of the day!)
Here is a list of some of our go-to back-to-school lunch ideas that check all the boxes: tasty, simple and balanced.
1. Snackle Lunch Box for 1!
We spent our summers at the diamonds, courtside or at the beach with our snackle boxes…they were filled with all of our favourites off the charcuterie board.
Pack slices of turkey or ham, cubes of cheddar, crackers and some fresh veggies. Add a little mini hummus + pretzel combo for a protein boost, and maybe slip in a small KitKat so that it feels like a real treat!
2. Honeycrisp Apple: The apple that does not oxidize!
Kirsite’s Gramma always said, “An apple without cheese is like a hug without a squeeze.” Well, maybe it was apple pie, but we think it applies to apples as well.
We all know that if we pack a whole apple in a lunch box comes home with a few tiny bites out of it, but when we send apple slices, they are gobbled up. This is where the Honeycrisp apple is the star! They don’t oxidize (turn brown) as quickly as other apples, so they will look fresh at lunch time.
Pairing the apple with some sharp cheddar cheese feels like a gourmet treat.
And check it these knife skills: teach the ‘overhand grip’ with a small knife to get kids involved in the lunch box pack up!
3. Stromboli Roll-Ups
Think of these as the fun cousin of pizza. Stromboli is rolled dough stuffed with cheese, turkey or pepperoni and veggies, baked, sliced and ready for the lunchbox. They’re easy to batch-make on Sunday and pack all week.
Try our recipe for Ham & Cheese Stromboli
4. Lunch Box Fried Rice (Leftovers, reinvented)
Last night’s rice can be tomorrow’s quick lunch. Toss is with eggs, veggies, leftover protein (think steak, pork chop or chicken), check out our recipe here! Kirsite’s kids have fried rice on a regular lunchtime rotation. It could not be easier to reheat, in a microwave-safe bowl topped with a wet paper towel, for 2 minutes, and you have a delicious lunchbox treat.
Here is our recipe for Fried Rice. This recipe uses leftover ham, it is also delicious with leftover beef (steak), pork (chop or tenderloin) or chicken
5. Sushi Bowl Bento Box
Skip the rolling and go deconstructed. Pack cooked rice, cucumber slices, avocado, shredded carrot, and leftover salmon or chicken in a bento box. Add our Miso dressing on the side or try our Miso Glazed Salmon bowl for a real gourmet lunch Kids get the sushi vibes without the effort.
6. Turkey & Cheddar Antojitos
Antojitos, roll-ups, pinwheels, whatever you call them, they are the perfect lunchbox treat. Spread a tortilla with cream cheese, layer turkey and cheddar, roll it up, and slice into rounds. They are easy to grab, fun to eat, and perfect for dipping in salsa or ranch.
7. Lunch Box Chicken Fingers
Hot (in a thermos) or cold, kids love them. Pack them with a small container of honey mustard or ranch, and you’ve got a protein-packed lunch that feels like a treat! We love the chicken fingers from ForeQuarter Butcher Shop. Making your life even easier, and you they are made with just a few simple ingredients.
8. Salad Cups
We have many recipes that are perfect for make-ahead lunch box treats. Portion them into small containers for grab-and-go lunches all week.
Some of our favourite salads that hold up to batch cooking:
Sweet Potato Noodle Salad
Easy Italian Chopped Salad
Crab Pasta Salad
9. Lunch-time Taco Kit or Sloppy Joes
Turn your kids’ dinner time favourites into lunchbox stars. Pack the ground beef or turkey in the thermos and all the fixings in small ingredients so that the kiddos can assemble a delicious, fresh lunch at school. Check out our recipes for Sloppy Joes and Tacos from Scratch.
10. Breakfast-for-Lunch Box
Breakfast is not only for mornings! Pack hard-boiled eggs, mini pancakes or waffles, fruit, a little yogurt dip. Kids love it and you get a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and fruit in one easy box.
11. Mini Lunchbox
Create a lunch box of mini’s: bagels, pita pockets, bagels, babybel and hummus (we love the mini Fontaine Sante hummus containers!) Create a lunch box of small snackable size portions. The kiddos will have a balanced lunch at every break.
Final Thoughts
School lunch doesn’t need to be complicated or stressful. It just needs a little variety and a mix of healthy and fun. You have a week’s worth of ideas ready to go. Rotate them, mix and match, and you’ll keep both kids and parents happy.
