5 Easy Lunch Box Ideas for Back to School

As the back-to-school season kicks in, packing a nutritious and appealing lunch for your little one can be a bit of a challenge. To make your mornings easier, we’ve put together five easy and delicious lunch box ideas that are sure to keep your child satisfied and energised throughout the school day.

1. Mini Quiches / Egg Muffins

   Bake a batch of mini quiches/muffins over the weekend, and you’ve got an easy lunchbox addition. Use a muffin tin and fill it with a mixture of eggs, spinach, diced ham, and cheese. These quiches are perfect hot or cold and pack a protein punch to keep your child full. Use a mini wrap as a muffin case to make them extra yummy.

2. Pasta Salad

   A simple pasta salad can be made in advance and customised to your child’s taste. Use his / her favourite pasta (we love fresh penne) and mix it with some vegetables as cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives (blitz them up if they don’t like them chunky). Choose a protein such as tuna chunks, chicken or maybe some ham and add it to the salad. Drizzle with a light olive oil dressing and (chef’s secret) some soya sauce. You can cook some plain pasta at the weekend and mix it with different ingredients as you go to get different tasty salads

3. Veggie and Cheese Quesadillas

   Whip up a quick veggie and cheese quesadilla using wholemeal tortillas. Add a mix of grated cheese, ham, and diced tomatoes (add as many toppings as you like! this is only an idea – the more vegetables, the more nutritious). Cook until the cheese is melted, then cut into small triangles. Put some dips on the side such as guacamole if your little one likes.

4. Fruit and Yoghurt Layers

   Layer Greek yoghurt with fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of granola in a small container. It’s a healthy, sweet treat that also provides a good dose of calcium and protein.

5. Peanut Butter and Banana “Sushi” rolls

   Spread peanut butter (or a nut-free alternative) on a wholegrain tortilla, place a peeled banana on one edge, and roll it up. Slice into bite-sized pieces for a fun and tasty lunch.

For the fussier kiddos we love the bake at home rolls, pop into the air fryer every morning, the trick is to wrap in a tea towel or kitchen roll when hot to keep them soft. Bread sticks and houmous are very popular here too or crackers with cheese never fail to be eaten!!

We hope you give these lunch box ideas a try and that your little ones absolutely love them! Creating healthy, fun, and delicious meals can make lunchtime something they look forward to each day. Whether it’s the cheesy quesadillas or the sweet peanut butter and banana roll-ups, these options are sure to bring a smile to their faces. Happy back to school!