Finding the perfect lunch that your kids will actually want to eat can feel like a quest for treasure. You want something delicious, easy to prepare, and packed with nutrition, all while avoiding the dreaded lunchbox leftovers. These simple cold lunch recipes are sure to spark joy in your child’s lunch hour!
Tortilla Roll-Ups
Ham and Cheese Tortilla Roll Ups from The Cookie Rookie
Rating: 4.5. Ingredients: 10 min Total Time: 10 min.
These colorful tortilla roll-ups are a burst of flavor wrapped in a soft tortilla. You can fill them with cream cheese, deli meats, and crunchy veggies for a delightful crunch. Kids love these because they can be customized with their favorite fillings, making lunchtime fun and interactive!
Mini Pita Pockets
Cold Lunch Ideas – DIY Nachos from MJ and Hungryman
Rating: 5. Ingredients: 5 min Total Time: 5 min.
These mini pita pockets are like little flavor-packed treasure chests! Stuff them with hummus, diced cucumbers, and shredded carrots for a refreshing crunch. What makes this recipe special is its versatility; you can swap ingredients based on what your kids enjoy most!
Fruit and Cheese Skewers
Fruit Skewers from Taste of Home
Rating: 4.3. Ingredients: Sour cream, honey, vanilla yogurt, green grapes, monterey jack cheese Total Time: 20 min.
Fruit and Cheese Kabobs from This Healthy Table
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Green grapes, whipped cream, fresh strawberries, colby jack, fresh mint leaves Total Time: green grapes, whipped cream, fresh strawberries, colby jack, fresh mint leaves.
Fruit and Cheese Kabobs with Croissant Croutons from Foxes Love Lemons
Rating: 4.5. Ingredients: White cheddar cheese, honey, green grapes, olive oil, strawberries Total Time: 35 min.
Bright, colorful, and oh-so-fun, these fruit and cheese skewers are a hit with kids of all ages. Simply thread cubes of cheese and grapes or strawberries onto a skewer for a sweet and savory treat. They’re special because they turn snack time into a creative activity!
Veggie Sushi Rolls
Vegetarian Sushi Rolls from Just One Cookbook
Rating: 4.6. Ingredients: Grain white rice, sriracha sauce, rice vinegar, red onion, carrot Total Time: 1 hr 45 min.
Rainbow Veggie Rolls from Pick Up Limes
Rating: 4.7. Ingredients: Sweet potato, mango, avocado, cucumber, red bell pepper Total Time: 55 min.
Veggie Sushi Rolls from Glue & Glitter
Ingredients: Gluten free, sushi rice, apple cider vinegar, avocado, cucumber Total Time: 45 min.
These veggie sushi rolls are a fantastic way to sneak in some healthy ingredients while keeping things super fun. Use sushi rice wrapped in seaweed and fill it with colorful veggies like carrots, cucumber, and avocado. Kids love them because they look like real sushi and are perfect for little hands!
Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Simple Pasta Salad from Allrecipes
Rating: 4.6. Ingredients: Rotini pasta, italian salad dressing, parmesan cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes Total Time: 1 hr.
Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing from Gonna Want Seconds
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Sun dried tomatoes, italian dressing, tri color rotini, salad dressing mix, red pepper Total Time: 30 min.
Easy Italian Pasta Salad from Together as Family
Rating: 4.5. Ingredients: Feta cheese, tricolor rotini pasta, italian salad dressing, cucumber, cherry Total Time: 15 min.
This pasta salad is a classic and can be made in no time! Toss cooked pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and a splash of Italian dressing for a zesty flavor. It’s a favorite because it can be prepared in bulk and tastes even better the next day!
Peanut Butter Banana Wraps
Easy Peanut Butter Banana Wrap. from Momcrieff
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Peanut butter, banana Total Time: 5 min.
Peanut Butter and Banana Wraps from Betty Crocker
Rating: 4.5. Ingredients: Creamy peanut butter, whole wheat, chocolate chips, bananas Total Time: 10 min.
Peanut Butter and Banana Roll-Ups from Ready Set Eat
Ingredients: Creamy peanut butter, whole wheat flour, low fat, honey, bananas Total Time: 10 min.
These wraps are creamy, sweet, and oh-so-simple to make! Spread peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla, add sliced bananas, and roll it up. Kids adore them for their delightful sweetness and the fact that they can be eaten on the go!
Caprese Salad Jars
Caprese Mason Jar Salads from Sweet Savory and Steph
Rating: 5. Ingredients: 30 min Total Time: 30 min.
Layered in a jar, this Caprese salad is both tasty and visually appealing! Stack fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and cherry tomatoes, then drizzle with balsamic glaze. What makes these jars special is that they stay fresh and vibrant until lunchtime!
Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps from Tastes Better From Scratch
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Plain greek yogurt, apple, skinless chicken breasts, grapes, dried cranberries Total Time: 22 min.
Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps from Prep Dish
Ingredients: Skinless chicken breast, bacon, romaine lettuce, red onion, avocado mayonnaise
Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps from Kiersten Hickman
Ingredients: Grapes, romaine lettuce, cooked chicken, celery, mayonnaise Total Time: 10 min.
These chicken salad lettuce wraps are a delightful twist on traditional chicken salad. Mix shredded chicken with Greek yogurt, grapes, and nuts, then serve in crisp lettuce leaves. Kids will love the crunchy texture and the fun of eating with their hands!
Homemade Lunchables
How to Make Homemade Lunchables from Eating on a Dime
Rating: 5. Ingredients: 10 min Total Time: 10 min.
Simple and Easy Homemade Lunchables from Live Simply
Rating: 5. Ingredients: 5 min Total Time: 5 min.
Why buy when you can make your own? Create a mini lunchable with slices of deli meats, cheese cubes, and whole-grain crackers. Kids enjoy the freedom to mix and match their own bites, making every lunch a new adventure!
Cucumber Sandwiches
These light and refreshing cucumber sandwiches are perfect for a warm school day. Spread cream cheese on whole grain bread, layer with thin cucumber slices, and cut into fun shapes. The crispness of the cucumbers makes them a favorite, especially for kids who love crunchy bites!
Yogurt Parfaits
Make Ahead Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits from Simply Sissom
Rating: 4.8. Ingredients: Frozen berries, honey, granola, plain yogurt
Yogurt Parfait from Preppy Kitchen
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Plain greek yogurt, granola, fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries Total Time: 10 min.
Start with a base of creamy yogurt and layer in granola and fresh fruits for a tasty parfait! Kids can customize their own with their favorite toppings. With its sweet and creamy layers, it feels like a dessert, but it’s packed with nutrition!
Egg Salad On Crackers
The Best Egg Salad from Something Nutritious
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Dijon mustard, dill, eggs, mayonnaise, black pepper Total Time: 17 min.
Deviled Egg Cracker Bites from Plating Pixels
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Whole wheat crackers, white wine vinegar, dijon mustard, smoked paprika, eggs Total Time: 20 min.
Egg Salad Recipe from She Wears Many Hats
Rating: 4.3. Ingredients: Canned tuna fish, egg salad, salad cubes, mustard, mayonnaise Total Time: 30 min.
This egg salad is creamy and packed with flavor, making it a delightful treat. Spread it on whole-grain crackers for a crunchy contrast. Kids love the fun bite-sized portions, and it’s an effortless way to get protein into their lunch!
Quinoa Salad with Black Beans
Simple Quinoa Black Bean Salad from Minimalist Baker
Rating: 5. Ingredients: 30 min Total Time: 30 min.
Black Bean Quinoa Salad from Spend With Pennies
Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: 30 min Total Time: 30 min.
This colorful quinoa salad is not only nutritious but also super flavorful! Mix cooked quinoa with black beans, corn, and cilantro for a tasty side. It’s popular because it’s filling and can be made in advance, perfect for busy mornings!
Chocolate Hummus with Fruit
Wasa Chocolate Hummus with Strawberries & Sunflower Butter from Wasa
Ingredients: Nessuna recensione
Surprise your kids with this sweet twist on traditional hummus! Made with chickpeas, cocoa powder, and a bit of maple syrup, it’s a delicious dip served with apple slices and strawberries. Kids enjoy the sweet flavor, and it’s a sneaky way to get some protein into their snack!