School’s back in session, and it’s one of my favorite times of the year!I love the new beginnings in the fall and starting fresh. After a summer of chaos, I love that I can get a few things done during the day while my kids are in school.
Something that is certainly not my favorite though is packing lunches and keeping things exciting. It goes well for the first couple weeks of school, and then I totally get stuck in a major rut. I’m sick of the food that I’m not even eating…I’m sure my kids feel the same way.
One of my goals this year is to plan for lunches in my grocery shopping and try out some new and interesting ideas and recipes. If you’re the same way as I am, here are some lunch box recipes that are easy to make ahead and stash in the freezer or fridge to help you mix up your kids’ lunch boxes this year.
More Lunch Box Ideas:
- Lunch Box Hall of Fame: 5 Best Packed Lunches
- Three Apple Ideas for a Lunch Box or On-the-Go Snacks
- Meatless Monday: 3 Chopped Salads for Your Kid’s Lunch Box
Easy Lunch Box Recipes
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Cottage Cheese and Yogurt Parfaits
These cottage cheese and yogurt parfaits from Simple Bites are a great take-along lunch because you can seal it up tight in a jar to eat at your leisure when the time is right.
Photo: Simple Bites
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Freezer Smoothies
One of my favorite ideas is to make smoothies ahead of time and store them in the freezer. By lunchtime, they’ll be soft enough to sip. They’ll help keep the other items in the lunch box cool. Food for My Family shares this awesome strawberry peach smoothie recipe.
Photo: Food for My Family
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Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Muffins
Another idea is to make these deliciously healthy whole wheat triple chocolate muffins from Good Life Eats and freezing them in little individual baggies. Grab one out of the freezer and place in a lunch box for a quick and easy treat for your kids.
Photo: Good Life Eats
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California Turkey Club Wraps
California turkey club wraps from Sarah's Cucina Bella have creamy avocado, crispy bacon, and turkey and swiss cheese all wrapped up in a soft tortilla. I love the idea of using a healthy whole wheat tortilla or flat bread. This is something that kids and adults would love to see in their lunch box!
Photo: Sarah's Cucina Bella
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Tuna Cheddar Lunch Box Bites
Tuna cheddar lunch box bites from Simple Bites couldn't be cuter! They are gluten-free mini quiches filled with cheese, tuna, and sweet onion. They are very freezer friendly and are easy to pop into a lunch box.
Photo: Simple Bites
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Pumpkin Pie Fruit Roll Ups
I love the idea of homemade Fruit Roll-Ups! As a kid, I would have LOVED (processed) Fruit Roll-Ups in my lunch, but my mom was always a little too healthy and frugal. As an adult, I can appreciate her ideals. Get the best of all worlds by making these pumpkin pie fruit roll-ups from Food for My Family.
Photo: Food for My Family
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Oven Fried Chicken
Make some of this mouth-watering oven fried chicken for dinner and save the leftovers for lunch boxes the next day. Baked by Bree gives all the instructions on how to make this crunchy corn-flaked battered chicken. Served hot or cold, it's sure to be a hit!
Photo: Baked by Bree
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Greek Pasta Salad
Greek summer pasta salad from Very Culinary is a perfect summer dinner, but why not make a batch and have it in lunches all week? Everybody will be happy to trade in their PB&J for this flavorful pasta salad!
Photo: Very Culinary
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Turkey Roll Ups
Kid friendly turkey roll-ups from Sugar Free Mom are simple for those kids that don't appreciate all the crazy adult flavors. Check out her cool easy lunch boxes that she packs everything in. I'm ordering one stat for my kids. They would absolutely love them!
Photo: Sugar-Free Mom
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Mamabars
Do you love Larabars because they are so natural and yet portable? Make your own! This recipe from Good Cheap Eats literally contains three ingredients. Love that!
Photo: Good cheap eats
