As a busy parent, you don’t always have the time to make an elaborate lunch for your kids daily. And let’s be honest, even if you had the time, they would probably just end up trading their most healthy and nourishing options for the unhealthy junk their friends bring from home.
So what’s a parent to do? Here are five quick and easy lunches your kids will love that you can easily make in the morning before school.
Peanut Butter and Banana Wrap
All you need for this quick and easy lunch is a whole wheat tortilla, some peanut butter, and a banana. Simply spread the peanut butter on the tortilla, add sliced bananas (or any other fruit your kids like), and then roll it up. Add some honey or chocolate chips to the mix if you’re feeling extra ambitious. Yum!
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
For a reason, this one is a classic—it’s delicious, and kids always seem to love it. Add some deli turkey slices and cheese to whole wheat bread, pop it in the fridge until lunchtime, and voila! You’ve got a healthy and filling meal that will power your child through the afternoon.
DIY Pizza
Another lunchbox favorite is pizza, but you don’t want to send your kids off to school with greasy slices from the delivery place down the street. So instead, make your mini pizzas at home with English muffins, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and whatever toppings your kids like (pepperoni, sausage, veggies, etc.).
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and then top each English muffin half with sauce and cheese. Add any desired toppings and then bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool slightly before packing in lunchboxes.
Chicken Salad Pitas
Chicken salad is an excellent option for lunch because it’s both healthy and filling. To make things even easier, you can cook chicken breasts in big batches on weekends, so they’re ready to go during the week.
When it’s time to make lunch in the morning, chop up some chicken breast meat into small pieces, add mayo (or Greek yogurt), diced celery, grapes (halved), salt & pepper to taste, and mix everything. Spoon into pita halves (we like whole wheat pitas), and voila! A yummy chicken salad pita is born.
Vegan Lunch Options
If you have a child with food allergies or who is vegan, never fear! There are plenty of delicious and nutritious lunch options for them as well.
Veggie Hummus Wraps
This lunch idea is perfect for those days when you just can’t seem to get anything together in the morning but still want to send your kids off with something healthy. All you need are whole wheat tortillas (or lavash bread), store-bought hummus (check labels carefully—some brands sneak in unhealthy ingredients), shredded carrots, cucumber slices, or baby kale leaves.
Simply spread some hummus on each tortilla/lavash piece, add shredded carrots & cucumber slices or baby kale leaves down the center, roll/fold up tightly, slice in half if using lavash bread—and that’s it! An easy peasy veggie wrap that’s full of nutrients is ready to go.
Black Bean Brownies
Yes, you read that right—black bean brownies for lunch! These delicious and nutritious brownies are made with black beans, dates, cocoa powder, almond butter, and a few other simple ingredients.
They’re super easy to make (throw everything in a food processor and blend until smooth), and kids love them because they taste like regular brownies. But the best part is that they’re packed with protein and fiber, so they’ll give your kids the energy they need to power through the afternoon.
Vegan Asian Rice Salad
This tasty and filling salad is made with brown rice, edamame, carrots, red bell peppers, scallions, cilantro, and a simple Asian-inspired dressing.
It’s perfect for lunch because it can be made ahead of time and served cold or at room temperature. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients like protein, fiber, and healthy carbs that will help your kids stay focused and energized all afternoon long.
Vegan Quinoa Burrito Bowls
These burrito bowls are a fun and easy way to pack a healthy vegan lunch. Simply cook some quinoa, add black beans, corn, diced avocado, chopped tomatoes, and whatever other toppings your kids like (lettuce, cheese, sour cream, etc.), and then pack it all into a reusable container.
These burrito bowls are filling and full of fiber and protein, which will help keep your kids’ tummies satisfied until dinner time.
Conclusion
It can be difficult for parents to know what makes a fantastic lunch, especially if their children have different ideas. Getting your kids to eat healthy food can be a battle, but with these delicious recipes, they’ll be asking for seconds.
With these five simple recipes in your lunchbox repertoire, you’ll never have to worry about what to pack your kids for lunch again (at least not until they start requesting money for school lunches). These quick and easy lunches are all delicious AND nutritious—a win-win for busy parents everywhere! If you’re hungry for some more fabulous recipes and kitchen hacks, check out The Kitchen Community !
