As we breathe a collective sigh of relief that the kids are finally going back to school, we sigh again over the fact that we are now back to making school lunches.
It can be tricky trying to come up with new ideas to keep the kiddies happy and that doesn’t take you hours on end to prepare.
Here are a few of our favourite quick and easy lunch box snack ideas.
Muffins
The addition of a healthy muffin is always a winner. Not only do kids feel they are getting a special treat in their lunch box, you can pack them full of healthy ingredients.
We love these banana and apple muffins, as well as these strawberry and ricotta muffins and for a hidden veggies option you can’t go past these cheesy veggie muffins.
Homemade muesli bars
In general store-bought muesli bars are not a wise choice as they are often full of sugar. Or the ones that are slightly healthier are full of nuts which are banned from schools.
But if your kids love muesli bar, making your own homemade muesli bars can be a good option.
Popcorn
This is such an easy option. Buying a large packet and then popping them into smaller amounts each day is the most effective option.
Just make sure you stick to the ones that are light on added salt and butter.
Choc Apricot Bites
These Choc Apricot Bites feel like a nice treat in the lunchbox when in fact that are packed full of healthy yummy goodness.
Banana Bread
Store-bought banana bread can be packed full of calories but if you make your own you can opt for a much healthier alternative. We love this healthy banana bread recipe.
Veggie Sticks and Dip
Try and keep some variety here by alternating throughout the week with different veggies. Carrots, celery, cucumber capsicum and snow peas all make great dippers. A good healthy dip choice is either hummus or greek yoghurt.
Pikelets
You can add some variety to some simple pikelets by mixing up the toppings.
Berries
This is another nice and easy one. Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are always a hit with my kids as they have that sweetness that they crave. The one issue is the juice can make for a bit of messy eating.
Frittata Bites
These make a great snack as well as doubling as a quick and easy breakfast idea on those days you are rushing out the door. This one is our fave recipe but you can pick and choose what you put into it based on what your family likes.
Fruit Balls
Kids will love these as they feel like a sweet treat but are still a healthy alternative. Even I love these Coconut Caramel Bliss Balls and these Nut Free Protein Balls are a great allergy-friendly option.
Yoghurt
When choosing a yoghurt make sure you look for ones that are not too high in sugar. I find greek yoghurts are a pretty good option but some kids are not a fan of the taste. You will also need to consider an ice-brick in the lunchbox to ensure the yoghurt stays cool.
Mini Pizzas
These can be made up the night before using some English muffins, tomato paste and whatever toppings you have on hand.
Quesadillas
As an alternative to a sandwich, these yummy sweet potato quesadillas are a nice alternative.
