8 No-Heat Lunch Ideas for Kids
They’re getting sick of ham and cheese and the hot lunch line isn’t a great option either. You need a boost of creativity and we’ve got just that. Ahead, eight lunch ideas that are meant to be eaten cold, but don’t sacrifice on taste. (You may even be tempted to pack extra for yourself!)
Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches
Dress up plain ol’ deli meat by rolling it into white tortillas along with kale, Dijon mustard and mayonnaise. But pinwheels are totally customizable, so you can roll up whatever your kid prefers.
Mott’s Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad
If you’ve got an adventurous eater on your hands, try this modern take on a classic. This salad combines chicken with sweet dried cranberries and crisp celery stalks. Plus, it swaps the usual mayonnaise for Mott’s No Sugar Added Apple Applesauce, Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard, so it’s a bit healthier.
Get the Recipe
BLT Pasta Salad
All the crunchy, savory, creamy ingredients of a BLT except without the bread.
Veggie Sushi
If you have a tough time getting Charlie to eat his vegetables, we think this veggie sushi will do the trick. Use a thin cucumber slice to roll up sushi rice with carrots, avocado and scallions. Complete the meal with a little container of soy sauce for dipping.
Lunch Kebabs with Mortadella, Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This deconstructed recipe involves zero cook time and is super fun to eat. All you need to do is layer your child’s favorite deli meats, cheeses or vegetables between mini slices of bread. See? Easy.
Caprese Salad with Grilled Zucchini
Who knew a handful of simple, fresh ingredients could produce such a satisfying lunch? Well, we did, but that’s why we’re sharing our secret. Just make sure to cut the tomatoes and mozz into smaller pieces when you’re packing for your kiddo.
Rainbow Collard Wraps with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce
These rainbow collard wraps are great for any meat-free households and can be made up to two days in advance (read: two days of lunches you don’t need to prep for). The homemade peanut butter dipping sauce is our favorite part.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies
Lunch is never complete without a sweet treat, right? Sneak one of these guys into Claire’s lunchbox for a little midday surprise. We guarantee everyone at her lunch table will be begging for one…so make an extra batch.
