These 30 Healthy Back-to-School Lunch Recipes will help make packing school lunches a breeze!
Does the thought of packing back-to-school lunches send you into panic mode? Our kids go back to school next week, and even though they now pack their own lunches (as they have for several years now!), I still want to make sure they've got a good variety of healthy options for their main bites and snacks.
This post on fun ideas for easy back-to-school lunches is a good place to start. And then here are some recipes to keep on hand for healthy back-to-school lunches!
30 Healthy Back-to-School Lunch Recipes
Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but I believe a hearty, healthy lunch helps everyone have a great day! I know that what I eat mid-day can often make or break the rest of the day; lunch can either boost my brain power and keep my energy up for the rest of the afternoon, or it can zap my mental, emotional, and physical energy and wipe me out. Lunch choices are super important!
I've compiled a list of 30 healthy lunch recipes from some of my fellow food blogger friends. You might notice a few faves that I am sharing from my recipe archives on Urban Bliss Life as well. There are 15 main bites recipes, and 15 snack recipes.
Enjoy!
Main Bites
Whether you are looking for sandwiches, salads, soups, or other main bites, lunch recipes need to be easy, fast, and portable. Here's a list of links to some meat recipes and some vegetarian and vegan recipes that will surely find a happy home in your family's lunchboxes!
Main Lunch Bites: Meat
Instant Pot Egg Bites with Spinach and Prosciutto by Savory Tooth
Chicken Veggie Wraps by Easy Baby Meals
Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich by Urban Bliss Life
Cheese & Turkey Kabobs by Yummy Healthy Easy
Creamy Turkey Pinwheels by Yummy Healthy Easy
Chicken & Hummus Plate Lunch Meal Prep by Project Meal Plan
Main Lunch Bites: Seafood
Canned Tuna Sushi for Kids by Eating Richly
Salmon and Veggie Balls by Kid Ingredients
Main Lunch Bites: Vegetarian/Vegan
Veggie Egg Cups by Recipes from a Pantry
Cheese Pizza Bites by Kristine's Kitchen Blog
Vegetarian Quesadilla with Broccoli & Corn by The Belly Rules the Mind
Black Bean and Cheese Burrito by The Anthony Kitchen
Vegan Tuna Salad by Veggies Save the Day
Rainbow Tortilla Pinwheels by Side of Sweet
Pita Pockets with Roasted Veggies and Hummus by Happy Kitchen.Rocks.
Healthy Snacks
After a healthy main dish, it's nice to have a little treat. These snack recipes are portable, kid-friendly snacks that are homemade and full of healthy ingredients, so you don't have to feel too bad about adding them to the lunchbox!
Snacks: Muffins & Crackers
Apple Cinnamon Muffins (with carrots & zucchini!) by Urban Bliss Life
Dairy-Free Lemon Blueberry Muffins by Urban Bliss Life
Homemade Goldfish Crackers by The Belly Rules the Mind
Snacks: Bars
Cranberry Almond Homeade Granola Bars by Joyful Healthy Eats
Chocolate Quinoa Bars by Veggie Desserts
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares by Hungry Healthy Happy
Snacks: Energy Bites/Protein Bites
Healthy Banana Bread Bites by Lemons and Zest
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Coconut Energy Bites by Joy Life Food
Cranberry Chip Power Balls by Garlic and Zest
3-Ingredient Chocolate Bliss Balls by Salt and Lavender
Chocolate Peanut Energy Bites by Urban Bliss Life
Snacks: Chocolate and Fruit
Chocolate Peanut Butter RollUps by Natalie's Health
Healthy Applesauce and Spinach Brownies by Food Meanderings
Homemade Fruit Leather by My Kitchen Love
Many thanks to all of the food bloggers who contributed their recipes to this round-up of 30 Healthy Back-to-School Lunch Recipes!
Which of these recipes do you think will make it into YOUR lunchbox (or your kid's!) this year?
PIN IT:
More Recipe Round-Up Bliss
20 Best Fall Soups to Keep You Warm
Best BBQ, Picnic, and Summer Grilling Recipes
Top Meal Planning Tips & Recipes to Get You Started
Carie says
Not sure I can get my picky eater to eat some of these but I will try. I'm always on the hunt for more healthy recipes - thanks!
Andy Bishop says
Thanks for sharing this! I'll be going through the list. Hopefully, they turn out well. Wish me luck!
Georgia Bolton says
This seems like a top notch roundup whether or not you have children or are simply looking to spruce up your own packed lunches. I recognize that each one the options look healthful and easy too!
Kelly Anthony says
All of these look so healthy and delicious! Absolutely perfect for back-to-school lunches. And, thank you so much for featuring one of my recipes in your beautiful roundup! Love it :)
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Of course! It looks delicious! :) Thanks, Kelly! :)
Jade Helm / Tasting Pour says
I have a big boy (okay it is my Handsome Hubby) who has started taking a lunch twice a week. It is a lot of work but I don't want him eating unhealthy fast food. Thanks for the great ideas.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
LOL! These are such great alternatives to fast food! I hope he likes them! :)
Breona Graper says
Holy Cranberry Almond Homeade Granola Bars!!! Those look so amazing as do the Banana Peanutbutter rollups and pretty much everything on this list. What a great resource for back to school ideas. Thank you for sharing!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Right? I'm excited to try all of these! Thank you, Breona!
Jenni LeBaron says
This looks like a fantastic roundup whether you have kids or are just looking to spruce up your own packed lunches. I appreciate that all the options look healthy and easy too!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I agree! I'm definitely making some of these for myself as well! :)
Catherine @ To & Fro Fam says
So answer honestly: How is it that you read my mind? My girls started school today so my brain is trying to figure out how to feed them... and then you go and post this. Thank you!!!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It's just a gift! LOL So glad you found this helpful! Thank you, Catherine!
Hawnuh Lee says
This is such a good list! I'm not currently in school but these look so easy to pack for on the go. Definitely eyeing those peanut butter rollups :D
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
They're perfect for on-the-go lunches! Thanks, Hawnuh!
Suzy says
What great ideas for back-to-school! Saving this post for later.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Yay! Glad you liked the post! :)
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
When it comes to making school lunches, having a solid plan if half the battle! There is a lot of great inspiration for keeping things interesting, too!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Having a plan is always a good idea! Thanks, Renee! :)
Cindy Gordon says
LOVING all these ideas! Thank you for sharing it gives me many options for my kid's lunches!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Glad you enjoyed the post, Cindy! :)
Danielle says
Sushi is always a good option, as you can sneak some extra veggies in there.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Right? They'll never know ;)
Jessica Formicola says
I love all of these recipes! So perfect for back-to-school!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Agreed! I love quick and healthy lunches!