Easy School Lunch Ideas for All Ages

Who said homework is the most demanding part of the school year? Whether you’re a parent tasked with feeding a household of picky eaters, or a cash-strapped college student attempting to do it alone, there’s a lot of effort involved in daily lunch assembly. Midday meals need to be portable, storable, and relatively simple to cook or construct. But most importantly, packed lunches need to contain things that kids actually want to eat.

So what can parents make that’s both healthy and tasty, that their youngsters won’t end up bartering, or chucking into a bin? And what should students consider when it comes to crafting dishes that will see them through studying, classes, and exams? We’ve got a series of A+ ideas for school lunches, snacks for school, and easy college meals, sure to add serious spice to your back-to-school routine.

Skip the Slices With These Creative Lunches 

While they’ve long been lunchbox go-tos, there’s nothing less appealing than squished and soggy sandwiches. Who said you need to default to ham and cheese on white bread? Salads make delightful stand-ins, especially if you use grains or pasta instead of lettuce. Unlike lettuce, these grains won't wilt when combined with dressings and other fun additions. In fact, kids will flip over Penne Pasta Salad, tossed with bouncy, bite-sized mozzarella balls, and flavored with marjoram, rosemary, garlic and a little red pepper heat.

Or try this sunny Bean Salad that’s ready in just 15 minutes with pantry staples, livened up with crisp cukes and crumbled feta. (Yes, you’ll want to make extra for yourself.) 

You can even put your slow cooker to work overnight (note to college students, they're an ideal cooking vessel for your dorm), and have something hot and hearty to store in your thermos for the next day. We’re especially fond of this Chicken and Bean Chili — sure you can pack a spoon, but chips make scooping a lot more fun. (Check out our full collection slow cooker recipes for more easy recipes.) Another fun option for college students looking to spice up their meal prep is this Taco Potato Bowl, which you can customize with different toppings to keep it fresh.

However, if you are set on a sandwich-like main, we’ve got the ideal alternative: these easy, cheesy Pizza Pinwheels that use crescent dough for a simple, tasty swap.

Try These Easy Chicken Lunch Ideas That Practically Cook Themselves 

Besides having real "kid appeal," chicken is an ideal protein when it comes to brown bagging, especially if you’re looking to expand beyond cold cuts. It’s quick-cooking, versatile, inexpensive, and tastes great hot or cold. And if you’re hoping to avoid those greasy, preservative-laden nuggets at the cafeteria or dining hall, Air Fyer Chicken Tenders and Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Dipping Sauce are awesome alternatives. They can be enjoyed as is, teamed with a zesty dip, or sliced and folded into wraps.

What kind of wrap, you ask? Didn’t think we’d leave you hanging, did you? Crispy Chicken Caesar Wraps have all the flavor of your favorite salad, but the hand-held appeal of a sandwich, perfect for on-the-go meals. Use either of the above recipes, and tuck that crunchy poultry into a flour tortilla, along with romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and plenty of creamy dressing. For a different flavor option, add spicy buffalo sauce to any of the chicken tender recipes, or even the chicken Caesar wrap. 

Want to take meal-prep to the next level? College kids, we're talking to you! Check out our video below that’ll show you how to make easy chicken recipes. That's a week's worth of meals done in minutes!

One great place to start is by cooking a chicken (or buying a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store) and repurposing the meat into meals like tangy Chicken Salad. Fresh takes include giving it downhome BBQ flavor in Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, or adding a zingy twist with this southwest Chicken Salad featuring hot taco seasoning.

Pack Savvy Homemade Snacks

If you want to ensure your kids sidestep the vending machine, you’ll have to be pretty clever when it comes to selecting snacks. Warm cinnamon and ginger plus creamy yogurt do the trick in this Spiced Yogurt Dip for Fruit that makes the ideal companion to berries, apples or whatever fruit your child is currently craving.

Tacos are always a kid pleaser, but tacos aren’t the easiest items to pack in a lunchbox. Get your hands on some of our classic taco seasoning and whip up an addictive Taco Snack Mix that has all of the flavor without any of the mess! 

For something a little sweeter, whjp up a batch of Cinnamon Apple Rounds, then top the sweet-tart rings pair as you please. They pair perfectly with peanut butter and jelly — or chewy dried cranberries — but the sky is the limit. Try crowning them with tuna or chicken salad instead if you want a savory option! 

Score with Easy Homemade Sweets

What school lunch is complete without a treat? And no, we’re not talking candy. Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies feel like a warm hug from home and are made from all-natural ingredients that give them just the right amount of sweetness as a smart alternative to sugary pre-packaged treats.

If you really want to score points with your little scholar, you can be sure they won't be trading away these nuggets of Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough, a decadent cross between cookie dough and candy.

Finally, Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread can provide another (comparatively virtuous) sugar fix, and is a packable option that's perfect any time of the day.