Back To School Lunch Ideas

Summer is coming to an end and, for those of us with kids, that means planning school lunches. The best recipes for filling lunchboxes are quick, easy, and most importantly, something kids will look forward to eating.

Each of these back to school lunch ideas can be prepared the night before so you don't risk running late.

1. Loaded Baked Potato Salad

This cool and creamy potato salad will keep your kiddos full until dinner time. They will love enjoying all of their favorite potato toppings in an easy-to-eat salad.

For a heartier meal, mix in some bacon or shredded chicken! Toss an icepack in their lunch boxes and it will keep fresh until they get to the cafeteria.

2. Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Using rotisserie chicken for this chicken salad cuts back the effort and prep time significantly! You can easily make this recipe 1 or 2 days in advance.

For hungry kiddos, pack some bread or crescent rolls so they can build their own chicken salad sandwich. See all my rotisserie chicken recipes for more easy leftover makeover meals!

3. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Hawaiian macaroni salad is a fun and fruity version of your classic pasta salad. Kids love the pineapple flavor.

This is one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. So go ahead and make it over the weekend for lunch on Monday.

4. Tuna Salad with Pasta

This tuna pasta salad is fairly healthy and has all your essential food groups mixed right in. Kids won't mind eating celery, peas, and red onions when it is mixed into this creamy and satisfying pasta dish.

5. Fresh Fruit Salad

This simple fresh fruit salad features a homemade honey citrus sauce that will have kids licking their fingers. I leave out the bananas when packing this to-go, but there's such a variety of fruit in this salad that they won't be missed.

To add a little protein, send some almonds or mixed nuts to snack on with their fruit at lunch.

6. Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs aren't just an appetizer, they make a fabulous lunch, too. It's a classic finger food that will keep your kids full until the school bell rings.

A side of chips, veggies, or fresh berries to turn them into a full meal.

7. Egg Salad

There are a lot of chilled salads on this list, but that's because they make the perfect school lunch. This egg salad is so easy to make and you can even add custom mix-ins to dress it up.

Serve it with crackers, toast, or crescent rolls for a quick and tasty lunch.

8. Greek Pasta Salad

This Greek pasta salad has no shortage of flavor! The combination of bowtie pasta, kalamata olives, red onion, cherry tomatoes, artichokes, and Greek dressing is not only nutritious but delicious.

This salad is tasty at room temperature, so no ice pack is no problem.

9. Pinwheel Sandwiches

Pinwheels are sandwiches with the ease of finger food. They keep great in the fridge or a lunchbox, and there are so many fun and tasty varieties to try.

10. Sweet Potato Sushi

Sweet potato sushi is such a fun and unique back to school lunch idea.This vegetarian sushi takes a little time to prepare but it is well worth the look on your child's face when they open their lunchbox.

It's sweet, salty, and totally delicious. For a classic sushi experience, throw in a pair of chopsticks for older students!

11. Wedge Salad

A wedge salad is a super easy back to school lunch idea for kids that like their veggies. Serve the dressing on the side to keep it from getting soggy.

You can easily add your child's favorite salad toppings to customize it to their liking.

12. Apple Oatmeal Muffins

A batch of apple oatmeal muffins can make a quick and tasty lunch for the whole family. They are easy to transport and even easier to eat (and they are healthy, too).

Reusable muffin liners make clean up and packing lunchboxes extra easy. A side of fruit or veggies will round out this lunch nicely.

13. BLT Sandwich

This classic BLT sandwich layers crisp bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomato on soft sandwich bread with a swipe of mayo. To keep the bread from getting soggy, I like to send the sliced tomatoes in a zip-top bag on the side.

14. Breakfast Sandwich

This homemade breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and your choice of bacon, sausage, or Canadian bacon is always a hit. Pack it warm in foil or serve it cold for a satisfying, high-protein lunch on busy school days.

Use the usual English muffins - or try delicious bagels, homemade Bisquick biscuits, or buttery croissants based on what's in the house.

15. Chicken Noodle Soup

This homemade chicken noodle soup is loaded with tender chicken, fresh veggies, and egg noodles in a rich, savory broth. Pack it in a thermos to keep warm and pair it with Saltines or oyster crackers for a comforting lunch kids love.

16. Crockpot Applesauce

Crockpot applesauce is naturally sweet, packed with real fruit, and easy to make in big batches. Spoon it into reusable containers for a healthy, kid-approved lunchbox treat.

17. Sausage Cream Cheese Biscuit Bites

These biscuit bites have a fluffy buttermilk biscuit crust filled with savory breakfast sausage and melty cheese. With just four ingredients, they’re an easy make-ahead option for school lunches or quick snacks on the go.

18. Hummus

A hummus bento box with naan bread or whole grain crackers and fresh veggies is a perfectly well-balanced meal. Tomatoes, broccoli, celery, carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, they all taste great dipped in homemade hummus.

19. Little Smokies Pigs in a Blanket

These little smokies pigs in a blanket are kid-sized, fun to eat, and freezer-friendly too. They’re great warm or at room temperature, so they hold up well in lunchboxes.

20. Pickle Roll-Ups

This easy sandwich meat pickle roll up can be customized for an easy finger food lunch. Mix-in flavorful additions with the cream cheese, swap out the cheese or lunchmeat, and pick your favorite dill or sweet pickles as the center.

Serve with apple slices and an individual peanut butter for a satisfying lunch everyone loves.

21. Crescent Dogs

Crescent dogs wrap juicy hot dogs in buttery crescent rolls for a filling lunch that's easy to prep in advance. Slice them into bite-sized pieces for younger kids or keep them whole for bigger appetites.

22. Roast Beef Sandwich

Tender slices of roast beef layered on toasted bread make this classic sandwich anything but boring. Add my horseradish mayo for bold flavor, or stick with regular mayo for a kid-friendly option that still hits the spot.

23. Homemade Lunchables

Instead of splurging on Lunchables, make your own at home bento box-style. A handful of crackers or pretzels, some squares of cheese and meat, and a side of carrot sticks, berries, or grapes is all it takes.

Don't forget to add a cookie for good measure!

24. Turkey and Cheddar Pickle Sub Sandwiches

Pickle sub sandwiches are the best back to school lunch idea for pickle lovers. Think of your favorite sub sandwich, but instead of bread you use slices of jumbo Dill pickle.

25. Deli Meat and Cheese Kabobs

If time is of the essence, whip up some simple meat and cheese kabobs. Grab some skewers, deli meat, cheese cubes, and fruit, and spear them all in an alternating order.

💭 How To Make The Best (and Easiest) School Lunches

• Cool shapes are more fun to eat. Cut peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (or similar) into fun shapes using large cookie cutters to make lunch more exciting, and it removes the crust for picky eaters.
• Thermoses and ice packs. Use a thermos for hot foods like soup, pasta, or leftovers to keep them warm until lunchtime. Use an ice pack to keep cold foods chilled. Try not to mix warm and cold foods on the same day.
• Prep ahead when you can. Boil eggs, portion snacks, or make sandwiches the night before to save time on busy mornings.
• Thaw-and-eat foods are always a win. Use freezer-friendly options like muffins, uncrustables, or pancakes that thaw by lunchtime.
• Add a personal touch. A small treat or note as a sweet surprise makes their day a little brighter. For the littles, I always added a single Hershey's Kiss and they looked forward to it every day.

Your kids will be bragging about the fun back to school lunch ideas their parents come up with. Let me know what they think of their school lunches by leaving a comment below!

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