14 School Lunches They Might Actually Eat

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If you go through the frustrating process of unpacking lunchboxes after school that are still filled with food that’s been sitting around all day, try mixing things up a bit. Get away from the same ol’, same ol’, and try one of these fourteen recipes for lunches they might actually eat… maybe.

1. Air Fryer Tuna Melt

A closeup of a half of an air fryer tuna melt sandwich on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This recipe for an Air Fryer Tuna Melt is so simple and takes just minutes to cook. It’s also lower in fat thanks to the use of an air fryer.

2. Bacon And Egg Wrap

A bacon and egg wrap cut in half an laying on a piece of white parchment paper.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

These make-ahead breakfast wraps make a terrific lunch as well. Pack them with a cold pack and cut them small enough to fit any container. Kids enjoy having breakfast for lunch.

3. Lunchbox Muffins

Several Lunchbox Muffins gathered together on a wood surface.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Lunchbox Muffins are a great option for kids who prefer something sweet. You can feel good about giving these to them, and they pair well with other snacky types of items, such as carrot sticks and ranch or pieces of fruit.

4. Banana Wrap

A cut banana wrap sits on a white background. You can see the layers of the whole grain wrap, nut butter and the bananas.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

A Banana Wrap is quick and easy to make, and the kids always love them. If you have a peanut-free school, use sun butter or seed butter instead. Either way, kids love these. You can even cut them to look like sushi.

5. Lunch Box Burritos

A burrito in a bento container next to a second container of green grapes.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Refried beans, rice, and tortillas come together for a simple and filling school lunch. You can even make a batch of these lunch box burritos and freeze them for busy mornings. 

6. Cheese Kabobs

A metal bento box filled with cheese kabobs.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Cheese kabobs are an easy-to-prep lunch idea that the kids will love. Cube your cheese and cut or slice peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, or zucchini and skewer them on a popsicle stick. 

7. Tuna Pinwheels

Tuna Pinwheels in a bento container.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Tuna pinwheels are a quick, easy, and protein-packed lunch that is perfect for school lunch. Water-packed tuna and mayo mixed together and spread over a tortilla will have lunch ready in minutes. 

8. Homemade Uncrustables

A closeup of an uncrustable sandwich in a sandwich box.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Homemade Uncrustables are so much healthier and less expensive than store-bought ones. You can get really creative with the different fillings, and some of them can even be frozen for later. 

9. Ranch Chicken Wraps 

The finished Ranch Chicken Wraps Recipe. The wrap is stacked and sitting on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Ranch chicken wraps are a quick and easy lunch filled with protein, crunchy lettuce, and ranch dressing. You can use grilled, rotisserie, or air-fried chicken for this yummy wrap! 

10. Quinoa Muffins

A bento tray with fruits, veggies and some quinoa muffins.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Easy-to-make quinoa muffins are perfect for packing in lunchboxes for school this year. These are filling, delicious, and perfect for a nutritious lunch! 

11. BLT Wraps

A finished BLT Wrap laying stacked on a piece of parchment.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

The classic flavors of bacon, lettuce, and tomato but in a wrap instead of on bread. BLT wraps hold up well and won’t be a soggy mess by lunchtime! 

12. Chicken Poppers

A bento box filled with chicken poppers.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Delicious chicken meatballs that are packed with yummy protein to keep tummies full through the school day. Serve with a side of their favorite dipping sauce! 

13. Mac & Cheese Bites

A white cutting board holds a pile of mac and cheese bites with a small white bowl of ketchup.
Photo Credit: DronG/Shutterstock.

What kid doesn’t love mac and cheese? Surprise them with some tasty mac and cheese cups with dipping sauce in their lunchbox! 

14. Hummus

Horizontal overhead view looking down into a bowl filled with Black Eyed Pea Hummus.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Homemade hummus is healthier than store-bought, and it’s perfect for dipping fresh veggies or homemade chips in. You can also spread it on crackers or tortillas for a tasty, quick lunch.

Prefer Sandwiches? Try One Of These

A closeup of a Carolina Gold BBQ Chicken sandwich topped with creamy coleslaw on a whole grain bun.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you prefer sandwiches to wraps, I’ve gotcha covered there, too. Here’s a fabulous collection of sandwich recipes that taste amazing and might actually be good for you, too.

Need Dinner Ideas Too?

A dutch oven with a cooked whole chicken topped with rosemary twigs.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Sick of the same ol’ chicken for dinner… again? Here are 101 new ways to level up your dinner game tonight.

Healthy Ground Turkey Dinner Ideas That Actually Taste Good

A skillet filled with ground turkey, chopped tomatoes, chopped avocado and garnished with fresh parsley.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Lean ground turkey is a great replacement for ground beef if you are working on your health. Here, we give you 17 Meals with ground turkey that are surprisingly good for you.

This originally appeared on The Gracious Pantry.

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