15 Healthy Lunchbox Meals (and none of them are sandwiches)

What’s wrong with sandwiches?

Well……nothing!

My boy likes taking sandwiches and that’s okay. My daughter avoids gluten so we get a bit more creative with her lunches.

Here are some other things we like to put in the lunchbox!

♥ Leftovers

Most things you make for dinner can be easily turned into an awesome lunch. Cook extra meat and add it to a salad or just reheat dinner in a saucepan and place in a food thermos. Fill the thermos with boiling water first to heat it up.

♥ Zucchini slice

Zucchini slices or savoury slices are so quick and easy for kids to eat at lunch. Cut it into small squares and serve with salad veges in a container. Try my Gluten Free Zucchini Slice recipe.

♥ Cold chicken nuggets

Homemade chicken nuggets are so yummy cold! You could also try my chicken and cheese fritters recipe.

♥ Rice paper rolls

These are so refreshing on a hot summer’s day! Wrap in a damp clean cloth to keep them fresh. Check out some recipes here. I use Pandaroo brand as it doesn’t tear as easily as the other brands.

♥ Sushi

Homemade is better as store-bought can contain lots of additives. The rice is easy to make in the thermomix if you have one!

♥ Bircher Muesli

Yes, we eat this for lunch! Yum. Soak some organic oats and dried fruit overnight with your choice of milk (we like coconut milk). The next day, add chopped nuts, seeds and fresh fruit. We also like taking chia porridge.

♥ Blueberry Breakfast Slice

This is perfect for kids who aren’t that fond of savoury lunches. Add a container of yoghurt for dipping. Find the recipe here.

♥ Dip and veggie sticks

Add some of my easy seed crackers if you like.  Check out this dip recipe my kids are crazy about.

♥ Salads 

Pretty much anything can go into a salad to make veges more interesting for kids! Use a good quality protein like hard-boiled eggs, canned tuna or chicken breast. Leave the dressing on the side, so it’s not a soggy mess! Cut the salad veges into interesting shapes. Take a look at these recipes for inspiration.

♥ Pasta salad

My kids adore pasta salad! It’s just as simple as using leftover pasta shapes and diced veges like carrot, cucumber, capsicum and tomato. Add some cheese or protein if you like and a homemade dressing.

♥ Meatballs

Make extra next time you cook and freeze them. Pop into the lunchbox with a dipping sauce, cubes of cheese, cherry tomatoes and salad. Try these meatball recipes for inspo.

♥ Lettuce rollups

Put a selection of grated vegetables, cheese and meat in the middle of a large lettuce leaf and roll up tightly like a spring roll. Serve with a dipping sauce.

♥ Pizza or pizza scrolls

What kid doesn’t like pizza? Make extra and freeze in single portions. Try this recipe of mine, using the easiest pizza base recipe ever! Just avoid toppings with additives like ham and processed meats. Use organic tomato paste, fresh vegetables, chicken, egg, seafood, roast lamb or beef or even fresh pineapple!

♥ Cheese and Spinach Rice Cakes

Part quiche, part muffin, my savoury rice cakes are so delicious and a brilliant way to add extra vegetables. Find the recipe here.

♥ Sticky Chicken Legs

You can also make these with wings but they are a bit more tricky for busy kids to eat. Mix up some honey, tamari, garlic and ginger and marinate some organic chicken legs. Bake in a medium oven for about 20 mins until done. Cool down. Serve with salad.

I would love to hear some of your lunchbox ideas or link me up with your favourite recipes!

You might also like to read:

Six Healthy Biscuits for Lunchboxes

30 Super Healthy Lunch Box Snacks