Pleasing kids at lunchtime can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you’re looking for nutritious and wholesome options that aren’t packaged treats and junk food. If you want to find healthy kids lunch ideas your kids will actually eat, you’ll need to find recipes that win points with the little ones. Think pizza rolls filled with veggies and cauliflower mac and cheese instead of your typical typical ham sandwich. To help give you some inspiration, here are 51 great healthy kids lunch recipes your little ones won’t be able to resist.
1. Fresh Fruit Salad
Packed with pineapple, grapes, honeydew, and strawberries, this fruit salad is a surefire win. Your kids will devour this sweet and tasty treat each time they find it in their lunch boxes.
2. Sweet Safari Box
This fun box is filled with pineapple bites covered in chocolate and decorated to look like monkeys, along with banana pieces dipped in a combo of semisweet chocolate and white chocolate. Your kiddos will be delighted to see these fun monkey faces at lunchtime.
3. Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
These muffins are more wholesome than they appear. They’re packed with banana, eggs, peanut butter, and buckwheat flour for a delicious and tasty treat that’s packed with nutrition.
4. Sushi Sandwich with Turkey and Cheese
Your little ones will get a kick out of these “sushi” rolls. They’re actually spinach wraps filled with turkey and cut up carrots. Fun!
These pinwheels are packed full of wholesome veggies, including peppers, carrots, spinach, and cabbage. It’s all topped off with a delectable ranch dressing that will make your kids come back for more.
This fun treat couldn’t be simpler, and it’s sure to be a kid favorite. Just slice up some apples and top with peanut butter and jelly, just like you would with a regular PB&J sandwich.
Getting your kids to try cauliflower is easier than you think with these cauliflower bites. For added fun, mozzarella cheese is melted in the middle for a delicious surprise.
8. Chicken and Avocado Roll-ups
Loaded with grilled chicken, tomatoes, avocados, and sour cream, these roll-ups are packed full of flavor and nutrition. Kids are sure to gobble up these tasty wraps as a part of a healthy lunch.
9. Pesto Chicken Veggie Meatballs
Packed with chicken breast, bell pepper, carrot, zucchini, pesto, and bread crumbs, these meatballs are tasty and delicious. They’re also loaded with nutrition for hungry kiddos.
10. Banana Dog Bites
Perfect for a side dish in a lunchbox or for healthy kids lunch ideas at home, these tiny bites are just right for hungry kids. They’re made with peanut butter, banana, and whole-wheat tortillas.
These chicken quesadillas are a kid favorite. They’re filled with cheese and chicken, along with a delicious homemade sauce that makes them simply irresistible.
12. Monster Cookie Energy Balls
These energy balls are packed with wholesome goodies like oats and peanut butter, plus tasty extras like mini M&M’s. They’re just the right amount of sweet that’s perfect for little ones, but they’re also healthy for them.
This delicious and quick vegetable pasta salad recipe is loaded with mixed frozen vegetables and corn. A delectable mix of olive oil, honey, mixed herbs, and French mustard makes it all super tasty for your little ones.
14. Egg Muffins
Easy to make, low carb, and packed with your favorite veggies and toppings, these egg muffin cups from WellPlated.com are easy to make ahead, store in the freezer and reheat. Plus, they’re easy to customize with your own add ins.
15. Triple Berry Overnight Oats
Perfect for storing in a thermos, these overnight oats are easy to make and are full of nutrients and fiber. Berries provide plenty of antioxidants, while almond milk lends a protein punch.
16. Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Looking for a healthier chicken nugget recipe? Made with tapioca starch breading, they’re gluten-free and paleo and can easily be made ahead and warmed up in the morning before school or when it’s time for lunch at home.
This broccoli pesto recipe is made with broccoli pureed right into the pesto sauce itself for an extra boost of nutrition. It’s packed with vitamins C and A, as well as iron, calcium, and potassium.
18. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
This creamy dish satisfies the craving for mac and cheese without the pasta. Instead, it’s packed with wholesome cauliflower, making it a perfect healthy lunch idea for kids.
19. Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
This is the ultimate make-ahead meal for your kiddo’s lunch. Packed with spinach and tomato sauce, it’s high in veggies and cooks up in 30 minutes or less.
How can you make broccoli appealing to little ones? Turn it into a tot, of course! This recipe uses broccoli puree to create perfect crispy tots that are great for dipping in ketchup or ranch dressing.
21. Puff Pastry Strudel with Vegetables and Cheese
This puff pastry strudel is loaded with cheese and vegetables, including broccoli, red bell pepper, and mushrooms. Serve it with a dipping sauce or a small salad.
22. Sandwich Kabobs
Elevate the simple sandwich by turning it into a kabob for a fun and healthy lunch idea for kids. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut up the bread and cheese and layer with turkey, lettuce, and grape tomatoes.
Made with just four ingredients, these pinwheels couldn’t be easier to make. Frozen puff pastry, Dijon mustard, deli ham, and grated gruyere all come together for a fun pinwheel that the kids will just gobble right up.
Whole wheat spaghetti, red bell pepper, cabbage, green onions, cilantro, carrots, and cashews are mixed together in this delectable noodle salad. It’s topped with an Asian-style sauce that’s packed with flavor.
24. Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars
These healthy granola bars are made with just five ingredients and feature a fun, crunchy texture. Dates, maple syrup, creamy peanut butter, roasted unsalted almonds, and rolled oats all compliment each other perfectly.
25. Vegan Pizza Rolls with Spinach and Cheese
These vegan pizza rolls are packed with nutrient-dense spinach, garlic, tofu, and nutritional yeast. Yet, they’re so “cheesy,” you’ll fool your kiddos into thinking they’re made with real dairy.
26. Easy Healthy Banana Oat Waffles
Made with bananas and oats, these waffles make a delicious healthy lunch idea for kids. They’ll be thrilled with the idea of having tasty breakfast food at lunchtime!
27. Summer Quinoa Salad Recipe
Quinoa is a powerhouse food, packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients. This salad makes the most of this superfood, pairing it with bell pepper, cilantro, lime, almonds, carrots, and cranberries.
Chicken Waldorf Salad is a great way to get kids to eat more protein. It’s loaded with chicken breast, apple, grapes, celery, mayonnaise, and Greek yogurt.
With carrots, whole wheat flour, and oats, these carrot cake muffins are a healthy addition to any lunchbox or an extra healthy treat during lunchtime at home. Plus, they take only 25 minutes to make and are easy to make ahead of time and freeze.
This recipe is not only quick and easy, but it’s also completely kid friendly. Cooked chicken, Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and Caesar salad dressing are wrapped in a flour tortilla for a delectable, healthy lunch that kids will love.
31. Kid Friendly Homemade Hummus without Tahini
Sometimes, kids aren’t a fan of the ingredient tahini that’s often present in hummus. This recipe omits it, creating a creamy, mild-flavored hummus that kids won’t be able to resist.
32. Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Classic and comforting, there’s nothing more kid-friendly than chicken noodle soup. It’s also high in veggies, including carrots and celery, that kids won’t even notice.
33. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe
This tuna salad is made with mayonnaise, celery, red onion, sweet pickle relish, lemon juice, and garlic. Serve it on lettuce or in between slices of your kid’s favorite kind of bread for a healthy lunch that’s packed with protein.
Sweet potatoes are more nutritious than regular white potatoes, packing in more vitamin A and C. This recipe bakes them up into chips that are flavorful,crispy, and a perfect side dish to serve with other healthy lunch ideas for kids.
These sweet and sour meatballs are cooked in the slow cooker with a two-ingredient sauce. You can even make them ahead of time, freeze, and warm them on the stovetop when needed.
36. Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
This dip is made without cream cheese for a lightened-up version of your kid’s favorite dip. Serve with carrots or celery to up your kiddos intake of veggies for the day.
37. Simple Caprese Salad Skewers
Do your kids love tomatoes and cheese? They’ll adore these fun skewers made with mozzarella cheese balls, cherry tomatoes, and balsamic glaze.
38. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Made with cucumbers, kalamata olives, red onion, feta cheese, and quinoa, this salad is high in protein and full of tasty Mediterranean flavors. It’s also a kid-favorite thanks to its sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
What kid doesn’t love bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches? This salad turns the classic sandwich into a lightened-up salad that’s a tasty lunch idea for kids and adults alike.
40. Deviled Eggs
Made with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard, these deviled eggs are a healthier version of the classic recipe. Plus, they taste just as good to kids who love the fluffy, flavorful little bites.
41. Extra Vegetable Fried Rice
If your kids gobble up the fried rice from your local Asian restaurant, they won’t even notice all the extra veggies packed into this version. They’ll be too busy enjoying the caramelized brown rice and yummy soy sauce flavors.
42. Double Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
These muffins are sweet, lemony, and delicious, and they’re deceivingly high in protein. Serve with yogurt for a quick and filling healthy lunch idea for kids.
43. Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
If you’re looking for healthy lunch ideas for kids on cooler days, nothing beats a warm and comforting bowl of soup, especially when packed in a thermos on a rainy day. This option is packed with broccoli and creamy cheddar cheese.
44. Pumpkin Spice Greek Yogurt Dip
Made with Greek yogurt, pure pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie slices, this dip is full of fall flavors and plenty of protein. Serve with graham crackers and apples for a healthy and wholesome lunch for the kids.
45. 7-Ingredient Veggie Sliders
With just seven ingredients, these veggie burgers are quick and easy to make. Plus, they’re packed with nutritional benefits and pass as regular burgers when topped with your favorite burger add-ons.
46. Easy Homemade Fruit Roll Ups
These homemade fruit rolls ups are a much healthier option than the pre-packaged variety. The only ingredients are fruit, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Plus, they’re easy to make with or without a dehydrator.
Don’t let these brownies fool you. Though they’re fudgy, chewy, and full of rich, chocolatey flavor, they’re also healthy. Packed with over three cups of shredded zucchini, they’re a great way to sneak in extra veggies into your kid’s diet. Serve it after another healthy lunch idea for kids for the extra appeal of delicious dessert.
48. Meatloaf Cupcakes With Mashed Potato
These little meatloaf cupcakes are irresistible to kids and offer a healthy dose of protein and fiber. Plus, they bake in just 20 minutes and can be made in advance.
49. Bacon Cheddar Quiche Recipe
Filled with crisp bacon, cheese, and spinach in a flaky pie crust, this quiche is a sure win with the kiddos. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead and serve on days when you don’t have a minute to spare.
50. Tasty Taco Cups
These taco cups are quick and easy handheld tacos for kids. They’re made with tortillas, filled with seasoned meat and topped with cheese, and then baked to perfection for a delicious healthy lunch idea for kids.
51. Baseball Breakfast Sandwich & Buffalo Chicken Football Sandwich
For the sports fan, these baseball and football themed sandwiches are super easy to make and equally delicious. Plus, these sandwiches are filled with healthy ingredients like avocado and egg in the baseball breakfast sandwich to chicken and yogurt to create the football sandwich. With the ability to season as desired, these are great for any meal!
Your little ones are sure to gobble up these wholesome and tasty lunch options whether you’re packing their lunchbox or serving it at home. Either way, these yummy recipes are a lot more nutritious than a typical sandwich paired with a bag of chips.
