Easy vegan lunch ideas to add to kids' lunch boxes.
BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCHES FOR KIDS
Going back to school is a bit different this year and there are lots of things to think about.
We need our children to feel confident about going back to school, but once they are out the door there's not much we can do, it's up to them to get on with their day and cope with all the changes.One thing we can do is send them off with varied and exciting lunch boxes.
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I've included a kids tip for those plain or fussy eaters for each recipe.
These are so simple to make, let the kids help you make them at the weekend.
Change up the filling. Try them with baked beans and grated vegan cheddar.
For fussy eaters, mash the chickpeas and chop the vegetables very small.
Try these with your kids favourite fillings.
Top these pies with your kid's favourite pizza topping.
Why not let the kids roll the sausage rolls and cut them.
These can be made with just peas. Why not include a dip too?
Why not top these with your kids favourite crunchy salad.
To make these milder for children, skip the chilli powder.
Why not give them a small tub of ketchup or vegan mayo to dunk these in, but remember some wipes or kitchen paper for their fingers.
If you are adding these to sandwiches, wraps or pitta, flatten them before frying them.
Make smaller fritters for lunch boxes and serve with vegan mayo.
If your child prefers a simpler sandwich, just spread the sandwich with a thin layer of chickpea and carrot spread and skip the other toppings.
Spread your bread with dairy-free spread then add a thin layer of vegan tuna. If they like cucumber, add a few thin slices.
Slice the apple thinly and soak in either lemon or orange juice before making this sandwich to help prevent browning.
If your kids don't like lettuce and tomato, leave them out. Mash some avocado to spread on one slice of bread and add dairy-free spread to the other then sandwich with a single layer of tempeh.
For fussy eaters you can skip the red pepper or replace it with strips of crunchy raw red pepper.
If big pieces of avocado are likely to be off-putting for your child, try mashing the avocado and spreading it in a thinner layer.
Some kids might not like the taste of coriander in this hummus, so try adding parsley or basil instead. Also add thinly sliced or shredded vegetables that they like to this wrap.
If our child has a nut allergy, leave out the nuts. You can also skip the spinach or add less and it's still a super tasty wrap.
Leave out the chilli for kids and chop the veg small.
For fussy-eaters just add the bean spread and any grated veggies they do like. Carrot would work well.
Leave out any of the salad veggies your child doesn't like and you can add some orange juice to the dressing to make it sweeter.
If you can't find the pasta used in this recipe, look in the baby and toddler aisle of the supermarket for mini pasta shapes. It's made for toddlers, but great for older kids too and comes in fun shapes like stars.
For fussy eaters just choose the roast veggies they like or try adding sweetcorn and peas.
Leave out the tomatoes or corn if your child doesn't like them.
These protein balls are made with nut butter so avoid if your child has an allergy.
These also contain nuts. Some kids may prefer smooth energy balls, if that's the case in your house, just roll them in cocoa or cacao powder.
These should also be avoided if your child has a nut allergy.
These are also nut based.
These contain peanut butter so should be avoided by those with nut allergies
If your child doesn't like blueberries, you can make thee flapjacks plain.
You can skip the nuts in these snack bars.
These also contain nut butter.
If you can't find vegan white chocolate, you can top these with dark chocolate.
If you mix the chocolate chips when the mixture is hot you'll get a marbled chocolate effect. Let it cool if you want chocolate chips.
Scroll down for lunch ideas including sandwiches, wraps, pasta, pastry, salad and savoury bites.
10 LUNCH BOX TIPS
Here are a few tips to help you make great kids lunches that they will enjoy.
- Make up a grid of lunch ideas.
- Let them add ideas and choose from the grid. Make sure they are involved.
- Try to vary their lunch from day to day.
- Don't give them too much for lunch.
- Remember they are kids, don't give them adult size portions, it's daunting.
- Make lunch fun, buy some Bento lunch picks, you can use these to secure wraps or for kids to pick up small lunch items.
- Make them up a snack box.
- Find a bento box or Yumbox and fill it with lots of little snacks including fruit and veg.
- If you are adding something new for them to try, make sure there is something they love and are familiar with in there too.
- Remember you can include leftovers and shop-bought options too.
- Make sure all the containers you use have a tight fit, so there are no spills.
- Add a small tube or bottle of anti-bac hand gel to their lunch bag.
- Even if they wash their hands before lunch they will probably touch many things before eating their lunch.
- Add a paper napkin or kitchen paper so they can wipe their hands
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VEGAN LUNCH BOX IDEAS FOR KIDS
Scroll down for lunch box ideas and tips.
I've included a kids tip for those plain or fussy eaters for each recipe.PASTRY
Kids love a bit of pastry just as much as adults do.
Serve them with some crunchy veg and a dip.
Serve them with some crunchy veg and a dip.
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Simple lunch box pastries with a filling of vegan pesto and cheese.
These are so simple to make, let the kids help you make them at the weekend.Mini puff pastry parcels filled with flavoured cream cheese and spinach. Kids love these little pastry bites.
Change up the filling. Try them with baked beans and grated vegan cheddar.Hand pies are perfect for packed lunches. The crispy, golden pastry encases a delicious mixture of chickpeas and roast vegetables.
For fussy eaters, mash the chickpeas and chop the vegetables very small.These savoury puffs are a big hit with kids who like the savoury flavour and the sweetness from the sweetcorn.
If you can't find veggie haggis, you can chop vegan sausages finely.
Try these with your kids favourite fillings.If there is one pastry your kids will love, it's these wee pizza pies. My son asks for them all the time and they are so easy to make.
Top these pies with your kid's favourite pizza topping.These are deliciously moreish vegan sausage rolls made with a filling of chestnuts, mushrooms, red wine and herbs. The red wine can be replaced with vegan Worcestershire sauce or mushroom ketchup.
Why not let the kids roll the sausage rolls and cut them.SAVOURY BITES
Savoury bites are great in Bento boxes with other little bites.
Kids love this style of grazing at lunchtime. It's like a mini buffet. Such fun to eat.
Here are some ideas of what to serve with savoury bites in a bento type lunch:
- Plain pasta
- Chickpeas
- Crunchy veg sticks - cucumber, carrot, red & yellow pepper, mangetout, green beans
- Chunks of vegan cheese
- Pretzels
- Dried fruit
- Fruit
- Rice cakes, oatcakes or crackers
- Dip - hummus, cream cheese, peanut butter, mild sweet chilli sauce
- Seeds or nuts (if there is no allergy)
- Chocolate chips
- Rice
- Waffle sticks (sliced waffles)
- Flapjacks
- Plain popcorn
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Crispy green falafel made with peas and edamame beans in a blender or food processor.
These can be made with just peas. Why not include a dip too?These muffin tin sushi cups are super easy to make, so adorable and full of healthy goodness. Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Why not top these with your kids favourite crunchy salad.Horse gram and sweet potato patties are a great lunch box addition. You can relace the horse gram with other lentils.
To make these milder for children, skip the chilli powder.These tofu nuggets are crispy on the outside and soft inside. They are baked for a healthy snack that tastes like a treat.
Why not give them a small tub of ketchup or vegan mayo to dunk these in, but remember some wipes or kitchen paper for their fingers.These red falafel are super easy to make and just as tasty as falafel made with chickpeas. They are ideal as a savoury bite or served in a pitta or wrap with salad.
If you are adding these to sandwiches, wraps or pitta, flatten them before frying them.These vegan & gluten-free chickpea squash fritters are easy to make in less than 30 minutes.
Make smaller fritters for lunch boxes and serve with vegan mayo.SANDWICHES
Sandwiches are always popular in kids lunch boxes.
Vary them up with different types of bread, tortilla wraps, pitta bread, baguettes, sandwich rolls or bagels.
Here are some basic sandwich filling ideas:
- Vegan cream cheese and cucumber
- Vegan cream cheese & grated carrot
- Vegan cream cheese and slices of strawberry
- Grated vegan cheddar and tomato
- Grated vegan cheddar and pickle
- Vegan cheese savoury
- Hummus & grated carrot
- Hummus & cucumber
- Hummus & slices of cold cooked vegan sausages
- Peanut butter & jam
- Peanut butter & banana
- Peanut butter & chocolate spread
- Onion bhaji & cream cheese
- Onion bhaji & cucumber
- Falafel & hummus
- Falafel, grated carrot & hummus
- Dairy-free spread & jam
- Sage & onion deli slices and vegan cheese slices
- Vegan cheese slices and cucumber
- Vegan cheese slices and vegan pesto
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A lightly spiced chickpea and carrot sandwich filler whizzed up in seconds for a really satisfying lunchtime sandwich.
If your child prefers a simpler sandwich, just spread the sandwich with a thin layer of chickpea and carrot spread and skip the other toppings.2. Vegan Tuna (made with jackfruit)
This vegan tuna is great on sandwiches. It's made with jackfruit instead of chickpeas.
Spread your bread with dairy-free spread then add a thin layer of vegan tuna. If they like cucumber, add a few thin slices.This is a twist on a falafel sandwich with a sweet bite from apple.
Slice the apple thinly and soak in either lemon or orange juice before making this sandwich to help prevent browning.A vegan BLT made with tempeh that gives it that smoky kick and the nutty taste of creamy avocado.
If your kids don't like lettuce and tomato, leave them out. Mash some avocado to spread on one slice of bread and add dairy-free spread to the other then sandwich with a single layer of tempeh.WRAPS
Wraps make a good change from sandwiches and always seem much more fun.
You can cut them in half or cut them in slices for spirals.
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A satisfying savoury wrap that will fill you up at lunchtime. There's lots of flavour in these colourful wraps.
For fussy eaters you can skip the red pepper or replace it with strips of crunchy raw red pepper.This lentil avocado recipe for a vegan wrap is easy to make and the perfect healthy snack for lunch boxes.
If big pieces of avocado are likely to be off-putting for your child, try mashing the avocado and spreading it in a thinner layer.These wraps are filled with edamame hummus and shredded veggies for a super tasty lunch.
Some kids might not like the taste of coriander in this hummus, so try adding parsley or basil instead. Also add thinly sliced or shredded vegetables that they like to this wrap.A delicious vegan lunchtime wrap full of colourful veg and finished with a bit of crunch that makes this one of the best wraps around.
If our child has a nut allergy, leave out the nuts. You can also skip the spinach or add less and it's still a super tasty wrap.These flavourful mushroom and spinach wraps are filled with crunchy veggies and delish sauces. Tasty and nutritious.
Leave out the chilli for kids and chop the veg small.These yummy wraps are quick to prepare (ready in 10 minutes) and just melt in the mouth. Lots of flavour and crunch.
For fussy-eaters just add the bean spread and any grated veggies they do like. Carrot would work well.PASTA SALAD
Add pasta salad at least once a week to help vary your child's packed lunch. You can serve it plain with their favourite veggies and various sauces.
When making it remember only cook until al dente and rinse it until cold before adding the other ingredients for glossy pasta.
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A fresh summer pasta salad that sings with the flavours of Greece. This vegan recipe includes a zingy dressing
Leave out any of the salad veggies your child doesn't like and you can add some orange juice to the dressing to make it sweeter.2. Homemade Spaghetti Os (mini spaghetti hoops)
Kick the can and make this healthy recipe for the kids instead! Homemade Spaghetti O’s that are allergy-free, gluten-free, and vegan!
If you can't find the pasta used in this recipe, look in the baby and toddler aisle of the supermarket for mini pasta shapes. It's made for toddlers, but great for older kids too and comes in fun shapes like stars.Fun fusilli pasta, creamy vegan pesto, earthy chickpeas, and bright roasted vegetables, combine for a quick, easy, and colourful vegan pesto pasta salad.
For fussy eaters just choose the roast veggies they like or try adding sweetcorn and peas.A colourful summer pasta salad with the sweetness from the cherry tomatoes and sweetcorn and a tasty dressing. This one is popular with kids.
Leave out the tomatoes or corn if your child doesn't like them.SNACK BARS OR BALLS
Yes, you should make sure there are fruit and veg in your child's lunch box but do give them a small sweet treat too.
It will cheer them up at lunchtime and everyone loves to finish a meal with a little bit of something sweet.
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These chocolate chip cookie dough protein balls are the perfect snack or any time treat.
These protein balls are made with nut butter so avoid if your child has an allergy.The hint of pumpkin, spice and chocolate in these nutritious, no-cook, fun-sized snacks. They store well and kids love them.
These also contain nuts. Some kids may prefer smooth energy balls, if that's the case in your house, just roll them in cocoa or cacao powder.Naturally sweet and loaded with energy, these vegan chocolate peanut butter energy balls are delicious, healthy and perfect to add as a sweet treat to lunch boxes.
These should also be avoided if your child has a nut allergy.These no-bake energy balls are quick and easy to make and are full of the good stuff.
These are also nut based.
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These bars are very moreish with their mix of salt and sweet and the layer or dark chocolate on top. They are no-bake and delicious.
These contain peanut butter so should be avoided by those with nut allergiesThese golden chewy flapjacks will give you slow-release energy thanks to the oats and have little pockets of fresh blueberries.
If your child doesn't like blueberries, you can make thee flapjacks plain.These childhood favourites are still popular with kids today and so easy to make for lunchboxes.
You can skip the nuts in these snack bars.An easy no bake chocolate tiffin made with peanut butter and cornflakes.
These also contain nut butter.These carrot cake protein bars are a tasty homemade snack and they are no-bake too.
If you can't find vegan white chocolate, you can top these with dark chocolate.Soft and chewy Scottish Flapjacks made with oats, maple syrup, grated carrot and banana. For a treat add some dark chocolate chips.
If you mix the chocolate chips when the mixture is hot you'll get a marbled chocolate effect. Let it cool if you want chocolate chips.
For more inspiration check out 101 Vegan Sandwiches - Back to School Kids Lunch boxes.
Two Healthy Kitchens says
This is such a great post! Not only because there are LOADS of wonderful recipes ideas, but also because you gave such fantastic little tips all throughout. Lots of fun ways to make lunchtime a little special, a little exciting in their day ... and also so much healthier, too! Yay! 🙂
Jovita says
I absolutely LOVE all these ideas! Our family is not vegan but we try to minimize animal products as much as we can so this list will definitely come in handy!
Unknown says
Than you for so many wonderful ideas! I struggle with making my daughter's lunches more interesting, I don't think I will now!!
Beth says
Yummy! These are great ideas and healthy! My kids are going to love these!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Yes lots of ideas to choose from.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh excellent. I hope they are enjoying being back at school and enjoy some of these ideas.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Well there's definitely lots to choose from here. No need to run out if udeas.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Thanks for such a fantastic comnent. I hope it gives lots of inspiration.
cookwithrenu says
Such a wonderful and delicious collection of lunchbox. I am now sorted for the next 2 months.
Anjali Marathe says
I love all of these lunch ideas and an added bonus that they are all plant based (we're vegetarian so they are perfect for us!!) I'm sure my daughter will be so happy to have a variety of lunch options now that the school year has started!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Haha yes lots of options.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I hope she likes some of the lunch ideas and is enjoying being back in school.
Christine Mosler says
Wow! What a fabulous collection - this is a brilliant resource!
Aleisha says
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was totally right.
This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this
info! Thanks!