30 Easy School Lunch Ideas Made With 5 Ingredients or Less

1. DIY Uncrustables

Why buy an expensive box of Uncrustables when you can just make them at home yourself?! These DIY Uncrustables can be made with just 3 ingredients and are an easy lunchbox recipe that your kids can take to school without an ice pack or cooler.

Recipe source + credit: Princess Pinky Girl

2. Kid-Friendly Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I’m obsessed with these 5-ingredient chicken salad sandwiches that are made with simple, clean ingredients. It’s packed with protein to help keep kids full for hours!

Recipe source + credit: Pinoy Bites

3. Baked Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Grilled cheese is a kid-favorite, and these incredibly easy grilled cheese sandwiches is a perfect way to serve it in their school lunchbox.

Recipe source + credit: Love In My Oven

4. Turkey, Ham, & Cheese Apple Sandwiches

I featured this in my after school snacks roundup, but these are also perfect for lunchboxes too! How adorable are these little apple sandwiches?! They add a hint of sweetness, a serving of fruit, and lots of protein. No bread needed!

Recipe source + credit: Cupcakes and Kale Chips

5. Buffalo Chicken Wraps

This one is great for teenagers who like a spicy wrap! This is a great way to make use of leftover rotisserie chicken or chicken breasts too.

Recipe source + credit: Every Day Family Cooking

6. Chicken Nugget Wrap

If your kiddo loves chicken nuggets, then they’re going to love this delicious wrap made with one of their favorite foods!

Recipe source + credit: Momables

7. Strawberry Pancake Sandwiches

This is another great school lunch idea for kiddos who love eating breakfast for lunch. You can mix and match their favorite fruits and pair it with some veggies and yogurt for a balanced meal.

Recipe source + credit: Momables

8. Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

This is one of my favorite easy lunch recipes of all time! It’s so fresh, crunchy, and loaded with protein. i think this is a great lunch idea for kids and teens who love chicken caesar salad. Just 3 simple ingredients and you have lunch ready to go in less than 10 minutes.

9. Spinach Turkey Cream Cheese Rollups

These delicious, high protein spinach turkey cream cheese rollups are a fun spin on the classic sandwich! It’s made with just 5 ingredients and ready in under 15 minutes.

10. Peanut Butter and Jelly Rolls

This is such a fun twist on the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich! All you need are 3 pantry ingredients and these rollups are ready to go. They’re so easy to make and will keep in a lunchbox even without an ice pack.

Recipe source + credit: It’s A Keeper

11. Veggie Hummus Pinwheels

These pinwheels are vegan and made with healthy ingredients like hummus and carrots! It’s a great plant-based lunch recipe that’s also kid-friendly.

Recipe source + credit: Plant Power Couple

12. Ground Beef Taco Pinwheels

These delicious pinwheels are a high-protein lunch recipe that contains veggies and dairy too. They’re so simple to make, and a great way to use up leftover ingredients from Taco Tuesday!

Recipe source + credit: High Chair Chronicles

13. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Recipe source + credit: The Rebel Chick

Switch things up with these easy, 4-ingredient ham and cheese pinwheels that taste incredible and are ready in just 15 minutes!

14. Hummus Pinwheels With Cucumber & Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Here’s another delicious hummus-based pinwheel recipe that’s just as full of healthy ingredients! The best part is that you just need 5 ingredients to make these colorful rolls.

Recipe source + credit: From My Bowl

15. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels

This one makes a great appetizer, but I think it’s also a delicious option for lunch! Just make sure to only offer it to kiddos old enough to handle small pieces of bacon without choking.

Recipe source + credit: Creme de la Crumb

16. Hard Boiled Eggs Snack Packs

This bento-box style school lunch idea is perfect for kids who love to snack! Pack some hard boiled eggs along with your kiddos favorite fruits, crackers, and dip for a nutritious lunch.

Save

17. DIY Pizza Lunchables

I love me a good Lunchables, but the price can sometimes add up! It’s super easy to make your very own Lunchable at home, and you can mix and match ingredients based on your child’s preference.

Recipe source + credit: Simply Made Eats

18. Tortellini Lunch Box

Pack up some pasta for your little ones with this super easy 4-ingredient deconstructed tortellini pasta lunchbox. Kids will love making their own pasta bowl right in their lunchbox!

Recipe source + credit: Family Fresh Meals

19. Cheese & Tomato Pasta

If your kiddo loves pasta, try making this super simple cheese & tomato pasta in a thermos for their lunchbox! You only need 5 ingredients and it’s ready in just 10 minutes.

Recipe source + credit: My Fussy Eater

20. Veggie Mac & Cheese

I couldn’t write a roundup on school lunch ideas without mentioning mac and cheese! This kid-approved veggie loaded mac and cheese is a perfect way to serve your kids their favorite foods for lunch while still packing in nutrients from the veggie-based pasta sauce.

Recipe source + credit: Momables

21. Easy Cheesy Thermos Beans

These cheesy beans are another high-protein vegetarian school lunch idea that kids are going to love! Pack it with some tortilla chips or a serving of rice to give your kiddos a complete meal that will keep them full for hours.

Recipe source + credit: Mom’s Kitchen Handbook

22. Grilled Cheese Dippers + Tomato Soup

Grilled cheese and tomato soup – an unbeatable combo that makes the perfect lunch on a cold winter day. Learn how to pack both of these kid-approved favorites in this blogpost!

Recipe source + credit: The Country Cook

23. Chicken Nuggets in a Thermos

For picky eaters who can’t get enough of chicken nuggets, this hot school lunch hack is a must-try! This post walks you through exactly how to pack your kiddo’s favorite nuggets in a thermos to keep them warm until lunch.

Recipe source + credit: My Fussy Eater

24. Peanut Butter Jelly & Fruit Tacos

These 4-ingredient bread-based tacos are another fun spin on the classic PBJ sandwich! Top it off with their favorite fruits and pair it with some veggies to make this a balanced lunch for the little ones.

Recipe source + credit: Rachl Mansfield

25. Homemade Ham & Swiss Hot Pockets

Ditch the frozen stuff and make your own hot pockets at home with just 4 ingredients! These homemade freezer-friendly hot pockets are such an easy make ahead lunch recipe that comes together in no time.

Recipe source + credit: Make Ahead Meal Mom

26. Mini Waffle Skewers

How cute are these mini waffle skewers?! You can make these in a pinch with just 3 ingredients. Perfect if your picky eaters love breakfast for lunch!

Recipe source + credit: Kim Schob

27. Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

If your kids are tired of sandwiches for lunch, try this cold pasta salad recipe that works great as a no-heat cold lunch idea! Made with just 5 ingredients that you can switch up based on your kiddo’s preference.

Recipe source + credit: Yummy Toddler Food

28. Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas

Switch things up with these delicious and simple pizza quesadillas made with only 5 ingredients! Even picky eaters are sure to love this pizza shaped goodness in their lunchbox.

Recipe source + credit: High Chair Chronicles

29. Tacos for Lunch

I absolutely love tacos – for lunch, dinner, heck I’ll even eat them for breakfast! They’re super customizable and an easy way to combine protein, veggies, and dairy for a balanced lunch. Learn how to pack a “DIY taco kit” in a lunchbox that kids can have fun assembling and eating!

Recipe source + credit: Eating on a Dime

30. Baked Zucchini Fritters

Here’s another fun snack-themed lunch that kids are sure to love! Pair with some fruits and cheese cubes in a lunchbox and you’ll have a complete, balanced meal full of nutrients!

Recipe source + credit: Yummy Toddler Food

Looking for more 5-ingredient lunch recipes?

Save

Save

Save