Back-to-school season is here, which means we’re all back to planning pint-sized, packable lunches that picky children will actually eat…cold. And no, that peanut butter and jelly you got used to slapping together all summer long is not in the cards (i.e., not allergy-friendly and classroom-safe). Fear not, we have some winning, nut-free school lunch ideas that your kid will be more than happy to eat on repeat and aren’t a huge hassle to make. Read on and watch as your kid sends their lunch box home miraculously empty. (Maybe.)
11 Nut-Free School Lunch Ideas That Are Just as Easy as PB&J
Classroom- and kid-friendly recipes for the school year
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Published Sep 6, 2023
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
1. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, no cook
These tidy little pinwheels are so loaded with deli counter favorites (think: mild provolone and a meat of your kid’s choosing) that they won’t even notice you snuck in a little kale.
LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
The only thing better than a BLT is a packed lunch that boasts all the same mouthwatering ingredients without the soggy sandwich bread.
PHOTO/STYLING: KATHERINE GILLEN
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Potatoes combine with every kid’s favorite veggie dip in this simple twist on a picnic staple. Make a big batch on Sunday and pair it with sammies all week long.
LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, vegetarian
Fresh herbs, capers, green onions and a dash of dijon provide plenty of palate-pleasing flavor, whilst a creamy and dreamy avocado-yogurt combo significantly cuts down the mayo content in this exciting take on a classic egg salad. The end result will fill you up without weighing you down (even when sandwiched between two hearty slices of bread).
PHOTO/STYLING: KATHERINE GILLEN
5. Charcuterie Board Flatbread
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
It looks and tastes like something you’d pay good money for at your neighborhood’s fanciest cafe, but the whole thing takes a mere five minutes to assemble and can be customized to feature any kid’s charcuterie board favorites. In other words, even the pickiest member of your brood can look classy at lunchtime.
SECRETS OF GREAT SECOND MEALS
6. Mozzarella Meatball Frittata
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, low carb, keto-friendly, high protein
Your spaghetti night leftovers deserve a second life. Feel free to drizzle each slice with tomato sauce and don’t skimp on the cheese.
PHOTO: CAROLINE DORN/STYLING: KATIE WAYNE
7. Everything Bagel-Crusted Chicken Tenders
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, kid-friendly
The everything bagel seasoning craze is still going strong. Cook up these flavor-packed tenders for a high-protein lunch that’s tasty enough to enjoy cold and you’ll be on board with it, too.
LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Wonton wrappers are the brilliant hack behind these bite-sized and oh-so cheesy quesadillas, which get an extra nutrient and protein boost from canned refried black beans. (Yep, you don’t even have to do the refrying yourself.)
LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
9. Slow Cooker Meal-Prep Burrito Bowls
- Time Commitment: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead, high protein
Another Mexican-inspired recipe—this deconstructed burrito, featuring all the favorite fillings and a tangy crema topping, is a make-ahead home run that’s basically begging to be in the lunch box rotation. (Just leave out the cilantro and go easy on the lettuce if your kid turns green at the sight of anything green.)
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
10. Lunch Kebabs with Mortadella, Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomatoes
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Because what kid doesn’t want to eat lunch off a stick? This recipe calls for sweet sun-dried tomatoes, soft mortadella and salty olives but you can basically mix and match any ingredients you like (cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and sliced turkey would work nicely).
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
No, you don’t need to put an actual pig in that salty, soft pretzel dough blanket. It turns out you can tuck damn near anything in there—including the roasted carrots your kid snubbed at dinner time—and lunch will be a success.
