Need easy to pack lunches that require no reheating or refrigeration? Check out these cold lunch ideas for kids that are easy to pack and stay fresh until lunchtime.
For today’s cold lunch ideas, I’m sharing everything from salads to wraps, pasta, and bento lunches- a personal favorite. They’re ideal for packing to school, the office, or picnic-style if your kids have a field trip planned.
Check out a sneak peek of some of the recipes we’re talking about in this video!
Like the ideas you saw in the video? You’ll find those and much more in the 101 Packed Lunch Ideas eBook. It has all sorts of delicious lunch recipes made with fresh ingredients that you can pack for a school lunch or to the office.
101 Packed Lunches eBook
All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child’s lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!
Healthy Cold Lunch Ideas
Hot lunches have their place, but if you’re looking for fresh options that require very little cooking and no reheating, that’s where these lunch ideas come in handy.
Here’s a list of each of the recipes you saw in the video above:
This Buffalo Chicken Salad is loaded with avocado, hard-boiled eggs, Blue cheese, and of course, that smoky Buffalo chicken.
Although these recipes require no reheating or refrigeration, be sure to store them in a lunch bag with an ice pack, so everything stays fresh.
It’s also worth mention that having the right lunch container goes a long way for easy lunch packing. I break down a few of the best lunch containers for kids here.
Cold Lunches that Come Together in Minutes
Helping you prepare fresh and healthy lunches is my goal, and when those recipes can come together in minutes, my mission = accomplished.
This video has lunch ideas that are easy to prepare and come together in less than 5 minutes! Check out the recipes below:
Cold Lunch Ideas with Hard-Boiled Eggs
Using simple and fresh ingredients, like hard-boiled eggs, can help you streamline any lunch meal prep routine.
By the dozen, eggs are very inexpensive and provide an excellent source of protein. They’re also versatile for breakfasts like the mini quiches and even meal prep like these 5 hard-boiled egg lunch ideas:
Lunches like this Protein Bento Box are a delicious example of something easy and healthy you can make with hard-boiled eggs.
- Cobb Salad Wrap
- Deviled Eggs
- Bacon and Egg Salads
- Avocado and Egg Toast
I’m aware that sometimes, peeling hard-boiled eggs results in a mangled egg, and half the white stuck to the shell. Not good, but I share the trick for perfectly cooked and easy to peel hard-boiled eggs in this post.
Cold Lunches with Yogurt and Fruit
Parfaits aren’t just for breakfast; they make a great lunch idea that’s packed with protein and super easy to assemble. I recommend storing the granola in a sauce container and topping it over the yogurt right before eating.
Vanilla Greek yogurt and fresh, summer berries make this Red, White, & Blue Parfait a treat in the lunchbox.
Best Salads for Kids
Salads that a kid will actually eat? Crazy right?! Not if you know how to make them right, and that is a little lettuce LOADED with a lot of toppings. Of course, you can skip the lettuce altogether and swap it with pasta for an incredible pasta salad. Who doesn’t love that?
This Cobb Pasta Salad is loaded with deli ham, tomatoes, avocado, bacon, and cheese. It’s a favorite in the lunchbox and for picnics.
More Cold Lunches to Pack for School
I don’t think you’ll be upset if I include a few more cold lunch ideas, I can’t help it, I have so many ideas, and it’s one less meal you’ll have to cook.
These 7 Layer Greek Cups are a fun lunch to pack with chips, crackers, and veggies. Make them ahead and store in the refrigerator for an easy grab and go lunch.
- 7 Layer Mexican Dip Cups
- Pizza Pasta Salad
- Egg Cups
- Apple Quesadillas
- Cali Bistro Box
- Tex Mex Bistro Box
- Chicken and Hummus Bistro Box
- Ham & Cheese Apple Wraps
- Hummus Lunch Ideas
How to Keep a Cold Lunch Cold
Even though these lunches don’t require refrigeration, there are a few tips to keep them chilled and staying fresh for lunchtime.
Keep liquids and sauces in separate containers
When it comes to salads and wraps, it’s best to keep the sauces and dressings in a separate container. Many sauces contain salt, which causes produce to loose moisture making a soggy lunch.
Use a small lidded container, like this one, to pack salad dressings, hummus, guacamole, ketchup, and other dips.
Ice pack
When in doubt, toss in an icepack. They’ll keep everything cool and prevent the lunch from spoiling.
Cold Lunch Ideas for Kids | 7-Layer Dip Cups
Cold lunches are the perfect thing for kids to take to school because they require no reheating and the possibilities are endless! These 7 layer dip cups are a great place to start for a colorful and fun lunch that’s also healthy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 dip cups 1x
- Category: Lunch
Ingredients
- 4 small, lidded jars
- 1 cup Easy Guacamole Recipe
- 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup fresh salsa
- 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar
- 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced small
- 8 ounce can sliced black olives
- Minced green onion, topping
Instructions
- Layer 2 tablespoons of guacamole, black beans, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and black olives into each cup. Top with green onions and refrigerate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 279
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 545.9mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7.9g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 8.2g
- Protein: 12.7g
- Cholesterol: 32.1mg
Dawn
These are all awesome! I recommend leaving a mint or 2 for your kids. Anything with onions can cause “onions breath”. For help with the kids that way they are avoiding possible bully situations.
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Sherry Lamoreaux
I’m concerned that certain foods (hard boiled eggs, chicken, mayo, etc.) become dangerous if kept at room temperature too long. We do use an ice pack… is that enough? How can we feel he will be safe?
MOMables-Laura
Hi Sherry, I definitely recommend packing them with an ice pack to keep the ingredients fresh.
Natalie
Thanks for ideas! My daughter is a picky eater as well as it having to be cold… I have a great share as well… We found a lunch box that is an ice pack itself. We just pop it into the freezer every night and morning time its frozen. Lasts ALL day
Blaine
Nice My chidren love your cold luch ideas
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Chrissy
I’m completely new to the bento box thing for lunches. Should I put a little ice pack inside the box, or on the outside (inside my kid’s lunch bag? Also, any tips for keeping chips crunchy? Are they safe in there?
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MOMables-Laura
You can put the ice pack in the lunch bag. Chips should be packed in their own separate compartment (if using a bento box) or another container.
Cam
Loved this post! I’m certain my kids will love these cold lunches!
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