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Healthy Homemade Lunchables

If your kids are fans of the pre-packaged lunches from the grocery store, why not make your own healthy lunchables at home? 

These homemade lunchable ideas, like the Turkey & Cheese Box, are filled with more delicious and nutrient-dense foods, and they’re just as fun to assemble.

a lunch container filled with rolled deli turkey, sliced cheese, crackers, blueberries, and strawberries.
JUMP TO RECIPE
  • How to Make a DIY Lunchable
  • Homemade DIY Lunchable Ingredients
  • Best Containers for Homemade Lunchables
  • Healthy DIY Lunchable Ideas
  • Healthy Homemade Lunchables | Turkey & Cheese Lunchable

How to Make a DIY Lunchable

Using a compartmentalized lunch container is the easiest way to build a diy lunchable quickly. All you need is a container and the following kid-friendly elements:

  1. Protein
    Try to incorporate a generous serving of protein to help kids stay full through the afternoon. 
  2. Carbohydrates
    Kids need carbohydrates to help them stay focused and alert and have the energy needed to finish the day strong at school. Complex carbohydrates from whole grains are a terrific source.
  3. Fruit
    Rich in vitamins and fiber, fruit is both delicious and nutritious.
  4. Veggies
    Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, veggies are a great addition to any lunchbox, especially when dipped.
  5. Treat
    Whether you send a sandwich cookie or a fruit dip, including something delicious to round out, the lunch always makes kids feel special.

Homemade DIY Lunchable Ingredients

It’s not hard to recreate lunchables that your kids will be excited to eat. You can build one using a combination of fresh ingredients like the ones below or choose a popular lunchable recipe, like the pizza and tacos options I recreated. 

Below you’ll find a list of ingredients to mix and match to make homemade lunchables at home the easy way!

Proteins:

  • Hard-Boiled Eggs
  • Rolled deli meat
  • Sliced pepperoni
  • Peanut butter
  • Chicken nuggets

Carbohydrates:

  • Crackers
  • English Muffins
  • Breads
  • Granola
  • Pretzels

Fruits:

  • Apple slices
  • Peaches
  • Banana chips
  • Grapes
  • Orange slices

Veggies:

  • Baby carrots
  • Celery sticks
  • Cucumber Slices
  • Grape tomatoes
  • Edamame

Free Lunchbox Builder PDF

Mix & match healthy ingredients into an epic homemade lunchable with the free Lunchbox Builder download. You’ll get TONS of ideas for each category to help you build balanced lunchboxes with the ingredients your child loves.

3 page lunchbox builder printable PDF
Download Here!

Best Containers for Homemade Lunchables

I recommend using a compartmentalized lunch container like these to keep any wet and dry items separate. Lidded sauce containers also make a perfect vessel for dips and sauces. 

Healthy DIY Lunchable Ideas

Need a visual to build delicious and healthy lunchables at home? Check out these ideas below.

DIY Lunchables Nachos

homemade version of lunchables nachos
  • Leftover grilled chicken
  • Sliced fruit & veggies
  • Homemade cheese dip
  • Corn chips
  • Black olives
Details Here

Pizza Lunchable

a lunch container filled with a sliced pizza, cucumber, carrots, and strawberries.
  • pita rounds
  • marinara sauce
  • cheese
  • toppings
Details Here

Taco Lunchable

a lunch container filled with taco cups, strawberries, and celery sticks
  • tortillas or baked wonton wrappers
  • cooked taco meat or black beans
  • shredded cheese
  • salsa
  • sour cream
  • guacamole
Details Here

Chicken Nuggets Lunchable

a lunch container filled with baked nuggets, carrot sticks, celery sticks, and strawberries
  • chicken nuggets
  • carrot & celery sticks
  • strawberries
  • dipping sauce
Details Here

Turkey & Cheese Bento Box

a lunch container filled with rolled deli turkey, crackers, silced cheese, and berries
  • rolled deli turkey
  • sliced cheese
  • crackers
  • fruit

Tex Mex Bento Box

a lunch container filled with tortilla chips, guacamole, grape tomatoes, sliced bell pepper, cheese cubes, and black olives.
  • chips
  • guacamole
  • grape tomatoes
  • pepper jack cheese
  • pitted black olives
  • bell pepper strips
Details Here

Pizza Bento Box

a lunch container filled with pita chips, sliced pepperoni, hummus, cheese cubes, and roasted red bell pepper.
  • pita chips
  • hummus
  • sliced pepperoni
  • cubed cheese
  • roasted red bell pepper
Details Here

Bell Pepper Nachos

a lunch container filled with bell pepper nachos and topped with cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and black olives.
  • bell peppers
  • taco meat
  • shredded cheese
  • sour cream
  • guacamole
  • black olives
Details Here

Lunchables Sub Sandwich

Ham and cheese hoagie in a lunch container.
  • hoagie roll
  • mayo
  • deli ham
  • sliced cheese
Details Here

Want something a smidge more mature? Try one of these adult lunchables! So many delicious options to choose from, which lunchable will you create first?

Print

Healthy Homemade Lunchables | Turkey & Cheese Lunchable

Print Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

A healthy lunchable you can make at home with fresh, better-for-you ingredients. 

  • Author: MOMables-Laura
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 lunchable
  • Category: Lunch
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Ingredients

Units
  • 4–6 slices deli turkey, rolled
  • 1–ounce cheese, sliced
  • 1 cup berries, your choice
  • Whole-grain crackers

 

Instructions

  1. Evenly dived the ingredients into a compartmentalized lunch container. Pack the crackers in a separate compartment or container to prevent them from getting soggy. 

Equipment

101 Packed Lunches

Buy Now →

Kids Lunch Box

Buy Now →

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 lunch
  • Calories: 368
  • Sugar: 11g
  • Sodium: 1187mg
  • Fat: 13.6g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 5.3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 66mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @MOMables on Instagram and hashtag it #momables

More How to

  • Gluten-Free Spinach Tortilla Wraps
  • How to Keep Hot Chocolate Warm
  • How to Keep Cucumbers Fresh
  • Does Almond Butter Go Bad?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leah

    August 03, 2021 at 5:48 am

    Love your channel :) from Canada

    Reply
    • MOMables-Laura

      August 05, 2021 at 3:52 pm

      Thank you, Leah!!

      Reply
  2. Sarah James

    June 28, 2021 at 1:39 pm

    I would have never thought about the pizza and the taco homemade lunchable ideas. I really appreciate these because I can see now that it is better to make my own -not to mention the store bought ones are not enough food!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • MOMables-Laura

      June 28, 2021 at 5:03 pm

      Thank you, Sarah! I’m so glad these ideas are helpful, and yes, you are correct, these include a lot more food.

      Reply
  3. Julie

    September 16, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    What type of container are you showing?

    Thanks,
    Julie

    Reply
    • MOMables

      September 16, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      Julie, that’s a lunchbots trio. You can find it here.

      Reply
  4. Jamie

    July 08, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    This site is so fabulous!! I have two grown boys that I dreaded making lunches for, so this past year I allowed them to buy school lunch. Big mistake!! My oldest sarted jr. high and ate nachos almost everday. Even though they are 13 and 10 and will need more than what you have here, I can really use your ideas and beef it up a bit for them. I also have a two year old daughter so this is fantastic!
    I have a health coaching business that works to create haelthier families. I will be recommending your site all the time. Keep up the great work!!
    Thank you :)

    Reply
    • April

      August 13, 2013 at 9:57 am

      I agree – I have two teenagers and a five year old…these ideas work great for the two youngest (girls) but my 16 year old son balks at the meals with no meat and small portions. It would be super if you could add an idea to each lunch on how to tweak it for teenage boys aka bottomless pits…

      Reply
      • MOMables

        August 13, 2013 at 5:33 pm

        April, our meal plans are loaded with ideas. Bigger kids = bigger portions and additional fruits and veggies as well.

        Reply
        • Jade

          March 22, 2021 at 4:06 pm

          I made this for my lunch and thank you it is so quick to make

          Love Jade

          Reply
      • Janie

        January 24, 2016 at 11:18 am

        Which really makes me wonder why any 16 year old boy is still bringing packed lunches made by mom to school. High school age kids should be packing their own lunches or going without! Cut the umbilical cord.

        Reply
        • MOMables

          January 25, 2016 at 12:25 pm

          My kids are already helping me pack their lunches now, and I plan to keep it that way through their teens with them helping more and more.

          Reply

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Hi, I'm Laura! I help you make healthy lunches and meals your kids will love, with simple and tasty recipes.

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