If you’re out of fresh ideas for lunch then you’re in the right place because I’m showing you how to pack a baked potato for lunch!
Watch how baked potatoes make an easy and fun lunch in the video below:
If you’ve been around awhile you know I love to cook once and eat twice. Like with these baked potatoes. If we enjoyed a baked potato bar for dinner last night, chances are my kids are packing a baked potato for lunch and I’ll be doing potatoes for my office lunch too.
If you’re looking for more lunch and dinner meal prep recipes I have a master list of 65+ recipes where I show you how to turn dinner into healthy lunches quickly and easily! Check out the meal prep recipes here.
Keeping a Baked Potato Warm for Lunch
- Reheat a baked potato in the microwave until warm (about 45-60 seconds)
- Place potato in a metal lunch box or large thermos.
- Top with desired toppings such as cheese, proteins, or cooked veggies.
- Pack inside lunch bag with any additional “cold” toppings such as sour cream, chives.
Some other fun toppings to try:
- broccoli & cheese
- shredded BBQ chicken
- salsa, black beans, and corn
Save even more time by planning to serve baked potatoes as a side for dinner one night. Prep extra and reserve the leftovers for lunches the next day. Crockpot Baked Potatoes are one of my favorite recipes for baked potatoes but if you need a quicker method then try one of these:
Best Thermos Containers to Pack a Baked Potato
You know how to pack it, but what should you put it in? I’ve tested so many thermoses through the years and narrowed it down to six that I can firmly recommended again and again. You can’t go wrong with any of these top lunch thermoses.
Having the right thermos is important, but so is using it properly. Preheating your thermos can mean the difference between a nice hot lunch and cold potatoes! See how to quickly preheat your thermos here:
Wish you could have simple recipes ideas like this in your inbox weekly? And not just a recipe, but a done-for-you weekly plan with a completed shopping list and meal-prep sheet. You’re reading this right. Such a weekly plan exists!
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!
I have to know – what toppings will you pack on your lunchbox baked potato?
Adriana
Oh My. I can see an 11 year old going crazy when he opens his school lunch to find that I’ve packed one of his favourite meals. I will be the best mumma on the planet.
MOMables
I’m quite sure that even without the baked potato lunch you are his favorite mumma on the planet already :) Enjoy!
Rachael
Does anyone else remember that this is what the sisters take for lunch on cold winter days in Little Women? They put small roast potatoes in their pockets to keep their hands warm on the walk and then eat them for lunch.
MOMables
So true Rachael!!
Jody
I also don’t understand how to keep hot things hot and cold things cold in the same lunch bag.
MOMables
Jody, are you signed up for our newsletter? If not, I send you all of these tips in our “pack like a pro” series.
Lauri Fitzsimmons
TOTALLY pinned this! Can’t wait to try it!
Laura
Thanks Lauri!
Jill B
On keeping the potato warm, how do you keep the sour cream cold without cooling the potato.? Love your meal plans, we’ve had a subscription for a few months now. Thanks.!!
Wanda Tracey
I thought how to pack a baked potato for lunch was a great idea.My husband would love that.
Cassie Webster
I LOVE this idea! I would have never thought to pack one for lunch. My 10 year old loves baked potatoes, so he will definitely “eat up” this idea! Thank you! :)
Laura
Awesome! I hope he enjoys it!