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With the tips in this post, you’ll learn how to pack a baked potato for lunch that stays perfectly hot until it’s time to dig in at school.
Baked Potato School Lunch
I’m a fan of cooking once and eating twice. Leftover baked potatoes? They're practically destined for my kids’ lunchboxes the next day. With a thermos and some tasty toppings, you can pack a baked potato school lunch that stays hot for hours!
Chilly days call for warm lunches, so don't miss my thermos lasagna and hearty potato soup! Like this baked potato, just reheat it, pack it in a thermos and you're ready to go with a healthy school lunch that keeps hungry bellies warm and satisfied all day!
What You Need
Packing a thermos lunch is simpler than you might think, and super easy to customise! Before jumping to the recipe card for exact amounts, here's what you’ll need:
- Baked Potato: you’ll need a large, fully cooked potato. I recommend using russet for its fluffiness.
- Hot Toppings: classics like shredded cheese, broccoli and bacon bits are always favorites. I like to pile on diced ham or a scoop of chili to make it extra filling for my teens since they have bigger appetites.
- Cold Toppings: sour cream, salsa, or guacamole make amazing additions. For extra crunch and freshness, try chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, or a sprinkle of shredded lettuce.
How to Pack a Baked Potato in a Thermos
Packing a baked potato for a school lunch is all about maintaining all those great textures and flavors. Here’s how to do it by following these simple tips:
- Preheat the Thermos
Fill your thermos with boiling water and let it sit while you prep the potato. Preheating the thermos ensures it stays hot longer. - Reheat potato
Place the leftover baked potato on a microwave-safe plate. Reheat in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, or until it’s hot all the way through and steaming. Don't worry; the food will cool off enough by lunchtime, so no one's mouth gets burned. - Pack the potato
Slice up the potato and place it inside the preheated thermos. Layer your hot toppings on the potato and close the lid. Pack any cold toppings like sour cream or chives separately in small leak-proof containers. - Pack it for school
Place the thermos inside a lunch bag, preferably with compartments so you can keep it separated from the cold toppings and any lunch sides that need to stay chilled. Add an ice pack to the cold side of the bag and don’t forget to pack a fork!
First time packing baked potatoes for your school lunches? Watch this quick video for all the details.
Packing the Baked Potato Toppings
It’s best to pack baked potato toppings in small, leak-proof dip containers to avoid messy spills. If possible, use a lunch bag with separate compartments to keep the hot thermos and cold toppings apart. Keep items like sour cream and guacamole cool with an ice pack so everything stays fresh until kids can layer it on at lunchtime.
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School Lunch Packing Tips
Ensure your baked potato lunch tastes fresh for hours with these additional tips:
Use a Quality Thermos
The right thermos can be a lifesavor when it comes to keeping food hot until lunch.
Prep ahead
You can prep toppings ahead of time by packing them in dip containers and keeping them refrigerated so all you have to do is grab them and toss them into the lunch bag when it’s time for school.
Keep it Chilled
Use an ice pack to keep cold toppings like sour cream or guacamole fresh and safe to eat.
Customize toppings
Encourage kids to choose their favorite toppings so they’re more likely to eat the whole thing. Mine like to mix it up tex-mex style with options like shredded BBQ chicken, salsa, black beans, and corn.
More Filling Lunch Ideas
Love this baked potato idea? You'll also love my thermos mac and cheese! Seriously, my son won’t stop asking for it. For something hand-held, try this BLT Wrap or crispy chicken wrap. Or for a vegetarian option, this falafel wrap is also filling, easy and fast!
Baked potato for school lunch
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large potato, previously cooked
- Assorted toppings
Instructions
Prep
- Fill a lunch thermos with boiling water and let it sit while preparing the potato and toppings.
Reheat Potato
- Reheat potato in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until steaming hot. Cut it into pieces and add it to the preheated thermos. Layer on your hot toppings and close the lid.
Pack Toppings
- Store cold or additional toppings in small leak-proof containers.
Pack for School
- Place the thermos in a lunch bag, keeping it apart from the cold toppings and any chilled lunch sides. Add an ice pack to the cold items and remember to include a fork.
Dina says
This is so helpful! We had baked potatoes for dinner last night so I decided to use them for school lunch today! Thanks Laura for the packing tips.
Ellie says
Packing a baked potato for lunch is such a clever idea! It’s easy, filling, and customizable with so many toppings. Thanks for the great lunch inspiration—this will definitely be a new favorite!
Sandy says
I never realized you could pack a baked potato for school lunches! My kids LOVE potatoes, so I know this is going to be a huge win.
Adriana says
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 says
I’m quite sure that even without the baked potato lunch you are his favorite mumma on the planet already :) Enjoy!
Rachael says
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 says
So true Rachael!!
Jody says
I also don’t understand how to keep hot things hot and cold things cold in the same lunch bag.
MOMables says
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 says
TOTALLY pinned this! Can’t wait to try it!
Laura says
Thanks Lauri!
Jill B says
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 says
I thought how to pack a baked potato for lunch was a great idea.My husband would love that.
Cassie Webster says
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 says
Awesome! I hope he enjoys it!