How to Pack a Baked Potato for Lunch

January 24, 2013
updated Sep 27, 2023

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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.

image collage of baked potatoes in foil and baked potato soup packed for lunch

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!

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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!