MOMables® Healthy Lunches for Kids
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25 EPIC School Lunch Sides

by Laura Fuentes

July 28, 2023
updated

All the articles & recipes on this website have been created through real-life testing and experience (no ai) since 2010. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

You prepared an epic sandwich for lunch, a delicious wrap, or that healthy salad your kid loves and now it’s time to add something extra. These tasty sides are the perfect to pack with school lunches!

With these delicious recipes, you can easily turn up the nutrition factor while sending tasty sides kids love. I mean, who can say no to healthy chocolate bites you don’t even have to bake, easy pizza quiches, or a 5-minute hummus dip? Not my kids!

Collage of six different sides to pack with lunch

Best Sides for School Lunches

The best sides for lunch round out what you’ve already packed as the main lunch dish, providing extra nutrients & filling ingredients to keep bellies full til dinner (or at least the after-school snack).

Always looking for more ideas to help you make balanced lunches for your kids? Get your FREE copy of my interactive Lunchbox Builder and make packing lunches a breeze!

healthy lunches for kids printable

Fruity & Veggie Sides for School Lunches

Want to add more fruit and veggies to your kid’s lunchbox? These easy recipes are the way to go!

From cups with fresh fruit for the sweet tooth to savory bites made with some of those green veggies picky eaters tend to avoid, these sides make any school lunch tastier and healthier!

Homemade Fruit Cups
4.98 from 34 votes
These healthy homemade fruit cups are easy to make and, with a secret ingredient, you'll keep fruit from browning!
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Easy Blueberry Yogurt Parfait
5 from 19 votes
Packed with protein, this delicious lunch side has all good-for-you ingredients, including crunchy granola on top!
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Parmesan Spinach Balls
5 from 40 votes
A kid-approved recipe with spinach? Yes! These cheesy, savory spinach balls are perfect to pack into a lunchbox.
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Broccoli Tater Tots
4.94 from 32 votes
Broccoli can also be kid-friendly thanks to this tater tots recipe. A healthy side for lunch that feels like snacking!
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Strawberry Fruit Leather
4.91 from 52 votes
This easy homemade fruit leather recipe is made with strawberries, honey, and no sugar added.
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Coconut Pie Lunchbox Smoothie
5 from 25 votes
A simple and delicious smoothie that's perfect to pack as a side in the kid's lunchbox. Yummy!
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lunch container with blueberries, snap peas and apple & cheese slices wrapped with ham.
Ham and Cheese Apple Wraps
4.92 from 25 votes
Bulk up any lunchbox with these simple apples wrapped in ham and cheese. Crunchy, fresh, and healthy!
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Lunchbox Fruit Salad Cups
5 from 18 votes
With fresh fruit and very little work, you can make this healthy lunchbox side ahead!
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Chips & Crackers

Kids love chips and crackers! These lunch side ideas include homemade versions of their favorite ones made with real ingredients. Plus, delicious fruit and veggie chips packed with flavor and nutrition!

Homemade Doritos
4.98 from 42 votes
These easy homemade Doritos are made with real ingredients and have that delicious, crunchy texture kids love.
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homemade wheat thin crackers on a countertop
Homemade Wheat Thins
4.97 from 28 votes
Like the original snack, these homemade wheat thins are perfectly crispy and have a delicious golden wheat flavor.
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Baked Zucchini Chips
4.96 from 23 votes
These oven-baked zucchini chips are healthier than potato chips and make a delicious salty side for the kid´s lunch.
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small bowl of curly apple chips, next to a few fresh apples
Easy Baked Apple Chips
4.96 from 22 votes
Made with just 2 ingredients, these Apple Chips taste like a treat! A simple and healthy lunch side to satisfy any sweet tooth.
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Homemade Baked Banana Chips
4.73 from 105 votes
Turn over-ripe bananas into these epic baked banana chips that are perfect for dipping with salsa, guacamole, or hummus!
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an overhead view of small bowl of cheese crackers
Cheese Crackers
5 from 36 votes
Made with real cheese and full of flavor, these easy homemade crackers are better than any boxed version out there.
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Homemade Potato Chips
5 from 19 votes
No more store-bought bags with unnatural ingredients: these homemade potato chips are a perfect side to serve with any school lunch!
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Bars & Bites

From chocolate to pizza, these bars and bites include those flavors that all kids crave while you add tons of nutrition to the lunchbox! Pack these simple and delicious sides, and kids will be waiting for lunchtime.

Nut-Free Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
5 from 30 votes
Add these delicious nutless granola bars to the lunchbox for a fun kid-friendly side! 
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No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Energy Balls
4.95 from 38 votes
This healthy snack tastes like an oatmeal raisin cookie. Delicious, nutritious, and oh-so-easy to make!
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image: five brownie balls
Chocolate Brownie No-Bake Energy Bites
5 from 29 votes
These Chocolate Brownie Energy Bites are perfect as a sweet side for lunch. No baking is required!
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Healthy Chocolate Chip Snack Bars
5 from 18 votes
These chocolate bars made with healthy ingredients are about to become a lunchbox favorite!
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Cinnamon Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe
5 from 17 votes
Kids love these fluffy, irresistible homemade soft pretzel bites baked and dusted with cinnamon-sugar coating. So good!
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Cheesy Cauliflower Bites
Cheesy Cauliflower Bites
5 from 25 votes
These delish bites are the perfect side to add more veggies to the lunchbox!
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High-Protein Pepperoni Pizza Egg Cups
5 from 20 votes
Just like pizza, but bite-sized and easy to pack as a side for lunch. No kid will say no to these quiches!
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Dips to Pack with Lunch

These easy homemade dip recipes take any school lunch up a notch and are easy to pack. Who doesn’t love dipping anything in a delicious sauce? Plus, it´s the perfect way to sneak nutrition!

Greek Hummus
4.96 from 25 votes
Make this Greek-style hummus in less than 5 minutes and pack it into lunches for school or the office.
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Homemade Velveeta Cheese Sauce
4.99 from 50 votes
This healthier version of the boxed cheese performs like the real thing and tastes delicious!
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Edamame Hummus
5 from 18 votes
This recipe makes a satisfying, protein-packed hummus you can add to the lunch box to dip fresh veggies, pita chips, or whole-grain crackers.
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Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
5 from 20 votes
Prep this recipe in 5 minutes or less and you´ll get a terrific dressing that goes great on everything and tastes delish!  
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Now it’s time to pack! Check this post for the best containers to pack school lunches.

by Laura Fuentes
onJuly 28, 2023

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