MOMables® Healthy School Lunch Ideas

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25 School Lunch Sides

By Updated

5 from 4 votes

Need ideas for lunch sides? These easy recipes include fresh fruit, veggies, homemade snacks, and simple favorites that pair well with everything from sandwiches and wraps to leftovers.

Collage of six different sides to pack with lunch

Best Sides for School Lunches

Laura Fuentes holding a stack of lunchboxes and a school lunch bag

The best lunch sides add variety, nutrition, and flavor to any meal. These easy recipes include fresh fruit, veggies, homemade snacks, and protein-packed favorites that pair well with sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more.

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

Add more fruits and veggies to lunch with these easy, kid-friendly recipes. From fresh fruit to veggie-packed favorites, these sides make any lunch more colorful, nutritious, and delicious.

Homemade Fruit Cups
4.98 from 35 votes
Fresh fruit stays crisp with one simple trick, making these fruit cups perfect for prepping ahead.
Make this
Easy Blueberry Yogurt Parfait
5 from 19 votes
Creamy yogurt, fresh blueberries, and crunchy granola make a protein-packed lunch side.
Make this
spinach balls
Easy Spinach Balls for the Lunchbox
5 from 47 votes
Cheesy spinach bites are a delicious way to add more greens to lunch.
Make this
broccoli tater tots
Broccoli Tater Tots
4.95 from 35 votes
A fun twist on broccoli that’s crispy on the outside and tender inside.
Make this
strawberry homemade fruit leather rolled up
Strawberry Fruit Leather
4.92 from 57 votes
Made with strawberries and no added sugar, this homemade fruit leather is naturally sweet.
Make this
Coconut Pie Lunchbox Smoothie
5 from 26 votes
Blend it ahead for a fresh fruit smoothie that’s easy to pack for lunch.
Make this
lunch container with blueberries, snap peas and apple & cheese slices wrapped with ham.
Ham and Cheese Apple Wraps
4.93 from 26 votes
Crunchy apples wrapped in ham and cheese make a sweet-and-savory, protein-packed bite.
Make this
Lunchbox Fruit Salad Cups
5 from 19 votes
Fresh fruit on skewers makes a colorful side that’s easy to prep ahead.
Make this
homemade trail mix with dried fruit
Trail Mix with Dried Fruit
5 from 7 votes
A fun way to serve fresh watermelon with a flavorful yogurt dip.
Make this

Watch three of our favorite lunch sides, then keep scrolling for 25+ more ideas.

Chips & Crackers

Skip the boxed snacks with these homemade chips and crackers made from simple ingredients and plenty of crunch.

bowl of. homemade doritos
Homemade Doritos
4.99 from 55 votes
Cheesy, crunchy, and made with real ingredients for a homemade take on the classic.
Make this
homemade wheat thin crackers on a countertop
Homemade Wheat Thins
4.98 from 34 votes
Crispy whole wheat crackers with the same satisfying crunch as the original.
Make this
small white bowl with zucchini chips with 2 chips on the outside of bowl
Baked Zucchini Chips
4.97 from 29 votes
A crispy veggie chip that’s a delicious alternative to potato chips.
Make this
small bowl of curly apple chips, next to a few fresh apples
Easy Baked Apple Chips
4.96 from 25 votes
Naturally sweet apple chips made with just two ingredients.
Make this
small brown bowl of banana chips
Homemade Baked Banana Chips
4.76 from 139 votes
A simple way to turn ripe bananas into crispy chips for dipping or snacking.
Make this
an overhead view of small bowl of cheese crackers
Cheese Crackers
5 from 42 votes
Buttery, cheesy crackers made from real cheese and pantry staples.
Make this
Homemade Potato Chips
5 from 20 votes
Classic potato chips made at home with simple ingredients.
Make this

Bars & Bites

These homemade bars and bites are easy to make ahead, easy to pack, and perfect for adding something wholesome and satisfying alongside lunch.

peanut butter granola bars
Peanut Butter Granola Bars
4.97 from 29 votes
Chewy homemade granola bars packed with peanut butter and whole-grain goodness.
Make this
healthy oatmeal raisin granola bars
Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars
4.91 from 10 votes
Soft, chewy granola bars with all the flavor of an oatmeal cookie.
Make this
Nut-Free Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
5 from 33 votes
A school-friendly granola bar packed with chocolate chips.
Make this
oatmeal raisin bites
No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Energy Balls
4.95 from 39 votes
No-bake bites that taste like oatmeal cookies and travel well.
Make this
image: five brownie balls
Chocolate Brownie No-Bake Energy Bites
5 from 30 votes
Rich, chocolatey bites that come together without turning on the oven.
Make this
Healthy Chocolate Chip Snack Bars in a tin lunchbox with strawberries, blueberries and raspberries on the side
Healthy Chocolate Chip Snack Bars
5 from 23 votes
Soft snack bars made with wholesome ingredients and plenty of chocolate chips.
Make this
cinnamon sugar pretzel bites
Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe
5 from 20 votes
Soft pretzel bites coated in cinnamon sugar for a fun homemade treat.
Make this
cauliflower bites
Cheesy Cauliflower Bites
5 from 25 votes
A tasty way to add extra vegetables to lunch.
Make this
High-Protein Pepperoni Pizza Egg Cups
5 from 25 votes
Bite-sized pizza-inspired quiches that are just as good warm or cold.
Make this

Dips to Pack with Lunch

Homemade dips make veggies, crackers, and pita even more delicious. These easy recipes come together quickly and add extra flavor and protein to any lunch.

a chip being dipped into cheese sauce
Homemade Velveeta Cheese Sauce
4.99 from 57 votes
A creamy homemade cheese sauce that tastes like the classic and is perfect for dipping.
Make this

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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    5 from 4 votes

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  1. Suzie says

    5 stars
    I’ve been making you recipes for years now (I mean the greek hummus… DELICIOUS) but I always come back for more. I tried the Chocolate Brownie No-Bake Energy Bites from this list last weekend and it was a family favourite. I’m not surprised. Thanks!

    Reply

  2. Mery says

    5 stars
    Wow!!! These lunch side ideas are sooo useful (and tasty!). As a busy mom of four I always need quick and easy sides for the lunchbox that the kids can find appealing. I’m sure they will love many of these!

    Reply

  3. Tina says

    5 stars
    I’ve been looking for snacks that my kids will love. My two boys have ADHD so normal snacks can wound them up a bit. They absolutely loved the fruit cups and homemade Doritos and we had so much fun making them!

    Reply

  4. Karen says

    5 stars
    Omg!! These lunch sides ideas are epic!! Have been making your homemade granola bar recipe for years, soo good!!

    Reply