Are you looking for some healthy lunchbox ideas that are easy to make and healthy lunchbox snacks that kids will actually like? With the new school year already upon us, some fresh ideas will help give your little one’s something nutritious and delicious to look forward to each day. Read on as we have compiled some of our favourite healthy lunchbox recipes to give you inspiration. Beware, though, these lunchbox recipes might not only delight the kids, the adults will want in on them too. (And not a sandwich in sight.)
Pitta, Crudites & Dips
Help your kids to ‘eat the rainbow’ by chopping up peppers, carrots, and cucumber. Then cut pitta bread into strips. You can chop up the veg the night before school and leave them in the fridge to save time in the morning. Serve it with a healthy dip. Here are two simple dips that are full of good stuff:
Creamy Avocado Dip
Chop two ripe avocados and pop them into a blender with ½ a cup of Plenish Oat Milk and a teaspoon of lime juice. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and blend until smooth to create a mild and yummy dip.
Green Pea Hummus Dip Recipe
Serves 5 (makes about 4 tbsp per serve)
Hands-on: 10 minutes
Overall time: 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 cup (140g) frozen peas
One tin chickpeas (400g), rinsed + drained
3 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp Plenish Oat Milk
2 tbsp lemon juice
Zest of 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
How to Make Green Pea Hummus Dip
Place the peas in boiling water to soak for 3 mins. Drain and rinse under cold water. Then combine the peas, chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice + zest, and olive oil in a high-speed blender and puree until completely smooth.
Healthy Pasta
These lunchbox friendly pasta salads are easy to make fresh in the morning or the night before and then store in the fridge overnight. Try making the creamy avocado pasta with lentil or pea pasta to pack in some extra veg. It already contains broccoli and edamame beans to help towards the five a day, and you can up the nutrition content by sneaking in extra veg. This gluten-free pesto pasta is vegan and full of simple ingredients, so it’s easy to put together first thing in the morning and yummy.
Super Smoothies
A smoothie is a great way to pack fruit into your child’s lunchbox without them noticing. These are both made with Organic Plenish Oat Milk which will give a long-lasting boost of energy and help keep your child active and alert all afternoon. This chocolate smoothie is an absolute fave, and it includes bananas, seeds, and oats for a source of high-quality protein, healthy fats and essentials vitamins and minerals. Or why not let your children enjoy this banana and papaya smoothie, which brings a tropical taste to weekday lunch?
Sweet Treats
Kids will tell you that no lunch box is complete without some sweet treats. There are some healthier options than a chocolate bar or biscuits, though, and they still feel indulgent. Try making these Vegan Oat Milk Crepes and serve them with chopped fruit instead of chocolate sauce. If you make a batch, they can store in the fridge for up to 5 days. These yummy Blueberry Oat Milk Bites are made with Organic Plenish Oat Milk, and they taste delicious. This recipe makes 24 bites, so there is enough to share around too.
Hopefully, these clever lunch box fillers will put a smile on your child’s face and ease them back into the school term full of energy. Do you have any lunch box inspiration you’d love to share? Tag us on Instagram @plenishdrinks and use #Plenish.