Easy Lunchbox Sandwich Recipes for Kids
When it comes to making packed lunches everyday, it can get a little samey. And as a parent, I realise how boring eating the same thing every day can be and so I try to mix it up a little with the kids. I like to make the packed lunches full of goodness whilst also making it appetising for the boys to want to actually eat.
Investing in a bread maker was a great idea for us as it meant that we could make our very own breads with different flavours, textures and health benefits and the boys loved that they could make their own and then take it to school with them to eat.
Having a filling packed lunch is so important for growing children and according to NHS choices a balanced lunchbox should contain:
Starchy foods like bread, rice, potatoes or pasta
Protein foods like meat, fish, eggs or beans
A dairy item, like cheese or yogurt
Vegetables or salad and a portion of fruit
But of course, getting children to eat fruits, veggies and anything remotely good, is hard when they see their friends munching on goodies at the side of them. So I try to give the boys a mixture of flavours and even put sweet things in too as having a boring savoury packed lunch is a little underwhelming for children.
I mean, cheese and pickle is not to be knocked, but if your kids are tired with the same old sandwich fillings then why not try something new? And fun sandwiches are so easy to make too. You don’t have to be a Pinterest Mum, just take a couple extra minutes to prepare, that’s it.
Cheese and Apple
Now, people tell me that this is a weird one but my sons love it. Mix a nice and strong grated hard cheese with grated apple and a squeeze of lemon. The boys love it in a wholemeal breadcake and I love that they’re getting an extra portion of apple into their lunchbox.
HLT Pinwheels
Okay, not exactly bread, but wraps still work the same way. So, we top a wrap with some ham, lettuce and tomato before rolling it and securing into place. The boys enjoy eating these as they’re something different than a regular sandwich.
Chocolate/Peanut Butter and Banana
If you’re really struggling to get fruit into your child then you can try mixing it with something sweet. I slice up a banana and put it into a sandwich with either peanut butter or chocolate spread. The sweetness of the spread means the kids enjoy it whilst also getting all the goodness from the banana.
Shape Your Sarnies
This one isn’t a recipe but I found that my sons loved their packed lunches more when they were themed. You don’t have to go the whole hog and buy every Bento item you can find, I just simply used a shaped cutter to stamp out six bread shapes from the bread (freeze the off-cuts to make breadcrumbs) and that was it. The boys enjoyed eating these.
It hadn't occurred to me that a breadmaker would be so helpful for this. I've never had one, and tended to think of them as having pretty limited use, but perhaps I should rethink! Great ideas, thank you!