26 Plant-Based School Lunch and Snack Ideas
Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian/Vegan, and Plant-Based School Lunches, Snacks, and Sides
Plant-based school lunches are important for promoting healthy eating habits, reducing environmental impact, and accommodating various dietary requirements. However, coming up with creative and appealing plant-based options can be challenging for parents and caregivers. The monotony of lunch ideas often leads to repetitive meals, which can result in children becoming disinterested in finishing what’s in their lunchbox. To alleviate this difficulty and inspire more diverse and nutritious choices, I have compiled a list of innovative plant-based lunch ideas that will not only satisfy hunger but also intrigue young eaters—all while making healthy choices for the planet.
12 Plant-Based School Lunch Ideas
Here are 12 plant-based school lunch ideas that are nutritious, easy to prepare, and perfect for kids:
1. Veggie Wraps:
Whole wheat tortilla filled with hummus, avocado slices, shredded carrots, cucumbers, spinach, and bell peppers.
2. Chickpea Salad Sandwich:
Mashed chickpeas mixed with vegan mayo, mustard, celery, and pickles, served on whole grain bread with lettuce and tomato.
3. Pasta Salad:
Whole grain pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, and a balsamic vinaigrette, topped with vegan cheese.
4. Tofu Nuggets:
Baked tofu bites with a side of BBQ sauce, served with sweet potato fries and a side of steamed broccoli.
5. Sushi Rolls:
Nori rolls filled with avocado, cucumber, carrot, and tofu, served with soy sauce or tamari for dipping.
6. Lentil Soup:
A thermos of warm lentil soup packed with veggies like carrots, celery, and spinach, paired with whole grain crackers.
7. Quinoa Salad:
Quinoa mixed with black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and lime vinaigrette.
8. Veggie & Hummus Bento:
A bento box with sliced bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, pita bread, and a container of hummus.
9. Fruit & Nut Butter Sandwich:
Whole grain bread spread with almond or sunflower seed butter (or my kids’ favorite, pumpkinseed butter), layered with banana slices, and sprinkled with chia seeds.
10. Stuffed Pita:
Whole wheat pita stuffed with falafel, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
11. Mini Veggie Pizza:
Whole wheat pita bread topped with tomato sauce, vegan cheese, and plenty of veggies like spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
12. Rice & Bean Burrito:
Brown rice, black beans, salsa, avocado, and lettuce wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla.
14 Plant-Based Lunch Sides and Snacks
Now that you have some inspiration for the mains, it’s time to talk sides and snacks! In the list below, I have included ways to make them plastic-free as well, but no pressure. Even if you purchase something, like crackers, in a box, try and package it in a reusable container to avoid single-use plastic bags. While it might not be entirely plastic-free, that’s ok—it’s a major step in the right direction! Alright, I won’t leave you hanging any longer… Here are 14 plastic-free, plant-based lunch sides and snacks for kids to keep those kiddo bellies full:
1. Homemade Energy Balls:
Made with oats, dates, seed butter, and seeds, rolled into bite-sized balls. Here is a link to our family’s favorite recipe. We haven’t made them with pumpkin seed butter yet (our kids’ school just became nut-free this year) but it’s on my to-do list to give it a try since they love these so much.
2. Fresh, Seasonal Fruit Skewers:
Wooden skewers with a mix of berries, melon cubes, or grapes (depending upon what’s in season).
3. Veggie Sticks with Hummus:
Carrot, cucumber, and celery sticks served with a small jar of homemade or bulk-bought hummus.
4. Apple Slices with Seed Butter:
Sliced apples paired with pumpkin or sunflower butter, stored in a stainless steel container.
5. Popcorn:
Air-popped and lightly seasoned, stored in a cloth snack bag or stainless steel container.
6. Rice Cakes with Avocado Spread:
Whole grain rice cakes topped with mashed avocado and a sprinkle of hemp seeds.
7. Dried Fruit:
Get it in bulk if you can to reduce packaging and pack it in a reusable container to limit single-use plastic bags.
8. Roasted Chickpeas:
Crispy, seasoned chickpeas roasted in the oven and packed in a reusable container.
9. Homemade Granola Bars:
Made with oats, seeds, and dried fruit, wrapped in beeswax wrap.
10. Banana Oat Cookies:
Simple cookies made from mashed bananas, oats, and raisins, baked and stored in a reusable container.
11. Trail Mix:
A homemade blend of seeds, and dried fruit, packed in a small glass jar.
12. Kale Chips:
Baked kale chips seasoned with nutritional yeast, stored in a cloth bag or stainless steel tin.
13. Seed Crackers & Hummus/Babaganoush
14. Edamame
→BONUS: Want to learn more about packing a trash-free, plastic-free lunch? Check out this blog post to learn more!
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