I am getting in the zone. The school lunch zone! It’s back-to-school for my daughters next week. The backpacks are stocked, new school clothes are ready to be worn, and the lunch boxes are open for packing! My kids could probably eat the same thing every day, but I go crazy without variety. Tried and true works, but I love to think outside of the (lunch)box and surprise my kids with fun and different foods. Last week, I shared some ideas for packing lunch bowls. Today, I am changing it up again to give you healthy and easy finger foods that you won’t find in your every day school lunch box.
I think food should be fun, especially when it comes to kids. It also has to be small to fit into those tiny lunch box compartments! Finger foods are a perfect meal idea. You won’t find sandwiches or wraps on this list!
Finger Foods for the School Lunch Box
Taquitos are such a fun finger food for kids. These taquitos can be made ahead and frozen, which is an added bonus! To pack for lunch, reheat and wrap in foil. Be sure to include a side of guacamole and salsa.
Side snacks: Beanfields Snacks Pico de Gallo or Nacho bean chips
2. Caprese Skewers
These skewers are fun on a stick! I made these Caprese style, but you could change them up, such as pizza style, (think Hawaiian pizza with meatless pepperoni, chunks of dairy free cheese, and pineapple), or Italian style (with marinated tofu, basil, and olives).
Ingredients:
Short skewer sticks
Dairy-free Provolone (such as Follow Your Heart) or vegan mozzarella (such as Miyoko’s Kitchen VeganMozz), cubed
Cherry or grape tomatoes
Black or Kalamata olives
Artichoke hearts (optional)
Marinated mushrooms (optional)
Directions:
1. Stack each skewer with a cheese cube, grape tomato, olive, artichoke, and mushroom (if using). Repeat to fill the skewer.
Side Snacks: Rosemary crackers with bruschetta
3. Crudite
Veggies and dips are the ultimate finger foods. Fill celery sticks with nut butters or hummus, or fill containers with assorted veggies such as broccoli florets, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and snap peas. Serve hummus on the side.
Side Snacks: Cubed fruit and pretzels
4. Vegetable Sushi Rolls
These rolls are a cinch to customize based on what you have in the house or what your kids like. You can make these the night before and store in airtight lunch containers for added convenience.
Ingredients:
1 nori sheet
¼ – ½ cup sushi rice, prepared according to package directions
¼ Persian cucumber, sliced into matchsticks
1 tablespoon shredded carrots
3 slices of avocado
2 slices baked tofu
Directions:
1. Place a nori sheet on a sushi mat, and spread the rice across the nori sheet, leaving about ¼ inch border all around.
2. Lay the tofu, vegetables, and finally, the avocado in a straight line on the part of the nori sheet closest to you.
3. Using the sushi mat, roll the nori away from you, pressing the roll with the mat as you roll.
4. Slice the roll into 8 pieces and serve with shoyu or tamari.
Side Snacks: Edamame
5. DIY Cracker Sandwiches
Let the kids build their meal by packing a stack of crackers, along with squares of dairy-free cheese and Tofurky slices. They can make their own mini sandwiches, just like the store-bought packages that are less healthy and more expensive.
Side Snacks: Cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and fruit
What are you favorite finger foods to pack in your kids’ lunch box?
