15+ Sandwich-Free Lunch Ideas

Back to School Season is here and that means packing school lunches– a love/hate relationship for me, as I LOVE researching new and fun lunch ideas, but I know it can easily get overwhelming and tedious, and we often end up falling right back into the sandwich-everyday pattern. And don’t get me wrong- I love a good sandwich… but there are SO many other easy options! Here are 15 school lunch ideas, beyond the sandwich. For 25+ lunch ideas and a planner template, check out my free kids lunch guide here.

p.s. This post isn’t sponsored- but I will share brands when applicable because I know I’ll get asked!

DIY ‘Lunchable’ Ft. :

• Applegate Turkey Pepperoni
• Pepperjack (or cheddar) cheese
• Back to Nature Crackers
• Blueberries
• Monster Energy Ball
• Carrots
• Homemade Ranch

• French Toast Sticks with strawberries
• Maple syrup to dip
• Plantain Chips (Trader Joes)
• Persian Cucumber Slices
• String Cheese

• Hidden Veggie Chicken Nuggets
• Ketchup to dip
• Alexia brand Sweet Potato Fries (cooked in air fryer)
• Blueberries
• RX Kids Bar

• Homemade Chocolate Banana Waffle
• Maple Syrup to Dip
• Apple Slices
• Pirate’s Booty
• Vermont Smoke & Cure Meat Stick

• Ham & Cream Cheese Roll-Ups
• Frozen Berries
• Freeze Dried Edamame
• Pepper
• Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar

• Florentine Egg Cups
• Cheese Crackers
• Strawberries
• Vermont Stick

• Pizza Pasta Salad
• Snap Pea Crisps (Trader Joe’s)
• Melon
• No-Bake Energy Ball

• Meatball Skewers (these are the garlic herb meatballs from the Budget Dinners ebook)
• Tomato sauce to Dip
• Carrots
• Strawberries
• Bear Snacks Fruit Rolls

• Hard Cooked Egg & Meat Stick (my kids eat these often for protein as they don’t even like sandwiches!)
• Freeze dried strawberries
• Peppers
• Cheddar cheese cubes
• Partake Brand Cookies

Click below to grab your FREE Healthy Kids Lunchbox guide, complete with my simplified healthy lunchbox formula, planning system and over 25 lunch ideas!

• Banana Peanut Butter & Honey ‘Sushi’
• Cherries
• Celery
• Hummus to dip
• Archer brand meat stick

• Cucumber ‘sandwiches’ with ham and cream cheese
• Coconut energy balls
• From the Ground Up Butternut squash crackers
• Fruit squeeze pouch (Target)

• Broccoli Cheddar Pizza Pockets
• Grape tomatoes
• Yogurt smoothie (Trader Joe’s)
• Monster energy balls

• Cubed Cheese
• Salami
• Carrots
• Dressing to dip
• Freeze dried strawberries
• Larabar

• Taco Meatloaf Muffins
• Guacamole to dip
• Snap Peas
• Berries
• Veggie Chips

• BBQ Chicken Pizza Pocket
• Cooked corn
• Mini peppers
• Ranch to dip
• Annie’s Chewy granola bar

• Black Bean, Corn and Quinoa Salad
• Melon
• Yogurt Smoothie
• Celery
• Babybel cheese

Click below to grab your FREE Healthy Kids Lunchbox guide, complete with my simplified healthy lunchbox formula, planning system and over 25 lunch ideas!