22 Healthy Cold Lunch Ideas For Kids or For Work

1Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

This air fryer recipe somehow makes hard-boiling eggs even easier. Hard-boiled eggs are a source of high-quality proteinand key nutrients that
growing brains and bodies need, including vitamin B12, choline, and iodine.
Because hard-boiled eggs pair so well with other wholesome foods, there
are plenty of ways to serve these nutrient powerhouses at lunchtime, from
using them as a salad topping to including them in a kid-friendly bento box
paired with whole grain crackers, veggies, and fresh fruit. Kids may also
enjoy a hard-boiled egg veggie “pop”, which involves inserting a cut carrot
or celery stick into the wide end of a hard-boiled egg and serving it with
tasty dips like hummus or guacamole. Let your imagination run wild.

1 / 22

2Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats

Got a sweet tooth on your hands? These gluten-free cinnamon roll overnight oats are a great option that provides both protein and fiber while also satisfying sugar cravings. Cinnamon is a great alternative to sugar, and as it’s filled with antioxidant properties and acts as an anti-inflammatory, but it still taste magically sweet.

2 / 22

3Very Favorite Stir Fry Noodles

This recipe can be either served hot or cold – and as we recommend meal prepping for an easier week, try serving this stir fry dish cold with a splash of reduced-sodium soy sauce for added flavor. Stir fry is a versatile dish, as you can add or subtract any veggies to cater to your child’s specific taste palette – and don’t forget to add a protein of your choice to ensure fullness throughout the day.

3 / 22

4Avocado Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a cold lunch staple – but why not mix it up a bit? Adding avocado to your chicken salad provides essential nutrients like vitamins C & E as well as magnesium and potassium. Herbs like parsley and mint create a really unique flavor combination that your child is sure to love, and placed on whole wheat bread or a croissant, you’ve got a gourmet lunch box meal.

4 / 22

5Chickpea Lettuce Wraps

Protein can be found in various foods – not just in meats – and chickpeas have it in spades. This chickpea salad is a great option for a lighter yet satisfying cold lunch that, with the addition of cucumber and tomato, offers further nutrients like fiber and antioxidants. Feel free to substitute red onion with more kid-friendly veggies like peppers or snap peas. And if you have leftover chicken, you can use your poultry as a protein source instead of (or in addition to) the chickpeas.

5 / 22

6Berries and Yogurt Parfait

This five-minute berries and yogurt parfait recipe is the perfect go-to for busy mornings. Low-fat Greek yogurt provides calcium and iodine, while granola and berries add much-needed fiber to your child’s diet. For an added flair, drizzle with antioxidant-rich honey or protein-dense chia seeds and serve in a mason jar for the ultimate picnic feel. Don’t forget to throw in a reusable ice pack to keep the yogurt cool until lunchtime.

6 / 22

7Pesto Zucchini Noodles

7 / 22

8Egg Salad Sliders

The duo of silky egg salad and soft rolls is so tasty, you’ll have trouble not sneaking one of these egg salad sliders from your kid’s lunchbox.

8 / 22

9DIY Pizza Lunchables

Forget the store-bought stuff — set them up with this DIY pizza lunchables situation.

9 / 22

10Grilled Chicken Caesar Wraps

Wrap up leftover grilled chicken with lettuce, Parmesan, and your kid’s favorite caesar dressing for an easy lunch.

10 / 22

11Turkey Pinwheels

11 / 22

12Greek Grilled Chicken and Hummus Wrap

Combine the best elements of Greek salad into a pita wrap spread with hummus for an easy lunch.

12 / 22

13PB&J Wrap

13 / 22

14PB&J Kebabs

14 / 22

15Crunchy Zucchini Noodle Wrap

Add a little healthy crunch to their lunch with these zucchini noodle wraps that also have avocado and cheese for maximum flavor.

15 / 22

16Tropical Mango Spring Rolls

16 / 22

17Ranch Chicken Wrap

These chicken wraps are perfect for any ranch-loving kid. And the best part? You can shove a ton of spinach in them for crunch without them — hopefully — even thinking twice about it.

17 / 22

18Cold Sesame Noodle Salad

Bring the cold sesame noodles from your favorite Chinese takeout to life using spiralized cucumber, zucchini, and carrot noodles. Pair them with a delicious sesame sauce, and you’ve got a yummy cold lunch sorted.

18 / 22

19Rotisserie Chicken Club Wrap

19 / 22

20Turkey and Carrot “Sushi”

This turkey and carrot “sushi” is a fun way to encourage your little one to eat their veggies at lunchtime.

20 / 22

21Italian Zucchini Pasta Spring Rolls

21 / 22

22Prosciutto-Wrapped Sweet Potato Noodle Rolls

22 / 22