Simplify lunch packing with our Two Weeks of Healthy School Lunch Ideas! We’ve compiled 10 delicious, gluten-free lunch options, along with a free printable planning sheet to help you create your own combinations. Keep reading for more!
ANTIPASTI SNACK BOX
You can mix and match nearly any of the components, so think of it as a mini cheese board. Since we’re dairy-free, we focus on meats, olives, veggies, and crackers instead of various cheeses.
Feel free to use whatever you like—salami or pepperoni, ham or prosciutto, cubes or slices of mozzarella or cheddar (if it fits your dietary needs), any variety of olives, nuts (if they fit your diet), small veggies like cherry tomatoes, and crackers or breadsticks. For a sweet treat, we often include chocolate-covered almonds or raisins!
MUFFINS & YOGURT
Start with your favorite yogurt (dairy or non-dairy), add some fresh fruit, and include a few mini muffins. You can halve or quarter regular-sized muffins to fit, or use a mini muffin pan to bake smaller ones. We absolutely LOVE this option! The muffins don’t even need liners! (Just a tip: placing the silicone muffin pan on a baking sheet will provide extra stability in the oven.)
FRUIT DIP & DIPPERS
This is a fun and easy school lunch! We start with a little fruit dip (the thermos insert helps keep it contained and cool) and pack the rest of the box with all sorts of dippables!
Sliced apples, fresh strawberries, and some graham or animal crackers are my kids’ favorites.
FOR THE DIP: Combine 1/2 cup of your favorite plain or vanilla yogurt (dairy or non-dairy) with 1 tablespoon of nut or seed butter (we love peanut butter at home, but at school, we opt for almond or cashew butter) and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. If you’re using unsweetened yogurt, you may want to add a bit of pure maple syrup or your favorite sweetener to taste.
So, to recap, you’ll need: 1/2 cup yogurt + 1 tablespoon nut/seed butter + 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon + sweetener to taste. Enjoy!
BAGELS & (VEGAN) CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE
Sometimes, keeping things interesting is as simple as swapping out bread for bagels! You can use them to make a bagel sandwich or spread your favorites on top—like nut or seed butter with honey, a bit of jam or jelly, or cream cheese. For a dairy-free option, we enjoy mixing nut or seed butter with a drizzle of pure maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon; it’s one of Sophie’s favorites!
On the side, a simple mix of fruits, veggies, and something crunchy (in this case, **!) makes for a delicious lunch.
PASTA SALAD
Salad can be a fantastic lunch option, but green salads often get soggy (my kids have a hard time managing mason jar salads or containers of salad dressing without spilling), so pasta salad is a big win!
We use gluten-free pasta, like [insert your favorite brands here]. You can mix and match your favorite toppings—inspired pasta salad, but you can also try Greek, Caprese (with diced mozzarella and basil), or Tex-Mex variations (like this one).
On the side, we include veggies, fruit (we have green or red grapes here), and something crunchy. For dessert, my kids enjoy little gluten-free animal crackers!
WAFFLES OR PANCAKES
I love waffles almost as much as Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation! Whenever we have leftover pancakes or waffles, they make a great addition to a healthy school lunch.
We use this little [insert product name here] to make perfectly packable-sized waffles, but any kind will do. To round out the lunch, I include fresh fruit (like mango and blueberries), a protein source (like a hard-boiled egg or some yogurt), and something fun, such as [insert your favorite snacks here] or [insert another snack here].
When I plan to pack waffles or pancakes, I typically skip the syrup or jam since it can get messy. Instead, I enhance the flavor of the waffles by adding cinnamon, mini chocolate chips, or a little extra syrup to the batter, or by using flavored waffles (like pumpkin, berry, or gingerbread).
TURKEY ROLL-UPS
My mom used to make these for us when we were little. She would cut a wedge of cheese and wrap some turkey or ham around it, securing it with a toothpick. Since we’re dairy-free, we simply roll up the turkey or ham, but you can also wrap it around pickle slices, bell pepper strips, or whatever you like.
Serve this with a pickle wedge, some fresh fruit and veggies, and something crunchy, like [insert your favorite snacks here], [insert another snack here], or even popcorn!
HUMMUS & PITA DIPPERS
You can pack a single serving of homemade or store-bought hummus, or grab store-bought single servings to make it even easier. Then, add some fresh fruit and your favorite veggies (like carrots, cucumbers, snap peas, etc.), along with some gluten-free pita crisps for dipping.
To make the pita dippers, I brush a gluten-free pita (like the MyBread brand) or a pizza crust (like Udi’s or Three Bakers) with a little olive oil, cut it into triangles, and broil them for about 2-3 minutes on a sheet pan in the oven. After broiling, I sprinkle them with some coarse salt and maybe a little [insert your favorite seasoning here] (Sophie loves it!). Voila!
MEATBALLS & VEGGIES
This is a fantastic option for a hot packed lunch (or cold, if your kids don’t mind!). Pack cooked meatballs (these are chicken), a gluten-free roll (I used Udi’s brand), some veggies, and whatever fruit is in season. If you’re looking for a paleo-friendly version, simply swap the roll for alternatives like [insert alternatives here], [insert another alternative here], or sweet potatoes.
The thermos insert in [insert product name here] keeps the meatballs warm, or you can use a [insert type of container here] if you’re using another type of lunchbox.
YOGURT & GRANOLA PARFAIT
I pack dairy-free yogurt (our favorite is SoDelicious brand coconut milk yogurt), gluten-free granola, fresh berries, and a few energy bites (I make them with cashew butter for school!). The thermos insert in the [insert lunchbox name here] keeps the yogurt contained and cold! You can mix and match yogurt and granola flavors or try one of [insert ideas for different flavors here] to switch things up.
