EEEKKK! It’s time for the daily school lunch prep.
If you want to be super-prepared for the new school term and lloking for school lunch ideas, start thinking about doing some cooking for school lunches and stashing the goodies in the freezer so you can just pop them into the lunch boxes on school mornings.
I’ve been freezing sandwiches for my boy’s school lunches for years now.
Many people don’t agree with that – but that’s totally okay. For me, it is a lifesaver! I don’t have a lot of time and mornings are just totally nuts. With sandwiches and bread rolls, I highly recommend you freeze them the Sunday night just before the school week begins. Sandwiches only last a week in the freezer, so think about it, but they aren’t a great choice to freeze long term. Read more on how to freeze sandwiches on my blog post here.
On the other hand, I have loads of freezer-friendly school lunch ideas that are perfect for the freezer! Here are 50 of my favourites!
More Reading:
- Guide to Freezing Sandwiches for School Lunches
- List of the Best Weight Loss Shake Options in Australia
- 30 Make Ahead Snacks You Can Freeze for Later
Quick Guide on Freezing Items for School Lunch Ideas:
Most of the items below can be successfully frozen for up to two months. Just make sure they are wrapped well in the freezer to prevent freezer burn. If you are going for a waste-free lunch box, freeze items then pop them in a larger zip lock bag – if you freeze them individually first, they won’t stick together in the freezer. Otherwise, just pop some baking paper in between layers.
You can pop all of these items into the lunch box frozen – and they will be perfectly defrosted by morning tea or lunchtime!
Freezable Savoury Bites for Lunch Boxes
Dear Mums, when you’re looking for school lunch ideas such as healthy and tasty snack bites to add on to your kids’ lunches, there’s no need to spend a fortune just to prepare ’em! Here, we give you these list of savoury bites that your kids will surely enjoy. Check out some of our favourites!
Chicken Rissoles
These Chicken Rissoles are tasty and well loved by hubby and the kids. Cook in the pan or out on the BBQ, you are going to love these!
Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Different cheeses, herbs, deli meats such as ham, bacon or prosciutto, vegetables, dips or pestos, the list is endless and you are limited only by your own imagination and taste buds!
Mince Wellington
It looks, smells, and tastes like a meatloaf meets a large sausage roll. It’s similar to meatloaf but has a more refined flavor. You may also sneak a lot of veggies into this recipe.
Grilled Gooey and Cheesy Chicken Rissoles
My family loves chicken rissoles, and this grilled, cheesy version is a huge hit. They take minutes to prepare and are excellent for a quick dinner on a weekday since they just need cooked chicken, plenty of cheese, and a few basic ingredients.
Chicken Mince Puff Pastry Bites
These bite-sized treats are a cinch to make and are sure to disappear quickly on Christmas morning.
Ham and Pineapple Pinwheels
Well, you are going to be all over our Ham and Pineapple Pinwheels – they are sensational! They are great to make ahead and freeze for school lunches too!
Corned Beef Fritters
If you intend to prepare Corned Beef Fritters at home, get an extra-large Corned Beef (2kg+) so you get a few dinners out of it. You may have the corned beef for supper and then use the leftovers to make a ton of fritters the following day.
Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
No meat, very simple sausage rolls recipe and you can freeze them. The kids will never guess what is in them!
Spinach and Feta Triangles
Made in minutes, these Spinach and Feta Triangles are a crowd pleaser at any gathering. You may prepare a large quantity and store them in the freezer; then, when guests arrives, simply take them out of the freezer and reheat them in the oven.
Pumpkin Scones
This gorgeous scones recipe is a keeper. Perfect with jam and cream, or some golden syrup and butter”¦ Hmmmm yum!!! They are also a very cheap addition to school lunches! Probably not a thing you would think to include in a lunch box – but a great way to get some veggies in there!
Fun Fact: Add some pumpkin seeds on top (like the picture below) – not only are they good for kids – they are a natural way to get rid of worms!
Spaghetti Scones
Scones with a tin of spaghetti in them? Yes, and the kids will LOVE THEM!
Cheesy Beef Puffs
If you have beef leftovers, recreate something out of it like these cheesy and yummy beef puffs!
Leek, Ham and Cheese Pasties
They’re simpler than you think, but offer great value as well as comfort. A hearty and delicious school snacks to knock afternoon belly rumbling on the head. Leeks are expensive so you can easily substitute them for onions.
Mince Scrolls
Great for lunchboxes but also as a snack! They are super filling and very freezable!
Cheese and Vegemite Scrolls
You’ll never buy a pre-made scroll again with these super yummy cheese and vegemite combo scrolls!
Zucchini Slice
If you’re having a hard time feeding your kids with veggies, then this Zucchini slice is a starter. For sure, your kids will find this irresistible! With Zucchini Slice in the school lunchbox you will need to ensure you have a cooler or ice pack.
Zucchini Waffles
Make your usual waffles healthy by adding zucchini! Definitely a delicious batch of waffles. Waffles are great for little fingers too – and they are perfect for something a bit different in the lunchbox. Make them nice and tiny!
Chicken and Apple Croquettes
If you’re looking for something that’s a perfect balance of sweet and savoury, these meatballs are good to go. They are delicious and are just as good cold as hot.
Chicken and Vegetable Sausage Rolls
Make a twist on the normal sausage rolls you have and serve these yummy finger food that everyone will gobble on. Nom nom nom!
Sweet Potato and Baby Spinach Balls
So yummy and decadent and you can eat one in one pop!
Homemade Sausage Rolls
Also perfect for picnics to beach days and birthday parties!
Vegan Sweet Potato & Lentil Sausages Rolls
Sweet Potato is a great superfood and lentils are nut-like, filling and very nutritious! Put them together for sausage rolls that will fill the kids up without knowing there isn’t any meat in there!
Kid-Friendly Mini Chicken Poppers
They are the perfect finger food for kids – and a great way to include protein in the lunch box – and not only are they freezable – they are good eaten cold!
Potato and Ham Croquettes
Kids will love any finger foods you serve them especially this one.
Mini Quiches
Delicious morsels of yumminess! They freeze just beautifully and you can use any leftovers you may have in the fridge as added ingredients.
Freezable Muffins
Oh Muffins, how I love thee! Muffins are great to freeze, and a great way to sneak lots of goodness into fussy kids bellies! To freeze muffins, cook according to the directions, allow them to cool totally to room temperature, then pop them into a ziplock bag (try and get as much air out of the bag as possible to avoid freezer burn). Muffins can be frozen for up to two months!
Don’t forget to check out our article on 30 Meals You Can Make in a Muffin Tin!
Ham and Vegetable Muffins
If your kids aren’t fond of veggies, then this recipe is your go-to when you want them to “secretly” eat vegetables. Just don’t spill the beans, if you know what I mean!
Easy Cheesy Muffins (Only 3 Ingredients!)
Quite possibly the easiest and quickest muffin recipe in the entire world! With only three simple ingredients, they are perfect for a quick snack, school lunches or just something quick to whip up if friends turn up! Remember when making this recipe to use muffin cases – as this recipe tends to get a bit sticky!
Delicious Pizza Muffins
OMG! These muffin pizzas are the best and for sure your kids will devour these in no time! Plus just grate any extra veggies into the muffins you like – a great way to sneak veggies into little tummies!
Banana and Chocolate Chip Muffins
Something healthy and yummy for the kiddos who are always on-the-go. If you have manky bananas lying around that have started to turn black – don’t bin them – peel them and freeze them to make recipes like this one!
Savoury Herb Zucchini Muffins
Another veggie muffin that you can have your kids enjoy eating.
Banana Muffins
A simple and traditional recipe for Banana Muffins. Remember – never throw out a manky banana – peel, pop in a ziplock bag and freeze for when you want to make muffins.
Note: Did you know you can make Banana Muffins in the Air Fryer?
More Reading: Air Fryer Banana Muffins
Reduced Sugar Apple and Oat Muffins
We are all trying to reduce our sugar intake – and that of our kids. This muffin recipe is naturally sweetened using Apple Puree.
Bite-size Nutella Banana Muffins
Bite-size Nutella Banana Muffins are drool-worthy bites of sweet, moist chocolate heaven with that rich banana flavour. Breakfast has never tasted better!
Sneaky Mac ‘n’ Cheese Muffins
These Sneaky Mac ‘n’ Cheese Muffins will have your kids asking for more..more veggies with a side of mac ‘n’ cheese. Great for snacks or for their school lunchboxes!
Cheesy Spinach and Cauliflower Muffins
Savoury and healthy veggie muffin. The kids need not know they contain good stuff!
Spinach and Feta Muffins
Green and cheesy deliciousness! You can find frozen spinach in the frozen vegetable section of your local supermarket. If you are growing spinach – fantastic! Just wash it well, clean the leaves under running water and saute for 3 – 4 minutes with a little coconut oil.
Hawaiian Lunch Muffins
Kids’ favourite pizza in muffin form.
Simple Strawberry Muffins
Not just a fantastic addition to the kids’ lunchboxes or a delicious dessert.
Mixed Berry and White Chocolate Muffins
Our Mixed Berry and White Chocolate Muffins are not exactly a frugal but it would be nice for a special occasion like a birthday or snack for your kid’s lunch.
Coconut Cream and Lemon Muffins
A tropical melding of perfectness, this snack is very rich in flavour and goodness!
Healthy Sour Cream Blueberry Muffins
Great for a sweet fix snack.
Bulk Savoury Muffin Recipe
Make a huge batch of these and freeze them for your kids’ lunch or serve to your guests.
Sweet Sometimes Food and Healthy Treats for School Lunch Boxes
Simple slices of these treats are perfect to pop in a lunch box. From yummy chocolate slices to something healthy, your kids will enjoy something that they can munch on.
Banana Loaf
Banana Loaf is a deliciously sweet and easy loaf cakes to make. You can add chocolate chips for this Banana Loaf recipe if you want. Yum yum! It makes for a great morning tea or pop a slice into the kids lunch boxes!
Chia Choc Orange Slice
The next time you are at the shops, grab a chocolate cake mix, add some chia and oranges…then voila! Your kids will definitely like these.
Cut this slice into squares and you can individually wrap them and pop them in the freezer. Then in the morning when you are preparing the school lunch box, just pop one in!
Lemon Lunch Box Slices
For sure, your kids cannot resist the yumminess, sweet and tangy combo of this lemon slices.
Chocolate Chickpea Slice
This Chocolate Chickpea Slice probably sounds a bit weird, but it is soooo delicious! The chickpea’s have a really smooth consistency which makes the chocolate really fudgy and delicious.
Banana Oat Bites
Pack some of these little bites if you’re heading out on a family day trip or picnic. They freeze beautifully and are a healthy addition to the school lunch box.
Apricot Balls
A Christmas tradition in my family that can also be good for snack lunch box.
Apricot Chia Bliss Balls (Dairy-Free)
This high protein, dairy-free and vegan snack are cool for the summer (or any other season, for that matter)!
Apricot and Oat Breakfast Balls
Foods that can be easily eaten on the go during the busy morning rush are always a winner with us especially this oh-so-good breakfast balls.
Vegan Date and Almond Quinoa Bliss Balls
Healthy balls containing crunchy peanut butter, quinoa and raw almonds. They are both good for you and totally delicious!
Apple Fritters
This recipe for Apple Fritters is irresistible, and I guarantee that the first bite will make a lasting impression on your palate, just like the Sunshine Coast’s version did on mine. When you take that first mouthful of this delectable delicacy, you’ll swear it came straight from heaven, thanks to the divine pairing of apples and cinnamon.
Banana Fritters
I’m a sucker for the old Pineapple or Banana Fritters (you can use this same recipe for both) deliciously simple. Eat them on their own, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a quick and easy dessert!
See? We’ve got you covered when you run out of ideas of what to prepare for your kids’ meal at school. These freezer-friendly meals are your ready-to-go for all week long.
