Homemade Lunchables

Name: Homemade Lunchables
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 ounce sliced low-sodium turkey breast (rolled, cut in half); 1 slice lowfat Cheddar cheese (cut in fourths); 4 whole wheat crackers; 1 hard-cooked egg; 1/2 cup seedless green grapes; 1 2 oz. YoQuiero! Guacamole® mini cup; 1 ounce pretzel sticks

by Amanda Keefer // July 6, 2019 (last updated July 30, 2024)

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These Homemade Lunchables pack 16g of protein to keep kids fueled throughout the day. They’re easy to assemble the night before school and fun for kids to eat. Pair with fresh fruit like grapes and a fun side like guacamole and pretzels for a complete, healthy lunchbox.

Easy Homemade Lunchables

Growing up, Lunchables signaled you as a “cool kid” – or at least you had cool parents who would buy them for you. I only got them for field trips. Most school days, I ate school lunch or my mom would pack a homemade version of Lunchables.

Fast-forward to today, and us Millennials are all about the charcuterie boards, aka grown-up Lunchables. The premise behind these convenience lunches are still the same though — a fun lunch that kids can be creative with.

With this homemade version, parents have more control over the foods that are included. You can select your child’s favorite cheese, lunchmeat and crackers – and know that they’ll enjoy it! They can even help make it!

Nutrition Tip: Protein is key for kids during growth: It builds new cells and tissues, helps the muscles rebuild after exercise, and offers energy to fuel their day.

Here’s What’s Inside

When selecting lunchmeat, look for lower sodium options. Turkey and chicken are leaner options compared to more processed options like salami or bologna.

Also opt for fresh fruits and veggies, as well as whole grains and healthy dips.

Here’s what we packed in this Homemade Lunchable recipe:

Low-sodium turkey breast, rolled and cut in half
Low-fat Cheddar cheese, cut in fourths
Whole wheat crackers
Hardboiled egg, sliced in half
Green seedless grapes
Guacamole snack cup
Pretzel sticks

How To Pack Homemade Lunchables

Simple assemble your child’s lunchbox with all ingredients in a way that’s visually appealing and also organized. Use cupcake liners or small containers to keep items separate and avoid sogginess.

And don’t forget the ice pack to keep everything cool and safe until lunchtime!

Concerned about lunchbox safety? Check out our 5 tips for packing safe lunches!

Variations

Homemade Lunchables are great for school lunches because they’re totally customizable with whatever you have on hand for that week. Any of these ingredients would be delicious and easy to pack:

Chicken or lean ham instead of turkey (Rotisserie chicken, sliced deli chicken, and sliced deli ham would work well.)
Add some nuts! Dry roasted or raw almonds, cashews, pecan halves, or walnuts are a great way to pack in more protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Swap the grapes for their favorite fruit. Apple slices, peeled oranges or clementines, berries, pineapple chunks, or mangoes would be great additions.
Add some dip! This is a great way to entice kids to eat their fruits and veggies.
Include something sweet, like yogurt-covered raisins or dark chocolate-covered nuts as a surprise for your kiddo.

More Recipes To Try

If your kids liked this Homemade Lunchables, then they’ll love these other fun lunchbox ideas:

Frequently Asked Questions For Our Homemade Lunchables

Q: What ingredients are needed for Homemade Lunchables?
A: The main ingredients are low-sodium turkey breast, low-fat cheddar cheese, whole wheat crackers, hard-cooked egg, grapes, guacamole, and pretzel sticks. However, you can make your homemade lunchabls with any ingredients you like.

Q: How many calories are in a serving of Homemade Lunchables?
A: One serving with the ingredients we used contains 209 calories.

Q: Is this Homemade Lunchables recipe gluten-free?
A: No, this recipe is not gluten-free as it contains whole wheat crackers. But you could make it so by adding gluten-free crackers.

Q: How long does it take to prepare Homemade Lunchables?
A: The preparation time is 10 minutes.

Q: Can Homemade Lunchables be made ahead of time?
A: Yes, they can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.

How do you #PowerYourLunchbox? Show us your healthy lunchboxes on Instagram using #PowerYourLunchbox.

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