That little somethin’-somethin’ (that used to be two Arnott’s biscuits for me, or a Yogo if I was with my dad) has grown up a bit in lunchboxes these days, I find. I’m still a nostalgic idiot, so my kids get a balance of all sorts of things (including sugar) but I do tend to keep packed lunches pretty tame – although delicious.
Here are a few of my sweet school lunchbox idea standbys, which mostly all can be made in advance and frozen in serving sizes.
Gluten-Free Blueberry Buckwheat Pikelets (which are also EXCELLENT with raspberries)
The other standard around here: Blueberry Yogurt Cake.
Dairy-Free Banana, Date, and Coconut Muffins
Sorta-Healthy Pear Cake (my kids also love the ginger-pear cake)
Mini Yogurt Pancakes (also excellent with jam swirled into the batter if kids are eating them plain, like mine)
Apple and Cinnamon tea cake from a vintage recipe gets a constant run around here. It works perfectly, every time.
Super-Healthy Anzac Biscuits. You will eat them all.
Apple and Oatmeal Cookies. A friend of mine makes them without the spice, which is also delicious.
Raspberry and white chocolate scones – or whatever flavours you want to add!
Wholemeal Banana and Peach Muffins (egg, dairy, refined sugar-free, and vegan)
One of my enduring childhood favourites, the ole Lemon Coconut Slice. Moving to Victoria has been heaven, people make this for bring-a-plates and fundraisers ALL THE TIME and I love them for it.
The best fluffy banana pikelets – the most popular post on the blog! And with good reason, these beauties are easy and delicious. Double the batch and freeze!
Vegan Raspberry Muffins – so light and full of fruit, everything a good muffin should be.
The Texas Governor’s Mansion Cowboy Cookies – my favourite homemade cookie besides ANZACs. They’re full of oats and coconut and choc chips, and make an absolute ton. They last for ages and have the right kind of crunch to -soft ratio. My politics lean left but my mouth leans towards these cookies!
The best old-school banana cake – I make this nearly every week, school term or no!
I used to make this cherry-apple puree for bigs when she was a baby, and it’s awesome to pop into lunchboxes as a fruity treat for older kids. No need even to use cherry, just use what you have on hand and freeze in serving sizes.
So what are your standbys? What do your kids love in their lunchbox?
Reannon @shewhorambles says
Chocolate cake, brownies, honey joys, banana bread, slice & biscuits are the most requested & I must stick to the tried & true recipes because if I try something new they lose their shit!
Veggie Mama says
I’m moving in with you.
Lauren @ the-thud.com says
Holy shit Honey Joys!! Off to the shops immediately.
Vanessa says
Yum to all of these. Nice to have some new recipes to try before the grind commences too! Thanks Stacey! x
Veggie Mama says
haha anytime!
The Vegetarian Mermaid says
I want all of it. ;____;
This post definitely reminds me that I have to try making yogurt pancakes.
Veggie Mama says
Oh they’re so yum!
Lauren @ the-thud.com says
Yum. Yoghurt pancakes happening this weekend. Fo sho.
Lauren @ the-thud.com says
P.S. YOGO!
Veggie Mama says
I know! chocolate, all the way
The Plumbette says
I’ve been told at Kindy I can pack fruit homemade muffins for morning tea. Some of these would work too as long as it has fruit in it .
Lisa Shearon says
Thank you. Just … thank you. (Mine was a Le Snack. Always.)
Veggie Mama says
Oh yeah we were too poor for that! they were delicious tho
christiechildhood101 says
Love the jam swirl idea for pikelets. Not a standby as such (but super easy and my girls loved them), we made good old jam drops this week. Yum!
Veggie Mama says
Oh I love them! gotta be the ones with custard powder in them. I find it’s a good way to use up allllll the jam I make, haha
kimanneli says
Do these all freeze well? I was just thinking this might be the year that I get organised & plan ahead! Three lunch boxes to pack & the bus to catch at 8am is a challenge!!!
Shari from GoodFoodWeek says
Yum – love all of these ideas. I love having a sweet treat in the boys lunch box {even if it’s just to go to the park}.
Veggie Mama says
So yum!