These homemade Lunchables are a great way to turn lunchtime into something fun while giving you more control over the ingredients.
Because if you’ve ever read the ingredients list on a package of Lunchables, you know what I’m talking about.
I’m giving you the DIY versions of three of the most popular Lunchables here! They’re easy to customize with your kids’ favorite foods, and you can make everything ahead of time for busy school days.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy to customize: Let your kids choose their favorite meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits and vegetables to create their own Lunchables.
- A healthier alternative: Making DIY Lunchables at home gives you control over the ingredients and makes it easy to choose better options than many store-bought Lunchables.
- Perfect for meal prep: Prepare the individual ingredients ahead of time and assemble lunches throughout the week.
- Kid-friendly and fun: Kids love being able to build their own lunches. Let them assemble mini pizzas, make cracker sandwiches or create their own combinations.
- Great for school lunches: These are an easy school lunch option that packs neatly into bento boxes and divided containers.
- Perfect for road trips: Pack your homemade Lunchables in an insulated lunchbox with an ice pack for an easy meal or snack while traveling.
- Works for picky eaters: You can include foods you already know your kids love while introducing a little variety at the same time.
- Budget-friendly: Buying ingredients at the grocery store and making your own Lunchables can be more affordable than buying individual lunch kits.
The Lunchables “Formula”
The easiest way to create your own DIY Lunchables is to think of them as a formula rather than a strict recipe. Follow this formula and get creative:
1 Starch/carbohydrate. Here are some ideas:
- Whole-grain crackers
- Rice cakes
- Pita bread
- Pretzel crackers
- Mini pita rounds
- Whole-grain pita chips
2 Proteins. This typically consists of one meat and one cheese:
- Turkey slices
- Deli meat
- Roast beef
- Turkey pepperoni
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Chicken nuggets
- Tuna salad
- Greek yogurt
- Cheddar cheese
- Pre-sliced cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Goat cheese
- Mozzarella
- Colby Jack
- Swiss cheese
- String cheese
2 Fruit/vegetable:
- Apple slices
- Fresh berries
- Cherry tomatoes
- Carrot sticks
- Celery sticks
- Cucumber slices
- Grapes
- Orange segments
1 Dip:
- Pizza sauce
- Sour cream
- Hummus
- Peanut butter
- Greek yogurt dip
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
1 Treat:
- A small cookie
- Dark chocolate chips
- Yogurt covered raisins
- Fruit rollups
How to Make Homemade Lunchables
The three we’re making here are three of the most popular versions of Lunchables:
Ham and Cheddar
- Deli-sliced ham
- Sharp yellow cheddar
- Ritz crackers
- Red grapes
- Baby carrots
- Mustard
Turkey and American
- Deli-sliced turkey
- White or yellow American cheese
- Ritz crackers
- Sliced apples
- Sliced cucumbers
- Mayonnaise
Pepperoni Pizza
- Mini pita
- Sliced pepperoni
- Mozzarella cheese
- Sliced bell peppers
- Berries
- Pizza sauce or marinara sauce
Make it extra fun for your child by rolling up the deli meats and cheeses and/or cutting them into fun shapes using cookie cutters or biscuit cutters.
Variations
- Healthy Adult Lunchables: Use the same formula to build grown up-style lunch boxes! Try turkey roll ups, goat cheese, whole-grain crackers, cucumber slices, fresh berries, nuts and hummus.
- Breakfast Lunchables: Try hard-boiled eggs, whole-grain bread slices, fresh berries, Greek yogurt and apple slices. Add a little healthy fat with nut butter or avocado.
- Chicken Nugget Lunchables: For kids who love chicken nuggets, make a homemade version with baked chicken nuggets, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, fresh fruit and a small container of dipping sauce.
FAQs
They can be! In fact, almost always. The biggest advantage is that you control the ingredients. You can choose fresh ingredients, whole grains, less processed meats, and foods your child actually enjoys.
Absolutely. DIY Lunchables are ideal for meal prep. Prepare individual ingredients ahead of time and store them in separate containers in the refrigerator.
Foods like deli meats, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, and chicken nuggets should generally be kept cold. Pack them with an ice pack in an insulated lunchbox when they’re going to school or on road trips.
Some foods can be enjoyed at room temperature, but don’t leave perishable foods out for long periods.
Toss apple slices with a little lemon juice before packing them. This helps slow browning due to oxidation.
Bento boxes, divided containers, lunch kits and small containers all work well. Choose containers with compartments if your kids like their foods separated.
Absolutely. Healthy adult Lunchables are a convenient option for work, travel or busy afternoons. Think of them as a portable cheese plate or mini charcuterie board.
Try turkey, roast beef, different types of cheeses, whole-grain crackers, fresh fruit, vegetables and a small treat for a balanced lunch.
When you make these homemade Lunchables, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!
For more easy lunch ideas, try these:
Homemade Lunchables
Equipment
Ingredients
Ham and Cheddar
- 2 oz. deli ham
- 2 oz. deli sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 Ritz crackers
- 10-12 red grapes
- 10-12 baby carrots
- mustard
Turkey and American
- 2 oz. deli turkey
- 2 oz. deli American cheese
- 6 Ritz crackers
- 1/2 red apple sliced
- 1 baby cucumber sliced
- mayonnaise
Pepperoni Pizza
- 2 oz. sliced pepperoni
- 2 oz. mozzarella cheese sliced
- 6 pieces mini pita bread
- 1/4 cup berries
- 1/2 red or orange bell pepper sliced
- pizza sauce or marinara sauce
Instructions
- Roll up the deli meat slices and trim them to fit the containers. Cut the cheese into fun shapes using cookie cutters or biscuit cutters. Or just roll up the deli cheese.
- Arrange the components in their respective Lunchables container. Seal and refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
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