Make lunchtime exciting with these delicious cold lunch ideas! These sandwiches, snacks, and desserts don’t require any heating and make for a satisfying midday meal.
Summer is coming to a close, and you know what that means: it’s back to school time! Whether you’re sending your kids off to school or you’re headed back into the office, we all could use a little fun in our lunch boxes to fuel us through the afternoons.
Lavish lunchbox
For me, school lunches were all the rage in elementary school. Square pizza, nachos, and of course, chicken nuggets. In middle school it was cool to buy the slushies but you just *had* to bring lunch from home in a stylish lunchbox. Or that’s what I convinced my 12 year old self,
No matter how many times I tried to make hot food work in a mini thermos, I usually ended up with something lukewarm that was unable to be microwaved in a metal thermos.
Alas, it was the cold lunch ideas that saved the day. Sandwiches weren’t cool enough, so most days I ate cold Chef Boyardee ravioli. If only I had Blueberry Salsa, Summer Citrus Salad, or Morning Glory Muffins back then, I would have had such a more well-rounded plate!
But let’s be real, I maybe would’ve eaten the fruit but my picky taste buds would not have been pleased.
Lunches don’t have to be boring anymore. Now we have so many original ways to create a meal that’s perfect for the cafeteria or for the office!
Lucky for me, my job is fully remote but I am so ready for the next opportunity to come up with some cold lunch ideas!
Cold lunch essentials
Sandwiches, Wraps, and Other Mains
Coronation chicken sandwiches
This Coronation chicken sandwich filling is loaded with gentle aromatic spice and tangy fruit flavours. It is easy to make and takes less than 15 minutes to put together.
Homemade Gluten-Free Pizza Lunchables (Vegan, Allergy-Free, Grain-Free)
Lunchables without the scary ingredients! Homemade Gluten-Free Pizza Lunchables that are vegan, allergy-free, & grain-free too! This healthy, kid-loved, and mom-approved make-ahead lunch recipe will make the school year a bit more fun!
Protein Snack Pack - Easy Lunch Meal Prep
Protein Snack Packs filled with hard-boiled eggs, almonds, hummus, and crunchy veggies. An easy and delicious lunchtime meal-prep solution perfect for any protein lover, these fantastic little protein snack packs are perfect for school lunches, post-workout snacks, or picnics in the park.
Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit
This Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap has all the flavors of a classic Caesar salad. Loaded with tender chicken, crispy lettuce, tomatoes, bacon and crunchy croutons with a creamy dressing all tucked nicely into a soft tortilla
Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
Easy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas recipe. This simple lunch idea is perfect to make as meal prep on weekends or as a snack on weekdays.
Chicken muffins (Gluten free, AIP, paleo)
Don't know what to do with leftover roasted chicken? Those chicken muffins will be perfect for a grab and go meal.
Easy Quinoa Veggie Wrap With Sweet Italian Dressing (Gluten-Free I Vegan)
Enjoy a flavorful lunch with this homemade veggie wrap! Loaded with protein-packed quinoa and colorful veggies all dressed in a homemade Italian dressing. This quinoa wrap makes a great meal prep recipe, tasty lunch or gluten-free dinner recipe on a busy weeknight!
Vegan Chickpea Salad
This raw vegan chickpea salad is a simple no cook side dish or snack. A protein packed salad with a sweet turmeric dressing that keeps in the fridge for the whole week.
Snacks and Sides
Homemade Gluten-Free + Vegan Goldfish (Allergy-Free, Grain-Free)
Nothing says childhood more than Goldfish crackers! Now you can make your own Homemade Gluten-Free & Vegan Goldfish that are top 8 allergy-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and secretly protein-packed! A healthy snack recipe mom's and kids will love!
Watermelon Pizza with Cream Cheese Icing
A light and refreshing treat, Watermelon Pizza with Cream Cheese Icing is a healthy snack that was made for lunch.
Pasteli- HOW TO MAKE ANCIENT GREEK SESAME BARS
These delicious sesame bars have been a part of the Greek culinary tradition since ancient times! You only need 2 ingredients to make this nutritious, ancient Greek superfood known today as Pasteli!
Fresh Fruit Salad
This fresh fruit salad makes the best side for school lunch’s because it’s easy, healthy, naturally sweet, colorful, and a kid-favorite! Simply prep it one night (in less than ten minutes!) and you will have a few days worth of sides to send for lunches!
Asian Cucumber Salad with Sesame Dressing
Sliced cucumbers are tossed in sesame dressing topped with roasted peanuts makes for a delicious side dish or light lunch or dinner that everyone will love. It takes just minutes to make and is completely vegan.
Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad - Six Hungry Feet - Recipes
If you are looking for a healthy, refreshing, packed with zesty flavor, and absolutely delicious lunch or dinner option, look no more. Our Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad with preserved lemons and za'atar is the perfect meal for a summer day to enjoy with the whole family.
Don’t forget the desserts!
Girl Scout Cookies Samoas Caramel Popcorn
Enjoy your favorite Girl Scout cookies even more with Samoas Caramel Popcorn! A sweet and salty snack that will leave you wanting more.
Apple Spice Muffins Recipe {Video}
Apple spice muffins are loaded with fresh apples and lots of cinnamon spice flavors! These light, moist, muffins are topped with a cinnamon streusel!
Lemon Coconut Chia Balls
This no-bake, nut-free, gluten-free recipe is a favourite for snacks!
4 Ingredient Banana Oat Bites | Easy Banana Oat Bites
4 Ingredient Banana Oat Bites | Easy Banana Oat Bites A healthy and quick snack recipe that you can prepare within 30 minutes.
Chocolate Date Energy Balls
These chocolate date balls are easy treat made with few ingredients. Perfect indulgent snack to pack in lunch box.
Nut-Free Chocolate Spread
This nut-free chocolate spread is easy to make and more nutritious than the store bought sugary stuff. Use it in sandwiches or as a dip for fresh fruit.
Snickers Salad Recipe
One of the best dessert salad recipes ever! This easy recipe is made with vanilla pudding, green apples, Cool Whip, caramel and loads of Snickers bars.
Best Air Fryer Blueberry Bread (Easy & Healthy Recipe)
This easy air fryer blueberry bread is so soft, moist and loaded with blueberries! This healthy, homemade recipe is super quick to throw together and tastes better than a bakery!
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Lunch on the Go
It isn’t always easy packing lunch on the go, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. I hope you found some great cold lunch ideas to try or got inspired to create something of your own!
What I want to hear is, what is your favorite food to pack in your lunch that you know will make your day? It’s hard to say no to snack-cakes, but having fresh fruit in the middle of my day is always a plus! Share yours in the comments below
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There a tons of great ideas on here. Thanks for sharing!
School starts for us in less than 2 weeks. These are great ideas for my kiddos to bring in their lunches. Even for me to bring to work 🙂
Thanks for the ideas! My kid is starting kinder and I’m stressed about lunch. These ideas will help.
Great ideas for “back at school” but also at work!
great list of lunch ideas! even for someone at work can prepare them especially me Im lazy to access the microwave in the office
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am always looking for some good cold lunch ideas!
These are such great ideas! So helpful!
So many awesome recipes! School will start in 2 weeks and I will definitely write down some of those ideas 😀
Great ideas. Many of us are working from home and this gives us more options that will take less of our downtime during the work day.
My son is starting school and I had no idea what to send for lunch. Now I have some great ideas. Thanks for sharing!
This gonna be my favourite post for having so many school lunch ideas I can’t imagine!! Thanks for sharing!!
That blueberry bread looks tasty, I’m a big fan of blueberries and I’m back to the office soon, this might make it’s way into one of my lunches, let’s see how my cooking is first though! 😂 x
So many great ideas! Thank you!
These are lovely ideas. I may have to use one or two,
I would love any or all of these ideas for my lunch. These are great options and they beat the same ole lunch. I would welcome the change and look forward to my lunch daily.
These lunch ideas were brilliant! I am always working outside so cold lunches are the best way to power through!
What a killer roundup! We do cold lunches all the time so thanks for the inspo for the school year!
This is perfect with so many ideas for back to school lunch ideas. I also love that you include allergy friendly options! I can’t wiT to try some.
These are really great ideas for lunch! Excellent roundup!
So many brilliant ideas, I love a quesadilla! Such a helpful post xx
Super helpful and yummy! Thanks for such an organized list and you’re right, a snazzy lunchbox was indeed all the rave!
Great post! I love these ideas, as lunch ideas are so hard to come up with 🙂
My mom is struggling with school lunch ideas for the children. I’m definitely sharing this with her.
Loved reading these ideas. Some amazing options there, I work in an office and struggle all the time of what to make x
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Great ideas! Even though I work from home, I like to have lunches made already so I appreciate the ideas. Also, that samoas popcorn is so calling my name!
I love this! I am always trying to find new lunch ideas and especially cold ones! I don’t often have a microwave or oven at my jobsite so cold is a must!
These are all great lunch ideas! And not just for kids, but some of these would be great for me to bring along to work as I prefer not to have to eat out or order food when in the office. Thanks for sharing!
My daughter started school 3 weeks ago, but these are great ideas of what I can include in her lunch!
She would love the chicken sandwich & muffins & I want to try making the goldfish too!
My nephews are starting school soon. This roundup is the perfect article for gathering the best ideas!
Wow what a great list! Can’t wait to try some of these! The kids go back to school in just a few days! Those muffins look delicious!
What a great collection of recipes!!!