62 Brilliant Bento Box Lunch Ideas for Kids (Picky Eater Friendly)

When my daughter started preschool, my first concern was: what the heck am I going to pack her for lunch? 

She’s a bit of a picky eater (it started around age 2 – don’t get me started), and it’s hard enough to get her to eat various foods at home. School is another story.

Packing her school lunches bento box-style (we love the Bentgo brand lunch boxes) has been a lifesaver. I’m excited to share 62 different bento box lunch ideas to help you pack quick, yummy lunches for picky eaters! 

You can also grab a copy of these lunch ideas for quick reference and inspiration.

Recommended Bento Box Products

Since publishing this article over a year ago, the No. 1 question I get is: which bento box products do you recommend?

There are so many options, but this is what we use and what I would suggest:

• Bentgo Kids Chill Lunch Box (4 compartments, built-in ice pack)
• Bentgo Kids Prints (5 compartments)
• Bentgo Deluxe Lunch Bag (lets bento box sit flat so no tipping)
• Bentgo Ice Lunch Chillers (ice packs)
• Omiebox (includes a thermos bowl, so perfect for warm foods like mac & cheese)
• Omiebox Lunch Bag (fits their lunchbox)

You may also find that you like having a few extras. They are not necessary, but we find them really helpful:

• Omiepod and Utensils Set
• Omiesnack (for snacks)
• Omiedip (fits in Omiebox to separate the longer bento compartments even further)
• Bentgo Kids Snack (small, 2 compartments)
• Condiment containers (perfect for ketchup, ranch, etc.)
• Bento box name labels (get an extra 15% off with code stickerlove15)

Don’t miss the companion post: 100+ Bento Box Side Ideas for Kids (Picky-Eater Friendly)

1. Turkey Roll-Ups

I’m starting things off with one of our favorite – and easiest – bento box lunch ideas for kids.

Since we typically keep lunchmeat stocked in the fridge, lunchmeat roll-ups are a frequent lunch idea in our home. Layer turkey and sliced cheese onto a tortilla. Roll it up and slice into bite-sized circles. 

If your toddler is more adventurous, you could try adding mashed avocado or some chopped spinach, but we keep things pretty plain around here.

We’ve made this several times, so I have a few different side ideas:

• Harvest Snaps baked pea snacks, grapes, cashews, and an Oreo
• Cherry tomatoes, mandarin oranges, roasted cinnamon almonds, and chocolate chips
• Avocado, strawberries, M&Ms, and Annie’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

2. Bagel Pizza

I’m a firm believer that you can turn anything into a pizza, and a bagel is no exception. If you’re worried your child won’t like this cold, just ask yourself: have you ever denied cold pizza?!

You can also make this simple recipe with an English muffin or even a tortilla.

I paired this with Annie’s Bunny Grahams (we love this brand), cashews, extra mini pepperonis, and berries.

3. Ham, Colby Jack, and Crackers (Lunchable)

Save yourself a ton of money by making your own Lunchable. This is definitely one of our most popular bento box ideas because we typically keep lunch meat and cheese stocked.

We’ve made this several times and have switched up the sides:

• Strawberries, mandarin oranges, cubed mozzarella cheese, and some chocolate chips
• Strawberry/canteloupe, mandarin oranges, cherry tomato/broccoli, and M&Ms
• Grapes, cherry tomatoes, chocolate-covered strawberry, and roasted cinnamon almonds

4. Noodles, Cubed Chicken, and Parmesan Cheese

It might seem odd to send your child to school with cold noodles, but pasta salad is a thing! I really simplified the concept of pasta salad to appeal to my picky eater.

Just cook and cool your noodles (any shape) and mix them with cubed chicken and a few sprinkles of parmesan cheese.

I paired this with cubed Colby jack cheese, mandarin oranges, raisins, and an Oreo.

5. Peanut Butter and Jelly

Another frequently made lunch in this house is a good, old-fashioned PB&J. It’s a kid favorite, and it’s actually what my daughter requested for her first day of school.

We make our own bread here (our bread maker makes it easy and hands-off), but sometimes, I switch up the bread. I had a leftover hoagie roll one time, so we did that and she loved it. One simple tweak can make an old favorite feel fresh and exciting.

This is another option I’ve made several times, so there are several different side variations:

• Sliced banana with candy eyes, pretzels, blueberries, and an Oreo
• Yogurt, kiwis/raspberries, and Annie’s chocolate chip cookies
• Mango, cherry tomatoes, Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies, and roasted cinnamon almonds

6. Quesadilla Triangles

All you need for quesadilla triangles is a tortilla and some shredded cheese. I added some diced-up turkey lunchmeat for added protein, but it could not be simpler. This is a lunch idea I like to make the night before (takes less than 10 minutes) so that it can cool in the fridge overnight.

I served this one with apples, Greek yogurt with candy eyes, cubed cheddar cheese, and chocolate chips.

7. Tortellini

While typically served hot, tortellini are yummy either hot or cold. Make tortellini for dinner and reserve a few for your toddler’s lunch the next day. Easy peasy!

My daughter likes to eat tortellini totally plain, so we packed it without sauce in the Bentgo lunchbox. But if your child likes it warm or with sauce (alfredo or marinara are perfect for this), I’d recommend packing it hot in the thermos compartment of the Omiebox bento box.

I paired the tortellini with veggie straws, berries, and a couple of Oreos.

8. Arancini

Here’s a super unique lunch and delicious idea: arancini!

We like to call arancini “rice balls,” but they’re really fried risotto balls. We bake them (instead of frying them), and we add a little square of mozzarella cheese in the middle. These are definitely the most time-consuming item to make on this entire list, but you can double or triple the batch and freeze them. Also, they’re seriously delicious.

We got the recipe for this in The Complete Baby and Toddler Cookbook, a must-have cookbook for baby purees through toddler foods by America’s Test Kitchen. The images in the ATK cookbooks for babies and toddlers are *chef’s kiss.*

I packed the arancini with more mozzarella cheese (because why not?!), carrot sticks, mandarin oranges, and some mini M&Ms.

9. Corn Dog Muffins

So, the largest compartment in this particular bento box was cubed cheese and crackers, but the unique part was really the little corn dog muffins!

These are so easy, and your kids can help make them. My favorite recipe is from the eMeals app.

10. Pigs in a Blanket

Grab some crescent roll dough and little smokies to make these simple pigs in a blanket. You can also pick them up pre-done in the freezer aisle.

In the first photo, I paired these with Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies, mango, cantaloupe, and chocolate chips.

And in the second, I did cherry tomatoes, avocado, marshmallows, and ketchup for dipping. I also included the afternoon snack in the photo for fun!

11. Summer Couscous Salad

So, I will admit my daughter kind of picked at this one, but you can modify it to appeal to your picky eater. Next time, I may try to simplify it to just mozzarella, avocado, and cherry tomatoes.

Nevertheless, this summer couscous salad has couscous, cherry tomato, avocado, mozzarella pearls, basil, charred corn, olive oil, and balsamic glaze. It is SO delicious (thank you Cheyenne for the recipe!!), and it’s served cold, making it perfect for preschool lunch.

If your child isn’t so sure about the couscous, try to make it fun by calling them baby noodle balls. You never know.

We paired this with string cheese wrapped in ham, mango, cashews, and Annie’s Bunny Grahams.

12. Hard-Boiled Eggs

My 4-year-old won’t eat scrambled eggs, but hard-boiled eggs? Those are fine.

If your toddler is also a hard-boiled egg fan, it makes for a quick and easy bento box idea that’s rich in protein. I love making hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot using the 5-5-5 method, but a small egg cooker is also amazing as it doesn’t take up as much room in the dishwasher.

The sides I added were bell peppers, strawberries, and crackers with Nutella.

As a side note, there is zero chance my picky eater will eat bell pepper. However, I try to add one thing she doesn’t like on occasion to keep her exposed. Hopefully, over time, she’ll consider giving it a try as they aren’t completely foreign to her.

13. Firecracker Hot Dogs

Firecracker hot dogs are a cute 4th of July kid’s meal, but they also work well in a cold, packed lunch. You can prep these the night before if you don’t want to get up early. Plus, the ingredients are inexpensive and simple – hot dogs and refrigerated biscuit dough brushed with a beaten egg.

We got the recipe for this in My First Cookbook, which is an incredible cookbook for toddlers by America’s Test Kitchen.

We served this one with popcorn, strawberries, and green grapes.

14. Taco Bowl

The beauty of a taco bowl is most ingredients are cold anyway, and you can customize it to fit your toddler’s preferences. Rice, beans, avocado, tomato, corn, sour cream, shredded meat, tortillas, tortilla chips – pick and choose the taco ingredients your little one enjoys. 

I always try to add a wildcard to help expand my daughter’s palette and at least offer some exposure to foods I know she doesn’t like right now.

15. Pizza Puff Pastry Pinwheels

These pizza-themed puff pastry pinwheels are fast to prep and taste delicious for the whole family.

You can buy puff pastry frozen, and it only takes 30 seconds to thaw in the microwave. You can whip up pinwheels pretty quickly, though it’s best to prep the “log” in advance so it has time to chill in the fridge before cutting and baking.

I followed the outline of this pinwheel recipe but swapped the filling for pizza sauce, pepperoni, and shredded cheese.

I paired the pizza pinwheels with veggie straws, Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies, and strawberries.

16. Hawaiian Roll Sandwiches

I have yet to meet someone who isn’t a diehard fan of Hawaiian rolls. These small, sweet rolls are the perfect size for a bento box, and you can add meat and cheese the night before for little to no prep in the morning.

Also, you can prep these for your spouse! Open the Hawaiian roll and layer cheese, meat, and cheese again. This keeps the bread from getting soggy.

You can then freeze these and send your spouse to work with a few, straight from the freezer. By lunch, they will be thawed. 

I’ve also experimented with adding mustard and mayo in the middle (not touching the bread), and it works as well! You cannot tell these were previously frozen. Highly recommend.

17. Pancakes with Peanut Butter

Breakfast for lunch, anyone? We love pancakes in our house because we cook up a double batch and freeze them. One morning of pancake flipping typically yields almost two weeks’ worth of pancakes. Add some peanut butter in a small container for dipping and extra protein.

18. Ham & Cheese Crescent Roll Pinwheels

Ham & cheese pinwheels are SO easy to make, it’s crazy. All you need is ham (or another type of lunchmeat), cheese, and crescent roll dough.

Take out the crescent roll dough from the can and lay it flat. Layer meat and cheese on top and roll the entire thing into a log. Cut the log into half-inch pinwheels. Lay flat on a sheet pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 14 minutes.

The kids (and my husband) absolutely love this one, and I love it because it only takes 2 minutes to prep.

I packed pretzels, green grapes, and M&Ms with this one.

19. Shredded Chicken

Sometimes, simple is best. If we have any leftover shredded chicken, I make that the main dish in my daughter’s bento box. I can always count on her eating shredded chicken, even when she’s feeling super picky!

A hard-boiled egg, cubed Colby jack cheese, strawberries, grapes, and Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies rounded out this bento box.

20. Strawberry & Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

Roll-ups and pinwheels don’t always have to be savory! Try something new by slicing up strawberries and spreading cream cheese on the tortilla. You can also add walnuts or pecans if your toddler won’t pick them off like mine. I got this idea from an eMeals recipe.

I paired these tortilla roll-ups with cherry tomatoes, green grapes, cinnamon-roasted almonds, and an Oreo.

21. Caprese Skewers

One of my all-time favorite foods is Caprese salad, and when you consider it, it’s pretty kid-friendly. Make it perfect for small hands by getting mozzarella pearls. You can also cut the cherry tomatoes in half if you’re concerned about potential choking hazards.

You can skip the basil and balsamic glaze if it’ll turn your toddler off to the whole thing. And the little skewers make it fun and add a bit of a novelty.

I paired the Caprese with strawberries, a star-shaped biscuit, and sweet potato chips.

22. Pizza Cupcakes

My preschooler is a pizza fanatic, so any variation on pizza is a home run here. These pizza cupcakes are really easy to put together, and the small size is great for the largest compartment in the kid’s Bentgo box.

I packed these pizza cupcakes with cinnamon-roasted almonds, apple slices, carrot sticks, and some peanut butter in a sealable dip container. I was actually shocked when my daughter ate the carrot sticks by dipping them in peanut butter! Whatever works, right?

23. Baked Mac & Cheese Bites

My fun twist on arancini (see #8) is baked mac & cheese bites. Cook up your mac and cheese and let it fully cool in the fridge. Shape into balls and roll in a panko/parmesan cheese mixture. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, and you have a fun way to serve mac & cheese that’s just as delicious cold.

Note: my mac & cheese bites didn’t stay together that well, and after some research, it looks like you should coat the mac and cheese ball in egg wash, then roll in the breading. I’ll be doing that next time!

I also packed cherry tomatoes, pineapple, and Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies to round out this lunch.

24. Shredded Beef & Cheese

If you have some shredded beef leftovers – Italian beef is a favorite here – that can make a great bento box lunch. Add some cheese cubes and you can’t go wrong!

On this particular day, we had leftover smoked brisket. You could also add some BBQ sauce on the side for dipping!

25. Pizza Bierocks

You can make bierocks dough from scratch, but you can also use a can of refrigerated biscuit dough in a pinch. We honestly thought it was just as delicious using buttermilk biscuits from the can!

Take each biscuit and roll it out so it’s thin and big enough to be filled. Put shredded mozzarella, two pepperoni pieces, and a dollop of pizza sauce in the middle. Then, bring up each side of pizza dough over the filled center and pinch. You now have a pizza-filled biscuit! Even the pickiest of eaters love this recipe.

I used this bierocks recipe as a base but swapped out the filling.

We served this with cinnamon-roasted almonds, blueberries, and Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies.

26. Nutella Strawberry Crepes

Another fun breakfast-for-lunch idea is Nutella strawberry crepes. You can put whatever filling your child likes inside – peanut butter and banana, jam, cream cheese, strawberries… the options are endless.

I like to make the crepe batter before bed, which only takes about 5 minutes. Then, in the morning, I can heat up my pan while I get my daughter ready for school. Crepes cook up in about 1 minute, and then you just need to spread on the Nutella and slice up some strawberries. I also like to dust powdered sugar on top.

I folded my crepe in half, in half again, and in half again. This fits well into my bento box compartment. Another option is rolling it and slicing it to fit.

I packed this with banana, goldfish, craisins, and fig newton bars.

27. Mac & Cheese

If you use the Omiebox bento box, it comes with a thermos bowl. Add hot or boiling water to the bowl while you prep the mac & cheese. When the food is done, pour out the hot water and add your mac & cheese.

It’ll stay warm until lunch! I also packed mixed berries and veggie straws, and this lunch was a slam dunk hit!

28. Hummus with Veggies and Crackers

Hummus with veggies and crackers might be one of the most classic bento box ideas out there. It’s also super simple and easy to prep in the morning.

I served the hummus in a little sealable dip container with carrots, celery, crackers, pretzels, and blueberries.

29. Popcorn Chicken with Ketchup

The Omiebox makes it easy to send your kiddo to school with a traditionally warm or hot lunch. Although, popcorn chicken is pretty good eaten hot, room temp, or a little cold!

I served the popcorn chicken with a dip container of ketchup, cherry tomatoes, blueberries, and baked lentil snacks.

30. Mini Egg Muffins

My daughter won’t touch eggs unless they’re hard-boiled, but my son is egg-obsessed. If your child will eat mini egg muffins, they are so easy to make and can be stored in the fridge for several days. We use this recipe (just eggs and cheese), but you can also sneak in veggies if your child will tolerate it.

I served the mini egg muffins with watermelon balls, baked red lentil snacks, goldfish, and chocolate chips.

31. Mini Meatballs

I love making grape jelly meatballs in the Instant Pot, especially for parties. They also make the perfect little lunch for kids. I added some ketchup on the side in a dip container to make it extra fun.

I put the meatballs, warm, into the Omiebox thermos bowl. I included cinnamon roasted almonds, avocado, and veggie straws with this one.

32. Mini Sliders

On the weekends, we often like to grill out with friends. If we have burgers left over at the start of the week, I like to cut them into fun shapes for preschool lunch.

Just take a cookie cutter and make a fun mini-slider! You can also make mini sliders using mini buns and tiny patties.

A little ketchup on the side in a dip container makes the lunch extra enticing, especially for toddlers.

We made this lunch during a break, so we served it with mac and cheese, which I would normally put in the Omiebox insulated bowl to keep it warm. We also added some mango and cherry tomatoes!

33. Waffles with Maple Syrup

Most waffle recipes call for separating egg whites from the yolks and whipping them… it’s a whole process. I was stoked to find this waffles recipe from Allrecipes that can be made in advance and stored (as a batter) in the fridge for up to a week.

Make your batter whenever you have time and whip up waffles on demand! These also make a great breakfast for lunch. Just add some maple syrup in a sealable dip container on the side.

34. Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls

If it has chocolate in it, chances are it’s a slam dunk for my pickiest eater. These energy balls were a hit, not only in their lunches, but for breakfast and snacks.

I used this recipe from Gimme Some Oven, and I’ll definitely be making it again.

I included green apples, cherry tomatoes with pearl mozzarella balls, chocolate chips, and pistachios with almonds.

35. Spanikopita

View a TikTok of me making this recipe here

I love making spanakopita in mini phyllo dough shells. It makes for a great appetizer at parties since you can grab one and eat it in one go.

This is the recipe I use since it’s super quick and easy.

I also like that it includes spinach – it can be hard to sneak veggies into a bento box if your child typically refuses them.

I will honestly say that my picky eater took one bite and didn’t eat the rest. However, I still firmly believe in exposure, so I didn’t see that as a total failure.

That also gave me the idea of doing a different filling.

I think a pizza-themed phyllo dough cup could be fun! I would mix together pizza sauce, diced-up mozzarella, and diced-up pepperoni. Proceed with the recipe like usual; I feel like it would be a hit.

36. Chicken Nuggets

Most picky eaters will eat chicken nuggets, and mine didn’t even care that they were in a cold lunch. This is definitely a lunchbox that came home empty.

We served the chicken nuggets with ketchup, mixed berries, cashews, and baby carrots.

37. Chocolate Chia Pudding

Chia seeds are a great source of antioxidants, and if you add chocolate, even the pickiest of eaters might give it a try. Our daughter is notoriously picky, and she asked for seconds when I served this up for breakfast one day.

The recipe is super simple – just mix these ingredients together the night before:

• 1 1/2 cups vanilla almond milk
• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp. maple syrup

You can add other mix-ins if you want, like mini chocolate chips or shredded coconut. I opted to top it with berries, but we switch it up depending on what we have.

I paired this with sliced cucumbers with bleu cheese, parmesan crisps, and halved grapes.

38. Avocado Sushi

Sushi is a great way to get more veggies in your child’s lunch, though I will admit it may not go over well with super picky eaters. But it’s always worth a shot!

I got the sushi recipe from Kids Eat In Color – I highly recommend you check out their stuff and follow them on Instagram! They are amazing, especially if you need advice and inspiration for a picky eater.

One way to speed up the process with this is to buy microwavable sticky rice in the bag. That time-saving step may be what you need in order to prep a lunch like this without feeling overwhelmed.

I paired this kid-friendly sushi with watermelon balls, blueberries, and cherry tomatoes.

39. Pulled Pork Slider

We had a barbecue with some friends the night before, which made school lunch prep that much easier the next morning!

Cook your pork butt however you like and make a little slider for your kiddo.

We put the sauce on the side (because picky eater) and paired it with apple slices, almonds and craisins, crunchy edamame, and an Oreo.

40. Chicken Empanadas

View a TikTok of me making this recipe here

My husband liked this recipe so much he asked me to add it to the regular rotation – and our pickiest of eaters loved it, too!

It’s definitely a shortcut version of empanadas, as it doesn’t require you to make any dough or to cook the potatoes beforehand.

The recipe is from Kids Eat In Color (follow them on Instagram if you don’t already), and it was really fun to make.

This is one you could do with your kids. Grab the kitchen helper and have them cut out the pizza dough rounds!

The empanada recipe includes an avocado crema sauce, and it’s incredible. (We did put a lid on the sauce container after snapping this photo!)

We paired this one with baby carrots, blueberries, and watermelon balls.

41. Mini Pita Lunchmeat Sandwich

We do a lot of lunchmeat stuff, but I’m always trying to think of ways to make it fresh and exciting. Instead of regular bread, crackers, or a tortilla, why not use pita bread?

If your kiddo isn’t as picky as mine, you can get more creative by adding sauces, spinach, avocado, or hummus.

We paired the pita sandwich with Greek yogurt topped with maple syrup, baby carrots, a Ginger snap cookie, and walnuts.

42. Apple Carrot Zucchini Muffins

In another attempt to get some vegetables into my picky eater’s lunch, I made Apple Carrot Zucchini muffins. This is the recipe I use, and it came out delicious!

You could also add mini chocolate chips to the batter if chocolate gets your picky eater to try something new.

We paired this with pitted and halved cherries, chocolate rice cakes, cheddar cheese, and yogurt-covered raisins.

43. Zucchini Fritters

View a TikTok of me making this recipe here

I wasn’t sure if the zucchini fritters would go over well, but my son ate them all!

The recipe is from a children’s America’s Test Kitchen cookbook, but I made a TikTok showing how to make it if you want to watch that and cook along.

I paired the fritters with watermelon balls, hummus and pita chips, and blueberry rice cakes. I also put a side of Chick-fil-A sauce in there because why not?!

44. Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough

Cookie dough for lunch?! Yep!!

This Tik Tok-famous cottage cheese cookie dough has a ton of protein and tastes amazing. The mini chocolate chips make it extra fun for picky eaters.

The recipe includes blended cottage cheese, almond flour, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips. What’s not to like?

I paired this with pickles, sweet ham, cherry tomatoes, and raisins.

45. Grilled Cheese

My kiddos love grilled cheese, and we actually make this in the oven for an entirely hands-off cooking experience.

Simply butter the bread, put shredded Monterey jack cheese between the slices, and bake at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes.

I paired this one with cottage cheese, watermelon balls, and rolled-up turkey with cheddar cheese.

46. Deviled Eggs

I love deviled eggs, and thankfully, my son is a big egg fan, too. We made this as an appetizer the day before, which made adding it to a bento box lunch super easy.

I paired the eggs with canteloupe, halved grapes, and carrot sticks.

47. Kodiac Cakes

Kodiac cakes are great because they’re high in protein, and the mini chocolate chips are enticing for picky eaters.

We paired these pancakes with peanut butter, plantain strips, crunchable apples, and cherry tomatoes.

For the small Jif peanut butter cup, I grab a few of these when I see them at hotel breakfasts. Yes, I’m that person…

But you can also order on-the-go peanut butter pouches or cups on Amazon.

Justin’s has some nice peanut butter squeeze packs (peanuts and palm oil are the ingredients), and Jif does as well, though they aren’t in stock at the time of this writing.

You can always scoop some of your own peanut butter into a condiment cup with a lid.

48. Chicken Pot Pie

Even my pickiest of eaters likes chicken pot pie. She put up a fight, but when I finally got her to try it, she said: “Oh, I actually like this!”

Once that happened, I knew I could put chicken pot pie in the thermos bowl of the Omiebox. I just made a little extra filling when I was cooking dinner the night before and set it aside for her lunch the next day.

I paired the chicken pot pie filling with jello (with berries), cherry tomatoes, and veggie crisps.

49. Mini Corn Dogs

A regular-sized corn dog won’t fit in a Bentgo box, but the mini ones will! You can buy these frozen, and I like to air fry them.

They would be great to put in the thermos bowl of the Omiebox, but I don’t have an Omiebox for my son yet, so I just put it in his Bentgo box. I don’t think he’ll have any problem eating them if they’re room temperature or a little cold.

I put some ketchup in a dip container and included veggie crisps, jello with berries, halved cherry tomatoes, and mini marshmallows.

50. Fruit Dip

View a TikTok of me making this recipe here

Fruit dip is such a fun bento box idea because you can get creative with the dippers based on what your child likes.

Don’t buy the fruit dip from the grocery store – it has all kinds of chemicals and preservatives in it, and trust me: making it yourself is SO easy.

To make the fruit dip, mix the following ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

That’s your fruit dip! You can customize it based on what you have, too. If you only have plain Greek yogurt, just sweeten with maple syrup to taste and consider adding a dash of vanilla extract.

You can also sub out the sweetener with honey, agave, sugar, or sugar substitute. And the almond butter can be any nut butter, or you can remove it if your child’s school is nut-free.

The dippers are also very customizable. Here are some ideas:

• Red or green apple slices
• Mango strips
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Cantaloupe
• Pineapple
• Banana
• Kiwi
• Blueberries
• Graham crackers
• Pretzels
• Wafer cookies

If you do smaller fruits, like blueberries or grapes, it might be fun to skewer them so that dipping is easier.

Plus, skewers are typically exciting for picky eaters who need novelty to try new things.

51. Mini bagels with cream cheese

Breakfast for lunch can be very friendly for picky eaters! Bagels with cream cheese is usually a sure bet around here, but you can get a little wild if your child will let you.

Try different types of bagels, like cinnamon raisin or everything bagels. You can also switch up the type of cream cheese by going for a mixed berry or garlic and herb flavor.

I had a small side of cream cheese from a previous food order, but you can always use a dip container with a lid.

My kiddo is admittedly not that adventurous yet, even at age 5, but that’s alright.

I did sneak some extra veggies by adding the Red Blend from Easy Peasie to her applesauce.

That sneaks in beets, peas, and carrots that are virtually undetectable. I mixed in a little over a teaspoon, equivalent to about a fifth cup of vegetables.

52. Oat Bites

View a TikTok of me making this recipe here

These healthy oatmeal bites are incredibly easy to whip together, especially since no baking or cooking is required.

The recipe comes from This Farm Girl Cooks, and it includes oats, chia seeds, flax seed, honey, peanut butter, vanilla, sea salt, and chocolate chips. What’s not to like?

My two sons were stealing some of these when I made them, and they both approved.

I served this as the “main” in this bento box, but you could also serve them as a side or a snack for the day. It also works well as breakfast!

Alongside the oat bits, I included white cheddar cheese squares, carrot sticks, and strawberries.

53. Yogurt Granola Parfait

Homemade granola is another very simple recipe to make, and it’s so much cheaper (and better tasting) than the store-bought stuff.

I used this granola recipe, and it turned out amazing.

You can choose whatever sides you like, but I decided to do vanilla Greek yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, and a bit of almond butter.

If you have a picky eater, they’ll probably eat everything separately, but there’s plenty of room to mix and match the ingredients for a fun yogurt experience!

I also love this recipe because I can enjoy it, too.

54. Mini Mac & Cheese Muffin Bites

These mini mac & cheese muffin bites have hidden protein, and they keep well in a cold lunchbox.

I used this Taste of Home recipe as a base, but I used Kodiac Cakes Power Cakes mix instead of biscuit mix and whole milk instead of 2% milk.

Four of these little muffins are just under 400 calories and 20 grams of protein (if you make the same swaps I did).

I added a trio of fruits in these adorable Omiebox cups and some popcorn.

55. Chicken Dumplings

View a TikTok of me making this recipe here

I’d never actually made dumplings before, but a reader asked if I could include some more Asian-inspired options. Chicken dumplings seemed like the perfect addition – they’re small, good hot or cold, and picky-eater friendly.

These aren’t too difficult to make, though it takes some time. I made these the morning of, and it was a bit of a rush to get the lunches packed and the kids out the door in time. So I’d suggest making them the night before (or for dinner and using the leftovers for lunches!).

56. Homemade Uncrustable (Choose Your Filling)

View a TikTok of me making this recipe here

I realize I included PB&J sandwiches way up in this post, but I feel like a homemade Uncrustable deserves its own spot.

Related: Uncrustable Makers Review: Which Is the Best Sandwich Sealer?

You can do whatever fillings you want when making your own Uncrustable, and you’re saving a lot of money.

You can do classic Uncrustable-type fillings like Nutella, peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, and different flavored jams and jellies.

But you can also think way outside the box and get creative!

You could do hummus, lunchmeat and cheese, chicken salad, tuna salad, cheese and tomato… anything you’d put into a sandwich can be made into an Uncrustable.

57. Tzatziki with Veggies and Pita Chips

My very picky-eating child didn’t eat the veggies or the tzatziki dip, but I think it’s a worth a shot.

Hey, I’m nothing if not honest!

Choose your favorite tzatziki recipe for this one, or I’m sure you can buy it pre-made at the store. (It’s definitely better homemade!)

We paired the dip with carrots, celery, cucumber, broccoli, and pita chips. I included grapes and a peanut butter-dipped banana snack in the center.

58. Spinach Muffins

I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate veggies in our picky-eater-friendly lunches.

I’ve found that if I can incorporate chocolate chips somehow, our chances of success skyrocket.

That’s exactly what happened with these spinach muffins. They also make a great breakfast.

59. Asian Turkey Meatballs

View a TikTok of me making this recipe here

I added more veggies than this Asian turkey meatball recipe called for, so I was shocked when our pickiest eater ate it all!

This is definitely going to be a repeat recipe around here.

We did chips and salsa and blueberries to fill out this lunch.

60. Zucchini Dip

This zucchini dip is so amazing – even if you don’t think your kids would eat it, you should make it for yourself!

I used this recipe from Feasting at Home.

I paired the dip with carrot sticks and tortilla chips. I added grapes and marshmallows to fill out the bento box.

61. English Muffins with Cream Cheese

Sometimes, simple is best, not only for picky eaters but for your sanity in the morning!

For this lunch idea, I took sourdough English muffins, lightly toasted them to firm them up a bit, and spread cream cheese on top.

I chose sourdough because of the benefits of fermented food. You can read more about why you should consider adding more sourdough to your kid’s lunches here.

I served them with kiwi, pear, and cherry tomatoes.

62. Karanji

View a TikTok of me making this recipe here

This Karanji recipe is a flaky pastry with a mashed pea filling. I was really trying to find bento-friendly recipes that included veggies, and this one caught my eye.

We thought it was absolutely delicious, and while our picky daughter only took a bite, our son ate the whole thing. It’s definitely worth trying, and you can switch up the filling pretty easily to accommodate your own family’s preferences.

I found this recipe in one of our America’s Test Kitchen cookbooks for kids, which I highly recommend.

Bento Box Lunch Ideas Story

Check out my Web Story featuring many of the ideas from this list!

Bento Lunch Box FAQs

I had many questions as my daughter was getting ready for preschool. Here are some popular ones about packing a bento-style lunch for your child.

Conclusion

Packing bento box lunches for picky eaters doesn’t have to be time-consuming or stressful.

Let’s be real: you can probably make several items from this list using items you have in your fridge and pantry right now!

Let me know in the comments: what’s your go-to bento box lunch idea?