Kids Lunch Box Ideas: 4 Easy Recipes for Back to School
Looking for new kids lunch box ideas? Try these 4 easy, healthy recipes: homemade granola, baked chicken nuggets, heart-shaped crumpet pizzas, and cheddar crackers. They work just as well as after-school snacks or quick meals, and each one is simple enough to make on a busy weeknight - made even easier with Clearview 9-in-1 Air Fryer and ClearView Glass Air Fryer
What's Packing? Meet the Recipes
Four easy recipes that go beyond the lunch box — just as good for after-school snacks or a quick meal.Back to school means back to the lunch box grind. If you're already stuck for ideas, you're not alone - here's fresh, healthy inspiration for lunch boxes, snacks and meals, made simple with a little help from Clearview 9-in-1 Air Fryer and ClearView Glass Air Fryer
Crunchy Homemade Granola
Sweet, crunchy and packed with good stuff - perfect for lunchbox snacks or for breakfast with yoghurt.
Ingredients: 150g oats, 50g mixed nuts, roughly chopped, 30g mixed seeds, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp water
Instructions:
- Add the oats, nuts and seeds to the ClearView glass basket.
- Drizzle over the honey and a splash of water, then mix everything together until coated.
- Air fry on a low heat (170) for around 15 minutes, mixing every 2–3 minutes.
- Keep a close eye on it through the glass basket to make sure the granola doesn’t burn.
- Once golden and crunchy, remove and allow to cool completely.
- The granola will stick together as it cools, so break it apart with a spoon.
- Serve in the kids’ lunch boxes for a homemade crunchy snack!
Golden Baked Chicken Nuggets
Nothing hits better than homemade Chicken Nuggets. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside - perfect for lunch boxes or as a main meal.
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, 2 eggs, 1 tsp paprika, Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Add the chicken breasts, eggs, paprika, salt and pepper to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small nuggets.
- Place the nuggets in the air fryer and cook at 200°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway, until golden, crispy and cooked through.
- Allow to cool slightly, then add to their packed lunch box with their favourite sides and dipping sauce.
Heart-Shaped Crumpet Pizzas
Toasty crumpets, melted cheese and pepperoni - a lunch box treat in minutes.
Ingredients: 6 crumpets, 4 tbsp tomato purée, 50g grated cheese, 30g pepperoni, chopped
Instructions:
- Carefully shape each crumpet into a heart shape.
- Spread a little tomato purée over each crumpet.
- Sprinkle with grated cheese and add the pepperoni.
- Place in the air fryer and cook at 180°C for 6–8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Allow to cool before adding to the kids’ lunch boxes.
Mini Cheddar Air Fryer Crackers
These mini cheddar crackers are cheesy, crispy and so much fun to make! Simply mix the ingredients together, roll out the dough and use mini cookie cutters to create cute little shapes. They’re perfect for popping into kids’ lunch boxes, snack boxes or enjoying after school.
Ingredients: 100g almond flour, 75g grated mature cheddar cheese, egg, pinch of salt, ½ tsp garlic powder or mixed herbs (optional)
Instructions:
- Trim the pastry into a neat rectangle and score a 1cm border (without cutting through).
- Mix ricotta, lemon zest, olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread inside the border.
- Arrange asparagus spears lengthways on top.
- Brush the border with egg wash and add a light grating of parmesan if using.
- Air fry at 180°C for 14–16 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Finish with pea shoots, black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Slice to serve.
FAQs: Kids Lunch Box Ideas
How do I make school lunches more interesting?
Rotate a few homemade staples like granola, baked nuggets, or mini pizzas - instead of relying on the same sandwich every day. Small changes, like cutting food into fun shapes or swapping in a new dip, also help keep things exciting.
What are other lunch box ideas besides sandwiches?
Try a bento-style box with small portions of different foods - cheese, crackers, cut fruit, veg sticks with hummus, or leftover pasta. Mixing textures (crunchy, soft, sweet) tends to work better than one big item.
What are healthy lunch box snacks for kids?
Homemade granola, cheddar crackers, and baked (not fried) nuggets are all healthier alternatives to shop-bought, processed snacks and they're easy to make in batches.
Can lunch box recipes be used for meals too?
Yes. All 4 recipes here work equally well as an after-school snack or a quick meal, not just for the lunch box.
What's the easiest way to make lunch box recipes at home?
An air fryer makes batch-cooking things like nuggets or crumpet pizzas quick and low-mess. With Clearview, you can see the food cooking through the glass door, so it's easier to get consistent results without opening it to check.
No more guessing games - find your clearly better fit.
ClearView 9 in 1 Air Fryer
Best for: Families and cooking bigger meals
✓ Can cook a whole roast chicken with all the trimmings, up to 1kg of chips or a 12" pizza cooked
✓ 8.5L Capacity
✓ More cooking surface area for family meals
✓ Up to 230°C variable temperature
✓ 5 Cooking functions (Air Fry, Roast, Grill, Dehydrate, Max Crisp)
✓ 4 Smart presets (Bake, Recrisp, PIzza, Keep Warm)
✓ PFAS-free basket and non-stick crisper plate
✓ Dishwasher safe
ClearView Glass 3.8L Air Fryer
Best for: Couples, singles, and small households
✓ Prep, cook, serve, store all with one removable glass basket and storage lid
✓ 3.8L Capacity
✓ Smaller main portions, sides, leftovers
✓ Up to 230°C variable temperature
✓ 4 Cooking functions (Air Fry, Roast, Grill, Bake)
✓ 2 Smart presets (Recrisp, Keep Warm)
✓ Glass, PFAS-free basket and non-stick crisper plate
✓ Dishwasher safe