Does your teen have a hard time thinking in the morning? Help them out with these lunch ideas for teens. Packing lunch can be difficult when you’re still half asleep, so have some mercy and give them the recipes they need.
Recipes for Lunch at Home or School
Lunch happens right in the middle of the day when everything is going on, it’s a busy time! So, ideally, we pack lunch in the morning or have a plan for making a dish quickly at home. Either way, we want lunch to be delicious, right?
These healthy lunch ideas with limited ingredients give a new spin on the midday meal. Simple enough for teens to make and so tasty, nothing will be wasted! We’re winning every time our children eat the healthy food we want them to.
There’s a lot going on in a teen’s life. Whether they are driving alone for the first time, studying for an exam, or getting crafty rolling candles and bath confetti for their friend’s birthday, you want them to be nourished and focused.
Take a look at the list of lunch options and simplify your meal planning or encourage the teen to make their own lunch. These are easy enough for beginning cooks too.
Many of the ideas use leftovers like taco meat or cooked chicken from the night before. These lunch ideas are not just easy-packed lunches, but they will also help clean out your fridge!
What to Pack for Lunch
When packing a lunch, consider foods that are easy to eat and don’t spill. Sandwiches are natural winners. Batching a recipe like my favorite copycat Jimmy John’s bread will give you 12 individual loaves to work though all week.
Also, consider foods that hold their shape and desirability; that’s key for avoiding messes on the go.
When preparing lunch, try to have everything ready ahead of time. Bulk prepping extra protein the night before you make lunch saves a lot of time during the morning scramble. Each of these recipes has protein in it, so finding a way to streamline the prep will make your life better.
Furthermore, package the lunch in containers that work with you. For example, shallow Tupperware is perfect for rollups and pinwheels, while an insulated lunchbox is a handy thing to keep your food fresh and cool.
10 Lunches for Teens
Are you tired of hearing this first thing in the morning: “Mom, what am I going to pack for lunch?” These school lunch ideas for teens will nip that in the bud. Kids can’t wait to try this array of appetizing lunch options.
Homemade uncrustables take the tired peanut butter sandwich and elevate it to something exciting and much neater to eat. They are an obvious option for school lunches and also work great for car trips. You control the filling ingredients and freeze in batches ahead of time.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap is a yummy lunch that a teen would have no problem making in the morning. Have the chicken and bacon cooked ahead of time, or better yet, leftover from last night’s dinner. Wrap it up in a tortilla, and lunch is ready to go!
See why TikTok is going nuts over this Easy Pizza Tortilla Wrap! It is perfect for teens! Make these addictive pizzas in a tortilla in five minutes.
Taco Meat Pinwheels are a cinch to roll up for lunch. Have ground beef prepped and ready. Then just add your favorite taco topping and cream cheese, yum!
This ham sandwich is absolutely alluring with only five ingredients. Talk about easy school lunch ideas! It’s an uncomplicated and delicious sandwich to make.
Forget about fast food and make this chicken sandwich in the air fryer instead. This lunch is classic, fantastic, and ready in about 10 minutes.
Asian chicken wraps are a fresh take on the packed lunch concept. Chicken, noodles, and plenty of sauce make a flavorful wrap. Plus, lettuce and shredded carrots give it a delightful crunch.
Teens will love this Pizza Buns recipe. It’s incredibly easy to make with only four ingredients. Who wouldn’t love pizza that looks like a cinnamon roll?
Make a fail-proof grilled cheese in the air fryer. Three ingredients get you a perfectly hot, crispy, melted cheese sandwich! This is a go-to lunch when you only have ten minutes.
A ham and cheese toastie is gourmet with sun-dried tomato pesto and dark seeded bread. However, it’s a substantial lunch ready in only five minutes. What a great way to make a fab sandwich out of everyday ingredients.