Healthy Homemade Lunchables (Vegan Options)

Name: Healthy Homemade Lunchables (Vegan Options)
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces tofu (, baked into cubes or slices (see teriyaki tofu recipe or tofu sandwich slices recipe for homemade)); 4 slices plant-based meat alternative; 16 plant-based pepperoni slices; 2 links plant-based sausage (, sliced); 4 plant-based meatballs or bean based balls; 1 cup cooked beans (, can use crispy chickpeas); 1 cup vegan egg (, scrambled or omelet style cut up); ½ cup nuts of choice; 4 slices dairy free cheese of choice; 1 cup shredded dairy free cheese of choice; 1 cup cubed dairy free cheese of choice; 24 crackers (, gluten-free if needed); 4 pita bread (, flatbread, or lavash, gluten-free if needed and cut into smaller pieces); 4 tortillas (, cut into smaller pieces or rolled and cut); 1 cup pretzels; 1 cup tortilla chips; 1 cup grapes; 2 apples (, cut into cubes or slices); 4 small tangerines or cuties (, peeled and separated into pieces); 1 cup blueberries; 1 cup blackberries; 1 cup strawberries (, sliced if preferred); 2 small bananas (, sliced); 16 baby carrots (, or 2 carrots cut into rounds or matchsticks); 2 celery sticks (, cut into smaller pieces); 1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper (, cut into slices); 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes; 1 cup small broccoli pieces; 1 cup small cauliflower pieces; 1 cup sliced cucumbers

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These healthy lunchables are the perfect solution for picky kids and easy lunches! They are homemade and easy to prep helping you save money and time.

The best thing about homemade lunchables is that you can alter them for any type of eaters. Whether you are vegan, gluten-free, have a nut allergy or just picky there is an option for everyone!

A light blue wooden surface with different fruit, veggies, grains and snacks in containers with sections.

This post was sponsored by Rubbermaid but the content and opinions expressed are fully my own.

Using this easy guide will help you organize your lunches in no time. I like to prep ahead and make batches of my tofu teriyaki, vegan meatballs, vegan ranch dressing and protein balls for the perfect fillings in these healthy lunchables for the boys!

Ingredient Ideas for Homemade Lunchables

Ah lunchables, the coveted prepackaged lunch that every kid begs for and every parent dreads. Sure, they're convenient and can definitely come in handy from time to time, but they're not sustainable.

The classic store bought versions are full of unnecessary ingredients, cost more, and not to mention the waste! By making your own homemade lunchables using containers from home (like my favorite Rubbermaid EasyFindLids™ Meal Prep Containers) you can use healthier ingredients, customize them for allergies, and get the kids involved to pick the fillings to accommodate taste preferences.

Last but not least, most of the store bought ones contain meat and dairy. We prefer to eat a plant based diet, so putting together our own allows us to make vegan lunchables instead!

Get creative and have your kids create their own combinations from the following list:

Protein ideas:

Cubed or sliced tofu, we like the baked teriyaki tofu or the tofu marinade from this sandwich recipe.
Plant-based meat alternative
Plant-based pepperoni slices
Plant-based sausage
Plant-based meatballs or bean based balls
Cooked beans, crispy chickpeas are always a hit
Vegan egg, either scrambled or omelet style cut up
Falafel
Nuts like pistachios, almonds, walnuts, pecans, or cashews.
Sunflower seeds, shelled are ideal

Cheese ideas:

Dairy free cheese of choice
Shredded dairy free cheese of choice
Cubed dairy free cheese of choice

Grain ideas:

Crackers, gluten free if necessary
Pita bread , flatbread, or lavash, gluten free if needed and cut into smaller pieces
Bread
Tortillas, cut into smaller pieces or rolled and cut
Pretzels
Tortilla chips

Fruit ideas:

Grapes, cut in half for smaller kiddos
Apples, cut into cubes or slices, toss in lemon juice to prevent browning
Tangerines or cuties, peeled and separated into pieces
Blueberries
Blackberries
Strawberries, sliced if preferred
Bananas, sliced day of
Pineapple
Melon

Veggie ideas:

Baby carrots, carrots cut into rounds or matchsticks
Celery sticks, cut into smaller pieces
Sliced red, yellow or orange bell pepper
Grape or cherry tomatoes
Broccoli pieces
Cauliflower pieces
Sliced cucumbers
Sugar snap peas
Olives

Dip/sauce ideas:

Ranch dressing, or other dressing you prefer
Mashed avocado, make into guacamole if preferred
Hummus
Pizza sauce
Nut or seed butter of choice
Ketchup
BBQ Sauce
Pesto

Dessert ideas:

Top view of different kinds of fruit, veggies, grains, proteins, cheese and sauces lying on a turquoise surface.

How to Make DIY Lunchables

No matter which flavors you end up choosing, the process of assembling is pretty much the same:

Prepare the fillings. Have your kids help choose what options they want each week.
Line up the ingredients. Think buffet style on the counter or a table that's easier to reach. You can segment the fillings in categories.
Fill each container. Make it well rounded with protein, fat, and fiber to get the most filling combination. I suggest at least 2 servings of protein, 1 grain or carb, and 2 fruits and veggies, plus a fun dessert.
Store the finished week of homemade healthy lunchables in the fridge for the week.
Pack in a lunchbox with an icepack and send off to school!

Top view of a sectioned off plastic container with cupcake liners inside to hold different foods surrounded by fruit, veggies and snacks.

Top view of a plastic container with sections and cupcake liners and protein balls in the container surrounded by fruit, veggies and other snacks.

The Best Containers for Homemade Lunchables

One of the most important part of making your own healthy lunchables is having the right storage container. If you just throw everything together in one without dividers, that food is getting all mixed up which can lead to a soggy messy disaster!

The best way to avoid this is to use some containers with separate compartments, like the Rubbermaid EasyFindLids™ Meal Prep Containers to keep everything where it should be!

These handy containers already have dividers in them which is perfect for sorting the components of the meal. Then all you need are cupcake liners to hold dips and tiny items like nuts.

And since they're reusable, you're skipping out on all that waste and helping to save the planet!

Reasons why the Rubbermaid EasyFindLids™ system is my fave:

Dishwasher safe! Because nobody wants to hand wash dishes every day.
The modular containers nest and stack easily which means organized cupboards.
Bonus, these containers are durable and keep food secure on the-go so no spills.
Microwave safe, for when you want food hot without making more dishes!

Top view of three empty plastic containers with sections surrounded by fruit, veggies, proteins, cheeses and snacks.

Fruit, veggies, grains, proteins and snacks inside containers with sections on a turquoise wooden surface.

Healthy Lunchable Ideas

Now that you have the process of meal prepping down, here are some flavor options:

Pizza Lunchable

Crust: Pita, tortilla, or bread
Sauce: Homemade pizza sauce, your favorite store bought sauce, pesto, or Alfredo sauce.
Toppings: Vegan cheese, broccoli, vegan pepperoni, olives, pineapple, peppers, etc.

Nachos

Tortilla chips
Vegan nacho cheese sauce
Salsa
Guacamole
Black Beans
Tomatoes
Peppers
Olives
Shredded lettuce

Tacos

Mini tortillas (street taco size, or use a circle cookie cutter to make your own) or wonton cups
Vegan taco meat
Beans
Corn
Salsa
Sour cream
Guacamole

Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

Bread or crackers
Mashed chickpea salad
Sliced cheese
Sliced tomatoes
Pickles

Top view of three different themed homemade lunchables in plastic containers with sections and cupcake liners to hold the different foods.

Tips for Kids

Get the kids involved! By including them in the preparation process they'll get to explore their independence, and be more likely to eat it all up!

Take the kids shopping! Or at least let them help create the shopping list.
Offer a variety of choices for lunchable fillings.
Always include at least a couple options you know they like.
If your kid is a bit more selective in their eating habits, check out more tips in this guide for picky eaters!

A boy taking something from a cupcake liner that is in a container with sections filled with fruit, veggies and snacks.

Common Questions

Are lunchables healthy?

While store bought lunchables are calorie dense with protein, fat, and carbs which are all necessary and good to keep kids full, they're not considered healthy. They contain plenty of sodium, unhealthy fats, and preservatives without offering very much nutrition.

However, by making your own you can use healthy whole food ingredients to create a delicious healthy lunchable!

How many calories are in a lunchable?

Depending on the flavor, lunchables range in calorie amount. Some sources say they can be anywhere from 250 to 360 calories. However if you make them yourself, you will get a different result depending on what you put inside. You will also be able to control the types of calories you are getting, which is more important than the number itself.

Is it cheaper to make your own lunchables?

Yes it is less expensive to make your own homemade lunchables, you are paying a premium for the convenience of the store bought versions.

More Homemade Lunch Ideas

Keep the good flavors rolling with these easy plant based lunch recipes: