Healthy and Easy Back to School Breakfasts and Lunches

Sending the kids back to school means busy mornings and packed lunches. Make it easier with meal prep! In this 3000 word guide, I’ll share 20 delicious and nutritious breakfast and lunch recipes that are perfect for back to school.

Getting a healthy and homemade breakfast and lunch ready each day can be a challenge for busy families. That’s where meal prep comes in! By tackling some prep over the weekend, you’ll have quick, wholesome meals ready to grab and go all week long.

Let’s dive into the recipes, along with tips for easy breakfast and lunch prep.

10 Healthy Back to School Breakfasts

Start the day off right with these nutritious and kid-approved breakfast recipes:

1. Pancake Sausage Muffins

Kids love pancakes and sausage. Combine them into an easy muffin for breakfast on-the-go.

• Make a sausage patty and place inside a muffin tin lined with batter.
• Bake until cooked through.

Serve warm with maple syrup. Make ahead and reheat as needed.

2. Protein Chocolate Muffins

Sneak nutrition into a chocolatey muffin.

• Whisk together almond flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, milk, egg and honey.
• Scoop batter into a muffin tin and bake.

Store in the fridge or freezer. Warm and serve.

3. Sheet Pan Pancakes

Make a big batch of fluffy pancakes all at once.

• Pour batter onto a sheet pan. Bake until cooked through.
• Cut into portions and store in the fridge or freezer.

Reheat slices in the microwave and serve with syrup.

4. Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sliders

Hawaiian rolls make the perfect breakfast slider.

• Add scrambled egg, bacon and cheese between slider buns.
• Wrap individually and store in the fridge.

Warm in the microwave and serve for a handheld breakfast.

5. Overnight Oats

Prep ahead for grab-and-go oatmeal.

• Mix together oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, cinnamon and fruit.
• Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld.

Portion into jars or containers. Grab from the fridge and eat!

6. Cereal Breakfast Bars

Make this fun frozen treat with your kid’s favorite cereal.

• Mix Greek yogurt with honey, peanut butter and cereal.
• Press into a pan and freeze. Cut into bars.

Store in the freezer. Grab a bar and microwave to eat.

7. Homemade Waffles

Ditch frozen waffles in favor of homemade.

• Make a batch of waffle batter from scratch. Cook in a waffle iron.
• Freeze cooked waffles with parchment between.

Toast frozen waffles and serve with butter and syrup.

8. Slow Cooker Apple Oatmeal

Let your slow cooker make oatmeal while you sleep!

• Add steel-cut oats, milk, apples, cinnamon and vanilla to a slow cooker.
• Cook on low overnight.

Portion into containers. Microwave and serve.

9. Green Breakfast Smoothies

Blend up your kid’s favorite fruits and veggies.

• Start with a base of spinach, banana, berries and nut butter.
• Add extra ingredients like mango, kiwi, carrots, etc.

Pour into cups or jars. Grab and go!

10. Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches

A classic protein sandwich made with Hawaiian rolls.

• Layer turkey, cheese and veggies between sweet rolls.
• Wrap individually and store in the fridge or freezer.

Microwave to warm. The sweet, soft rolls make this lunchable-inspired sandwich extra enticing. Play around with fillings to suit your kid’s tastes!

With a combination of make-ahead recipes and quick breakfasts using prepped ingredients, getting a healthy breakfast on the table during busy school mornings is totally doable.

10 Packable Back to School Lunches

Keep hunger at bay all day with these balanced and delicious lunch recipes:

1. Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad

Pasta gets a nutrition boost with veggies.

• Toss cooked pasta with diced peppers, carrots, cherry tomatoes etc.
• Add Italian dressing and portion into containers.

Keeps well in the fridge so you can make ahead.

2. Charcuterie Bento Box

Create a lunchable from quality ingredients.

• Pair cured meats like salami with cheese cubes, nuts, fruits and crackers.
• Separate into compartments of a bento box.

Let kids assemble their own mini charcuterie board.

3. Mac and Cheese Muffins

Transform leftover mac and cheese into handheld muffins.

• Combine cooked mac and cheese with eggs, ham and cheese.
• Scoop into a muffin tin and bake.

Warm in a thermos and pack for lunch.

4. Mini Corn Dog Muffins

All the fun of corn dogs in muffin form.

• Wrap diced hot dogs in corn muffin batter and bake in a muffin tin.
• Serve with mustard for dipping.

Reheat from frozen in the microwave or pack room temp.

5. Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Dainty sandwiches with a kid-friendly cucumber and cream cheese filling.

• Spread cream cheese on bread and top with thinly sliced cucumbers.
• Cut off crusts and slice into small triangles.

Pair with fruit and veggies for a balanced lunch.

6. Panzanella Salad

Use stale bread for this kid-friendly Italian salad.

• Toast bread cubes until crispy.
• Toss with chopped veggies and dressing. Top with chicken (optional).

Best served freshly made, as the bread softens over time.

7. Taco Bento Box

Let kids build their own tacos for lunch.

• Portion taco meat, lettuce, cheese, beans, etc. into separate bento compartments.
• Include shells or chips to scoop and eat.

Customize with your kid’s favorite taco toppings.

8. Deli Roll-Ups

Roll up ham and cheese for an easy lunchbox addition.

• Spread cream cheese or mustard onto deli meat. Top with sliced cheese.
• Tightly roll up and slice into pinwheels.

Pair roll-ups with fruits, veggies, crackers, etc. for a balanced lunch.

9. Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches

Another spin on the classic sandwich.

• Use cookie cutters to cut bread and veggies into fun shapes.
• Fill with turkey and cheese.

Making lunch eye-catching and cute encourages kids to eat their sandwiches.

10. Taco Bento Box

Build a taco kit for lunch using separated compartments.

• Fill sections with taco meat, cheese, beans, lettuce, salsa, etc.
• Include shells or chips to assemble tacos.

Fun lunch that allows kids to customize their tacos.

With a mix of classic sandwiches, pasta salads, cute bento boxes and more, you’ll look forward to packing lunch each day. Get your kids involved in helping select and assemble lunches too!

Tips for Meal Prepping School Breakfasts and Lunches

Here are some helpful strategies for getting ahead on breakfast and lunch prep:

• Do batch cooking – Make big batches of staples like hard boiled eggs, breakfast sausage and roasted vegetables on the weekend.
• Prep grab-and-go options – Wash and chop veggies and fruits to quickly add to meals and snacks all week.
• Make freezer meals – Double recipes and freeze half for weeks when you don’t have time to prep.
• Prep produce first – Wash, chop and store fresh fruits and veggies soon after buying.
• Save time with shortcuts – Look for pre-chopped veggies at the store and use store-bought rotisserie chicken.
• Get kids involved – Have kids help assemble their lunches and breakfasts to get them excited about healthy eating.
• Add special touches – Use cookie cutters, write notes or tuck in little surprises to make eating more fun.
• Mix up flavors – Vary spices, sauces and condiments to keep kids’ tastebuds interested.

Planning out meals and getting as much prep done ahead of time will make getting out the door stress-free. With nutritious homemade food on hand, your kids will be fueled up for learning!

Answering Back to School Meal Prep FAQs

How long do breakfast and lunch meal prep items last?

Most components will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Make sure to practice safe food storage.

Can you freeze breakfast sandwiches and lunch items?

Yes! Allow items to cool fully then place in freezer bags or airtight containers, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw in the fridge before eating.

What are the best containers for packing school lunches?

Look for leakproof containers in different sizes. Small dip containers are great for dressings, hummus etc. Insulated lunch bags with ice packs keep food safe.

Should I make a weekly meal plan for school breakfasts and lunches?

Yes, planning out meals ahead of time helps you prep efficiently. Post the plan where kids can see it to get them involved.

How can I save money on groceries for school meals?

Buy in bulk, purchase store brand items, shop sales and use coupons. Stick to a list to avoid impulse buys. Repurpose leftovers creatively.

Preparing for the back to school rush doesn’t have to be stressful. With some weekend meal prep and easy grab-and-go recipes, you’ll sail through those busy school day mornings!