Time-saving school lunch recipes every parent should read

This selection of lunch ideas from Taste.com.au are perfect to prepare in advance and are guaranteed to save you stress in the morning.

Weekday mornings can be hectic!

From getting the kids dressed with their hair and teeth brushed, to making sure their school bags are packed, we understand how tricky it is to find time to pack a wholesome lunch they’ll love.

That’s why we’ve come up with these top ideas you can prepare in advance to make your mornings that little bit less stressful.

Chia and poppy seed bread.

Better-for-you bread

Bake a batch of beautiful homemade bread, which you can simply slice and place in the lunchbox with a small dollop of spread. This chia and poppy seed bread contains no refined sugar and tastes so good that it doesn’t need any extra toppings at all.

Muesli bars

No time to bake? Keep a couple of muesli bars in the pantry. Try to choose ones that have the highest health star rating. We opt for ones that have a health rating of 4 or more and contain at least 50% wholegrain, as well as being a source of fibre.

Cauliflower savoury snack ball.

Savoury snack balls

Savoury snack balls are the perfect healthy lunchbox food. They can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Try experimenting with different spices to suit your child’s palate.

Watermelon popsicles with yoghurt.

Watermelon popsicles

Even the pre-schoolers will love these little hand-sized ‘popsicles’. Simply remove the rind from a small piece of watermelon and then cut the watermelon into 1.5cm-thick, 4cm x 9cm rectangles. Insert ice-cream sticks into the ends. Place each of the watermelon popsicles into separate snap-lock bags and keep in the fridge until required. These fruity treats taste even better dipped in a tub of fresh yoghurt.

Lovely leftovers

Save time and money with this easy tip. Dish up an extra portion of food straight into a lunchbox container and pop it in the fridge while you’re serving dinner. Meals that taste equally good the next day include: meatballs, pasta salads, quiches and frittata.

Cheesy Vegemite scrolls .

Vegemite scrolls

Cheesy Vegemite scrolls are a fabulous sandwich alternative, as well as being an Aussie staple. Bake a batch and then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze for up to a month. Thaw the scrolls in the fridge overnight – they’ll be the perfect temperature come lunchtime.

Homemade dip.

DIY dips

Keep a batch of homemade dips in the fridge in small containers then add them to your child’s lunchbox with vegetable batons or wholegrain crackers. Hummus is a classic flavour base that you can add pureed vegetables or spices to. Try this roast pumpkin hummus – it’s one of our favourites.

Cajun-style popcorn.

Pack some popcorn

If your child is always on the go, pack a few snacks they can grab by the handful between running around the playground and climbing the next tree. Popcorn is a great option because it is naturally low fat if you make it yourself. Try spicing it up Cajun-style for an extra special treat. Make a batch and store it in individual airtight containers ready to pop in the school bag as your kids leave the house.

For more recipe ideas, go to taste.com.au or check out the Taste Test Kitchen now.

Originally published as Time-saving school lunch recipes every parent should read