Food Meanderings

15 Healthy School Lunch Ideas for Teens - Ready to Eat!

Published: by Terri Gilson · Modified: · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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It happened this summer.... July 10/20 to be precise. I became the parent of not 1, but 2 teenagers. I have a 15 year old and a 13 year old. I don't know how this happened so fast, but here we are.
 
collage of 4 photos of healthy school lunch ideas for teens
 
And although they are making their own lunches a lot of the time, lunches are still a challenge. With this in mind and the help of my fellow food bloggers, I have put together a list of 15 healthy school lunch ideas for teens. And not only are they healthy, several of these lunches are healthier versions of meals that teens love, like tacos, pizza, fried rice, Ceasar salad and sushi! They are also ready to eat (none require heating and can be eaten COLD) and many can be made ahead or take only a few minutes to put together. And the best part is they are easy - teenagers can even make them on their own!

Given the current state, heating up lunches at my kids' schools is not an option. My kids are not only designated to certain floors, bathrooms and stairwells this year, they no longer have access to a microwave. Unfortunately for me, I've always relied on frozen meals (A LOT more than I'd like to admit) and other lunch ideas for teens that require reheating. And for some weird reason, my kids refuse to use a thermos these days- I guess it's no longer "cool."

S**t just got real!  

So... I find myself scrambling to ensure we have lots of ideas for cold lunches and trying to decide what to make for lunches that they'll like, that are healthy, I can eat myself, don't require reheating and won't take a ton of time ! If you find yourself in the same boat, you'll love these ready to eat school lunch ideas for teens.

inside of an empty lunch box

When I look back at what I ate for lunch as a teenager, that's when I get concerned. Let's just say I ate more fries and gravy at the cafeteria than any person should have. However, the school cafeterias and canteens probably won't be open this year, so at least I get a bit of a reprieve on that. And fortunately, all the years we nagged our kids (aka tried to instill healthy eating habits in them) seem to be paying off. My teenagers are both pretty health conscious now and like the idea of eating healthier versions of the junkier foods they love! So without further adieu...here are a collection of delicious school lunch ideas!

Healthy Pizza Dippers
Teenagers LOVE their pizza and these Healthy Pizza Dippers are not only a teenager's dream lunch, they are a parent's. They are quick and easy to make with 2 ingredient dough (Greek yogurt and flour) and can be made ahead, frozen, heated or eaten cold, making them the perfect lunch box meal because they are ready to eat. Younger kids can help make them and older teens can make them on their own with the easy step by step directions included in the recipe!
Check out this recipe
pizza dipper being dipped into pizza sauce with pieces, an apple, carrots and lunch bag in background.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich
This tasty, Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad sandwich is made in 15 minutes with frozen breaded chicken, pickle relish, celery, eggs, and mayo. What’s not to love about this iconic salad? Teens can easily make this on their own!
Check out this recipe
Muffin Tin Sushi Cups
These Muffin Tin Sushi Cups are super easy to make, so adorable and full of healthy goodness! Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Check out this recipe
Muffin tin sushi cups on blue platter
Taco Salad Meal Prep (Taco Bowls)
These Taco Salad Meal Prep Taco Bowls are made with healthy ground turkey and filled with black beans, sweet corn, shredded cheese, crisp lettuce, and all your favorite toppings. Enjoy these delicious Taco Bowls for dinner and repurpose the leftovers into perfectly portioned make-ahead meal prep lunches.
Check out this recipe
Italian Chicken Salad
This Italian Chicken Salad is fresh, easy, and bursting with flavor. It takes 10 minutes to make and your teen can make it on their own! Loaded with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, black olives and pesto, this fun twist on a classic flavor will have you coming back for more. This salad is perfect for an easy lunch or dinner and makes delicious sandwiches, too!
Check out this recipe
open Italian chicken salad sandwich
Lunchbox Fried Rice Salad
Who doesn't love fried rice?! I know my teenagers are fried rice crazy - my 15 year old always wants to make it. And it doesn't get better than healthy fried rice salad! This lunchbox fried rice salad takes the boring out of your lunchbox! Best served cold.
Check out this recipe
lunchbox fried rice salad in bento box in front with more fried rice salad in background
Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap
This Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap will take you 5 minutes to throw together. Make it with leftover turkey or deli meat. Either way, this tortilla wrap recipe makes a great lunch box meal for kids and adults alike. Teens can easily make this on their own, as this recipe uses pre-cooked bacon (heated in microwave)!
Check out this recipe
Quick Turkey club ranch wrap |tortilla sandwich wrap - Foodmeanderings.com
Cuban Deviled Ham Sandwiches (Pasta de Bocaditos)
Pasta de Bocaditos {Cuban Deviled Ham Sandwiches} are little bites of deliciousness. Filled with ham, cream cheese and roasted red peppers. You won't be able to stop at one!
Check out this recipe
cuban deviled ham sandwiches on black plate with more sandwiches in background
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a simple dish that’s ready in less than 30 minutes. Romaine lettuce, fresh pasta, chicken, and Parmesan cheese are tossed in a creamy caesar dressing that’s full of flavor. Light, yet filling, this easy dish makes a delicious weeknight meal with leftovers for lunch the next day. I know my teens would go crazy for this as leftovers for lunch!
Check out this recipe
chicken caesar pasta salad in white bowl

 

Freezable Homemade Uncrustables
My kids may be teenagers, but I'm pretty sure they'd take the crustless sandwich over the one with crust. That's why these Homemade uncrustables are perfect for a teen's lunch box. They are a quick, freezable, kid-friendly option for easy school lunches! You control the ingredients, and they are healthier and generally come out cheaper than their store-bought counterparts.
Check out this recipe

 

Lunchables
No matter how old kids are, they still love lunchables! Homemade lunchables are a popular trend all kids love! These are made with store-bought phyllo cups and can be filled with any savory or sweet filling including leftovers making them fun and delicious!
Check out this recipe
Light Reuben Wrap
Who doesn't love a good Reuben sandwich, especially when it's healthy! I know my teens do. A simple and easy light Reuben wrap sandwich recipe made with sliced deli roast beef, baby Swiss cheese, red cabbage, homemade thousand island dressing rolled up in a high fiber wrap. This protein-packed recipe is perfect for lunch meal prep!
Check out this recipe
lighter reuben wrap - ingredients on tortilla

 

Ukrainian Bento Box
This bento box idea is a quick and easy cold meal of Ukrainian sausage (kubasa/kielbasa), cubed cheddar cheese, sliced dill pickles, rye bread, crackers, mustard and baby carrots. It's just like the late night snack you'd have at a prairie "social"!
Check out this recipe
ukrainian 'social meal' in bento box

 

Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad Bento Box
Chinese chicken salad goes plant-based with this delicious vegan recipe. This pasta salad is packed with mini sweet peppers, mandarins, green onions, spinach and carrots, then tossed with a sesame ginger dressing and topped with Chow Mein noodles for added crunch!
Check out this recipe
Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad in bento box
Ranch Cream Cheese Ham Roll Ups
Ham Roll Ups will be your favorite back to school lunch solution! Super quick and easy to make, these tasty ranch ham and cream cheese roll ups are totally teen-approved.
Check out this recipe
ham roll ups in glass lunch box

Need a new lunchbox? My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

Not only will teens love these healthy school lunch ideas, so will parents!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bernice Hill

    Haha, mind if I make some of these delicious recipes for myself? I mean, I act like a teenager sometimes...
    It is SO HARD to get those teenagers to bring food to school, or wear a jacket in the winter, or do homework....

    Reply

    • Terri Gilson

      Of course hahah- I eat them all too! Oh and those teenagers definitely do push all those buttons, Bernice!

      Reply

  2. Vanessa

    So many great ideas! It's always a challenge to keep things interesting.

    Reply

    • Terri Gilson

      Thanks, Vanessa! Yes, we're trying to switch it up so they don't get bored.

      Reply

  3. Kristen

    Ooooh nevermind for teenagers, I’m taking some of these great ideas for my toddler - muffin tin sushi cups, omg she’s going to LOVE them!

    Reply

  4. Sharon

    I don't have any teens at home but these lunch ideas look great for all ages. 😊 Especially that cute mandarin bento box.

    Reply

  5. Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli

    Such great recipes, here! We don't have any teens at home, but I would make some lunch for myself or for Loreto to bring to work! 🙂

    Reply

  6. Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady

    Thank you so much for some new ideas. My two, 1 preteen and one teenager, are distance learning and driving me crazy saying there's nothing good to eat in the house. Hopefully they'll appreciate some of these new lunch ideas!

    Reply

  7. Nicole

    Wow I don't have a teen, but I do have a kid. She LOVES tacos. If she opens her lunchbox and there is a taco bowl in there she would freak out! Thanks for all of the great ideas.

    Reply

    • Terri Gilson

      I'm so glad you found something your kiddo will LOVE!

      Reply

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