5 days of lunch box recipes both kids and adults will love

Day 1: Easy to transport salads 

There's more to a packed lunch than boring old sandwiches. Salads make for a filling lunch for both kids and adults alike. When it comes to transportation, not all salads are created equal. Wet ingredients, such as cut tomatoes, cucumber, beetroot and some lettuce, are prone to making the salad soggy. Instead, opt for a salad made from tinned beans, roast vegies, rice, couscous or pasta which will all travel well. Don't forget to pack a fork or spoon!

• Cranberry and Herb Couscous with Grilled Chicken
• Thai Chicken Meatball Salad
• Pasta Fetta Salad
• Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Maple Dressing

Day 2: Patties

If you're after a break from the usual sandwiches and wraps, try these tasty patties and fritters. Fish, chicken, lentils and beef all make delicious patties that are ideal as a single snack, or packed together as the central part of the lunchbox. Patties are also perfect for making in bulk and popping in the freezer ready to grab.​

• Feta and Corn Fritters
• Potato Fritters
• Vegetable Fritters
• Tuna Patties

Day 3: Savoury scones and muffins

Take all your favourite sandwich additions and add them to a savoury scone of muffin. Perfect for popping in the freezer, these muffins are also a good way of incorporating a few sneaky vegies in the mix if you have fussy eaters. For the perfect lunch to enjoy at your desk, try including a little tub of soup alongside, or pack a thermos of soup for the kids. 

• Scrumptious Savoury Muffins
• Pumpkin Scones
• Egg Muffins

Day 4: Slice, quiches and frittatas 

Eggs make a delicious lunch box inclusion, and can be transformed into a range of delicious slices, quiches or frittatas. Choose to make a slice to cut into wedges, or use your muffin tins to make mini quiches in easy-to-pack serves.

• Zucchini Slice
• Quiche Lorraine
• Zucchini and Bacon Slice
• Mini Pumpkin Quiches

Day 5: Rice paper rolls

Easy to make, Vietnamese rice paper rolls are a great way of putting all the usual sandwich fillings into a new packaging. Opt for mainly dry fillings to prevent these from turning soggy and falling apart.

• Rice Paper Rolls
• Asparagus and Prawn Rice Paper Rolls

For more school lunch ideas, visit our Lunch box recipes collection.