Healthy, Fun And Easy-to-make Lunchbox Meals Your Kids Will Love to Eat

It is 4 p.m., and Ajay's mother, Priti, is excited at the thought of going to the gate to pick up her son, who will be back from school. However, she is also worried because he has not been eating his lunch properly for over a month now. She picks up his bag and realises from the weight that the lunchbox is still full. "Oh no, not again!" she reacts instantly. She is running out of lunch recipe ideas.

Why healthy lunchbox ideas matter for kids’ energy and focus

Priti is not the only mother who faces this problem. A Leeds University study has found that only 17% of children ate their lunch at school when it contained vegetables. So, what's the solution? There are several ways to get your child to eat. But getting them to eat healthy food is easier said than done.

While experts feel that hungry children will eat whatever is offered to them, parents also have to contend with the opposite. "In general, my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't danced on television", says American humorist Erma Bombeck.

Quick and easy lunchbox recipes for busy mornings

Are you one of those moms who wonders what to pack for lunch every single day that's quick, tasty and healthy?

Sprouts chapati rolls

How to make

• Knead wheat flour with water and a pinch of salt to make the dough. Keep it aside.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add chopped onion and fry for a couple of minutes.
• Add carrots, beans, and sprouts, all the spices, and salt.
• Sauté for a couple of minutes.
• Sprinkle some water and cook covered for 5 minutes.
• Pinch some of the dough and roll it out into a chapati.
• Cook the chapati on a tawa. When both sides are done, place them on a plate.
• Place a spoonful of the sprouts mixture on the chapati and roll it in from all sides to make a neat roll.
• Wrap in aluminium foil or butter paper so it keeps soft until noon.

Packing suggestions

• Serve this roll with some homemade tomato ketchup.
• Throw in 5 tsp of pomegranate seeds with a couple of chopped almonds and a spoonful of chocolate chips to make a healthy dessert.

Baked potato rolls

How to make 

Potato mixture

• Mash the boiled potato well.
• Heat 1tsp oil and add the cumin seeds.
• When it turns a little brown, add the onions and fry till translucent.
• Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, and salt.
• Sauté for 2 minutes.
• Add the mashed potato and stir till all the ingredients blend well.
• Add coriander leaves and mix well.

Rolls

• Remove the edges of the bread slices. Roll them flat with a rolling pin.
• Place a spoonful of the potato mix on a slice of bread.
• Moisten the edges of the bread with some water and fold over.
• Seal it carefully to resemble a roll.
• Repeat with the remaining bread slices.
• Using a brush, spread some melted butter on the roll.
• Preheat the oven to 200°C for 5 minutes.
• Place the rolls on a greased tray and bake at 200°C  for 10 minutes till golden in color.
• Remove the rolls from the oven.

Packing suggestions

• Cool the rolls before packing to prevent them from turning soggy. Pack a little homemade ketchup on the side.
• Pack half an apple in a separate box to make a complete meal of carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins.

Carrot rice

How to make

• Heat the ghee and add the cumin seeds. When they turn brown, add the raisins and stir a little. Add the onion and green chilli and fry well.
• Add the spices and salt, and fry some more.
• Add the carrot, sprinkle some water, and stir for 5 minutes till the carrot is crunchy but cooked.
• Add the rice and mix well.

Packing suggestions

• Allow it to cool before packing.
• Make yummy raita: Mix 4 tsp of grated cucumber with 5 tbsp of curd. Add a pinch of salt. Add a dash of chaat masala powder, if your child likes it. Pack this in a leak-proof container. It goes well with the carrot rice.

Sweet dosa

How to make

• Dissolve powdered jaggery in some water and strain to remove the dirt.
• Add the jaggery to the dosa batter and stir well.
• Pour out a ladle of the batter on a hot tawa.
• Add a few drops of oil along the edges of the dosa.
• When you see it turning brown, flip it over and allow it to cook well.
• Remove and pack in food-grade parchment or butter paper so it remains soft until lunchtime.

Packing suggestions

Chop a quarter of an apple into bite-sized pieces. Chop some almonds and walnuts, and add them to the diced apple. Add half a teaspoon of honey. Pack it in a leak-proof container. This will serve as a perfect, juicy dessert after the dosa lunch.

Mint roti

How to make

• Knead the wheat flour, ghee, chopped mint, salt, and chilli powder together with a little water to make a pliable dough.
• Pinch off enough dough to make a roti and roll it out.
• Place the roti on a heated tawa.
• Drizzle a little oil on the edges. Flip it over in 2 minutes.
• Allow it to cook well, and your mint roti is ready.

Packing suggestions

Mix grated carrot with curd and a little salt to make raita. This serves as an interesting accompaniment to the roti. You could also give your child the tastier boondi raita occasionally to go with the roti.

Corn, carrot, and capsicum rice

How to make

• Heat ghee in a pan. Add the cumin seeds. When they turn brown, add the onion and green chilli, and fry well.
• Add the chopped carrot and capsicum, and toss for a while.
• Add the corn kernels and salt. Stir well, sprinkle a few drops of water.
• Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and mix well.

Packing suggestions

Pack some of your child's favourite chips to go with this rice. Baked potato fingers also make a good accompaniment. It's the best bet if you've got the time to prepare it, as it is homemade and healthier than store-bought chips.

Oats carrot idli

How to make

• Roast the oats in a pan without any oil. Powder coarsely and keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, and allow them to splutter.
• Add the dal and curry leaves. Stir till the dal is golden.
• Add the rava and fry well. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
• Add the oats, salt, grated carrot, chilli, curd, lemon juice, fruit salt, and water.
• Mix well to get a frothy batter.
• Pour into greased idli plates and steam for 15 minutes.

Packing suggestions

Allow the idlis to cool down before packing them. Coconut chutney or split gram chutney is a good accompaniment to these idlis. You can pack fruit to go with the lunch. Give your child the option of choosing the fruit, and they will start loving the idea.

Paneer toast

How to make

• Heat the oil and add the cumin seeds.
• When the cumin turns brown, add the onion, salt, and spices.
• Sauté for a couple of minutes. Then add crumbled paneer and mix well. Allow it to cool.
• Spread some of the paneer mixture on a slice of bread.
• Cover with another slice.
• Roast the sandwich on a tawa with a little butter.

Packing suggestions

• Allow the sandwiches to cool before packing.
• Here's a simple fruit snack you can try for dessert: Wash a handful of grapes. Plug in a couple of chocolate chips into each grape to make a cute doll.

Sabudana khichdi

How to make

• Clean the sago and soak it in water for 30 minutes.
• Heat the oil and add the cumin seeds. When it browns a little, add the green chillies and fry.
• Drain the sago and add it to the frying pan.
• Add powdered peanuts and salt and stir till the peanuts coat the sago well.
• Add coriander leaves and mix well.

Packing suggestions

• Allow the khichdi to cool before you pack it.
• Cut half a carrot and half a cucumber into thin, long strips and pack them to provide the daily quota of vitamins.

Note: These recipes can make a meal for one child.

By the time your child is between 6 and 9 years of age, you can teach them to pack their lunch and snack boxes. The idea is very simple. Place food items on a table or the kitchen counter. Allow them to choose what they would like to eat. This exercise will help your child be more responsible and accountable for the food, in case they don't eat it!

Last updated on: August 5, 2025

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