4 Lunch Box Meals That Stay Fresh All Day Long

When you were a kid, it’s likely that lunch was either ladled out at the cafeteria or was whatever you or your parents packed in the morning. There wasn’t much thought that went into it, and nearly anything was allowed.

Now, with allergy restrictions, varying lunch times and shorter meal periods, it can be tricky to figure out what to pack in your kids' lunch boxes. That's especially true because, as HexClad recipe developer Lauryn Tyrell says, kids can be super- picky about fruit and veggies not being fresh when they get to eating them —ice pack or not.

If your kids actually like produce but balk at anything that’s gone a bit limp in their lunch box, think beyond fruit salad or sliced cucumbers. Instead, opt for a whole Persian cucumber, apple, or a clementine, said Tyrell, all of which retain their integrity throughout the day. Tyrell also suggests not obsessing over your kids loading up on fruit and veg throughout the day, instead doubling up at breakfast and dinner.

4 LUNCH BOX IDEAS FOR KIDS THAT STAY FRESH ALL DAY LONG

We’ve got tips for lunches that can stay at room temperature from the moment your kiddo leaves home until they crack open their lunch box to eat. And, of course, everything here takes into account the cardinal rule for lunch boxes, according to Tryrell: “Wet is the enemy.” Anything that will cause food to get soggy is a no-no.

MAKE ONIGIRI

Onigiri—Japanese rice balls–are a fantastic room-temperature lunch for kids, said Tyrell. You can use leftover sushi rice, but in a pinch, a pack of microwave sushi rice can be a real timesaver on busy week days. A little press is about $2 to order online. Pack a bit of white rice into the mold, then add some flaked leftover salmon or tuna salad. Top with more rice and place the lid down. That’s all. Your kids can press it out at lunch. Tuck a packet of seaweed sheets in (the seasoned, store bought kind or sheets of nori) if your kids want to wrap the onigiri at school. Pro tip: Season the rice with furikake for extra flavoring.

PESTO PASTA

There’s a reason that this dish has been popular with kids for decades–pesto is savory, satisfying, and tastes great both hot and at room temperature. Tyrell relies on a thermos to pack pesto pasta for her son, but emphasizes its flexibility for room temperature. If you want to bulk up the pasta, consider folding in some cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works), halved miniature fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), and/or small grape tomatoes. (Make sure to leave the tomatoes whole so they don’t make the pasta go soggy.) Tip: Let your kids choose the pasta shape to make them excited about getting to lunchtime.

KIDDOS PLOUGHMAN

If your child is getting into more grown up flavors, they might enjoy a rendition of the traditional British sandwich, a ploughman’s pickle sandwich. Line slices of homemade sourdough or a mini baguette with butter and pickle relish, slices of cheddar cheese, sliced ham, and–if they will tolerate–a few tendrils of mesclun greens or arugula. Of course, a classic ham-and-cheese on white bread tastes great at room temperature, too. If you want to include similar ingredients but your kids prefer a DIY assembly of their lunch, present it as a charcuterie board instead, packing whole-grain crackers with the cheese and meats.

LOADED FRITTATA

A frittata avoids any of the smelly qualities of a hard-cooked egg and packs in just as much protein, with vegetables, too. If you want to give your kids some agency, says Tyrell, treat food as a choose-your-own-adventure activity. In the case of a frittata, this means selecting the fillings together, from roasted broccoli and cauliflower to sautéed mushrooms or onions. Check in with them about cheese–dollops of goat cheese on top are fun, but folding cheddar or mozzarella into the mixture is an option, too. Cook the entire thing in a cake pan and cut into wedges, or cook in muffin tins and pack two to three in their lunch.