5 Easy and Yummy Back to School Lunch Ideas

Everyone looks forward to the lunch period during school. However, it can be hard to pack a lunch that is nutritious and healthy. Today, I’m going to show you 5 easy, quick recipes you can make when you have a busy schedule. Please remember that most of these will require you to make them the night before or over the weekend. But, don’t worry, they are difficult-free. 

#1 –  Crispy, Spicy, Garlic Potatoes 

If you love fries like me, but aren’t satisfied with your cafeteria’s frozen ones, I have your back. These oven-baked potatoes are perfect for you if you love spice. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 Potatoes 
• 10 tsp oil 
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• ½ tsp salt 
• ½ tsp pepper 
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley 
• ½ tsp paprika powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 356℉
2. Rinse potatoes.
3. Peel skin.
4. Cut the top, bottom, & side of a potato to make a cuboid.
5. Cut slices of about 1 centimeter thick. 
6. Optional: Lay 1 slice down & mark horizontal lines with your knife. Flip & cut diagonal lines. Do not cut all the way down, just ¾ deep. This makes slits in the potato for the seasoning to seep in. 
7. Boil for 4 minutes on high. 
8. Strain the water & lay out each potato on a sheet of tinfoil placed onto a baking pan. 
9. Seasoning: Whisk oil, melted butter, salt, pepper, chopped parsley, paprika, cayenne pepper, & garlic powder. 
10. Dip a pastry brush into seasoning mixture & coat each potato slice evenly. 
11. Bake in the oven at 356° for 40 minutes or until appear golden brown. 
12. When the 20-minute mark hits, carefully open the oven & sprinkle parmesan (or your favorite cheese) &  bake until done. 
13. Let potatoes cool for 10 minutes. 

Tips: 

• Be careful not to oversaturate the potatoes with the seasoning. 
• Avoid cutting the potatoes thin, I did that once & they were drenched in seasoning. 

Source: https://www.tiktok.com/@yashodhas_eats/video/6939147432374619398?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

#2 Teriyaki Ramen

Are you looking for flavorful and saucy ramen for lunch? Here it is! If you’re on TikTok a lot, you’ve probably come across this deliciousness. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 Instant Ramen bag (my favorite: https://www.target.com/p/sapporo-ichiban-shio-ramen-noodle-soup-18oz-5ct/-/A-52396719#lnk=sametab)
• 1 tsp butter 
• 3 tsp soy sauce (add more if desired) 
• 1 tsp brown sugar 
• 1 egg
• Favorite Toppings: Red chili pepper flakes, Everything but the Bagel seasoning 

Directions: 

1. Boil ramen noodles, drain, & put aside. 
2. Prepare the sauce. In a pan on low-medium heat, add butter.
3. Once the butter is half melted, add garlic & soy sauce & stir. 
4. Next, add brown sugar. 
5. Once everything is well combined, add the ramen noodles. 
6. If you’d like, add 1 egg. 
7. Turn off heat & sprinkle anything you would like on top! 

Credit: https://iamafoodblog.com/tiktok-ramen/ 

#3: Honey Butter Corn: 

This is a super easy way to make your corn more exciting. You can eat this cold, perfect for school lunch. So, if you like honey and love corn, stick around! 

Ingredients:  

• 2 tbsp butter 
• 2 tbsp honey 
• 1 bag frozen corn (16oz)
• 6 tbsp cream cheese 
• ¼ tsp salt & pepper 

Directions: 

1. Sautee 1 bag of frozen corn & put aside. 
2. Warm up your skillet on low to medium heat.
3. Add the butter. Once melted, add the honey. 
4. Give it a stir & then add the corn.
5. Cook for 5-8 minutes. Stir here & there. 
6. Add in the cream cheese in chunks & salt & pepper. Combine. 
7. Cook until done ( (3-5 min.) Remember to stir.

Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/808044358146407536/

#4: No-Bake Energy Balls 

These energy balls are the easiest recipe ever and taste incredible. Not only are they a perfect snack throughout school, but they’re amazing for grabbing something before you head out the door. Plus, it includes chocolate. Who doesn’t love that? 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats 
• ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
• ½ cup shredded coconut
• ½ cup almond butter/peanut butter 
• ½ cup ground flaxseed 
• ½ cup chocolate chips 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: any seeds of your choice, I like chopped almonds & chia seeds 

Directions: 

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. 
2. Scoop with a tablespoon or ice cream scoop & roll into balls. 
3. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes & done! 

Tips: 

• If the mix is too dry, add more honey/maple syrup. 
• If the mix is not holding together, put it in the fridge for 25 minutes to harden.

Credit: https://downshiftology.com/recipes/no-bake-energy-balls/

#5: The Best Chicken Salad 

I love this recipe because you can pair it with anything: stuffed peppers, in a sandwich, dipped in crackers or chips, the list goes on. Bonus: you can store this in the fridge for up to 5 days!

Ingredients: 

• ½ large chicken breast 
• ¼ cup chopped celery 
• ¼ cup red grapes cut in fourths 
• 1 tbsp mixed nuts (chopped if desired)
• 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ c mayonnaise 
• ¼ tsp garlic salt 

Directions: 

1. Prepare your chicken by either boiling, or buying precooked at a grocery store, however you want to cook it. Then, chop or shred it. 
2. Chop celery & grapes to both individually = ¼ cup. 
3. Chop lettuce to =  a cup. 
4. Chop nuts to = 1 tablespoon. 
5. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, garlic salt, mayonnaise, & mustard. 
6. Then, add the rest of the ingredients & enjoy. 

Credit: https://www.nourishnutritionblog.com/easiest-chicken-salad/

That’s a wrap! I hope you give some of these a try this school year. Let me know in the comments which recipe was your favorite! Good luck!

Check out more recipes from GirlSpring contributors!

Dania A.

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