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7 Versatile and Child-Proof Lunch Recipes to Pack for School

A balance of visual appeal, enticing aroma and delicious flavours are what get your children’s appetite going. Get inspired and recreate these 7 easy-to-make lunch recipes guaranteed to delight your children’s tastebuds!

1. Mini Quiche 4 Ways

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This Mini Quiche 4 ways recipe tops our list of child-proof lunch recipes for its simple ingredients and easy cooking process. You can opt for the savoury classic of Mini Bacon Quiche and Mini Ham and Cheese Quiche, or healthier alternatives like the Mini Spinach Quiche and Mini Mushroom Quiche.

Bonus: this recipe allows you to freeze and store your extra quiche for another day’s lunch (bake it for 5-10 minutes in the oven without the need to thaw). You can also experiment with many more ingredients based on your child’s current cravings.

2. Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice

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Photo Credit: Diethood.com

Clean and straightforward flavours from a bowl of healthy fried rice can do no wrong. But here’s a healthy twist to it, replace rice with cauliflower instead! This Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice recipe also allows you to add in your favourite proteins and vegetables just like how you’d add to your usual fried rice!

3. Tuna and Cucumber Sushi

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Photo Credit: newideafood.com.au

Sushi is a fun snack-sized meal perfect for someone with a small appetite. It’s also easy to eat just with fingers (make sure to remind your kids to wash their hands first) and the ingredient combinations are limitless. You can use protein-heavy food like chicken, fish and more, and greens like bean sprouts and broccoli. For a start, try this Tuna and Cucumber Sushi recipe!

Tip: Mix ingredients of different colours to entice your children! Also, as sushi is often made with raw ingredients, be sure to use thermal containers like the Thermos® Food Jar to keep the food fresh.

4. White Fish with Sesame Noodles

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Cooking fish for your children comes with many benefits. They are a great source of healthy fats such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Omega-3 and are essential for developing the brain, nervous system and vision. Incorporate fish into their diet with this quick White Fish with Sesame Noodles recipe. You’ll only need 20 mins to cook it, and there are no complicated processes! However, be sure to remove all the fish bones from the fish to prevent any swallowing accident.

Tip: If the sesame noodle is a hit with your kids, you can switch out the fish with other proteins as well!

5. Chicken and Sausage Rice

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A little on the sweeter side, this Chicken and Sausage Rice recipe is no doubt a delicious dish for both children and adults alike. Its main ingredients include Chinese sausages and tender chicken meat for protein, while mushrooms add a nice umami flavour. Add a few additional pieces of salted fish to elevate the fragrance, and it will give this rice dish a slight saltiness to balance the sweetness from the oyster sauce. Remember to serve it warm by using thermal food containers like the Thermos® Food Jar!

6. Stuffed Baked Potatoes

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A substantial amount of bacon and cheese will make this chicken dish irresistible. Though it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to prepare and cook, the majority of it lies in the potato baking process. You can also sneak in a few other ingredients like broccoli, corn and other vegetables to up its health-factor. Get the recipe here!

7. Homemade Nuggets

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You may not be convinced that nuggets are healthy food for children, but we’re here to tell you otherwise. By making your own nuggets, you can control the amount of sugar and salt you put in. It also allows you to switch up the ingredients and hide vegetables within this irresistible finger food. You can mix a few basic chicken nuggets or salmon nuggets with some vegetable nuggets (pick from a range of healthy ingredients like carrot, potato and more) to ensure that your children are getting their daily greens. Finish it up with a simple dip of their liking and you’re ready to go!

Tip: Opt for a healthier cooking method like baking or an air-fryer to reduce the unhealthy fat from a deep fryer.

If you need extra help in getting your children to eat healthier, we have 5 tricks to share with you!

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