25 Vegan Lunch Box Ideas to get your kids through the first few weeks of school. A variety of delicious recipes that are healthy and guaranteed to keep the little ones fueled and focused throughout the day.
2020 has been a weird year, to say the least. And, while starting back to school should be something fun, exciting, and certain in a child’s life it’s been anything but those things. One thing that should not be compromised is the health of our children. And, these 25 vegan lunch ideas for kids compromise nothing.
You are sure to find a great assortment of main dishes and delicious vegan snacks as well with these recipes. And, if you’re wondering how to pack their healthy lunch this THERMOS FUNtainer is our favorite. Here’s a great list of lunch boxes as well you can check out.
Vegan Lunch Ideas For Kids
Packing a healthy vegan lunch for your kids might seem like a daunting task. But, it’s actually pretty simple. It’s also much more cost-effective than you might realize. Recipes like pasta, soups, and even the occasional PB & J are great examples. And, you can serve them with delicious raw fruits and veggies on the side.
Remember to try and keep it as whole-foods as possible and stay away from the “vegan junk food.” Products like fake meats, chips, cookies, etc. can be expensive and are not really healthier than their non-vegan counterparts. The occasional vegan treat is fine but let that be the exception and not the rule.
One final thought: GET YOUR KIDS INVOLVED! We always let our kids help make lunch. It’s a great way for them to learn life skills, self-sufficiency, but also gives you some great 1-on-1 time before they head out the door.
25 Vegan Lunch Box Ideas For Kids
Peanut Butter Protein Energy Bites (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Peanut Butter Protein Bites are excellent as a dessert or afternoon snack for kids when they need a bit of energy.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert Hummus
Serve this delicious dip with sliced apples, pears, or bananas. Your kids will never know it's healthy:)
Healthy Avocado Chocolate Pudding
This chocolate pudding is full of healthy fats and is absolutely delicious! It's rich, creamy, and so easy to make.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Vegan No-Bake Cookies
These chocolate peanut butter cookies require no baking and are a treat your children will love finding in their lunch box.
3 Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
These 3 Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies are soft, crumbly, chewy, and so easy to make! Made in 1 bowl with only 3 ingredients, this recipe is sure to be a family favorite.
Healthy Vegan Banana Bread (No Oil)
What kid doesn't love finding a big ole slice of banana bread in their bag? And, this one is completely healthy as well as delicious.
Healthy Oil-Free Granola
This Healthy Oil-Free Granola recipe is perfect for a kid's lunch box! It’s simple to make, sweetened with maple syrup, crunchy, and delicious. They can eat it by the handful as a delicious snack.
Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs
These Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs are THE perfect plant-based alternative to regular hot dogs! Your kids will love them.
The Best Vegan Mac And Cheese
Mac & Cheese, 'nuff said. This is the BEST Vegan Mac And Cheese recipe! It’s SO easy to make and the kids will love it!
Sweet Chili Garlic Instant Pot Noodles
These Sweet Chili Garlic Instant Pot Noodles are so easy to make and absolutely delicious! And, they are great even cold. Whole wheat pasta is cooked in a simple Asian inspired sauce creates an easy lunch that packs perfectly in their little lunch box.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
A delicious vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwich that's loaded with protein; full of fiber; and, super hearty! No cooking and perfect for school lunch.
Five Minute Fat Free Microwave Potato Chips
Yes, delicious healthy potato chips. They take no time to make and the kids will love having them with their sandwich.
Best Vegan BBQ Sandwich
The Best Vegan BBQ Sandwich is a great source of protein & fiber and awesome school lunch food.
Easy BBQ Baked Beans
Easy BBQ Baked Beans cooked in a delicious homemade BBQ sauce that’s rich, savory, tangy, sweet, and smoky. They're filling, full of protein, and pack really well in a lunch box.
Vegan Minestrone Soup
Soups are great for a lunch box because they're good warm or cold. This Vegan Minestrone is loaded with whole wheat pasta and healthy veggies. Kids will love it!
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
Healthy, hearty, and comforting Instant Pot Vegetable Soup that's perfect for those cold and rainy days. Packed with Fall veggies and this soup is also vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili that’s loaded with protein, fiber, and healthy delicious veggies. A hearty vegan meal ready in 30-minutes.
Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Kids need their greens. This Quinoa Black Bean Salad is super hearty. It's gluten-free, loaded with protein, and low-fat.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Kale Pasta
This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Kale Pasta is so easy to make, super healthy, and kid-approved. It’s rich, creamy, and perfect for your kid's lunch box.
Easy Three Bean Salad
Easy and delicious classic Three Bean Salad. It’s made with chickpeas, red kidney beans, cannellini beans, cucumber, celery, a few simple spices, and a delicious oil-free sweet and tangy dressing. It's full of fiber and protein.
Authentic Hummus (3 Ingredients)
You only need 3 simple ingredients and less than 10 minutes to make this delicious treat. Serve this in their lunch box with whole crackers or raw veggies.
Easy Vegan Cornbread
Delicious, sweet, and moist Easy Vegan Cornbread. It goes great with a bowl of vegan chili, baked beans, or just enjoy all by itself!
No Yeast Bread
This vegan No Yeast Bread is delicious and great alongside chili or soup. No yeast. No proofing. And, no oil.
Baked Homemade Tortilla Chips (No Oil)
These Baked Homemade Tortilla Chips are crunchy, delicious, and so easy to make!
Easy Vegan Cashew Queso
Kids love cheese and this queso is sure to win them over. Serve this with my Healthy Tortilla Chips and watch them aks for it over and over.
If you give any of these vegan lunches + snacks a try, let us know! Leave a comment, or take a picture and tag it #shaneandsimple on Instagram so I can check it out:)
I LOVE your recipes and your creativity!!!! Your recipes are fast, easy and realistic.. Not to mention that most things I have in my kitchen..Please keep up the awesome work…so happy i found your site!!!! Thank you, you so make a BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD:))
Thank you, Connie, and will do!
08/10/21 Shane– Thank you for your no-nonsense info and super recipes! I just began WFPB eating on July 1st and am so happy to have found your site as there is a lot of confusion out there. For example, one question–is sugar ever eaten onWFPB, and if so, what brand and where can I purchase? (A couple of popular sites’ recipes call for “pure cane sugar”. The only “pure cane sugar” I can find is good old C&H in all its forms–something I wasn’t eating already.) Thank you again!
Hi, Raechel! Thanks for reaching out and I’m so glad you’re here. And, congrats on your new lifestyle! Yes, there is a place in a WFPB diet for sweets and that place is dessert. There are many opinions on this but I believe organic cane sugar, date sugar, maple syrup, or brown sugar on “occasion” is acceptable. Desserts are just that, dessert, they are never meant to be an everyday thing, they’re special treats. I prefer Anthony’s…here is a link: https://amzn.to/3CIf50Q
I hope this helps!
Peace,
shane