21 Back to School Sandwich Ideas
Back to school lunches do not have to be boring–especially when it comes to sandwiches. There are many ways to make a sandwich that your child will look forward to eating. Add in some special treats that are nutritious with your child’s lunch and you’ll have a very happy and satisfied child.
These ideas are great for homeschoolers too. I know for me, I get into a rut sometimes when thinking about WHAT to feed my kids that day!
Before you go out and spice up your child’s lunch, test it out on them first and see if they like it. You could also involve them, by having them help you come up with some new sandwich creations.
Instead of sticking to the every day whole wheat bread slices, explore other bread types like wraps, pita, bagels, tortilla, sourdough bread, Kaiser buns, naan bread, English muffins, hoagies, panini, etc. You can also try introducing new cheeses like Brie, goat cheese, cottage cheese and cream cheese as a new way of adding different flavors to sandwiches. Give your kids’ sandwiches some different textures by adding crunch to it. You can use sunflower seeds, almond slivers, diced walnuts or pecans, croutons or dried Asian noodles. Get creative!
21 Creative and Healthy Back to School Sandwich Ideas
1. Peanut Butter and Jelly Twist
Take your standard peanut butter and jelly sandwich and add a twist. You can also try different nut spreads such as hazelnut, almond butter, pecan butter and so forth.
A few ideas for your peanut butter combo:
– Peanut butter, nutella, banana
– Peanut butter, honey, banana
– Peanut butter and thin slices of fruit like apples, strawberries; raisins or cranberries.
– Flavored peanut butter and fruit or jam. I use all-natural Peanut Butter & Co. They have fabulous flavors and natural sweeteners. “White Chocolate Wonderful” is a favorite.
2. Mozzarella and Tomato
Mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese slice and slices of tomatoes in a pita, or wrap.
3. Chicken or Turkey
Diced chicken with diced celery or finely chopped spinach mixed with mayonnaise. You can try adding raisins, apples or dried cranberries.
4. Pulled Pork
Good from leftover dinners
5. Roast Beef
Try it with a new cheese and bread combo.
6. Tuna
– Tuna with tomato
– Tuna with shredded Parmesan cheese mixed with a mayonnaise, cream cheese and a little bit of Dijon mustard mixture.
7. Rice Cakes
Spread cream cheese and your child’s favorite jelly on two rice cakes.
8. Pita
You can have a variety of ingredients to fill a pita.
– Pizza – salami, pepperoni, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, julienne red peppers etc.
– Chicken salad
– Tuna salad
– Egg salad
9. Cheese and Vegetarian Sandwich
Get creative with the veggies–even the way you cut them. Make it fun.
10. Fruit Sandwich
Use cottage cheese and dried fruits.
11. Quesadilla
Refried beans, shredded cheese, deli meat, sliced or diced tomato, shredded lettuce.
12. Burritos
This can go in so many different directions. You can do the normal Mexican flavors, or use the fruit idea from above–sky is the limit really. I mean anything you can fit in a burrito!
13. Artichoke Cheese Dip
Use it spread on crackers, English muffins, bagels etc.
14. Crab Dip
Used in the same way as #13.
15. Ham
Ham, cheese and peach jam on sourdough bread or panini bread.
16. Mini Bagels
Mini bagels are good for younger kids. They are easy to grab for on the go too.
17. Sushi Sandwich
Tuna, salmon or crab, add avocado or shredded carrot. Mix it with mayonnaise. Trim the crust off of slices of whole wheat bread and ue rolling pin to flatten out about 1/16 of an inch. Spread the mixture on the bread and tightly roll it. You can slice it into sections.
18. Cucumber Sandwich (my kids LOVE these!)
You don’t have to use bread to make cucumber sandwiches. Use cucumber slices for your top and bottom. Cut meat and cheese the same size as your cucumber slices. Use toothpicks to hold them together or let your child assemble them at lunch time.
19. Pancake Sandwich
Cook the egg omelet style so it’s not broken up, when cooked place it on top of one pancake, add maple syrup and cover with another pancake.
20. Asian Lettuce Wraps
Best to be assembled at school and for older kids.
21. Tacos
Best to have soft tacos if you are sending you kids off to school. Hard is fine for homeschoolers.
I hope these ideas get your mind working. If we, as Moms, put forth effort and try to make healthy eating fun, our kids are more apt to eat healthy and not get bored with school lunches!
Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved