75+ Healthy Vegetarian Indian Kids School Lunch Box Recipes Ideas that Your Kids Will Love! These recipes are filled with wholesome ingredients and nutrients and will keep your kids satisfied all afternoon.
You can also find tips on packing school lunchboxes and a list of our favorite lunch box packing tools. Great for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school-aged kids.
Hello, it's back to school time, Here I am sharing healthy, easy, kid-friendly lunches and snacks that I serve my daughter Dhwani Monday to Friday, along with a few tips & tricks here and there. I hope you find this post useful to pack meals for your children.
If you landed on this page, I am sure you got some naughty & playful kids at home 🙂 And we agree that for most kids - The mother is by default a "Lifetime Master Chef".
No wonder we Mothers constantly keep looking for yummy breakfast ideas or lunch ideas, or healthy snack ideas for our kids. This seems like a herculean task. So, saluting all these wonderful Mother's, I would like to share my proud collection of 75+ Healthy Kids Lunch Box Recipes.
Got a cute little toddler at home? Coming up with toddler breakfast ideas is also never an easy task. Check out Healthy Toddler Indian Breakfast Ideas.
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist or a dietician. I am doing what is best for my kid to create a balanced and nutritious lunch.
75+ Indian Healthy Kids Lunch Box Recipe Ideas
Here are some healthy vegetarian and vegan Indian Kids Lunch Box recipes, which will offer you various options to be served in a lunch box for school or at home.
1. Spinach Corn Sandwich + Orange + Almonds & Pistachios
Grilled Spinach Corn Sandwich with mixed nuts and fruit (orange). Replace nuts with veggies or sweet treats for a nut-free option.
2. Mini Paneer Uttapam + Tomato Ketchup + Carrot Sticks
Paneer Uttapam (soft savory uttapam/pancakes topped up with grated paneer, carrots, onion, tomatoes, and coriander), ketchup, and carrot sticks.
3. Carrot Rice + Cucumber + Fruittella
Carrot Rice, cucumber (cut in star shapes using cutter), and sweet treat.
4. Potato Spinach Pancakes + Sprouted Moong & Corn Salad+ Red Grapes
Potato Spinach Pancakes (or Aloo Palak Cheela) are the Indian version of potato hash browns, Sprouted moong salad, and red grapes.
5. Mayonnaise Veggie Pasta + Strawberries + Peanut Chikki
Mayo Veggie Pasta with peanut chikki and fruit (strawberries). For nut-free snack, you can replace peanut chikki with any healthy sweet treat.
6. Palak Chapati + Jeera Aloo + Orange
Palak Chapati with Jeera Aloo sabji and fruit (orange).
7. Dal Paratha + Pineapple Raita + Carrot Sticks
Dal paratha with leftover dal, Pineapple raita, and Carrot sticks.
8. Pineapple Fried Rice + Fryums + Blueberries
Colorful fried rice with pineapple with fryums and fruit (blueberries).
9. Veg Vermicelli Upma + Peanut Sundal + Mango
Veg Vermicelli Upma with Peanut sundal and fruit (mango). For a nut-free option, replace peanut sundal with chickpea sundal or any bean sundal for extra protein.
10. Spinach Coin Dosa + Peanut Chutney + Pineapple
Spinach Coin Dosa with Peanut chutney and fruit (pineapple chunks).
11. Avocado Parathas + Beetroot Kurma + Mini Pretzels
Avocado Paratha with Beetroot curry and store-bought pretzels.
12. Lemon Idli + Yogurt + Strawberry
Lemon Idli with homemade yogurt and fruit (strawberries).
13. Tomato Rice using Coconut Milk + Carrot Raita + Red Grapes
Tomato Rice with carrot raita and fruit (red grapes).
14. Paneer Fried Rice + Mixed Nuts + Biscuit
Paneer Fried Rice with roasted nuts and little heart biscuits. You can replace nuts with any healthy snack for a nut-free option.
15. Spinach Idly + Peanut Chutney + Potato Chips
Spinach Idli with peanut chutney and chips. You can replace peanut chutney with onion tomato chutney for a nut-free option.
16. Zucchini Carrot Paratha + Boondi Raita + Dates
Zucchini Carrot Paratha with boondi raita and dates.
17. Chole & Jeera Rice + Cucumber-Carrot Salad + Kale Chips
Jeera rice with Chana masala, Kale chips, and Carrot cucumber salad.
18. Spinach Corn Rice + Yogurt + Grapes + Chocolate Brownie
Spinach Corn Rice with yogurt, grapes, and chocolate brownie.
19. Methi Paratha + Ketchup + Moong Sprouts & Pomegranate Salad + Dates
Methi Paratha with Moong sprouts salad and dates.
20. Vegetable Paniyaram + Onion Chutney + Orange
Vegetable Paniyaram with Onion Chutney and fruit (Orange).
21. Drumstick Leaves Paratha + Aloo Gobi + Mixed Nuts
Drumstick Leaves Paratha with Aloo Gobi, and Nuts. Replace roasted nuts with any healthy snack for a nut-free option.
22. Capsicum Rice + Yogurt + Protein Bar
Capsicum rice with homemade yogurt and protein bar.
23. Chole Paratha + Onion Raita + Mixed Fruits
Chole Paratha with Onion Tomato Raita and fruits (apple, pomegranate).
24. Coconut Rice + Masala Corn + Blueberries & Black Dry Grapes
Coconut Rice with buttered masala corn, raisins, fruit (blueberries).
25. Chapati + Chana Masala + Blueberries
Chapati with Chana Masala and fruit (blueberries).
26. Beetroot Rice + Yogurt + Dates and Nut Ladoo + Cherries
Beetroot rice, homemade yogurt, dates ladoo, and fruit (cherries).
27. Flaxseed Roti + Beetroot and Chickpea Stir Fry + Green Grapes
Flaxseed roti with beetroot chickpea stir fry and fruit (green grapes).
28. Ajwain Paratha + Paneer Bhurji + Carrot & Cucumber
Ajwain Paratha with Paneer Bhurji and veggies (cucumber & carrot sticks).
29. Palak Poori + Paneer Capsicum Stir Fry + Cookie & Pistachios
Palak Poori with Paneer Jalfrezi, cookies, and nuts.
30. Creamy Spinach Pasta + Caramel Makhana + Raspberries
Spinach Pasta, Caramel makhana, and fruit (raspberries).
31. Vegetable Quinoa Pulao & Yogurt + Roasted Makhana + Blueberries
Vegetable Quinoa Pulao with Roasted Makhana, and fruit (blueberries).
32. Broccoli Paneer Paratha + Pistachios & Raisins + Veggie Straws
Broccoli Paneer Paratha, nuts & raisins, and snacks.
33. Mushroom Biryani & Yogurt + Besan Ladoo + Cucumber
Mushroom Biryani, Besan Ladoo, and cucumber slices.
34. Palak Paneer Paratha + Ketchup + Blueberries
Palak Paneer Paratha with tomato ketchup, and fruit (blueberries).
35. Mushroom Fried Rice + Fryums + Orange
Mushroom Fried Rice, fryums, and fruit (orange).
36. Peanut Rice + Carrot & Cucumber sticks + Chocolate Makhana
Peanut Rice, Chocolate Makhana, and veggies (carrot and cucumber sticks).
37. Creamy Tomato Pasta + Chocolate & Nut Berry Seeds Mix + Blackberries
Creamy Tomato Pasta, nuts, chocolate, and fruit (blackberries).
38. Cabbage Pulao & Yogurt + Potato Chips + Strawberries & Blueberries
Cabbage Rice with homemade yogurt, potato wafers, and fruit (strawberries and blueberries).
39. Mac & Cheese + Mint Makhana + Red Grapes
Mac and Cheese, Mint Makhana, and fruit (grapes).
40. Beetroot Rice Ball + Guacamole + Tortilla Chips
Beetroot Rice Ball, tortilla chips with Guacamole to dip in.
41. Curd Rice + Apple + French Macaroon
Curd Rice, store-bought macaroons, and fruit (apple cut in star shapes using cutter).
42. Chapati Noodles + Makhana Raita + Pomegranate
Chapati noodles with leftover roti, Makhana Raita, and fruit (pomegranate).
43. Makhana Paratha + Potato Sagu + Mixed Nuts
Makhana Paratha with Potato Curry and nuts.
44. Rajma Chawal + Yogurt & Chia Seeds + Orange
Rajma Chawal with yogurt topped with chia seeds and fruit (orange).
45. Lauki Paratha + Ketchup + Beetroot Tikki
Lauki Paratha with tomato ketchup and Beetroot Tikki.
46. Butternut Squash Pasta + Dry Grapes + Orange
Butternut Squash Pasta with raisins and fruit (orange).
47. Masala Rice + Lauki Raita + Broccoli Smileys
Masala Rice with Lauki Raita and Broccoli Smileys.
48. Bajra Khichdi + Yogurt + Dates
Bajra Khichdi with homemade yogurt and dates.
49. Flax Seeds Paratha + Rajma Masala + Apple
Flax seeds paratha with Rajma Masala and apple.
50. Beetroot Carrot Sandwich + Peri Peri Makhana + Orange
Beetroot Carrot Sandwich with Peri Peri Makhana and fruit (orange).
51. Vegetable Fried Idli + Bourbon Biscuit + Grapes
Vegetable Fried Idli with bourbon biscuit and fruit (red grapes).
52. Sweet Potato Paratha & Yogurt + Banana Chips + Peach
Sweet Potato Paratha with homemade yogurt, banana chips, and fruit (peach slices).
53. Masala Pasta + Rice Krispies + Apple
Masala Pasta with rice krispies and fruit (apple cut in a heart shape using cutter).
54. Aloo Masala Puri + Aamras + Grapes
Aloo Masala Poori with Aamas and fruit (red grapes).
55. Veg Hakka Noodles + Guacamole + Corn Chips
Vegetable Hakka Noodles with guacamole with corn chips (from Trader Joe's).
56. Beetroot Paratha + Yogurt + Pear
Beetroot Paratha with yogurt and fruit (pear slices).
57. Tofu Paratha + Strawberry Chia Jam + Mixed Nuts
Tofu Paratha with Homemade Strawberry Chia Jam, and nuts.
58. Corn Fried Rice + Cucumber + Murukku
Corn Fried Rice with cucumber slices and murukku snacks.
59. Mayonnaise Sandwich + Sauteed Paneer + Kiwi Fruit
Mayonnaise Sandwich with sauteed paneer (sauteed in little olive oil, ginger garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric, and salt) and fruit (kiwi).
60.Thai Peanut Noodles + Blueberries + Banana Chips
Thai Peanut Noodles, banana chips, and fruit (blueberries).
61. Peas Pulao + Boondi Raita + Orange
Green Peas Pulao (Matar Pulao) with Boondi Raita and fruit (orange).
62. Podi Idli + Yogurt + Grapes
Podi Idli paired with plain greek yogurt and fruit (green grapes).
63. Lemon Rice + Yogurt + Carrot & Cucumber
Easy Lemon Rice paired with Yogurt and veggies (carrot and cucumber sticks).
64. Pizza Paratha + Carrot + Crispy Tofu
Pizza Paratha, crispy tofu, and baby carrots.
65. Vegetable Pulao + Chocolate + Fruits
Vegetable Pulao, chocolate, and fruits (orange and green grapes).
66. Rava Paddu + Coconut Chutney + Peanut Butter Makhana
Easy Instant Rava Paddu/Paniyaram paired with Coconut chutney and Peanut butter makhana.
67. Mini Poori + Potato Sagu + Pears
Mini Poori's (Made a large chapati and then cut into a round shape using a cutter and deep-fried) paired with Potato Curry and fruit (pears).
68. Rava Idli + Coconut Chutney + Dates & Apricot
Rava Idli with Coconut Chutney, Medjool dates, and dried apricots.
69. Veggie Burger + Chips + Guacamole
Veggie Burger is made using veggie patties from trader joes. Toasted burger bread and heated frozen veggie patty on a Tawa. Placed a slice of burger, smeared some mayo+ ketchup mixture, placed lettuce and top of it veggie patty and cheese slice. Lettuce helps to prevent burgers from turning soggy. Then added the Served with Tortilla chips and Guacamole.
70. Chickpea Rice + Greek Yogurt + Mango+ Salad
Chickpea rice with plain greek yogurt, veggies (cucumber & grape tomatoes), and fruit (mango chunks).
71. White Sauce Pasta + Cucumber + Hummus
White sauce pasta, cucumber sticks, and store-bought hummus for dipping.
72. Burnt Garlic Fried Rice + Ketchup + Cherries
Burnt Garlic Fried Rice with tomato ketchup and fruit (red cherries).
73. Zucchini Paneer Cheela/Pancake + Yogurt + Fruits
Zucchini Paneer Cheela with yogurt and fruit (green grapes and blueberry skewers).
Recipe for Zucchini Paneer Cheela (Zucchini Paneer Chickpea Flour Pancake)
1 cup shredded zucchini
¼ cup shredded Paneer (cottage cheese)
½ cup besan/gram flour (or Chickpea flour)
2 tablespoons coriander leaves
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon red chili powder
¼ cup water or as needed
Mix everything in a bowl to get pancake consistency, and cook on the Tawa with some ghee or oil.
74. Butternut Squash Paratha + Mint Raita + Grapes
Butternut Squash Paratha with Mint raita and fruit (red grapes).
75. Paneer Paratha + Cucumber + Fruits
Paneer Paratha with cucumber slices and fruits (green grapes, strawberries).
76. Neer Dosa + Coconut Chutney + Fruits
Neer Dosa with coriander coconut chutney, and red cherries.
77. Aloo Paratha + Yogurt + Fruits
Aloo Paratha with homemade yogurt, and strawberries.
78. Paneer Pulao + Raita + Fruits
Paneer Pulao with onion tomato raita and chopped mangoes.
79. Pav Bhaji + Masala Makhana
Pav Bhaji with spicy masala makhana.
80. Avocado Chutney Sandwich + Roasted Chana + Fruits
Avocado Chutney Sandwich with store-bought Roasted Chana and blueberries.
81. Plain Paratha + Cabbage Stir Fry + Sauteed Paneer + Fruit
Plain Paratha with Cabbage Peas Stir Fry, Sauteed Paneer, and Orange.
Favorite Lunch Box Packing Tools
Below are some of my favorite tools for packing fun school lunches.
- Lunch Box: bento-style stainless steel tiffin box called Lunchbots, which is Eco-Friendly, Dishwasher Safe, and BPA-free.
- Thermos: retains the temperature of hot or cold meals. Great for soup, pasta, or a cold snack.
- Insulated thermal bags: help to keep the food warm or cold.
- Small Dip Containers: great for packing snacks, desserts, dips, sauces, and yogurt/raita.
- Silicone Muffin Liners: These are ideal as snack holders to keep food separate in your divided container.
- LunchBots Silicone Bento Cups Set: Keeps liquids from seeping into other sections, so your snacks, like cookies, and crackers, stay crisp.
- Small Cutters: these are great for cutting out fruits, vegetables, and cheese, into different shapes.
- Sandwich Shape Cutters: help to turn any sandwich into a fun shape, bringing joy to your children.
- Ice Pack: helps to keep the lunches cold.
- Water Bottle: to send water cold or warm for lunch.
My other Favorite Kitchen Gadgets
- Instant Pot: electric pressure cooker used for cooking rice, lentils, pasta, soups, and steamed veggies.
- Air Fryer: used for roasting veggies, cookies, and more.
- Panini Press: used for grilling sandwiches, burgers, etc.
Do not use plastic lunch boxes for your kids. They are toxic.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to keep lunches warm is to invest in good lunch boxes and accessories like Insulated containers, Insulated thermal bags, and thermos food containers.
You can add an ice pack inside the lunch bag along with a lunchbox to keep it cold. We like Fit & Fresh Cool Slim Reusable Ice Packs.
I prefer packing lunch boxes that have compartments, also known as bento boxes, and in a thermos that is a stainless steel or BPA-free plastic container.
Bento Box is a Japanese lunch box with multiple compartments, great for packing a well-balanced meal including grains, fruit, veggies, or protein.
Yes! Stainless steel is BPA-free and hence doesn't leach into the foods, unlike many plastic boxes.
You can wrap roti in parchment paper when they are still hot. This prevents rotis from getting soggy and keeps them soft. I do not recommend wrapping in aluminum foil because heat causes the aluminum to leach into the food, according to some studies.
More Indian Recipe Collections to try from my blog
- 30+ Instant Pot Indian Rice Recipes
- 35+ Best Indian Curries
- 15+ Paratha Recipes
- 10+ Best Veg Sandwich Recipes
- 40+ Indian Dinner Recipes
More Recipes for Kids Lunch Box
75+ Healthy Kids Lunch Box Recipes (Indian)
Equipment
Ingredients
- rice
- vegetables
- fruits
- roti
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Amie
Hey!
All your combos and recipes are lovely. I just have one doubt/query - when you put the likes of fryums/papad or anything crunchy with the main tiffin item doesn't it get soggy?
Sudha
This what I was looking for! Not fries cut in different shapes or pasta / bread / roti/ dosai loaded with processed cheese and mayo packed in cute Tiffin boxes. Thank you so much
Bhavana Patil
Thank you for the kind words Sudha, Glad you liked the ideas ..
PAVANI
MAM I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO SEE YOUR RECEIPES, I WILL FOLLOW YOU FOR MY SON LUNCH BOX RECEIPES.
THANK YOU MAM
Bhavana Patil
Hi Pavani, Glad you like them.. let me know if you give a try and how your son reacted?
Hari
Hi, Do you make all these in the morning and any of these recipes can be made a day before. Also, when you pack yogurt, do you include ice pack?
Thanks!
Bhavana Patil
Hi Hari, I do few preparations on the previous day itself, those details have been shared for a few recipes. For example, idli dosa batter, making chapati dough, some vegetable chopping etc. For yogurt I mostly use homemade, so it doesn't turn sour in few hours. Also if it's summer, I mix some milk along with yogurt, prevent it from getting sour. hope this is helpful.
Ravleen
Thanks Bhavana! I did not know these 3.5 oz containers fit in the lunchbots box! This is helpful. Another question - which insulated lunch bag do you use to send this lunchbox? How do I ensure the lunchbox lays flat horizontally so that there is no spillage issue? FYI - love all your recipes and will try some for the upcoming school season.
Ravleen
Can you please share details of the small containers used in the lunchbots box?
Bhavana Patil
Hi Ravleen, They are 3.5 oz steel containers. Here is the link https://amzn.to/3iAysRe
Anonymous
Hi, can you share which bowls are you using inside the lunchbots lunchbox? Are these the 1.5 oz containers (lunchbots brand) or anything else?
Bhavana Patil
Hello, I have used 2 types, 1 which is smaller in size (1.5 oz) is from lunchbots.. they are too small. Other one which looks little big are 3.5 oz containers..here is the link https://amzn.to/3iAysRe ( i highly recommend these).
Nily
Thanks for putting together this collection. I hope to try some for my kid, who is starting school soon and a slow eater.
Bhavana Patil
Thank you Nily. I hope you get to try it soon and hoping your kid likes it.
Mamata
This is a great collection. Thanks for sharing!
Bhavana Patil
Thank you so much Mamata 🙂
Lucky
Hey, can you please tell me from where did you purchase that beautiful tiffin box?
bhavana
You can find it here Lucky.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IHMNSV6/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bhavana19-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00IHMNSV6&linkId=97086a8c26fbb9ac344684edcde67704
Seema Anthony
Gud ideas for kids lunch.....I enjoyed reading them
bhavana
Thank you so much,glad you liked them.
kakar zahida
please kindly send me the video of this recipy
bhavana
Unfortunately i dont have video recipes.all the recipes are posted on the blog/website.