Nut Free Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids

Be that fun mom by wowing your kids these quick and easy nut free healthy lunch ideas like bagel pizzas, SunButter banana “quesadillas” and pancake sandwiches.

Healthy Kids Lunch Ideas Good Things Baking by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

There’s an urban legend going around. Apparently, there’s such a thing as a “fun mom.”

They take unexpected trips to the park, zoo, or library. They bake cookies for their kids in the kitchen, even though they know that it will turn into a big mess.

Wrecking the living room on the regular to build blanket forts? No problem! Fun moms also turn on the backyard hose to make mud pies. 

We all aspire to be that fun mom. But who always has all that time? I, Rebecca certainty don’t!

You can still be that fun mom by wowing your kids at lunch time with these easy and quick bagel pizzas, SunButter banana “quesadillas” and pancake sandwiches.

Plus, they’re all nut free, which makes them lunch-box approved for school or daycare! So throw a few fruits, veggies or hard boiled eggs on the side. Then, add a Surprise DIY Lunch Box Note.

And you’ve got a complete healthy school lunch (that adults and kids love)! 

Healthy Kids Lunch Ideas Bagel Pizza Toppings by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

Easy Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids

1 — Pizza Bagels

Heathy Lunch Ideas for Kids Pizza Bagel Recipe by Sugar & Cloth

 

These homemade pizza bagels are so easy to whip up since you can even bake them in a toaster oven. Get creative with the toppings! For the pickier eaters, slip in a veggie or two.

The best part? Kids can enjoy topping their own pizzas!

Just make sure that they don’t snatch and eat all of the cheese before it can go on the pizzas. That’s why I always have to keep an eye on my 18-month old.

We used pre-made pizza sauce, but you can easily make your own white pizza sauce if you’re feeling fancy.

Another easy lunch idea that is popular is an English muffin pizza.

2 — SunButter Banana Quesadilla: Peanut Butter Alternative

Nut Free Lunch Ideas for Kids Sunbutter Quesadillas by Sugar & Cloth

Healthy Kids Lunch Ideas Sunbutter Quesadillas Toppings by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

Nut allergies are serious. Many schools and daycare do not allow nuts (especially peanuts) on campus. Thankfully, there’s an alternative!

According to my 4-year old taste tester, SunButter tastes just like peanut butter. He’s got a very discriminating (rather picky) palate too! 

SunButter is made from roasted sunflower seeds. It’s also free from the top 8 common food allergen: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, fish, shellfish and soy. Plus, it’s also gluten free and sesame free!

Since a standard sandwich is just a little boring, why not put it in a tortilla and throw in some sliced bananas?

Kids especially love when their lunches look fun. So you could turn the quesadilla until pinwheel roll ups. Simply roll the tortilla from the bottom up tightly. Slice them about 1 inch in width.

Other delicious peanut butter alternatives include the soy based, WowButter or the high-fiber oat based, granola butter.

 

3 — Pancake Sandwiches

Pancake Sandwiches Recipe for healthy lunch ideas for kids by Sugar & Cloth

 

Cold lunch ideas like these pancake sandwiches make for an easy lunch. Simply assemble them like any sandwich. But instead of your typical bread, swap it out for pancakes.

Pancakes don’t have to be smothered in syrup! Use them to creatively switch up your sandwich game.

Just try to find pre-made pancakes, a pancake mix or a homemade recipe with little to no sugar. This way, lunch doesn’t turn into a dessert.

These pancake sandwiches also get bonus points for having no crust! Most kids (or at least mine) always request their crusts off. 
Healthy Kids Lunch Ideas Pancake Sandwich Fillings by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

More Easy Lunch Recipes

For more easy lunch others, check out our other favorite recipes below — 

Healthy Kids Lunch Ideas Bagel Pizza Toppings by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

Homemade Bagel Pizza Recipe

Print Recipe
5 from 7 votes
We've made a homemade version of everyone's favorite bagel pizza and it's a great nut-free lunch alternative...
Total Time10 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine Pizzas

Equipment

  • Baking sheet

Ingredients

  • 1 plain bagel (regular sized or mini)
  • 3 pepperoni slices
  • 1 tbsp bell peppers diced
  • 1 tbsp chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp pizza sauce
  • Any other toppings to your liking cooked Italian sausage, pineapple chunks, ham, etc

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 621IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 1
Calories: 246kcal

Instructions

  • Open the bagels and place them face up on a baking sheet.
  • Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the top.
  • Sprinkle with cheese.
  • Add any topping you’d like.
  • Sprinkle a bit more cheese to help hold the topping on.
  • Place under a broiler.
  • Let sit until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Then, serve.
KEYWORD: bagel pizza recipe

 

Healthy Kids Lunch Ideas Sunbutter Quesadillas Toppings by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

SunButter Banana Quesadilla Recipe

Print Recipe
5 from 7 votes
This sun butter banana quesadilla is the perfect healthy, nut-free lunch for your kids!
Total Time10 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine Quesadillas

Equipment

  • Knife

Ingredients

  • 1 tortilla
  • 1 tbsp jam
  • 1 tbsp SunButter spread
  • 1 banana optional, sliced thin

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 76IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg
Servings: 1
Calories: 344kcal

Instructions

  • Spread the jam on one half of the tortilla.
  • Spread the SunButter on the other half.
  • Place the banana slices around on the SunButter.
  • Fold the tortilla over and cut in half.
KEYWORD: healthy nut free lunch ideas

 

Healthy Kids Lunch Ideas Pancake Sandwich Fillings by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

Pancake Sandwich Recipe

Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes
Ever heard of a pancake sandwich?! We hadn't either until we tried this playful take on a lunch idea
Total Time10 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine Sandwich

Equipment

  • Knife

Ingredients

  • 1 pancake medium to large homemade or pre-made
  • 2 sliced deli meat ham, turkey, roast beef, etc.
  • 1 sliced cheese cheddar, gruyere, etc.
  • Condiments mayonnaise, mustard, etc.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 411mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 1
Calories: 127kcal

Instructions

  • Defrost and prep your pancakes if they are pre-made.
  • Prepare with the fillings like a regular sandwich.
KEYWORD: healthy nut free lunch ideas, pancake sandwich

Don’t forget to share your healthy lunch ideas for kids with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! And if you’re looking for more quick and delicious recipes you can find them all right here with a few desserts to go along with them!

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!

5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave a Rating:




10 Comments

  1. I’m also on the hunt for great toddler lunch ideas and these are fully 3 year old (and mom) approved!

    1. Thanks, Chelsea! We thought it would be a perfect time for this post with the kids out of school and at home!

  2. There are some great ideas here! It gives kids some variety while being mindful of children around them.5 stars

    1. Thanks, April! We are definitely trying to be more mindful of food allergies, especially since it seems like there are so many kids with them now!