School Lunch Gluten Free: Delicious and Easy Meals for Happy Kids!

School Lunch Gluten Free: Delicious and Easy Meals for Happy Kids!

By Sara Taylor

School Lunch Gluten Free: Delicious and Easy Meals for Happy Kids!

By Sara Taylor
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Updated
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Recipes

Packing a lunch for your child that is gluten free, that they will eat and not trade is like a puzzle everyday. There are a number of gluten free staples I have relied on and have turned into lunchbox concepts that are fun and not a sad compilation of things they “can’t have.” I have come up with ways to build gluten free lunches that are exciting for kids to open and will get messy!

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1) Schär Gluten Free Multi-Grain Bread

a gluten-free turkey and cheese sandwich in a wide horizontal shot, cut in half on a colorful lunch plate beside grapes, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

This gluten-free sandwich bread stays intact with all the fillings and toppings you love!

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a gluten-free turkey and cheese sandwich in a wide horizontal shot, cut in half on a colorful lunch plate beside grapes, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Schär Gluten Free Multi-Grain Bread

A turkey and cheese sandwich made with soft gluten free multi-grain bread.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices gluten-free multi-grain bread
  • 3 slices deli turkey
  • 1 slice cheddar cheese
  • 2 leaves lettuce
  • 1 tsp mayonnaise

Method
 

  1. Lightly toast the bread so it stays sturdy in the lunchbox.
  2. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one slice.
  3. Layer on the turkey, cheese, and lettuce.
  4. Top with the second slice and cut into halves or fun shapes.
  5. Wrap snugly to keep it from drying out before lunch.

Notes

Toasting the bread keeps it from getting gummy by lunchtime.

2) Enjoy Life Chewy Bars – Caramel Blondie

a wrapped caramel chewy bar in a wide horizontal shot, resting in a bento lunchbox next to fresh apple slices, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

The chewy bars are free of allergens, so they can be enjoyed by more people and feel like a reward, not a concession.

a wrapped caramel chewy bar in a wide horizontal shot, resting in a bento lunchbox next to fresh apple slices, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Enjoy Life Chewy Bars - Caramel Blondie

Caramel blondie chewy bars, no prep required, come with fresh fruit for an effortless dessert to add to your child’s lunchbox.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 caramel blondie chewy bar
  • 0.5 cup apple slices
  • 1 tsp lemon juice to prevent browning

Method
 

  1. Toss the apple slices with a little lemon juice so they stay fresh.
  2. Tuck the chewy bar into a lunchbox compartment.
  3. Add the apple slices alongside for a fruit-and-treat combo.
  4. Pack and go.

Notes

These bars are made without the top allergens, making them great for nut-free classrooms.

3) Annie's Homegrown Organic Gluten Free Rice Pasta & Cheddar

creamy gluten-free macaroni and cheese in a wide horizontal shot, golden cheesy pasta spilling from an open thermos onto a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Creamy, cheesy gluten-free macaroni and cheese is kept warm and gooey in the thermos until lunchtime!

creamy gluten-free macaroni and cheese in a wide horizontal shot, golden cheesy pasta spilling from an open thermos onto a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Annie's Homegrown Organic Gluten Free Rice Pasta & Cheddar

Classic cheddar rice pasta cooked with a creamy sauce and kept warm in a thermos.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box gluten-free rice pasta and cheddar
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 0.25 cup milk
  • 1 pinch salt

Method
 

  1. Boil the rice pasta according to the box until tender, then drain.
  2. Stir in the butter, milk, and cheese packet until smooth and creamy.
  3. Season with a pinch of salt.
  4. Warm a thermos with hot water, then empty it and add the hot mac.
  5. Seal tightly to keep it warm until lunch.

Notes

Pre-warming the thermos keeps the pasta from getting cold and clumpy.

4) Tinkyada Brown Rice Pasta

a gluten-free brown rice pasta salad in a wide horizontal shot, colorful pasta with tomatoes and cucumber in a lunch container, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

This brown rice pasta keeps its shape wonderfully, so it's a great choice for cold pasta salads that kids enjoy.

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a gluten-free brown rice pasta salad in a wide horizontal shot, colorful pasta with tomatoes and cucumber in a lunch container, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Tinkyada Brown Rice Pasta

Vibrant brown rice pasta salad mixed with vegetables and Italian dressing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups brown rice pasta
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 cup diced cucumber
  • 0.33 cup Italian dressing
  • 0.25 cup shredded mozzarella

Method
 

  1. Cook the brown rice pasta until tender, then drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. Toss the cooled pasta with tomatoes and cucumber.
  3. Pour in the Italian dressing and stir to coat.
  4. Fold in the shredded mozzarella.
  5. Chill until ready to pack into the lunchbox.

Notes

Rinsing the pasta with cold water keeps it from sticking together as it sits.

5) Amy's Gluten Free Thai Red Curry

Thai red curry in a wide horizontal shot, a vibrant orange curry with vegetables in an open thermos beside a small bowl of rice, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

This grown-up flavor adventure is perfect for the kid who is tired of the same lunch every day! Not to mention, this lunch is perfect for traveling in a thermos!

Thai red curry in a wide horizontal shot, a vibrant orange curry with vegetables in an open thermos beside a small bowl of rice, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Amy's Gluten Free Thai Red Curry

An exciting red Thai curry that is warming and is sealed for an adventurous lunch!
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bowl gluten-free Thai red curry
  • 0.5 cup cooked jasmine rice optional
  • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro optional

Method
 

  1. Heat the curry on the stovetop or microwave until steaming.
  2. Stir in a little cooked rice if your child likes it heartier.
  3. Warm a thermos with hot water, then empty it.
  4. Add the hot curry and seal tightly.
  5. Top with a little cilantro just before packing if desired.

Notes

Send along a small fork or spoon, since this one is best eaten warm.

6) WOW Baking Company Lemon Burst Cookies

soft lemon cookies in a wide horizontal shot, pale yellow cookies beside a pile of fresh blueberries in a lunch container, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Lemon cookies that sparkle like sunshine and are gluten-free too!

soft lemon cookies in a wide horizontal shot, pale yellow cookies beside a pile of fresh blueberries in a lunch container, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

WOW Baking Company Lemon Burst Cookies

These soft lemon cookies with fresh berries are a great sweet treat to go with a packed lunch.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 gluten-free lemon cookies
  • 0.5 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 small napkin

Method
 

  1. Rinse and dry the blueberries.
  2. Place the cookies in a small lunchbox compartment so they don't crumble.
  3. Add the blueberries alongside for a lemon-and-berry pairing.
  4. Tuck in a napkin and pack.

Notes

Pack the cookies in a hard-sided container so they arrive whole, not crushed.

7) Udi's Gluten Free Bagels

a toasted gluten-free bagel in a wide horizontal shot, halves spread with cream cheese beside sliced strawberries on a bright lunch plate, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

One of the best all-time lunchbox foods is a gluten-free bagel with cream cheese.

a toasted gluten-free bagel in a wide horizontal shot, halves spread with cream cheese beside sliced strawberries on a bright lunch plate, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Udi's Gluten Free Bagels

A gluten-free bagel that is toasted and spread with cream cheese. Includes fresh fruit.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 gluten-free bagel
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese
  • 0.5 cup strawberries sliced

Method
 

  1. Slice and toast the bagel until lightly golden.
  2. Let it cool slightly, then spread with cream cheese.
  3. Press the halves together or pack open-faced.
  4. Add the sliced strawberries on the side.
  5. Wrap snugly to keep the bagel from drying out.

Notes

Toasting these bagels makes a big difference in texture — they can be dense straight from the bag.

8) Snyder's of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks

gluten-free pretzel sticks in a wide horizontal shot, crunchy sticks fanned beside a small cup of creamy peanut butter dip in a lunchbox, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Crunchy pretzel sticks make the gluten-free snack option that completes your lunchbox.

gluten-free pretzel sticks in a wide horizontal shot, crunchy sticks fanned beside a small cup of creamy peanut butter dip in a lunchbox, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Snyder's of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks

Gluten-free pretzel sticks come with a peanut butter dipping sauce.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 handful gluten-free pretzel sticks
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tsp honey

Method
 

  1. Stir the peanut butter and honey together until smooth.
  2. Spoon the dip into a small leak-proof container.
  3. Add a handful of pretzel sticks to a separate compartment.
  4. Pack the dip and pretzels side by side for dunking at lunch.

Notes

Swap in sunflower seed butter for a nut-free classroom.

9) CheeCha Puffs Original

a gluten-free snack lunch in a wide horizontal shot, crispy potato puffs with cheese cubes and green grapes arranged in a divided lunchbox, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

These puffs are light, airy, and crunchy! They are a fun, gluten free substitute for chips.

a gluten-free snack lunch in a wide horizontal shot, crispy potato puffs with cheese cubes and green grapes arranged in a divided lunchbox, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

CheeCha Puffs Original

Snack-style lunch including potato puffs, cheese cubes, and grapes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup gluten-free potato puffs
  • 4 cubes cheddar cheese
  • 0.5 cup grapes

Method
 

  1. Portion the puffs into a lunchbox compartment.
  2. Add the cheese cubes to another section.
  3. Wash and dry the grapes and tuck them alongside.
  4. Close it up for a fun snack-plate lunch.

Notes

This snacky combo is great for kids who prefer grazing over a big sandwich.

10) GoGo Squeez Applesauce

an applesauce pouch in a wide horizontal shot, the pouch beside gluten-free crackers and cheese slices in a colorful lunchbox, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

These squeezable applesauce pouches are the MVP for lunchboxes as there’s no mess and no spoons needed!

an applesauce pouch in a wide horizontal shot, the pouch beside gluten-free crackers and cheese slices in a colorful lunchbox, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

GoGo Squeez Applesauce

Cheese and crackers plus an easy-to-eat applesauce pouch.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pouch applesauce
  • 5 gluten-free crackers
  • 3 slices cheese

Method
 

  1. Drop the applesauce pouch into the lunchbox.
  2. Add the gluten-free crackers to a compartment.
  3. Tuck the cheese slices alongside.
  4. Pack it up for a balanced, no-utensil lunch.

Notes

Freeze the pouch overnight and it doubles as an ice pack that thaws by lunch.
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